Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

VJsmum

LL just console yourself that you have saved said neighbour from a broken limb - or worse :eek:

lessonlearned

VJ's mum - that's a good point. Anyway I can have a clear conscience that I did the decent thing. Maybe get some good Karma as a result....;)

MAman - you're right, I'm going to have to stock up with summery holiday things quickly, the shops are aready filling up with autumn and winter stuff so I had better not leave it too long.

I know what you mean about some cruise wear being a bit matronly. I don't want to dress like an old woman, I want pretty things that make me feel good and which I can wear in "normal life", say gojng out for dinner or the theatre etc. I think some evening wear can scream "cruise" or "office do".

I don't think evening wear should be too much of a problem because i find chazza shops are usually a source of rich pickings for party wear, especially once we get into the autumn.

We have at least a dozen within a five mile radius so I'm going to start visitng them all regularly now. My friend has said she can lend me evening/cocktail type wear. Isn't she lovely. I thIink a mix of a few posh frocks and a few glittery tops to wear with plain dark trousers should be fine. Not every night will need formal wear, smart casual will be ok too. I can always dress up plain things with jewellery or a coloured shawl or pashmina.

TK Max usually have a good evening wear section and their prices are pretty good.

My big problem will be shoes because ive not bothered much this year with sandals etc so I need to get a move on with those.

I looked online last night and googled dancing shoes and found plenty of evening and wedding type shoes so hopefully I can get a couple of pairs that way.

The black lace ballet pumps should come in handy though.

Ooh get me discussing my wardrobe, I must admit I am looking forward to it, even though I shall be a bit apprehensive. I'm sure I will relax and enjoy it once I get on board......

Just need to shift at least a stone though.

Ive joined a thread on here to help me. And of course I know you lovely ladies will keep me on my toes.

I'm going to give it my best shot and My boys have promised not to sabotage my efforts.

DS2 is a greyhound and never puts on an ounce, DS1 has noticed he has to be a bit more careful because he now has a sedentary job and of course my future DIL is on a mission to look wonderful in her wedding dress So we are all trying to either lose or maintain our weight. My sister and my best friend have also said they want to lose a bit for the wedding so I think we will all be supporting and encouraging each other.

The SW club was a good 30 min drive away and it would have meant losing a morning really. I do know what to do, so I really think it's up to me to get my act together.

No one can do it for me.......

maman

lessonlearned wrote: »

My friend has said she can lend me evening/cocktail type wear. Isn't she lovely. I thIink a mix of a few posh frocks and a few glittery tops to wear with plain dark trousers should be fine. Not every night will need formal wear, smart casual will be ok too. I can always dress up plain things with jewellery or a coloured shawl or pashmina.

I do know what to do, so I really think it's up to me to get my act together.

That was my first vicarious experience of cruising. My friend came into work and said she'd booked a cruise and needed evening wear. Lots of us had various black tie clothes so all brought them in for her to take her pick. We used to do the same for wedding hats. mse before Martin existed really!;)


You're right there'll only be a couple of nights (each week?) for formal events. On others you'll be fine with smart trousers and a nice top. I'm getting excited for you!!:D



Great that you'll have some support with your mission to lose weight. You probably wouldn't be surprised to know how many people don't have the support they need. When I break it down, SW is common sense really: lean meat, loads of veg and sensible carb portions. Then cut down on what we know should be treat status like the obvious sweets and cakes but also all fats and bread/cereal. As many of those play your tummy up you shouldn't have a problem.

indiepanda

maman wrote: »

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.



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.


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.

Sounds like you had a lovely anniversary, congratulations on 35 years - that's quite an achievement (speaking as someone who hasn't cracked the three year point in a relationship yet!).

I've done the boat trip from Camden to Little Venice this year and walked from Regents Park to Camden via the canal. Had forgotten how nice that area is - living south of the river I don't go up there that often and had been a bit put off by what Camden is like on the weekends (bit too busy for me, and makes me feel old!), but during the week and away from the busy centre it's lovely.

I think 6 pairs of jeans sounds more like what I'd aim for. Don't think I see me in skinnies yet - tried earlier this year and my calves looked so chunky in them... Maybe something to aim for.

Anyway, we'll see what I can find in the outlet store today. I won't buy much as I don't want to stick at this size, but a nice pair of jeans, a smart pair of brown trousers for returning to work (with belt loops if possible) and a neutral single breasted mac is the aim. The mac needs to be tan, camel or navy if possible... I know beige is traditional but it really washes me out.

LL love hearing your plans for your cruise, sounds like the perfect motivation to keep up the fabbing.

I have a hiking trip in early September and I am really hoping the extra exercise I've been doing this year will show when I get onto the mountains - don't want to be quite so puffed out this year!

sweetcheeks33

Congratulations on the anniversary maman.. 35 years is certainly something to celebrate.. sound like you had a lovely time.

I'm like you too I like more skirts in the winter with thick tights and boots. Saves legs getting too soggy with trousers being too long too.

LL sounds like plans are well underway for your cruise. Plenty of sales on to pick up some nice items cheaper. Well done on the loss so far- you seem in the right mindset and I'm sure you'll do well before the holiday

I was supposed to be on spa day today but poor friend is unwell so has been rearranged. I think I'll spend today pulling out the holiday but and go through it too see if anything is missing and if we need anything - check everything else- thing is have sunscreens etc all done but need to get shampoo etc so time to make a list- don't want to be running at last minute. Two weeks today I'll be on the flight to Mexico ...

A straight leg jean is nice indiepanda if skinny is too much gives similar shape and look.
Hope everyone has a lovely day ...

maman

I'll be interested to hear how you get on at the Outlet. I haven't been there for a while so would like to know if it's worth a trip.


Much brighter here today. Off to football, so another occasion for jeans and red scarf!;)


ETA: shame about the spa day sweetcheeks. Good idea to check the holiday packing then you can relax knowing it's all under control.

Rose_Wood

Afternoon All

Lovely to read all the positive posts.

I'm just sitting down for a few minutes before going off to work. I've had a very busy week. DS and family are back from holiday but having had a week off DS had loads of work to catch up on so I ended up having DGD Tues, Wed, Thurs and today - which has been lovely but not left much time for anything else. I took her to tennis class this morning (she's only 5 but is really enjoying it), then swimming and to the park. We shared a child's portion of fish and chips for lunch and I've just made a nice healthy salad for my packed tea.

I am keeping up with keeping my daily average of steps over 18,000 and have done over 13,000 already today. I usually manage another three to four thousand at work and walking to work adds another fifteen hundred so will be on target again today.

Whilst DGD was having her tennis class I had a quick walk into town and round the charity shops. I tried on an armful of new tops and have come home with two. One is typical of quite a few I have - its black and white, long sleeved, draped jersey with a V neck from Country Casuals. The other is quite a departure. It's a long tunic type in bright turquoise and appliqued with butterflies and short sleeves. I've teamed it with cropped black leggings that come to just below the knee, pewter sandals and silver necklace and earrings with greeny turquoise stones and am going to wear the outfit for work tonight. I just need to find a jacket or cardigan to go over it in case it turns cold later.

I also had a bit of a departure in style yesterday for Pilates. I wore cropped black leggings and black t-shirt but then topped it with a stripy sleeveless tiered top that hung like a short dress. I wondered if it might look a bit young on me but got some nice comments - one person (who liked it) said the outfit looked a bit like an Edwardian bathing costume and I know what she means! Again it was from a charity shop so didn't cost much and gives me the freedom to experiment a bit.

I am still managing to stick (mostly) to my sugar free 40 days though I must admit that I succumbed to some chocolate brownies after DGD and I made some the other day. I think I am eating too much fruit to compensate though as I usually load my 5 a day much more in favour of vegetables. I bought some Stevia today to try to use if something is just too sour to manage without sweetening.

Anyhow, must dash.

Rose

lessonlearned

Good morning Lovely Ladies

Rose - well done on going sugar free and all the exercise - im cutting down with a view to cutting out too, but I have to do it in easy stages.....chazza shop tops sound great too.

Today I shall be donning my scruffy gear and having a blitz. I spent a happy hour pottering about in my bedroom last night, a bit more Kondoing and organising. A thorough house clean is on the agenda for today.

Took dad the cottage yesterday for one last final tidy up, so another car load but it will have to stay in the car until Wednesday because the tip is usually very busy on a Monday (I think a lot of people do a weekend clean up and sort out!!). Read the meters and left the keys so that's it - the end of an era - 36 years.

Anyway that means I can perhaps get on with my life now. don't mean to sound nasty but I really have had enough. We just need to dispose of mums ashes of Thursday and then it's done, apart from some paperwork for dad which i will tackle in the next day or so.

The healthy eating is going well and although ive not done any specific designated exercise ive worked like a navvie so hopefully that counts.....

Gave myself a manicure last night and yesterday upped the serum to twice a day. Will see how we go. I need to get my hair cut soon and make a start on some serous chazza shopping for holiday clothes.

Off to ikea tomorrow. Going to buy some saucepans. The ones I bought less than 12 months ago are Teflon coated, never again.....the Teflon is coming away already. I will stick to stainless steel.......

I'm tempted to buy some new sofas. Ours have seen better days and They no longer spark joy......:rotfl:

Time to get started, have a great day.

Rummer

Challenging weekend so although I managed perfume the rest of me was not as fab as I would have wished The healthy eating was maintained during meals however there were many slip ups in between. I also took a rest from cycling so I am keen to get back on my bike today and go for a long relaxing cycle.

After shopping for cycling clothes I have realised that I do not have the figure for head to toe lycra and that it makes me look like a part stuffed sausage :rotfl: so I have padded leggings and I will just wear loose fitting tops. I did however get a fabulous pair of padded cycling gloves

It was blissful sitting outside in the sunshine reading a book while my little one napped. The weather has a huge impact on how fab I feel and it was good to recharge.

DD265

Hi all

I went to a wedding on Friday night so did some fabbing and felt pretty good. Hit a bit of a sticky spot with the weightloss but just keep plugging away at it and hope to be back on track soon. I want to hit my target weight in October.

LL - Tefal pans with a red spot in the centre are brilliant. Mom has had hers a few years and it looks great, we've got a frying pan, wok, saute pan and griddle pan and love them. Even with burnt butter on last night (chicken kievs) it cleaned up like a dream.

Question: nude high heels. Yes or no?