Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maman

Ellsbel wrote: »

Not much to report at present - very humid here so I've moisturised but haven't put make up on as my face gets a bit "glowy" if I put too much on it when the weather's like this:D
Hope you all have a good day x

Welcome to the thread polkadots

I don't like heavy make up at all. It seems to settle in my wrinkles!:rotfl:


Fortunately I've now got colour from my holiday (but self tan mixed with moisturiser can have the same effect). For everyday I just wear eyebrow pencil and mascara and some lippy. For an evening look I'll add some highlighter (Benefit High Beam), perhaps a sweep of bronzer on my cheeks and I really like Benefit Lemon Aid as an eye shadow. In the winter I'll wear much the same but with tinted moisturiser as I've never really found a foundation that doesn't feel too heavy.


I know this is a mse thread but I'm all for spending on the things that make us feel good. I make sure I'm frugal where I can be (like menu planning to cut out waste, food shopping at Aldi and browsing the CSs for bargains) and that then frees up the cash for things I really want. I know not everyone can afford that but that's my own version of mse. Plus I hate being ripped off.


I bought myself a new jacket today in TKMaxx. Not very seasonal as it's really for the Autumn but I really liked it.
https://www.trekwear.co.uk/brand/craghoppers/jackets/craghoppers_lunsdale_ii_womens_waterproof_quilted_jacket.htm
It looks more masculine in the picture than it really is and I only paid £24 for it. It'll be warmer around the hips than the bomber style Puffa I've got now which might be making its way to the CS.


Talking of looking masculine, there seemed to be a lot of older women in the shopping centre looking like clones. I've posted before about my views on M&S Classic Range (and had my wrist slapped for it:o) but today I noticed loads with a sort of short back and sides hairdo. I don't mean the Judi Dench elfin, this is really mannish looking. I envy you your long hair indiepanda, mine's not thick enough to grow long so I keep it at a chin length bob.


Went to be weighed at SW this morning and my holiday resulted in a 3lbs gain!:eek: I'm not surprised but I really want to see the back of that ASAP.


I've a hair appointment tomorrow, just a cut and blow dry this time so I'll definitely be doing Fab Friday. Saturday I'm going to a retirement lunch for a colleague so I want to look my best. Haven't decided what to wear yet, it'll depend on the weather.

lessonlearned

Good afternoon lovely ladies

Just got back from a very busy day, visiting dad, takin him over to the cottage. I rescued a white heather plant which is looking very sick, but as mum loved it so much im going to try and nurse it back to health.

On the home I called in at the M&S food hall just im time for the yellow sticker bargains. Very MSE and we shall eat like royalty ......

I'm with Maman in that I try to cut back where I can so that I can have a few treats and splurge on certain things.

I mostly cook from scratch, I'm happy to wear charity shop bargains, I don't smoke, I do enjoy a little tipple but because I always drive everywhere I only drink alcohol,at home so I don't spend much at all reallly.

Since becoming a "Kondo konvert" I am steadily becoming increasingly more minimalist - im definitely of the mindset that "less is more" ,so when I do actually spend some money On myself I have no guilt feelings at all.

The most expensive things for me are my Physio and my hair. I don't begrudge either, the Physio keeps me mobile and relatively pain free.

Re expemsive perfume and make up. If you feel bad about spending on certain items then perhaps you could ask for them as birthday or Christmas gifts......I know I would rather buy someone a nice pot of their favourite face cream than an ornament or some tat they didn't really want.

I'm currently sitting on some birthday money and ive decided to treat myself to my favourtie dermologica products. I bought myself some Elizabeth Arden moisturiser a while back, which is fine but i much prefer Dermologica, so once the EA is used up I will treat myself.

Indie - how I envy you your long hair, do think twice. I would kill for nice long flowing silvery locks but alas, although I'm happy with the colour, my hair is Baby fine and it looks awful if I let It grow longer than chin length.

I did think of trying something like Nourikin. Has anyone tried it.......

I definitely need to get my hair done soon, it's looking quite straggly now but Ive deliberately left it longer this time between appts. Ive been growing out my Judi Dench crop - thought I might go for a short bob.

MAman I know the "look" you are describimg, short badly cut hair. Often left a very unflattering yellowing grey, no make up, unflattering shapeless trousers often made out of horrible polyester or crimpelene baggy shapeless tops, with poorly fitting bras underneath. And so often they are dressed head to toe in that dull bland "greige" colour.

It has to be the most unflattering of looks and I agree often very it seems very masculine or at least asexual It's almost as if these poor women have completely given up. And I don't think its down to lack of money either because as you say the clothes are what are often wrongly called "classic" ranges from the mid priced chain stores, certainly not bargain basement.

Maybe it's just fear of change or an over reliance on "comfort" but I know it seems to be the fall back style of a lot of ladies of a certain age. Such a shame because there is a world of colour, texture and style out there.

I know we all fear the "mutton dressed as lamb" label and there can be a fine line between looking sassy and tarty but I think if we remember a few basic ground rules then it's nice to make an effort and remain feminine......

So whether it's some nice face cream, or our favourite perfume or a good haircut we must remember to nurture our Inner Goddess:rotfl:

Don't bury her, give her wings, set her free and unleash her onto the world........

The world needs more goddesses.:D

MissRarr

Very glad to have found this thread yesterday as I've not been happy for a while. It can be so demoralising. But last night I put on some perfume as promised and went through the full skincare regime before bed.

Today I was in a situation which rarely persuaded me to allow myself to be in a photo and whilst I'm glad I have it, I still was quite angry with myself about how unhappy I've allowed myself to become with my appearance. So, all in all, a case of good timing that I hope leads to progress.

Good luck everyone! Now to enjoy Masterchef with a glass of wine after a long day.

indiepanda

maman wrote: »

Talking of looking masculine, there seemed to be a lot of older women in the shopping centre looking like clones. I've posted before about my views on M&S Classic Range (and had my wrist slapped for it:o) but today I noticed loads with a sort of short back and sides hairdo. I don't mean the Judi Dench elfin, this is really mannish looking. I envy you your long hair indiepanda, mine's not thick enough to grow long so I keep it at a chin length bob.

I know what you mean about the short hair. I've made the mistake of having mine really short before and it's really not a good look on me. I wouldn't go shorter than a chin length bob now. You've got to be seriously beautiful (think Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina) to pull off a short hair cut.

There's pros and cons with thick hair - mine also has a natural kink to it that means I can spend half an hour blow drying and straightening, go out when it's slightly humid or raining (even with an umbrella), and within minutes its frizzy. Mostly I let it curl - it's easier!

However, for all the fact my lively hair can drive me mad, a few years ago I had quite bad alopecia and I was very grateful the rest of my hair was pretty thick as with careful styling I could pretty much hide the bald patches - the worst of which was three inches in diameter.

I've got a small patch of alopecia at the moment that developed in April but it seems to be growing back in already which is way quicker than last time - am sure being off work definitely has something to do with it. It's growing back white as it did last time, but in a few months it should grow through brown.

Not that I'd mind too much if it were white - after my last bout I quickly realised white hair is still preferable to no hair I was really quite scared of the possibility of being bald - realised how much I rely on my hair to make me feel feminine.

Ellsbel

I have to say I always envy those of you with sleek chin length bobs, or short, sassy styles - mine's very thick and just doesn't suit shorter styles, so I now keep it longer as the weight of it when long helps it to hang better, if that makes sense? I sometimes wonder if I'm getting too old for long hair though!
I loved reading your make up routine maman - I'm really nosey about the products everyone uses, plus you've inspired me to try ditching the foundation for a while and try a tinted moisturiser or some self tan!
Fab Friday is going to be focussed on being kind to myself, I think. I'm very tired lately, mentally and physically. Was hoping for a lie in today but my Mother rang me super early (she's up at 5.30 and thinks I'm lazy if I'm not dressed by 7!!!) plus she wasn't in the best of moods, which has a knock-on effect on me!
So - I have to get my eldest up shortly and cook him a big breakfast before he goes off to do a day's work he has. I'm then going to do a few chores and a walk with the dog, but I intend to "treat" myself to an afternoon snooze (crikey I AM getting old:D)
Going to fit in some foot fabbing today, too - all the talk of pampered tootsies has made me feel guilty as I've neglected mine a bit lately.

maddiemay

Ellsbel wrote: »

I have to say I always envy those of you with sleek chin length bobs, or short, sassy styles - mine's very thick and just doesn't suit shorter styles, so I now keep it longer as the weight of it when long helps it to hang better, if that makes sense? I sometimes wonder if I'm getting too old for long hair though!
I loved reading your make up routine maman - I'm really nosey about the products everyone uses, plus you've inspired me to try ditching the foundation for a while and try a tinted moisturiser or some self tan!
Fab Friday is going to be focussed on being kind to myself, I think. I'm very tired lately, mentally and physically. Was hoping for a lie in today but my Mother rang me super early (she's up at 5.30 and thinks I'm lazy if I'm not dressed by 7!!!) plus she wasn't in the best of moods, which has a knock-on effect on me!
So - I have to get my eldest up shortly and cook him a big breakfast before he goes off to do a day's work he has. I'm then going to do a few chores and a walk with the dog, but I intend to "treat" myself to an afternoon snooze (crikey I AM getting old:D)
Going to fit in some foot fabbing today, too - all the talk of pampered tootsies has made me feel guilty as I've neglected mine a bit lately.

I hope that you get to enjoy a snooze:D I think I will need one later, been mostly awake from 02:30 this morning and had to get up early as have an appointment over an hours drive away this morning. :eek: Reasonably fabbed in grey with cream spotted cotton jumper, my Boden grey skinny trousers (CS) and my pretty, but practical Birkenstocks. Hair styled, eyebrows and mascara done, but CBA with any more make up. Whoops - forgot perfume.

pirateyqueen

Happy Fab Friday everyone! I will be getting my shellac redone after work so am looking forward to that. My thumbnail has stared to break halfway down the nail though so I am really hoping they can do something to strengthen that.

I may pop around the shops at lunch today (my new work place is very near Oxford Street, pretty dangerous for the purse!) I have seen some beautiful things on the & Other Stories website.

lessonlearned

Good morning all

Just to say Hi and have a happy Fab Friday. Nothing planned today so a bit of house and garden Fabbing. Bought some planters from mums garden so gojng to use them to replant some things that need potting in to bigger containers.

Will also take some cuttings to increase my lavender stock. I'm aiming to plant lavender borders along the path so need lots of plants and of course I want to do it the MSE way........

I also want to increase the geranium stock so might try a few cuttings of those whilst I'm at it. So a nice busy weekend of house and garden fabbing.

have a great weekend and keeeeep fabbing.:D

maman

Unlike you Early Birds, I'm off to a slow start today. I've done my meal plan for the week so will fit food shopping around hair appointment and collecting my new top from Jigsaw.


Lucky you getting Boden trousers from CS maddie. I used to buy a lot of their stuff but I think they've lost their way a bit lately. Maybe the pricing's not competitive enough with clothes prices coming down elsewhere.


I took a peep at & Other Stories pq and very nice it looked too! South West Trains have got a summer offer coming up soon so I'm treating myself to a day in London. That'll definitely be on the itinerary. If I worked there I'd have to think of something much cheaper to do than shops. Fortunately I like buildings and parks as well. Planning to go and look at Wallace Collection again soon as not been there since refurbishment.


Enjoy your nap ellsbel. I sometimes do that. Strangely I can read during the day if I go to bed, assuming I don't fall asleep first!:rotfl: I'm quite a fan of Benefit make up. I try to buy it either in Duty Free or when Debenhams are having a 10% off day (generally matched in John Lewis). I always get the assistants to try something new on me and then buy whatever I planned to buy anyway. I think we're all envious of someone else's hair. Mine is very high maintenance in that I can only wear it in a bob if I'm prepared to blow dry it carefully and even then a hint of dampness wrecks it. So, unlike many friends, I could never swim or exercise before work without leaving masses of time (and needing my own hairdryer) to sort myself out afterwards.


It's bright and sunny here so maybe a skirt is called for!:)

Rummer

Good Morning

After a very stressful few weeks we got good news today and I feel as if I am finally able to breathe properly again.

All the chat about beauty products has got me thinking. My skincare is set in stone for me and I always use Estee Lauder which although is :eek: expensive I have wasted loads of money on trying to find cheap alternatives and now as LL mentioned I get my annual load of skincare products from (my very generous) family for Xmas and supplement it with bits and pieces when they are on offer.

What I need to focus on is my makeup which clearly needs a revamp. I have been using the same shades of eyeshadow for a very long time and as my skin is now, how shall I word this, starting to crease I need to find something more flattering. That and my foundation is not doing what I want it to anymore. At the moment I use No7 as it has been good, affordable and is often on offer however I am considering using Estee Lauder as I love their skincare so much. Any recommendations for eyeshadow palettes in brown shades?

MissRarr well done on getting your photo taken. I used to be the same and often missed events/activities because I was uncomfortable about the way I looked. Then I realised I was missing so much and now I just take part and enjoy each moment.

LL I love my garden and although I have little to no sense of garden style it is slowly being filled with things that make my heart sing