Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

beluga

Thanks everyone, I found some pencils whilst sorting out a drawer, so did a bit of colouring

I do have friends and go out occassionally, lol, it's just that where I live is a pain to get anywhere in the evenings (rural buses!) and I'm a bit skint atm (saving for driving lessons to eliminate the transport problem!). I'm busy most days (and evenings) with volunteering, training and an OU degree, but this weekend is the one a month where I have nothing on and it makes me uncomfortable, my depression's been creeping up on me again and too much time to think isn't a good thing. People keep telling me to slow down and take it easy, but keeping busy keeps me sane atm. I'm just feeling sorry for myself, I'll be better on Monday when I'm busy again.

Sorry for the rambling! Hope everyone else is having a good weekend x

indiepanda

beluga wrote: »

Thanks everyone, I found some pencils whilst sorting out a drawer, so did a bit of colouring

I do have friends and go out occassionally, lol, it's just that where I live is a pain to get anywhere in the evenings (rural buses!) and I'm a bit skint atm (saving for driving lessons to eliminate the transport problem!). I'm busy most days (and evenings) with volunteering, training and an OU degree, but this weekend is the one a month where I have nothing on and it makes me uncomfortable, my depression's been creeping up on me again and too much time to think isn't a good thing. People keep telling me to slow down and take it easy, but keeping busy keeps me sane atm. I'm just feeling sorry for myself, I'll be better on Monday when I'm busy again.

Sorry for the rambling! Hope everyone else is having a good weekend x

Ah I remember the joys of living somewhere quiet. I could live without my car in London if I had to, but out of London it can be really isolating. It makes me laugh when people in London whinge about public transport - live anywhere else for a while and you realise even with the delays and overcrowding we're still pretty lucky. Glad to hear this is a rare weekend where you have nothing on rather than a general trend.

It can be difficult to get the balance right between busy and quiet. I've completely overcommitted this weekend and am regretting it - by Monday afternoon I will be grateful for not having to make conversation for a few hours. However, if I plan a weekend with nothing on then I tend to start dwelling on my worries which is probably worse.

MissRarr

Sofarbehind - good idea! God knows I've got enough to get rid of. Hopefully this is part of a real change. I'll be wearing the skirt to work tomorrow and might treat myself to something else soon. Next thing is to get some nice new underwear and stop hiding my figure in shapeless nonsense.

Had a nice, healthy meal that was homemade and portioned up in the freezer before - chilli with cauliflower 'rice'. It may sound a bit odd but it's surprisingly nice and I spiced it with some cumin seeds to give it another flavour dimension. Ridiculously healthy and very easy on the pocket. More work tomorrow but taking homemade muesli with me for lunch - no wasting money on rubbish store-bought lunches for this girl!

Rummer

Beluga I too like to keep busy and with children at home I don't often get the chance to go out of an evening when they are snoozing so I do a lot of crafting which keeps me busy and gives the satisfaction of lovely things to enjoy when I am finished. In the main I crochet or knit, both of which are inexpensive with the chance to improve with time. They might not be your thing but there could be other crafts you would enjoy.

chanie

ll and polka I think that whilst it's important to have a skincare routine, it's best not to use too many different products. I use a cleanser, serum and moisturiser with the occasional mask.

beluga I had a big clear out of my wardrobe and its been great. I now have a wardrobe of items that can create nice outfits.

indie I'm going to check out fever.

holiday fabbing
I have had my waxing done. Still to do is laser treatment, eyebrow threading and paint toenails and then I'm done. As we are sharing suitcases with the children, I haven't packed a lot of clothes (as it will mean more work in terms of washing and unpacking when we get back). I will look nice with what I do bring.

home fabbing
I spent this morning littering around in the garden. I trimmed the lawn edges and turned my compost pile. I got into growing fruit and veg a few years ago, but have only had a few failed attempts at growing since having the children, due to lack of time. I'm determined to get back into it next year and grow some nice flowers for the garden.
I popped into the Next sale and bought a fruit bowl which was reduced to £3. The old one was looking a bit manky, so we were using a trifle bowl, which was practical, but meh. I do like Next homeware and I'm already looking out for nice things. Luckily for me, I don't like clutter - I never buy ornaments as I look at them as dust magnets and I like to keep things simple at home.

kondo-no
When my kettle broke last year, I got a new one. The base on the old one had broken and old kettle worked on the new stand. Being MSE, I put the old kettle in a cupboard ad it still worked and was nicer than the new kettle. Inspired by Kondo, I got rid of the old kettle, about 6 months ago. The new kettle has packed in and now I'm really annoyed I got rid of the old kettle and now have to buy a new one.

sofarbehind

beluga wrote: »

Thanks everyone, I found some pencils whilst sorting out a drawer, so did a bit of colouring

I do have friends and go out occassionally, lol, it's just that where I live is a pain to get anywhere in the evenings (rural buses!) and I'm a bit skint atm (saving for driving lessons to eliminate the transport problem!). I'm busy most days (and evenings) with volunteering, training and an OU degree, but this weekend is the one a month where I have nothing on and it makes me uncomfortable, my depression's been creeping up on me again and too much time to think isn't a good thing. People keep telling me to slow down and take it easy, but keeping busy keeps me sane atm.

I think you're right about keeping busy when you feel down, it helps. It sounds like you don't normally have any free time though! I understand about the driving lessons, I only passed a few months ago and my friends are far flung. I make myself call or Skype them at the weekend, it always cheers me up just to have a chat. Driving lessons are so expensive and I had to have loads! Ouch! It will be worth it though.:T

sofarbehind

chanie wrote: »

Inspired by Kondo, I got rid of the old kettle, about 6 months ago. The new kettle has packed in and now I'm really annoyed I got rid of the old kettle and now have to buy a new one.

Typical! If you'd kept it the new kettle would've worked for the next 30 years though...:rotfl:

sofarbehind

MissRarr wrote: »

Had a nice, healthy meal that was homemade and portioned up in the freezer before - chilli with cauliflower 'rice'. It may sound a bit odd but it's surprisingly nice and I spiced it with some cumin seeds to give it another flavour dimension. Ridiculously healthy and very easy on the pocket. More work tomorrow but taking homemade muesli with me for lunch - no wasting money on rubbish store-bought lunches for this girl!

I'm very impressed with your healthy MSE meals.:T

VJsmum

sofarbehind wrote: »

Thanks very much for this post LL, I found it really inspiring. (I've cut it short in the repost only for the sake of the thread!) This idea is new to me, I like it. It made me think that you sound like a really chic French woman! The kind of stereotype that OK maybe doesn't even exist; immaculate, stylish, capsule wardrobe, buyer of few quality things, intelligent and non-materialistic. Who doesn't want to be her?:rotfl:

That is exactly what I am aiming for - chic french. Or danish, they are really cool too.

Actually I have just returned from France, where I noticed that the women often do get fat and are not all chic. Two theories blown in two weeks :rotfl: but the ones that are chic, oh my goodness, it seems so simple - and yet. It doesn't have anything to do with age or size, it is to coin a phrase, a "je ne sais quoi" - a twist of a scarf, a simple handbag, whether the shirt is in or out. How they do their hair, or whether the sunglasses are right.

But, for the most part, I did hold my own... :T. To the point where I have come home and got rid of yet more tops.

lessonlearned

Good to see you held your own VJs mum.

I know what you mean though, not all french women are svelte and chic. They can get just as fat and frumpy as we do.

Well I don't know what's wrong with me today - well I do I didn't get much sleep last night. Was awake till gone 5 am so feel pretty blah and decidely unfab. .

I'm just doing my best to hoover round and straighten up, have stripped my bed and am about to wipe down the kitchen, have some lunch and then prep the evening meal.

I think that will be anout all I'll manage today, my back is sore so lots of little sit downs and mini rests - like now:rotfl:

Anyway ive got Physio on Wednesday so that should help, in the meantime long soaks in a mineral salt bath and a bit of TLC.

Laters ......