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

chanie

Morning everyone,

I thought I'd pop in and say hello on a rather cold morning. Our office is pretty cold, so I'm wearing my fleece lined tights.

Maman I really need to focus more on my hair. Do you use accessories, or just style it?

Shandy sending you hugs.

Indie pleased to hear things are going well for you both.

maman

chanie wrote: »

Maman I really need to focus more on my hair. Do you use accessories, or just style it?

No accessories chanie, it's not really long enough for that. I've always envied people with 'wash and go' hair. I need to blow dry mine carefully, I use a mousse to give it some body and a hot brush to put in a bit of curve on the ends. As I like to let it dry off a bit naturally (to minimise drying effects of heat) then it takes quite a while of a morning.:(


I really ought to get out for a bit of a walk but procrastinating. Will report back later.;)

greenbee

maman - my hairdresser knows i'm lazy when it comes to styling my hair, so she cuts it accordingly. A good cut SHOULD just be wash and go (although it looks better if I blow dry it which takes about 3 minutes). If your football comments are an indication of where you live and you decide you want to try someone else PM me and I'll let you have her details. She's on maternity leave at the moment, and is generally pretty busy, but her colleagues are pretty good too (I coped before she came back for her KIT days!) - and not quite as expensive...

Go for a walk - we have frost and sun here. I think I've packed what I need, and just need to empty bins/wash up before my taxi gets here.

Rummer

Delighted to hear about how well you are all doing with your fabbing so far this year :j

I have been keeping up the healthy eating, beauty routine and have also managed to integrate exercise into my life over the last few weeks too. Now I need to make sure that I keep a good balance so that my fresh start continues.

Now I was going to seek the advice of those on here who go on beach holidays I can't remember the last time I went on such a break however I will be heading off in a few months for a fortnight in the sunshine and I am not certain what clothing to pack and in what amounts.

Travelling light is important so I am thinking a sensible capsule wardrobe but wondered what you would all take with you? At the moment I am starting from scratch so I don't need to worry about items matching with things I already own.

J_emptypurse

Rummer On holiday one of the most useful things I take is a nice white blouse, short or long sleeved - I wear it out for an evening, I wear it over the top of a sleeveless dress in the daytime to stop my shoulders burning or as a cover up if needed for entry to a church etc and I will use it as a cover up on my way from the beach/sunbed at the end of the holiday. Just try not to get suntan oil on it.:eek:

Maman I thought I might change my bob slightly as well - maybe try a centre parting instead of the side one with perhaps a bit heavier fringe. It shouldn't take anymore looking after. I will try to get an appointment this weekend.

No time for fabbing today really but made time for a swim and few minutes in the sauna. I will remember to put on plenty of hand cream before bed.;)

maman

Rummer wrote: »

Now I was going to seek the advice of those on here who go on beach holidays I can't remember the last time I went on such a break however I will be heading off in a few months for a fortnight in the sunshine and I am not certain what clothing to pack and in what amounts.

Travelling light is important so I am thinking a sensible capsule wardrobe but wondered what you would all take with you? At the moment I am starting from scratch so I don't need to worry about items matching with things I already own.

Good to see you posting rummer.:)


I have a beach holiday every year around June and temperatures are 30+. Travelling light is relatively easy as where I go I certainly don't need any heavy clothes or shoes and summer clothes don't weigh heavily. It's also quite a hilly resort so heels wouldn't be much use even for evenings. I do like to dress up a bit of an evening but it's still really hot so really dressy clothes would look OTT. I spend a big chunk of every day in a bikini either at the beach club or by the pool so clothes aren't worn for huge amounts of time so I wear them several times during the holiday and just hang them out to air a bit in between. You could rinse things through as well if you felt it necessary but I tend only to do that with my nightie and swimming stuff.


I find I need three lots of clothes:

• things for wearing to the beach/pool and off the beach for lunch. I'm not a huge fan of shorts so this is usually short dresses over my bikini.
• things for going sightseeing or to markets during the day. Here I wear slightly longer skirts with tops or dresses. I have worn cropped trousers but sometimes too hot for those.
• evenings I wear mostly maxi dresses or occasionally a shorter sleeveless dress. Last year I noticed people wearing loose trousers and if they're still around this year I'll buy some.

I do keep a list from year to year and add things I wish I'd taken/cross of things that didn't get used. I'll dig it out and let you know what I've missed.


How exciting. Were are you going? (inserts nosy smiley)

chanie

Hi fabbers,

I'm working from home today, so after dropping the children off to school/nursery, I'm back at home in my PJ's, working away.

Rummer I pack quite lightly for my holidays, otherwise we'll come back to a mountain of clothes to wash and put away. Me and OH share suitcases with the children and they need more stuff than we do.

I have a similar approach as maman in terms of what I pack.
Pool wear
I spend most of my days by the pool on holiday, so I think 2-3 should be fine. Last holiday, I had one tankini for a week and it was fine.
I also have a couple of beach cover ups for walking to/from the pool, going to lunch, popping to the bar for a drink etc. Again, 2-3 are fine if you are by the pool a lot.

Day trips
I take a couple of vest tops and cotton shorts (some above the knee and some below) which I wear on day trips. They mix and match. I take about 3 days worth, but then we are by the pool most days anyway. I also wear these items at night too.

Evenings
I normally wear dresses in the evenings and will wear the same outfit more than once as I'll only be in it for a couple of hours in the evening.

Shoes
I tend to take about 3 pairs of shoes - the ones I travel in (trainers), flip flop for the pool and sandals for the evening.

I have a 'make do' approach on holiday and try to take the least amount possible.

lessonlearned

Good afternoon lovely ladies

So much positivity on here and lots of lovely chat and advice......

Shandy - sorry to hear about your Granny. She sounds lovely. I think being an ex ballerina was probably the key to her elegance. I've noticed that dancers and ex dancers always seem very poised and elegant. I think a lot of it is down to their excellent posture....there was an interesting article about posture in the Daily Mail yesterday.

Indie - how lovely to hear about your romance. Soppy is good!!! I was also interested to hear about your perfume course. It sounds like something I would enjoy. I used to live in Winchombe which is not far from Broadway, a beautiful part of the country. I was shocked to see how much my old house recently sold for........I should have kept it!!!!

Speaking of houses, I've put an offer in for an apartment. I should know more by Friday so will fill you in then. (If I get it). Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the advice re SAD lights. I definitely think that would be a good thing for me to try next winter. I feel much brighter today because the sun is shining, very cold but that doesn't bother me, it's the dark overcast "nothing" days which get to me.

Having said that my tummy is still bothering me - Its been dragging on for a while now so I have made an appt with the doctor for next week. I know campylobacter does take a while (if that is really what it is) but it has been 4 weeks now and I still feel quite poorly some days. I think I've given it long enough.

I don't feel like doing much but I did manage to go to the cinema on Monday. I went to see the "Danish Girl". It was wonderful, very moving. I hadn't realised it was a true story and I have to say Eddie Redmayne makes a very beautiful and elegant lady.......

It was one of those quietly haunting films that make you really stop and think. I won't spoil it for you by telling you more. The cinematography was beautiful and the costume dept excelled themselves.

Re beach holiday packing. I often think it's easier to pack for 2 weeks in the sun than it is for a weekend in the UK where you can have 4 seasons weather all in one day. At least when you go somewhere hot you know what you are going to get and of course summer clothes are much lighter. I do usually take a light waterproof jacket and a fold up umbrella though. When in rains in places like the med it rains!!

I usually take a few clothes pegs and a bit of string for a makeshift washing line, although some places do have lines. On the cruise the shower cubicle had one of those pull out extending washing lines which was really useful. I always used to take a small bottle of hand wash stuff, although of course air lines are much stricter about liquids now.

Depending on where you are going it's often better to buy shampoos etc at the resort. Sometimes it costs a bit more but not always and it does save weight - very important if you are travelling by airlines with low weight allowances.

Actually there was an interesting segment on a programme I watched the other day - sorry can't remember the programme but one of these consumer type things. Anyway they did a comparison shop in France with identical products, cosmetics, perfume, toiletries etc and France was significantly cheaper. I often found things much cheaper in Spain. Shops like Mango and Zara are of course Spanish companies and they are much cheaper there than here. And of course who can resist Mediterranean markets, not just for foodstuffs but leather goods are usually fab, shoes, bags, gloves etc.

Maman - I usually try and take loose cotton trousers. I don't wear shorts except on the beach so usually go for Capri pants or cut offs and I love silky palazzo style wide legged trousers for evenings. They can look quite dressy with a nice top, a tan and a bit of bling.;)

Greenbe - hope the trip goes well.

maman

Good to see you LL. Is this another riverside apartment? (we really do need a nosy smiley;)).


rummer, I think it might be worth looking at the average temperatures where you're planning to go. We go back to meet up with friends at the same Turkish resort and I know it's going to be baking hot so I don't need cardis or jackets. I don't own a kaftan/beach cover up as I've failed to find one I like that isn't very synthetic so scratchy and sticky. Even tight fitting tops are uncomfortable.


I wear jeans, a tee shirt, a cardi and a pashmina/scarf on the journey out and those are all the 'cold' clothes I have with me. Trainers/supportive shoes are a good idea in case you want to do any walking or sightseeing on uneven ground.


I take all my own toiletries as I'm fussy about what I use but I try not to take brand new ones and as I'm away for two weeks+ a lot gets used up. You'll need a good beach bag, preferably one that isn't heavy before you put anything in it. Wipes are very useful and Aldi is good for sun cream. As I've been to Turkey before I have one of their pestemal towels which is great for the beach/pool and not bulky or heavy.


I'm off out with friends tonight for a meeting then a meal. Dressed to keep warm though: Jeans, my new red boots, thermal vest and a new Max Mara purple sweater. I bought the jumper in TKMaxx, it's lovely and soft and has a shaped hem. First time wearing it as it's been too warm before Christmas. Will wear scarf and either parka or quilted coat when I go out.


Thanks for offer of hair salon greenbee, I'll send a pm.:)

chanie

I have this beach bag
http://www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/product/navy-mesh-beach-bag-4237442

I don't like material beach bags as sand can make them mucky, so I tend to go for waterproof ones like plastic. This beach bag isn't beautiful, but it's very practical.