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

lessonlearned

I think we can allow cream or winter white.....:D. In fact I think it can look very elegant.

My dear old AUnty S was a great fan of cream and a devoted "Windsmoor" lady. She always had the most fabulous cream winter coats. She told me that she always bought them in the sales and that they were always knocked down to,bargain basement prices. She thought it was because people thought cream was not a practical or serviceable colour and it would just cost too much in dry cleaning bills.

I don't dislike beige as such, and I've always been drawn to a good camel coloured coat. They can look fabulous on some people and they often look quite expensive and luxurious. However I have to confess that the beige spectrum just does nothing for me.

My friend came to lunch and we had a wonderful time eating our posh deli food and knocking back the wine. She now lives in London and I hadn't seen her since my husband's funeral. We had a lovely catch up.

I told her about my "ban the beige" and she roared with laughter, saying "omg you are so not a beige person, I cannot imagine you in beige".

So obviously all those pesky beige items have appeared since he died...........

How did that happen. I must have been sleep walking. :rotfl:

My new Marie Kondo book has arrived And there are some nice gardening and house fabbing programmes on the TV tonight so I'm going to sit back and enjoy.

coppers

Went for my hair done today, my (not usual) hairdresser was good, asking me what I thought worked for my hair, cut it while checking with me how I wanted it cut, gave me tips for next time I get it cut, how I dry it myself, best way to use my hair products, when she was just about done, I showed her what I actually do to have it how I wear it (giving that I'm not a hair do -er) she said yes that works & placed my fringe slightly so the end result was I think we were both happy, I felt she understood my hair & my abilities, I did feel a bit cheeky but when I think of all the years I've came out of the hairdressers & done my hair again when I've got home, I don't think I've been as happy with a hairdresser for about 10 years so I think I've done the right thing. I felt comfortable with her and getting my hair done didn't feel like something I have to suffer through, I felt like she enjoyed her job. I think I've found a fab hairdresser, I'm going to ask for her again. How do you all feel about your salon visits.

Floss

My hairdresser is mobile, she used to be the colourist in the salon I went to and I defected when she did. She's good, quick, and when she had to take 12 months off for illness 18 months ago, I struggled to find anyone else who I was as happy with.

sweetcheeks33

Hi Greet , I'm on SNRI & I'm on day 8 and while the sleep disturbance continues its not as bad as it was for first 4/5 days. The dry mouth has also eased up a little too so I'm hoping things get better. Anxiety really bad for first 4/5 days also ( the meds are hot anxiety) by again not as bad as initially. Fingers crossed things continue to settle down. My appetite has certainly subdued also but I'm not complaining about that- also I did have very upset tummy of 5 days. Presume there are related to projected weight loss.

I am sure Set*ali*e is an Ssri ( as go was going to prescribe it and then said he wanted to move away and go to s different grouping altogether) where as I'm on the snri which is a newer batch on meds designed in late 90's allegedly. So far so good. Ssri weren't good for me before. Fingers crossed things keep improve.

Started back the gym today and went to a class at lunch time and trying to each heathy. Using my fitness pal to track food & fit bit to track the rest, that way can track food & calories in and exercise & calories out individually.

Glad you are feeling ok after your oh experience indie- as everyone has said that's not the way to be treated and you deserve better. He needs to time to go us on him and not project his unhappiness onto you, it's unfair. Happy pampering and enjoy taking time out for you..

LL I agree about beige it seems to suit very few people. I suit Ivory & white if it's not too stark ( if that makes sense) but I can't wear cream or beige I'm too swallow skinned and it really goes r do anything for me. I can't wear brown either- nothing in that colour scale really- I just look yellow & ill!! I do bizarrely suit black though. I look like I have a nice tan and well I don't know why but I've been told I suit black several times- strange really. I really suit blue, periwinkle blue, fish is pink, steel grey, black, midnight blue & almost emerald green. Green clear sharp colours. I seem to have a lots of black & grey.. White. Usually use flashes of colour with scarfs... Must be brighter this spring/summer

Hope everyone is well, will read up properly & chat tomorrow

Ellsbel

*LL* I'll keep my "winter whites" then! While we're on a colour crusade though, I think we should add to the beige those awful "dirty paint pallet" pastels that are often to be found on those shiny crimplene, elasticsted waist dresses that some elderly ladies wear - you know; like someone has taken pastel shades of pink, green and blue, swirled them into a pattern, boil washed it a couple of times, then thrown a bucket of dirty grey water over it! It's a colour combination that can only have been created by someone who believes the elderly should be invisible 😡
*maman* your post - and those trousers - did make me smile, because I know someone who dresses exactly like that; all topped off with a cauliflower perm because she thinks hair *should* be curly; she's in her eighties now, but she's dressing like this for more than 20 years!
*sweetcheeks* well done on getting back into the gym - hope you continue to feel better.
*coppers* glad you're pleased with the hair stylist. I've had very hit and miss experiences and whenever I've found one I really loved, they've ended up quitting to go travelling or retraining for another career!!
By coincidence though, last time I went, my usual stylist was off and the lady that did it used to do my hair years ago at another salon; I really like her and was much happier with the end result so I made sure I rebooked with her when I left.
It's really foggy outside today so not looking forward to driving in it! Just off to drop DS2 to school, then a few errands, a walk and a bit of housework!
As it's fab Friday, I'll do my nails later

indiepanda

No more work till 22 March. I can feel my shoulders starting to relax just at the thought of it.:j

I have a day off to get organised before a 4am taxi tomorrow. Got the challenge of trying to get enough in the suitcase to look nice for the evenings without ending up short of hiking gear for the day time. I've managed it before but it usually involves me stopping to take stuff out of the bag at the end to get back under the weight limit.

Think will leave my straightening irons at home and just go curly for the week - better for the condition of my hair anyway and saves a bit of weight. I will take make up, but keep it pretty minimal - no need for heavy eye make up and the like. Jewellery is a must - I feel odd without it, but will have to see which items go with the most clothes. Weather forecast seems to vary quite widely between different forecasters - mid teens to low twenties, so will take some cropped jeans and a skirt or two plus some cardigans to go with my tops. I often end up sticking in one colour palette for a week away - variations on a teal theme, but I feel inclined to try something different this time - maybe add some corals and yellows.

Will take my own nail polish to the salon today in case of needing to touch up while I am away. Should have got far enough with the packing by the time I go at 4 to have a good idea of the best colour but probably go metallic (bronze or gold) as it is a good neutral.

Better do a good job on the home facial today too - skin feeling a bit parched - combination of cold outside, heating inside and bit of neglect while my mind has been elsewhere. At least I have a facial booked for my return to get it back into tip top condition before returning to the office.

Have a fab Friday all.

Ellsbel

Have a fantastic time Indie

indiepanda

Ellsbel wrote: »

Have a fantastic time Indie

Thanks Ellsbel.

I had to chuckle reading your description of how some elderly people dress - it's pretty much how I remember my mum dressing my whole life - rather sad really. Always had a perm, cheap clothes with lots of polyester, elastic waists, nothing fitted, bland colours. Drove my dad mad - he would far rather she dressed smarter and spent more per item rather than buying a lot of cheap stuff that couldn't flatter anyone.

My sister and I have reacted against this - both wear a lot of bold colour and if not fitted from head to toe, at least not inclined to wear baggy tops which are rarely a good look when you have boobs and a butt, end up looking like a sack of spuds with no waist (I envy friends with more streamlined figures who can do those elegant loose tops without looking chunky!).

lessonlearned

Cauliflower perms.......:rotfl:

I know someone who refers to those ladies as "cauliflower heads" - a bit naughty but very funny and quite apt.

Indie - you are describing my mum bless her. She just seemed to lose all interest as she got older yet photographs of her as a young woman show her to be a truly stunning and beautiful woman. She was Belgian and very "continental chic".

At some point my father had his first extramarital affair and that was it - it completely destroyed her, she became very ill and although she recovered physically she was never the same again. She lost her confidence and stopped being elegant and glamourous. She just gave up.

One way or another I'm afraid my dad has a lot to answer for.

It will be the anniversary of mum's death on Wednesday. We scattered her ashes on the land that my sister and I own, I shall take some flowers next week.

Well today Iits fab Friday but I shall be neat and tidy rather than glamourous. I have a car load ready for the charity shop and tip and it's very cold here, so it's warm and functional dressing today.

I have one of those "Nordic" type sweaters in cream and navy, it's long line so keeps my back nice and warm even when I'm stretching and bending.

The cat doesn't like being cold either and he has just plonked himself on my knee. It's like having a hot water bottle next to me. He's recovered from his accident but has become incredibly "cuddly" and a is a real homeboy now. He has a slight limp and can't jump and climb like he used to and shows signs of stiffness. I'm going to,look at supplements for him to see if we can ward off arthritis setting in but given he was so badly injured it will be inevitable.

Poor kittie. He now sleeps on my bed every night and follows me all round the house. He won't go out of the front door now and is nervous around cars. He's still my beautiful boy though and makes me laugh with his little quirks.

Enjoy you break Indie, it will do you good.

Well now that dad is moved and settled and I'm done with medical appointments I am going to "focus on me" for the next few weeks.

I will draw up a plan of attack over the weekend and get down to business next week.

indiepanda

lessonlearned wrote: »

Cauliflower perms.......:rotfl:

I know someone who refers to those ladies as "cauliflower heads" - a bit naughty but very funny and quite apt.

Indie - you are describing my mum bless her. She just seemed to lose all interest as she got older yet photographs of her as a young woman show her to be a truly stunning and beautiful woman. She was Belgian and very "continental chic".

At some point my father had his first extramarital affair and that was it - it completely destroyed her, she became very ill and although she recovered physically she was never the same again. She lost her confidence and stopped being elegant and glamourous. She just gave up.

One way or another I'm afraid my dad has a lot to answer for.

That's really sad.

I can't blame my dad for my mum's apathetic approach to style. I think that was caused by her anxiety / depression, and she first had that years before she met my dad (not that she mentioned it before they married). In my parents case I think my dad has been something of a saint sticking by my mum through all the bouts of depression. He loves her for all the fact she has held him back from so many things. We didn't have much money when I was a kid, but things were easier after my sister and I left home, mortgage paid off etc, and dad would have loved to have travel more, but mum's fears prevented that.

Looking back at my previous post, the way I phrased it, it sounds like my mum is dead. She isn't, she's just been so depressed the last few years (including a lengthy stay in hospital) that I don't really feel like I have a mother anymore. She doesn't answer the phone or take much interest in anything any more, barely leaves the house. Dreadful thing to say, but I've felt more sympathy for my dad - mum ignores any advice the doctor has beyond taking pills, wouldn't cooperate with the care assistants they sent to see her or the therapist, hardly moves from her chair thought that's making her sicker. I swing between being mad at her for being selfish and making dad a full time carer rather than trying her best to get well and being mad at myself for not having more empathy for someone whose mind isn't right.

Mental health issues really are horrendously difficult to deal with.