Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maman

Sorry to hear you're full of aches and pains LL, hope the remedies have helped. While autumn colours can be lovely the dark, grey days are really depressing too.


I'd be very surprised if you presented yourself as a blob!!:rotfl:I'm talking about middle aged men who think they look good in a vest and football shorts or women who think some leggings or shorts teamed with a stretchy camisole with bra straps showing is the way to go!! Oh and, of course, the mandatory tattoo!

Having lost my weight with almost no exercise I think it all comes down to food (and drink:o). I think exercise tones but it's the right food that makes the biggest/quickest difference. Although I don't do calorie counting, the amount of exercise needed to burn off 'bad' foods is amazing like an hour's swimming to see off two slices of pizza!!:eek:

I meant to ask if you bought a fur collar. I saw one today in Asda of all places. Unfortunately it was attached to a rather obviously fake leather jacket but I held it in front of me and the 'fur' was so flattering.
http://direct.asda.com/george/womens/coats-jackets/faux-fur-trim-jacket/G005170070,default,pd.html
I'm going to look out for a coat or something that has the same sort of fur.


I've done fab Friday today although smart casual as usual for me. So dark denim jeans with a navy sweatshirt and ballet pumps. It's a Jack Wills top that I love with lace shoulders and sleeves. I wore my navy parka to go shopping so almost all navy from head to toe. It's far more flattering than black really but I still like black.


I've made a hair appointment for next week. I had to cancel as my 6 week appointment as it came up while I was away. I'm trying to stick with that as although more expensive it really helps.


Hope everyone's got something nice planned for the weekend even if it's just having a rest;).

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies

It's a bit quiet on here - hopeyou are all well..

Thankfully my aches and pains are easing off again, thanks to a combination of rest and regular yoga and stretching. I really must do better on the exercise front because I really feel the benefit if I do it regukarly and by that I mean daily yoga. It does seem to help iron out the kinks.

Yesterday I went to Aldi and bought a couple of items from their Lacura Restorative skin care range. They have had some good write ups and they seem to contain some good quality ingredients that you find in more premium ranges. I'll give them a whirl.,

I have a coat with a detachable fur collar already but I'm looking for either a cape or stole type to wear over evening dresses. Ive seen plenty online but none in the shops. I will probably buy online.

Ive also found some nice cocktail wear at tkMaxx online before, I guess thers a first time for everything. I know. Lot of you lovely ladies do - any problems with returns .......??

Not much planned today, a nice quiet pottering sort of day. And yoga of course......;)

chanie

Morning everyone.

LL am pleased to hear you are on the mend.
Maman your fab Friday outfit sounds lovely.

My skin is finally clearing up after the recent outbreak of spots. Its most likely to be due to lack of water or the new cleanser I've been using on my face.

On the fabbing front, I finally got around to body brushing this weekend, as I have gotten out of the habit of doing so. Body Brushing isn't something I enjoy doing, so its easy to put it off.

I have new accessory, which I'm excited about. My Mum bought me a designer bling watch, which I got this weekend. I'm not really into bling, but I must admit, it does brighten up a dull outfit and makes me look more polished. I guess that saying is true about spending more on coats, bags, shoes etc.

Does anyone have a poncho?
I saw a lady wearing one a couple of weeks ago and it looked lovely on her and I've been thinking about getting one. I've seen a couple in store, but they look terrible on me, as I'm petite-fat and easily swamped. I've seen a nice one in in Mint Velvet, but its £60 and I'm not sure I want to pay that much for something that will go out of fashion really quickly. I guess I should really try it on!!

maman

Morning all:).


Glad to hear your skin is clearing up chanie. Definitely keep drinking water as that can only do you good and sometimes skin does react to a change of product but settles down eventually. You can always use it up as foot cream!


Aldi products suit my skin just fine LL. I'm using the Expert day cream and their wrinkle cream at the moment and I've got eye cream ready for when current product runs out. I used to use the mature body lotion too as it's really creamy but that's disappeared so I've bought the dry skin one to try.


Is your watch one of those with a sort of bracelet wrist band? My DD1 has one of those and l always think it looks good. I've dithered over them but seem always to return to a plain, stretchy strap.


I've noticed ponchos and those sort of cardi coats are all the rage. I've got one plain black jersey one that I've had for years (usually wear it over strappy evening dresses) which I might be able to bring out. They have them everywhere including Primark so if you fancy one you could always buy cheaply.


I'll be a bit more dressed up than usual today as almost always wear a skirt to dance class. Still trying to resist opaques as I associate them with winter setting in.


Obviously not including LL who needs summer clothes:D (green but happy face) what sort of plan has everyone got for autumn/winter wardrobe or are you in it already?:rotfl:

chanie

Maman its a bracelet style. Its oversized, so its huge, but my Mum is insistent that its the fashion!!!

In terms of my winter wardrobe, I'm already in mine!!! I got a coat and boots for Xmas, so I'm sorted for those. I'm eyeing up a new cashmere jumper, but that's about it.

I'm off to browse some ponchos now.

Rummer

I am so pleases that the temperatures have dropped as I am now able to wear the boots, tights and dress combos that I love so much

We had an experiment in our home the last fews weeks where my OH meal planned and did the shopping. The food was delicious and was mainly a selection of carbohydrates smothered in cheese:) however it has led to a [STRIKE]significant[/STRIKE] weight gain so we are back to my approach :rotfl: It was fantastic while it lasted though

As for other fabbing it has been mixed. I have had nice hair and clothes every day however the skincare regime has been forgotten again. Everyday I have been out walking and enjoying the fresh air before the weather turns and I am exploring winter exercise approaches too.

lessonlearned

Just resting after a 40 minute yoga session and a healthy cheese and ham omelette for lunch. There is a healthy beef stew in the Slow cooker which I will serve with cauliflower and brocolli. - so that's me sorted

I have allowed the cat out of his cage and given him free Run of,the downstairs, he loved it but he's not allowed to,jump,yet so I do have to keep an eye out for him. He's walking well, still dragging his hindquarters though but I figured he needs to use his leg muscles otherwise they will atrophy and get too weak.

He's happy but exhausted now, curled up next to me on the sofa.

Time for both of us to have a nice rest.

Ponchos - I picked up one during the summer, plain charcoal grey from Sainsbobs for £10. I agree with MAman - it's a high fashion item so I would try and pick up a bargain one rather than pay top whack.

I also bought two od those big cardigan jackets, again both Sainsbobs and I got one half price im the sale and the other one when they had one of their 25 per cent off promos.

I think both ponchos and heavy cardies are perfect for this time of year - getting cooler but not quite big coat weather

My DIL has her eye on one of mine - little minx - soI will try and get her one for either her birthday which is in December or for Christmas.

She loves clothes and is always beautifully dressed and very fashionable but is a very canny shopper and is not extravagant, much to the relief of my son. He was a bit worried at first when he saw how many clothes she has, fearing she was going to be high maintenance, but he is now very Impressed with her shopping and haggling skills.

None of your English reticence and embarassment at haggling, she drives a hard bargain......:rotfl:

She stocks up at Zara's when she goes to Barcelona because they are much cheaper than here in the UK.

Like most Spanish women (I know she's from Venezuela but theres a lot of similarities) she has a lot of ponchos, wraps, scarves, pashminas etc. I think they are a great way of adding extra layers of warmth, and of course adding splashes of vibrant colour.

I noticed when I used to spend a lot of time in the winter in Spain how the Spanish women tend to have a lot of accessories such as scarves, gloves etc. I really miss the Spanish markets where you could buy fabulous leather gloves for 5 euros, every colour of the rainbow.

I have quite a collection but I am lusting after a red pair......

Last time she went to Barcelona she bought me two lovely pashminas, one lightweight silky one and a heavier one - both will come in handy for my cruise.

Oddly enough Maman I have realised that I will need some winter clothing for the first leg and then again the return part of my journey. I would estimate about 3 or 4 days each way will be quite cold.

In fact our first port of call will be Amsterdam on 8th November and as I want to go on the canal trip I am guessing it will be quite cold on the water.

I definitely need new knitwear this winter.

I would love cashmere but I cant wear wool next to my skin because I get excema so I am afraid has to be mAn made fibres most of the time, unless I wear a shirt underneath.

I did buy a mohair coat recently but I will always have to wear it with a scarf to stop the collar chafing my neck.

this afternoon I am going to do some research on the ports we call at.

I'm getting excited now, only 3 weeks to go.

greenbee

you need silk undies to wear under the cashmere LL

lessonlearned

Would they stop the itching though. It's my shoukders and neck which suffer the most, so even a full length slip or teddy wouldn't reallyhelp.

Still it's a good excuse to treat myself to silk undies....

greenbee

Silk polo neck?

http://www.landsend.co.uk/_Womens_Lightweight_Feminine_Silk_Roll_Neck_/pp/P_17911.html