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

Floss

LL, Marks do a widening range of gluten free things now, my SiL is WF/GF and picks up a few things from there which suit, including some bread products. Also, is scrambled eggs or omelette an option for your breakfasts?

lessonlearned

Wow Maddie - thanks for the link. I've just had quick look and it looks great, plus of course the links to other blogs. The biscuits look nice and easy. The trifle looks wonderful.

I very much doubt that I am suddenly going to be diagnosed as coeliac So I don't think I will have to be fanatical about gluten contamination etc.

I think it's like that lady says I just need to relearn how to cook, especially baked goods.

Re yoghurt I find that if I buy plain Greek yoghurt it's mild enough to eat without sugar or maybe just a drizzle of honey and of course it contains good bacteria.

Interesting what you say about aged cheese. I guess a lot of it is in the way foodstuffs are produced. I think mass production can destroy a lot of nutrients in our food and the small scale producers don't use as many additives etc.

I'm not a bad cook and do enjoy playing in the kitchen so if I can source the right ingredients I should be able to cook decent food that tastes good and wont aggravate my tummy.

I hope I didn't come over all whingey in my last post - my tummy problems pale into insignificance really, compared with what some people have to,contend with. My health is generally pretty good so I'm hopeful I will be able to see a real improvement soon.

I've actually felt much better this last couple of days so I think my diligence is starting to pay off.

lessonlearned

Yes I had a good mooch round Marks the other day and I have bought some of their gf cakes in the past. The cakes are usually really nice. Like you say they have a very good range of GF foods now. I tried some crackers made from brown rice, they were very salty. I'll keep trying different things.

Re eggs. A bit hit and miss I'm afraid. I can eat them but not too often - but yes I do have an omelette or scrambled eggs sometimes.

Floss

Hi ladies, I’ve got a bit of a dilemma…
Our exec team are all out of the office today, so we’re taking advantage and having a “non-uniform” day for charity. When I looked in my wardrobe to find something to wear, I struggled to find something smart enough yet still casual and not my normal work-wear of shift dress, cardigan, scarf & heels.
I’ve ended up in straight high-waist jeans (no muffin-top!), a pale aqua chiffon shirt under a navy cashmere v-neck that’s seen better days and my Cat boots. If it were weekend & just me & DH, I’d usually wear skinny jeans, Uggs, and a tunic top over a l/s t-shirt, but all my tunic tops are showing the fact that I’m carrying over a stone more than my normal weight and are too clingy for wearing outside the home!
I’ve realised that I need to determine some sort of weekend wardrobe, like my weekday wardrobe but more casual, but am struggling with where to start. I’m an hourglass with pear tendencies (if that makes sense – curvy with extra hips!), size 12/14, and in my early 50s. I know I will need to go shopping, but am not yet sure of what I’m looking for…can you all help please?!

hedgesparrow

Been lurking for a week reading all your posts and I'm going to ask to join in if you'll have me.

I'm a bit like the before in Miss Congeniality. I work outdoors, I wear a uniform and I have fleeting attempts at being more girly. I do love a bath, but I am terrible for coming home, getting in the bath, getting out, putting my jammies and dressing gown on for the rest of the evening.

So I am sort of pampered but still frumpy!! I looked in the mirror with the dressing gown on and it was a very unattractive look. And my work uniform isn't ugly too so this is what my husband sees me like for 90% of the time!

My first step is to wean myself off my jammies and dressing gown. I need something to wear that is warm, comfortable and a bit less frumpy. I'm thinking jeggings and a jumper perhaps? I've never even tried on jeggings but I'm assuming they feel like fitted tracksuit bottoms?! Don't have a lot of cash as I'm debt busting but I'll start looking on ebay and in the charity shops.

I tried to do my nails last night but it was a blobby disaster. I own a lot of nail varnish but I'm not very good at applying it. I need to practice. I'm need to go to the library today so I'll see if they have any books about fashion or make up while I'm there. Someone told me about some Zoella person so I'm going to look up her videos too.

Floss - I'm sorry I don't have an answer to your problem as I'm pretty clueless. I hope the others help you find the weekend wardrobe of your dreams. I will be reading with interest too.

chanie

floss from your post, you seem to have a nice pair of jeans, so focus on top, shoes and accessories.
Tops - I struggle with tops, as I'm top heavy and have a tummy. I wear lots of uniqlo Jersey cotton tops as they aren't ultra clingly, cost £10-£13 and come in lots of colours. You could wear a nice scarf or chain as they are plain
Shoes - I automatically feel smarter when I wear heels, so I'd recommend investing in some new boots. I heel will lengthen your legs.

hedgesparrow jeggings are really comfy but are made from thicker material so they cover lumps and bumps. I'd recommend wearing them like leggings, so getting tops that cover the bum. Sainsburys have 25% off clothing at the moment, so I'd recommend having a look if you can as the clothes are really good value!!!

There are lots of bloggers who do hair and make up tutorials. The small thibgs blog has good hair tutorials, Tanya Burr is supposed to be good for make up.

No fabbing going on here today. Dd has a temperature and really isn't well. She got up a couple of times last night, so I'm rather tired myself. Ds has half term next week so I've booked a couple of days off work.

Angry_Bear

I've been enjoying reading about all your fabbing, but quietly hiding in shame as I've done none of the things I promised.
However, today I finally booked myself in for a hair cut and colour and went perfume hunting. The problem is that I don't really know what to look/smell for and I'm not sure how to ask for it without sounding like a fool ...

So I figured I'd risk foolishness here If I'm really honest, what I'd like to smell like is Febreeze Spring Fresh air freshner Any suggestions of actual perfume that has that sort of feel about it?

hedgesparrow wrote: »

I tried to do my nails last night but it was a blobby disaster. I own a lot of nail varnish but I'm not very good at applying it. I need to practice.

If your stock of nail varnish is getting quite old that will be part of the problem - nail varnish has a shelf life (although I don't think it's marked or anything). Get yourself some cheap new stuff to practice with and see if that helps. Or practice with clear - good for technique and you can't see the mistakes

coppers

Hello Fabbers, & welcome to Hedgesparrow.

Floss - re weekend wardrobe, one piece of advice I've been given is when you're out shopping try on things that are different to what you'd normally wear, be it style, colour ect. You might surprisingly find something you love. Remember nothing ever looks the same as it does on the hanger as it does on you.

Hedgesparrow, Part of my job entails working outside in all weathers too, I'd say my biggest tip for you is moisturise & wear lip balm. I know my skin suffers from the elements. Like you I also wear a uniform for work, mines not at all flattering & includes a hi Vis coat. I also do the change into pjs asap thing. To get me out of my dressing gown for Christmas I asked for a furry fabric hoody from next sleepwear./loungewear, it's cosy & cute even with pjs with it. I don't feel so embarrassed opening the front door wearing it.

I myself am quite struggling with Nickel allergy at the minute, if I wear my jeans or a belt I'm coming out in a rash around my tummy button so I'm tending to wear leggings as much as possible at the min to settle it down but I'm finding my leggings a bit baggy (thank you slimming world) & will have to invest in some more, I'm thinking a pair of leather ankle boots too to dress the up a bit too. I don't really do heels I'm more of a dr martins/ desert boot kinda fabber.

Anyone looking for storage boxes, I think most shops have been mentioned but I'd add B&M, The Range & store 21 to the list.

LL I'm glad your DiL liked your outfit.

Mary-

Hi everyone, just catching up on all the posts as I was not feeling well last week as I had a bug.


Started the 5:2 diet this week and have lost 2lbs.
Found the diet really easy as you only fast for 2 days eating only 500 calories each day for those 2 days then eat normally for the other 5. My OH is doing the diet as well so that makes a big difference.
Don't know if anyone else has tried this but I found it easy to do.


I have been really good about not buying any more clothes since I gave loads away to the CS. Usually when I see the sales I am in there buying all sorts but I have resisted and its amazing that I have not been tempted.


Love the dress for the wedding LL.

Angry_Bear

Mary- wrote: »

Started the 5:2 diet this week and have lost 2lbs.
Found the diet really easy as you only fast for 2 days eating only 500 calories each day for those 2 days then eat normally for the other 5. My OH is doing the diet as well so that makes a big difference.
Don't know if anyone else has tried this but I found it easy to do.

This is what I've been doing for the last couple of years (7.5 stone off ) - I plan to keep it up forever as it suits my lifestyle well.

There's a thread here, but it's been pretty quiet lately.