Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maman

greenbee wrote: »

I'm sure we'll both end up being glad we made the effort to go out.

There's so much truth in that and what ellsbel and LL said about putting on a bit of slap and choosing the clothes and doing something fun. Of course, it's lovely to just flop at home after a hard day sometimes but too much of that can make Jill a dull girl. And dull girls we are not!!


Ironbridge and the surrounding area is really lovely shandy, so glad you enjoyed it. I've not done it cycling (can't even ride a bike:o) but have walked and sauntered in the area many times. The open air museum at Blists Hill is great too. My BIL llives just outside Chester so we've visited the area often.


I've had a lovely day at the coast with a friend. Just an excuse for a long chat really but in great surroundings. More people watching and interesting seeing people in shorts where crops or jeans would have been far more forgiving. I only own one pair (of shorts) and they only come out in very hot weather with brown legs and certainly not on the High Street!!:eek:


It's difficult when you're between sizes and jeans, in particular, aren't forgiving. On the other hand I find them really good for gauging my weight. I always know when I put clean jeans on whether I've gained/lost a few pounds. I find it motivating.


Smart casual for me again today. Black skinny jeans, white White Stuff top, ballet flats and the Jackie O shades. I'll miss the sunglasses when autumn sets in.:(


One positive about today, I booked a flight to Turkey to be assured of my usual sunshine holiday for 2016. Easyjet opened their sales and a friend that we often travel with called so we booked in tandem over the net. Now I need to nag DH to make other arrangements in between. I love my sunshine holiday with old friends but I like my city breaks in between as well.;)

lessonlearned

I did enjoy myself in the end........:rotfl:

We actually sat outside - it was nice and warm. As it got darker the trees and bushes were lit up and everywhere looked really pretty. Definitely something to copy in my next house......;)

Maman - Good idea booking your flights to Turkey. We were only talking tonight about booking our barcelona flights, we need to do that asap. I also need to book my train to London, the cheap tickets do sell fast.

Shorts......I think they have got to be one of the most unflattering garments ever. Ok if you have legs like a gazelle but if you are just a mere mortal then capris and cut offs are a better option.

beluga

Hello everyone

I haven't been on for a while but once again reading through your posts has inspired me! Life's been getting in the way - a lack of time, motivation and a working washing machine have left me looking and feeling rubbish. In an attempt to cope with the end of my marriage I've thrown myself into all sorts of things and am not sure I can manage them all. This morning I've taken some time out so am still sitting in bed and drinking hot chocolate
I've got an OU exam this week so really should be revising for that. I'll be glad when that's done and I can start on my next two modules.
Next weekend I've been invited to a ball with a friend, so really should try and scrub up a bit by then! I've got a dress to wear but need to sort out accessories and make up. Oh and trim my hair. It'll be nice to dress up for a change!

Apologies for the rambling post, my head's not quite switched on yet.

Ellsbel

Glad you had a good time LL
Hi Beluga lovely to "see" you. Sorry you've had a tough time of it.
Do fab yourself up and have a wonderful time at the Ball, and the very best of luck with your OU exam! Here's to good things on the Horizon!
Today I'll be sorting out something to wear for tomorrow, pottering, and cooking a (hopefully!) lovely roast.
Have a good day, fabbers x

lessonlearned

Good mirning ladies

Lovely day here. Off to see dad in a minute, need to sort out his finances - again - and time For a "where do we go from here chat" Re his living arrangements.

I am soooo not looking forwArd to that.

Went out to the "goodbye bash" with the rellies last night - bought forward because of early flights tomorrow morning. Had a lovely time.

Got lunch with a friend tomorrow and a ride out to AShbourne, very pretty market town, lots of nice little independent shops - Full of "gorgeous little things"......

Yesterday I popped into a chazzzer and bought a couple of summer tops and a straw holiday type bag - £7 the lot.....

I've been getting out and about quite a lot more this kast couple of weeks, it's been fun. I really must make the effort more often because when I do I usually enjoy it.

Memo to self - don't become a recluse.....get out there and grab life.

Pleased with my hair but by golly it cost an arm and a leg.

Another memo to self - next time go in the week, not on a Saturday because it's cheaper and get a Gold Card for -a 20 per cent senior discount....:rotfl:

Hi Beluga. nice to see you. A ball, how exciting......get all fabbed up and let your hair down and have fun.....it's the start of your new life.

"It's a new dawn, a new day and were feeeeeeeling good".
Nina Simone - one of my favourites.

Good luck with your exam.

Ellsbel - good luck with new job tomorrow. Knock 'em dead.....

maman

Just a quick post to wish you well for tomorrow ellsbel.:A

LL, I've decided that even if it is costing me more I'm having regular 6 weekly hair appointments probably with highlights done every other time. It makes such a difference otherwise I just put it off until it looks awful.


Completely agree about taking yourself out more. Sometimes it's hard to find the motivation but when you make the effort it's worth it.


Have a ball beluga.;)

Rummer

Maman your question about my weight loss really made me think and I realised all the reasons I had were actually just excuses. As a result I have worked out an approach that is working for me and this week I am 5lbs lighter :j Eating plenty and enjoying it too so long may it last.

indiepanda

Well done Rummer, that's a great result - keep up the good work.

I got back from holiday last night. Was very MSE and didn't book a taxi to collect me as I usually do - got the tube and bus home. Also ordered my supermarket shopping to come last night to stop me from ordering takeout - the diet last week was not fantastic but at least the walking would have burned off the additional calories!

Holiday was fantastic, lots of friendly people, amazing views and some enjoyable if at times challenging walks.

Got most of the washing done now but need to finish the unpacking - not my favourite task.

Back to work on Tuesday :eek:. Going to be a bit of a shock after having the summer off. I have a long weekend booked in Barcelona for the first weekend in October to celebrate my birthday which will make the return a bit more bearable.

Starting to plan trips for next year too - am hoping to be able to avoid getting booked on audit work so will be able to go away in March hiking with the same company - quite a few of my friends from this trip will be going.

Need to make sure I get into a good exercise routine when I get back and avoid all the sweet treats people bring into the office. I really want to make this summer the first step in a journey to a more healthy life and not just a blip before returning to a life of too much work, stress, sugar treats and sedentary nights dozing off on the sofa.

Picking up the dress I bought from the tailors tomorrow - hopefully now the perfect length so I won't trip over it. Fortunately it's a jersey fabric so shouldn't crumple too much as I transport from tailors to home and then to the office at the end of the week. Got to try to get a nice picture of me in the dress - my boyfriend really doesn't like having his photo taken (believes incorrectly he is unattractive and unphotogenic) but I'd love to have a nice picture of me in my dress and him in his tuxedo - very rarely get to see him all smartened up - usually in jeans and the same blue and white striped shirt (he has three identical ones).

Good to hear everyone is making progress, have a good week all.

Rummer

indiepanda wrote: »

Need to make sure I get into a good exercise routine when I get back and avoid all the sweet treats people bring into the office. I really want to make this summer the first step in a journey to a more healthy life and not just a blip before returning to a life of too much work, stress, sugar treats and sedentary nights dozing off on the sofa.

Delighted to hear you had a great trip Just think to yourself those sugar laden snacks are not for me. Why not take in a fruit basket or a selection of other healthy treats so you have an alternative and do not feel as if you are missing out.

As for exercise could you walk/cycle to work? Failing that is there a gym on your way to work that you could work out then shower and go to work? That way you have got your exercise out the way and a long day will not put you off.

indiepanda

Rummer wrote: »

Delighted to hear you had a great trip Just think to yourself those sugar laden snacks are not for me. Why not take in a fruit basket or a selection of other healthy treats so you have an alternative and do not feel as if you are missing out.

As for exercise could you walk/cycle to work? Failing that is there a gym on your way to work that you could work out then shower and go to work? That way you have got your exercise out the way and a long day will not put you off.

More recently I have taken my own snacks in - if I am hungry, I really can't resist temptation. Fortunately the usual spot the sweets get left is out of my line of sight, it definitely makes a difference if you can't see them. I just need to keep my stress under control as when I have a bad day I get into a silly "I deserve a treat" state of mind that I don't seem to be able to control terribly well.

I don't know yet if I am going to start off working out of head office or at client site. If I am at head office I think I will join our staff gym - not with any intention of using the gym (as I don't enjoy it), but so I can use the showers and go to a class if there are any decent ones (would be good to find a yoga class to calm me down during the day). It was only £20 a month when I last belonged (I think they want us to keep fit so we take less sick leave)

A friend I run with works nearby so we might do some lunchtime runs or post work runs, or I might run to or from work sometimes. It's five and half miles and I've run further than that before, though have not been out for a few weeks now so might take a month or so to get back to that distance. It's also not the loveliest of routes, but I think I'll just have to lump that - being fat and unhealthy isn't lovely either!

In any case, the traffic is so slow in rush hour, it wouldn't take me that much longer to walk the whole way, and I expect I could run almost as quick as the bus does the journey. Walking or running are more appealing options than cycling anyway - London traffic is quite terrifying and I though I can ride a bike, I don't have the experience to do so and navigate busy traffic too.