Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

Ellsbel

Thanks Lainey hope you're enjoying the weekend:)

chanie

Hi Fabbers,


I hope you are all well.


I'm working from home today as I have a meeting off site, which isn't too far from home. Other than that, things are good with me.


I'm struggling with summer clothes, in that I don't have enough of them, particularly for work. As our weather is such a mixture, I found that summer clothes often sat unworn in my wardrobe, so I tend not to think too much about the summer wear. I think I'll have to buy a few more bits and pieces.

Ellsbel

I'm struggling too chanie; I've bought a few lightweight tops that are suitable for work but I don't have much to wear on days off when it's warm; I'm at home now so I'm wearing a vest and some animal print cotton trousers - sort of fancy jogging bottoms - I'm going out for coffee later though so will need to get changed.
Not much else to report at the moment. Hope you're all managing ok in the heatwave:)

lessonlearned

Hello lovely ladies.

It's the solstice today. How the year is racing by. I will sit out in the garden tonight and raise a toast.........

Had to smile about the "what to wear in this heat". It's difficult because we are just not used to it. And like you say we might not have much in the way of summer clothing because we don't need it that often.:rotfl: and when we do it's usually only for a few days at a time .........

It's always interesting to see how people in hot climates dress. I have noticed they don't actually strip off the way we do. Perhaps they don't need to because they are used to heat. Although I have read somewhere that keeping covered up in lightweight, light coloured pure cottons and linens keeps us cooler than exposing flesh. The fabric does "mop up the sweat". Sorry. :rotfl: so that helps keeps us cooler.......

Problem is pure linen tends to crease and of course its the very devil to iron.

I have been a bit up and down this week.

"Divorcing" my sister has hit me hard, I've been a bit panicky and weepy a couple of times. However sad it is, I know It will be better in the long run if I remain firm and resolute. Hopefully I will feel better soon.

Theres only so much pain and sorrow we can take and I've decided that I've experienced quite enough. Family rifts are hard but sometimes we have no real choice but to just cut loose. Still feel a bit stressed about it all but at least my blood pressure is coming down at last.

She's just not worth me having a stroke or a cardiac arrest .......so I'm adamant that there will be no turning back or letting her off the hook. I've given in so many times but not this time.

My knee is bothering me rather a lot too which doesn't help. I will have an MRI scan on Saturday.

I have instructed the solicitor to get cracking on buying DS2s house, she reckons it will be very straightforward and shouldn't take long at all.

I'm firmly back on the paleo now. It's been 3days and I'm feeling better already.

Slow but steady progress.

Ellsbel

Well done on sticking to the eating plan, LL. Sorry that your knee is troubling you still, and that Sistergate has had such an impact on you emotionally; it's bound to hurt, even while feeling relief that you've made a stand for yourself.... I know it's on a much lesser scale but after being quite upset last week at the way some colleagues were behaving over the job move, I determined to put a front on and not let anyone see that I felt guilty or upset about them telling me how annoyed they are at the "bad management" (this being the fact that I've been moved, not them).
Today though, I heard a couple of them still complaining to each other about it again, and felt really cheesed off all over again; I'm also a bit worried that they'll moan so much the boss will change their decision, and I'm actually quite looking forward to the change.
I'm trying to tell myself "this will pass", hopefully you can stand firm too, LL and in time be able to put sis out of your thoughts; she's made her bed, as they say...

chanie

LL Your decision will be easier in time and as you said, your health comes first.


Ellsbell I suggest speaking with your managers about your colleagues - they really need to support you. Your colleagues will get over it and they'll soon be moaning about something else.


Going back to the point about how to dress for the heat, I totally agree with LL that Europeans dress better and was thinking exactly the same thing. I've been people watching recently, to try and get some inspiration, but I'm seeing the following:
- ill fitting vest tops with ill fitting bras
- maxi dresses (most Europeans don't wear these) even though I wear them myself, they generally aren't flattering.
- cheap cotton dresses which are badly made and you can see VPLs and lumps and bumps.


What I've seen that works:
- natural materials like cotton, linen, silk
- semi-structured items (unstructured can look cheap - so something with a bit of give but still cool and comfortable)
- smart sandals, not cheap flip flops. Plus pedicure and nail varnish.

Ellsbel

You're right chanie - I've either got to talk it through, or else I've got to put up and shut up until they move on to something else.

You're so, so right about summer wear and what works and what doesn't - those who get it right simply ooze class and style. When I reach my goal weight I've promised myself a style makeover and I'm going to really study the dos and don'ts before I reinvent myself:D

Off to coffee date now - wearing pale blue cotton shirt, navy linen Capri trousers and white ballet pumps

Floss

Chanie I completely agree - I have a very cute Italian linen/jersey knee length dress that is really comfy and fits the smart/casual brief too. I have a couple of w dresses, one is a phase Eight which is more smart, the others are more casual. For smarter office/meetings I have several linen shift dresses in navy or teal, which I wear with wedges sandals.

LaineyT

I concur with Chanie Ellsbel that the best thing would be to talk it over with your manager, you shouldn't be made to feel uncomfortable at work? btw your outfit for the coffee date sounded tres chic
LL might sound daft but think you should allow yourself time to 'grieve' for the relationship with your sister, it's bound to hit you hard irrespective of the fact you know it's for the best, please take care of you.
Hmm, some of the sights have seen over the last few days of hot weather, less said the better :eek:
Personally I find that dresses are the best way to go to keep cool, on the knee for me as don't like to show too much leg, in a jersey cotton. I have made the most of the summer sales that have started and ordered three more, two plain and smarter patterned one which I have in mind for when we go horse racing next month.

savingfortomorrow

Ellsbel congratulations on the new role, expanding your job and using your skills fully. It is frustrating when people want to keep us down doing boring, complicated or let me say it as it is the most nasty task they all want to avoid.

If you have been promoted upwards, in charge of these folks, you have a clear measure of them. Give detailed insructions, email these instructions and give them the impression that completing these tasks are what lead to to promotion.

If it is a sideways move, still give easy to read instruction for the task and run like hell. Drop it and go, you have new tasks and by the lack of goodwill i would be less than willing to heavily support them ongoingly (where you do all the task). Now if this task is something that is life threatening ... give them loads of support initially.

Sometimes people are stupid, they can be genuinely happy for you but afraid of undertaking a new role themselves. They knew you got the big nasty task done and yes they will have to step. Let them deal and just understand it is not personal just them being work shy.

I had a week of it, dealing with people who are managers and could not see the wood from the trees. Thankfully everyone sees through her but painful. I guess that is the life.

Lessons learned, this week has been truely crummy for you as regards your sister. Insult layered upon offence, she will regret her behaviour but more that that she will waste money also. It can be so painful to see people for what they are, but more so what she values. Her attitude to fairness, decency and money is so different to your own, i doubt you have a lot in common really.
she will miss you, but as you know a line has been crossed. Moving into your sons house is a great idea, he has a buyer who will not back out or mess him around and you know the quality of the house. Now that is what family should do, work together for mutual benefit.

Now on to clothes, I hate the summer for this reason. A certain subsection can be seen wallowing in its lovely clothes. I hate with a passion seeing and being unable to unsee so much skin, hugh heffiner would say cover up dear. Somebodies are perfect and gym bunnies, but others, please find a top that covers the rear and the bussom.

A light dress with a cover on the shoulders is cooler than shorts with all the material at the waist, a shirt is so versatile in summer as the collar can be flipped up to protect the neck, it covers shoulders and all the places we struggle to apply sun screen. it can be made look after hours by tying it to the front.
I tend to buy summer clothes in winter, cheaper in the sales and pull out an old reliable year upon year. if you wear white, it will feel so much cooler. Aldi and lidl do a lot of natural fabric dresses that are great for the late summer also.