Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

Callisto

My 2012 aims are:

Health

To eat more naturally - more fruit and veg and a lot less processed food. I am also going to cut down on eating meat as I have really gone off fatty cuts of meat, especially beef. If I can't afford leaner meat, I would rather go without. I am going to learn to cook some lovely healthy vegetarian dishes and investigate using beans and pulses more.

Exercise four times a week (exercise bike or DVD.) The other three days, try and at least get out in the fresh air for a quick walk.

Combining the above two aims to lose 1 stone and 3 lbs to get back to my target weight. I was at target last January, it is shocking to realise that it has only taken a year to put this weight back on! I made the mistake of thinking that all of the hard work was done, so I didn't have to pay as much attention to my diet or do as much exercise. Nothing good comes for free, I now know I have to look at it as a whole lifestyle change and not just a 'diet' or an exercise 'plan'. If I want to be healthy and strong, this is what I need to do.

Beauty

Choose and buy a new perfume. I tried 'Azure Breeze' in M&S yesterday while shopping and I still really liked it hours later. I will try a few more out before buying.

Face mask once a week

Look after my hands better - currently my cuticles are ragged and I bite my nails.

Other areas

Continue decluttering house - I feel so much better when the house is tidier and objects have a 'place' to live in.

Be more creative. A few of my Day Zero goals are creative/art related. I have started the 365 photo challenge today (one random photo a day for a year.) I usually only take my camera on days out, so it will force me to look around the house and local environment to find interesting subjects to capture. I also want to make up a vision board (pictures cut out of magazines and stuck to card/pinboard in a prominent place, so I see it every day) and paint a picture, which I haven't done since school.

Complete my Open University course. It finishes in June, but I have struggled with it due to poor time management and depression.

Think that is all, it's a bit epic - but I am going to copy this into a word document and print it out, to save having to write out my resolutions again.

Thanks for all the lovely comments about the dress, I wasn't 100% sure it was suitable for a wedding, but I haven't seen anything else I like or that suits me. The pashmina suggestion is fab, thanks Maman. I'm not keen on shrugs either really, I don't see the point of having half a cardigan! I will need an extra layer as I feel the cold easily, so a pashmina will be good to wrap over my arms. (I'm the woman who tuts at other women going out in winter in short sleeves and tiny skirts - my Mum never had to tell me to put my coat on in the winter, it was already on!)

findingmyway_2

Hello ladies

Wow, I am gone for a few days and I come back to more than 8 pages to read. I have skimmed through but will read properly later.

Well not much fabbing going on here. I am 9 hours ahead of the UK so my day is coming to an end, but I haven't left the house yet. I am on leave this week, so decided to just spend today chilling out and relaxing and will get myself in order tomorrow.

I have such a long list of things that I want to achieve so ill list the main ones.

- loose a bit of weight
- get cracking on my distance learning economics course that will top up my Masters
- move back to the UK and find a job in my related field.
- save up for a house deposit (I desperately want to own my own place)
- eat more healthily
- be more productive and stop feeling like there is no point in trying because I might fail
- try and turn my hobby into a side business

Gosh that is a long list, and definitely not a comprehensive one :rotfl:

I suppose ill get cracking on these for now though. I really like the idea of the 101 things in 1001 days though, so I am going to think long and hard about what I want to achieve and make my own list.

From tomorrow I will start making an effort with fabbing myself. I agree with what others say as well, buying clothes that I like rather than because they are on sale and will do needs to be my new mantra.

have a good day everyone

fedupandskint

fedupandskint wrote: »

My Summer Solstice Aims

Beauty
1. Treat my feet - daily footcream application and weekly scrub and shred
2. 2 face masks and exfoliations per week
3. Weekly body exfoliation
4. Make up daily for work and weekend shopping but allowed days off for skin to breathe naturally
5. Wear jewellry and perfum the same as above

Exercise
1. Run at least 3 x per week and increase to 4 x per week for training plan
2. Yoga start off with 10mins 3x per week and build up from there
3 Zumba or Shred - Can I fit this into the mornings? That's the plan anyway!
4. Always walk the dog for at least an hour a day

Diet
1. Aim to lose half a stone by end Feb
2. Take measurements every 2 weeks

Adding another couple of aims after I was inspired by other ideas I've read;

• Arrange personal shopper appt to check I know what suits me and what I want to buy in future
• Continue to eat lots of fruit and veg
• Maintain eating fish and vegetarian meals and then meat once or twice a week
• Continue to not eat processed foods
• Eat what is in the freezer and cupboards first!

I decided the clean the bathroom last night at 8.30pm instead of doing my head in not writing my assignment I decided to get up and do something instead of trying to fit everything in today and then not doing it.

So today I'm going to take the dog on his longer walk this morning and then see if the weather suits a longer run (more like if I feel like it!) then I really will make a big dent in my assignment due in 7 days time. Fabwise is the usual walking, skincare, think I''ll have a bath and exfoliate later on. Plus I'm going to try and stick to my kcal allowance after going way over for the last few days or week! Need to get back on track sharpish otherwise this weight will find its way back on again and I don't want that!

WelshWoofer

fedupandskint wrote: »

So today I'm going to take the dog on his longer walk this morning and then see if the weather suits a longer run

Morning ladies!
Its not raining! Hurrah!
All of these fab related dogs are very lucky pooches and benefitting from their "mummies" new resolve! Perhaps the woofer will lose a few lbs too?
My little list for today includes...

1. Popping to B&M for a new razor - yesterday's defuzzing came to a halt due to a duff razor
2. Defuzzing tonight
3. Stick to diet
4. Usual face routine
5. Make up and perfume
6. Try drying my hair a different way
7. Dog walking with ipod to make me move faster
8. Getting clothes ready to go back to work - no just fling it on stuff - try harder to make things look nice

Hope everyone has a fab day!

fedupandskint

WelshWoofer wrote: »

All of these fab related dogs are very lucky pooches and benefitting from their "mummies" new resolve! Perhaps the woofer will lose a few lbs too?

Hoping so! His coat makes him look a little overweight as its getting quite thick at the moment. He has had more exercise over the last couple of months than ever before which is good for him and good for me!

lessonlearned

So today I'm going to have a little potter in the garden........but first

Good Morning Ladies and A Big Warm Welcome to All Newbies

DS2 bought me some spring bulbs for Christimas - half price, staff discount, Good Lad, here's learning.;) so going to have a nice half hour or so in the garden - when it warms up a bit. Oooooh I do love to see a blue sky and a bit of sunshine - even the pale wintry sort.

Today is "B" week so will make a start on them in a minute, also as promised a bit more of Back to Basics - it all ties in nicely.;) Please do feel free to add any "B" buzz words if you think of any.

But first .............

Several of you have mentioned that you sometimes feel that you don't have many friends and that you would like to do more on this front, but are unsure how best to go about it.

Ok so 2012 is the year this changes isn't it. Yes??? Yes!!!!

So here's a few things I've learned along the way - hope they help.

Try putting some of these tips into practice - just as a bit of homework - not to make friends as such but to just get you over the hurdle of how to talk to new people.

Like many of you I used to be extremely shy and self conscious - meeting new people was agony, parties were torture - still not overly keen on parties but I can at least handle them now.

Two things helped me - my sales training and watching how my lovely OH (Mr Charisma and a true party animal) went about things.

My sales training taught me how to break the ice and watching OH taught me some valuable lessons in humility.

Both academically and in his career he was a real high flyer - with a brilliant mind that took him to the top of his profession.

However, I noticed that he treated everyone with the same courtesy and afforded them the same respect - from multi-millionaire Directors & Chairmen, right down to the janitors who cleaned the toilets. King or dustman it made no difference to OH. He chatted to them all as if they were long lost relatives, laughing and joking and indulging in friendly banter. Everyone responded to him in kind and he was not only respected but he was also well loved and admired.

He was also an extremely kind man with a genuine warmth and compassion - he took a real interest in their daily lives and would also enquire after them, their families etc. If someone had car trouble he would be out there with the jump leads or helping push the car.

He was always unfailingly polite, opening doors for people, helping with a heavy bag etc. He never swore or used profane language or dirty talk. Ok he could be a bit saucy and cheeky and he loved a double entendre or a bit of innuendo but it was never offensive or lewd though.

He never made a snap judgement about people but would get to know them first and was always prepared to gave someone the benefit of the doubt or a second chance.

I realised that the key to his success was that he simply loved people, he loved being around them. People would glow and blossom in his company. Eventually I grew to be a bit more like him, instead of fretting and worrying about how others saw me I learned to relax and simply enjoy listening to what others had to say.

I learned one golden truth - most people love talking about themselves, their lives, their interests, worries etc. So if you are anxious in social situations remember this golden rule. Get them to do the talking, be a good listener, take an interest in what they are saying. That way you'll learn to forget your nerves and will be able to relax and enjoy the occasion.

You don't need to fake it - don't even try - people can spot a faker who turns on the false charm - just be yourself and take an interest in others - the rest will follow.

Breaking the ice

This is often the hardest bit. Here's a few tricks I learned from sales training.

Always carry with you a packet of sweets, preferably mints. Remember the old "People Like Polo" advert. Well it's true - offer a person a polo and the conversation starts to flow.

Smile - it's free.

At strangers!!!:eek::eek: Yes, at strangers. Practice this every day. A nod and a smile. Dog walkers are great at this. They always greet passers by with a smile and a good morning. You just need to try and practice this - just without a dog. Some people will ignore you, some will return your smile.

Talk to Shop Assistants and Check Out Operators

Every time. Say hello, take it from there. Talk about the weather, ask them if they've had a busy morning, ask them what time they finish. Most of them love chatting to customers - it helps them alleviate the boredom. Some may not want to chat in which case just leave it after the hello bit.

Headphones/Ipods

Do you walk around with headphones on. Now for running etc they are great - a bit of upbeat music to get you motivated is a good thing. However, if you are wearing headphones how can you engage with other people. Same with mobile phones, texting or sitting with your nose in a book. Headphones and book - well you may as well have a large sign round your neck saying "Don't talk to me".

Head Up - Make Eye Contact

If you are shuffling along, looking at your shoes, what does this say about you. "Don't talk to me - I'm not worthy". Head up, look 'em in the eye, don't forget to smile.. You are worthy, you are worth getting to know - but you do need to give people the chance to talk to you. Your body language can do an awful lot to put people off, especially if they are a bit shy - just like you.

Try some of these tips for a few days. It'll probably feel like torture at first but it gets easier with practice.

The absolute golden rule to remember is that most people are basically just as shy and insecure as we are. They are probably just as terrified of making the first move, of looking silly and making a fool of themselves.

Our body language, sad or scowly faces, and general grumpy demeanour can easily put others off.

Get out there and start smiling.

Molly41

Good Morning x
Im resolved to have a Fabby shower and hair wash later and do a face mask. I also have to start putting together my clothes for my retreat next week:T:T:T

Hope you all have a good day x

Nancy888

maman wrote: »

I wouldn't mind doing that nancy. Do you just ring up? Do you have to have an occasion in mind or just say 'find out what suits me'?

I just called into the store and found the Personal Shopper room (ours was on the ground floor but it's really well signposted within the store) and booked myself in.

Ours is quite a large room with large sofa and huge changing room with plenty of mirrors arrnged so you can see yoourself properly and a clothes rail that she keeps bringing things in for you.

I said I was looking for some separates for mix and match but looking through the 'visitor' book there were people who were shopping for mother of the bride, some who had lost weight and wanted a new look or people just shopping for the new season.

She also helped with my colours - it wasn't a full consultation in that respect but she draped something black and then something brown over my shoulders and showed me the brown suited my complexion more than the black.

I have a helluva lot of black tops so nows the time to introduce scarves so that the top gets worn but there is something else next to my face other than black

HTH

lessonlearned

Beauty

Do we need to be beautiful to be Fab. I don't think so. Some of the happiest, most fulfilled, most attractive, charismatic, charming people are by no means beauties.

We are all know the old sayings "Beauty is skin deep", "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" etc. Physical perfection and beauty don't always bring happiness, quite the reverse.

So forget your imperfections, so you may be less than beautiful, so what - you can still be fab.

Bra's

A good fitting bra can work wonders. The right bra can make an outfit the wrong one can ruin it. Showing a tatty bra strap is an absolute no, no.

A good tip for holding bra straps in place is to sew a small piece of ribbon or tape across the shoulder of your dress, sew one end in place, the other end has a press stud, you can then slip the strap under the tape and hold it in place by closing the press stud. Hope that makes sense.

Baubles, bangles and beads

And scarves. You can ring the changes and jazz up an outfit, add a splash of colour. Can be cheap, cheerful and fun.

Bags

Regulars will know my opinion of "It" bags, they are just plain daft. Who in their right mind would shell out thousands of pounds for the latest designer must have IT bag. Most of them look awful.

A nice bag should be an investment, so my advice is to go for something in a classic style in leather. Fun bags/evening clutches etc can be fabric. Charity shops are a great place to find nice bags.

It used to be a fashion rule - that your bag should match your shoes - think the Queen here. Nowadays that rule seems rather old fashioned.

Shoulder Bags - Don't overload them and make them too heavy. You will hurt your back.

evilsquid1603

lessonlearned wrote: »

Bags

Regulars will know my opinion of "It" bags, they are just plain daft. Who in their right mind would shell out thousands of pounds for the latest designer must have IT bag. Most of them look awful.

I saw girls in the harvey nichols sale fighting over a lime green leather satchel with flourescent pink buckles that had a harvey nicks price tag to match. I've always said that money can't buy style!