Frugal Frump to Fab-u-lous Dharrrrrrrling Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox

mineallmine

Hello

Been very good looking after my skin and its making a difference :j Ren night cream and a decleor cream for sensitive skin in the morning.

Eating has been ok. Still too many xmas things around. Once they're gone I'll buy no more. I gave away lots already.

Bit of fly lady/ house fabbing. Read a book from the library, called clean sweep. It was a bit too thorough for me. But it emphasised the importance if airing the bed, letting in plenty of fresh air and being hygienic around the house.

Early night tonight :A

Maisie_M

grrr - had to change my hair appointment to next weekend as DH has a viewing for the old house on Saturday. It's ok really as it's good to have a viewing but had really psyched myself up for it this weekend.

Got two new toners today as mum had some vouchers for boots and I had no toner left but have two cleansers so I kindly used them up for her. Mum had used the two make up ones but doesn't use the skincare so yeh £10 saved.

Fosterdog

I've just got back from my first run of the year, I used to take the dogs for a run every night back in 2009 and I loved it but since moving in 2010 there isn't anywhere nice to run and with both dogs now having joint problems it's too high impact for them.

I did take the one dog who can run more than the other to keep me company, I never like running alone, it's not the same without a dog. I kept it to a few short bursts during the walk and then the last stretch on the way home. My chest is killing and I am struggling to breath, really made me realise how unfit I am.

I think it may be time to invest in a sports bra, my old ones don't fit since the weight has piled on. I will stick to running at night as I've always been more comfortable when nobody can see me but I am def going to work on increasing the run time and lowering the walk time as much as possible.

Just a quick one for everyone though, I end up feeling frumpy when I'm always wearing the same clothes but I can't really afford to keep buying new. I do try to buy things that can look like a different outfit depending on accessories but I'm really not very good at picking things like that out. How do I stop myself feeling so crappy with my clothes without spending loads? Are there any must haves for every wardrobe that can instantly make an outfit nice?

I have recently bought some nice new jeans that I feel good in but don't want to overwear them.

I also bought a nice pair of calf length brown leather boots, I love them but have nothing to wear them with, they don't go well with my bootcut jean so I may get some skinny jeans to go with.

I'm just at the stage that I feel great (albeit overweight) in myself and with nothing on but add my frumpy clothes and all my confidence goes out the window and I constantly feel uncomfortable.

I'm just lucky that I have a uniform for work because I'd be a wreck picking out a fresh look in the mornings.

Another few positives are my eating has been better, nice healthy breakfasts and good home cooked dinners (I've never been able to eat more than two meals a day) with healthy snacks in between, plenty of fruit, some mixed nuts and seeds.

I have got one of the spare rooms sorted today, put our old double bed up and turned it into a nice guest room, shoved all the clutter either into the other spare room to be tackled another time or chucked out.

Also had a catch up with a good friend, couldn't spend as much time with her as I wanted but it's been such a long time it was great to just be my old self with her for a while.

mcflinders

Good morning, may I please join you all? I have been lurking for a while, being inspired by everyone and really need to motivate myself to reduce my weight & make an effort with my appearance. I've just done a Keratin hair treatment which so far I am absolutely delighted with!

bratz81

morning all
good luck to everyone who has reduced weight, I've my weigh-in tomorrow morning so fingers crossed Since I've slowed down my PT got his gf who's a dietician to make me out a plan which is chock full of healthy low-calorie stuff. I can't start it until payday next week cos we've no money to buy food but I'm raring to start.

Also got some new perspex magnetic window things. You stick them on the inside of your window using magnetic tape so you can take them on and off, and it gives the impression of double glazing. They arrived yesterday and I got them up and noticed a big difference. Only got a few for the living room so far as they're expensive (well to me!) but I can get more as I go really.

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone.

Not much to report, spent most of the evening tackling some paperwork. Bit by bit - that is one big elephant....:o

Looks like our printer has died - just when we really need it. DS2 going to try and sort it tomorrow, if not then it's a new one. So much for my economy drive.:rotfl::rotfl:

Glad to hear that the perspex window thing was successful Bratz reminds me of my old rental days when I lived in Scotland. I resorted to stuffing the old sash windows with newspaper to stop the draughts, and then covering them over with thick polythene sheeting, then net curtains which I hate, to hide the polythene. Still it worked well enough.

I've noticed that this house is not as warm as my old one. The heating system seems ok but I think it's not as well insulated as our previous house. Still it's only a rental and hopefully we will have bought another property by next winter. We're fine for now, although I think the heating bills might be a bit steep.

I had a good night's sleep. I feel and look a lot better today. Just a few aches and pains - mainly elbows and shoulders from all the lifting. Going to have a nice soak in an Oilatum bath - start tackling my dry itchy skin.

I'm feeling very bloated and a lot of my clothes feel tight round the tummy area.

I have a confession to make, I haven't exercised as promised. I know, I know but I did so want to get the house cleared up. It was starting to bother me. I know it sounds daft but I think that's why I wasn't sleeping. I know I sound a bit OCD but I really can't stand being in a big mess for long - it makes me twitchy and restless.

Now that it's all done and dusted - literally:D it's back to the drawing board.

Time to get some serious fabbing done.

Have a great day. Keep warm.

bratz81

LL - we rent too for now while we pay off debt and save for a deposit and our house is badly insulated too. Heating system is great but the windows are single glazing with wood frames and let in a powerful draft.
Where I live it's hard or near impossible to get homes to rent with double glazing or good insulation.

podperson

Morning all,

LL - yay on getting the last box sorted :jI think I still have boxes in the cupboard from when we moved in 3 years ago I will get them sorted eventually! I wouldn't worry too much about the exercise, am sure cleaning/unpacking etc burns up quite a few cals anyway.

Maisie - do you find toner makes a difference to your skin? I just tend to use cleanser and moisturiser - I know there are varying views as to how 'useful' toner is. I've never seen much difference but maybe I'm just not using a good one?

Fosterdog - well done on getting back on the running. :T I was trying to do a bit in summer but the dark nights at the moment are putting me off a bit - could do with a dog to take with me, I tend to feel a little paranoid running in the dark on my own! Clothes-wise, charity shops are great - you find some really nice 'brand' clothes at cheap prices. Supermarkets can have some nice bargins - I tend to get a lot of knitwear etc from them. Also Matalan and Primark - the latter can be a little hit and miss but I got a lovely striped longline fitted jumper there a few weeks ago - think it was only a tenner.

mcflinders - welcome! Did you do the keratin yourself or go to a hairdressers? I can't afford hairdresser prices and have seen the 'do at homes' ones but am worried may be a little complicated and would ruin my hair or something

bratz - the window things sound like a good idea - could have done with them in my old house. No double glazing, stone floors, no proper heating - was constantly freezing! We used to live in one room during winter One of the best things about our current flat is that it's usually toasty - and if not it warms up quick. Barely had the heating for the first year it was such a shock after the old place :rotfl:

Anyway, not got much to report - have been keeping up with the facial routine but not done much else. Feeling a little unmotivated this week - feel free to give me a kick Have been working a bit on the short story and sent my edits back on the anthology piece that's coming out in March but that's very little really. Also done no more decluttering and no exercise at all. Don't know what's up with me this week

mcflinders

Podperson: I did the keratin treatment at home but my friend did it for me. I bought it from Amazon (about £30) & love the results. My hair still has its natural bounce but the frizz has gone. You definitely need someone to help though & you need to use a salt free shampoo afterwards!

fedupandskint

Good evening.

Fab news for me is WI has stayed the same, day off exercise and half a day at work hoping to get there and back safely in the snow tomorrow. Not much else to report