Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maman

Thanks for all the links, addresses and ideas I'll take a look.:)


I actually like myself in fawn colours. I don't mean the 'greige' that LL was talking about the other day but sort of golden, champagne shades. One of my favourite tops last winter was a cuddly angora sweater that made me feel like a teddy bear;). These colours definitely look better with a tanned face though and that only seems to last for a few short months. It's the same with white. I look good in a white top in the summer but like death warmed up in winter months.


At the moment I just know what doesn't suit me (sludgy green for example) so I'll look forward to exploring.


greenbee, I know what you mean about carrying that extra few pounds. I've been back from holiday almost three weeks now and I still haven't shifted what I gained. It's probably not even noticeable to anyone else but I hate it when my clothes feel uncomfortable. Still it's good motivation to keep eating healthily and try a bit of exercise. I'd definitely start using the hotel pools as the wellbeing is good regardless of toning and weightloss benefits.


I like the sound of the MAC foundation too. We've only recently had a counter in local John Lewis so I'll definitely pay a visit when I next need some foundation.


Today I'm going to sort through the new clothes I've bought in the last couple of weeks and decide whether they 'spark joy' as MK says or whether they need to be returned. Not sure what else I'll get up to but at least it's bright and dry here if not exactly summery.


Have a good day all:).

greenbee

Maman - MAC staff are often make-up artists who need a day job, so really know their stuff. I've got the longwear pro which really does stay put - it can see me right through from a 7am breakfast meeting to after a dinner meeting and beyond. In fact on one occasion I didn't have a chance to remove it before my 10.30pm fligh, and it still looked ok when I got home (9 hour flight plus a couple of hours to get home). Well worth the investment!

Rummer

Do you have to mix the MAC foundation or can you just get one to suit your skin? I am dreadful at applying makeup and having to mix foundation would be too much for me :rotfl:

Ellsbel

Hi all - managed all of 3 days offline!! Just catching up on the posts and very interested in all the links and colour matching. I've a friend who swears by MAC products and always looks fab, but for some reason none of the stuff I've tried suits me - just the way it goes sometimes, I think.
*maman* I abandoned the Konmarie book! - I've got a problem with the approach of tackling the clutter by category rather than by room is my main issue, I'm also put off by the idea of pulling everything out, as you say; I agree with her principles - I think we absolutely accumulate too much unnecessary stuff and I know I'd feel so much lighter if I got rid of some of mine. I just don't think the approach appeals to me - I need to stick to room by room I think!
Feeling a bit of a fraud posting here as there's really not much fabbing going on at my end - still feeling a bit lost.
It's just such a nice friendly thread to be a part of, and I know I'll pick up eventually:)

3forholidays

Maman I was having a look on the internet and have stumbled across this site http://www.lookingstylish.co.uk/your-best-colours-and-how-to-wear-them/

maman

Ellsbel wrote: »

Hi all - managed all of 3 days offline!! Just catching up on the posts and very interested in all the links and colour matching. I've a friend who swears by MAC products and always looks fab, but for some reason none of the stuff I've tried suits me - just the way it goes sometimes, I think.
*maman* I abandoned the Konmarie book! - I've got a problem with the approach of tackling the clutter by category rather than by room is my main issue, I'm also put off by the idea of pulling everything out, as you say; I agree with her principles - I think we absolutely accumulate too much unnecessary stuff and I know I'd feel so much lighter if I got rid of some of mine. I just don't think the approach appeals to me - I need to stick to room by room I think!
Feeling a bit of a fraud posting here as there's really not much fabbing going on at my end - still feeling a bit lost.
It's just such a nice friendly thread to be a part of, and I know I'll pick up eventually:)

Don't worry about that. If there was a magic answer, we'd all post once and never be seen again!!


I'm determined to get to the end of the MK book but like you I can't embrace all her ideas. What I've discovered is if I do a room (not that I've got that far) or even a drawer or a cupboard or a wardrobe then I automatically contribute towards the category/sub category idea. I think I must be more organised than some of her clients! So, for example, last week when I sorted a drawer where I keep insurance policies and car documents if I found something that belonged elsewhere (e.g. banking papers that live in the study) then I took it back to its proper home! So my categories/sub-categories have got homes it's just that I have too much stuff and overflow homes have developed. So too many smellies have resulted in a sub category of gift smellies going into a spare drawer in the bedroom when they should all live in the bathroom cupboard.


That's quite an essay on why MK isn't working for me at the moment and the only answer is pruning and yet more pruning!


As for fabbing me then there's not too much going on here either. I've got into a basic routine and I stick to that. I know there's more I could do (like exercise:eek:) but innate laziness seems to get in the way.


Keep posting!


ETA: my current mission is trying to get my mobile sorted. I seem to have endless problems with the email ever since I bought it about 9 months ago. So far I've spent about 4 hours on the phone to Virgin this week and considering they had it in last week to allegedly fix it I'm not best pleased!!:mad:

indiepanda

Ellsbel wrote: »

*maman* I abandoned the Konmarie book! - I've got a problem with the approach of tackling the clutter by category rather than by room is my main issue, I'm also put off by the idea of pulling everything out, as you say; I agree with her principles - I think we absolutely accumulate too much unnecessary stuff and I know I'd feel so much lighter if I got rid of some of mine. I just don't think the approach appeals to me - I need to stick to room by room I think!

I have to admit although her theory sort of makes sense, I am not convinced that I need to see everything in a category together to know if I love it or not. Do I stop loving one top if I find another one in the ironing pile a few days later? It does risk making some jobs bigger than necessary too - all tops at once would take me quite a lot of time....

I did work through three small drawers this week - socks (excluding sport which live in a different drawer...), knickers and vest tops - I have quite a lot of theses as I use under dresses/tops that I feel are a bit low to wear at work or as layering for extra warmth in the winter.

I discovered some nice socks I had forgotten about that were hidden under some rather shabby ones and having ditched the ones that are near yo going in holes / massively bobbly or in colours I don't wear (was bought as gifts etc) I can now close the drawers without shoving and can see the nice ones. Didn't start folding them rather than balling... another day!

In the knicker drawer I realised I have plenty of pretty pairs hidden under greying M&S basics... so have binned the latter and resolved not to save the pretty ones for "best".

The vests I've refolded Kondo style (or my interpretation of anyway), seems to be a much better use of space and now I can see what's in there. Got rid of a couple that were well past their best too.

Be interesting to see if they come out less crumpled as a result - the drawer felt overfull before and they were quite crumpled - which doesn't matter too much with these as only the neckline is usually on show, but I don't want to be folding my t-shirts up small and discovering they come out looking like they need ironing again. Anyone any experience of trying her folding - did it work for you?

lessonlearned

Hello ladies

Well it's been a funny old week. That anniversary really is casting a long shadow, some times im fine, sometimes I'm in pieces. I'm just riding the wave......it feels very surreal at times, and rather bitter sweet in a strange way.

Grief is a funny thing, I guess we all have to deal with it in our own way. I still feel in limbo sometimes, perhaps I'll feel more settled when that 1 year mark has passed.

DS2 is off at the moment and we've been decorating. Kitchen now done, I did give it a good declutter a few weeks ago but I think i will reorganise the cupboards again as I put things back.

We are working on the lounge now and I have removed one of the bookcases. It looks much better without it, More spacious. I shall rehome some stuff into the study but I shall be thinning Out quite a bit. A lot can go now. We dismantled the bookcase and have stored it out of the way, I shall keep it for now because I will probably rehouse it when I move.

Re the Kon Marie method. Perhaps I too am more organised than most of Marie's clients but I didn't feel the need to empty out everything and pile it all together. I just do,it my own way, in my own time. Ive found it remarkably easy to,let go of things. Maybe it's all about timing.

I think maybe i was just ready to just let go of stuff. I think that losing my husband was the catalyst for me, even before he died I lost all interest in material goods. I would have given everything I possessed to make him well, "stuff" just became utterly meaningless. It certainly won't bring him back and I did feel it weighed heavily on my shoulders - but then we did have rather a lot of stuff.

Then of course I have had to deal with mums possessions. My sister has found it incredibly hard to let go whilst again I have no real attachment to anything, ive just let my sister keep anything and everything she wants. Ive got a few bits of mums jewellery and a couple of pieces of China and that's plenty.

My SIL is in a similar situation, having to sort through FIL and MILs things. She is a bit if a hoarder herself and is struggling to even make a start so I gave her my copy of the book. She says she's found it helpful but I dont know whether she has put it into practice yet.

I think it helps if you use the psychology behind it but I don't think you have to follow the method to the letter. I understand that starting with clothes is probably the easiest place to begin and that photos and memorabilia should be left till last. I still find it hard to look at photos so I did a quick sweep and just got rid of the obvious no keepers. I'll do them properly when I'm ready.

My own tuppence worth is to turn the notion of Decluttering on its head. Instead of worrying about what to discard, perhaps its easier to think in terms of what you actually want to,keep. That way it doesn't have go be something you use or wear, it could be something you just love, either for its beauty, or for the memories it holds, or just because.......

I bought a lovely dress yesterday, a floor length evening dress, Air Force blue, a colour ive really come to like. I cant wear black or navy but Now that my hair is white ive found that i can wear charcoal grey, mid blues and those grey/blue or grey/green shades.

DS1 has just come back from Barcelona and has bought me two beautiful shawls, gorgeous rich colours, one lightweight for summer and a heavy one for winter. They will brighten up.plain outfits.

I must admit that although I was ruthless when I weeded out my wardrobe I did keep most of my scarves, shawls and coloured leather gloves. I think they are a great way to ring the changes.

I have adopted the Kondo way of folding. I even did DS2s things he likes it too. It certainly frees up lots of space.

I Kondo fold t shirts, vests, knickers, jeans, nightwear, bras I roll socks and tights. I still hang cardigans, shirts, dresses, skirts I also hang "proper" trousers and tops that are floaty or made from fine cottons because i think they would crease. When I fold t shirts etc they dont get creased because I smooth out the fabric as I fold. I fold bulky sweaters "Benetton" style because I find Kondo style doesn't really work on thicker garments.

Ive decided that the garden needs Kondoing. It's looking a bit cluttered so today I made a start on pruning, and removing some unwanted and straggly looking plants. I Think this garden needs to be simpler and "urban" with more evergreens And interesting year round foliage rather than a cottage garden type profusion of summer colour and nothing much in winter.

So today I made a start and planted up some more evergreens and winter flowering plants.

sweetcheeks33

Hi all,

Just a clock in and to say hi. Gave myself a facial tonight as a cheer up after getting caught in rain twice today which was nasty especially considering its July!! Frustrated lie most of us as I haven't used any summer wardrobe items.

Wardrobe cleared out a little more again but seem to be left with grey/ black with a little white/ ivory & blue!! Not much variety... ( least I am getting to things I forgot about or fit me better... Always too scared to do it all in one massive cull. So smaller culls always seem huge to me..

Always been interested in colours done so off to have a wander through the sites people have put up thank you.

For make up I'm not great but I do feel more confident after following Lisa Eldridge own page- she puts up lots of tutorials to do lots of different make up looks- everyday ones- applying and choosing foundation everything really. She is really lovely and east to watch.

Hope everyone is well I'll catch up this weekend

moneylover

at 68 I have given up thinking anything would ever grow my nails and I now have false ones - short and with a nude varnish. Fabulous. Hands look 20 years younger. And, in spite of lots of facecreams lavished on my face (and suncream!) over the years I have deep forehead wrinkles and vertical lines between eyebrows. So now I have botox. Lastly, my teeth have stuck out all my life in spite of orthodontics as a teenager, so I have a brace which is moving my teeth so fast its awe inspiring! None of this is cheap, but worth every penny. To make it extra worthwhile I get 9 hours sleep now (used to be 7); walk the dog every day and have an exemplary diet except for Saturdays when I have a slug of wine and a big cream cake!!