Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

indiepanda

Glad to hear you've had a good couple of days LL.

The Peaks are lovely and green - I notice the difference even compared to the Cotswolds, never mind London, even though we've had a wet summer by our standards. Just a shame we can't persuade the rain to only fall during the hours of dark.

I think most of us are guilty of taking for granted what we have (be it the country we live in or our own personal attributes) and admiring what others have.

Maybe it isn't even just a low self-esteem thing but a familiarity breeds contempt thing. It's easy to stop really looking at the things we see every day and appreciating the beauty in them.

A yoga teacher I met earlier this year had just started keeping a daily gratitude journal. There's part of me that finds the whole idea a bit flaky but when I did do it for a few weeks after a course years ago, it did refresh my view of things, remind me to stop and smell the flowers - both literally and metaphorically.

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone

Indie - I forgot to say. Homebase have a half price sale on houseplants here - don't know if it's on where you are. I'm going to do a restock too, some of mine are a bit past their sell by date.

The pub where we went has the most amazing courtyard garden decked out with masses of plants - it's fired up my enthusiasm again so am hoping to get out into the garden today too.

Your holiday to Austria sounds wonderful..have a lovely time.

As for your job, I think planning for your alternative career is a great idea.

I'm reminded of Joan Collins. she said that life is a like a three act play.

The first is 0 to 30, when you are just starting out, everything is new and exciting, yes you make Mistakes but you grow and learn.

The second act is 30 to 60, often the really busy years, you work, you build your career, you switch and turn, you take on ever more responsibilities and sometimes you can get a bit lost and overwhelmed by it all.

The third act is 60 plus. Just as in the theatre when the third act is always the highlight of the play with the denouement then the third act in life is also the best. This is when we really start to find ourselves and come into our own. We reap the wisdom of the years and all that work.

I know we are not all post 60 on here. Many of you are much younger, but I think the basic principles apply to all of us.

You are never too old or too young to start again, to reinvent yourself if you wish......Look at Madonna - constantly changing and evolving, always bursting with new ideas and creativity.

I don't think there is such a thing as a career for life anymore, even if you have a particular pathway such as medicine or law them you can still develop new ideas and specialities within your field.

Change is what keeps us fresh and alert, it keeps us young and alive..

It's never to late to make a fresh start and you are never too old to learn something new......

Two are my favourite female role models are women who have changed and evolved to meet new challenges both in their professional lives and personal circumstances.

Jane Fonda - always full of new ideas and creativity, acting, writing, fitness guru, political activist, feminist.

And the evergreen Tina Tina - from - literally - beaten up ex pop star turned fading cabaret singer to glamourous global superstar, acting, touring, singing to packed out mega stadiums.

I also admire Judi Dench - always a very fine actor but who really didn't reach the peak of her career until she was over 60 and well into her own Personal third act. She just seems to go from strength to strength.

In the words of the Gordon's gin advert

"Let's get started".........:rotfl:

indiepanda

They had a few houseplants half price in my Homebase but not the Kalenchoes I had my eye on. I know they don't last forever, but it's cheaper than a nice bunch of flowers and will definitely last longer than those.

I agree with what you say about learning - things have changed a lot in my field in the twenty odd years I've been in it and I'd have died of boredom if they hadn't.

I can't really see me wanting to not work at all as I age - I've noticed that in my time off I've started to get a bit lazy, bit too much time on my hands makes me slower not more effective at getting on with chores!

Ideally I'd like to pay off the mortgage and "retire" from my main career but earn enough income from the second career not to need to take my pension straight away, let it accumulate. It's probably still going to need a ten year plus plan to do it - I don't have nearly enough in my pension fund yet, even if I did downsize my housing costs.

Anyway, at 42 I would hope to have at least half my life left to play with so there's no massive hurry - main focus has to be on enjoying the here and now.

lessonlearned

I love flowers in the house but I do blanch at the price sometimes, so as you say nice houseplants make a viable and low cost alternative.

An orchid will flower for at least three months - exotic and a bargain.......

And of course house plants are great for improving air quality and creating a healthy atmosphere. Ikea do great houseplants too.

although I am officially "retired" - I can't see me ever wanting to do nothing. I guess there will come a time when I will have to ease off the throttle but hopefully ive got a few active years yet.....

Ive still got hope in my heart and Fire in my belly.....

There's a big wide world out there and I intend to grab it with both hands.

As that original old jazz singer said

"You ain't seen nothin' yet"..........;)

maman

indiepanda wrote: »

I think most of us are guilty of taking for granted what we have (be it the country we live in or our own personal attributes) and admiring what others have.

I think you're so right on that. Since my DH became a Tour Guide in our city it's opened my eyes to what it has to offer so we're forever 'selling' the place when so many see it as simply a shopping centre.

lessonlearned wrote: »

You are never too old or too young to start again, to reinvent yourself if you wish......Look at Madonna - constantly changing and evolving, always bursting with new ideas and creativity.

:rotfl:

OMG!!:eek: I'm not choosing her as a role model and since cutting back on alcohol I'm not likely to be falling off any stage either!:rotfl:

I think we can sell ourselves short my making comparisons with 'slebs' as they have so much 'help'. For me the number one is having their hair done professionally all the time. And then I look at Anne Robinson and the mess she's made with all the botox and I'm pleased with me!:D


Agree on the houseplants but Aldi have a good range of flowers and very reasonably priced. I do treat myself but my DDs are very good at buying them for me and I buy them for them too. DH is improving but while he's not garage forecourt standard he sometimes buys chrysanths or mixed bouquets which I don't really like. I've had a lot of pleasure from nurturing a Christmas and an Easter cactus and an orchid I was given as a gift.


Off for my chiropody appointment soon and I might have a little browse in the city centre while I'm there. I don't need much urgently but it's always good to see what's about.


It's a bright day here so I've gone for jeans, stripy long sleeved top and scarf.:)

verynewmoneysaver

Went to Eyams in Peak District and also Chatsworth House, really interesting. Did loads of walking so had rest this week. Need to change over to Autumn wardrobe now as weather very cool around here. Keep topping up wardrobe from charity shops. I love clothes but am always looking for things that make me feel better about myself. If I think I look smart and dressed appropriately I feel more confident.

maddiemay

Face made up and off to overdue haircut wearing my skinny blue denims with a blue jumper with some white and pink stripes, cyclamen coloured cardi and blue & pink big scarf. Feel so much better now hair back in style and discussed possible colours to have put in at next appointment.:D

Lots of you have interesting work or things going on in your life. The combination of retirement, house move where I knew no-one and ill health and mobility issues has meant that I have become rather slow and demotivated (as mentioned by Indiepanda). I need to go to bed a long time before our normal midnight or later, to enable me to rise much earlier and get hot shower and do exercises to get the creaky joints mobile, eat a proper breakfast not brunch and try to be more disciplined with my days.

Once we get to the end of the caravaning season, I would like to volunteer at my local Blue Cross shop, they need new people to operate the till, and one lovely elderly lady who helps there is also not able to go up and down the stairs re-stocking etc, so there is a precedent for being able to sit down a lot of the time. I had thought I would like to be behind the scenes, but (not being big headed) I am good at front of house stuff and it would probably be great for my confidence (I would be a bit worried that I might attack suspected shop lifters with my walking stick though:rotfl:)

Must go and remove my make up before I prep supper, as the temptation to drift off to bed without doing so might be too strong later:o:o

lessonlearned

Sorry if it seems that I'm suggesting we compare ourselves with "slebs" - far from it - especially when it comes to our looks. I think we are all unique individuals and have no need to copy anyone. We all need to find our own signature style.

And, as you rightly point out, we all know that most of them have had some help - most of them see it as part of their job.

No I was thinking more in terms of their ability to change, to evolve, to overcome life's setbacks.

I don't hold the people I mentioned up as role models as such - that was maybe the wrong turn of phrase - but I do have admiration for their staying power, their determination and grit and the way they seem to maintain a positive outlook on life.

I think the people I mentioned are all interesting people - although I agree Madonna might be a tad "difficult". I do admire the way she managed to sustain a long career as a singer, most female singers don't last nearly as long. (It's also,nice to see Kate Bush is making music again)

The women I mentioned have all been around for a long time and have interesting personal histories and none of them have had an easy time of it.

Joan Collins had a very sick child, Judi Dench lost a much Loved husband, Jane Fonda's mother committed suicide when Jane was very young, Tina Turner was beaten and abused by her husband.

I guess I just find them inspirational because they have managed to overcome their setbacks and have continued to work and thrive well past traditional retirement age in an industry which is often brutal to older women.

Unlike Anna Ford and other various female presenters and newcasters who moaned about ageism at the BBC and felt sorry for themselves, the women ive mentioned, and many more besides, women like Jane Asher, Twiggy, Jane Seymour ,Joanna Lumley, Gayle Hunniford etc just get on with it and still continue to flourish.

It might be "lipstick feminism" but its still feminism and they are all pioneers.

I do agree Anne Robinson has ruined her face with repeated proceedures but it doesn't deteact from the fact she is still a damn fine journalist and is still in demand. I watched her in action presenting Britains Secret Spending Habits" - she was on top form, witty and engaging, drawing out her subjects - getting them to talk freely. She was brilliant, I can't really think of anyone else who could have done it so well. Jeremy Paxman would have been far too heavy handed.

I do firmly believe age is just a number and its up to us how we age and what we do with our lives.

I wasn't for one moment saying we should try to emulate empty vacuous S'lebs who rush for the Botox at the first sign of a laughter line.

Had a busy day - the decorating maraton is almost over - for now. One more day should see it.

When we are done I am aiming a nice little shopping trip.

Our Aldi is great for shrubs and bedding plants but their cut flowers always look half dead.:rotfl:

maman

Ooops sorry if I caused offence!:o I meant we're up against it when it comes to slebs because they have so much professional help. I'm happy with my DIY fabness, although I would like a hairdresser!!:D

lessonlearned wrote: »

Our Aldi is great for shrubs and bedding plants but their cut flowers always look half dead.:rotfl:

Mine is the complete opposite. I think the flowers move quickly but they don't look after the plants and let them dry up. I have had some lovely little trees from there (olive, rosemary and bay).


Didn't buy anything today (other than in Poundland;)). Nothing in the way of clothes jumped out although they did have some nice 'retro' type dresses in Peacocks. reminded me of Mary Quant/Twiggy type clothes.

lessonlearned

Maman - you did not cause offence.

Your response made me realise that I hadn't expressed my thoughts very clearly is all.....so i thought i had better elucidate......;)

I'm definitely with you on the hairdressing ....... The hairdresser makes my hair look much thicker than when I do it.

Had one of those "what luxury would you have if you were stinking rich" conversations with DS2 the other day.

My answer was a chauffeur and custom made shoes. I think I shall add personal hairdresser on tap to that list.........