Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

shandyclover

LL so glad your furbaby is doing better. We have a rescue cat that adopted us 6 years ago coming with us all the way from Ireland. They really do become part of the family and my hubby's last job is always to check 'who has Bob?' He chooses a different bed to sleep on every night. Usually whoever is feeling a bit down or is under the weather in our big household. Cats are so perceptive.

I spent the weekend in London visiting the DD19, the baby of the family. She went to take a TESL course, got a job bar tending in Leicester square, and for now wants to stay and earn some money to travel. I haven't seen her for 2 mos and was a bit shocked to see she'd grown a bit wan and thin ...long shifts and commuting in the early hours and being too tired to eat. There's a great little Turkish shop under her flat so I stocked her cupboard with some things I knew want tempt her along with lots of fresh fruit.

I wore beige ballet flats, blue skinny jeans with a tiny diamond pattern, white blouse, turquoise scarf and a beige corduroy jacket. Surprisingly someone asked me where I got my jeans. You should have seen their face when I admitted 'ASDA George sale rail'!

I had a mooch with DD around China town and tried my first bubble tea - I actually liked it!

I stopped to see my mum for a few hours after work this evening. She is still a bit weak, but so, so much better and looking it too. She has had her hair cut in a modern style and the hairdresser added warm caramel and chestnut highlights - it has made such a difference and taken years off her. Its her birthday end of this week and I hope to take her for a posh coffee or light lunch in her favorite artsy cafe.

Chanie, I'm sure someone may have mentioned it, but if you are nervous around make up try watching some of Lisa Eldridge's youtube tutorials. She has a very elegant understated approach I really like. Most of the products she uses are very high end, but I do follow the principals of colours etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_ZRjW1ZJLQ

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies

shandy - glad to see your mum is perking up, also that you had a nice tIme in London with your daughter. I'm sure she will appreciate her deli treats.

I know what you mean about worrying about our offspring.

DS1 and DIL came round last night, they both look shattered. And DS2 is about on his knees. They are all so busy at work at the moment - they all work such long days.

I don't know but employers really seem to want their pound of flesh these days. It's tough out there.

I currently have a to do list as long as my arm andI want to get through it beforei go on holiday - 3 weeks on Saturday.......

I bought a nice evening dress yesterday and. White sun top, both chazza shop bargains, so just £10 the two.

My leg is playing up gain today so am concentrating on paperwork today.

ellsbel - hope you feel a bit happier today. Whoever they are and whatever they said, try not to let them get to you.......they are not worth it......

XX

greenbee

They want more than a pound of flesh LL, believe me...

Ellsbel

LL thank you for your kind words. green bee is right - employers do want more than their pound of flesh. My lovely DH gives his all and more besides to his job, too and, like your lovely sons and d-i-l, often looks completely shattered; employers simply expect it don't they? And take it very much for granted, too.
My much longed for job continues to get to me I'm afraid, despite my best intentions to take the rough with the smooth and make the best of the experience! I want to prove to myself that I can stick it out for the 6 month probation period, but it's proving very hard for me to do that at the moment!
No fabbing to report - just wanted to check in and say hi. Take care everyone

3forholidays

Doing well on the water front this week. Looking forward to the weekend!

chanie

I thought I'd post a few tips on drinking more water as its something I struggle with and I have fallen out of my good habits through not paying attention.

I think you can either sip or gulp water to get your intake and I do both.

Gulp - at home
I use one of the children's cups and gulp water down whilst at the sink. Sometimes, it's easier to do this and get it out of the way. I try and do this first thing in the morning, before bed, as I'm waiting for the kettle to boil and as I make a meal.

Sip - at work
I have a water bottle which I have in my desk and I sip that throughout the day. This normally coincides with me taking regular breaks from my pc. It also means I can take my bottle to meetings, which is handy.

I'm hoping that my skin will improve now that I'm drinking more water again as its been very congested recently.

maman

:wave: Back from my week's break in Malta. For anyone who likes history and architecture it's an amazing place and the weather was glorious too. Ate lots of bread and pastries so when I do my meal plan and food shop tomorrow will be back on healthy eating with a vengeance!


Sorry haven't been able to do a proper catch up so hope is well with you and yours.:)


Also had time to do plenty of people watching from behind the shades and some Brits abroad are not a pretty sight. If anything convinces me to keep my weight down it's watching the many blobs I see around.


LL, I believe the sales of Kindles have plummeted as most people are reading on tablets or phones. There can be an issue with sunlight on the screen but otherwise they are multi purpose gadgets unlike Kindle. That being said, you may pick up a Kindle cheaply if that's what you decide on.


Completely agree about water at the computer chanie. I find if I have sports bottle to hand when I'm at the computer I just drink it almost absent mindedly. I've also substituted grapefruit squash for fruit juice at breakfast time so that gets another glass down me.


I found I'd packed almost exactly the right mix of clothes for my holiday. Mainly took a range of tops, jeans, a couple of summer skirts and cardigans and 2 scarves. I had a jacket and a long sleeved top but weather was too hot to need them even in the evenings:D. Shoes continue to be an issue. The Skechers came but they're a bit heavy for skirts and ballet pumps, while pretty, aren't really supportive enough for the many miles we were walking. Fine for strolling to restaurants but not enough for sightseeing. I think I need to do some research into shoes and also walk a lot more when I'm not on holiday.


Thanks for the make up link shandy, will try to watch tomorrow. Make up worked fine when I was away as didn't need much in the sunshine. My hair was a bit of a mess as it didn't like the desalinated water on Malta but looks good now I'm back to the chalky stuff!


Will catch up more tomorrow:).

indiepanda

maman wrote: »

I believe the sales of Kindles have plummeted as most people are reading on tablets or phones. There can be an issue with sunlight on the screen but otherwise they are multi purpose gadgets unlike Kindle. That being said, you may pick up a Kindle cheaply if that's what you decide on.

Hello all, feel like I've been completely AWOL recently - the shock of having to go back to work is still a bit overwhelming. You know how people say a change is as good as rest? Delusional. The only way a change beats a rest is in the remuneration.... I am fast reaching the conclusion all that guff about careers being fulfilling is just trying to make those of us who aren't blessed with a ton of inherited wealth feel better about working! If I won the lottery (and it'd be surprising given I don't buy a ticket) I wouldn't have to think twice about quitting work.

Anyway, will try to do a proper post over the weekend but in passing re Kindles. I love mine and wouldn't consider a tablet a good substitute. I own a tablet and to be honest it really doesn't get used - laptop is far better for typing like this post, kindle for reading and mostly I use apps on the move, so my phone gets used for that.

Primary reasons I prefer the kindle to a tablet, aside of the challenge of reading the latter in sunlight (which is a big issue on holidays which is when a lot of people do a lot of their reading).

a) The battery life on a kindle beats any tablet hands down.
b) If you can get one that isn't backlit, it's a million times better for reading in bed - the light won't keep you awake.

Anyway, it's past my bed time so I'd better stop there.. proper update soon. x

lessonlearned

Well Maman after your remark about British Blobs on Holiday I decided to have a trying on session this morning.

All I can say is "0h Dear" or maybe something a little more colourful.

Yes Ive lost some weight but I still look rather lumpy and bumpy. Summer clothes are a lot less forgiving than winter wear. Winter clothes can cover a multitude of sins but sheer fabrics and skimpy little numbers give no place to hide.

I am disappointed that I havent done better with the weight loss,I did hope to be at least another half stone lighter by now, but alas no.

I know exercise is key but I'm struggling at the moment, my leg is playing up again and my back is killing me today. I know the excess weight is putting increased pressure on my joints, especially knees, feet and hips but I needto,lose more weight before I can do any real weight bearing exercises. I Guess it's one of those Catch 22 scenarios.

I'm hoping that once ivelost another 1 stone I will find weight bearing exercise easier.

Anyway ive just dosed myself with parcetamol and voltarol gel, and am just resting for 1 HR. Then I will do some yoga and toning exercises with my resitance band and hand weights, after ive had. Walk to the shops.

Not much but better than nothing.

lessonlearned

Re the kindle. I took DS2s advice and paid a bit more for one that is back lit. As both he and Indie pointed out I will be using it for holidays in bright sunlight.

I think I would struggle to read a book on my phone due to the screen size so I think the kindle will suit me best. Both the kindle and the camera have now arrived so I will get DS2 to sort me out.

Update on the cat.

Vet happy with his progress although some concern about long term nerve damage. He's dragging his hindquarters. this may resolve itself in due course, if not, then worse case scenario would mean the worst leg would have to be amputated.

To help the healing process we are now giving the cat Physio and massages........Talk about pampered pets.......:rotfl: hopefully this will get the leg moving properly.

He's not friends with me at the moment because he has to have cage rest, so he keeps giving me evil looks. Bless him.

Not feeling very fab today, just plain shattered. The weather is grey and overcast so that doesn't help lift my mood.

It's been 15 months now since my husband died And although I am doing ok it's days Like today when I really miss his bouncy good humour, sillly jokes and sense of fun.

Hey ho.......mustnt get maudlin.