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

chanie

Hi everyone,

I was at an external meeting and took a quick detour to Covent Garden before heading back to the office. I am on the hunt for a foundation. I normally wear a tinted moisturiser but want something with a bit more coverage, but still sheer, as I don't like heavy foundation. Anyway, I detoured to Covent Garden to visit the Bobbi Brown store, as they had a foundation I'd researched online, which seemed promising. I asked the Sales Assistant for a colour match and she recommended a cool colour and a warmer one. I asked for the warm shade and I liked the look of it. I asked a colleague back at the office how it looked and they said it was really natural. So, that's going on my lust list!!!

ScarlettMcCain

Hi again everyone

Very tired me at the moment, babies have stopped sleeping through the night again!!

Thanks for the tip about the Body Shop online chanie, I found a 35% off discount code which made it cheaper. Of course I then bought more things as in my head it was a bargain….. not very MSE of me!

Belated happy birthday sugarbaby and lovely to hear that you are so happy with your new man

And great news about your treatment LL, pleased it's all worked out so well for you!

We've booked a few days away over the bank holiday, first holiday with the babies - only to the Cotswolds but it will be nice to have a break. Not quite sure how we'll manage to make the bottles but I'm sure it will work out.

Off to bed for me now - oh for the days when I could stay up late!!

sugarbaby125

Hi Rubyslippers, could the solution to your babies sleeping through the night again be that they are feeling hungry? Sounds simplistic, but my 4 children slept through the night at 6 weeks, 2 weeks, 12 weeks and about 6 months and with each of them, I found that when they were full before bedtime (6pm) then they were able to sleep through the night.

Thanks also for the belated birthday wishes.

I am even more busy at work, as we are 3 cleaners short. It means we all have to do extra work. The time simply flies and I am getting toned up even faster. I have more energy now. I find I can easily come home from work have a lovely relaxing bath, then get dressed up to go on a date with my new man Wayne, without feeling tired. Just under 3 months ago when I started my cleaning job, I was so unfit, that I was exhausted after a day at work and fit for nothing.

It is still going really well with Wayne. He was really happy that I have spent my Birthday money from him on new clothes and a pair of shoes that I did not need, as I wanted to spoil myself with the money. He is very generous and caring and has told me that if I need any financial help, I should allow him to give me money. I explained to him that I am very good at budgeting my money and I do not have any type of debt. I am hoping to rub off some of my Money Saving Expert ways on him, as he happily spends money on restaurant meals for the 2 of us, that I feel are quite expensive for a single meal with a drink of two. It is great that he refuses to allow me to pay anything towards the cost of any of our dates but as he is a Bricklayer by trade, he earns good money and says he loves spending his money on me. :T I could get used to this to be honest, even though I am used to men expecting me to share the cost 50/50 in the past and I was always happy to do so, it is nice to have a man who likes to spoil me. Mind you, I am going to be glad when the good weather is here to stay so we can have dates that are not all about having lovely meals in restaurants. I do not want my waistline to suffer. :rotfl:

maman

Grandad's_Offspring wrote: »

Hello all.
Fallen off the wagon, it's been quite manic here.
But last night I did manage to have an aspirin facemask followed by a banana and honey mask. Complete with cucumbers on my eyes��
It was actually very effective, my complexion looks so so much better!!!!
Must look after myself more!

I'm impressed! That sound like one of LL's recipes for the face mask. Only this morning I was thinking my face looks grey without make up. It's the same sort of principle as when the sun comes out and windows look dirty. The sun's shining but I still have my winter face.:(


The foundation sounds good chanie. Like you I favour a tinted moisturiser but I'm determined to use up the Benefit foundation that I have and it does look a lot better since I started applying with brush. What's the Bobbi Brown one called?


What wise words about Wayne and his attitude to money sugarbaby. Obviously it gives him pleasure to treat you but can see why you'd feel a bit uncomfortable when you're used to being independent and paying your own way. I've often got involved in threads on here about how couples handle money. DH and I have been married for years and yet we still split bills.


Birthdays is different of course!!:D Did you shop on ebay?


Are you in SC or a hotel ruby? I think most places are pretty good about preparing feeds but you need to have a plan to stop you worrying.


I've got a meeting later so will be fabbing up then. It's really bright and sunny so not sure whether a coat is needed. Definitely be wearing my Raybans.:cool:

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies.

Some great chat here - glad you are all happy and well.

Ruby - enjoy your break. Little ones are hard work, and Twins must be exhausting. I think Maman is right most holiday places are really geared up to babies these days.

Where in the Cotswolds. I used to live in Winchcombe. Gorgeous place. I recently saw my old house on rightmove.........I should never have sold it.:rotfl: hey ho.

Beautiful day here - painting, gardening - just soaking up the sun. My pure white bedlinen looks dazzling on the washing line in the bright sunlight.:D.

I am a woman of simple tastes and pleasures and a line full of washing gives me joy.

Maman. Have you got any strawberries or peaches in the house. Just mash up a bit of ripe fruit and slap it on your face . The fruit acids (alpha hydroxic acid) make great skin brighteners.

If you can do an oatmeal scrub first then even better.

I am loving my "new" face. I might feel knackered but I no longer look quite so washed out and that I'm at deaths door. I am still pale but even just one day yesterday pottering in the garden has taken the edge off the winter pallor.

I have booked a hair appt for next week. I have decided to have some highlights to take the edge off the White. It looks a bit stark and could do with softening.

Sugarbaby - Wayne sounds like a pure gent and a very traditional one at that. TBH most construction workers seem to have the same attitude towards always wanting to pay for their womenfolk. As you know I worked in the construction industry for many years and it does seem to be almost a point of honour with many of them.

Although more and more women are going into construction it's is still very much a traditional masculine industry and old habits die hard.

I used to get called "wench", "darling" etc - it might sound sexist but it wasn't. I was always treated with the utmost courtesy and respect. When we went out on works dos I was never allowed to put my hand in my purse.

My experience with the men who work in construction is that they tend to treat their women folk like princesses. There were a lot of builders and property developers on the cruise (December is a quiet time in the building trade). A few were on their own, most were with their wives and I observed all of them behaving in exactly this way.

Wayne sounds fairly typical. Enjoy!!!

You will be able to find ways of addressing the balance. Maybe cook him a nice meal, or buy him some nice clothes now and again. Perhaps some nice grooming products. Most construction workers do like to dress up when they are off duty - it's an antidote to all that muck and dust they have to work in.

Does he have any hobbies you could buy things for. Does he like music - perhaps you could buy him tickets for a concert or theatre trip.

That way you are paying your share but not insulting his manly pride.

sugarbaby125

Maman I shopped on eBay and got so much for my money.

LL Thanks for all of your insight. Wayne's Birthday is in August and by the time it comes around he will have a whole pile of gifts from me to spoil him and I will book a weekend away in a nice Hotel so we can celebrate in style. :T

My daughter is 23 years old and my son is 15 years old who live at home with me. They are happy for me to be in a relationship, but it is too early for me to want to officially introduce them to Wayne or to have him as part of their lives. I do feel that he may turn out to be the right man for me, but I do not want to rush into anything. I know to trust my own instincts and will know when the time has come to take him home to a lovely home cooked meal.

I am going to a Birthday celebration meal in a restaurant for one of my sister's birthday's next Saturday and a family Christening for one of my great nephews on the next day on Sunday. Wayne is disappointed that he can not come to either celebration. I would have been proud to introduce him to my family, but these are events that were booked long before I met him and it was simply too late for him to be included. The Christening is the most lavish affair with caterers and a sit down meal. I am going to be fabbed up to the nines and I am really looking forward to it. I have not settled on my final choice of outfit, shoes and handbag for the birthday meal for my sister yet, as I am spoilt for choice. My weight loss means that so many more skirts, tops and dresses are now fitting me really well. :T

Wayne, is already saying that he feels that he would like us to be engaged if we are still together a year from now and it does not make me uncomfortable to hear him say that. It makes me happy that his intentions are serious and he wants a future with me. I am hopeful, but I do not know what the future holds for either of us.

It is great to wake up to sunshine and to be able to go to work without layers of clothing. I hope this mild weather continues.

lessonlearned

A alas Sugar, I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but the weather forecast is not good.....I heard the dreaded words "artic blast":eek:

You are wise not to introduce Wayne to the family just yet. I think I would be the same.

When I met my husband it really was a whirlwind romance, same with my Ds1 and his girl. That's fine when it's just the two of you - you can just close your eyes and jump in but I think it must be different when you meet someone and you already have children. I guess you need to be a bit more circumspect and not too impulsive;)

Ds1 and DIL popped round last night to discuss work related issues. She rang me in the afternoon and asked if she could come round to ask for some advice.

I have to say I feel very honoured and just a bit flattered that my kids still value my counsel. Have I become the wise old matriarch.:rotfl:

Anyway she feels she did well at the interview although she won't know until next week - fingers crossed. DS is safe apparently and has become the Employees Representative for the consultation period - on top of his own workload. He would still consider a move though and has applied to a couple of famous Derby engineering firms;)

So it's watch this space !!

Yesterday I Had a lovely day pottering in the garden. Today is all about me - need to do some running about but I will also be going to the chiropodist and going for a check up for my face. If he's happy then I will be getting a bit of Botox.

Getting my hair restyled and coloured next week - I shall be a new woman. Need to start some serious TLC on my hands though. I wrecked my nails yesterday in the garden and they are a mass of scratches and small cuts. I must wear gloves but I find them a nuisance when planting. I might try some of those thin medical gloves. I have got some lurking somewhere.

The boys are going to sort out their suits this weekend - the civil registry office ceremony is just two weeks today. Still not sure what I am going to wear for that one but At least I have plenty of choice now.

DILs parents arrive on 2nd May. It's all about to happen.......:rotfl:

chanie

maman the Bobbi Brown foundation is called 'skin foundation' and has a sheer coverage.

sugar Wayne sounds like a keeper.

ll your boys seem like lovely men and its nice to know you are being well looked after.

Things are okay in the chanie household. I'm really busy at work - we are going through a restructure and will be making people redundant and as I work in HR, I'm involved in the process. I must say, we are a fair organisation and do try to do our best for our people.

lessonlearned

Good Morning Lovely Ladies

It's Fab Friday and everything in my garden is roses.

Sensational news - DIL got the job!!!! I had a feeling she would.

What a turn up - a better job - really good career move, more money, better prospects and more child friendly for when she wants to start a family. Plus .......she will really get to use that formidable brain of hers in an environment where she can fly.

It's funny isn't it but when the bad news hit them a couple of weeks ago DIL reacted in typical Latino fashion - all was drama, doom and gloom. DS1 managed to calm her because he remembered something his father had said which was basically you must view redundancy as an opportunity because it's often a much needed kick up the derrière, forcing you out into the big wide world again.

My husband spent 10 years slogging away at a company increasing the businesses worth by mega millions. For his pains he was made redundant when it was sold off and asset stripped.

He was devasted, hurt and angry and it was at that point we decided he should go self employed. He never looked back. Anyway DS1 remembered all this and of course his father's sound advice over the years.

My husband might be gone and no longer be able to offer sage words of wisdom and support but it's nice to know that his wise words and counsel are still guiding and comforting our boys from beyond the grave. He's left them a great legacy.

Well I had my Botox last night. It was actually very easy and not at all painful, just a few pin p r I c k s that were over in seconds. It definitely passed the "less painful than a scale and polish at the dentists test":rotfl:

Apparently you don't see any changes for around 5 days and it takes around 2 weeks to come into full effect. I just need to go back in around 3 weeks so he can monitor his handiwork.

I found yesterday's visit to the clinic a little unsettling TBH.

Now I know that only part of my treatment was for reconstruction, obviously the Botox isn't. That's just me trying to hold back the ravages of time:rotfl: so yes I freely admit that is just pure vanity.

However, at almost 65 I do feel "justified" - for want of a better expression. However, there were some very young women in there going in for Botox - I'm talking twenties and thirties. One young girl was just 21........how can this be right. What makes them do this - what wrinkles can they have that can be so bad they need to have treatment at such a tender age.

Corrective work yes but surely not Botox and fillers at that kind of age. I found it a bit sad TBH. I know that our young people are under tremendous pressure to perform well, to look good, to "have it all", to be successful but I do feel this is a step too far.

Perhaps I'm just out of touch........but I suppose that at least they have chosen a proper qualified doctor and not just some random dentist or nurse who has done a short course.

Had my chiropodist treatment yesterday so no excuse now for not walking more......:rotfl: popped into a Chazzer and picked up a fabulous wedding hat for £4 and a bright red satin clutch bag for £3. bargains.

So now I have several outfits for weddings, cruises and posh dos.

All I have to do now is start building a new social life .....:rotfl:

Ps - Chanie - yes I realised you meant lovely. They are. They are also lively too......just like their dad. Lol.

chanie

lessonlearned wrote: »

Ps - Chanie - yes I realised you meant lovely. They are. They are also lively too......just like their dad. Lol.

Phew.


Your husbands comment on redundancy is spot on. I was telling a colleague last week that some of the people I know from our organisation who have been made redundant have gone on to do other things and are really happy now.


I agree with the comments about Botox, I don't know why a 21 year old would need a procedure for ageing and they should be banned. Its ridiculous.