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

maman

Ellsbel wrote: »

What a lovely idea to have coffee in such nice surroundings, maman
Your outfit sounds lovely and very festive too.
I've got a hair appointment tomorrow and will get my nails done on Friday - I'm going to make sure I've finished wrapping by then so as not to damage them
This evening I'll be writing the rest of my cards - I want to be all done with Christmas shopping, pressie buying and wrapping by the weekend.

SNAP! I finished my cards this afternoon.:D


https://www.exclusive.co.uk/lainston-house/restaurants-bars/

Ellsbel

maman wrote: »

SNAP! I finished my cards this afternoon.:D


https://www.exclusive.co.uk/lainston-house/restaurants-bars/

Mine are all done now - I just need to make sure I take them with me when I go out so that I get them posted!
Those look like absolutely perfect surroundings on a Winters day; you'd never get me out of there!:D

chanie

I'm feeling rather disorganised at the moment and I haven't written any cards!!!






I really wanted to focus on doing more crafts in 2016, but other than making a couple of scarves, I haven't done much else. One of my other areas of interest was learning to bake and I've baked 15 cakes this year, which is pretty good considering I don't really know what I'm doing.
Every year, I want to attempt to make an Xmas wreath for our front door and every year, I forget until its too late. As I haven't done one before, it would be far too stressful to attempt to make one now, so I'm going to put a note in my 2017 diary to start planning for the beginning of December. I also want to make an Xmas pudding. Even though I'm the only one who eats them, I would like to try and make one.

Floss

I've finished my cards - only took 2 weeks to write 27!

No Christmas cake for us, I've got a pud from last year nicely matured and we're away visiting family from 23-27 December so no dinner to buy for

maman

Good idea to plan ahead chanie. I always buy a wreath but tart it up with my own tartan ribbon to individualise it.


Cards done (also need to post them today) next DH has to get the decorations down from the loft then I can start putting them up at my leisure. Also need to go and buy a tree. I've seen some in The Range so may get DH to come and look with me.


What sort of scarves did you make chanie? Last week I saw a scarf in the newspaper that I really liked but the price was ridiculous.


http://www.avenue32.com/uk/multi-knitted-chevron-stripe-scarf/SON00116030327.html?dwvar_SON00116030327_color=167&cgid=39#start=3


I get so much pleasure from my pink/black/purple striped scarf that I thought I might try copying this one and going for similar shades so I have a scarf that goes well with blues/browns/greens. I'll need to see what I can get in the way of wool.


Tonight we've been invited to a preview at a new theatre that's opening in the city centre. Not a show just telling us how they plan to use the space. As we'll be in town DH has suggested we have a drink and something to eat. I think DH fancies a Caribbean bar/restaurant so casual will be fine. I'll probably wear my new black jeans with a nice jumper and ankle boots. The forecast is dry and mild so my short black jacket (and stripey scarf!:D) should be fine. Ironically I bought the scarf two years ago in John Lewis when I was supposed to be buying gifts for other people!


Have a good day all.:xmassmile

chanie

Maman its this style, but silver:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/214655191/vintage-crochet-ruffle-scarf-sashay-boho




I really liked the scarf if your post, but not enough to pay £180 for it.






My SIL bought me an infinity scarf for Xmas a few years ago, but its rather itchy (cheap wool, I guess). I've taken more of an interest in the materials my clothes have been made of in recent years and try and stick to garments with high natural fibres, so Im quite conscious of man made fibres and I can certainly tell with the scarf. Its a shame, as its a nice scarf, but I can feel it scratching when I wear it. Maybe I'll attempt to knit one, at some point.

chanie

I was really affected by the Southern Railway strike today. I totally forgot about it and when I got to the train station it was shut. Luckily, we are about 4 miles from a Tube station, by it takes about an hour on the bus due to traffic. I left work early today and it took me two hours to get home. A colleague told me it took her 3 hours on Tuesday. Whilst I respect workers right to strike, I'm getting fed up as the disruption has been going on since before the summer.

I wore a new tunic top today with jeggings. The top was from Lidl and cost £3, which is brilliant considering its cotton. I desperately need new work clothes, but begrudge spending money on stuff for. All of my spending goes on out of work clothes!!!

Ellsbel

What a bargain the top was chanie:)Brilliant!
I love scarves and have lots of them; my very favourite is a really long, cream coloured cable knit one with woollen Pom-poms on the ends; it's so cosy and warm.
I'm feeling absolutely shattered this morning! I think I've run out of steam:rotfl: I'm pretty much done in terms of Christmas prepping but the housework and laundry seem to be non stop - as fast as it's done, it needs doing again!
So not a great deal of time for fabbing at the moment but my hair has been done and is looking fresh and healthy, and nails will be looking much better tomorrow afternoon.
Off for a shower in a bit and then a bit of shopping before tackling some ironing - I know how to live

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies.

I do hope that my "tick tock" post didn't come over as being all whingey and feeling sorry for myself. I was just reflecting a bit on what is, what has been and what must be......I guess it's a combination of thinking about dad and what is to come, and remembering my husband and my mum.

I also think the closing of the year has also made me a bit reflective so I guess I was just doing a bit of "mental stocktaking"

I too have started thinking about 2017 and my intentions. I havent made any firm resolutions yet but I was thinking that I am going to take undertake a "12 step programme":rotfl: I am going to divide my goals into something that can be measured.

For example instead of a vague "improve finances" then January will be Money Makeover Month. That kind of thing. So each month will have a clearly defined plan of action....Well that's the theory.

Reviewing the past year.

1. Well I think I have done quite well. MY son got married which was lovely, and we had a fab time in Barcelona.

2. I have now fully embraced paleo and have sorted out my GERD and IBS, I no longer need any medication and I have felt better in that department than I have in years.

3. I haven't lost much weight but I have lost inches.

4. My blood sugar levels are improving.

5. My posture is much better, still some muscle pain but steadily improving and becoming more flexible.

The only real fly in the ointment this year was the car crash which did set me back by several months. I still have some issues with whiplash
So haven't been able to join a gym yet. But the regular Physio sessions are helping and I have got back j to the habit of daily stretching and a bit of yoga.

Going to split this post.....back In a moment.

lessonlearned

This Christmas will be my third Christmas as a widow and I have to say it's getting easier. For the last two years I couldn't even write a Christmas card but this year I managed it.

I mislaid my address book. Luckily I have most of the numbers I needed in my mobile. So I rang everyone up for their addresses. I have had some lovely chats and several invitations for weekends away next year.

I shall definitely be taking up those kind offers....so in 2017 it will be a case of have rail card will travel.....which reminds me Chaney sorry to hear you are struggling with the rail strikes.

Anyway it was lovely to catch up with people. I have been very remiss in not keeping in touch with friends but I guess I just wasn't ready. Grief affects people differently, for me it was a need to cocoon myself and retreat away from the world but I do feel that I am now ready to start rebuilding my life.

No I won't be dating!!!! :rotfl: although never say never.:D

I was heartened this week to hear that one of my friends who was widowed 6 years ago has just starting seeing a man. She is nervous but her family think he's perfect for her and are telling her to just go for it. I can understand her reticence. ....I think I would be terrified.

Are we up for a new thread next year..........

will you continue with me on my journey to fabdom.....

I am so ready......:rotfl:

Right I'm off out to run a few errands, Sainsbobs, the library and the garden centre.

Cards all done, made a start on wrapping the presents. Tree and decorations still to go. I too would like to get everything finished this weekend.

Have a great day.

Xx