Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

pirateyqueen

That is brilliant Rowan Moon! I must remember to ask myself everytime I go shopping.

indiepanda

DD265 – I hadn’t thought of Pepperberry, have to check them out. I did look in there once years ago but not been for ages.

Rowan – yes it does feel really good to get rid of the unwanted clothes. Feels quite freeing not to be hanging onto it – both literally in terms of freeing up space, but also mentally. I don’t have to look at it now thinking “what on earth possessed me to buy that”! Ok some of it made sense at the time, but some was definitely just desperation to find something that fit rather than flatter.

Am finding as I go through things I am coming up some rules for me to stick to for future shopping trips:-

- No very wide legged trousers or jeans – straight cut or slightly tapered only (but not skin tight – my thighs will never been skinny enough for that to be a good look – leggings are only worn (outside of exercise) with a tunic top. Wider legged things make me look shorter – even the bootcut jeans they always suggest those of us with generous thighs should aim for. Perhaps it works if you wear them very long with high heels, but I am usually in flats.
- No multi-coloured cardigans, jackets or coats. Lots of my tops and dresses are in print fabrics on, so cardigans need to be plain to go with plenty of different items.
- Plan shopping trips well in advance – know exactly what you are shopping for and leave when you have it.
- Aim for quality not quantity. With one exception (a jacket which broke the multi-coloured rule) the items from Hobbs I got rid of were because they were past their best – suits which had been used so much the sleeves had got shiny and they had fabric pulls in them where I’d caught them on something. Similarly, they might be a more expensive option for evenings out, but my Monsoon tops all survived the cull, where my Wallis ones all went (possibly more because of style – but there weren’t many natural fibres in them either). And for t-shirts, the cheaper Debenhams collection ones went (they were frumpy looking on), but my Rocha John Rocha ones stayed. Cheaper shoes also a false economy.
- Avoid double breasted jackets and coats.
- Stick to tops and dresses with some shaping at the waist, anything without makes me look like a sack of potatoes.
- Skirts are best in A line, and at least knee length (on or below better than above), but must avoid ones that hit the calf at the widest point (very unflattering).
- Be careful when buying coloured shoes (i.e. rather than neutrals) – if the right colour they will cheer up an outfit no end (I have a red pair of t bar 2 inch heels from Office that I adore), but the wrong shade won’t go with more than one or two outfits and shoes need to be more flexible than that.
- No more handbags unless replacing something that has worn out, having checked collection carefully to see that there is nothing else that would work. I just have too many and whilst I am not getting rid of all of them as when one wears out another can take its place, it is just silly how little some get used.
- No more shoes as per handbags – unless can satisfy myself is genuinely different. About the only thing I can think that I could justify at the moment is a pair of flat knee length tan or chocolate brown boots. I find it very hard to get boots that go round my calves (even had bad experiences ordering from Duo who do them in leg width fittings) and the only pair I own have high heels so aren’t that flexible.

indiepanda

Oh, and meant to say I sorted out another 3 black bin bags of stuff to go to charity last night - few more clothes, mainly shoes and bags and a few odds and bits of house items.

Like the use of the "does it spark me with joy" question to remember whilst shopping Rowan, I'll add that to my list too.

VJsmum

Hello all

Been having similar conversations with a friend about Kondoing and klothes She said, "oh, I will keep all the ones i don't like much to wear in Wales" (at holiday home). I said that I had been keeping the ones I didn't like for the Welsh holidays (lots of outdoorsy stuff) but that I still didn't like them and didn't feel good wearing them, so they have gone. Friend doesn't understand the Kondo caper, thinks that I will fill all the empty shelves and cupboards. Time will tell, but i truly believe I won't.

Fab Friday, but I am working from home and not really intending to go anywhere. i am in shorts and a hoody but they do make me feel good and i have perfume and makeup on.

indiepanda

I know what you mean, I am hoping I won't refill the space I have emptied too - my clothes were overflowing the hanging and drawer space in my bedroom into suitcases and boxes under the bed and even now drawers and wardrobe are quite crowded. I am hoping my continued efforts on the diet and exercise front will pay off, and I will then be more focused on buying a smaller, more flexible capsule wardrobe of decent quality pieces, not large piles of cheaper stuff.

I know I have tended to go for cheaper stuff on the grounds that I want to lose weight but it's been a false economy as I have bought in large volume. I have also allowed myself to run riot on shoes, bags and jewellery (too much of the latter has been cheap costume stuff) on the grounds it will still fit if I lose weight. That might be true, but I can still only wear one pair of shoes and carry one handbag at a time.

Am going away tomorrow for a few days to visit old friends and my boyfriend so going to do a mini facial and manicure in a bit. My toe nails are still tidy from my last pedicure (just regular polish but my toe nails don't chip) and though my feet have a bit too much hard skin, forecast suggests its not going to be sandal weather so I will leave them to the chiropodist I am seeing next week. Got a facial booked next week too which will be good - been having the guinot hydradermie for years on and off - deep cleansing and moisturising, can see the benefit afterwards.

Have a good weekend all, happy fabbing x

lessonlearned

Good morning ladies

Just a quickie to wish you all Happy Fab Friday. I'm off out in a minute, jeans, nice white top, turqoise cardie and judging by the weather will have to wear my trench coat.

re the serum.......

The active ingredient is Syn-ake and can be found across a range of creams and serums. the one I'm trialling is called Balance Active Formula. It seems to retail at around £6 to £7 for 30 ml, so not too bad. I actually picked it up at tkMaxx for £2.95. It contains 4 per cent SIn Ake - don't know what other strengths are available. As I say I just picked it up to give it a trial.

right must dash wil catch up properly later.

Ellsbel

Quick hello from me also. Not feeling too well today so a bit of a slow one for me.
LL that was a good price:) I bought something similar from Aldi once, I think, but haven't noticed it in there since.
Really nice to see everyone putting so much thought into clothes, etc., I love reading about everyone's clothes choices and wardrobe management!
Happy Friday (hasn't this week gone quickly?!)

maman

Thank you for all the good wishes. Yesterday's anniversary was 35 years:eek: Was a child bride of course.;)


We had a lovely day although needed to dodge rain at one point. Walked part of canal towpath from Little Venice to Camden Lock, would have gone further but rain forced us in to snack at Camden Market:o. Then to Soane museum at Lincolns Inn Fields. Fascinating place and will definitely return when current renovations are finished. After that we wandered and had a bit of a cream tea so no romantic candlelit meal, ended up in Garfunkel's with a bottle of wine and fish and chips:D.

Rummer wrote: »

My shellac has chipped after 5 days, so disappointed.

That shouldn't happen. Mine last up to three weeks and it's only regrowth that makes me go back. I'd go back and show them and they'll probably redo it for you.

indiepanda wrote: »

Cannot imagine managing on one pair of jeans Rummer - guessing you wear less and are more organised with your laundry.

I've got 6 pairs on the go at the moment. 3 new and 3 old. So the new are for going out looking smart the others are for pottering and food shopping. I think that's about the right number for me as I wear them for at least part of most days unless it's warm enough for skirts or I'm going to be at meetings. I'm more likely to wear skirts in the winter with opaques. In summer it's usually too cold here for bare legs:(. I've been buying straight legs but just bought 2 pairs of skinnies from TKMaxx but they're not too tight and quite stretchy and soft so a bit of a compromise.

DD265 wrote: »

Going to see if we can safety pin to make straight straps instead. If not, I will wear my trusty teal lace dress. What a good buy that was. :rotfl:

I find halter necks quite uncomfortable. I altered a maxi dress this year (just a thin strap from the centre of the bust IYSWIM). It was long enough to make two straps but I crossed them over at the back otherwise I don't think they'd have stayed up. Sewed them in place where bra straps would have started and ended (although wore strapless). It's a bit difficult wriggling in and out but looked good. That makes perfect sense to me but apologies if it sounds like gobbledygook .;)


Love the idea of a load of scruffs wandering around Wales VJ's mum! I must look out for them when I next visit.:rotfl:


I'm certainly using the 'Does it spark joy?' technique more and more which is just a step on from the mse 'Do I really need it or just want it?'. I completely follow your logic with the rationalising wardrobe indie. I think the reason for the small sizes in CSs is complex. Sadly people grow out of things so that's one reason and also there's an element of mistakes made in retail therapy. I think larger ladies are more likely to wear things until they're really past it as they are kidding themselves things still fit. I know I wore 16 trousers which should really have been 18s. It was refusing to buy 18s that motivated me to lose weight.


I am doing fab Friday in a casual sort of way. My hair certainly suffered in the rain yesterday so that's now freshly washed and styled. All the usual maintenance things done. Dark denim, while top and will wear navy and white scarf and probably cardi if I go out later. Noddy car is going back today so will wait to have mine back before shopping.


Dull but dry at the moment, rain promised later:mad:.

lessonlearned

Hello again

First a confession. I did not join Sw after all. I hate slimming groups with a passion, I resent the money and the time, so I'm not going so there. Ner, ner, ner, ner. Ner.

Ok childish strop over.......:rotfl:

Instead I'm going to diy and this time I mean it!!!! In fact I have lost 2lbs already. Somehow it just feels right this time, of course this time I have a very nice interim goal, ie the cruise, to get and keep me motivated.

I will NOT be a big fat white slug lying by that pool.........:eek:

I discovered last night that I had done something really stupid. I found a three way ladder stashed behind dads sheds. God knows how long it had been there, it was rusty and rickety and probably a death trap. So I took it to the tip.

Turns out it wasnt dads. Apparently it belongs to his neighbour who now wants it bqck. So today ive had to buy him another one. £42 - an expensive mistake........so much for trying to be helpful.

Dad does not know yet - no doubt I'll get yet another tongue lashing when he finds out. I don't bloody care anymore, it will go in one ear and out the other. Said neighbour has got a damn good deal if you ask me......a brand new ladder.

Hey ho, it was a silly mistake but at least ive put it right.

Today I had a little spend, a few bits for my holiday, a coiuple of vest tops and t-shirts, one size smaller, risky but I will do it. A lose cover up, a sarong, a pair of black lace fabric ballet pumps and a pair of deck shoes.

I love your clothes list Indie - it's good you've worked out what really suits you. I think that's half the battle. Re the calf length skirts, i agree it has to be one of the most unflattering lengths, I never know what kind of shoes to wear with them. The only times I wear calf length are in the winter with knee high boots, otherwise I just don't feel right in them.

Glad you had such a nice anniversary Maman. child bride!! Tee hee.

Very autumnal looking here, but still very warm and humid. But oh so dark.....

Going to up the serum to twice a day. Bumped into a friend today, she said I looked really well and healthy, I was only wearing a flick of mascara, no face make up at all. Must be the serum.......

maman

lessonlearned wrote: »

Instead I'm going to diy and this time I mean it!!!! In fact I have lost 2lbs already.





I discovered last night that I had done something really stupid. I found a three way ladder stashed behind dads sheds. God knows how long it had been there, it was rusty and rickety and probably a death trap. So I took it to the tip.

Turns out it wasnt dads. Apparently it belongs to his neighbour who now wants it bqck. So today ive had to buy him another one. £42 - an expensive mistake........so much for trying to be helpful.

Ouch to the spend on the ladder but an easy mistake to make.:(


Do you mean you're doing your own thing to lose weight or going it alone with SW? I can understand why you wouldn't want to join a club. I still feel the happy clappy bit makes us like a load of performing seals but to me it was worth it to motivate me. Funny story: when I just started SW we visited the Devonshire Dome in Buxton. A SW group was going on at the time and every time they clapped for a loser (in fact they even clap for just turning up:o) the applause echoed all round the dome. It was hilarious.


You're wise to buy some holiday bits now while they're still in the shops. Certainly won't be much suitable in November and I think what's stocked as 'cruise clothes' can be pricey but also matronly. Hope you've got some formal clothes planned for evenings too. The good thing about cruises is that there isn't a baggage allowance:).