Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

Rummer

LL Take care of yourself and remember we are here to listen.

Ellsbel Well done :j what a great first step! Good luck for the following parts.

Maddie That top looks great and will go with so many things.

Well I looked like Hagrid today however I did set the scene for some future fabbing :rotfl: OH came with me shopping (as he knows I dislike it intensely) and I bought jeans from M&S that sculpt and lift . Also made a decision about shoes and I got some adidas trainers in a darker grey colour.

Then I went to boots and decided to stay with the No7 foundation so I was colour matched and as it was buy one get one half price I also got a nude lip gloss. So those combined with the new eyeshadow and hair dye means that come the weekend I will be suitably glamorous.

indiepanda

Finding it a bit hard to focus on goals at the moment - the plumbing disasters are ongoing....

We've at least sorted out the pipework for the bath and bathroom sink - they can now enter into the waste system rather than each other. However, the first plumber had loosened something that couldn't be accessed without breaking the bath panel - it's a home made tiled effort that is mainly attached with access down one end only. I think we'll need to take it out and replace altogether - effectively got a one tile hole in a plasterboard panel now.

Anyway, the original main reason I'd got the first plumber out was leaks in the kitchen and he'd tightened up some pipework and thought it had solved it. Well we ran the washing machine last night, and it leaked again.. And when we shower / empty a bath the waste water comes back up the kitchen waste pipe and out through the same place as the washing machine.

We've worked out there's a blockage somewhere in the main waste water system, but it's not affecting my neighbours so must be local to my house. Unfortunately previous owners seem to have cemented in the waste water pipe exit so we will be digging up the patio tomorrow to see if we can work out where the issue is.

Meanwhile, waste bath/shower water will be going out onto the patio and the washing machine is out of action... Good job I have lots of clothes so not in danger of running out for a while!

Oh well, at least the boyfriend came down and we had a nice afternoon / evening in Southend going for a good walk down to old Leigh and back and a meal out on Sunday, then similar in Hastings yesterday and pottering around locally in London today. I am quite independent, but there are times when the comfort of having someone to cuddle up with a bit is a great stress reliever.

Am home until a week Saturday now so hoping the plumbing saga will end with enough time I can get a bit of home and personal fabbing in. Have Kondo'd a couple more drawers and want to do some more. The ones I've done look so tidy now - I get pleasure out of arranging the items in a rainbow of colours...

sweetcheeks33

Oh dear.. Hugs on on going plumbing disasters... Must be very stressful

Ellsbel

Thanks rummer loved reading about your buys!
indie sounds like you're having a nightmare - hope you get it sorted soon.
Need to build a morning routine here and stick to it! I'm getting later and later at getting myself together and being productive and it's making me lethargic!
Remembered perfume for the second day running though:)

maman

Ellsbel wrote: »

Need to build a morning routine here and stick to it! I'm getting later and later at getting myself together and being productive and it's making me lethargic!
Remembered perfume for the second day running though:)

I didn't:o. But it will be remedied PDQ, promise.;)


Back soon!

indiepanda

Plumber was back this morning and had another go at clearing the blockage but concluded we need to get the professionals in and it might be a problem with the main water waste rather than my connection. Just got off the phone with Thames Water and they are sending someone out later this evening. Not too long to wait and it's free for them to investigate, and I only pay to fix the blockage if it's on my part of the system not theirs. Plus they only charge £70 if it is mine - which I suspect is less money than Dynarod and the like would charge.

Been out training in the park this morning with my personal trainer. Quite satisfying seeing how much stronger my muscles are getting. I still have too much flab over my belly (albeit less than there was), but underneath it all, the muscle tone is definitely developing. I can do harder exercises now without my stomach muscles giving up and my back taking over than I could do earlier in the year.

Off to the dentist later for a long overdue checkup. I had started to use the dentist at our workplace health suite but got seconded offsite for a year so I suspect it's well over a year since I've been which is not good. Expect they will send me off to the hygenist for a proper clean, but at least being off work till mid-Sept I will have no problem fitting it in.

Planning to do a bit more Kondo-ing this afternoon before I go - the drawers I have done look so much neater - was fun picking out my workout gear this morning without having to yank stuff out and shove to close the drawer after, and being able to see everything.

The observations made about about buying fewer, better quality things definitely make sense to me. I do buy quality in some areas - rarely buy really cheap shoes in particular, and for work suits and wool coats I go to Hobbs. My Kettlewell tops aren't cheap either but are nice quality. Have to be careful not to just stock up on their sale stock because it's cheap though - I have the odd item where its a style they did one year only and then discounted and discontinued because it wasn't popular, and to be honest they aren't as nice as the ones they've repeated year after year because everyone loves them.

I don't have much in the way of really nice knitwear - can't wear wool as it makes me itch, but don't have cashmere or even angora, just cotton and a lot of artificial stuff and I definitely have some quite cheap t shirts which on reflection are a bit ageing on me - frumpy styles.

I have a bit of a moth problem I need to clear up before I go seriously shopping as well as shedding some more lbs though. Definitely finding I can get into some stuff I haven't worn for a while and other items are hanging better, and some is just too big and will have to go. Not yet got to the stage where everything is too big and need to shop though.

But as people have commented above, I don't just want to limit myself to buying charity shop stuff as I shrink. My best colours aren't necessarily that popular - can't just buy monochrome like a winter could . Even style wise I am pretty fussy - can't do high necklines like crew necks as they make me look matronly, but too low and I spend all night hitching my neckline up (I am an E cup... I was about a C when at my right weight). I am pear shaped so most straight dresses don't work - fit and flare / tea dress or prom style dresses usually better. Trousers that are too wide look silly as I have shortish legs, but don't like the really skinny / jeggings look either as even when slim my thighs are quite chunky. All in all makes it pretty hard to find stuff in regular shops, much less charity shops.

I do want to do some home sewing when I have the need for clothes - did some classes a few years ago and once I need to buy, I will do a refresher course. That's not really a money saving goal mind you - more I'd like to have the fun of making things and the pleasure of having something unique and in the style / colour of my choosing.

maman

OK, I'm back now suitably perfumed and I've blow dried my hair.


ellsbel, I wouldn't worry about what time you get yourself together in the morning. I often (like today) take my time, potter about, read the paper and have a leisurely breakfast before sorting myself out. However, if I need to be up and out for a meeting or something I can do it but if I don't have to who cares?


:T on getting to the next stage with the job. Keep applying and something that suits will be there for you.


Sounds like a productive shopping trip rummer. I don't like having my DH with me in the shops, remember the baa noises last week when I tried on the fleecy coat?:rotfl:I do far better on my own. Have you always disliked shopping?


I'm keeping up with MK. I finished the book yesterday and have taken a few principles from it but there is an awful lot of airy fairy stuff that's just not me at all.


So, more tidying planned for today and I'm going to risk weighing myself at teatime. I know I gained on holiday but I've been back three weeks and don't feel I've shifted an inch. Well see.


Another job is the ongoing saga of my phone which is driving me mad. I'm having problems with the email and numerous hours spent on to the mobile team still haven't fixed it. Part of me says why bother, but having decided on a fancy phone I'm determined it's going to work!!


Phone problems are nothing compared with what you're going through indie. Have a big, virtual hug and really hope for you that it gets sorted soon.


:wave:LL, how are you today?

Rummer

Yes Maman I have always hated clothes shopping although when I was a size 8 it was less stressful that it is now that I am curvier. Jeans are especially unpleasant to shop for so I was surprised when I found a pair in the first shop I went to.

Indiepanda Hobbs is one of my favourite places to window shop however their prices are beyond my funds atm. I do remember the heady days while living with family and before children when I could shop there. The clothes are so beautiful!

indiepanda

Rummer wrote: »

Yes Maman I have always hated clothes shopping although when I was a size 8 it was less stressful that it is now that I am curvier. Jeans are especially unpleasant to shop for so I was surprised when I found a pair in the first shop I went to.

Indiepanda Hobbs is one of my favourite places to window shop however their prices are beyond my funds atm. I do remember the heady days while living with family and before children when I could shop there. The clothes are so beautiful!

Hobbs definitely aren't a cheap option - I'd say good value for money given how long their stuff lasts, but can totally understand the impact children have on finances. Even I don't tend to buy casual wear there, and a fair proportion of what I've bought has been sale or from an outlet store. Though perhaps I should buy some weekend wear from them - I enjoy my weekends more than work so why not treat it with the same priority stylistically?

I've had Thames Water out and although they said it was right for them to investigate the blockage, it's not for them to fix, so another call out required. However, they did suggest I check if it was covered under my home insurance - and turns out it is - £500 of cover for blocked drains, no excess to pay and no impact on the no claims discount on my main policy - result.:cool: With a bit of luck should be fixed tomorrow, and if not will be Friday.

On the positive front, although I haven't been to the dentist for a good couple of years, the check up this afternoon didn't reveal any issues. Going to see the hygienist later in the week, but the dentist said things looked pretty clean and gums pretty healthy, so more of a precaution rather than because things are in a horrible mess.

Am thinking when I am working I might treat myself to teeth whitening - they use a system called Enlighten there. But not till after I have gone back to work and topped up my savings. You have to wear a tray with gels overnight for 14 days so will try to pick a time when I am not seeing the boyfriend for a fortnight - perfectly doable during the winter real tennis season when his weekends get quite busy (I live in London and he is in the Midlands so it's weekends only unfortunately - he lived here when we met).

Rummer

I have been giving my fabbing future some thought and I have come to a few decisions. Next year we are going on our first beach holiday for over a decade so I have been formulating the Bikini Ready 2016 plan

Between now and next summer I have 2 stones to lose and a whole load of toning up and general fabbing to achieve so to make that happen I need to start now. My goals are being split into fitness, fabbing and flab busting :rotfl:

1. Fitness - During the summer cycling and walking 3x a week and if the weather is not suitable then I will use the exercise DVDs I have keeping the cupboard full. Over the winter I may join the local fitness centre but I am reluctant to spend the cash.

2. Fabbing - Keeping on top of the skincare regime from top to toe, regular dentist appointments, depilation routine, hair dying and I am going to start watching clips on makeup application to see if I can get a bit better.

3. Flab busting - I am going to follow my own healthy eating plan which will be balanced, tasty and affordable with a view to dropping 1lb a week.

I have also set up a savings account which I am putting a small amount in each month so that I have some pennies ready for my holiday wardrobe and fabbing before I go

Wish me luck :j