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

ScarlettMcCain

Well, I haven't posted for ages but tonight the babies have finally gone to bed at a decent time - my twin boys are now 4 months old, doesn't time fly! I do read all the posts with great interest, just haven't had time to reply.

LL, your wedding outfit looks lovely; I agree that a splash of colour would be great too. Maybe an 'old gold' would work well too?

Maman, I think it was you who advocated Slimming World? After years of being a dedicated Weight Watcher I'm going to give it a go, 2 stones to lose and I don't like the new WW Smart Points system. I have a few friends who are very enthusiastic about SW, may as well join them!

Other than that, we're plodding along trying to tidy up the house, and I'm working out how much money I'll have once my maternity pay stops and my DMP still needs to be paid - not much, is the answer! I know they will adjust it accordingly but I will still be skint

We've also been doing lots of de-cluttering, lots went to charity recently, and I fear there will be more to do once we finally tackle the loft…..

Hope everyone is well and keeping up with the tabbing!!

ScarlettMcCain

If anyone knows of anywhere you can get cheap plastic storage boxes (for my loft plans!) that would be really helpful - I think I just missed Wilkos having a sale on them!

maman

Rubyslippers77 wrote: »

If anyone knows of anywhere you can get cheap plastic storage boxes (for my loft plans!) that would be really helpful - I think I just missed Wilkos having a sale on them!

If you've got an Ikea near you they're worth a look.


You're right it is me that's a SW convert. If you look at their website there's a 7 day sample menu to get you started. 2 stone shouldn't be too difficult to manage and it's all 'normal' food so the whole family can eat it which saves a lot of work. Good Luck.

chanie

Rubyslippers77 wrote: »

If anyone knows of anywhere you can get cheap plastic storage boxes (for my loft plans!) that would be really helpful - I think I just missed Wilkos having a sale on them!

IKEA
Home Bargains
Matalan
Pound Stretcher


They are often found in independent homeware stores (the ones that seems to be a step up from poundshops).


My local ALDI recently had some in, although that's always a bit hit and miss.

Ellsbel

Morning:)
I opened a jar of body lotion today that I'd been keeping until I've used up some others. It's one I'd normally keep for special rather than daily use, and I've already got a few other lotions on the go, but I fancied a change, and a bit of indulgence. Well, if I do say so myself - I smell gorgeous!:rotfl::rotfl: - it's really given me a lift - funny how little things like a new moisturiser can put a smile on your face isn't it?:)
Just having a cuppa and putting groceries away before going for a walk then tackling the ironing - I was very productive with the kondoing yesterday so will try to do a bit more today.
Have a good day all x

lessonlearned

Dunhelm also do plastic storage boxes and crates.

A lot of stores have offers on storage solutions this time of the year as part of their "Spring Cleaning" sales drive.

Lost 1.2 lbs this week......still not quite back to my start point before I put weight back on but hey it's a step in the right direction.

Showed DIL my wedding outfits yesterday and she is happy with them and likes them so that's the main thing. The last thing I wanted was to clash with her mums clothes or steal her thunder in any way.

As you say Coppers it's a bit of a balancing act, wanting to look nice for the sake of our family and do my son proud but not wanting to be flashy and upstage the bride or her family.

Hey ho. I think I've done ok. I feel quite relaxed about my choices, kept to a reasonable budget and they can all be worn again, not just "one offs".

Need to do some running about today - looks nice and bright but rain forecast later. Still no snow despite all the dire warnings.

maman

You're so right that something simple can give a real boost ellsbel. I'm almost at the bottom of the sticky body lotion so thinking where to go next. I'll definitely be using my Clarins one when I'm away next week, layering it with the shower gel and eau de toilette.


Pleased that the 'DIL elect' likes your outfits LL, but what really matters is that you're pleased with them. And the fact that they're mse:money: is a bonus. You won't need too many more occasions to wear them to get your moneysworth on cost per wear principle.


Out for lunch with former colleagues today and, even if I say so myself, I know I've worn better than most of them. While I know we'll have a good chat I'll also be looking to see what others have chosen to wear etc. Is that horribly vain and judgemental?:o


As it's a country pub I'm going for black skinny jeans with my red ankle boots and greenish Hobbs jumper with my tartan (red/green) Cath Kidston scarf/pashmina. It's bright and dry here at the moment so my short black 'biker' style jacket should be sufficient on top. It's also sunny enough for my JackieO sunglasses too so that'll make me feel glam.:)


Have a good day all.

lessonlearned

Maman. Ooh la la, as my Belgian aunt would say about your outfit, sounds very youthful and "on trend"

As for sounding vain......who cares .......... Let's be honest we all "measure" ourselves against our peers:rotfl:, it's natural and harmless enough . A little bit of healthy competition keeps us on our toes.

It only gets unpleasant if it's nasty and you are not being nasty.

However it does get depressing if we feel bad about ourselves and that somehow we don't "measure up". Then comparing ourselves to others becomes just plain depressing.

Which is where fabbing comes in.........

If we make an effort then we feel happier. It's all about being the best we can be, not just to look good but to feel good about ourselves too.

I used to look "good for my age" - well that's what I was led to believe and judging by the effect I had on male work colleagues and the sub contractors and labourers they thought so too.!! most of them thought I was at least 10 to 15 years younger......

Maybe they needed to go to Specsavers. :rotfl:

Unfortunately I do feel that the years of caring, stress, anxiety and grief took its toll on my looks, even down to my hair going white so quickly. It left me feeling old and worn out and with quite a few niggling health issues.

But.......I'm fighting back.

Getting stronger over time and reclaiming my lost vitality and exuberance. My fibro is well under control, hardly any joint or muscle pain now, my back is much improved and thanks to sleeping well and getting more rest my energy levels are improving.

It's just this last tummy issue that I need to get to grips with. I had got things under control before my holiday so I don't think it's anything really serious. I think the bug I caught just upset the apple cart a bit and I need to get things back on track.

I'm taking an anti-spasmodic for the cramps (helps a bit) and am experimenting with my diet. For the last couple of days I have cut right back on dairy, have switched to lacto free milk and I think it's helping. I ve also introduced some probiotics and I think I'm getting there at last. Its just trial and error.

Just as soon as we've move dad then it's going to be "me, me, me" for a while...........

I am going to really concentrate on my needs. Opticians, hair, dentist, Physio, podiatrist, some professional facials, etc.......

Time for some Industrial Strength Fabbing.

lessonlearned

Well I have been thoroughly self indulgent this week. On Tuesday I bought the wedding outfits, plus the fur wrap and long cardigan coat and then today I popped in Sainsbugs and took advantage of their 25 per cent off clothing and bought two more cardigans and two tee shirts. This was in addition to the cream crepe blouse and navy shoes I bought last week.

I must have had a brain storm......:rotfl:

In my defence every item was in the sales or quite heavily discounted. So that's alright then.:D

I also bought several lacto free dairy products and some chia seeds to try (to make a type of breakfast porridge). I love my bacon and egg breakfast but I don't think it's a good idea to eat bacon every day.

The Paleo way of eating is very easy once you get used to it but breakfasts can get a bit "samey" - especially if I am going to have to eliminate dairy.

Anyway I managed to get lacto free milk, cream and hard cheddar type cheese. The only lacto free yogurts were fruit ones laced with sugar so I'll have to try and track the plain ones down.

I now have a selection of wheat alternative flours which are mainly seed or nut based so I'm going to try some Paleo friendly baking. I did try making some biscuits but they weren't exactly a roaring success.

I really hope that going lacto free does the trick because I don't want to restrict my food groups even further.

I was even told to give up tea and coffee:eek: nooooooooo.......

I have been very good and both reduced my coffee intake and gone down to half-caff. I have more or less substituted herbal teas and a cup of good old English tea is now down to one a day.

I hardly touch a drop of alcohol these days......not that I drank a lot but it's nice to imbibe now and again. I've had to give up lovely crusty bread, croissants.......all my favourites.

I know it will be worth it to get back to full digestive health and well being but - it ain't easy.......and it's not a lot of fun.

So yes I'll have to get busy and creative in the kitchen see if I can come up with a few nice treats so I don't feel too hard done by.;)

Anyway home made Chinese style chicken stir fry tonight. Yum, yum.

maddiemay

LL- I have mentioned that I am engrossed in finding recipes and making GF food which has a great taste and texture. I have made about 5 yummy things so far all from a blog. These are quite complicated in respect of the number of different (some I had not heard of) flours involved, but it has been well worth the expense and trouble sourcing them.

The most recent blog from this lady is for peanut butter biscuits, which will be my next bake as they seem so simple (assuming that one likes and is allowed peanut butter:D) No flour and no dairy. Many of her recipes are notated for being OK to substitute non dairy milks and butter replacements.

Hopefully as your tummy heals you may find that you can tolerate some yogurt and aged cheeses as the production processes reduce the amount of lactose in the finished products, this has been the case for me fortunately:D I only buy the premium natural yogurts high in good bacteria though and add my own fruit compotes.

Wishing you a speedy return to good health and your desired weight loss.:)