Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maman

Rummer wrote: »

Just back from the beauticians with a classic french manicure I had a lovely pamper session last night and I am looking, if not a million dollars, a lot better. My aim over the next few months is to look polished

No pun intended!!:rotfl:


I always think a French manicure looks well groomed. While I'm giving my fingernails a rest at the moment I've got French pedicure on my toes. Still looks great after a couple of weeks. Why does it never last like that on fingers??


Without getting all political I'm a great believer in the Trades Union movement. I sometimes think that some employers would like to reintroduce slavery if they could and employees will get absolutely nowhere without working together. The current (and widening) gap between what many top executives earn compared with the average worker in the company is shocking. I only know what I've read in the press about the tube strike but I've heard it's not about pay (which I agree is good) but rather that new duty rosters which significantly worsen work/life balance are being introduced without consultation.


LL, I went into Mango in Spain a couple of years ago. I couldn't believe what lovely dresses they had at very reasonable prices. Then I looked at the Mango stuff in John Lewis. A range which is at H&M prices in Spain is far more expensive here.


It's a glorious day here too. I was going to do more kondoing but perhaps will sit in the garden instead. I've got my book (started on holiday a month ago) to finish.:o

lessonlearned

Just had a very upsetting phone csll from my father. Wittering on about the cotrage, was I there.....

No I'm bloody well not. Rhen started trying to pressure me into a family lunch on Monday for my sisters birthday - yes my darling Oh timed his death beautifully for my sisters birthday.

Dad wouldn't accept my fefusal and said "why what's with Monday, it's nothing special" .........

Insensitive p r I c k :mad:

Families eh.....;)

My boys and I might go out for a quiet dignified meal and raise a glass in OHs honour if we feel up to it but I really don't want a bloody circus.

If my sister can accept my wishes then he should too.

Anyhoo.....just sitting quietly in the garden, it's lovely and peaceful. I'm sat next to a pot of large luscious pink Asian lillies. They smell wonderful and look,stunning. i think the bulbs cost me £2 and this is the second flowering within a month. Bargain. Hope they survive for next year, I'll have to google to see how to keep them over the winter.

Dim sum for supper, and I have a couple of chicken portions to do something vaguely chinese style. Then we are going to watch American Gangster.....whilst I paint my nails and toenails.

Life in the fast lane........:rotfl:

Just edited to add - borrowed a couple of Maeve Binchey books from my sis, I too fancy getting back into reading again.

maddiemay

LL - Sorry about your Pa, from what you have written before you are on a hiding to nothing with him, just so unfair that you run around until you are at a standstill sorting things for him and he has no respect or care for your feelings.
Take care.
MM xx

indiepanda

lessonlearned wrote: »

I love Neals Yard .... I always have a mooch round Covent garden whenever I visit London - one of my favourite places. I also love Greenwich market and all the little shops there.

In fact I love London - just wish I could afford to live there. A nice Georgian house in Chelsea......:rotfl::rotfl:

Just need to find a Russian oligarch - maybe not.....I'll just have to settle for the wilds of Derbyshire or a half decent town house in the city.

Yep, don't think any "normal" people live in Chelsea anymore - have to inherit money or be a hedge fund manager / rich investor from overseas. By most people's standards I have a decent job, but most parts of London are out of my reach, and indeed if I hadn't bought here when I did (early 2011), I wouldn't be able to afford to live in my nice but far from ritzy part of SE London.

I love Greenwich too - the craft market is great. Didn't go mad shopping around Neal's Yard but did wander over to Piccadilly Circus to go to the Whole Foods there, stock up on healthy snacks for the hiking trips I have planned and then stocked up on Nespresso capsules in the Nespresso shop there too.

Sorry to hear about your Dad's insensitive behaviour LL, family can be so difficult... can choose your friends but not your relatives. Good for you in standing your ground and not being pushed into joining the lunch.

Ellsbel

Hello all - hope it's quiet because everyone is enjoying the sun:)
lesson learned sorry about your Dad being insensitive - so glad you have your two fantastic-sounding Sons to help you through this tough time x
rummer I'd love to be "polished"! Some women just seem to wear such an effortless elegance; I suppose in reality it takes a lot of work, though. I need to start with weight loss I think, then start adding in things like nails, pedis etc., as I start to feel better about my shape and the clothes I can wear - I'm not doing too badly overall re: the healthy eating but need to be more consistent.
Got my 'phone interview this week, and while it's hardly my dream job, I've decided I really want it! I think it would give me a real boost. I'm incredibly nervous though, so we'll see how it goes..
The "blokes" have all gone off to the footie. I'm off to give my hair a wash and blow dry, then I'll watch the match on TV - nothing else planned; maybe some ironing and a read in the garden.

Rummer

For years I took the approach of always thinking that when I lost the weight I would……. and now seven years later I am still overweight. So I have decided to do what will make me feel good now so I have started getting manicures and other lovely things with the view that if I look my best I may feel better and make more effort to lose weight.

Many years ago when I was muttering about my looks my friend said that I should enjoy every moment as I would look back and be frustrated at the wasted time. I now realise how right she was, over the years I have missed so many things because I was conscious of the way I looked. I am still conscious of the way I look however I am not going to let it stand in my way.

The time for fabbing is now

indiepanda

Rummer wrote: »

For years I took the approach of always thinking that when I lost the weight I would……. and now seven years later I am still overweight. So I have decided to do what will make me feel good now so I have started getting manicures and other lovely things with the view that if I look my best I may feel better and make more effort to lose weight.

Many years ago when I was muttering about my looks my friend said that I should enjoy every moment as I would look back and be frustrated at the wasted time. I now realise how right she was, over the years I have missed so many things because I was conscious of the way I looked. I am still conscious of the way I look however I am not going to let it stand in my way.

The time for fabbing is now

This sounds so familiar. How I thought punishing myself for being overweight when I am an emotional eater was likely to work is beyond me.

And some of the things I put off I really didn't need to. Like dating - I went internet dating a few years ago and discovered that whilst there might be some guys who only like slim women, there are plenty of men that like curves more, and some that are more interested in personality than looks anyway - my boyfriend is definitely one of the latter.

sofarbehind

Hello fabbers,


Sorry to hear everyone is having such a tough time. We will get through it together.


I've been missing for a few weeks because I've been feeling really low. My ex got married last week to a girl ten years younger than me. A size 8, hair to her waist, gorgeous and successful solicitor. I wish I was that kind of woman. I'm 36 in a few weeks and in the couple of years since we split I haven't been on a single date. I'm obviously not going to have a husband and family and I think I've been grieving for that. I'm old, unattractive and over weight, definitely on the shelf. I've just been eating and hiding away.


Thanks for your post on the rag trade LL. I've been trying to remind myself that I've won life's lottery for being born in the twentieth century and in the UK. I need to be more grateful. Today I went to the gym for the first time in a year. I was a serious gym bunny at one point and I am really ashamed and embarrassed at how much I've let myself go. I was really scared to go, I felt like everyone was going to comment. Of course they didn't and I actually enjoyed it.

Rummer

Sofarbehind Well done for taking the first step back to fabulousness by going to the gym :T There is no need to be embarrassed, you did what you had to to get through a difficult time and now you are ready to start shining again 36 is not old and there is plenty of time to build the life you want to live and potentially meet someone fabulous. You can do it!

Ellsbel

rummer, indie you both make great points - I've certainly wasted a lot of time waiting to be slim (as though it's just going to magically happen!:D) - I do feel though, that I'm not one of those people who can carry extra weight and still look great - I'm short and I really don't look good right now, even if I dress to disguise it a bit. Have to say, it doesn't help when my well-meaning Mum says things like "I wish you'd lose that weight - you used to be lovely":rotfl:
You're both right though, about getting out there and living life - which brings me to say, sofar you are most certainly not old!! Please don't think you are! *hugs* for the rough time you've had, but as for that woman being who you want to be, I'm willing to bet that you're fine just as you are:) Easy for me to say, but don't do yourself down!:)
I don't think I'll have a chance to post tomorrow so just wanted to say that you'll be in my thoughts lesson learned x