Frugal Frump to Fab - The Journey Continues

alec_eiffel

There they are on that site! They're the black lacy pumps about half way down the page. Light enough for summer, nice enough for bodding around the shop but covers my toes in case someone dumps their shopping bags onto my foot.

I am going to a wedding next weekend. I've had a year to get rid of a few pounds but since I've been trying to lose weight I've put on half a stone. Oh well.

maman

alec_eiffel wrote: »

There they are on that site! They're the black lacy pumps about half way down the page. Light enough for summer, nice enough for bodding around the shop but covers my toes in case someone dumps their shopping bags onto my foot.

I am going to a wedding next weekend. I've had a year to get rid of a few pounds but since I've been trying to lose weight I've put on half a stone. Oh well.

I can see why you don't want bags dumped on your toes:( but I also think covered in shoes are a good idea in this country with such unpredictable summer weather.


Shoe Zone may be a cheapo shop but I think it's worth shopping around as sometimes you can end up just paying for a label like Toms espadrilles (might buy some fakes in Turkey;)). I'm a huge believer in 'cost per wear' so one of my winter coats at £200 10+ years ago is worth it but £40 for a pair of espadrilles that lasts for one summer before looking scruffy is definitely not!


Sorry to hear that your weightloss hasn't bee successful for the wedding. Do share your outfit.

alec_eiffel

I understand what you're saying. I wear my Tevas to walk to and from the shop, as I usually walk along the beach, so I'm only wearing the shoes for the time I'm volunteering which is 7-11 hours a week. So on this occasion a cheap pair is fine.

The lack of weightloss is not unexpected, I haven't exactly been trying very hard. I do have a fall back dress if the other really doesn't fit, it's not as nice but it's still nice enough for a wedding. That makes a change from previous years I can tell you!

More compliments about my skin yesterday, so the mineral make up is a winner for me. Hope everyone has a good day.

lessonlearned

Good Morning All

Lovely reading all your posts and good to see that you are all still plugging away. Never worry about falling off the wagon now and again.

Remember it's Baby Steps and Long Term Goals - not just a quick fix or fad diet. A marathon not a sprint.;)

Well now - talking about shoes I must confess that over the years I must have wasted hundreds if not thousands of £'s on shoes that hurt me and were left to languish in the back of the wardrobe. I once threw/gave away 13 pairs of unworn shoes …….:o

Now I only buy shoes that are comfortable. Unfortunately I have found that, if I buy cheap shoes, then what is comfortable for me tend to be very frumpy. If I want style and comfort then I do have to pay more. I have found a shop local to me - not one of the big chains - who seem to stock shoes that I actually like and which don't cripple me. They are not the cheapest. I did buy two pairs last week - £115 for the pair but they are really pretty and very comfortable.

Hopefully, using Maman's cost per wear analysis, they will prove to be a good investment. I bought a pair of shoes from there about 6 months ago - again about £50 but on that basis I have more than had my moneys worth.

We have Shoezone here - great for cheap summer canvas espadrille type shoes. I usually buy a couple of pairs each summer and just wear them till they drop to bits.

I have to confess that finding shoes that I like, that I can afford and that are comfortable is becoming quite a mission as I get older. I think older feet must be more temperamental:rotfl:

I had my hair chopped off the other day. It's gone from shoulder length bob to a sassy short crop - I love it!!! And…….I'm getting so many compliments. Apparently, my crop makes me look 10 years younger:j:j

Speaking of the joys of getting older. Have any of you been watching "Mary's Silver Service". It's Mary Portas doing her thing with older people who want to go back to work. Some of the people are over 80 and have more energy and drive than people half their age. It's really interesting stuff and just goes to show that you are never to old to re-invent yourself and start again.

I've also been reading quite a few Simple Living blogs recently - it's definitely the way forward for me. I'm gradually divesting myself of "stuff". I now have a lady who is selling stuff for me - I give her 30% of everything she makes. If we can't sell it then we just give away what's left.

Less is more - and all that. Although I still can't resist buying plants and garden stuff. Mind you I am currently designing and overseeing the landscaping of 2 gardens now - well that's my excuse:rotfl:

A spot of shopping and mooching today. Yesterday I spent most of the afternoon cleaning brickwork reading for the plasterers next week. Still more to do but it is very physical and tiring so I just pace myself and do it every other day….

So it's an easy day for me - going to enjoy that sunshine.

lizzie157

hi,

Have terrible trouble finding shoes that fit without shredding my heels. I have small feet and depending on the style can get away with children's shoes sometimes. I do find the sizing so variable with some shoes I could do with going a size down and others a size up-makes it difficult when trying to buy online.

A busy day decorating for me here (will have a break to enjoy the sun though).

Still in the midst of troubles DD1 is heavily in debt, has refused for months to admit it but it has now all come to a head, coupled with possible bi-polar it's not a good combination. Unfortunately though in some ways I feel angry about it, as usual it's me who is expected to pick up the pieces so am feeling taken for granted. I am happy to help but have decided that it's time for her to be responsible and face the consequences. I will help but in the end she's an adult...
It's been difficult for me to get to this decision and it may sound harsh but previous offers/pleas to get it sorted have been ignored so I think it's time. So practical help only this time.

Right best get the paintbrush out.

maddiemay

Lizzie, I think that tough love is often the only option left, try not to feel guilty (not easy though), however much parents care and try to help it is ultimately up to the individual to make a success or c**k up of their life. It may be that a third party, CAB or one of the debt charities (not the paid for people) might be able to get through.

Hugs across the ether to you.:)

LL, I have trouble with shoes too, I have a duff ankle on which I have surgery, 18 months of (private) physio and am told to wear shoes/boots which give support around the ankles, easy in winter, but a real trial in summer, coupled with wearing orthotics to correct back and hip problems it is a struggle:( It is time that I had a real cull of things that I don't wear:(:(

BTW were you a wearer of high heels when younger? I was, and along with other women with similar problems, I think that may be the root cause.

Had to request an easier session with the PT this morning as I have had a very poorly tum for a few days and severely lacking in strength and energy, he is a great guy and very professional, so he worked out a routine which stretched me a little, but not as tiring as usual, boring lunch of Tuna and rice eaten, so shower, hairwash and pampering then time in the garden, some of it working and some lazing I think.

Rummer

I need more wardrobe advice I am hoping to go on a weeks beach holiday later in the year and having not been on that type of holiday for over a decade I have no clue what to take

I am not a teeny trim person so vest tops and short shorts will not be an option :rotfl: however I do not want to look frumpy! Any ideas as to what kinds of clothes and how many of each would be great. I am going with two children so I would like to travel light for me!

Floss

Rummer, you could still do vest tops - just look for those with a bit more about them, such as the secret support ones in Matalan - they have some pretty lace trim ones. And why not look for some long jean or chino shorts, above knee but thigh-covering? Primark often have their golfing shorts which would be ideal

pirateyqueen

Maxi dresses always look so glamourous I think.

Kaftans and things like that for coverups are always a good idea, so easy to throw on.

maman

Funnily enough, when I read your post I'd just finished ironing some of my holiday wardrobe ready for sunshine break next week. I find my wardrobe falls into three parts with different clothes for each.

• daytime: for sightseeing, shopping, walking to beach club. I don't like shorts, don't find them comfortable. I prefer a short skirt with a top or a short sun dress. I have a chino type skirt (like a denim one but fawn) and I wear it with vest type tops or camisoles or sometimes a cap sleeve. Like floss says you can get tops that aren't too clingy, a bit flared or a bit longer.
• evening: I still wear silky trousers with a camisole or a smart summer dress but like pq says I've got far more maxi dresses now than previously.
• poolside: bikinis or swimsuits and some sort of cover up for going to the bar/lunch. I've found it impossible to buy a kaftan as all the ones I've seen are in prickly nylon fabric that I don't like. Instead I've got sort of long baggy t shirts and a sarong.

Where I'm going in Turkey it's really hot. I do have some cropped trousers but I tend only to wear them for a couple of days until my legs brown up a bit more.


HTH