Frugal Frump To Fabulous Summer Solstice to Autumn Equinox

heebie-jeebies

Hi Ladies,

Sparkles - almost there with the dissertation, keep going it will be worth it in the end!

WW - glad you enjoyed the prom. Your outfit sounds FAB-U-LOUS.

LL - sorry to hear about the drug trial xx

Bitsy - I always have problems drinking water too but have found that if I have a 1.5 litre bottle in front of me, it's easier to keep a glass topped up and I always aim to finish it in my working day.

The race yesterday was incredible and I had a great time. I even have a bit of colour on my face!

I haven't done much fabbing this weekend so need a general tidy up in the next few days. I'm much more organised back here than I was when I lived abroad and I bring my lunch to work most days but I need some non-bread ideas. I always missed English bread when I was away so seem to always be eating it and need to be careful! So do any of you ladies have any non bread based ideas for an office with limited storage space for lunches and no facilities to cook or heat anything up?

his_missus

Hello all,

Well the weekend away put paid to the 2lbs I'd lost by Friday. We ate quite reasonably really but drank far too much. We had a fabulous weekend though, a real good mood booster

Back to being healthy (ish) again. Forgot to bring cordial to work so I'm having to resort to drinking plain water, bleugh! Managed 5 large mugfuls today so far and had salad with a cheeky jacket spud n cheese for lunch.

Exercise wise, hmmm...I walked into town at lunch...does that count?

his_missus

Hello all,

I've remembered the cordial today, yay! Salad and jacket spud for lunch again but no lunchtime walk as it's like Autumn out there! Brought two portions of fruit to work and I'm trying to cut out sugar in my coffee.

All in all though, I'm feeling pretty good today

floss2

heebie-jeebies wrote: »

..I bring my lunch to work most days but I need some non-bread ideas. I always missed English bread when I was away so seem to always be eating it and need to be careful! So do any of you ladies have any non bread based ideas for an office with limited storage space for lunches and no facilities to cook or heat anything up?

Do you have a fridge? If so, then salad, cottage cheese & crackers/Ryvita, wraps, pasta rice or cous-cous salad.

his_missus

floss2 wrote: »

Do you have a fridge? If so, then salad, cottage cheese & crackers/Ryvita, wraps, pasta rice or cous-cous salad.

Or, heebies, you could use an insulated lunch box with an ice block to keep food cold.

I used to use a food flask for hot food (mainly soups but also chilli etc.) when I worked somewhere without kitchen facilities.

lessonlearned

Good morning ladies

Still crazy busy. I ought to be as thin as a rake with all the dashing around I do.

Physio yesterday - am very sore today. Fancy paying good money to be tortured.....

Chiropodist today. I need to go shoes shopping but doubt I will find the time. Got to visit OH, then Mum, then Dad to sort out some paperwork.

Hey ho, I'm definitely having a day off tomorrow.

Sometimes I was lucky and had fridges and microwaves on site. Sometimes I didn't. Can second the insulated lunch boxes.

I also had one of those mini fridges, that I used to take to work, still have it actually. It came in handy when we moved house because we just used the mini fridge in the rental so we could at least have fresh milk for a cuppa whilst we were doing the changeover.

My big problem is "food on the run". Most snacks are wheat based, sandwiches, croissants, flapjacks etc and I am trying to avoid wheat as much as possible. I must start making up salads and healthy snacks for when I'm out and about. Would be more MSE too as well as being healthier and less fattening.

Memo to self - get more organised with the lunches.....

Time_to_Get_up_and_Go

Hi all, sorry I've not been around much but I am back with a vengeance after my few days of being downbeat.
The hay fever calmed down with all the rain so I got back on my treadmill and have done a couple of the couch to 5k sessions. Running always destresses me so I'm hoping to get back upto standard once these 4 stones are off!!
I also went to a gym exercise class, I nearly didn't go but got forced into it, I'm glad I did but made me realise just how unfit and embarrassing I am so fingers crossed, more determination.

I just need to get organised next week food wise and I need to find a substitute for chocolate, anyone???
Im gradually cutting down my soda habit, I've gone from 6+ cans to 2-3 max and now on diet versions whereas before it was full fat!!

I found a very inspiring quote from Audrey Hepburn about the beauty of a woman, I'm going to print and put in a nice frame for my dressing table. All to often my moods are down to thinking what othersay think of me via appearance, it got me thinking that I should be calmer and less stressed at home, I want to savour my children rather than time pass me by.

Might take up that yoga, seems I could do with it!!!

Also going to treat myself at my local
Salon, what would you have, facial, manicure or massage???

Hope you are all having stress free and productive days, looking forward to the sun (if hay fever will stay away)

Sorry for rambling (again) but its quite therapeutic writing it down!

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies

Up with the larks having had a lovely long sleep. Must have had a good 7 hours. My sleep has been quite poor this week - had a lot of stress to contend with. Finally things seem to be going my way and I can feel the stress levels going down.

TGG - I too am disgustingly unfit. I am still very sore after my physio so I only managed a few yoga stretches yesterday. However, my view is a little is better than nothing.

My mission now is to get myself fitter and stronger.

You were asking which treatment. Well for me it would be the massage. I can do my own facial and manicure but self massage - especially back and shoulders is well nigh impossible. I may well start having massages occasionally.

Physio is not quite the same. A gentle hot stone massage sounds like bliss......My friend is off to a Spa on Monday. One of these days I might just indulge. I must look out for some vouchers or offers.

Went out to lunch yesterday with a friend and a trip round one of those shopping malls. McArthur Glen, Junction 28 on the M1.

I was very restrained but I did finally buy some clothes. A bra, 4 t-shirts and a lovely navy jersey wrap dress by Planet, bargain at £29. The dress is more for Autumn/Winter. Very smart and elegant - I just need somewhere smart and elegant to go to to wear it. :rotfl: Also picked up some beige linen trousers from a charity shop £3.

Still not managed any shoes yet. My feet were really sore yesterday - I really need to lose some weight, take some of the pressure of my knees and feet.

It looks like the sun has arrived::j:j

Today we are going to see DS2's proposed house again, to have a good poke about (it is empty) and check out the loft. We are hoping to "add value" by building a 3rd bedroom/en suite bathroom up there.

DS1's house purchase on track. Had a nice chat with the Vendors - they are such nice people. The lady had been back last week and had spent a couple of hours in the garden weeding and tidying up so that it didn't get out of hand. How thoughtful is that.

Don't forget Fab Friday today. A trousers day for me today......

Have a great day.

Bitsy_Beans

Am loving this weather. Not so good for my poor Luna but oh well.
In honour of fab Friday I have put on my lovely maxi dress that got one outing last summer :rotfl: was told by one of the mums at school that I looked like I had lost weight. Which was lovely to hear more so because last night I had decided to ditch the 5:2 fasting as I was finding it too difficult. However chatting to this very same mum she suggested as I find the time when kids come home hardest part I make that the time I have my main bulk of calories. Also think 500 is step too far for me at the moment so I might increase to 600-700 and then get used to it and whittle it down. Loads of stress at home with DS struggling with changes so consequently I've wanted to stuff my face. Head just wasn't in the zone BUT if I can tweak it for now then maybe all is not lost.

Anyway I am rambling defuzzed, moisturised, hair is ok and wearing a lovely dress so I shall dwell of the positives and enjoy my day.

LL can you believe at the age of 38 I've NEVER had a spa day? NEVER had a massage or treatment :eek: time to rectify this

TTG hmmm as of yet I have failed to find ANY sub for chocolate. Not even sex :rotfl:

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday

floss2

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

In honour of fab Friday I have put on my lovely maxi dress that got one outing last summer :rotfl: was told by one of the mums at school that I looked like I had lost weight. Which was lovely to hear more so because last night I had decided to ditch the 5:2 fasting as I was finding it too difficult. However chatting to this very same mum she suggested as I find the time when kids come home hardest part I make that the time I have my main bulk of calories. ....

That sounds like good advice for you