Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maman

lollyfin wrote: »

I've also realised that from my tiny wardrobe I still only wear a few things but there are some that I think would be lovely if I altered them, I cannot sew :rotfl: but I'm wondering if I could teach myself or maybe even find a class in the new year. I'm very excited about this and think it comes under the heading of fabbing myself, learning a new skill and making my things gorgeous

Definitely counts as fabbing. I posted only the other day how restful I found doing a bit of sewing, running repairs on the waistband of the skirt I wore on Saturday. I started making the cushion for the dining room easy chair yesterday. Only got as far as cutting it out and the bias strips for piping. I'm making one like this
http://www.johnlewis.com/orla-kiely-linear-stem-cushion-multi/p231682338?navAction=jump


but with orange piping. We recovered the dining chairs, two each in the pale blue, orange and green to pick up the theme.
I'd love to get on with it today BUT....


I suspect DH will buy tree and get decs out so I'll have to start that. And I've got a dental appointment and ironing to do:(

lessonlearned

How interesting reading all your stories about Internet dating. TBH it's something that has never crossed my mind, I don't know if I would have the courage......

Indie - I shall be awaiting your next instalment with bated breath......

the good news - only put 2lb on over the holiday. I am well chuffed, thought it would be more than that.

The bad news - just been checking my finances. Ouch, ouch, ouch. :rotfl:

Oh well there's no pockets in shrouds........

However, I'm going to have to pull in my horns next year. The new year will see me on a strict economy drive, plus I need to dream up some money making schemes.

Trading, antiques, car boots. A good excuse for a serious declutter. I can hardly believe how much stuff I have accumulated again. Clutter seems to breed like rabbits in this house.

Anyhoo - had a bit of a sort out yesterday, bedroom is a bit better but I have way too much stuff. I got all my toiletries together, don't think I need buy any for quite some time. Put all my summer stuff away in a big ottoman at the bottom of the bed. I'll hang onto it for a while but am hoping my clothes will be too big next year.......:rotfl:

Have filled a bag for the Chazzer with unwanted clothes, books etc, will drop those off in passing.

I am definitely going to streamline my wardrobe next year, I don't know if I could manage Project 33 but I am definitely going to be more selective with what I buy.

I am now fully on board with my white hair and have stopped dithering and wondering about having it coloured. It's pointless, colour won't take unless I go for permanent and even then it would only last a couple of weeks so the upkeep would be horrendously expensive.

Time to fully embrace my inner "silver fox" and make the best of it. I discussed it with one of my new found friends on the cruise who just so happens to be ruthlessly honest......lol. She would give me a frank appraisal on the colours I wore each day. Between us I think we got it sussed so I am clearer which Colours to go for now.

[Deleted User]

Hello all :hello:
lessonlearned I hope you don't mind me joining in? I'm not able to post often but I love the chat on here and I love getting ideas It sounds like you had an amazing holiday :j
I've just given up on my grey hair - I'd been dyeing it for years and it was becoming a faff so I grew out the dye to see what colour my hair really is!
Turns out it was very grey, and actually quite aging - maybe because I don't wear make-up so I looked quite washed-out? People were speaking to me differently in shops :eek: - you know, slowly and carefully :rotfl:
Anyway I've dyed it mid brown and OH says I look 10 years younger ( he hated the grey) so my 9-month experiment is over. At least I tried.
On other fabbing news, I'm wearing decent jeans to work instead of scruffy ones - it's necessary to wear jeans in my job but they don't need to be scruffy do they! And a squirt of perfume every day.
Indie I admire your bravery and I hope all goes well :T

chanie

indie I work with lots of men and women who are just nice people looking for relationships, so I know there are nice people out there. I hope this guy is one of them!!!!

lolly your post about learning a new craft is something I've been thinking about myself. I came across a cake making class and its something I'm seriously considering. I have made the occasional cake, but I don't really know what I'm doing, so this class could give me some confidence.

maman you are such a talented lady.

ll you have so many skills, so I have no doubt you will find something to bring the money in.

lollyfin

Chanie cake making is wonderful I absolutely love it. I used to run my own teeny tiny business from home making cakes and tray bakes and selling them at local markets it was great fun and most of the people you meet are lovely, I really miss it but unfortunately I got pleurisy 3 times in 6 months and had to stop. But if you ever need a recipe just give me a shout and a little tip if you want to make fondant figures and embellished cakes practise with play doh �� it doesn't go off and has a similar consistency.

indiepanda

chanie wrote: »

indie I work with lots of men and women who are just nice people looking for relationships, so I know there are nice people out there. I hope this guy is one of them!!!!

Fingers crossed. He's already talking about a possible second date - he can get us complementary tickets next week for a musical he's due to be working on the recording of soon.

Ellsbel

**Indie** do keep us posted - the date sounds really promising; reading all the chat about Internet dating reminds me of one of my favourite feel good movies: You've Got Mail - bit dated, but always makes me smile:)
**LL** I think silver hair a la Judi Dench can be very flattering with the right make up and colours - bet you look great!
**Maman** I'm glad my prodding worked - unfortunately though I've still not posted my own cards!!:D doing that today as well as wrapping,ironing and errands - still not feeling remotely Christmassy though!

Back on hair colour - Finally had mine done yesterday - and absolutely hate it! For months I've been wanting to ditch the highlights and go for a rich brown and caramel - the colour I've ended up with looks nothing like! It's more of a flat brown bordering on chestnut and I don't think it suits me - plus my sons both gave less than favourable reactions which hasn't helped how I feel about it! (OH hasn't seen it yet as I went out before he was home last night and he was in bed when I got back)
Nothing I can do now till after Christmas so I'm stuck with it for now.
Went to a small concert last night featuring the lead singer of a band I loved back in the eighties - was just him and a guitar and he was brilliant; my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Day off today so need to crack on as I'm so behind with everything - have a good day everyone x

maman

I am managing to get through things for Christmas but not at the pace I'd hoped. All cards are now sent. The cushion's still not made but I have decided to sort of cheat a bit. Having posted the link to the ready made one I showed it to DH and we decided that the unpiped version looked a bit more modern. So if it's good enough for John Lewis then it's good enough for me!


We've now bought a tree so that's available for decorating. I'm working in the morning but DH will put it in it's pot then I can decorate tomorrow and Friday.


Not sure what you mean about your hair ellsbel. Is it an all over brown colour or have you had caramel/brown block colour? What I do is have caramel highlights mixed with the blonde ones and that works well. Hopefully yours is semi permanent and it'll wash away soon.


I've been out for coffee at a lovely country hotel this morning. A friend and I always go there pre-Christmas. It's a lovely setting and beautifully decorated. I wore my dark green blouse as it's quite a festive colour with smart black jeans.


Friday I'm having my hair done (cut and highlights). Using DD1's hairdresser (same salon, different stylist) as mine has gone AWOL. Then in the evening we're going to an Abba tribute concert so I'll get another wear out of my jumpsuit!


Back Soon:).

chanie

lollyfin wrote: »

if you ever need a recipe just give me a shout .

That's so kind of you - I may take you up on your offer, but I pay PM you so I don't clog up this thread.

Maman Abba sounds like fun.

Ellsbell I hope you had a nice day off.

Its my works Xmas do tomorrow and I'm not sure what i'm going to wear, as I still have my killer commute to deal with.

On a more positive note, I have hit pan on both my blusher and pressed powder. I don't know about you, but there is something quite satisfying about hitting the bottom of your make up, even if its just in one small place as it means that it is being well used!!!

chanie

Morning fabbers,

We are having our works Xmas lunch today so everyone in the office has made the effort.

I'm wearing the top I got for my birthday. I do really like it, but as its silk, its easily marked, so only wear it when I don't have the children by myself. I'm also wearing my black jeans (which I want to re-dye so they are jet black). I should have worn some jewellery, which is something I always forget to do.