Frump to Fab 2016 - Lets make it AWESOME!!!

ScarlettMcCain

Thinking of you LL - I hope your dad is as comfortable as he can be. Sometimes these things just don't seem fair, do they? My friend had breast cancer last year (at 45), her sister had a stroke (at 50) and now they've learned that their mum (75) has cancer in her liver that has already spread to her bones. Their mum isn't in the best of health anyway as she had breast cancer and several small strokes, so like your dad, it's going to be a matter of managing the condition and keeping her as comfortable as possible rather than trying any chemo/ radiotherapy. They are having to look at hospice options though as she probably won't be able to continue at home much longer

Sending lots of hugs though, and please continue to post as often as you can, we all wish you well and hope that you can have a little 'me' time here and there to keep you going.

As for me, I'm still trying to find the motivation to eat healthily and start exercising again; over a year without a full night's sleep has finally caught up with me!! There's plenty of admin bits that I'd like to start 2017 without too (such as paying off my debt) but again, it's finding the time/ motivation to start. I also need to wrap loads of Christmas presents, I feel your pain on that one sugarbaby!!

indiepanda

Hello all, gosh it's been a busy couple of weeks and the next couple aren't going to be much better either so forgive me if I am not posting much.

LL and Greenbee, sorry to hear about your fathers, sending you big hugs x

I've been having a fab time as it's been mainly social stuff rather than long hours at work but not had that much time for fabbing, though I did manage a mini home facial yesterday and am off for a massage today and a facial at the salon on Monday. Next week I have three different work Christmas dos and a Christmas night out with my friends who live near me and the week after a friend's birthday meal and am going out to dinner with my gardener - unfortunately not as gossip worthy as it sounds, my gardener is a she. We've always had a good chat when she comes over to do stuff for me so we thought we'd go out and make a night of it.

Nice to make new friends anyway, have made a few this year and its always good to have friends to spend time with. I am not sure I really have time for a boyfriend right now - this time of year is so busy. And I kind of want some time to get my head straight about my lifestyle - harder to get into a healthy routine when dating. Not sure I will really do that well with improving the routine this side of Christmas though... containing the worst of the excesses by eating healthily on the days I am not out is about all I am hoping for!

I didn't find that many Black Friday / Cyber Monday bargains this year. Bought some Parks candles on an even better discount than usual via Achica and was a bit naughty and got another pair of Geox trainers. I lived in my Jaysen rose gold trainers in the summer, and then they had a 20% discount and I saw these bronze ones and I just couldn't resist. I know they are comfortable and they will look better with winter clothes than my rose gold ones which will go back to being my favourite in the summer.
http://www.geox.com/en/women/shoes/trainers/jaysen-bronze-and-gold-D645RB0TGNFC0709.html

I have got about half my Christmas shopping done and am going to try to get the rest of it sorted over the next week. Most can be done on line but I do need to get down to Ashford Outlet centre to buy a handbag for my aunt. I might get it over and done with and go tonight - I have a massage at 2 but could get down there for 4.30-5 ish and I would hope it will be a bit quieter in the evening - stays open until 9.

Plan to get my little Christmas tree up this weekend. I don't have much floor space so I just have a small artificial tree that I put on the hearth - I have an open fire but have never used it.

I splashed out and bought myself a new dining table and chairs a couple of weeks ago. I have had the same pine ones that I bought from the friend I bought my first house from eighteen years ago. To be honest, I have never really liked them. They didn't go with the oak dresser and bookcase I have in the room and the chairs were really uncomfortable - no cushions and though I bought those tie on ones they didn't really seem to help.

Anyway, it was yet another reason I had for eating mindlessly on my lap in front of the TV which is known to contribute to weight gain, so I treated myself to this:-
http://www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/category/3ft-dining-tables/
and this:
http://www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/furniture/lattice-back-natural-solid-oak-and-plain-beige-fabric-dining-chair/1000070.html
I say treated, but they are lovely quality and will probably last me till I die (could just get the fabric redone on the seats if they wear out.) So perhaps more of an investment than a treat.

I did treat myself to some new perfume at a Perfume Society event at my local perfumery the other week - unfortunately they only had one bottle and both my friend and I loved it so I said they could order mine in and I would collect as I lived closer. Must chase them up, it should be in by now.

Anyway, I had better shift myself, I've been awake since 7 and all I've done is read a book in bed, have breakfast and write this long post, not even made it out of my pajamas. Need to start getting organised and work out if I need to get anything other than that handbag when I go to the outlet centre.

One last thought before I go:

lessonlearned wrote: »

Ooh can I ask what make of soup maker...I have been think g about getting one. I know you can do soup in a slow cooker but I thought a Soup maker might be less faff.

If you like your soup blended to smooth then I think a soup maker would be worth investigating. I remember trying to make a soup which was meant to be smooth and having to get it from pan to blender and all the cleaning up afterwards was a complete faff. I haven't used mine enough yet, but I have made a lovely carrot and coriander soup a few times and mean to use more over the winter.

Have a fab weekend all x

chanie

indie I'm loving your new dinning table. I'll be interested to hear how you get on with your new ones. We want to replace ours when we decorate our dinning room (hopefully next year). Our set is third hand and very old fashioned.

On a positive note, our new sofas are being delivered next week, so I'm very excited. It feels like a lifetime ago when we decorated our living room but it has felt incomplete as we've been waiting for the sofas.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

I went to see Sister Act last night starring Alexander Burke at The New Wimbledon Theatre and I had the most enjoyable evening. :DThe seats at the theatre are really spacious and comfortable with lots of leg room, so that added to my pleasure.

Alexander Burke's performance was a Tour de Force. she was powerful and mesmerising. I could hardly take my eyes off her.:j As I was only in the 4th row from the stage, I could see the whites of her eyes and she could see the whites of mine when she was looking at me. The rest of the cast were also a revelation. They could really hold their own and were very talented. I honestly felt that every penny and pound I had spent on the ticket and online booking fees was really worth it.

It was a very cold evening so I only cared about staying warm. I wore a black pull on skirt, a black velour cowl neck sleeveless top and a black and white Kaliko v neck jumper, with black ankle socks and my black leather ankle boots. I wore silver jewellery with my stainless steel Ingersoll diamond watch. Lots of perfume, but no make up. I wore my long black leather jacket, black scarf, a black hat and black leather gloves.

I am still very chesty and congested and coughing despite flu medication, but I am taking it easy today, so that I can go to Karaoke tonight.

Ellsbel

Glad you enjoyed it, sugar, and hope you feel well enough to have a good time tonight.
Love the table and chairs, Indie
Chanie how lovely to have nice new sofas in time for Christmas:)
We put our Xmas decorations up yesterday and it feels lovely and cosy.
I've booked a hair appointment and will get a manicure done next week - hopefully my hair should still look ok on the day.

Sorry to go slightly off topic but have any of you lovely ladies been to Madrid?
I want to give a surprise Christmas gift to OH and our sons of a City break in the new year and wondered if this was a good choice - I'd be grateful for any input!
Have a good afternoon everyone- I'm having a lovely G&T - just the one! Whilst prepping veg for dinner and listening to Carols:)

Hope you're ok, LL.

maman

Glad you enjoyed Sister Act sugarbaby. I've seen the film and that was full of energy so a live production must have been excellent.


What sort of sofas are you having chanie? We ordered the headboard and it's coming on Tuesday and DH gave windows a first coat yesterday.


I've been to Madrid ellsbel and enjoyed it very much. We went one November and stayed just close to the Puerto del Sol just opposite one of the branches of El Corte Ingles (Spanish equivalent of John Lewis) which is a good place to go for a quick lunch or tea. I haven't been with teenagers so not sure what your boys would enjoy. We did galleries, museums and the Royal Palace. Unfortunately we didn't manage to fit in a stadium tour but we did go on an open top bus tour and pass the Bernabeu.

Ellsbel

Thanks maman - sounds perfect; if there's good food and drink to be had, galleries, shops and a stadium tour then that pretty much means there's something for all of us:)
The hotel I'm looking at is in the Puerto del Sol so it's good to know it's a good location - will go ahead and book it.

chanie

maman we have a three seater and single chair in brown leather. Our current ones were my Mums old sofas and were too big for our room.

ellsbell I've been to Madrid, but it was about 17 years ago, so I can't remember much about it. I hope you have a nice time, if you decide to go.

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies....

Lots of bright chatter on here, im loving all the chat about sofas, dinjng tables and bedroom fabbing.

Indie...dinner with gardeners!!!! ....I thought we were about to have a Lady Chatterly moment there.:rotfl:

Sugarbaby......hope the cough and chest improve soon, you are having a bit of a run at the moment. Glad you enjoyed Sister Act, I bet it makes a great live production. I think I'd be up on my feet and singing and dancing along.

Ellsbel. Madrid is fab. Just a word of warning - think about when you want to go. It is the highest capital city in Europe and therefore subject to extremes of weather. Baking hot in July and August......most of the Madrilenos try and escape to the coast in August. January and Feb can be very cold.

Talking of holidays. I have just paid the balance on the May cruise to the Baltic. On checking the Itinerary I was delighted to realise we are going to Berlin. I thought we were going to Amsterdam. As I've been there I'm dead chuffed to discover it's Berlin instead.

Had a lovely weekend. On Saturday DS2 and I went to a craft village and did some Christmas shopping. Yesterday DS1 and DIL took me out to lunch and then to see "Fantastic Beasts".

DS2s romance is still going strong......fingers crossed.

Some days Dad is quite bright and perky, then some days he dips, so a bit up and down. I meet his consultant and some of his medical team on Thursday so I'll know more then.

Other than that not much news.

I have been trialling some new "wonder creams" by Aldi. They are called "Expert Mimox X, they are in the red packaging. I'm very impressed.

I've tried the wrinkle smoother, pretty good and but it is the Serum which is seriously impressive. My skin feels better than it has done for a long time and looks "brighter".

I have a very sensitive skin and sometimes Aldi products are a bit too strong for my face. The wrinkle smoother is a bit "tingly" so I'm careful with that, using it once a day rather than the recommended twice daily. However, the serum really suits me. And at less than £5 it gets my vote.

The red bottle is identical to the Clarins serum bottle ........don't know how much that is. Probably a lot more than £5......

Very cold here today, going to wrap up warm and head off to the shops and a bit of a walk. Then cook a nice hearty pork casserole for tonight.

Can't find my address book......need to search for that otherwise I can't send any Christmas cards:rotfl:

pirateyqueen

Jaw op tomorrow, so won't be looking too fab in the coming weeks! I have had my eyebrows threaded in advance though, and have been using loads of moisturising products to try and get my skin through the dryness everyone has been telling me to expect.