Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

VJsmum

Hello all

Goals for August

1 weight, really maintain as it is, though I would really like to be 9st something (currently around 10 St - 10.2 so don't really need to lose much)
2 treat my feet better. Ped egg and moisturise daily
3 get a make up consultation. My skin has changed now I'm in my 50s and I think I need some help
4 continue with minimum exercise - 3 half hour walks a week. Stress that this is the minimum, because it is doable. Most weeks I do a lot more
5. Relax a bit more. Work wise August is the easiest month (university lecturer), so endeavour to get some time back and do nothing more
6 continue the KOndoing. I gave myself a year at the beginning of the year - I sm on track, still work to do with other family members, mentioning no OHs
7 run the freezers down a bit, ready for some batch cooking of autumn / winter type meals
8 make more effort to dry and straighten hair when it's washed. It looks so much better when I do.
9 spend white stuff vouchers before they run out of date
10 spend more time with OH

pirateyqueen

Hello lovely ladies! I used my Red Carpet Manicure kit for the first time on Friday and am very pleased with the results. My nails are a lovely teal colour. I wonder how long it will last? I forgot to do one of the steps on one of my thumbs so I wonder if that will chip before the rest?

My Goals for August
• Keep nails polished and chip free
• Use face mask at least once a week
• Utilise my make up stash! Branch out from the same old products
• Brush and floss with care (I already do this, but am getting braces next week so must make sure I take great care)
• Cut out unnecessary snacks!
• No spending on impulse buys.

maman

More lovely goals coming in for the month. I'll shamelessly copy some of them:o.


Hope the plumbing got done indie.:)


I've done the basics so far (shower, hair styled, creamed all over) and just sneaked off to put on perfume before posting;). I've got a dance class tonight (Scottish) so I'll get a bit fabbed up for that as wearing a skirt is de rigeur.


I finished off some shower gel. It was a gift one from Lush and although good quality, their fruity scents aren't my favourite. Have found another from a Champneys set so gradually working through the stash.


Have already kondoed a few tops this morning as when looking for today's clothes decided they certainly didn't spark joy:p. I might end up just indulging expensive tastes in the long run but (as a general rule) I think I'd rather have a few really good things that lots of cheap stuff. Also realised how sensible MK's advice about keeping things in one place is. I've only just remembered a lovely top I bought at the beginning of the season that I've been hanging up rather than folding with the others. Ridiculous really as it's a crinkly one that's meant to be creased!


I'm doing some pottering today. Some batch cooking to portion for the freezer some ironing, repot a plant...... nothing too exciting but I'll feel satisfied when it's done.


Have a good day all:).

Ellsbel

Aaarggh!!! Just read your post maman and realised I forgot my perfume when I got dressed:D well that's a good start!
Got some nice pale yellow linen trousers on today - I don't wear them much but they're comfy and smarter than the joggers I usually wear when I'm pottering:)
Have packaged up a huge stack of books to take to a CS if I can find one that will take books. I've also half filled a sack with clothes to give away - many more things to go though!
Stopped for a lunch break and I'm sure bread isn't agreeing with me lately; feeling really bloated, tired and sluggish after eating a sandwich!
Going to have my half an hour's "me time" now (a little reading) and then tackle some ironing.

chanie

ellsbel - I keep my perfume downstairs, next to my glasses, as I always put my glasses on before I leave, so I have a quick spritz at the same time. Maybe you could put your perfume somewhere more visible so you don't forget. Or, put a bottle in your handbag. Another habit of mine is having a spritz as I walk through Department stores.

maman - I keep most of my clothes in one place, so I don't forget about them, so I do agree with MK on that one. I do think you have to wear something new within a few weeks of getting it though.

I did my first 30 day shred last night and I feel really good and energised this morning.

I haven't spent any unnecessary money so far this month either. I did go for a walk to the shops in my lunch break yesterday, but I didn't take my purse, so I couldn't spend, even if I wanted to. I did spot a couple of items I'm interested in, which I may get with any birthday money I get.

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies

Loving the goals.......

Well now I'm struggling if truth be told.

that anniversary of my husband's death is hanging over me like a big black cloud.

It was my eldest boys birthday yesterday and ive found it just so emotional, my husband loved family celebratins and would throw himself into the preparations, present buying and wrapping and he was always made the cake......and of course in the day itself he would be in full blown party mode.

yesterday I spent the whole day in tears. I went to Sainsbugs and kept bumping into people I know....It was awful. Luckily I managed to pull myself together before ds1 came round and we did have a nice time in the end, so alls well that ends well. having his lovely and lively girlfriend join in the celebrations really helped lift our spirits.

Her parents are coming at the end of the month so that's something nice to look forward to.

Bearing that in mind, I'm going to,up my game and get a grip. I'm going to book a hair appt and try a Caci treatment and see how it goes. If I'm happy with the result then I will book a full course of treatments.

it sounds extravagant I know but other tham hair and Physio and the occasional chiropody I don't usually spend money on professional salon treatments or nail bars, I tend to do my own. so I'm going to have a splurge.......

Still not bought any new slippers or tops, had a quick look round Sainsbugs but couldn't see anything I liked.

Like Maman I think I've changed since doing the Kondo thing. Ive also been reading some of those French Chic type style books and blogs, and I think that from now on it will definitely be fewer clothes but better quality. Less is more and all that.

So instead of just buying something which "will do" I'm not going to buy something unless it sparks real joy.

"Will do" is no longer good enough, I deserve to feel FAB and I'm determined to do so.....;)

Tbh I think I've just become a bit lazy when it comes to clothes shopping. I have relied too heavily on supermarkets, not even bothering to try things on. It's not good enough. From now on its proper clothes shops and I will make much more effort to source much nicer clothes.

Of course I will not desert charity shops, they are such a fantastic resource for affordable stylish clothes but definitely from now on I will take my wardrobe more seriously.

Today I have to take dad to the solicitor and check in on the builders who are doing DS1s new bathroom but I will get cracking on my needs and wants tomorrow, starting with Physio and booking those appointments.

Ps - Time for a Film Review

Went to see the film "Inside Out" - fab. Like all Pixar movies it's as much for adults as it is for children. Behind the laughs it's very thought provoking and actually very emotional. It triggered tears and an emotional response in all of us, but especially DS1s girl and me, although for different reasons.

I won't say too much but the film is about our emotions and the role they play in our lives. The principal figure or heroine is actually an emotion called "Joy". It sounds an unlikely premise for a film but it's actually fascinating as well as being laugh out loud funny. I Give this one five stars.

maman

Definitely spend on yourself LL. I was reading something yesterday that advised 'being your own best friend'. I'm sure you'd advise some quality clothes and beauty treatments for a friend (like us!:D) so do yourself the same service.


It does sound as if DS's GF is bringing joy to you and the family so that's a positive at this difficult time:).


It does seem strange advocating quality clothes and CSs in the same sentence but I know exactly what you mean. Today I'm wearing a cotton skirt (Jasper Conran at Debenhams) and a top (White Stuff) that both came from the CS. I'd rather have a slightly worn decent thing than a cheap new one from a supermarket. It's interesting what you said about French chic. I've noticed in France that many women are dressing from SMs there too or cheap chains. I think it's a sign of the times.:(


I'll be interested to hear about the Caci treatment.

Ellsbel wrote: »

Have packaged up a huge stack of books to take to a CS if I can find one that will take books. I've also half filled a sack with clothes to give away - many more things to go though!
Stopped for a lunch break and I'm sure bread isn't agreeing with me lately; feeling really bloated, tired and sluggish after eating a sandwich!
Going to have my half an hour's "me time" now (a little reading) and then tackle some ironing.

That's unusual ellsbel. I think all CSs here take books. I'm hoping to sort out a few more bits today too.


Personally I almost never eat more than a single slice of wholemeal bread a day and I don't have that if I have cereal. I do know that lots of people find it better to give up bread altogether though. For some it's an intolerance and for others they find it easier to cut it out than cut down.

chanie wrote: »

ellsbel - I keep my perfume downstairs, next to my glasses, as I always put my glasses on before I leave, so I have a quick spritz at the same time. Maybe you could put your perfume somewhere more visible so you don't forget. Or, put a bottle in your handbag. Another habit of mine is having a spritz as I walk through Department stores.

I did my first 30 day shred last night and I feel really good and energised this morning.

Wow!! Get you with the exercise chanie. I did lost of energetic dancing last night but I can't match that.:)


I'm another that has a good spray at the beauty counters. That's a good tip about keeping perfume in a more convenient place. It's certainly worked with me and the manicure bits.


I was up early and out this morning for a routine hospital test so feel I've done half a day already. Definitely more MK today but plenty of me time too.

maddiemay

LL - bundles of virtual hugs for you, it must be so hard, but those tears are better shed than supressed. Recovering from a bereavment is, unfortunately, not a linear thing, we may feel O.K. for days/weeks/months and then it hits us hard for a while, not nice to go through, but natural, not time limited either:(

I too, have bought a few "good" items of clothing recently, 2 new "hotel" nighties in soft pima cotton as one of my favourite, but expensive clothes shops went into receivership and closed last week, they were half price and should last me for years, although I wear perfectly respectable nightwear I love to have something special for holidays or short breaks away from home.

My best friend and I were discussing not making do, she said that she had brought her daughter (my god-daughter) up never to settle for second best, as she/we had had to do, we both came from less than well off families and by good fortune and plenty of hard work are now in our 60's able to be more discerning.

From a local boutique I also bought this top, I paid £38 for it in their sale and I can wear it with navy, grey, dark denim or white, I am shorter than the model so it comes a little lower on me and is respectable enough for a 66 year old (imho):rotfl:

Feeling sore today as I had a tooth prepared for a crown and a temporary crown fitted yesterday, but it is bearable and should be even better in a day or so, tomorrow I have appointment for breast screening, not a fun few minutes, but I am so grateful to have the opportunity for such screening.

Waiting to OH to go out cycling so I can have a pampering session, always feel more relaxed doing it when I have the house to myself somehow.

Ellsbel

chanie I think keeping the perfume in my bag might be a good idea, especially as my current one wears off very quickly so I should refresh it through the day, really. I'm going to look for a new signature scent when this one runs out.
maman it is strange about the books; the two local CS's have notices up saying they're not taking any at the moment; they must have a surfeit of them! Got a charity bag through the door today though actually asking for books and bric-a-brac, so I'll put them in that. I'm having to be strict with myself though as I keep wanting to pull a few out of the pile and put them back in the cupboard!! Another good reason for sticking to library books - I find it hard to let go of my own books so it's best I don't buy any!
lesson learned your post brought a lump to my throat - you're amazing to fit so much in at what must be such a tough time for you - hope those treatments give your spirits a lift.
Met up with a friend for coffee earlier so smart/casual clothes and
perfume for me today - off to do some more ironing now.
Had an email re:the job I applied for online - apparently I'm approved for the next stage - telephone interview, after that, if successful it's a formal interview.
I'm pleased not to have been screened out, for once, and if I were to get it, it'd do wonders for my self esteem - BUT, I've a feeling it's going to be hours that don't suit me, not to mention the fact that despite the HR departments best efforts to sell the role in the advert, there's no disguising the fact that it's a rather mundane and plodding job! That bit's ok with me though - just want to feel like I'm making my contribution to the workplace
I'm running away with myself; I probably won't even be suitable but I'd be disappointed if I finally found something only to find it's on a night shift or at
weekends, the only times when I'm NOT lonely and
bored!:D
Sorry - I appear to have written an essay!:D

chanie

LL sending you a hug.