Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

Ellsbel

maman wrote: »

At the moment I'd recommend plodding on and making the best of it ellsbel but keep an eye on whatever else might be about. It was strange on the train on Wednesday. I sat opposite a group of 4 women who seemed to be planning some fashion event. it was hard to know whether it was a display (like window dressing) or a fashion show. They talked a lot about what went with what, availability of items, how best to show off etc. Anyway they all started off discussing and making notes and then the two younger ones (late teens/early twenties?) seemed to get bored. The older two (50s?) carried on working for the whole time but the youngsters plugged in their earphones and started doing what looked like dancing/hand jive in sync to the music giggling all through. I was amazed. If it had been mums taking their teenage offspring out for the day I'd have understood but this seemed so unprofessional. Your comment about being treated like children resonated after seeing this. Fortunately I had my shades on so could watch in cognito:cool:.

You've got it spot on! I actually can't believe the extent to which a couple of them are unaware of what's not appropriate behaviour - and language! in the workplace! And although they are young, none of them are too young to know better, if you see what I mean?
Really like the Breton top; it's been ages since I shopped in Boden, I must take a browse on their site.
I'm not happy with the way I look at the moment; my make up and hair seems all wrong and I really need an overhaul I do need to research some new looks I think!
Hope everyone is ok and looking forward to the weekend x

lessonlearned

Hello lovely ladies

What a glorious week. I have sat out in the garden every afternoon, so naughty - but every day I think maybe this is the last day we have this, I had better make the most of it.

It is likely that when the weather breaks that will be it until next Summer......

What a thought..

Ive had a good week, done a bit of sorting out, a couple of mooches around the shops, a coffee here, a lunch there. Today I went For a much needed dental check up. The last thing I need is toothache in the middle of the Atlantic so thought I'd make sure all is ok.

I love the Courtauld Gallery - last time I went was when I was doing my degree......I really must make sure I visit London again properly rather than always just passing through.

I love Breton tops, very chic, very French. Unfortunately I just can't do horizontal stripes......even when I Was a size 10 they never looked good on me. I once had a Breton top when I was 16. The male attention was just too much.

I learned very early on to try and deflect attention away from my boobs. My first job was at an engineering firm, the apprentices Knew how to make a young girl blush....:rotfl:

Ellsbel, sorry to hear about your job. I agree with everyone else - you are wise to stick it out. You never know what it might lead to.

Maman - the "wedding experience" as we have decided to call it takes place next May, so hopefully I will be near to my target weight by then.

There will be a civil registry office wedding for the legal stuff, then a church blessing in Barcelona and then the "wedding celebration" in the UK at the end of May.

So the celebrations, parties, various ceremonies etc will take place over a two week period. It's going to be a fun packed time, I just wish my husband and my mum could be there. He would have been in his element, he always was a superb host. And my mum knew how to party.....bless her.

Ive started collecting outfits in size 14. ......all charity shop bargains, several floaty silk dresses, pretty tops - Barcelona will be hot. Today i bought a lacy cream cotton cardigan in the sales. I think I will manage to get down to a 12/14 by then. I have no desire to be a size 10 again, I think I would look scrawny if I went that low.

maman

Glad the Breton top meets with approval. Having had so much wear from the CS version I know I'll wear the new one lots. They're great for so many occasions from shopping to pub lunches and sightseeing. Having something summery but with long sleeves seems a must in this country:(. Just realised I posted the wrong colourway. While my old one is equal navy/white stripes the new one is more predominantly navy with narrow white stripes.

Ellsbel wrote: »

You've got it spot on! I actually can't believe the extent to which a couple of them are unaware of what's not appropriate behaviour - and language! in the workplace! And although they are young, none of them are too young to know better, if you see what I mean?

I'm not happy with the way I look at the moment; my make up and hair seems all wrong and I really need an overhaul I do need to research some new looks I think!
Hope everyone is ok and looking forward to the weekend x

Do share what you'd like to achieve ellsbel. Hairstyle? What sort of make up look? What sort of look in general?


We're looking forward to our break in Malta and tonight DH said he fancied going to India. I dropped the idea into his head last night when we were watching 'Who do you think you are?' and lots of our friends have been there recently. So when I get back from our break I'll have another to plan for. Who knows, maybe the summer clothes won't be going away for as long as I thought. I think February is a good time.:D

Ellsbel

Sounds exciting, maman My DH went to India for a couple of weeks last year on a business trip; he'd never been overly enthused about going there but was absolutely blown away by it and wants to return there with me - it's on our list of places to visit!
As for my style - I know the way I want to dress, which is very similar to some of the outfits you describe - skinnies, flats and various tops and accessories to dress up or down. The weight loss is not good enough at the moment to be honest and I've given myself a kick up the backside today to make more effort; I've stocked up on salad stuffs to take to work, from tonight I'm going to fill half my plate with veg before adding the protein and carb elements, and the exercise bike has been dusted off and installed in DS1's room now he's back at Uni..
My make up is awful! My foundation makes me look ashen faced, I've been wearing the same eye colours for years, and bronzing powders and blushes seem to disappear within minutes! I seem to look so tired and washed out and don't know how to "wake up" my face.
As for my hair - it's long at the moment and has been for a long time. I'd love a shorter, "messy" bob, but my hair is so thick that I'm not sure a) if it would suit the style, or b) if I'd be able to style it myself.
I saw a picture of Helen Mirren in the paper yesterday at an event and she looked so effortlessly stunning - and she's a fair bit older than me! Some people just get it so right!
Lesson I love the sound of the wedding celebrations:) you've some lovely stuff to look forward to:)
Enjoy Barca, indie and have a lovely time in Malta, maman

lessonlearned

Ellsbell have you tried Clarins beauty flash....it definitely seems to give a healthy glow. Superdrug do their own version which is also pretty good and a fair bit cheaper. Marks do one but I didn't get on well with theirs.

Perhaps a warmer lipstick.

Pearls - real or fake - can give a nice reflective glow.

Are you wearing the right colours next to your face. Even just a scarf might be enough to "lift" an outfit.

I know for sure I cannot wear black - I look like a corpse but I can wear charcoal grey. I don't look good in navy but I can wear dark denim blues or indigo.

have you tried a tinted moisturiser with a warm toned blusher on top.

Do you exfoliate every so often to remove dead skin cells. As we get older skin cell renewal slows down, regular exfoliation, deep cleansing face masks etc can help stimulate cell renewal and make skin look fresher.

Are you taking any medications. Warfarin for example can drain colour from your face.

Do you manage to get outside - fresh air can help put the roses back in your cheeks.

LA Mirren does look good, but it's all down to grooming, good hair styling, immaculate make up and great dress sense. Strip,all that away and she probably looks pretty average.

She is very glamourous in real life but you can see in certain film roles she can look very dowdy. It's all down to styling.

"A little bit of powder, a little bit of paint
Can make a woman seem, just what she ain't".

Finally are you well, are you getting enough sleep, drinking enough water.

lessonlearned

Have been to see a new apartment block, great location, city centre on the banks of the river.

Am mulling it over. I am so indecisive at the moment. They are selling fast so can't afford to dilly dally.

I wish I had my OH to guide me on this one.;)

Ellsbel

Thanks ll; some excellent food for thought there:)
Beauty flash balm used to be an absolute staple in my make up bag, but for some reason I'd completely forgotten about it! You're so right about colour too - I seem to gravitate towards any colour as long as it's black lately, and maybe the truth is it's not doing me any favours - Ms Mirren was wearing splashes of Fuschia and blue in her outfit and make up, and it really suited her - I remember colour imaging was being discussed on here a while back; there's a lot to be said for it.
Exfoliating is another thing I've slipped on, ditto: the getting enough fresh air and water - and I do feel permanently tired but I think sometimes quality of sleep makes a big difference, I also think I may need a good daily supplement.
I'd never have thought of all these things had you not pointed them out! Thank you!:)

ETA - the apartment sounds lovely:) I know it's a big decision to make; I honestly think that sometimes your gut instinct tells you what to do at times like this:)

maman

Ellsbel wrote: »

from tonight I'm going to fill half my plate with veg before adding the protein and carb elements,

That's a brilliant idea. You don't need to worry over much about calorie counting if you do that.


Be sure to hold your DH to that trip to India;).


I completely empathise with the all black clothes thing. I was exactly the same until I lost weight. I think it's about trying to be invisible and it is definitely more slimming than light colours. LL is right that something like a bright scarf can make all the difference and the colour close to your face brightens the complexion too. Try it in a shop, putting bright scarves near your face and if the scarves are really long so much the better. It seems to elongate your body shape, something I've noticed Judi Dench does. I wouldn't spend too much on clothes until you get to a weight you want to be but scarves will always fit;) and a small spend on something you'll wear regularly and cheers you up is worth it. A halfway house to the look you describe is a tunic/short dress over skinnies or leggings. That tends to cover the worst bits.


Apartment sounds exciting LL but it is a big step. Personally I'd want to have my own place but you do seem to be rubbing along well with your DS. The idea of a new build in such a lovely spot would save you an awful lot of work. You could just focus on interior design rather than all the building stuff.


Another glorious day here but I fear tomorrow may be the last:(.

Ellsbel

Scarves are a great idea actually, maman - choosing them in the way you describe will help me find "my" colours. I do tend to fall back on tunic type tops a lot to be truthful, and long to wear shorter tops and shirts - and the occasional dress!
Which brings me to my next point - goals for October!:)
If I'm honest, I wasn't hugely successful with my September targets but hopefully I'll do better this month; I aim to do the following: -
Drop a dress size
Exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week
Keep up a skincare routine morning and evening
Get my nails done (still not got around to it!)
Take my vitamins and drink my water

I seem to have posted quite a lot today - apologies!:D
Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend x

lessonlearned

Good morning ladies.

Ellsbel - there's no need to apologise for posting - it can help us to focus when we write things down....

Re The goals - mine are roughly the same so I'll just say ditto.

Still undecided about the apartment. Will be talking to a broker today so that making help me focus.

It's been 35 years since I lived alone......it's a big decision.