Frugal frump to Fab - Astonishing Autum Exquinox to Wondrous Winter Solstice

maman

lessonlearned wrote: »

Wasn't going to post because I've not much news really.

However, just had to say Pod :T:T:j:j on your anthology being published. That is just the most fantastic news.

Me too LL, but I wanted to post and congratulate pod. :j:j You must let us know when we can see you in print!

Not a great deal to say from here. I was very mse last weekend and cancelled the hair appointment I'd made for the wedding. Having posted on here that the blow dry was likely to cost more than my outfit:eek: I thought why bother?? I dont mind paying for a cut or highlights as that lasts but decided I didn't need te blow dry so that's a good saving.

Got lots of compliments on my emerald green dress (from Sainsbury's!) partly for the colour and partly because of it being so figure hugging.

I've got a bit of backache too. The trouble is, that since I had that cancer scare, I worry about every little twinge. I read an article about it last weekend. Apparently it's very common to be the 'worried well'. Part of me says check it out, the rest says get a grip!:(

Keeping busy with decluttering today. We're redecorating our 'office' and I'm determined no rubbish is going to be stored in new bookshelves/cupboards. Fortunately it's recycling day tomorrow and DH has gone off to CS with some stuff too.

I know exactly what you mean about not being able to spend money on clothes LL. I had a good browse around the other week but fancied nothing but I must say my gilet from Joules is already proving a favourite. Perhaps you could spend your M&S voucher on food treats for Christmas and then spend the money 'saved' elsewhere. I've really gone off M&S recently except for their very, plain stuff. The Classic range is hugely frumpy IMO and other stuff screams 'M&S' at me. We have a large branch near us and you see all these frumps walking around like neat little clones, not me!:rotfl:

lessonlearned

maman wrote: »

Perhaps you could spend your M&S voucher on food treats for Christmas and then spend the money 'saved' elsewhere. I've really gone off M&S recently except for their very, plain stuff. The Classic range is hugely frumpy IMO and other stuff screams 'M&S' at me. We have a large branch near us and you see all these frumps walking around like neat little clones, not me!:rotfl:

No definitely no frump clones allowed:rotfl:

Actually Maman - that is a great idea about the Christmas goodies. We have a lovely food outlet so at least the voucher could be spent on things I would get value from. Some nice hamper type treats for Christmas presents perhaps.

Mooloo - I'd never heard of People Tree so I had a good look. Some nice things on there and I do like the idea of Fair Trade goods.

I think that is one of the things that really angers me abut the high street fashion stores, the garment workers are seriously exploited and it just doesn't sit very comfortably with me.

Plus I do find a lot of the clothing to be absolute tat, poor quality fabrics and very shoddily made.

Anyway although I managed the ironing and tidying up I've not done much. I've spent much of the afternoon dozing on the sofa - wrapped up in a snuggly fleece with a lavender wheat bag.

I must have needed the sleep I guess. At least my back feels a bit easier now.

Off to cook the dinner, sausage and mash, leeks, carrots and peas.

Like you Maman I am steadily working my through the study. So I shall sit with some paperwork and sort out some files this evening.

But first a cup of tea ....

maman

maman wrote: »

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I've got a bit of backache too. The trouble is, that since I had that cancer scare, I worry about every little twinge. I read an article about it last weekend. Apparently it's very common to be the 'worried well'. Part of me says check it out, the rest says get a grip!:(

After posting, decided I'd phone the specialist nurse. He was wonderfully reassuring so am feeling much better now. It's amazing how being told you're normal can help!:D

Carried on with decluttering and did a stocktake of my freezer(s). I'm pretty good at keeping an inventory but it's good to have a check/tidy every now and again. Threw out a few bits that had been hanging around for ages (you can be toooo mse at times). More for the bin men tomorrow.

I need a pair of smart jeans to wear for pub lunches and the like. Any recommendations?

fedupandskint

While I'm sat here still feeling dreadful and up and down temp and so on and so on its about time I gave a little update before the will leaves me again of feeling hot and bothered!

WW - wondered where you'd got to, wasn't like you not to update daily!
maman - wedding sounds great bargain wise - well done!
pod - well done!
bratz - you both looked full of happiness on your wedding day, enjoy!
LL - hope your skin calms down, mine has flared up again too
Bitsy - hope life calms down for you at some point, sounds manic

Anyone else I've missed have a hug, luckily a virtual germ free one!

As for me, while I'm full of whatever 'this' is, can't say I'm too fab at present but hey, have spent some time debt busting and feel like this is time well spent afterall lounging around feeling unwell all day - at least it prompted me to make a start and some progress and that is quite fab enough for me for now!

bratz81

podperson - congrats on your anthology!! That's great news

maman - I'll pass on your winks to Mr Bratz haha!

LL - I agree about not buying clothes you only feel so-so about, I try to only buy things I really love. I feel more confident and so on if I'm wearing clothes I love but if I wear clothes that are so-so, I feel so-so. Does that make sense??

evilsquid1603

congrats pod!! thats brilliant news.

Bitsy_Beans

Congrats Pod excellent news

Cherryprint

Didn't get a chance to come on yesterday and crikey! What a lot of news to catch up on.

Firstly, PP congratulations!!! :beer: That's so exciting & I'm glad all your hard work has paid off! If you were expecting to make alterations that's not too much extra to do hopefully. When is your deadline for changes?

mineallmine - the magnifying mirror I got was (like everything) from Amazon. It's really good for plucking eyebrows because the hairs look as big as palm trees! :rotfl:

WW - your dress sounds lovely!

Bratz - stunning! Agree with others about your dress and head piece and you have my dream hair! Do you have any tips for keeping it in good condition? My hair tends to grow to a certain length and then it sort of...stops and I get split ends central.

Also, does anyone have any fabbing tips? I saw someone mentioned an aspirin face mask a while ago (which I promptly Googled) and just wondered if anyone else has any top tips!

I've found that using marigolds to do the washing up and applying hand cream before has made my hands really soft. My nails are now is great condition too (since using Maybelline Express Manicure 3 in 1 stuff).

I've been concentrating on the house this week and all of downstairs is decluttered and miraculously tidy and it's making me feel calm! Hopefully will do the upstairs at some point in the next few weeks. It makes a huge difference to my attitude and energy levels and as I spend more time inside in Winter, I want my space to be really relaxing.

Have a good night all xxx

bratz81

cherryprint - I have straight hair naturally so if you've curly hair you might need to alter this a little.

My main hair care routine is SLS-free shampoo (Burt's Bees) and leave in conditioner every other day roughly I slather it in coconut oil and leave for a few hours before washing once a week.

As well as this I never heat style my hair....I had it curled for the wedding and that was the first time in 2 years I had used a hairdryer or straighteners. I don't use chemical dyes on it, but use henna which can help strengthen your hair. I also wear it up a lot in buns/braids using either hair sticks, forks or hair elastics with no metal.

Sounds a lot but really isn't

Bitsy_Beans

80% of my hair is straight. However parts of it have this stupid kink in it. Not enough for a full blown wave (which I'd kill for) just sticky out bits. This über damp weather has been a PITA for my hair, it's gone limp and kinky and not in a good way grrr anyone else having trouble?

Bratz where do you get your Burts Bees shampoo from?