Frugal Frump to Fabulous Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox

lil_mama

Hi everyone, thank you all for the welcome's you're all a very friendly bunch.

kiwisaver - the doctor thinks i'm allergic to the PPD's in hair dyes as I've had my hair all colours in the past and its the darker colours (browns and blacks) that cause the worst reactions, he wanted to send me to something like a skin specialist to do testing but it would have involved having loads of different chemicals patch tested on my back and I was told I wouldn't be able to bath or shower for a week as they needed to be left on that long to see which chemicals i'm allergic to. I really didn't want to do that as I love having a hot bath every night and hate the thought of not being able to shower / bath for a whole week. I've tried herbatint and it caused one of the worst reactions I've ever had! a lot of dyes that seem to be safe actually aren't, there are PPD's in herbatint, I had to go to hospital after I used it :-(

Maddiemay - diets don't even work for a short time for me as I can't stick to them lol. I eat nothing all day then come about 8-9pm I eat whatever is quickest usually a cheese sandwich, crisps, chocolate, cake etc. no wonder I have no energy when all I eat is crap. its so silly really because I don't dislike anything healthy at all I love fruit, veg, salad all that kind of stuff. regarding my hair - I used to spend £300!!! on getting my extensions re-done, colour and cut every 2-3 months, but that was when it was just me no ds, I still really want extensions but I want the clip in ones now as they don't take as much time and money to look after, I've got my eye on some foxylocks extensions the reviews on them are really good. I'd like to have a reddish light brown colour as hopefully the reaction to that wouldn't be anywhere near as bad as dark brown / black. I've had my hair reddish brown before but that was before I started getting allergic reactions.

maman - thank you I will look up the slimming world 7 day plan and maybe get some ideas of what to eat instead of the usual cheese sandwich and chocolate! lol

Teacher2b - I love dancing, I used to be good at it, but I cant dance the way I used to due to all this extra weight. I bought the zumba dvds because I knew it was kind of like dancing, it really wears me out on the odd occasion ive done it, but I guess that means its working :-)

lessonlearned - thank you I will look into Daniel Field hair colours, as I've said I did try herbatint but it caused a really bad reaction, it was the black herbatint I used though, and the darker coloured hair dyes have the strongest chemicals in them. As a last resort I could go blonde, would hide my greys better and when I tried going blonde around 2 years ago I bleached it and dyed it myself - no reaction, just a big mess as I'm no hairdresser, went to a salon the next day and the girl there bleached it again told me to go back in 2 weeks and then she bleached it once more, toned it, dyed it and got it all a lovely light blonde colour. I had no reaction at all to anything she did to my hair (she didn't do a patch test either) it did feel a little hot and a tiny bit itchy while the dye was on my head but that was nothing compared to the huge blister type kind of burns I usually get when I dye my hair dark.

sorry once again for the long post, next time I will try to keep it shorter and more positive. off now to make ds his dinner, and I will have something to eat with him, I'm so silly I make my son healthy homecooked meals all the time and he eats plenty of fruit and veg, I just don't bother eating any of it myself! tonight though I will.

ScarlettMcCain

Hi everyone - what a lovely, encouraging thread! I have 20lb to lose preferably by Easter when we will hopefully be going on holiday, and the thought of me in a bikini is a VERY scary one. I don't have much spare money in January (same for most people, I'm sure!) but do have a Groupon voucher for a haircut still, and will be back at the gym (already paid for) to try to work off a few lb's.

Lil_mama - I started getting spots in my late 20s too - I don't know if yours is related to an allergy if you get reactions to other products, but it might be worth talking to your GP about it? I tried every skin cleaning product I could find, different types of make-up etc, but the only thing which worked for me was antibiotics. Unhelpfully exercise can actually make spots worse, as your face gets sweaty and the pores get blocked, but of course the benefits far outweigh that very small risk! My GP thought my problems were stress-related rather than diet/ product related, goes to show you can try everything but sometimes there's a medical condition causing issues.

Right, I'm off to do the ironing, at least that's a cheap way of helping me feel better about my appearance!!

Teacher2b

Hi Rubyslippers- good luck on your mission- having a good clear goal always helps! Picture yourself the way you want to be having a fabulous time on holiday.

Well I've had a busy evening- bath, exfoliate, shave, all over moisturise, tint eye brows and lashes, paint toe nails and clear strengthening varnish on finger nails. Phew! It's hard being a gal!

Early night with my book I think- complete trash read but i'm loving it!

ScarlettMcCain

Thanks Teacher! Sounds like you've had a very productive Sunday evening I am currently living with two men (OH and his lodger!) which very much restricts bath time, not to mention hair dying time :eek: but they're off out for a birthday on Friday, so I'm looking forward to having the house to myself then!

maman

Quick post mama: I think the idea of trying light brown/blonde is a good one. Black/dark brown is very hard to maintain and long term can be a very unforgiving look. I'm fortunate in that although my natural hair is a boring mousey colour it has only a tiny bit of grey. I find that having highlights of blonde and a few coppery bits to stop it looking brassy blends in well with any grey bits. Certainly worth exploring.

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone - back now for a little natter.

Lil - Mama - I agree that trying a lighter colour might be better - there are more nasties in dark dyes than in the lighter ones and like Maman has said the darker colours can be a bit unforgiving as we get a bit older and our skin tones change.

I started life with black hair, it gradually got lighter and then in my 30's it started turning auburn. My skin changed too - even my eyes changed from dark brown to hazel. How weird is that. The white hair really took a hold about 5 years ago which is when I had to give up DIY hair colouring.

I don't mind the white but it can make me look a bit ghostly in the winter so I do have some blonde highlights for a bit of "warmth". At my next appt I'm opting for blonde and copper slices because I do miss my auburn tresses.

Maddie I would love to try some pink in there - one day…..

Well it's all kicking off now.

Tomorrow I start my weight reducing in earnest. The staff at the nursing home are going on a sponsored slim and I'm joining them. No faddy diet - just sensible healthy eating and more exercise. However, the discipline of a weekly weigh in should really help me stay on track.

DS1 visited today so I emptied my cupboards of all temptations and sent him away with all the Christmas goodies. Only healthy stuff in my kitchen from now on.;)

I've booked a course of pilates lessons - starting next Friday and I'm restarting the book club tomorrow night.

I also had a visit from my "Construction Mentor" today. He is helping me project manage the two properties we are already committed to and he is also guiding me through building my property business.

He is a retired builder and is teaching me all he knows. I pick his brains shamelessly….

So……. with his blessing and encouragement I've decided to stop dithering and waiting for the "right time". I'm going to take the plunge and start looking for property no 3. The expansion programme starts now.

I told you this year was going to busy. :eek:

Actually I'm loving it.

Like a phoenix I'm rising from the ashes. :rotfl:

I can't explain it - but it feels like something inside me has just clicked back into place. I've finally shed that awful lethargy, I'm no longer frightened of the future and I'm raring to go.

Without being too self congratulatory I now feel that having survived the last 8 years I can cope with anything life throws at me. I've been to the gates of hell and survived. Nothing could be worse than watching my husband suffer.

Ladies - to those of you who are at the start of your journey my advice is to just hang in there. It all seems overwhelming at first but as you take each small step you find yourself that bit further down the road to happiness and fulfilment.

Fabdom is waiting for you. That fabulous life you want is there for the taking.

There are some people who think "fabbing" is silly and frivolous. They are so wrong. It sounds daft I know but starting on ourselves, our appearance and our health and well being is just the beginning.

And - it's not selfish or self indulgent.

We cannot change our lives or improve our situations unless we first change ourselves.

Fabbing comes first.

It may seem daunting to begin with and putting yourself first occasionally doesn't come easy. It is an alien concept for many of us but it does need to happen.

The daily fabbing routines soon become second nature and you scarcely know you are doing them. Your appearance changes, your home and surroundings become nicer and more comfortable, you become happier, more positive, more assertive. As you change, so your life begins to improve.

When I think back to where I was at the start of my journey I am a changed woman - correction I am now what I was before OH's illness nearly destroyed me.

I have finally rediscovered the old me, the happy go lucky, fun loving, irrepressible, energetic, optimistic me that I was before life dealt me a series of body blows.

I lost myself for a while and I really missed "the old me" but thankfully I'm back at last.

Sorry for such a long post - but I just wanted to say to those who are struggling - there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Just keep going.

maddiemay

LL, I haven't been posting here for long, but I have been reading for about a year, so may I just say that is wonderful news, I am so pleased for you. x

Teacher2b

Quick post just to say good morning and best wishes for those going back today. That 6am alarm was a shock but I'm just coming round with a cuppa and some toast. Let's see if I manage to gym/ run tonight after first day back!

lessonlearned

Good morning

JUst weighed myself:eek::eek:

Oh dear - or perhaps something a little more colourful. No wonder my knees hurt.:o

Tree and decs taken down.

Bright and breezy here and surprisingly warm so I'm off for a walk to blow the cobwebs away. Then my exercises, then get the hoover out. Then lunch, and then make a start on that paperwork and filing.

Tonight is book club so will need to fab up for that.

Have a good day.

treeny_bash

Hi everyone

Can I join in please? I am 3 weeks shy of being 30, I live in London with my boyfriend of 10 years and I am determined that 2014 is the year I'm going to get my life together! Sorry, I'm going to post an essay now, but if I write it all down then I've got something to look back at in the future.

Here are my goals:

Weight
It is what it is. I'm a good 7-8 stone overweight. I know what I need to do to lose weight (eat real food, cut back on wheat, sugar and dairy), I just need to do it. Baby steps here, since new year I've started having porridge for breakfast instead of sugary cereals, now I need to focus on lunches and dinners, and cutting out the snacks. This should be easier now that most of the Christmas goodies are gone. I'm fed up of obsessing about diets and weight, I just need to do it now. And I will.

Fitness
I'm chronically unfit (see point 1 lol). I can't even walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath. I went back to the gym for the first time since October yesterday and did 20 minutes of light cardio (bike and walking on incline on treadmill) as well as some strength exercises. Again baby steps, I would love to be able to run but I'll build up to that gradually. It's all about getting into the habit of going to the gym, and I also want to start walking part of the way home from work again.

Frumpiness
I live in jeans and jumpers/tops and trainers. I can't really walk in heels. I own nice clothes but I get up in the morning and put on the casual things every time. I don't take care of my skin, I don't have a beauty regime. I have chipped nail varnish on my nails that's been there for 4 weeks. I have resolved (and have actually managed to keep this up pretty well for the last 3 months) that I will never go to work with wet hair, without makeup on, and with the little hairs on my neck visible. I have to keep my hair dyed because I have awful greys and I'm really bad at going to the hairdresser as often as I should so it ends up really thick and shapeless and hence scraped back and not styled. It's ok at the moment but it will need a cut in a month or so and dyed within the next 2-3 weeks. The goal here is to set up a daily/weekly/monthly/yearly beauty routine. I've bought some of that vitamin e hot cloth cleanser from superdrug that I read about on here and I love it, so I'm hoping that encourages me to do a before bed routine of cleansing and moisturising, and in time I will add in choosing clothes for the next day and moisturising my body to the routine. Loosing a bit of weight will make me feel less self concious in smarter clothes, and make it easier to walk in heels, but I need to force myself to practise changing into heels when I'm in the office.

Frugality
We are totes skint. We live outside of our means, but that's a bigger issue for another day. The bottom line is I don't have a lot of money to spend on fabbing but I'm sure you lovely ladies will be able to give me lots of tips on doing it on the cheap.

Other goals
May as well add these in here, I need to get my life in order, which means a routine. I'm going to have a life routine alongside my beauty one that helps me keep my house clean and tidy and my bank account balanced. I've read a lot of Flylady's stuff but I need to adapt it to fit my life. I managed a week or so of doing this before Christmas but hopefully I can get committed to doing this properly.

Phew, if you're still with me then thanks for reading, and I look forward to getting to know you all as we journey the path to fabdom together.