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

Savvy_sewing

Trying to catch up so speed reading.
Cherryprint. I sew, so if you want any advice, I will do my best to help. There is a sewing forum on here. I will get the link for you.
I am having trouble with my machine today, and its skipping stitches. So I have to sort it out before I can make anything else. I have bunting orders so I have to get on and do it ASAP.

France was foggy, so didnt get to go up the Eiffel tower. But walked the Champs Elysee, and shopped the christmas market. I spent €10 on 4 christmas decorations. and €2 on a poster for my French themed kitchen.
I tried a cloche hat on, I wanted to buy it, but BF was unsure so my money stayed in my purse. Then afterwards I thought I wished I had bought it when I saw it.
The shop windows were as about as close as I got to shopping!.
Wow, the Louis Vitton store was an impressive building.!
So were most of them, really.
I was rather cold the first day, as I had left my scarf and hat in the suitcases at the hotel. But yesterday I was better prepared.
It rained yesterday, but I had taken an umbrella with me.
I wore three layers, vest under my jumper as well as my undies!, then the sheepskin style coat and hat. Not the Mrs Glamourous that I wanted to be.
I did take my high heels etc to go out in the evening, but walked as far as the car and changed them!. The streets were all cobbled and not easy to walk, and I am out of practise for walking too far in them.
Lucky I remembered to pack an extra pair. Especially as Paris was not even on the horizon when we woke up on Friday morning. ...
Most spontaneous thing that I have done in years.
BF was quite good too, although he does loose his temper and get a bit short with me when I am slow to "think" which was rather emphisized with lack of sleep. 5am Friday morning until 6pm Saturday afternoon without any sleep, meant that I was struggling to think! Thank goodness I got a couple of hours sleep before we went to have our meal.!
I have lots of ideas from the shop windows to try and tart up my wardrobe.
Right tonight I am having a soak in the bath, washing my hair if my arm will go that far, its got to be done as wearing winter hats has made it rather greasy, and it will not last until tomorrow afternoon when its done. (I am booked in to have my colour done,and although she said its better for the hair not to have been recently washed, I am working in the charity shop first and I really cannot go in with greasy hair!).
I shall defuzz and use the potions and lotions to fab myself before an early night as I am so tired. Even though I got lots of sleep on Sunday morning, and even slept in the car coming back. etc.
But all the walking was really pushing it for me, and I ache all over so I have had to take my tablets yesterday and today.

Bubby

Looking to make some major changes to my life and want to join you lovely ladies:)

My changes to make over the next few weeks;

1) Wash and dry and straighten my hair every other day - something that doesn't take a really long time but makes me feel heaps better about myself

2) cleanse my face every morning and evening

3) use a face mask once a week

4) paint and file my nails at least once a week


These sound like little tasks but for me they are things that aren't getting done right now for various reasons.....

lessonlearned

Hi Bubby and a big Fab welcome.

What a day.

Had to sack my useless waste of space of a solicitor. Right at the beginning I explained the problems she was likely to encounter with OH's communication needs.

Stupid girl assured me all would be fine. She was clearly out of her depth because when I asked how she was going to progress the sale without sending someone to do a "home visit" to check his id and signature she fobbed me off. At each stage so far she has had to continually seek advice from her superiors and "get back to me".

I absolutely hate dealing with so called professionals who cannot give me a straight answer to a straight question and who are incapable of making a decision and accepting responsibilty for their actions.

It all came to a head today when she insisted on trying to talk to my husband on the phone. I explained she would have to ask closed questions that only required yes/no answers and she would probably need me to translate if he needed to say much more.

She couldn't even phrase a simple question properly for him - she expected him to give long convoluted answers. Then she complained that she couldn't understand what he was saying and that the only reason she could make sense of what he was saying was because she knew the answer to the question.????

She said she couldn't see how she could proceed with our sale because she would need to question him again on the day of exchange. Once again I explained that I would be on hand to translate. No she wouldn't accept that.

Now I know there are procedures and legal niceties to be observed but this was incompetence and insensitivity on a monumental scale.

A simple home visit from one of her team would have overcome all obstacles but she refused to countenance it even though I was prepared to pay extra for their trouble.

Such incompetence but what made it worse was her arrogance. My poor OH was so upset, he kept apologising for making things difficult. I was so angry at her for causing him such distress. He felt humiliated.

So it's back to square one. She has lost me over a week. I rang the purchasers myself tonight so I could explain what had happened because I didn't want them to hear it second hand and panic.

Rant over.

Mooloo - your visit to "Gay Paree" sounds fab. I agree if you are going to window shop you need to pick the best, where is the fun in looking at Primark's windows.:rotfl:

As you say window shopping in the most prestigious areas is a great way to get inspiration. Get that sewing machine whirring...

I keep threatening to buy myself a new all singing all dancing machine - perhaps after I've moved and have a bit of time to spare.

Sparkles - Glad to hear you are managing to get back to work and it's good that you can ease yourself back in gently.

DS1's news??? Nothing exciting - just confirming the date of his house move. The good news is he has a week's holiday due and has decided to take it in December to give me a hand. DS2 is helping this week and next - decluttering and trips to the tip.

Well I'm done for so off to bed soon.

G'night all.

floss2

LL I hope you have considered complaining to the law firms partners about her behaviour - it is shockingly disrespectful and absolutely appalling for her to think she can act for people without taking into account individual circumstances.

It may even be discriminatory....which would be an interesting comment to make to a law firm supposed to act fairly for all clients.

:grouphug: for you and your lovely OH

Floss xx

Bitsy_Beans

Bubby hello and so glad you could join us :j hope you will stick around, there's a lovely bunch here :D

LL absolutely appalling, why on earth did they refuse a home visit. I accept that home visits aren't normally what conveyancing solicitors do but under the circumstances I fail to see why they couldn't accommodate you. It's not as if you wouldn't be charged for it anyway. Might I suggest you speak to her head of department and make a complaint.

Mooloo I need to go back to Paris. First time H took me for my 30th but I was 3 months pregnant at the time so morning sickness did rather spoil some moments sounds like you had a lovely time

Floss nice to see you posting

My first day of fast today going to see how I get on saving my 500 calories for this evenings meal. I am most worried about my blood sugar dropping but I am sure things will be fine. Will do my second days fast on Thursday.
Took my make up off last night and used my hemp cream on face and it feels lovely and soft this morning. Used it on my hands too which are shockingly dry thanks to constant wetting of them due to hanging wallpaper, rinsing out cloths etc.

More house fabbing today but we are slowly getting there

Have a great day all

bratz81

LL - that is absolutely shocking behaviour I would definitely make a complaint about that.

Savvy_sewing

I think we often need to complain more than we do. Service in our country can be very bad indeed.
yes would love to go to Paris in the spring. Maybe I will.
Next time I am childless for a few days.
Would love to go further south and visit my sister and my brother. Both who live out in France now. (Seperately in different areas).

mugwump79

Morning everyone,

A grey miserable day today here, I have got a pile of ironing to do, then off to pick a prescription up for my son.

LL I would definately complain about that silly woman, I feel so sorry for your husband getting upset due to the imcompetance of her, I would be fuming also:mad:

Mooloo, Paris sounds fab, maybe one day I will get there, who knows what the future holds.

Bitsy good luck on the fast today, I am trying hard to change my attitude to eating and am determined to get there, one day at a time:o

Does anyone have any good recommendations for dry hand cream? I have tried so many, they never seem to help me too much over the winter, could do with some extra powerful stuff, any recommendations would be gratefully recieved.

Hope you all have a great day :D:D

podperson

Morning all,

Been a bit manic the last few days so trying to get caught up with you all

WW - well done on reaching your target :T all your hard work has paid off and am sure you look fab x

Bitsy - I've been very demotivated as well lately so think the new start sounds like a good plan

LL - can't believe the behaviour of your solicitor - ridiculous that she's making your OH feel bad due to her complete incompetence! I hope you find someone much better soon, and I would definately be complaining about the silly mare!

don't have time to comment on everyone but *hugs* to all and hope your fabbing is going well x

Had quite a busy weekend. Went to my write in again on Saturday and then to see the new Twilight film with a friend - quite enjoyed it though there was a group of girls sat behind us who were getting a little overexcited - I won't spoil it for anyone but there's a twist in it and when it came they literally screamed :eek: and then were 'omg-ing' for the next ten minutes while we were actually trying to watch what happened next :rotfl:Then went to see a band Sunday night, it's a local one we follow and they're always great Was quite impressed to find out that they are playing next on my OH's birthday and then on the Sunday before Christmas - so that should get us in a festive mood!
Been rather demotivated with work things the last week and need to get back on track. Had got ridiculously behind on Nano so had a writing blitz yesterday and caught up about 5k words, still not quite back on track but closer. Need to get back on with the dissertation as well. Also really need to get back on with the healthy eating and exercise, can feel things slipping and need to give myself a good kick I think
Hope everyone is having a good day x

evilsquid1603

she sounds useless LL! i'd def make a complaint, if anything, it may get your bill reduced for the work she's already done!

youve all been doing so well!

not been feeling very fab recently, having yet more arguments at work with my "boss". i've been told were being split up as soon as they can find space to do so. i cant wait, i'm sick of going into work in an office where i'm shouted at like a toddler and put upon all day.

Pod - i saw twilight at weekend too, the whole cinema was not impressed with the twist! i understand why they did it but tbh it just ruined it the end of it for me!