Frugal Frump to Fab-u-lous Spring Equinox to Summer Solstice

aggypanthus

LL thanks for the confidence boosting tips. not yet sure what fab friday is yet, but I wore an old m and s wool jumper and joggers all day, terrible !! i Shall google, avoiding NEXT, as its too young for me now.

lessonlearned

Fab Friday - it's just a little challenge we set ourselves.

Basically it's a day we try and wear something nice and just generally make a bit of an effort. Just for fun, to celebrate the end of the week and to set the tone for the weekend.

After a while it becomes second nature and it does encourage us to think a bit more about what we are wearing, how we look, how we present ourselves. It seems to help us to get into the habit of wardrobe planning.

So next week, come Friday, get your glad rags on......:rotfl:

The ethos of this thread is gently does it, no impossible goals, no silly diets or punishing exercise regimes, it's just about making small changes to improve our lives, bit by bit.

A bit of TLC, building up healthy eating patterns, becoming more active, learning to enjoy taking care of our appearance again, and just generally learning how to put some fun into our lives, taking up new hobbies or interests, doing things we enjoy and to indulge ourselves now and again.

It could be something as simple as a new make up treat, sitting in the garden for a few minutes, a relaxing bath, curling up with a good book or a favourite film.

We share tips and stories, sometimes we might let off steam about something. We don't judge each other or criticise.

We try to encourage and support each other. Sometimes we are silly, sometimes we are serious.

We are always fab-u-lous.

aggypanthus

I really need a lot of what you describe . I had a clearout of old clothes I was hanging on to. I want to empty a wardrobe to the level I can replace it with drawers, as stuff in the robe gets stale smelling despite having a good backing.
I have products hardly used due to self neglect and lack of respect or interest in myself. Make up is very old as I rarely bother as I think no one sees me. I think I look worse in make up now as older skin is highlighted by it, prob wrong, and I need to face up to looking older .

maman

aggypanthus wrote: »

Hello everyone, I havent had time to read all the posts yet, but i will catch up soon.
Anyone in late 40.s or 50 ish? Dressing for my age and shape is a big puzzle for me. I am at a complete loss now. I prefer trousers/ jeans but am I too old for jeans now? I hate wearing layers or long tops over trousers as I am slim hipped and have to keep hitchin them up, even with a belt. I am a 14 but with a podgy tummy . 16 on top. Last summer I wore M nd S chino styles which were comfy, but I just buy boring baggy Ts on top! Help!

:wave: Welcome aggy

I just read your posts and it sounds like you're thinking yourself old before your time! I shop for clothes all over the place and certainly wouldn't rule out Next. It's a bit like food shopping, if you've got the time to shop around then it can pay dividends. My wardrobe is from all over the place including charity shops!:rotfl:

I joined in Fab Friday. It's become a habit and I feel guilty if I don't make an effort. I wore my favourite summer top from Jigsaw. That's the navy/white striped tunic with a cowl neck. Today I wore it with jeans as I think it's a bit early for the white trousers. Took a little navy cardi with me but didn't need it. Thankfully sun still shining here today.

I've got a few bits from Aldi, all of which seem to suit my skin. I've used the body lotion recommended by LL all week. It takes a bit longer to absorb than others (so not suitable for wash and go) but it's fabulously creamy. I've been using the serum and day cream for ages and they're great too. So lots of moisturising very cheaply.

Replaced my lip pencil yesterday with a bargain Rimmel one in the 99p shop. What pleased me most is that I'm actually using up make up. I was like aggie (i.e. 'make up was very old') but now that I'm using it every day that's not happening.

Sorry, not time to respond to everyone. Thinking of you all and hope the weekend's not the typical cold, wet Bank Holiday (except for you pod as it might be different in the north).

WelshWoofer

Morning all!
I'm up early as I'm expecting a washing machine delivery any time "betwen 7 and 11" - probably will turn up at 3pm! They'll install it and take the old one away too so at least its only one lot of hassle.
Could have done without the expense but I can't live without a machine and have left it as long as possible - the washing basket is now full. The old one was 12 years old so I suppose its had its day and when it started banging and walking across the kitchen I knew its time had come:rotfl:

I need to do a few errands today - drycleaning, library etc - and then I'm planning to take the dog to a big National Trust park for a good walk if the rain holds off. I can feel the old hayfever starting up again too so will have to get hold of some antihistamines to use until I can get to the docs to get a prescription for superstrength ones. I'm sooo attractive in the summer :eek:

I may even pop in to B&Q , Homebase and the garden centre on the way back to have a look at garden things - think they're called plants :rotfl: I'm such a horticulturist! NOT!

lessonlearned

Good morning all

Bit dull here - don't know whether the sun will show it's face.

WW - heard it on the news yesterday that Dr's are warning a massive hay fever season this year. I suppose that's because of the delayed spring/summer Mother Nature will have to go into overdrive to play catch up, hence loads of pollen.....

Apparently the bee population has been decimated too - partly through disease but also the extreme cold weather.

Oooh get me - I sound like a real Farmer Giles instead of the committed urbanite that I am.

WW - had to smile about the "plants". Just read the labels and you'll be fine;)

Today I'm going to look at a couple of bungalows and then visit OH. Other than that nothing special.

My "healthy eating" has slipped a bit this week, what with all the toing and froing to hospitals etc. At least I'm managing to avoid wheat so my tummy is much happier, so not all bad.

Have a fab day......

WelshWoofer

LL - did you see any houses you fancied?

The washing machine arrived and was installed by 10am so not bad at all. Its busy washing the mountain of laundry that has built up over the past few weeks.

I managed to go to a small local florist/garden centre yesterday and spoke to a very helpful lady who is making me up some hanging baskets (mostly fushcias) to pick up on Monday. She's given me some ideas for some pots too. It will look better when they're up.

Going to take the dog for a long walk this morning and then make an effort to finish the bedroom off and do a bit of schoolwork.
Will try to go swimming too as I'm feeling a bit podgy.
I need to do a bit of batch cooking for next week - maybe some cheese and potato pies - I need to eat better during the week, the weekends are generally ok as I have more time and inclination to cook but weekdays could be a lot better when I'm running around like a headless chicken and working in the evenings as well as the day.

Other than that its a potter around kind of day - my nails are desperate for sorting out and there's a new face mask waiting to be done - its no good sitting in the drawer:rotfl:.

fedupandskint

Good morning everyone!

Well I finally made it out for a run this morning - the first one in about a month after that asthma diagnosis and never ending cold. Glad to say it went pretty well - nice and steady and certainly feel better afterwards than I have did. Think I'll go again tomorrow as its a busy week this week and it was certainly nice to feel some warm air for a change!

Have 2 manic weeks in the middle of research project and also work and voluntary work placement so have been trying to keep on top of the cleaning and life. Actually the vol work is a good end to the week as work is tough right now.

What else? Weigh in on Mon - usual weight then weigh in on fancy machine on Fri 5lbs heavier???? Oh well, clothes still fit ok so not too upset now about feeling podgy now back from a run!

Fab jobs today are catching up on the last bit of housework, washing and I reaaly will get on with some uni work today!

Kiwisaver_2

aggypanthus wrote: »

LL thanks for the confidence boosting tips. not yet sure what fab friday is yet, but I wore an old m and s wool jumper and joggers all day, terrible !! i Shall google, avoiding NEXT, as its too young for me now.

I'm in your age group too aggypanthus and I don't think that Next is too young on the whole. Usually they have something for everyone and the models they show on their website aren't especially young.

I have had my Sunday scrub-up from head to toe; including plus face mask and body slathered in various lotions and potions. Although I painted my nails, I could have done with a bit more time to properly fab my feet and cut and file my nails. A woman's work is never done.

I have lost hours and hours today reading Beauty Mouth blog as recommended on the 'No more toiletries thread'. This is a whole new world to me and quite an education. :T

lessonlearned

Hi Folks

Feeling a bit tired, lethargic and a tad fed up today. No real reason:o

So .......I'm having a lazy evening in front of the TV and mooching on here. I should be going through my paperwork and finances. Another day.......

WW - I too had a week without my washing machine. The landlord had rigged up some daft waste pipe arrangement (why do LL's always go for the cheap fix:rotfl:)

Anyway it's fixed now but isn't it annoying having to let the laundry pile up.

Nothing much happening - just a nice quiet potter about today.

Viewed two bungalows - both a bit on the small side . One of them was really pretty, nice location so I'm going to go back with a builder and see how much an extension is likely to cost.

I'll get there eventually. Somewhere there will be a house with my name on it. It would be nice to get sorted before winter if possible.

Early (ish) night tonight - hopefully I'll have a bit more va-va-voom tomorrow. :rotfl: