Frump to Fab - Sizzling Summer Solstice to Awesome Autumn Equinox

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Congrats to all those weight losses ladies.:T:T:T I didn't manage my mini fast yesterday but idid manage to eat fairly low cal, today the same so far.

Re shoes Maman - ie smart but comfy walking shoes for citybreak sight seeing. Have you tried Clarks.

Also - trick from supermodels here. Scholl gel filled insoles. You can get half ones to wear with heels - saves on ball of the feet burn, or just under the heel ones. Places like Wilko and most supermarkets sell them - also the foam cushion inserts that you cut down to size. I did see in a magazine some memory foam ones, they were a bit more expensive. I've not tried them but if you get very sore feet I bet they work well. For winter you can also get sheepskin ones - keep you tootsies nice and cosy.

Lizzie - Of course a bum bag is appropriate for dog walking, you're not going to be able prance around with a handbag, manoevre over stiles etc and manage the dogs.

I always use a bum bag when I do car boot sales or antique fairs. I just swizzle it around so it nestles over my tummy - it leaves both hands free and I'm less likely to get my money stolen. I often see other stall holders do this.

I also have a very slim money belt which I sometimes wear under my top when I go around markets in foreign countries. I have had my purse stolen so many times when abroad that I rarely use a handbag, unless it's one of those cross body ones. Being stranded with no money and having to try and stop credit cards etc is no joke when you are in a foreign country.

The last time it happened they took my bag, with my purse, credit cards, driving licence but the worse was they got our passports.
Nightmare:eek: Luckily we had left a credit card and a bank card back at our apartment - otherwise we would have struggled. Emergency documents alone just to get us home came to over 200Euros. So yes bum bags, money belts etc do have their uses;)

Pod - your ship is definitely coming in now. I would say try it and see how you go. If you can manage weddings then families should be quite a bit easier. Concentrate on the kids, learn a few tricks to make them relax and smile. Once the kids are happy the parents will be too.

The studio should have a selection of toys, balls etc. Glove puppets such as Sooty and Sweep are a great hit with tinies. I'm sure the studio will have a few props.

Little tip - instead of saying "Cheese" or similar - say something just slightly risque - the kids will be delighted and dissolve into giggles.

For older children and sulky teenagers you can ask them to "help". Ask them to look through the lens to see what they think of the composition of the shot, what do they think of the lighting etc. If you can get them engaged in the process they will co-operate better.

Pod - I'm just really so pleased to see that you are finally getting some chances - grab 'em - you don't have to give up the day job until you are confident about getting enough work.

I am so sorry to hear about your mum though. You must be so worried. I do hope you can get some answers soon.

Got a fab fab bargain today from the YMCA. A dark oak Edwardian mirror. Yesterday the shop wanted £45 for it. I resisted. I popped in again today to take some bits and pieces and it was down to £15.:D

OH was on good form today, still not well enough to go out so I kept up a steady stream of chatter and amused him with a few anecdotes I had saved up for him. Gave him a hair cut and a pedicure - he said " I do love it when you pamper me". It's not much but it's the best I can do for him when he is unwell.

Time for a cuppa, my nap and then a quick tidy up and get the dinner on. And that's another day gone ...

Just edited to add - Have a lovely holiday Bitsy.

WelshWoofer

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

:rotfl: I walked the dog in leggings and wrap dress the other night, no pockets so shoved the "poo" bags aka nappy sacks in my bra :rotfl::rotfl:

I am off to North Devon for a week tomorrow, will try and keep up to date via my phone.

Hugs and spoons all round xxxx

I do the poo bag padded bra thing too:rotfl::rotfl:

Have a fab holiday - hope the weather is good for you.

I've actually managed to do some schoolwork this afternoon - only another few hours to do and the massive scheme of work project will be finished:T If only the kids knew how much work it is - not that they'd care:rotfl: According to them teachers live in the cupboard in school and don't have real lives. The shock on their faces when I see them in Tescos or shock horror coming out of the pub is a picture!

ETA - just done a 4k run, better than yesterday but don't feel like I've got my mojo back yet!

Bitsy_Beans

I think I ran my first mile :rotfl:
Was walking Luna and thunder rumbled, something spooked her in some fir trees and she just took off :eek: we ran all the way round the block :eek: (she was on a lead but she was really unhappy and was keen to keep up a quick pace).
I shall ache tomorrow I bet

Prudent

Exhausted! Really busy couple of days back at work. Stuck to diet, but no exercise. All these stories of running shame me. I have taken more care with my morning makeup and stuck to skincare regime.

floss2

maman wrote: »

... What I want is a pair of supportive, comfortable walking shoes that look OK for wearing on a winter city break when I'm sightseeing. I have some Sketchers and they've been brilliant but they're getting old now and I've not really seen anything to replace them. Any ideas?

Why not keep your eyes open for some Merrell walking shoes in TK Maxx or Blacks - they do quite a good range of styles, and some look smarter than others

faithless

floss2 wrote: »

Why not keep your eyes open for some Merrell walking shoes in TK Maxx or Blacks - they do quite a good range of styles, and some look smarter than others

maman, on the weekend I saw Sports Direct had some smart walking shoe/trainers that looked nice -smarter than trainers and were quite cheap.



As it's quite late and I'm ready for bed I was a bit slow on the uptake and for a split second didn't realise you all meant empty poo bags! (I hope!):eek::rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Hi folks. Sorry I have been AWOL for a while. Been a busy few days. My sister gave birth to her second daughter at the weekend - a very healthy baby weighing 10lb 4oz. They were kept in overnight at the hospital as my sis had lost alot of blood. They are now home and all is well.

I have kept up with some of my fabbing - the face (cleanse, moisturise) and teeth (whitening toothpaste, floss, teepee brushes) but that's about it.

Todays plans:

1. Walk - weather variable but wet outside. Stick to pavements and paths and do the Town Walk.
2. Healthy breakfast - bran flakes, FOJ, Wafer thin ham, tea
3. Cut out caffine after my morning cup of tea. Drink water, sparkling water and lemon/lime or herbal/fruit teas.
4. Evening stretches/Yoga session

Everhopeful09

Morning All,

Basic fabbing this morning, otherwise would of been late for work. The weather still feels close makes me feel like I have a hangover when not been drinking. My head usually clears by mid morning along with plenty of water.


EH xx

WelshWoofer

Morning all!
Congratulations on the new addition to the family Allie:beer: 10 lbs:eek: Your poor sister!

Had a poor night's sleep last night and so have woken up a bit groggy. Not to worry, will take the dog to the water park for a good walk in a minute to get some fresh air and wake up a bit.
Its swimming day today so will pop to the pool later too to do a quick 50 lengths.

Its GCSE results day tomorrow so will be in work for a few hours in the morning to congratulate/console the kids - its not compulsory but I think I should be there as they've been my responsibility for the past couple of years. I feel more nervous than a lot of them do I'm sure! Actually kept me awake last night:o

So, in order to keep up with my self imposed deadlines I need to finish the scheme of work today so I can sort a few things out whilst I am in school. That will be the afternoon sorted then.

On the fabbing front its the dreaded hair dyeing day - the worst job. I also need to do a few stray eyebrows that have grown back after the threading torture. You'll hear the screams from where you are - I'm such a baby with tweezers.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Savvy_sewing

I will see if I can find a highlighter in my stash of stuff! My parents bought me a load of makeup stuff for Xmas the other year, and I havent used it. Only the twins have raided it, and so has the dGD! at times. (Being still 4 she makes a bit of a mess of it!).
I dont want to go buying anythingelse if I can help it.
I always keep any spare Euros from the year before's holiday, but last year I swapped them in to pay for me to go on a WI course making Christmas Decs!. So this year I have only about €7 in change to take with me.
Ssh, dont tell the world, but I have been seeing my BF again, and he is coming on holiday with us. He suggested it, and organised it all. I just paid him some of the money!. So its the 3 of us. We have spent a lot more time at his over the summer, and trying to get him used to DGD being around him more. When he gets in from work etc, etc. Seems to have made a big difference. The holiday will be the final test for him. 2 weeks with us both! haha.
So it does mean that I will get some help with DGD and not have to be just the pair of us.
Not having my usual hair do today. THe hairdresser is on holiday. So its a good job I had it cut last week. Tide me over the holidays and when I get back i will have my colour done. (I will have saved the £18 after all.). The only thing is that I wont get the time on the Sunbed. But then I will be in Portugal by Saturday and get plenty of the real stuff!. I hope.