Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maman

Glad you enjoyed the post birthday lunch Maddie and that the GF is working for you.


Interested in your comments about hitting/maintaining just the right weight. I've settled for 10 stone 7 with leeway 3lbs either way. I'm happiest with being as close to 10st 4 as possible which then gives leeway for indulgent holidays and meals out. At 5ft 9 that makes me a slim size 12. When I was younger I veered between 9st 7 and 10st 7 across a year but wouldn't want to go that low now. Like you I risk looking drawn and gaunt, not so much my face but arms and inner thighs and neck.

Flintlis

While this is incredibly late in the year to be asking to join your group, I'd love to be a member. I'm in my twenties and fed up of feeling like I simply don't even meet the same kind of polished standards that so many of my friends seem to have down easily. Basically it's time this duckling started taking proper care of herself & I've been inspired by all of you to step my game up :j

chanie

Morning everyone.

Welcome Flintlish. I understand the feeling about making more of an effort. When you are young, you can get away with not making much effort (as I did). I'm now in my mid 30's and I'm at that point now where I have to make more effort e.g. my skin isn't looking brilliant, I'm going grey.

I'm in work today, but then will be off for the rest of the week with DS as its half term. I'm going to take DD to nursery, so that I can spend some time with DS having fun and catching up on chores.

I've decided to use that time for a bit of fabbing, so here is my plan - I 'm writing it down so that I can give a progress report:

30 day shred - I'm going to do it before the children wake up in the morning and want to do 3-4 days.

body brushing - after 30 day shred, whilst running the bath.

Henna - I have bought my henna when I went to Lush last week. The only reason I haven't done it is because its rather messy.

Clothes and make up - I'm going to make the effort with my clothes, hair and make up when I'm out and about doing my chores. I'm going to use my nice bag, coat and shoes.

Weight - loose 2lbs this week.

maddiemay

Welcome Flintlish, hopefully you will gain incentive from popping in here and reading what everyone is up to, certainly rubs off on me, although for some reason I have not worn perfume for a few days (smacks own hand).

Chanie - you seem to have a good plan mapped out there, good luck.

I try to be happy every day, but even more so this morning as I am booked in for a massage, first one for 5 years:(, therapist lives in easy walking distance and comes well recommended by two people whose judgment I trust, so fingers crossed:D

maman

maddiemay wrote: »

Chanie - you seem to have a good plan mapped out there, good luck.

Same from me chanie. It really does help to list a plan I think and there's a certain accountability from posting it too. I always feel better if I've made an effort even if it is just to go round the Supermarket!


Welcome Flintlish. How wise to start when you're still young. I'm pleased that I've looked after my skin since I was a teenager and it certainly helps. I think we all go through times in life when life gets in the way and we 'let ourselves go'. That can be a stressful job, busy with children or other caring responsibilities, health issues or any number of other things. What I'm certain about is that (vain though it may sound:o) that if you feel good about yourself any/all of those situations will be easier to manage. It's about being in control because IMO 'letting yourself go' is about losing control.


Perfume is a good place to start and at this time of the year I think I'd advise going through the wardrobe and seeing what you're going to enjoy wearing in the autumn/winter. And probably even before those two I'd put healthy eating.


We're going to a talk/tour at local art gallery today so smart casual. I'm quite looking forward to it as they finish in the Pre Raphaelite room, my favourite:).


Won't be long until you set off on your cruise LL. Are you all set?


ETA: enjoy your massage Maddie. I enjoy them just for relaxing.

lessonlearned

Good morning all you Fabulous Fabbers..:rotfl:

Gorgeous morning here,so warm. Forecast was grim, grey and cold.....:rotfl: i love autumn days like this, blue skies, warm sun, the trees all golden and gorgeous.

On a Day like this it feels good to be alive. Wish I had my wonderful OH to share it with, hey ho......

Instead the cat is curled up on my lap. I am soooooo converted. Ive never had a furry pet before - allergies - apart from the boys hamsters when they were little. But now my allergies seem to be a thing of the past. I think I'm going to have to steal him when I move.

I have a New regime.......

Now that the nights are drawing in I have started being more organised in the mornings so I can get out and about earlier - this morning I have been to both Aldis and ASDA. A little rest and then do some kitchen sorting whilst cooking a nice healthy dinner.

Whilst in ASDA I bought some extra bits and pieces for my holiday.

A grey/silver sequinned evening jacket - bargain at £25. They also do them in black but didnt have my size. I'm tempted to get a black one as well at that price....so I will go online and try.

They are so versatile and although they might not be the best quality I think for the amount of wear they will get they are quite a reasonable buy.

If anyone is looking for party wear.ASDA do have some Nice things in at the moment - and the prices are very good - party dresses and cat suits at around the £20 to £25 mark. Quality wise they are not as good as the likes of Debenhams etc and are not what you would call "investment pieces" but if you just want something pretty to wear for the party season whilst you are losing weight then they hit the spot.

sorry I can't do links but if you google ASDA you will see them on the website.

I also got some black crepe evening trousers, a cream silky top, some knitwear, a nice lightweight satin dressing gown with matching pjs.

Then I spied the sale rail.......a maxi sun dress £2.50 which is a tad flimsy for street wear but will make a great beach cover up, some very bright multi coloured Stretch cotton trousers and some silky PAlazzo trousers - not my usual thing at all - but somehow I think the Caribbean calls for bright zingy colours. They are fun at £5 a pair. Even if I only ever wear them on holiday, at that price I don't mind only wearing them a couple of times a year.....

So all In all, a very successful shopping trip. Still need an extra swimsuit......

As well as organising my clothes for my trip I am also stocking up the freezer and cupboards for DS2. Bless him he's no cook so I am doing extra shopping and batch cooking things like chillis, curries, shepherds pie, casseroles etc so he doesn't starve whilst I'm away. :rotfl:

Welcome Flintlish.

I agree with Maman you are never too young to start with a good skincare routine. Both my late mum and my grandmother had lovely skin, so good that people used to ask them their secret. They both gave the same advice......go easy on the sun bathing, don't smoke, don't go overboard with alcohol and be generous with the moisturiser.

Doesn't need to be expensive. Mum swore by Nivea and Olay. Apparently Joan Collins also swears by Nivea and Joanna Lumley likes Astral and Ponds. It's not how much you spend, it's how regularly you use it.

Both mum and granny were almost 90 when they died and they had fewer wrinkles than the average 50 year old.

I would add two more things.

1. Make sure you get enough sleep. Both Tina Turner and Sophia Loren swear by it apparently. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.;)

2. Drink plenty of water. No point wasting money on moisturisers if you are dehydrated.

Last but by no means least.

Smile.

It takes 63 muscles to frown, 37 to smile.

Be lazy, smile more.......:D

maman

http://direct.asda.com/george/womens/coats-jackets/sequin-trim-jacket/G005211524,default,pd.html


If it's this one it looks great LL and the reviews say exactly the same. I only live a short way from an Asda. I must take a look as I could do with something for a Christmas party. Jacket sounds like a very good idea as you never know how warm it's going to be in restaurants and clubs. Sounds you had some great bargains, especially with the summer clothes.


Meant to say lis (I'm shortening your name as I spelled it wrongly earlier:o) that I do a lot of people watching to both tell me how I'm doing on the fab front and to give me ideas. You can do it in RL on buses, trains or in cafes and shopping centres or look in magazines (although don't forget people in mags have all the advantages we don't have including airbrushing). So I look around and decide how appropriate I look for the event in hand the decide of those I admire what I could copy.

lessonlearned

That's the one, I think I will go mad and order the black as well. I dont wear black very often because it can wash me out but I think it would be ok because of the shimmer effect.

I have several dresses that will go with the grey/silver one.

Ps. I'll call you Lis too, cos I got it wrong......sorry.

maddiemay

lessonlearned wrote: »

Ps. I'll call you Lis too, cos I got it wrong......sorry.

Whoops, sorry so did I, but the warm welcome still applies:D

My massage was amazing, quite painful, but that was expected, it was a proper remedial massage and not a gentle relaxing one. I would love to go every week for a while, but cannot rejig the finances enough to do that ATM, so have booked another one for 2 weeks today, and the see how frequently I can afford to go for a while.

lessonlearned

Glad to hear you enjoyed your massage went well and that you feel the benefits.

Perhaps your therapist could give you a few simple stretching exercises to supplement what she is doing. That's What I do and it works well.

I would live a weekly massage, unfortunately I would have to live on bread and marg to afford that.:rotfl: