Frugal Frump to Fabulous Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox

maddiemay

H-J
I didn't manage the hearing clinic, too late when I got back from town, but most importantly went for my B12 injection, found the Sonic toothbrush I had promised myself at a smidgeon over £31 (I had almost purchased one for £58.99 from elsewhere) so very MSE.


I do the mirror test every time I leave the house, I have a minimum standard of tidy and matching clothes, eyebrow pencil and mascara also lipstick or lip-gloss, but try for foundation, blusher, some eye liner and shadow.


We have eaten well but not extravagantly over the holiday and OH has said that he is happy with cold cuts etc this evening, so intend doing those e-mails and sending a few New Year messages via the book of faces (2 years ago moved 150 miles from where we had lived for 30 years, so I love FB for keeping in touch with friends and ex-neighbours)


time to get up and go - not sure if this "is you" but was watching Emma Hardie on TV, she has her hair in a pony tail, but pulled to one side and tied behind one ear, it looks lovely. If you hair is very long but feels un styled, would it be worthwhile having a few inches chopped off the ends so it looks bulkier, but still plenty long enough to tie back?


I hope that every one has a happy new year's eve, not my favourite day, although I am very much a glass half full person, I always feel a bit low on NYE, was discussing this with cousin's husband the other day and he feels just the same, so we have agreed that this evening, although not together, we will raise a glass to each other and all other grumpy old beggars like us. LOL

CariadsNewStart

I would love to follow your thread I am a mess!! nails are awful makeup is a quick throw on if and when I have screamed and shouted for Wales to get ready to go wherever but I have lost a lot of weight in last few years but still have a good few stone to go too, but really want to start taking care of my skin and nails etc just for me !! Hoping to read daily at least for tips where to start I am 42 have a bedroom full of lotions and potions but never make time to use them... Happy new year all xx

WantToBeSE

My word of the year is going to be calm

I always feel like i am in a hurry, get stressed and angry quite easily, worry about everything and generally feel anything but calm. This impacts greatly on how i parent and if i am honest, i am not the calm and serene parent that i wish i was.

I am also planning on being more sociable. I had quite bad depression and low self esteem for a while, and although i am over the worst now, going out and being sociable always feels like too much of an effort. NO MORE! I plan to take up every invitation that gets thrown my way in 2014..finances allowing of course!

retromother

maman wrote: »

Totally agree with that hj. I think it's essential for self-worth to be a person in your own right rather than 'just' a mum or a partner. I'm not saying there isn't fulfilment and happiness in either/both those routes but IMO it's not enough in itself.

I've decided my word is going to be THINK.

Like hj, I'm reasonably happy with my fabbing routines ( thanks to this thread) but there's always room for maintenance and improvement. I also need exercise, not just for keeping fit but for the beneficial effects of fresh air in clearing the mind.

What bothers me is that I don't use my mind enough and I think that could lead to becoming boring in terms of conversation. I've never managed to break the habit of only reading on holiday. I do read a newspaper every day but that's often the sum total. I'm going to start by reading through all the lightweight novels I've accumulated (mainly passed on from friends and family) and then move on to something a bit more challenging. It's a start.

I'd welcome any thoughts.:)

P.S. Very simple question: when you're doing make up/beauty routines, do you put your hair back and, if so, with what? My hair is rather thin and flyaway and my fringe can get totally messed up by moisturisers. Any good stretchy hairbands out there?

Have you tried Coursera? They offer online free uni courses. I've done some fab ones, historical fiction, genetics and epidemics.

TOOMUCHWORRY

WantToBeSE wrote: »

My word of the year is going to be calm


I am also planning on being more sociable. I had quite bad depression and low self esteem for a while, and although i am over the worst now, going out and being sociable always feels like too much of an effort. NO MORE! I plan to take up every invitation that gets thrown my way in 2014..finances allowing of course!

Ohh this was so me two years ago. We (me and OH) started to go out for a meal once a month, local pub, cheap food even tho we were in deep do do money wise - it was our treat for tacking our debt head on and I had also just taken on a second job. Then we invited one of my friends and her OH, then it became a regular thing (monthly) subsequently they invited some of their friends and now the 8 of us regularly meet up, go to eachothers houses for meals/barbeques/ weekends away (that we budget for and are very MSE in other areas) and for the first time in many years we have a social life and it has done wonders for my formally depressed state of mind. BTW we are NOT swingers!!!!

WantToBeSE

retromother wrote: »

Have you tried Coursera? They offer online free uni courses. I've done some fab ones, historical fiction, genetics and epidemics.

Wow, what a great site! I am going to look into doing a course this year i think Thanks for sharing!

TOOMUCHWORRY wrote: »

Ohh this was so me two years ago. We (me and OH) started to go out for a meal once a month, local pub, cheap food even tho we were in deep do do money wise - it was our treat for tacking our debt head on and I had also just taken on a second job. Then we invited one of my friends and her OH, then it became a regular thing (monthly) subsequently they invited some of their friends and now the 8 of us regularly meet up, go to eachothers houses for meals/barbeques/ weekends away (that we budget for and are very MSE in other areas) and for the first time in many years we have a social life and it has done wonders for my formally depressed state of mind. BTW we are NOT swingers!!!!

Thanks TMW. My main problem is childcare, as i am a single parent with no regular break. But on the occasions that their Dad does have them, i don't go out or do anything! I need a social life, desperately!

WelshWoofer

Afternoon all!
Had a busy day - cleaning and tidying, taking a few bits bought in the sales back (not 100% thrilled with them and the £50 is better off in the bank rather than at the bottom of the wardrobe ), dog walking, ordered a new phone, emailed a few people to keep in touch, been to the supermarket and done a few errands.

Having a sit down now before walking the dog again and then beautifying myself for the evening. Fling is cooking a special meal (your guess is as good as mine...) and I've bought half of Tesco's wine aisle:rotfl:

I've been thinking about the coming year and my aim for this year is to get fitter again and spend more time looking after myself rather than running around like a headless chicken. I was quite poorly before Christmas with a kidney infection but still carried on and I don't think it did me any good. So, I need to eat better and actually cook rather than shove something in the microwave or oven and think more about health rather than convenience.

So my word for 2014 is healthy - not diets or starvation just being sensible and taking care of myself. I'm so busy with work that sometimes it feels like I do nothing else so its about time I tried to get a better balance.

I also have a multitude of small and large jobs that need doing in the house that I've just put off due to lack of time and inclination so I'm going to try to do one small one a week and a larger one each month. I've booked a painter to do the faschia boards in March - a job long overdue -and will start saving towards new kitchen unit doors. I don't want to replace the whole kitchen as I'd like to move in the next year or two but they need sprucing up.

This week's small job will be to tidy out the wardrobe - its bursting and there's loads that could go to the charity shop. January's big job is to get a few light switches replaced - not a big job to someone that knows what they're doing but I'm clueless and need someone to do it for me. I may start painting the en suite too (long past its best) just to spruce it up. It needs a new blind too as the current one is splattered with hair dye - not attractive:o
2014 is also a year to get to grips with my finances again, so all the improvements will have to be carefully researched and thought out.

Fling bought me an UP band for my birthday that monitors activity, sleep, exercise, food etc and so I'll start using that on January 2nd (New Years Day may be a write off :rotfl:).

Right, better get on with it - hope everyone has a good evening and good luck and best wishes for the New Year
xxxx

WelshWoofer

Forgot to add that I'm currently reading Morrissey's autobiography - interesting if you know Manchester at all. I read everyday and can't sleep or have a bath without a book. Its pretty much the only thing I do to relax and I couldn't cope without a book.

Teacher2b

Just quickly check in as I have a cuppa before my bath and smarten myself up to drive over to my friends party about an hour away. LOVE the thread and how it is buzzing with positivity Happy New year to all. Here's to a 2014 full of fabbness!

TOOMUCHWORRY

I hope you all have a lovely evening whatever you are doing. Best wishes for 2014.