Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maddiemay

Good morning everyone and a big welcome back to Parsniphead.

Lack of motivation, or rather lack of motivation to keep going is a big problem with me, in several areas of my life (appearance and well being, house keeping and hobbies). I am pretty good at planning and starting, but then get a few weary days or my head seems too full of stuff to deal with that I just tail off some how. Any tips from people here would be appreciated. I do think posting what I am doing/wearing etc does help a lot.

At opposite ends of the age range I know 2 people who always look amazing and would love something to rub off onto me:(

a) Young woman, early 30's, 2 very active children, 2 dogs, husband works away from home, high salary, high pressure job which requires her to look "the part". Goodness only knows where she gets her energy from? I can only assume that she treats her personal care (modern sassy haircut and colour which must need cutting every 6/7 weeks, nails done always, suits to dry cleaners etc as part of her work schedule/ethic and have every minute thing diarised and planned. Always doing active stuff with the very energetic boys too.

b) Elderly lady (85+), lives alone, has osteoporosis so has to visit hairdresser weekly or more often if social stuff on, subtle, but full make up whatever time you see her and nails always painted in pretty pale colours, mostly wears trousers now that her mobility decreased, but always looks totally pulled together.

I think that I must resurrect my diary day book and try and get some organisation back into my life:(

Sorry for the long post, just writing it down feels better.:)

maman

Good to see you parsniphead!:)

maddiemay wrote: »

I do think posting what I am doing/wearing etc does help a lot.


I think that I must resurrect my diary day book and try and get some organisation back into my life:(

Sorry for the long post, just writing it down feels better.:)

Both of you seem to have answered your own question. Writing it down and an element of accountability (which the thread gives) is the way forward. I think it's all about structure and this can apply whatever your circumstances.


So you might be retired or a lady of leisure but not get round to doing various tasks. Similarly you might have a busy job and family but just flop in the time for yourself or allow the job/family to encroach on your 'me' time.


The time needs planning and it can be done in the traditional way with paper and pencil or online by typing it on here. It's like budgeting, it doesn't matter whether you put the money aside in old tins and jars or use the virtual version which is a spreadsheet, it still works! So parsniphead, start your list with 'book hair appointment'!;) Maddie, I've got a list of 'winter jobs' I made as I was doing MK with my house so photos and various bits of soft furnishing on there for example. Yesterday I got as far as watching some youtube videos on 'how to' for some cushions I want to make:o.


I've been falling a bit behind on grooming as legs haven't seen the light of day since I got back from my holiday. Today I've had a pampering session complete with defuzz and slathering of body lotion. All clean clothes and hair blow dried. It looks OK but always takes a bit of getting used to after a cut:o.

VJsmum

So, on Saturday i am going to my Sister In Law's 50th birthday celebrations.

Lunch in fairly posh restaurant
then Singalonga Mama Mia
Then 80's disco

What on earth do i wear?????

maman

VJsmum wrote: »

So, on Saturday i am going to my Sister In Law's 50th birthday celebrations.

Lunch in fairly posh restaurant
then Singalonga Mama Mia
Then 80's disco

What on earth do i wear?????

Do you have a shell suit in the back of the wardrobe?:rotfl:


Seriously, will give it some thought but I think if it was from my own wardrobe I'd go for narrow black smart jeans/trousers/pencil skirt with black tight top and then some heels. I'd wear my leopard print ones. I suppose it depends what you have.

indiepanda

Hello everyone.

Gosh, I hardly know where the last few weeks have gone. I did wonder if I'd find going back to work a bit of a shock and I sure did - there's so few hours in the day left for me. In some ways the change of role is extra pressure as I have a lot to learn, but to be honest, they know I have a lot to learn which gives me some leeway, whereas if I'd gone back to doing my old role the expectations would have been sky high straight away. I am finding the role interesting (where I was getting a bit bored in my old role) and the new people I am meeting as a result of the change are all really friendly and helpful.

The change of role means I am based out of our offices rather than potentially being sent to work at the offices of one of our clients. That's good because it's meant I can join the staff gym which is in the office adjacent to mine. Ok, I can only go 4 days a week as it's closed weekends and I wouldn't go into town on my day off. However, it is only £22.50 a month and that includes unlimited classes, which given the price they are these days if you pay as you go even at the leisure centre, means it's a good deal even if I just do one a week. I did a Zumba class last week and then this week I've done Zumba, another dance based class and tonight met one of the instructors to start putting together a personal program. I am also doing a Body Balance class tomorrow lunchtime. This is on top of going for a long walk along the prom in Worthing with the boyfriend on Sunday and doing a workout in the park on Monday. Not a bad week on the activity front anyway.

Diet could definitely use some work... I need to stop getting so absorbed in what I am doing at work that I go out for lunch late and then am so hungry I end up eating more than I need and less healthily too. Probably the best thing from a frugal perspective would be to take a packed lunch and then spend some time getting properly active in the gym rather than just going for a few minutes walk to buy lunch. I am at least managing to take some healthy snacks with me to keep me away from the vending machine. Need to drink more water too - I just forget when I focused - not good.

I went to see a House of Colour consultant a few weeks ago to get a bit of a refresh on my colours and style. Got some good ideas of new colour combinations to try and some great ideas of different shops I might find things that would suit my style in. Got given a bit of a hard time about continuing to wear silver when as an autumn I should be going for gold, bronze, copper etc. I am not sure I'll be able to break the habit entirely, but I will at least push myself to only buy new things in the right metal in the future.

I've bought myself a few new things since. Got some great tops from Kettlewell who are an online shop that target those of us who have had our colours done and are frustrated that we can't then find them in the shops. I haven't tried their merino knitwear before (it's not cheap) but I love the jumper I bought, perfect colour for me and so cosy. I can't wear lambswool as it makes me itch like crazy and cotton jumpers just aren't as warm. Fleeces are cosy, and I wear for hiking etc, but I don't think they ever really look smart, whereas the merino jumper feels much more stylish.

I have also just bought some knitwear from company which specializes in knitwear called Woolovers. It's cheaper but I am not sure the quality is as good - not bad for the money though. I haven't worn them yet to see how they feel over a day, will probably do so at the weekend. Got a couple of different style cashmere & merino blend jumpers, a cashmere and merino cardi and a cotton and cashmere mix cardi.

Just to ensure the bank account really is empty at the end of the month, I've just ordered some new boots from Hotter. Been waiting patiently for their 3 for 2 offer to come out - they usually do a couple of times a year, so now waiting for them to arrive. I have to admit though I prefer summer to autumn, I do love being able to wear boots again and they have some really smart looking ones this season.

I've got a pedicure and facial booked for Sunday/Monday and plan to get myself better organised for the week ahead over the weekend - sort out my snacks and clean gym kit etc. My only other plans are exercise at the moment for those days. Off to Brighton on Saturday to meet some of the friends I made on the juicing holiday I went on in May. Weather forecast is looking good so hopefully I can persuade the others to go for a walk along the seafront after lunch.

Very excited that the new job means I am not going to be super busy in March for the first time in eight years. Have been able to book myself on a walking holiday to La Gomera (one of the smaller Canary islands) with lots of the people I went to Austria with last month. Goal will be to surprise everyone with how much fitter and slimmer I am by the next trip. I've got about four and a half months so I think it's realistic to make a decent amount of progress in that time.

Anyway, one of the things the trainer I saw at the gym tonight reminded me was that fat around the middle isn't just caused by poor diet, stress and insufficient sleep also contribute, so I'd better sign off and get ready for bed.

Have a great weekend everyone xx

Rowan_moon

Taking a leaf out of Parsniphead's book and sneaking back in :rotfl:

I've been missing for a while because life got busy and one if the things I did for myself was to cut back on my time online. But I have been in here every now and then to read some of what you're all up to.

I need to get a hair cut, sort out my winter clothes and buy a few new things because I Kondo'd lots of winter clothes last year. My make up needs an overhaul as I used a lipstick the other day that I realised must be about 8 years old :eek:. How long do you keep your make up for?

I have been going to yoga once a week, but want to get into a routine of practicing at home at least twice between classes.

Hoping you will help me get back on the wagon

lessonlearned

Good morning all

Welcome back Parsniphead and Rowan Moon. Good to "see" you again.

Indie - great update there - glad to hear that the new job is going well. I'm sure it's tiring
but it's good to have a fresh challenge.

Fab Friday

I'm off to the physio in a bit and then some shopping, the bank etc. It's wet and warmish so it's a day for the trench mac.

I have a stye on my eye, a sure sign im a bit run down I think. I do feel very tired and a bit achey but hopefully the Physio will help.

Just 8 days till my holiday..........I need to play with the new camera and kindle this weekend and get ds2 to show me how to face message or Skype.

I still need to buy a few bits but will do that next week.

maman

Good to have you back rowan and glad you found time to post too indie.


Lots of positives coming from the new job indie, not least the more settled workplace and the gym access. It is a challenge eating well at work but with a bit of planning (like you're doing with the snacks) it can be done. I'm a big fan of meal planning, always have been. When I worked 60+ hours a week I found that a short time writing a plan and sorting the shopping to match saved me masses of time rather than wandering round the supermarket or dithering about what we could eat day on day.


My DH quite likes Woolover jumpers too and I've seen some nice bits on their site. Thanks for sharing the Kettlewell info. What a lovely range of colours and prices are similar to Boden so if quality's there then that's fine.


I need to look at winter wardrobe too rowan. I don't think I need too much although have started a list of things I'd like if I saw the right thing. I put off doing anything until after my holiday and fortunately it's been quite mild and bright here so I'm putting off winter as long as I can. End of half term/start of November signals it usually:(.

lessonlearned wrote: »

I have a stye on my eye, a sure sign im a bit run down I think.

Definitely have to wear the Jackie O shades then!! How exciting that the holiday is creeping ever closer. I hope you'll pop in here now and then to tell us where you are so we can drool!


I'm doing fab Friday. Black jeans, orange Fat Face cotton jumper and will wear my black quilted jacket when I go out later.


Hope everyone has something good planned for the weekend even if it's just a rest:).

maddiemay

Black (skinny) jeans for me too today, purple fitted cashmere v neck sweater, black ankle boots and popped my cyclamen "Pineapple" short puffa type jacket on top to go into town. I tried a lovely grey/black stripe Lagenlook cardi on in a CS, but it was too big, so not joyful:(
Need to pack everything both personal and foodwise for what will probably be our last jaunt in the caravan for this year, clothes will be ultra casual outdoor stuff for sight seeing and keeping warm and dry, we tend to eat lunches out rather than dinner so nothing remotely smart will be required. Having said that, the finished selection will be matching/toning based on Grey (trouser colour) and lots of layers:D Being a chilly morsel I have a good selection of colourful long scarves and pashminas and find they give the plainest attire a lift and add flattering colours near face:D.

chanie

GGGrrrrr,

I just lost a long post and I can't be bothered to retype.

LL, rowan, Indie, maman and VJ'sMum - I did respond to you all, but its got lost. So Hello, I hope you are all well.

I've had a fab couple of days where I have really made the effort with my appearance and it feels nice to go out and not look a state. I'm really loving the body shop lip gloss I bought on Wednesday, as its a lovely colour. Speaking of colour, Mr C said he could see the henna in my hair - I can't as its really subtle.

I've had a bit of a kondo moment today, but it wasn't about throwing something away, it was about not buying something (well, I did, but its going back)....

When I was in Sainsburys this morning, I saw some jeans, which were about £13, with the 25% off. I bought them home and whilst they fit they are on the baggy side and I have a feeling they will get worse. They are a size 8 (I'm a 10 at the moment, so its vanity sizing at its worse!!!). I also noticed a couple loose thread. Whilst I was contemplating what to do, the phrase 'these don't bring me joy' popped into my head, so I've decided to take them back. This is the first time in ages where I've bought something that I'm taking back.

I know motivation was mentioned a couple of posts back and this is a good example. The reason I've kept up with the fabbing (kind of) is that I have really enjoyed it. I like choosing clothes, make up and skincare products that scream 'joy'. I guess, what I'm saying is that you shouldn't settle. Price doesn't come into it either - i'm currently wearing a Lidl nail varnish that I picked up at the checkout and I love the colour.