Frump to Fab - Sizzling Summer Solstice to Awesome Autumn Equinox

maman

:wave:

I love having lunch in Pret for a treat sparkles. I generally go for the salad nicoise as you can add your own dressing (then spoil it by having a bag of crisps:o). Glad the meeting went well. When I did my Masters, the dissertation was really hard work. That was becasue I was allowed a half day a week to attend lectures but nothing for writing the dissertation! Much midnight oil was burned.

Sorry to hear about the tribulations with your DH, LL. Unfortunately the whole care system is based on funding which is why they pay the carers so poorly and sometimes attract unsuitable people. It seems to be just a matter of luck if a good, caring person comes along who's prepared to do the job properly for peanuts. Which isn't so far removed from you doing the nursing at home for free!! I think your DH is very fortunate to have you on the case!!

I was only thinking this morning that I need to sort out my wardrobe for autumn/winter. It's getting much colder and I've needed to wear socks the last few days. I don't think I need to buy loads just see what I've got and co-ordinate it into outfits. I have been fancying a gilet (?), what used to be called a body warmer back in the day!:rotfl:I quite like this one from Joules

but wondered if one with a hood might be better. I've been dithering about that for a while. I walked through Matalan the other day and saw some very nice jumpers and cardis. Tu in Sainsbury's have some good classic button through cardis, both short and long. I suppose it depends what you're looking for? What sort of outfits are 'in' for autumn?

Will catch up with your blog pod. Just wanted to say that I admire you hugely. You seem to fit in sooo much outside work and support your OH at the same time.:T

I'm doing well on the fabbing front. I need to ensure that as we move into colder weather that I keep up all the defuzzing, body slathering and toenail painting. Plus as my tan fades:( I need to make sure I use foundation/tinted moisturiser to stop me looking old and tired.

Being a bit c*tty, did anyone see Fiona Phillips on Watchdog last night? I couldn't believe how wrinkled she looked, probably too much sun. I googled and she's only 52, looks at least 10 years older. It always makes me feel good knowing that WE can look fab doing it ourselves when these clebs have loads of money and hairdressers and beauticians to help them and we still look better!! Miaaoow!!:D

lessonlearned

maman wrote: »

:wave:

I was only thinking this morning that I need to sort out my wardrobe for autumn/winter. It's getting much colder and I've needed to wear socks the last few days. I don't think I need to buy loads just see what I've got and co-ordinate it into outfits. I have been fancying a gilet (?), what used to be called a body warmer back in the day!:rotfl:I quite like this one from Joules

but wondered if one with a hood might be better. I've been dithering about that for a while. I walked through Matalan the other day and saw some very nice jumpers and cardis. Tu in Sainsbury's have some good classic button through cardis, both short and long. I suppose it depends what you're looking for? What sort of outfits are 'in' for autumn?

Being a bit c*tty, did anyone see Fiona Phillips on Watchdog last night? I couldn't believe how wrinkled she looked, probably too much sun. I googled and she's only 52, looks at least 10 years older. It always makes me feel good knowing that WE can look fab doing it ourselves when these clebs have loads of money and hairdressers and beauticians to help them and we still look better!! Miaaoow!!:D

I'm not sure what's "in" either. I can't say that I've noticed anything spectacularly different from the last year or so really. Still plenty of bright colours and those "block" colour dresses, plenty of prints and patterns and long waterfall cardigans, grandad cardis etc

As I said about the Asda clothes - they didn't really excite me. Tu (Sainsbury's) had some nice officey type tailored trousers, skirts and jackets a while back in soft tweedy type fabrics and colours which I quite liked.

My sister and I played a little game in the hospital waiting room the other day. We looked at the fashion pages in the magazines and I passed the comment on how boring it all was. We then spent an happy half hour each trying to guess what the other would buy.

I only "sort of" liked two jackets out of the whole lot - I must be getting really fussy. I like the gilet/body warmer.

I usually have a couple on the go - an old one for gardening and one for just "nipping out" in the car. I think they work well with jeans and a sweater on chilly autumn days when you don't really need a coat but a cardi isn't quite enough. A lot of Derbyshire folk seem to love them - the Peaks can get quite chilly - even on a summer's day - so you seem them a lot round our neck of the woods.

I know what you mean about Fiona Phillips - she's not ageing well. However, I did read somewhere that she had been ill herself and also that her father, who she adores, has Alzheimers and how distraught she was.

The other TV Fiona - Fiona Bruce (ex news, now Antiques Roadshow) was in the paper the other day. She's 47 and was talking about the BBC and it's ageist policies towards women presenters and newsreaders.

She was saying that she is actually very grey but dyes her hair chestnut brown to stay looking younger so she can keep working. I found that rather sad and disappointing. Male presenters are allowed to go grey and wear their wrinkles with pride, apparently not female ones.

They seem to do things better in Europe, especially in France where older women are respected and revered. There is that female French politician - I think she is the Minister of Finance - sorry her name escapes me - who is silver haired and very chic. No-one seems to worry about her age. As for poor Angela Merkel - the German Chancellor - well she isn't exactly an oil painting but the German people don't seem to mind.

I do think the British and American media's obsession with youth is rather shortsighted and shallow. There are a lot of very intelligent capable women being sidelined because of a few wrinkles and grey hairs. I think the BBC is shameful in the way it treats it's very talented female newsreaders and presenters.

I still think Angie Rippon would be a very capable news anchor person, instead of being relegated to daytime TV. At least she has managed to secure a niche on "Rip Off Britain" together with Jennie Bond and the lovely Irish presenter whose name totally escapes me:o. Carole something or other??, her daughter died of breast cancer a few years back.

Edited Gloria Hunniford, Carole was her daughter. I have a brain like a sieve at times.

Oh dear I'm having a lot of senior moments today - I would be a hopeless news reader.:rotfl::rotfl:

Maybe I need some food ....

Everhopeful09

Evening All,

Its cold here or may just be cause i'm hungry, resorted to jogging bottoms and fluffy socks to warm me up! Too early to put the heating on!

Been a crazy busy week in work, been doing 3 peoples jobs and juggling everything! Nightmare but got day off tomorrow for a friend's wedding bit of a drive to get there but looking forward to it!

So tonight will be packing and everything, not even decided what i'm wearing yet as invited to church and then the evening reception. Plus checking the car before an early start tomorrow.

EH xx

fedupandskint

Not feeling terribly fab today rather more like a cold or virus is trying to arrive. I am determined it will not though as I go on holiday on Sat where if it does arrive I' m sure the blustery sea air will blow those cobwebs away!

Here's hoping feel better tomorrow than I can make a start to get things ready and thank goodness I have a week off next week as I feel I neex a break from work for a little while

maman

Everhopeful09 wrote: »

Its cold here or may just be cause i'm hungry, resorted to jogging bottoms and fluffy socks to warm me up! Too early to put the heating on!
EH xx

I had a woolly jumper, cardi and socks on and I was still freezing so I'm afraid I did put the heating on.:o

Hope the wedding goes well tomorrow, let us know what you decided to wear in the end.

It can be possible to fight off a cold sparkles. Sending you positive, healthy vibes. You're holiday sounds good, just what you need and deserve.

lessonlearned

Fab Friday - Time to get fabbed up ladies:rotfl:.

Is it the Equinnox today or tomorrow - not sure.

So..........Time for a review. How are we doing with our goals.

I'll start.

Well I've failed on the weight loss and judging by my very sore and stiff neck this morning - the fitness levels could do with some work.:o

On a more positive note I've worked steadily on the house and got it ready for sale (just a couple of tweaks left). I'm very pleased with what I've achieved on that score. I've kept to a very tight budget with the house refabbing. Admittedly it has taken a while but that's because I've done so much myself but I got there in the end. I've kept costs down too.

On a personal level I've managed to keep up with the routine fabbing and dressing nicely etc and I've also managed to get out and about more, joining my book club and the choir.

So all in all the last three months have been pretty positive for me. I've managed on very little money, my savings have taken a bit of a hammering but I think I'm over the worst.

The next three months or so to the Winter Solstice will definitely be the time when I "Focus on Me". Will have to make a plan....

Judging by your posts you've all done amazing things - new jobs, running, weight losses, getting fit, achieving goals and starting to make some of those dreams come true.

:T:T:T:T to Everyone.

I've had a few ups and downs this last couple of months but you've all been wonderfully kind and supportive - as ever. Thank you so much.

Ladies - you're a Fab bunch.

Simply the Best.

podperson

Morning all,

LL and maman - thank you for your lovely words, they mean a lot. Maman - must of the time I feel like I'm not doing enough, I'm always thinking 'if only I'd got this, this and this done then I'd be much further along' I suppose there are only so many hours in the day and I am trying to make a bit more effort at the moment to make a little 'me' time so I don't go totally nuts!

EH - hope you enjoy your wedding x

sparkles - hope you manage to ward the cold off, I find keeping warm, lots of fluids and vitamin c tablets/juice etc to boost the immune system often work for me x

I think the Equinox is tomorrow - though don't quote me on that! I'm not sure how far I've got, will weigh in tomorrow and think be down a few pounds over the whole period but not as much as I wanted and probably not anything from this week as have been rather lax - had ice-cream again last night! :mad: Fitness-wise, again not great. Need to work harder on it, get back into the c25k and actually go to the walks I sign up for! Have let the beauty routine slip as well. Oh dear, that doesn't sound very good when I write it all down does it?? At least it means I'll definately be on the next thread :rotfl:

lizzie157

hi

PP well done on the weightloss.:T

LL I've been reflecting too.

Have managed 2 of my goals but the other 2 need work.
Have strengthened my shoulder and finger and although I wouldn't yet say they are 100% they are much better and am able to do much more without pain than I was a few months ago.

Have spent more time on me, keeping myself groomed etc

The others I need to work on are wearing clothes, jewellery that I have previously kept for best and ALWAYS looking presentable when going out and about as there are still a few occasions when I go out especially when walking dogs that I could look better.

Now that the first 2 are becoming a habit will think of a couple more for the next thread.

I feel like you PPand LL there always seems to be so much to do, I never feel as if I'm achieving anything much:( I think we should just focus on what we have done and try and do a little more as we go along and actually compare to me both of you have done loads. :T:T

EH enjoy the wedding. It's cold here too but am trying not to put heating on yet although I go from cold to hot in minutes (it's my age :rotfl::rotfl:) but it can be handy sometimes.

Must go dogs to walk.

WelshWoofer

Shimmies into the room......... One and a half stone lighter!:j:j:j Yes I've managed it - 21lbs off. I'm so pleased! The sneaky mid week weigh in was correct and today's was exactly the same so its official!:T
I now look like I've lost weight too - much thinner hips, thighs (with improved cellulite, not gone altogether though) and waist. You can also see it in my arms (no bingo wings now) and face.

Now all I have to do is decide whether to lose a little bit more or to try to maintain this weight. I've gone from 11 st 5 to 9 st 12. I have a mid range healthy BMI and feel sooo much better about myself. I'm toying with trying to get to 9 and a half stone - a weight I haven't been since school! I'm now 40:rotfl:

Whatever happens, I'm having an evening off diets and exercise to celebrate, have already had a wodge of bombay mix!

With regards to the end of the challenge, I think its been invaluable to me - you've given me the motivation and support to change my life - all for the better. I won't bore you with a list of what I've acheived in the last 6 months but it has been life changing in both physical and emotional ways. I'm a much happier person now.
There's still things to do though so I'll be in for the next challenge too.

I'm off to that family do in Wales tomorrow (reluctantly) and will have to find something to wear tonight - hope there's something fairly glam that still fits. Will have a rummage later.

maman wrote: »

I had a woolly jumper, cardi and socks on and I was still freezing so I'm afraid I did put the heating on.:o

Its cold here too - I had the heating on for an hour (to test it before the proper winter) last night and the house was so much more cosy, even with just an hour's worth. I'm trying to stick it out until October though, so the odd hour here and there will have to suffice.

WelshWoofer

Just checked and the equinox is tomorrow, the 22nd.
Will have to think of some new goals for the next challenge. Something to ponder in the bath later:)