Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

3forholidays

Thanks everyone - glad I'm not the only one who has issues with clothes sizing!

Shandyclover Thanks for the suggestion re Zara.

shandyclover

Well, it seems all the hoofing has paid off. I have a job, and I start tomorrow. All a bit of a whirlwind really. I attended a job fair a week ago. They advised me where to hand out CV's. The first company that responded I had an interview with the next day. Within hours they had called me back to offer me the job and ask me to come in for an induction 24 hours later. It's only part time and a very junior role, but in the interview I emphasized I wanted to progress and they said they have a path for progression which is at least better than my last job.

Luckily I have a few black clothes, as we have to wear all black till our uniforms arrive. Bit worried about my footwear though. I have a dodgey ankle and nerve damage in my foot due to an old injury, so I choose my footwear very carefully, and I will be on my feet for hours. I have a pair of smart black trainers I was counting on wearing with black trousers but a relative who previously worked there said the dress code does not allow anything other than business wear. I have a pair of leather flats from M&S footglove, but they do rub a bit. I hope at this point I do not have to go out and buy more expensive shoes!

indiepanda

Congratulations on the new job Shandyclover, hope all goes well on your first day.

indiepanda

chanie wrote: »

indie happy birthday.

Thank you. I had a lovely lunch with my friends yesterday and am looking forward to my birthday trip with the boyfriend next weekend.

maman

indiepanda wrote: »

Congratulations on the new job Shandyclover, hope all goes well on your first day.

And the same from me too:T.


I'd wear the black trainers if I were you and hope for the best. I can't see new shoes, even if you splashed out, as likely to be any more comfortable. Perhaps take the Footgloves in your bag?


Glad you enjoyed your birthday lunch indie and Happy Birthday for Wednesday when it comes. The friend I'm meeting in London on Wednesday has a birthday on Thursday hence the meet up. We've decided to stop doing gifts and spend time together instead. Thanks for the heads up on the Courtauld. I like Impressionists but Pre-Raphaelite is my absolute favourite. I find they have an ethereal quality that pleases me.


Not much fabbing going on today. I did buy one new pair of jeans in TKMaxx yesterday and a long sleeved red top. Tried them on properly this morning and I think they'll be staying. I went to a small local shopping centre yesterday and tried Next, New Look, Dotty P for jeans. There're a lot around but when I cancel out the ripped, the stonewash, the super skinny, the jeggings etc. then I'm not choosing from a big field. I plan to go into the city centre tomorrow and look a bit further.


Healthy eating and a bit of exercise going on here so I suppose that counts as fabbing. I've got a big pot of lentil and vegetable soup cooking which I'll freeze for lunches and off dancing later.


Still glorious here. If I'd known this weather was coming I'd have planned a few days break in this country. I am looking forward to Malta though.


Enjoy Barcelona indie. I've only been there once but enjoyed it. I'm sure your BF will be wining and dining you in all the best places but if you want a coffee I'd recommend the restaurant in El Corte Ingles (Spanish equivalent to John Lewis) as it has great views. The food is a bit hit and miss but the view is worth it.

lessonlearned

Indie A happy birthday for Wednesday. and have a fab time in Barcelona - my favourite city in the world........or at least the ones I have visited so far. Lol.

Shandy - fantastic news on the job front.

I have just been into the city here and am now resting, basking in the sun, isn't it glorious.......

Re Barcelona.

I don't know if I mentioned it but although DS1 and the lovely M are getting married in the UK, they will be having a church blessing in Barcelona and of course the obligatory Party for all friends and family who cannot make it to the UK. - She has a huuuuuuge extended family many of whom live in either Spain or Italy and of course she attended Barcelona university for her doctorate and has lots of friends there.

Anyhoo last night we booked flights for Barcelona and have opted to stay for 6 days and make the most of it....Wahoo.........

I'm so EXTRA cited, it will be fab, fab, fab. DS2 has never been and I just know he will adore it. I can just see him strutting his stuff along the Ramblas.....:rotfl:

Bless him he hasn't had a proper foreign holiday for several years, first because he was a penniless student, then because he helped me care for his dad and then latterly because he has put every last penny into his house.

The wedding week also coincides with his 30th birthday - so a double celebration.

I have treated him to the air fare and will happily pay his share of the apartment we will rent so all he has to worry about is his wedding outfit and his spending money.

So what with my cruise and now the holiday in Barcelona life is starting to be a bit more fun again.....

maman

Lovely, happy post LL. I'm delighted for you. Remind me of the date of the wedding please:).

greenbee

I found the switch to skinny jeans difficult too, but feedback from objective friends has helped. I do still have bootcut jeans for wearing with heels.

I was away for a few days, staying with my parents, and went for a make-up lesson. Not with a 'branded' salon, but to an independent that doesn't actually sell any products. I've actually been back to the same person three times now - once at 14 (my mother sent me for a make-up lesson in an attempt to stop me making the mistakes most teenagers make!), again in either my late 20s/early 30s (we're not entirely sure when). I'm out of the habit, and wanted to check what I should be doing - not from a 'fashion' perspective, but in terms of what suits me. The most important bit was to remind me how to get my eyes right (and also how to adapt my makeup based on lighting/video use for work).

Unsurprisingly, much of what I should be doing hasn't really changed from when I was 14 I should be able to dump a certain amount of my make-up, although apart from a new mascara (I knew mine was dying) I don't need anything more at the moment. I need to stop the impulse buys and just buy the items I need at the best quality I can afford.

maman

That's really interesting greenbee. I've often thought there must be a market for lessons like that. I'm off to salon for eyebrow wax later so I might ask if it's something they do. I'm planning to keep going with lightly tanned face and minimal make up until after my break in Malta then it'll be back to trying to recreate the same look for daytime with tinted moisturiser and bronzer:(.


This spell of fine weather is certainly uplifting though. Planning to go into city centre afterwards to try a few more pairs of jeans on and while I'm there I'll have a spray of Jo Malone as I have a fancy for their Grapefruit cologne but it's fairly pricey so I'm testing it out at the moment.

Ellsbel

Just wanted to pop in quickly to say huge congrats on the job shandy.:)
Have a lovely birthday indie, and maman, in case I don't get on before you go, I hope you thoroughly enjoy Malta:)
Sorry this is so short but I'm so so tired at the moment!!
Back soon x