Frump to Fab - Onwards and Upwards

lessonlearned

Hello lovely ladies

Well here we are the beginning of September already, and my darling husband has been dead now for 3 weeks. in some respects it seems like only yesterday and yet in one sense it seems like an eternity.

I'm not sleeping too well and I have more than the usual complement of aches and pains, dizzy spells and nausea. Other than that I'm fine.

I've realised you can't fight it, you just have to go with he flow. I do have to have little lie downs throughout the day so I just pace myself.

DS2 is off work this week which is lovely. We are doing some work on the house and we have a couple of shopping trips planned. On Wednesday we are going to ikea for kitchen stuff and I also have to buy a car because the mobility car goes back next week. It was a wheelchair accessible vehicle and was rather large and unwieldy. It will be nice to have a little urban runabout.

Made a start on the paperwork today. It's going to take a while so again just going to remember that elephant.

I've decided not to make any real plans or long term decisions at this time.

I have however set myself a couple of mini goals.

1. To complete the bulk of the renovations on DS2's house so that we can get carpets down in time for Christmas.

2'. To lose 1 stone and to get fitter.

Pilates starts again on Friday and I am trying to walk each day. Not much but it's a start.

I also need to think about some bits and bobs for autumn. Some knitwear, some trousers etc. I might even go mad and buy a couple of dresses.

Talking about mums...... mums nursing home have lost nearly all her clothes again. She can't really sit unsupported now so The hairdresser won't attempt to do her hair. Poor darling she may not have been glamourous but she did like to have her hair done and her nails painted. It's so sad to see her like that. Dad doesn't even try to help her. I'll have to see what I can do. I might take over her laundry.

I always made sure that my husbands clothes were nice, I gave him manicures and pedicures and I devised ways and means of cutting his hair even though he couldn't sit up. The week before he died he asked me to cut his hair and I gave him a couple of grooming sessions. I think he knew the end was near and he wAnted to look his best

My skin is very dry and itchy again, need to up the skin care regime. I might even buy some better ie more expensive moisturiser. I'm currently using Olay. It's not really good enough. I need industrial strength these days.....

ScarlettMcCain

Morning everyone

It's a while since I've been able to post (can't get near the laptop most days!) but just wanted to say LL, I'm so pleased that your wonderful hubby had the send off he deserved. It sounds like you need to think about you for a bit now, well done with the thoughtfulness of your new aims! Have you tried aqueous cream for your dry skin? When I had stress related eczema the doctor told me to use it for cleansing, moisturising, everything - not to use anything else - and it did work, although it took a little while. I still use it now my skin's not particularly dry.

Lizzie, you sound like a very caring mum who is trying to do her best! My mum has helped me out a couple of times and I really appreciated it, both times were when I had split up with long term partners and cash was short. When I talked to her it turned out she had been through exactly the same thing (many years before of course) and knew the dread of bills coming through the letterbox, bank letters you don't want to open etc. I never had a clue, she had coped so well when we were kids and made sure we didn't go without; although we never had big holidays, new cars etc we didn't feel 'deprived' as such.

Oh dear lovely ladies, you have all made me smile with your comments about glamorous grannies, and maybe rethink my style!! It was definitely always been on the 'safe' side, maybe because my mum's is too. I really don't know what else to wear though, I don't suit leggings and can't afford a new wardrobe! Perhaps I'll have a look through the charity shops at the weekend for some ideas…..

tru

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Morning :hello:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Pru and lizzie xx[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]LL Look after yourself x I know you will, and are, but I just wanted to say it [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I had a great weekend, I spent a lot of time working my leg, and stretching out the rest of me I'm very achy at the moment, I'm moving properly now so the muscles are being used in a sightly different way than they have been for a couple of years. It's annoying and great both at the same time [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I had a check-up at the dentist yesterday, all is good. I told him I'm not getting on with the plate at all, I just can't get used to it. I was sure he was going to say to give it a bit longer but he just said that some people don't ever get used to it and he's happy for me to have a bridge (that was the loose plan anyway but he wanted to give it six months for everything to heal and settle). I'm going to see the hygienist next week for a deep clean then it's back to the dentist to get the bridge sorted.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I'm off to swing my leg about [/FONT]

maman

Rubyslippers77 wrote: »

Oh dear lovely ladies, you have all made me smile with your comments about glamorous grannies, and maybe rethink my style!! It was definitely always been on the 'safe' side, maybe because my mum's is too. I really don't know what else to wear though, I don't suit leggings and can't afford a new wardrobe! Perhaps I'll have a look through the charity shops at the weekend for some ideas…..

That's just what I was doing this morning.:) I was over on the other side of the city on an errand and decided to have a browse. Now while I wouldn't call my area upmarket, this was a poorer area and the prices were definitely cheaper. And I was comparing like with like as it was in the Cancer Research shop and we've got one of those. I think the shop I used has stuff 'shipped in' as the local area wouldn't yield much.


For £9.50 I bought a novel, a French Connection fair isle waistcoat and an orange Next jumper (V neck and stretchy, I have one like it in black already). Plus I got a pale orange cashmere jumper (Autograph) unfortunately it's been shrunk but it's still quite presentable and lovely and soft. My plan is to wear it as a warm layer. What with that and the waistcoat I'm obviously thinking ahead to colder days although strangely enough the summer's back here today.:D

maddiemay

I have had quite good success with slightly shrunken cashmere (I am a champagne at beer prices kind a girl LOL), by washing in cool water using woolwash or similar, adding generous amount of fabric conditioner, spinning, and then stretching garment quite vigorously in all directions, drying flat away from heat, but continuing the stretching step several times during the drying process. It doesn't work for everything, but is worth a try.

A tip I was given years ago is if no "special detergent", or no fabric conditioner, I don't use conditioner, is to use a little shampoo and dilute some hair conditioner for the final rinse. Another was, if no drying rack (flat) fold a thick towel, lay garment on it and leave on floor in spare room, or behind settee or anywhere "out of the way".

You had a great shopping trip there. I live in quite a well off area too, but CR shop is reasonably priced for the most part, when I lived in Dorset (up until 3 years ago) we stopped even going in them as their prices were just silly, even for supermarket brand clothes:eek:

My bargain of the month for August was a pair of Not Your Daughter's Jeans, bright pink skinny jeans, no tags, but cannot have been worn more than a couple of times, for £4. £69 in sale for similar in shop along the street and full price £129. They were marked as a size 10, but I always look at 8's and 10's as American brands are 4 figures below our sizes:D

sweaty_betty

That's a good haul maman

I have just picked up a la redoute order - some of the items in my project 333 wardrobe just weren't working and I had nothing suitable to replace them with, so splurged in the sale.

It was interesting, after being very much an emotional, impulse shopper, I now take ages to decide whether to buy or not and really have to justify it to myself - e.g. only bought 4 items to directly replace the 4 that will be going to the charity shop..

La redoute is a bit hit and miss, but I quite like it as it's a little bit different from the high street.

I'm treating myself and going for a facial tomorrow. My skin feels pretty awful, so I need to do something. I also have a lush voucher to spend, so I can hear a glittery bath calling my name...:)

Hope you're all OK. Have we heard any more from Pru?

lizzie157

Kiwisaver wrote: »

The posts above got a bit confused; it's Maddiemay that has the fab pink hair. I'm loving all the retro styles with powdery blue and lilac greys that are about at the moment but I'm not brave enough to go there.

Sorry:o must have got confused when reading

lessonlearned wrote: »

Oh dear Lizzie - I hope you weren't offended by my post.


I wasn't offended just felt I needed to clarify a bit. I'm far from perfect but I do my best in a bad situation.

Just hang in there and keep doing what you are doing, because believe me, you are doing it right.

Thank you.

Pru- How are things? Thinking of you.


And thankyou to all of you who have thought of me over the last few days. It means a lot.
DD1 has now moved back in, is sleeping on the floor and we are having to manage the dog/cat situation as best we can in the hope that either she won't be here long or they get used to one another. Unfortunately me and DS3 seem to be suffering itchy eyes and skin which we aren't sure but may be caused by an allergy to the cat. Looks like we'll be gobbling pills whilst she's here if this turns out to be the case.

Council have been their usual helpful selves encouraging DD1 to squat in her home rather than leave when her notice was up. I couldn't believe my ears.:mad: So they want her to have a criminal conviction on top of it all! She is now on the maximum points she can get but as she is eligible for the most sought after 1 bed accommodation who knows how long so she will have to keep looking at other options too.

H is being unhelpful moaning, picking fault at every turn and generally making an already stressful situation worse. As there is no bed for her the obvious option would be the sofa but he's up till early hours of morning so rules this out but when DD2 And DS3 are back to school next week I don't think he'll have any alternative especially if we are allergic. I don't want them ill/sleepy when they are learning. Just taking it one day at a time atm.

Fabbing has unfortunately been at a min but will get back on it asap. Should be less hectic during the day at least next week.
Off out today. Look after yourselves all of you. Have a good day.

maman

Somehow you're letting a bit of positivity and determination show through lizzie. I think that's brilliant in such a difficult situation. Glad to hear you're getting out of the house today.


Thanks for the tips on the cashmere maddie.
I'll give it a whirl.


I used to have a few La Redoute bits betty. When we were in Caen regularly they used to have a shop and I remember buying an excellent pair of black trousers there (you know the sort you'd wished you bought more). Then for a while they sent me catalogues/leaflets but I never ordered so they must have given up on me. I think I'll have a look at their website. If anyone knows how to look fab it's the French.


That sounded like a really good day out at the weekend rummer, how's the week going?


I need a plan for the winter. I always feel like this at this time of the year. I'm OK in that I have a good social life but I've never been much of a one for housework. So on days when I'm at home I need to do something constructive other than cooking a meal and watching TV. If I don't I get really down and then I want to do even less. Must give it some thought.

Rummer

Hello, Hello :j

I am very good Maman and today is my first day of going fully vegan. It is something I have chewed over (pun intended ) for a long time and after being veggie for the last few weeks and doing oodles of research I am ready to take the plunge. There may be slip ups in the future but I am committed to giving this my all.

As for fabbing I have taken myself firmly in hand and have been doing all the skincare essentials, hair fabbing and even wearing a touch of makeup each day. Today I have on a nice dress too

My plan is to have dropped a dress size by halloween so I can wear something fabulous :j

maman

Rummer wrote: »

today is my first day of going fully vegan. It is something I have chewed over (pun intended ) for a long time and after being veggie for the last few weeks and doing oodles of research I am ready to take the plunge. There may be slip ups in the future but I am committed to giving this my all.

Wow! That's quite a big step. I'm sure all the veggies will be really good for you. I had a friend who went vegan and lots of cakes and biscuits were off limits (due to butter content) so that should help with the weightloss. Good Luck.:)


Lovely summer's day here and all the shops are full of coats! I've been wearing a t shirt and sunglasses.:cool: