Frugal Frump to Fabulous Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox

Teacher2b

Hi all, sorry I have been AWOL the last week of so. Work has swallowed me up and sat me out this week! Coupled with on going family illness and problems in my flat (I own it but it's in a shared building which causes it's own problem!) i'm worn out!

On the fabbing front- gym has been a bit hit and miss this week but went for a little swim today and will be going spinning tomorrow.
I have had my first lot of semi permanent lashes removed and had a new set on today... I've gone for slightly longer more 'glamorous' looking ones this time so even when my hair is like a hay stack and my skins is so pale it's translscent I have my flirty lashes to flutter!!
I've started blow drying my hair with volume and adding a few curls- it has worked pretty well! I hope everyone is having a lovely Saturday night! The weather is foul but getting cosy!

WelshWoofer

Evening all!
I'm another one that real life has taken over for this week. Parents evenings, a mini drama with Fling (now happily resolved), work, work and more work and then a nice evening doing s*d all last night.

The good news is that I have miraculously lost 4lbs this week and also had an appointment with the doctor for a contraception repeat prescription and had to endure the usual battery of height, weight, blood pressure and general health checks - all very good apparently, so positive stuff on the health front.:)

After a lovely day with Fling today I've come home and cleaned right through the house, changed the bed and done some laundry tonight so I don't have to do it all tomorrow. I have lots of online work to do tomorrow as part of my leadership qualification for work - all quite boring but necessary - so I'm going to have to force myself to sit down and do at least 3 hours of it tomorrow as well as a huge stack of marking.

Going to try to have an earlyish night tonight with my book (a pretty gruesome kidnap and murder read) and spring into action in the morning with a long dog walk and then a whizz round Tescos before settling down to a bit of work.

Right, off to watch an hours worth of recorded telly then bed.

WelshWoofer

Afternoon all! Where are you all?
Had a very productive day - done 5 hours of course work online, done over half of it now thankfully. Been to Tescos, done a bit of cleaning and taken the dog for 2 nice long walks in the sun (think it was sun, not seen it for a while!).
Just settling down to watch the rugby for a bit of a rest then its a nice long bath (still sweaty and grubby from walking and cleaning) and then a healthy tea followed by a visit from the Fling - all in all a good day so far

Bitsy_Beans

Oops been a bit MIA. Been engrossed in other things, not really coming on MSE as much as I used to
No news here, been making an effort to use the treadmill, 25 mins upbill brisk walking whilst watching a DVD is not a bad idea
Fed up of the endless rain and mud here, roll on spring. Had a lovely few hours at the park with the kids though today, some winter sunshine was long overdue.

Sorry haven't read all the thread am juggling making dinner, tomorrow's lunches and logging on here.

Hugs and high fives all round x

maddiemay

Bit of a slow start as I think I had a pulled muscle in my chest/back area from gym on Thursday. Eventually got going and cleaned one of the two ovens, baked a gluten free loaf (from an Approved Foods kit thingy) and some shortbread. All yummy. Showered, hair done, face mask done and short walk with OH and dog. Lazy evening in front of TV planned, something from freezer for supper and I really should have an early night.

Rummer

LL I had a sneaking suspicion that Touch! !clat would be the best and other products could be a false economy. There are a few staples I am loathe to be without makeup and skin care wise and that will just be added to them. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is another favourite and I adore Est!e Lauder skin care

Hubby is keen for us to go on a beach holiday this year :eek: and I am already freaking out about how I look. As I mentioned I have been a 14 for the last couple of years having been an 8/10 for most of my adult life and I am keen to shift the pounds and tone up. As well as the walking I am also going to return to my tap class and am going to dig out the fitness DVDs . What I really need to do though is cut out the junk food. Any good snack foods people would recommend?

verynewmoneysaver

Haven't been here for a while either because Mum has been poorly. She seems a little better at the moment. Went to yoga this morning and really enjoyed it. Quite a gentle class (not too difficult) with lots of meditation and relaxation. Going to try to do some yoga and meditation every day. Rummer I've been a size 16 for years and can't get any smaller no matter how much I exercise or how I eat, but I don't mind as at least I think I'm quite toned. Wouldn't wear a bikini though!

Teacher2b

In terms of snacking/ losing weight protein has been my friend this year! nuts, cottage cheese with pineapple, bananas, greek yoghurt with blueberries and honey- none of it really has the naughty factor but definitely keeps you feeling full for a while!

Am I the only person who actually likes Mondays? I always feel more energised, seem to get loads done at work and all the good gym classes are on! Got a busy week at work but trying to keep up with gym and a trip for cheapo cinema on Wednesday if I can squeeze it in. I'm away all next week on a school trip, it's either throw caution to health lifestyle/ fabbing or be super organised and pack a carrier bag of healthy lunch foods. I've got 3lbs to lose until I'm the lightest I've been since before I went to uni! Happy days. Hope it's been a good one for all. Have we all noticed it's getting lighter in the evenings? Still some light at 5pm today wohooo!

lessonlearned

Teacher2b wrote: »

Have we all noticed it's getting lighter in the evenings? Still some light at 5pm today wohooo!

I know - it was a real treat to see daylight until nearly 5.30 here.

Spent the day at DS1's waiting for the gas and electricity guys to change the meters. Leccy man never turned up.

Kept myself busy sorting out his house a bit for him - I'm such a good mum:rotfl:

Actually my soft as grease DS2 surprised me with a present on Saturday - just because. His actual words were "Thanks for being a wonderful mum, and biiiiig thanks for helping me buy a house" . Bless him he's such a big softie.

And get this - the present was an iPad. Who's a spoilt girl then.

Of course I had to give him a ticking off for spending so much money…….:rotfl:

Tomorrow is our 31st wedding anniversary. I've treated myself to an orchid (from OH:rotfl:) I love orchids and they last for ages. I've bought him a soppy rom com DVD and some posh chocolate. So tomorrow we will watch his DVD and stuff our faces with chocolate.

BTW we now have 5 fish in the tank. All doing well.

Rummer - I love Clarins beauty flash. I tried the Superdrug version, it's ok but I didn't find it nearly as good as the Clarins.

I've not tried Estee Lauder products.

My all time favourite is Dermologica - we used those in the salon when I did my beauty therapy training. My skin loved it but it is so very expensive.

I sometimes treat myself to Elizabeth Arden when Costco have it in. It's lovely but still comes second to Dermologica though.

When I'm rich…...:rotfl:

PS - VNS - sorry to hear about your mum, hope she gets a bit better soon, perhaps she'll pick up a bit when the weather warms up.

Rummer

Teacher2b I love Mondays too, all the potential of the week ahead and refreshed after the weekend.

LL what a thoughtful son you have! Testament to how well he was raised

VNS sorry to hear about your mum. Meditation and yoga sound wonderful.

Been a tough day here today and I have to admit I was shocked at how washed out and tired I look. I dyed my hair the other day and had a full pamper session however the overall effect has been wiped out through lack of sleep.

Tonight I am going to pop on a face mask and have a long shower and tomorrow will plaster on the makeup in an attempt to look less like a zombie/vampire Mind you a diet of haribo and penguin biscuits today probably hasn't helped