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

coppers

Oh & I should mention I've bitten my nails, I was doing so well with it too. I've decided I'm going to concentrate on growing them one at a time, hopefully that will help me break the habit & if I don't bite the other 9 nails then that will be a bonus, at least I'll have 1 nail as a starting point.

indiepanda

Floss wrote: »

Have to own up to wearing black, but always with a bright cardi and usually a scarf, that, grey & navy are base colours for my work wardrobe of shift dresses, with a couple of jackets for more formal days.

Ah, don't get me wrong, I was talking about those that live in the stuff head to toe most of the time. It's a sensible choice as a base to mix up with other colours if it suits you.

I avoid it as much as I can (workout leggings it's hard to avoid) as it really doesn't suit me. If I do neutrals I prefer brown or camel but will compromise on navy when brown isn't in fashion / hard to get hold of. But mostly I go for bolder colour as it suits me better, which isn't true of everyone.

shandyclover

I just wanted to say Indiepanda, well done on being brave enough to move on - I think really that is the ultimate in fabbing, and the essence of what we are all trying to learn, respecting and valuing ourselves enough to expect the loved ones in our lives not to take us for granted. I have a close relative that is sort of stuck in a relationship going nowhere. She is so vibrant, and full of life and energy, and he has stagnated, is negative and beginning to act like a petulant child. He is going for a long trip over the summer, and she has committed to a new job so staying home. To be honest most of the family is hoping he doesn't come home as everyone can see how he is slowly quenching her zest for life.

I agree with the 'banish the beige' campaign! I remember reading once it is best avoided as you approach middle age. I do confess to having a pair of beige capri pants I love to wear in the summer, and a beige courderoy blazer that I love but I only wear that on cool evenings in summer usually teamed with my favourite summer colours of turquoise, white and gold.

Unfortunately my work uniform for the past 2 jobs has been black. I now avoid the colour when I am not at work - I find I have to wear more make up when wearing the colour just to look vaguely healthy!

maman

Sorry I've been awol for a couple of days but have been reading.


I was sorry to read that the boyfriend didn't work out after all indie but it really sounds as if he had too many issues and baggage for a relationship. The aggression was particularly worrying. You have so much to offer, you don't need to put up with anything like that. Enjoy your friends, enjoy life!!


I'm starting to look at all my vaguely fawnish clothes with horror!:eek:
I do know what you mean LL. As you know, I have the same pathological loathing for anything from the Classic range in M&S. To me they just scream 'old and frumpy'. :rotfl:


coppers, you've reminded me that I need to make a hair appointment. Like you, I generally leave it until it gets messy then I look a wreck which would coincide with Easter so I'll give them a ring tomorrow.

indiepanda

shandyclover wrote: »

I just wanted to say Indiepanda, well done on being brave enough to move on - I think really that is the ultimate in fabbing, and the essence of what we are all trying to learn, respecting and valuing ourselves enough to expect the loved ones in our lives not to take us for granted. I have a close relative that is sort of stuck in a relationship going nowhere. She is so vibrant, and full of life and energy, and he has stagnated, is negative and beginning to act like a petulant child. He is going for a long trip over the summer, and she has committed to a new job so staying home. To be honest most of the family is hoping he doesn't come home as everyone can see how he is slowly quenching her zest for life.

I agree with the 'banish the beige' campaign! I remember reading once it is best avoided as you approach middle age. I do confess to having a pair of beige capri pants I love to wear in the summer, and a beige courderoy blazer that I love but I only wear that on cool evenings in summer usually teamed with my favourite summer colours of turquoise, white and gold.

Unfortunately my work uniform for the past 2 jobs has been black. I now avoid the colour when I am not at work - I find I have to wear more make up when wearing the colour just to look vaguely healthy!

Thank you. I hadn't quite looked at it like that, but you are right, it is all about valuing and respecting yourself. I am rather up and down on that front - some days I feel like an abject failure at most things, but I usually manage to shake myself out of it pretty quickly. The main way I manage it is by looking at my friends who are all pretty fab - and remind myself that all these people care about me, so I must be worth something.

Even I have some beige in my wardrobe - although my beige cord jacket hasn't had much wear in recent years. It's a really good shape on me but I wish it was a rich tan or brown instead. And I have one beige/oatmeal jumper - which I also own in three other colours - burnt orange, grass green and peacock. All of the other colour ways look better on me though.... I feel bland in beige.

Maman - yes aggression was worrying, and he really didn't seem to get being verbally aggressive was an issue - when I said he was scaring me, he took that to mean I thought he might physically attack me and was offended.

Turned out (and he only told me this recently) he and his wife split up after a mammoth row where she called the police and claimed that he threatened to kill her (which he denied). The magistrates dismissed the case for lack of evidence when it came to court but he still ended up subject to a two year restraining order. I can't help wondering if I didn't get told the full story there....

Anyway, one more day at work and most of it is in a team meeting and I have a team dinner and drinks tonight. Then tomorrow is packing and pre holiday fabbing. I have a pedicure and manicure booked for the late afternoon with the plan of getting all the packing done before so I can relax and get an early night - flight is at 7am on Saturday. Will do a home facial and get a deep conditioning treatment on my hair during the day. Already done my Boots trip for sunscreen etc (often gets done at the airport) and bought my holiday euros at the bank (also often done at airport) and downloaded plenty of nice books for my kindle.

The ex sent me an Abel and Cole voucher to cover his cost of a ticket for a gig we were planning to go to in the summer so I will place a food order for when I get home to get me back on a healthy eating plan. Going to try and make sure I am on top of other chores like washing before I go too - there's nothing worse than coming back to an untidy house after a holiday. Cleaner is due while I am away.

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely Ladies.......

What have I started with my "Ban the Beige" campaign.......I seem to have inadvertently hit on something here. :rotfl:

And yes Maman I agree M&S have got it all wrong with their definition of Classic Clothes. Many years ago C&A did a range called Classic Woman and they were much better. Good quality stylish clothes, nice fabrics - one of their more expensive lines but I thought they were good value.

Well today I have a friend coming round for lunch so I gave cheated a bit and bought some nice deli treats. Need to have a good tidy up but I will struggle to have the house into its usual show room standard. I've got stuff everywhere because I'm still busy Kondoing. Still she won't mind.

Plumber fixed our new shower and I asked him if he knew a good decorator. He asked what I wanted doing and when I showed him he said oh I'll do that for you.......he is such a sweetie, always reliable, does an excellent job and charges fair rates. I want him to do the hall - very high ceilings in the stair well and DS2 is unhappy with heights. I might get him to redo my bedroom at the same time.

Old buildings with high ceilings can be very elegant but they are a pita to decorate and at almost 65 they are too much for me now. I'll stick to furniture revamps and soft furnishings.........:rotfl:

I'm itching to get the Kondoing done so I can crack on and get everywhere straight and finally finished.

Indie. Enjoy your holiday. Come back feeling revitalised and raring to go.

Btw - I made a banana cake yesterday. I really ought to bake more - so much nicer than shop bought cake - even if I do say so myself.....:rotfl: and probably a lot healthier. I used quite a bit less sugAr than the recipe stated and it was plenty sweet enough. Just goes to show we can re-educate our taste buds and reduce sugar.

I guess the trick is to use naturally sweet ingredients like bananas and carrots, maybe beetroot. Might try carrot-cake next.

I've not baked with it yet but I've now switched to xylitol in drinks (safe for diabetics). Still reading Dr Moseleys books and trying to learn more. Hoping to try the 5:2 next week.

Time to start the day......have a good one.

maman

Sounds like you're all set to have a good time next week indie. Good idea to plan a fresh, healthy food delivery for when you get back. Your holidays sound rather more active than mine:o but I find that when my mind is freed up from everyday issues like work I have time to reflect on changes I want to make.

lessonlearned wrote: »

And yes Maman I agree M&S have got it all wrong with their definition of Classic Clothes. Many years ago C&A did a range called Classic Woman and they were much better. Good quality stylish clothes, nice fabrics - one of their more expensive lines but I thought they were good value.

I'm showing my age here LL but I remember a range called Sixth Sense which was a bit better quality. They still have C&A in Europe, always makes me feel a bit nostalgic. It was the go to shop when I was a teenager.


I rarely go into M&S these days. Last time was for their Valentine's meal deal. Going there in the daytime, midweek reminds me of Stepford Wives. All these clones dressed in their M&S lookalike stuff. Many in horrible beige anorak type jackets or those ill fitting trousers which are invariably too short. Creepy!


http://www.marksandspencer.com/pull-on-straight-leg-trousers/p/p22429611?prevPage=plp


:rotfl:


I'm having a relaxing day today. I've had my shower, done my hair and creamed all over. I've got various bits of paperwork to do to prepare for meetings next week but not too much. Sometime I need to get out and buy a few bits and pieces for going away at Easter. Since I started doing MK I've pared down my wardrobe a lot. A downside of that is that I wear the remaining joyful pieces so regularly that some are getting to look a bit well worn. Today I'm wearing black leggings with a flame coloured Fat Face jumper. Although these are 'house clothes', unfortunately the jumper is now so well washed it's not fit for wearing anywhere else!:(


Have a good day all.:)

lessonlearned

Love that link Maman.

I believe in comfort but they really do take the (beige) biscuit......:rotfl:

Yes I remember the Sixth Sense range too. Fabulous clothes. They once had a range of suede jackets in different colours. My friend and I were shopping together - we ended up buying two each because we loved them so much and couldn't decide which colours we preferred but they were such a good price.

Mine literally fell to pieces in the end because I wore them that much. Happy days. Definitely the go to shop for teenagers in the 60s and 70s. Did you have a Chelsea Girl. I spent all my wAges there when I first started work.........what larks....:rotfl:

Yes I noticed they had a lovely C&A store in Amsterdam.

Right coffee break over.

greent

sweetcheeks33 wrote: »

New medication from GP today snri medication, it can be used for anxiety, depression and fybro & joint pains I let's see what happens with this one.... Apparently weight loss is a side effect with this medication :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I suppose there has to be an up side!! Let's hope it's the one side effect I get ) :T:rotfl:

So not great comments online about it BUT it's like everything people only want to write about the down side... I'm back in less than 4 weeks do will need to see what happens - fingers crossed.

My Oh takes S*rtr*line, which is one of the snri meds. A lot of the 'reviews' online are :eek: and he has suffered virtually all of the side effects at some point since starting (Oct/ Nov, I think) - but it appears to be doing some good. Definitely took a while to kick in, though - about 6 weeks or so for him. But worthwhile


xx

Ellsbel

Does cream count as beige?!!:o:o I've always thought it suited me!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
I've got visions of a beige clothes mountain building up as we all kondo our beige:D
Had a lovely afternoon yesterday with OH - lunch and theatre. Was supposed to be meeting a friend today for coffee, but she had to postpone; I still put on jeans and a smart jumper, so as to feel properly "dressed"
I like to read your ideas on lounge wear/house clothes - I could do with smartening up in that department; I usually put on fleecy pjs in the early evening if I'm not going out and an old sweat shirt and jeans if I'm in during the day - thinking I may need to look for more sophisticated options!
LL I've considered trying the 5:2 - I'll be interested to hear how you get on if you try it.