Frugal Frump to Fabulous Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox

OrangeFairy

Evening all,

I would love to join this thread if you will have me!

I am currently in need of a little tlc. I need to lose a fair chunk of weight and generally want to make a bit more of an effort to look nice, tread myself and look after my skin etc

I am mum of 2, live in Devon with my hubby and work fulltime. I turn 30 in May and really would like to feel happier in myself by then, I think this is also very important from a relationship point of view.

Jan 1st will mark the year of a new me and the year I become debt free. So I am motivated and excited

OF x

Bitsy_Beans

Welcome to all the newbies happy to have you all on board (Orange fairy VERY envious of you living in North Devon ).

For those of you who are interested in making own potions etc a friend recommended this blog. Lots of lovely homemade skin, hair and make up items to be made. Now if only I had the time.......

http://www.humblebeeandme.com

podperson

Hi all and welcome to the lovely new people,

Glad to hear most people have had a good xmas. I got back yesterday, was good to catch up with family and friends but glad to be home now! Got stuck in the weather problems, delays, replacement buses etc so trip back was a bit of a nightmare but got there in the end. Have been recovering today with a nice, quiet day with OH. We might have a pop to the sales tomorrow, tbh I'm not too bothered but think OH wants to see if there's any bargains :rotfl:

Starting to get organised for the new year. Wanting to concentrate a lot more on the exercise and healthy eating. Also going to get the work planned a little better, before xmas I was getting dragged into the freelance job 5 days a week, sometimes even 6 and need to get back to the 3-4 I'd originally agreed on so I have time for my own stuff! Back on track needed

jacci45

I am going to join too please! Im 53 and deffo not fab, need to lose weight but have stopped smoking , only for 2 days now but actually feel really commited to it this time.
Have got some really major health problems with my Mother at the moment, one of the reasons I have stopped smoking, and I want 2014 to be the year I actually become healthy and fab would be lovely too.
Take care all and a happy healthy 2014 to us all.

Molly41

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

I've bought my boot cut jeans from Peackocks, they are lovely and only £12.

I never thought I could wear skinny jeans but I embraced them. Have to wear them with either calf to knee high boots or rolled up like cropped trousers in summer. So ladies don't rule them out (or try straight leg rather than skinny) just try and find a way to wear them that suits you

Or with a tunic layered look x

Teacher2b

maddiemay wrote: »

As a fairly recent newbie myself, hi to the new ladies, it is nice to hang around here, friendly and helpful people.


My aim for 2014 is to become stronger and fitter. After 3 years of ankle pain, surgery to try and improve it 14 months ago, longer recovery than I had anticipated and not full improvement, I have been unable to walk very far for all of this time, couple this with a move to a dormer bungalow, I have become very weak. I have started working with a PT, although it is a bit expensive I have committed myself until the end of March, and feeling the benefits already. A horrid cold type virus which has left me without appetite and no get up and go hasn't helped, but on the mend now, the plus side is that I have not ate very much over Christmas. LOL


Not sure about a word, I will ponder on it.

What do you do with your PT out of interest? I've been considering it for some time just for that extra sort of 'boost'.

Teacher2b

jacci45 wrote: »

I am going to join too please! Im 53 and deffo not fab, need to lose weight but have stopped smoking , only for 2 days now but actually feel really commited to it this time.
Have got some really major health problems with my Mother at the moment, one of the reasons I have stopped smoking, and I want 2014 to be the year I actually become healthy and fab would be lovely too.
Take care all and a happy healthy 2014 to us all.

Good for you on your mission! How is it going? The first steps are the hardest so hang in there Are you using any strategies to help you? I completely understand about family health problems. My mum has been extremely ill this year it has been quite touch and go and unfortunately doesn't look like she's every going to really get better which has had huge implications for her quality of life. It has made me realise the importance of looking after yourself. I always thought going to the gym / eating well was about looking slim and vanity but I had a bit of a lightbulb moment where I realised exercising and being good to yourself is so so important for your own mental and physical well being which also has such a knock on effect to those around you. Rant over!!

Good luck to all who strive for betterness. Thing about the ones you love and how much they need you around at your best.

I did pick up a few bargains yesterday in the sales- actually went as far as to buying a couple of bits to put away for next christmas! Very unlike me. I have bought a new hairdryer which was on sale at Boots and am so so pleased- clearly technology has come on a lot since I bought my last one as my first go with my new one left my hair shiny and smooth and dried in about half the time it usually does! :j

Also purchased a goose down duvet at very reasonable price and oh my goodness it was like sleeping on a cloud! I'm already looking forward to going to bed tonight just to enjoy it's beauty :rotfl:

Today's plan- gym, cleaning, bit of quality time/ lunch with the OH before he goes to work and then I should probably start a bit of my own work to make sure the last few days off aren't spent in a panic.

What is everyone else up to today?

Have a good one

lizzie157

Hi all,
Welcome to all the newbies :hello:
Hope everyone had a good xmas :beer:.
Had a lovely one here a bit different as we didn't have lunch with DS2 as usual but we did see him for present opening. We had a big joint family xmas with the newlyweds and DIL family. It was really lovely.

We haven't much money as many of you already know but I decided this year I was going to invite family here and make merry even if it is on a budget sp we've had qute a few get togethers and it's been great.

Unfortunately fabwise I've managed to catch a cold and my skin is looking awful . I've had some sort of allergic reaction to something but am baffled as to what. My face is really dry/red/itchy and also my arms and legs in places. I' ve been putting Vit E oil mied with sweet almond oil on them to try and help the dryness but am struggling wth the itchiness. Any ideas?? I don't really want anything chemically as I'm not sure that the outbreak isn't due to something like this and the cream I bought is making it worse. Like you LL I'm going to try and go a bit more natural. I've been edging this way for a few yrs now but finances don't always allow.

I have an assignment due in early jan for my OU course but atm I can't focus as my skin is driving me mad!

I've been thinking of a word and the best one for me is optimism. Over the yrs I've become a pessimist due to circumstances and as some of you know have suffered bouts of depression. I'm much better but still have periods of down in the dumps. So I'm going to try to look on the good side of things more than I sometimes do and hopefully the place i'm in now will get even better this yr than it did last.

Anyway enough waffling :rotfl:.

If I don't manage to post again before I will be reading so I wish everyone a Very Happy New Year. ( I'll post again soon as I get chance)

Hugs to all

Rummer

I have started to take steps to improve the way my family and I eat. There is a local (ish) shop that sells only locally grown produce mainly from allotments and smallholders so I am hoping to purchase more from there. It is about a 30 mins walk away and as I will not be using the car as often for the next few months it will be a work out as well

Also planning on using the local butcher as I will be off when he is open.

We cook most of our food from scratch but there is room for improvement and I am going to reinforce to family that we really do not want bags of junk food and sweeties given to us weekly. I know they are trying to be kind but I would rather have a bag of fruit. No idea what to do with the food they have given us though as if it is in the house we eat it but I can't bring myself to bin it?

Teacher2b

Great choice of word Lizzie Glad you had a nice Christmas sorry to hear about your reaction. This time of year can play havoc with allergics and irritations but I am unfortunately lacking experience in treating skin complaints. I think natural is definitely the way to go though!

Rummer I totally know what you mean my home is filled with chocolates given to me as gifts which is totally lovely but not really going to do me any good. I'm planning on taking a load in to work in the first week back and hoping to offload it that way! OR how about into a doctors surgery/ waiting room somewhere local? OR regift to a friend in need?