Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

evilsquid1603

[Deleted User] wrote:

It will be my 40th birthday in November and I have decided that I want to do something special for myself rather than my usual melting into the background and working around everyone else's plans (I do this even when it is my birthday!). Soo... I have a few ideas. Want to do it as frugally as posible but still something memorable. OH has taken some time off in the few days before my birthday so possibly we could have a short break somewhere. I would appreciate any suggestions or ideas folks.

have you ever tried the trick with last minute.com? if you book one of their super cheap "surprise" hotels, it won't give you a name but it gives you the hotels bog standard blurb so if you copy and paste the whole blurb into google, google finds the site it came off and the all important hotel name so you get the discount without the risk! i had a lovely 2 day break off there in a gorgeous b&b in windermere. it had beatrix potter mugs and a glittery loo seat and the food was divine.

findingmyway wrote: »

Lesson Learned - this is going to sound like a really daft question, but how do you use the oils that you make. Do you use it like moisturiser and wait for it to soak into your skin, or just use it in the shower and bath?

Sorry I really am a novice at most beauty treatments, lotions and potions except for the very basics.

i mix my own all the time. i cut open and add a few capsules of vitamin e from holland and barrett too. give it a bit of a shake and use it right from the bottle. it may take longer than your used to with body lotion to sink in but it will do eventually.

you can use them as bath oil too if you want but its mostly just for scent and you may as well just add the essential oils themselves straight from the bottle. you want about 10-20 drops for an average bath.

heebie-jeebies

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi heebie-jeebies, would probably stay in the uk. It would need to be a short break for 3 nights max due to OHs time off. Yes, it would probably just be for the two of us. I prefer to be in the country rather than a city break and like to swim, walk, wander in some local shops or farmers market, read books and generally chill out when on holiday.

How about a hot tub holiday?

[Deleted User] wrote:

Thanks for the tip re biggest loser -I find it quite inspiring to watch. Is it a new season or a repeat?

As far as I can tell, it's a new series - not sure who the trainers are though this year?

maman

heebie-jeebies wrote: »

Hi Allie,

What sort of things do you like to do? Do you want to stay in the UK or go further afield? How long for? Is it just you and OH?

Sorry for all the questions!

Just what I was going to ask. I love mini-breaks and even if you went abroad it shouldn't be too expensive in November. You've got almost a year to save up so it shouldn't be too bad. I'd recommend any number of European City Breaks if you like sightseeing, museums, galleries, architecture, shops, eating and drinking (as I do:D). If you really can't/won't go abroad then city breaks in this country can be equally fantastic ( I had an amazing time in Edinburgh in March) or there's York, or Cardiff, obviously London etc etc The world's your lobster;)

Good to see you back bratz. very interested in your wedding plans. I take it you're doing your own hand-crafted invites. My friend did some lovely ones recently with little, heart-shaped childhood photos of her and fiance on them. Love the sound of your nails. Are you having a goth themed wedding or more traditional? (Apologies for extreme nosiness:o).

Thanks for the teeth tip liz-paul. I've been finding it really hard to resist LO Christmas goodies of an evening. Only small nibbles but I really don't need them.

Lara, thanks for the sewing info too. I have a lovely pair of CS Max Mara cords that I think are too flared as I'm more into straight cut at the moment. They have been sitting in the bag since I bought them a couple of months ago. I MUST taper them a bit. I'm in the (fortunate) position of needing lots of new clothes. The trousers are because all my 'house' clothes (i.e. pensioned off good stuff) had to be binned/recycled as they didn't fit any more. I must admit I was as happy with a few quality CS buys to tide me over during weightloss than some of the cheaper George/Matalan things. Do share your capsule wardrobe ideas.

I've made a good start today. No fabbing of me but I've cleared/cleaned the sitting room. There's just the tree/wreath/outside lights (no not a flashing santa:D) to sort but that can wait for better weather. It's been horrendous here but sun is just trying to peep out now! Might go mad, put the slap on and go to Aldi!:rotfl:

maman

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi heebie-jeebies, would probably stay in the uk. It would need to be a short break for 3 nights max due to OHs time off. Yes, it would probably just be for the two of us. I prefer to be in the country rather than a city break and like to swim, walk, wander in some local shops or farmers market, read books and generally chill out when on holiday.

Thanks for the tip re biggest loser -I find it quite inspiring to watch. Is it a new season or a repeat?

Sorry, cross posted with your answer. I think some sort of country house hotel with spa facilities would be great. Then you'd have a pool and you (and your OH?) could go for some treatments and there's usually delightful grounds to walk in. Trouble is I'm not sure if the good prices are advertised this early but most years I see them on sites like dealckecker and travelzoo. Midweek is always cheaper than weekends too, especially starting Sunday nights.

LameWolf

Hello, Fab Friends.:D

Well, what a day - raining doggies and moggies here in Concrete Cow Country; hence my shoulder is giving me gyp; I've just had to give in and take a dose of Oramorph, with the idea of hitting the Wii Fit as soon as it kicks in.

I really must try and de-fuzz my legs, too; I still haven't done this.:(

I confess to feeling very anxious today, is a loose, non-specific way; but I'm pretty certain this is because I'm partway through switching from one anti-d to another.

Allie I know what you mean about doing what others want, even when it's supposed to be your special day.:o But I have to admit that, given the choice, I'd just kick my birthday under the carpet and forget about it! I'm afraid I'm no help on the ideas front, bit I hope you can get something arranged that you'll thoroughly enjoy!:o

Right, I think the Oramorph's doing its job now, so I must stop talking about it and get Wii Fitting.;)

lessonlearned

I've just spent 4 hours on the phone trying to organise a broadband package for OH in the nursing home and trying to sort out SS/benefits etc.

And that's just the start of my journey - it took nearly 40 minutes just to get through to DWP in the first place. And of course there now follows the forms, interviews etc and further interviews with SS.

I can see my life slipping away in front of me - whilst they just faff around and dither about. No-one seems to know what they are doing and I just get shunted from pillar to post. Like I said I'm in this curious state of limbo until November when my pension kicks in.

I'm a square peg that won't fit into their round holes and they don't know what to do with me. If they don't know then how on earth can I be expected to know.:mad::mad:

I gave up a lucrative career to look after my OH, saved them a shed load of money and this is my reward.

The sooner I can free myself from their clutches the better. I will stand on my financial two feet - I will not waste my life languishing on benefits. Today is virtually a write off and I'm spitting feathers because they make me feel like a worthless scrounger.

Rant over.

I've asked DS2 to try and get me in the garden centre asap - that'll do for now, although it's now their quiet time and there won't be much around until the Spring.

Anyway off to physio now, the sooner my back improves and I feel a bit stronger the sooner the better. The sooner I can tell them to swivel.:rotfl:

prepareathome

lizzie157 wrote: »

Have also decided to write down everything i do in aday ( i thought i did very little) was asked by counsellor to do this and was told i had a varied and comprehensive amount of stuff in my diary. It did make me look at what i do and realise that i actually o acheive alot and its given me a different way to look at this. So for a couple of weeks i'm going to carry it on and also use the planner for meals, and see if it helps me remain positive.
Now i'm off for that walk.:D See you soon

I have also been asked by counsellor to do this and I keep forgetting so going to make an effort and use this to make sure I do some pampering of me as well as other things. I get depression during winter ( so far at bay this year) due to health always worse then, which builds to a head by end of March then vanishes till the following winter, but this time have tried to put a lot of things in place to prevent it, so far its working and past few years would never have considered going to SW ( going to the 6pm meeeting this evening) or basically getting out of bed and washed as so achy and down, but refusing to let pain get me down now. I know there will be times when pain and/or exhaustion stop me in my tracks but by having to come on here and admit I had not got washed or cleaned my teeth will make me do them - that sounds as if I am a totally disgusting person, but I do normally have a shower a day and brush my teeth at least twice a day, but when bad just getting out of bed to go to bathroom feels like I am climbing Everest.

So as well as filling in the sheets for Counsellor I am going to type up a list and stick it on laptop lid of what I must do every day and put a tick by it when its done.

I got up at noon today and apart from bathroom not done anything yet as waiting for pain meds to kick in but at least thinking and planning what I will do - I want to to go SW this evening wearing make up and perfume with everything moisturised and put some nice clothes on as well. Hubby in bath at moment so will not get in bathroom till about 4pm ( when he goes in he falls asleep in there and forgets to come out, who ever said woman take longer in bathroom never me my hubby just to get ready in morning takes about 90 mins) So will have my shower then, hair was washed yesterday so can leave it today as won't be time to get it dried and get ready.

Does anyone know of any sites that can show you what to do with your hair, mine is just above my waist - wanted long hair all my life but used to always go into rats tails the second after it was brushed, if anything longer than a couple of inches, but now its gone thicker and much better so been growing it two years now but all I ever do with it is put it in a pony tail - which I never go out with at 55 I would look totally daft or bun I don't even know how to plait it ( yet used to do my daughters all sorts of ways but my own I just cannot seem to do)

Right can move now so will go and take dishes out of dishwasher and decide what is for meal tonight then decide what I will wear and dig out make-up - luckily that is not such a feat as used it Christmas Eve, then when OH vacates bathroom I can go in, sometimes think we should change downstairs loo to a shower room but I would miss having a toilet downstairs, wonder if both could be fitted into one room, its small but where sink is shower could be, must look into it.


Hope everyone is fitting in me time

Molly41

Hugs LL - I know exactly how you feel as regards the DWP.

I only write to them now and send it in a recorded/ special delivery so I know I have proof. I find it much less stressful. I am actually phone phobic though so that is my only way of communicating with officialdom.

I am currently in bed, recovering from the pain clinic and 6 injections. Still it will be worth it. Fab routine last night and am starting to plan now for my retreat. I felt so much more in control when packing for last time.

Hugs xx

evilsquid1603

lessonlearned wrote: »

I've just spent 4 hours on the phone trying to organise a broadband package for OH in the nursing home and trying to sort out SS/benefits etc.

And that's just the start of my journey - it took nearly 40 minutes just to get through to DWP in the first place. And of course there now follows the forms, interviews etc and further interviews with SS.

I can see my life slipping away in front of me - whilst they just faff around and dither about. No-one seems to know what they are doing and I just get shunted from pillar to post. Like I said I'm in this curious state of limbo until November when my pension kicks in.

I'm a square peg that won't fit into their round holes and they don't know what to do with me. If they don't know then how on earth can I be expected to know.:mad::mad:

I gave up a lucrative career to look after my OH, saved them a shed load of money and this is my reward.

The sooner I can free myself from their clutches the better. I will stand on my financial two feet - I will not waste my life languishing on benefits. Today is virtually a write off and I'm spitting feathers because they make me feel like a worthless scrounger.

Rant over.

I've asked DS2 to try and get me in the garden centre asap - that'll do for now, although it's now their quiet time and there won't be much around until the Spring.

Anyway off to physio now, the sooner my back improves and I feel a bit stronger the sooner the better. The sooner I can tell them to swivel.:rotfl:

i feel your pain! the DWP are useless.

DH and I are both on jobseekers atm because even though we are both insanely qualified we just can't get jobs in what were qualified for. we have to be a joint claim and none of them have a clue whats going on with us. I've had weeks where I've had to ring them when our moneys been late and we had bills to pay and felt like i was begging them over the phone for money.

they also know nothing about what were finding jobs in (i have a science degree and a law degree, DH is a pilot) and its taken them 4 months to actually give us a list of job advertisement sites even remotely relevant to our industries. they also had the cheek to tell me that i was only a qualified receptionist and was batting above my league looking for legal secretary and solicitor jobs when I'm literally qualified enough to walk into a training contract and become a trainee solicitor tomorrow if someone would offer me a job.

fabbing wise, I'm off to paint my nails. possibly in the brightest colour i can find to balance out my mood :rotfl:

FannyAdams_2

Eurgh, I feel crappy and really can't get motivated. Any tips on where to start when you feel like this?