Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

cw18

I've been continuing with my routine morning and evening skin care routines (and daily squirts of scent) but struggling to do much else, which I've put down to not sleeping well for a couple of weeks. I didn't even manage to colour my hair before my birthday (last Friday) which I'd planned to do

But I've reset my alarms this week, and they're now going off at 8am instead of 7am. This seems to be working, as I'm waking naturally just before they go - much nicer than being woken by an alarm And I'm getting up pretty much straight away, instead of lingering in bed for up to an hour - which seems to have made me feel worse even though I was getting out of bed at much the same time as I am this week !!

So I'm currently sat with dye on my hair for the first time since last March/April

maman

maddiemay wrote: »

I am trying hard to fab from the inside out too, my health problems do need intervention, but I am giving my body the opportunity to try and heal itself too by eating extra well, gosh it is an expensive hobby though - lots of lean protein, fruit, veg, salad, nuts and so on. New batch of yogurt just put on and lots of yummy dried fruit simmering in OJ to eat with it for breakfast or snacks.

SW introduced a new 'fast track' programme this month that's basically focused on just lean protein and fruit and veg. One way to cut the cost and cut down on the meat/fish is to use pulses. So even something as simple as adding peas would count.

hex2 wrote: »

....rather than messing about with varnish when my hands are bad - neat and shiny nails now.

I often think that just the process of looking after yourself is good almost regardless of the products. I know I feel better after my hot wash cleanse and moisturise every morning even though I'm using Aldi and Superdrug products. Of course I love the smell of Clarins and others but taking the time out matters too and this is an mse thread.;):money:

missmoneysave wrote: »

Just discovered this thread and it is such a relief to know I'm not the only one who is tired and lacking in motivation. Been feeling down and just can't pin point why

Ironically, I write a beauty blog for fun and have lots of wonderful products just waiting to be used and enjoyed!

Welcome! I think many of us wear a sort of 'uniform' at home as it's practical but I certainly feel better when what I'm wearing is clean and smart. Last week I binned loads of old jeans so I'm forced to wear something a bit smarter. Do share your ideas for using up products.


ellsbel, I don't know if you're a list person but that might help you. I sometimes write things down or just make a mental list of jobs I intend to do. Seeing things ticked off is a good boost. I'm still admiring my beautifully neat food cupboards. Next task mugs and kitchen glasses.

silvasava

Oh Maman - I used to work with a girl whose mantra was 'Make a List, Make a List' We used to laugh but how right she was!
I've got a 'To Do' list that's laminated and its surprising how much gets completed when its in view & sort of 'nagging' at you I do get a nice sense of satisfaction when stuff gets crossed off & then wiped off at the end of the week to start again (with anything not completed moved to the top)

lessonlearned

Good afternoon lovely ladies. All I cansay is Brrrrrr, it's blimmin cold out there. We've had a few flurries of snow but nothing has settled yet. I think it might be on it's way, although it usually falls on the Penines andthe City tendsto remain clear.

I'm scheduled to have a go at Round 2 of clearing mum and dads house tomorrow but Because it sits above the snow line I may need to defer. Anyway no worries, I have plenty of food in the house so the weather can do its worst......

i went for my mammogram this morning, then the tip and then a quick whizz round Sainsburys. My back is twinging so Just going to have a rest for an hour or so now.

I bought some bargainous nice thick fluffy Egyptian cotton towels today from sainsbugs, they were selling the plum coloured ones half price - £6 for the large bath sheets, so I stocked up. I have been meaning to buy some extra towels for ages, some of ours have seen better days so I will weed them out and my sister can have them for the dogs and horses.

I also lashed out and treated myself to £1 bunch of daffs....
Last of the big spenders, me:rotfl:

Hex - thanks for the reminder about snacking on nuts and dried fruits, excellent idea to have a few with me in my bag for emergencies.

Hi Miss Moneysaver and welcome to the thread., don't worry you soon be feeling and looking good again.

My take on this is - of course we should take pride in our selves and we should do it JUST FOR US, because we ee aooooooo worth it.

However, I still think it's nice when we make an effort to please our partners too - and no I don't think it's old fashioned or sexist. Of course we don't glam up just to please our menfolk but even though they might not always say much I do think they notice when we make the effort just as we notiice how they look.

I could never describe myself as arm candy or a trophy wife but I know my OH used to enjoy showing me off to his friends and colleagues and he always complimented me whenever he thought I was looking particularly fetching....My dad ways likes it when "his girls" look good. even my sons have been known to Toss me the odd compliment.:rotfl:

I think you'll find that most men do notice and care how the women in their lives look, even though they might not always appear be paying attention.

One of the things that I find really nice is when Maman's lovely husband tells her how nice she looks and that he feels proud of her.

My darling OH was just the same.

Whilst I'm no oil painting I can scrub up well and when I really pushed the boat and went for full on glamour my OH used to just roar with delighted laughter, give an elaborate bow, pick me up and swirl me round before kissing my hand and then offering me his arm whikst he escorted me to the car like I was some precious China doll.

When the boys were little they used to jump up and down with excitement - of course when they were teens they would just squirm with embarrassment .......

The point is Fabbing is Fun, it makes us feel good and when we look and feel our best it somehow rubs off onto to our families and partners.

So go on - make your OH proud of you again, glam up and have some fun.......

It's nearly Valentine,s Day, time for some romance:rotfl:

It's nearly 6 months since my OH died - can you believe it.

February was always such a fun month for us. 4th Feb was our wedding Anniversay, 14th is Valenttines day of coursee and it was OH's birthday on 2nd March, so we always had a good time in February and early March.

Happy times. I shall of course take myself off to Costco near 4th Feb and treat myself to a huge bunch of His favourite deep red roses in his memory.

Happy fabbing......keep warm.

maman

Must give my DH an extra big hg when he gets home, he is a star!


I've had my nails done today. Gone for more of a dark red than maroon this time as I like to ring the changes. I also had them cut and shaped relatively short for me (used to have long talons) as it's a look I've grown to like.


Did a bit of shopping, mainly odd storecupboard things I like to get from other than Aldi and couldn't resist a bit of a nosey in a CS. Told myself I shouldn't as I'm supposed to be taking things to chazza shops not the other way round!


I bought a brand new, Jasper Conran (Debenhams) full, black cotton skirt. It's a replacement for the size 16 Dotty P one that I've had for years but is very versatile for dancing although it's now much too big. So I'm pleased with that and the DP one is in the CS bag ready to go.


I wavered over a grey, wool skirt too. That was Phase 8 and allegedly Dry Clean Only. It made me think there's only a fine line between classic and frumpy and this skirt was getting too close to frumpy for me. Phase 8 is a bit like that as is M&S and Laura Ashley. It's not easy!!!


Back soon.

greenbee

LL - hard boiled eggs are good to carry around as snacks, although it's a good idea to keep them in a plastic tub, not just let them float around in the bottom of your handbag

I've been for a ruinously expensive hair appointment today. It's one thing I budget for and will keep doing (when money is tight and I don't have many client-facing work commitments I tend to spread them out) as I've been going to the same person for years and she does a fantastic job. I leave her to it - she makes the decisions on colour and cut and I have never been disappointed. (It does make booking the appointments difficult when the regular receptionist is off because I don't know what I'm having done or how much time it takes - the regular one knows the score, I'm my hairdresser's chance to be creative and it takes as long as it takes...). So I've gone from a classic bob with asymmetric fringe in shades of dark copper to an asymmetric bob with an asymmetric fringe in a very rich, warm, dark chocolate brown with hidden sections of copper. I'm hoping people won't recognise me

It is important to do this for our partners/families too - because if we don't take care of ourselves it not only implies that we don't think we are worth it - it also implies that they're not worth making the effort for. They don't necessarily want us to change and look like models/celebs, but I'm pretty sure they appreciate us making the best of ourselves and feeling good about ourselves, and making an effort because we're proud to be seen with them and want to make them proud of us. If we choose to look like bag ladies (often my style of choice if left to myself) then that's a reflection on how we feel about the people we spend our time with too.

Rummer

Sorry, not read through all the posts yet, it is next on my list! Hugs and high fives to those that need them.

I have been quietly fabbing in the background and things are going well Everyday I have stuck to my skincare regime and I am managing a weekly pamper time to fit in all those essential wee body maintenance jobs

My healthy eating is getting there and I have Maman to thank for a lot of that I joined the slimming world thread and although I have taken a few tumbles off the wagon I am keeping mainly to the plan and the weight is gradually shifting. Also been exercising regularly and there is another fitness DVD heading my way to keep the routines fresh and interesting.

A slow cooker has made the world of difference to my healthy eating (thank you again Maman ) as I now come home to a meal that is ready to serve instead of having a round of hot buttered toast and biscuits to get me through the dinner making each evening . I would also like to get a juicer to add vegetable juices ( not high sugar fruit ones) into my diet as although I eat a lot of veg I can't seem to consume enough.

My other main fabbing focus is operation spotless nose :rotfl::rotfl:I have never suffered from spots in general however I have blocked pores on my nose that I have always struggled to shift so I have done loads of reading, stocked up on products and I am determined to remove or reduce them over the next few weeks.

Keep on fabbing

silvasava

Rummer - I used one of those strips over my nose a while ago. Not sure if I did it right but peel off??? More like take my face off - worked though! I shan't be doing it again in a hurry.

Rummer

I have the strips after someone, sorry can't remember who, on here recommended them. They are effective if uncomfortable to remove!

Unlike many of you I adore winter and feel far more fabulous at this time of the year than in summer. I love snuggly clothes and boots and spend more time pampering myself and relaxing during the dark evenings. Although summer is nice and you can get into the garden, I find it harder to dress for and I look better in more subtle lighting

tooties

Evening Fabbers,

I'm so glad to read everyone's fabbing news each day. It helps with the motivation.

I done my usual fabbing followed by house fabbing. I also had a small pile of paperwork to attend to.

Keep Fabbing

Regards