Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maman

I like the look of this
http://www.matalan.co.uk/womens/shop-by-category/knitwear/s2613465/toggle-front-shawl


I'll be going past Matalan later in the week so will see if it looks OK 'in the flesh'. I love tartan and if the fastening is cheap and nasty I could always remove it and add something nicer.

alja

I think I may pop back in this thread, I'm feeling a little frumpy lately. I see all these amazingly dressed women at work and wish I looked that well "put together". I do dress nice now and again, but I want to make sure I make more of an effort for myself now...


Definitely need to get exercising again, eating less snacky foods and doing more pampering things. So I'm starting it once again tonight


I'm going to do an exercise dance workout type dvd, have a bath (I have so many toiletries to use up anyways!), use a deep conditioner on my hair, maybe paint my nails etc. Hopefully it'll make me feel so much nicer about myself!

lessonlearned

Welcome back Alja - sounds like a good plan. A few days and you'll. Soon feel and look better.

chanie

Welcome back, alja. Let us know how you get on.

I wore a skirt to work that I bought a couple of weeks ago and got lots of complements on it. It's quilted, so very fashionable and it's a line, which helps to balance me as I'm top heavy

Here it is in white, I have it in gray
http://www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/159515?r=658181559427519710

maddiemay

Chanie - love the skirt.

I like the look of the ponchos, when OH and I were in Scotland this year I saw some amazing pure wool ones, very classic and classy looking in such a choice of tartans and I fell in love with a muted grey/blue one, but at £100+ I could not indulge myself:(

I have a gorgeous bright red (scarlet) wool and mohair one, it buttons with self coloured buttons and a tie neck and is voluminous, I think it dates from the 1950's, I must wear it more this winter if it is not too wet! I bought it from a vintage trader and paid £40, my DIL kept whispering in my ear that I should walk away when the trader would not haggle, but I loved it so much, in Kon Marie terms it is truly joyous.:D:D

Alja - welcome back, I think that a lot of us need a little nudge from time to time to keep us on the straight and narrow.

LL - good to learn that dear puss cat is improving, I know that you are well versed in complimentary remedies, have you come across Turmeric in the form of Golden Paste?, I first became aware of it via Robin's thread on Debt Free Diaries. There is a fantastic UK group on FB and so many testimonials of success for both human beans and our much loved 4 legged ones. I stopped taking it for 3 days due to RL stuff and went from tolerable pain to extreme pain in no time at all:( Love the thought of the coloured gloves, I have a lovely pair of red leather ones, bought from a CS, but originally from Sainsbugs.

Hugs to all that need them, keep plodding along.
MM

maman

Always worth making the effort alja. Sometimes it's hard but I always feel so much better in myself when I know I've tried a bit.


I like the skirt too chanie, quite unusual. Glad that quilting is still 'in' as I love the Hush pencil skirt I got last year.


Yesterday was the first time I'd needed to dress for a business meeting since the weather turned. Delighted that my slim black trousers still fit beautifully, worn with a black top and black/grey jacket and ballet pumps. Sounds a bit severe but I was so thrilled with fitting comfortably into the trousers after my recent holiday.


Hair appointment booked for the morning and a mooch around Matalan as I pass it on the way to the salon. I've also started a list of things I might like for the winter. Not essentials (i.e. could manage without) but things to keep an eye out for if something is, as you say Maddie, 'joyous'.;)


So far on the list: flat ankle boots, short denim skirt, blouse/shirt suitable for lunch/dinner occasions, evening jumpsuit that I could wear at Christmas but lightweight enough for all year round.


I fancied this top
http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Shirts-Blouses/WA646/Womens-Textured-Silk-Wrap-Blouse.html
but a bit pricey and the sleeves don't look very long. But that's the sort of thing I have in mind. I've a few friends who often wear a blouse as opposed to a top and they always look well turned out.


Bright here but not warm. Great to see the autumn colours though. If I wasn't so lazy I'd get out for a walk:o.

lessonlearned

God morning ladies

Just a quick reminder - it's Fab Friday........

I have been partying with rellies over from Belguim so today I need to go into recovery mode. A nice quiet day, eat lightly, a bit of gentle pottering, reading, cuddling the cat, lots of water, an afternoon nap...........

I used to be able to burn the candle at both ends.

Not any more :rotfl:

chanie

Happy fab Friday.

I'm casual today as I have quite a bit of running around, plus I have both children today as ds broke up for half term. I did some light make up though. I'm enjoying filling in my eyebrows as its very subtle but makes me look so much more groomed.

maman that top is nice. It may come down further in the sales though. I've heard Boden have regular discounts anyway, so keep stalking!!

ll hope you had a nice time with the relatives.

I popped to Lush finally to buy my henna and some skincare and the staff gave the children some bathbombs, with a card saying they were a random act of kindness. The children and I were chuffed and they can't wait to use them.

I also bought a couple of bargain Christmas presents in the sainsburys sale. There is one item that I know ds will love. I asked the cashier to pack it for me whilst I distracted the children.

maman

Casual here too today. Black jeans, grey Jack Wills top, Boden scarf and ballet flats and I wore my black, quilted jacket when I went out.


Didn't make time to get to Matalan so that'll have to wait for another day. Did pop into Home Bargains and bought some
https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Touch-of-Silver-Twice-a-Week-Brightening-Shampoo/252946011?ULP_CAMPAIGN_ID=3&gclid=CPeA85Tm2MgCFc-6Gwod_NoKWg&gclsrc=aw.ds
shampoo and conditioner. My DD1 recommended it as, as well as being good for white and silver hair it's good for highlights too which we both have. I got the intensive and the normal ones. can't remember what I paid but good prices I know. Maybe it would suit you LL as I know you wear your hair 'au naturel' nowadays. Pleased with my haircut, good to have all dead ends cut off and shape restored properly.


That was kind of the people in Lush chanie. I like that shop but tend to only go there for gifts as the scents are a bit fruity for me although I did like their Yummy Mummy shower gel, that was quite earthy. Talking of eyebrows I'm using a Maybelline pencil at the moment just £2.99 from Superdrug. That compares with my usual Benefit one at £16.50. I'm finding it every bit as good, really soft and it has the brush on the other end too. I'd certainly buy it again.


Hope everyone has something nice planned for the weekend even if it's just a rest.:) We're meeting friends for lunch tomorrow and then a matinee. Sunday we're off to the pub to watch football. We always enjoy it whatever the result, good to see our team and we'll have something to eat there too as for pub grub it's not bad at all.

maddiemay

Smart casual today for me too, took OH our for post birthday lunch, yummy food and a nice drive out to the pub.

Black skinny jeans, fitted purple cashmere jumper, toning long-length cardi and a scarf.

Really pleased today as I have gained 2lbs in weight:D, have eaten low carb for a while, but as recommended by consultant (even though not positive for coeliac) am trying to be GF. I have lost more than a stone in a year, 4 llbs of that in the last 3 weeks. Previously at 5ft 4ins with a BMI of 23-24 I was quite happy being a 12/14 (busty bird:eek:). I have been trialling some M&S GF bread and eating loads of rice meals this week and it seems to have done the trick, now need to decide on a new upper weight and try and keep just under it, in my case it has been true that I cannot have face and figure after 60, I have looked so drawn, although skin not very slack (being a skin care junkie has paid off:D)

Chanie - I am with you re the eyebrows, gives the face such a lift.
LL - Sounds like a great time with the rellies.
Maman - love the Boden top, if it is meant to be it will be yours.