Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

indiepanda

sofarbehind wrote: »

Indie you deserve better than an idiot who can't be bothered to check if you're ok. It's good to find out early that someone wouldn't be a good partner so if he does get back in touch make sure you don't see him again. You're doing really well post break up but the odd wobble is to be expected. Take care of yourself.

Thank you

Ellsbel

Very grey and wet here. Back inside for the day now so will throw some washing in in a bit and spend an hour or so wrapping cards.
I've also got cards to write that must be done today...very behind this year.
Finally booked my hair appointment for this week - long, long overdue. Haven't really met many of my goals fab-wise this year, I'm afraid but I have worn perfume most days and it's always lovely to read about everyone's fabby-ness.
OH keeps asking what I'd like for Christmas - I didn't really know but I think I might book in a few facial treatments and ask him to treat me to those - feel a bit "saggy" in the face lately!
The cruise sounds great **LL** so nice to read about it, and lovely that you've come back feeling so upbeat:)
Have a lovely day everyone x

maman

Ellsbel wrote: »

I've also got cards to write that must be done today...very behind this year.

OH keeps asking what I'd like for Christmas - I didn't really know but I think I might book in a few facial treatments and ask him to treat me to those

You've pricked at my conscience ellsbel. I, too, have cards to write.:o Thank to you, it will be done today!!


Great idea to have experiences as a gift, much better than 'stuff'. DH and I don't bother with gifts any more at Christmas but for birthdays we try to go for experiences like a short holiday or special day out.


I went to a Christmas dance last night and felt suitable fab in my silky, pleated skirt and also very mse in that it's years old but with a few running repairs on waistband (i.e. taking it in!!:D) it could have been this year's model.

indiepanda

Good morning all, hope you had a fab weekend.

I am not much of a one for believing in fate... but am now thinking if my trip the other weekend put my date off, it was rather lucky.

I got chatting to a guy on the internet dating site yesterday who contacted me first (which is always nice) and he seems lovely. Right kind of age (little bit older than me for a change, I often seem to date younger guys), shares a lot of my interests, witty, looking for love not just sex. The conversation (via IM) just flowed for hours and hours.

He lives outside London which on the face of it isn't ideal, but in a part of Kent which is quicker for me to drive to than it is to get to some places in London, and he generally works in London (freelance recording engineer) so we can easily meet up after work during the week. Knows my part of town too as grew up nearby.

We're meeting up on Thursday to go to dinner and to the cinema - going to the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill, which I've not been to before but have wanted to go to for ages.

Fingers crossed there's a spark in person, anyway he looks cute in his photos and I can't see us struggling to find something to talk about.

Perhaps best not to put my high heels on for this date though!

chanie

Indie that sounds really positive. I hope your date goes well.

lessonlearned

Good luck with the date Indie, kudos to you for bring such an eternal optimist. Mr Right is out there somewhere.;)

There were several nice men on the cruise (and a fair few no hopers:rotfl: ) but I'm afraid I'm just not interested at present - never say never, and all that.

Had a fab time at Chatsworth, the house was beautiful - I got lots of ideas. The weather was a bit disappointing, dark and murky so we didn't bother with the gardens and visibility was poor so even the drive up there wasn't as good as usual. However, DIL loved it, just as I suspected and she is already making plans to take her family in MAy when they come over for the wedding.

Went to the farm shop and bought some venison, pheasant, some posh spices and jams, and thought I'd try a bottle of Mead.

I was thinking of splashing out for Natty Trust membership next year and I ve decided that it might be worth becoming a "friend of ChAtsworth" too. Theres so much to do at Chatsworth and they have lots of different activities and themes throughout the year so I'm sure I'll get my money's worth.

Other than Barcelona I don't think I'll be doing another long holiday next year - certainly not 33 day cruises......:rotfl: but I definitely intend to get out and about a lot more.

I'm thinking About a few city breaks, visiting friends (I've had loads of invites) spa days, historic houses, etc.

Definitely time to start living again.

Speaking of historic houses - my DS1 showed me his handiwork on his house whilst I have been away. He and his girl have been working like demons and the house is really beginning to take shape. I can definitely see her influence - she has a real "woman's touch" and a great eye for colour and detail. They have painted the bedroom a dark teal colour. It sounds too much but is a huge room, about 25ft X 14 ft so it can take strong colour. It looks stunning with the dark oak floorboards and their new mahogany bedroom furniture.

I had been telling him to be bold with colour but he was nervous but obviously DIL agrees with me. DS1 hadn't been to Chatsworth since he was little and he was fascinated by the colour choices and style of decorating. He turned to me and said I see what you mean now about big rooms and historic houses needing colour.

I had to smile when DS1 was showing me their new bed. He said, in all innocence, it's a bit like Santas sleigh, I said yes, it's called a sleigh bed. He thought I was joking at first........bless him.

Anyway this morning I went to Physio, just having a little rest now then going to do some tidying and sorting - my bedroom is a tip - and cook a nice dinner. Need to do a freezer and cupboard inventory.

Speaking of decorating, need to drag the Christmas decorations out and make a start tomorrow.

Next time I think I will have a big holiday in January or February rather than November/December - getting ready for Christmas is going to be a bit of a rush.....

chanie

LL Chatsworth House sounds lovely. I have English Heritage membership, which I get through work. I've only been to a couple of properties, but I really want to use it more next year with the children. I do think membership to either the NT or EH is really good value for what it is.

THis is my last week in the office before Christmas and I'm really looking forward to having a couple of weeks off.

Yesterday, I popped to the shops to pick up some Xmas presents and whilst I didn't look brilliant, I was presentable and it felt good knowing that I wouldn't had to run and hide if I bumped into anybody I knew!!!! My mum asked me if the boots I was wearing were the ones she bought me last Xmas as they looked really good. I said that I only really wore them at weekends, to keep them in good condition. I've really noticed the benefit of looking after my nice items and keeping them in good condition. It does mean that I look a bit of state for work though!!!!! I have a bit of a rough commute which involves rush hour trains and a 1-2 mile walk each way, so my shoes and coats are functional not fashionable!!!

indiepanda

Thanks LL and Chanie.

There are a lot of no hopers on the internet dating scene, I think you have to be something of an optimist to keep going. I have the outlook I only need to find one decent one in among all the idiots and try not to let the idiots put me off. I think this guy might just be that decent one...

Good thing I will be busy at work and have nights out tomorrow and Wednesday for work or I'll spend all my time over-thinking it before Thursday night.

Lovely to hear about all your positive plans for the future LL. Am a big fan of getting out and about, I love to explore new places (especially of historic interest) and visit friends out of town. Must be a year since my last spa visit which probably means I am about due.

I had a nice massage this afternoon - was so stiff down the left hand side after my fall the other weekend. Had to leave my knee out of it, far too bruised to be massaged, just put a touch of arnica on it. Off to yoga later, expect will spend half the class just lying on my back when they are doing something on their knees, but it's still good for me to go and relax.

maman

I'd like to add my good wished too indie. I hope you have a great time. I understand what you said about not wearing heels;) but only the other week I posted that people just don't dress up much for the theatre let alone the cinema. I think this is especially true of London where lots of tourists have spent the day shopping or sightseeing first so just turn up as they are. Smart casual is definitely the way to go plus you maybe don't know how tall he is or whether you'll have a bit of a walk. I think I'd definitely go for boots or flats.


I think you'd definitely get your moneysworth from NT membership LL. You've got some fantastic properties very near to you and visiting the gardens can be very restful at all times of the year not just the houses in season. Then there are other properties when you're round an about the countryside. We visited The Georgian House when we were in Edinburgh (next door to the First Minister's official residence) as there's a reciprocal arrangement with NT Scotland.


I'm not very organised with Christmas either and I haven't been gallivanting for the past month!:rotfl:Thanks to a prod from ellsbel I've now done all my cards and they're posted. I'm gradually buying bits and bobs of festive food (note buying not making as all I do is a few mince pies as DH likes HM). DH is getting the decs from the loft tomorrow so they'll go up in the next couple of days. Little personal fabbing going on but I'm out on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday so will transform myself then!:D

indiepanda

maman wrote: »

I'd like to add my good wished too indie. I hope you have a great time. I understand what you said about not wearing heels;) but only the other week I posted that people just don't dress up much for the theatre let alone the cinema. I think this is especially true of London where lots of tourists have spent the day shopping or sightseeing first so just turn up as they are. Smart casual is definitely the way to go plus you maybe don't know how tall he is or whether you'll have a bit of a walk. I think I'd definitely go for boots or flats.

Yes, I was even wondering about taking jeans and a nice top or jumper to work with me to change into rather than going out in my work clothes (usually a smartish jersey dress).

The photos on his website show him mainly in jeans and casual tops and I don't want to be overdressed or having to worry about my skirt riding up my legs while I sit next to him at the cinema.

I think he is taller than me from what he said, but I don't think so tall I need to wear stilts to have a chance of a good night kiss if all goes well!