Frugal Frump to Fab - The Journey Continues

lessonlearned

It's ok Maman - we get the shorthand.;) We know you meant no disrespect to anyone.

Actually the kind of trousers that you are describing are exactly the type of clothes we have had to kit out my 89 year old mother in. When you visit nursing homes you notice they are in fact the staple wardrobe choice for many female residents, those and joggies for men.

For obvious reasons - they wash easily, they don't require ironing, for ease of dressing by carers, for quickness when the resident needs to make a quick bathroom stop, negating the need for tights or hosiery.

I know a great many of the ladies who wear these kind of trousers actually hate them but they are resigned to wearing what is easy and practical for their circumstances and needs. My mother detests them and often talks with longing about her dresses that she no longer wears. She has a beautiful silver grey crepe dress which is a particular favourite. My dad wanted to throw it away with all her other clothes that she no longer wears but my sister and I persuaded him to keep some of her favourites. She just likes to look at them from time to time. Bless her.

Back to the M&S "Classic Woman" range.

I feel that by and large it is a range of clothing that is more suitable for older ladies. I think 60 or so is still young and whilst no-one wants to go around looking like "mutton dressed as lamb" this particular range does lack flair - very much a safe option. Nothing wrong with it but a bit lacking in style and imagination.

The one big drawback with these types of trousers of course is that being made synthetic fabric s such as crimpelene they can be rather hot and sweaty to wear - especially when sat in wheelchairs with plastic cushions. I cannot wear any kind of crimpelene type fabric because of the static. I get very painful shocks.

I have to say I'm not looking forward to a future wardrobe of elasticated crimplene trousers!! but then again I don't relish the thought of languishing in a nursing home either…….

I feel a bit better after my sleep but still decidedly under par - hope the lurgy doesn't last too long.

I did attempt to buy a few summer tops today but must have been in ultra fussy mode because I couldn't see anything I even remotely liked. Will try again when I'm feeling a bit more in "shopping mode".

Rummer

Healthy eating success today :j and I feel great sense of achievement :j

I also wore a new top today and my nail varnish from Saturday night remains chip free which is impressive as usually my nails are a mess within an hour of application.

Today I received a compliment that I looked relaxed and well rested so the pampering must be starting to pay off! Hopefully the body brushing will start to have an impact soon too.

whichwhydoIturn

Planning a fabbing Friday evening here this week.
So, that ll be after the gardening and big cleaning jobs are done after work.
My nails are looking quite dry and ideas to bring them to life .
Going back to the gym Thursday I hope after a very painful shin splint though I'm going to try classes I think .
Feeling quite bloated so trying to cut back on bread , popcorn etc .
hope everyone is slathering on the sun cream these last few days xx

alec_eiffel

Hi everyone,

As part of my lurking and primping I bought a new outfit for a thing I was going to and I received loads of compliments, even from people I didn't know!

Currently I'm working on my nails, they're always full of soil and are peeling and not that nice so nail cream is a new addition to the sinks around the house.

Rummer

alec_eiffel wrote: »

Hi everyone,

As part of my lurking and primping I bought a new outfit for a thing I was going to and I received loads of compliments, even from people I didn't know!

Currently I'm working on my nails, they're always full of soil and are peeling and not that nice so nail cream is a new addition to the sinks around the house.

:j Hello :j

How lovely to receive compliments I know we are all doing it for ourselves however when people notice it is the icing on the cake (or the creme fresh on the fruit salad )

If your nails are a focus is there no way that you could wear gloves to protect them? I spend a lot of time in the garden and I always wear waterproof heavy duty gloves as my nails would dissolve in the soil.

maman

Seems from this morning's news I'm not the only one disillusioned with M&S.;)


For nails, I'd say keeping cream near the sink is a great idea but I'd add near to where you sit for TV or reading is good too. So a mini manicure set with cuticle cream as well as hand/nail cream and an emery board and perhaps a buffer if you like 'au naturel'. I also like a regular salon manicure as a treat. Groupon is good for cheaper alternatives.


Weekend's warm weather (now a distant memory:() has shown up discrepancies in my summer wardrobe. I think that's mainly because I had a clear out last autumn and haven't replaced. Priorities are more tops with a small sleeve. I've got long sleeves and camisoles but things suitable for everyday wear are lacking. Plus although I have 'beach' style sandals I need non-floppy summer casual shoes. Last year I wore a pair of canvas espadrilles to death. I'll have to see what's about.


Good news is I tried on my bikinis from last year and pleased to report all is well.:D I may get another if I see anything I fancy but otherwise all ok there.


Good to hear about people getting compliments.:) Strange to hear you layering up for winter kiwi while here we're wondering how summer's going to turn out. Was it a special occasion outfit Alex? what did you wear?

alec_eiffel

Thanks. I do wear gloves but I'm just a messy creature and always end up with muck everywhere! I think maybe I should look for some children's gloves, even small ladies gloves are too large, might help a bit. I'll stick some handcream into my sewing box, I already have a nail file in there so it would make sense. it sits next to my armchair so always within reach.

It was a special occasion, we were out celebrating some good news with a friend. I wore this dress (I didn't pay that much for it though)

http://www.yumidirect.co.uk/outlet/lace-print-dress.html

I wore some lovely summer sandals this weekend only to end up with seven blisters, so they're in the charity bag and I'm on the look for something more comfy. We do a lot of walking about so I'd like some sandals that look nice but are really comfy. At the minute it's back to my trusty Tevas.

Floss

alec_eiffel wrote: »

...It was a special occasion, we were out celebrating some good news with a friend. I wore this dress (I didn't pay that much for it though)

http://www.yumidirect.co.uk/outlet/lace-print-dress.html

.

Ooh thats nice - wouldn't suit my J-Lo bum though! I'm a shift / hourglass dress girl

I would second the hand cream, and also a nailbrush and some body scrub for when you have been gardening, followed by washing your hair in the shower Always works for me after a day on the allotment, even with gloves I get soil behind my nails! Thats why I always choose solid mid-to-dark colours for my shellac polish on my nails, which doesn't chip off BTW.

Rummer

I am really getting into exercising been making an effort to do something every day and it is starting to make me feel better already.

sweetcheeks33

I agree on the hand cream as trying to keep it on my desk at work now too.
Worked late tonight so not much to report. Tried on some sandals in t k maxx today but nothing great to report so the hunt is on....

Needing to think of supplements for OH as memory is getting terrible! Any one any suggestions ? ( I am not asking medical advice just suggestions for discussion) I was thinking 3.6.9 oils?