Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

Floss

Maybe we could set up a private email group, so those who can do the meet can be faces to those that can't? I'm happy to coordinate on an anonymous basis if folk are comfortable with that?

maddiemay

Hi everyone, not posted for ages, but am trying to keep up with the fabbing and I read all your posts. We have spent quite a lot of time away in our caravan and have also been using the tablet rather than the laptop, I am useless at posting on it, but now back on the proper keyboard, so hopefully will participate more.

The meet up sounds great, sadly my mobility is not good enough for train travel and getting around is difficult some days, so will sadly not be able to join you all, but I am sure you will have great fun:D

MM

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Maman, I am a complete Brand snob since I discovered eBay many years ago and I have never looked back. This way when I see what I like, I can trawl eBay to find the exact item or else something very similar at rock bottom prices. I bought the Van Dal Black Leather ankle boots I wanted this week on eBay for only £4.90 including P & P costs!!!! :T What's not to Love about eBay shopping? Why would I buy my Osprey handbags from the store in London or online when they are sold on eBay for a fraction of the price? I have no need to buy anything except quality brands for myself, my children, my grandchildren, my sisters, nieces, nephews and other family members through eBay without spending exorbitant amounts of money.

Indie, I must be very laid back when it comes to friendships, as it would take about 2 years of being let down by a friend before I would have a conversation with them. :rotfl:

We went to Rodizio Rico in the 02 to celebrate my grandson's 18th birthday again on Tuesday evening. I had Groupon vouchers, so that cut the cost of the meal for myself, my grandson, my son and my daughter down nicely. We had delicious food and we talked and laughed a lot and had a very enjoyable time together. My grandson, my son and my daughter had cocktails and soft drinks, but I stuck to sparkling water as I rarely drink alcohol and do not drink soft drinks.

On Tuesday I saw The Zoo Keeper's Wife at my Local Odeon. It was a Silver Screen showing so it only cost me £3. The film profoundly moved me. It captivated me and enthralled me. It was a stark reminder that even while humanity will descend into cruelty and the worse depravity other human beings will be showing the more nobler side of what it is to be human. It also made me thankful yet again that I have never had to live through a world war or a civil war. I would give this film a 9.5/10

Yesterday I had another free evening out by getting a ticket to be in the studio audience for The Mash Report. :T It is a satirical programme about the News for that week. It was a long wait in the queue as security measures have increased before you can enter the studio. It was really pouring down with rain when I was leaving home, but I did not let that deter me. Anyway I have wind proof umbrellas that really work. Another eBay bargain. I really enjoyed the show. I laughed so much. I have been in the studio audience for many, many shows in the past, but this is the only one for a long while.

We are taking my grandson to the Vue Piccadilly to watch War For The Planet of The Apes later today, compliments of the Tesco offer when you buy 3 Dettol, Vanish or Airwick products. (I have claimed 6 free Vue tickets so far.) This is another birthday celebration for my grandson.

I hope you all have a very good day ladies and keep up the fabbing.

chanie

sugarbaby125 wrote: »

Hello Ladies,

Maman, I am a complete Brand snob since I discovered eBay many years ago and I have never looked back. This way when I see what I like, I can trawl eBay to find the exact item or else something very similar at rock bottom prices. I bought the Van Dal Black Leather ankle boots I wanted this week on eBay for only £4.90 including P & P costs!!!! :T What's not to Love about eBay shopping? Why would I buy my Osprey handbags from the store in London or online when they are sold on eBay for a fraction of the price? I have no need to buy anything except quality brands for myself, my children, my grandchildren, my sisters, nieces, nephews and other family members through eBay without spending exorbitant amounts of money.

Sugar inspired to go back on ebay. I hadn't used it in years, but I've managed to pick up quite a few bargains.

LaineyT

Morning fabbers,

Sorry have also been MIA a bit for the last few days, combination of a poorly dog and a number of unexpected, but enjoyable, family commitments made for a busy time.

Must admit I need to read back and catch up with everyone's news but hope all are well.
My DOH has gone away for a couple of days, he is at the test match with DSS's, so I have the house to myself for a change. I have to say I do relish it at times, I can do as I please, eat when I like etc.
I do need to pop into town to bank a cheque, return a parcel and pick up some eggs so will make sure I make it a Fab Friday with make-up on and casual, but chic clothes.

Right, time to get a shower and beautify myself have a lovely day everyone x

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

I took my grandson, my son and my daughter to Vue Piccadilly to see the film War On The Planet of The Apes. All 4 of us really enjoyed the film and visiting this particular cinema for the 1st time. I would give this film a 9/10

Of course I had taken advantage of the current Tesco offer to buy 3 qualifying Dettol products for 2 adult tickets so did not have to pay for the tickets as I had codes to exchange for the 4 tickets. We took bags of popcorn to the cinema and I had a bottle of water, so I only had to buy soft drinks for the other 3.

Health wise, I am continuing to improve day by day. I am no longer getting chest pains or muscle pains in my limbs every day. When I saw the Physiotherapist on Wednesday at Kings College Hospital, we both agreed that I was no longer in need of treatment as I had improved so much in the preceding weeks. I will continue to exercise daily to keep my limbs flexible and hopefully to slowly help to shift some of the weight gain.

Have a fab Friday Ladies

maddiemay

Sugarbaby125 - Fantastic news about the improvement in your health situation, well done.

LaineyT

Now all caught up....
Welcome to our new fabbers, great to 'see' you, this is a lovely, supportive thread x
Ouch on the infection Indie hope the antibiotics have kicked in by now and you are feeling better.
:j to Sugarbaby and your improvement in health, good to hear.
Totally with you Sukey on the not buying anymore summer clothes, I have made a list of the few bits needed as we head into Autumn/Winter and will be keeping a look out for any bargains.
Can I make a confession ( whispers quietly) I have never purchased anything via ebay :eek: perhaps I should jump in and have a look....
Right, time to get a wriggle on, have a good Saturday everyone x

indiepanda

sukeyboo wrote: »

Indie that infected insect bite sounds nasty - hope it heals

Thanks, it's getting there, almost all the inflammation has gone and no pain now, bit of bruising but I bruise like a peach anyway - the joys of being fair skinned, as well looking pasty every little mark shows up.

sugarbaby125 wrote: »

Hello Ladies,

Maman, I am a complete Brand snob since I discovered eBay many years ago and I have never looked back. This way when I see what I like, I can trawl eBay to find the exact item or else something very similar at rock bottom prices. I bought the Van Dal Black Leather ankle boots I wanted this week on eBay for only £4.90 including P & P costs!!!! :T What's not to Love about eBay shopping? Why would I buy my Osprey handbags from the store in London or online when they are sold on eBay for a fraction of the price? I have no need to buy anything except quality brands for myself, my children, my grandchildren, my sisters, nieces, nephews and other family members through eBay without spending exorbitant amounts of money.

Indie, I must be very laid back when it comes to friendships, as it would take about 2 years of being let down by a friend before I would have a conversation with them. :rotfl:
Yesterday I had another free evening out by getting a ticket to be in the studio audience for The Mash Report. :T It is a satirical programme about the News for that week. It was a long wait in the queue as security measures have increased before you can enter the studio. It was really pouring down with rain when I was leaving home, but I did not let that deter me. Anyway I have wind proof umbrellas that really work. Another eBay bargain. I really enjoyed the show. I laughed so much. I have been in the studio audience for many, many shows in the past, but this is the only one for a long while.

Sugarbaby I saw the Mash Report on TV this week, very funny. Where do you get your tickets for things like TV recordings from?

I am with you on the friends point... no one is perfect and if having someone in my life on balance makes me happier I don't tend to rock the boat too much. There's the very odd person I've consciously cut out of my life over the years and the odd person I've drifted apart from but generally I am a very loyal friend and put a lot of energy into maintaining my friendships.

Do you mainly use Ebay for accessories or do you get clothes from there too? I have considered using more, but so many times when I try things on in shops they don't fit that I feel that if I bought 4 discount items on ebay and only liked 1 but can't return the others I am not much better off than if I'd got exactly what I wanted in a shop brand new. Do you get much in the way of brand new stuff on ebay? Not that I would object to most second hand things, but I am a bit put off the idea of second hand shoes... guess I feel they sort of get stretched a bit to fit your feet and getting ones that have stretched to fit someone elses might be uncomfortable. I guess it would all depend how used they were though.

Does anyone have much selling experience on ebay? I really need to thin about my handbag collection. I have some old radley bags, including a limited edition one which has never been used. They aren't exactly designer, but not cheap either so don't just want to give to a charity shop.

I need to start watching my pennies a bit more carefully, took out a bank loan for some repairs on my house. I think I said that the lodger had moved out? Well, she had the bedroom on the first floor which is a decent size with high ceilings, but I hadn't taken it as mine when I moved in as there wasn't much hanging space - the wardrobe is built into an alcove by the chimney breast but it's too shallow so hangers have to go on the diagonal to fit which limits what you can fit it..

Anyway, the attic gets super hot in the summer and because of the shape of the room the bed has to go in the eves, so on one side the ceiling is quite low. I slept on that side when I lived here with my ex and was forever banging my head. Not an issue at the moment (though you wouldn't believe how long I spent sleeping on that side after he was deported!) but one day I hope to at least have someone nice staying over more.

So, intention is to sort out the lodger's room and reclaim as my own. I am then considering making the attic into a spare room / study and moving the bookcases from my box room (which isn't that small actually, about 12 x 7) into the attic room, so that I have the option of turning the box room into a small bedroom and having a Monday - Friday lodger, which would be less intrusive than having a full time one, but give me some cash too.

Will see, first step is getting the bedroom fixed and that's going to be expensive. I've had the ceiling inspected and the structural engineer says they've boarded over the original making the cornicing shallow and covering up the original ceiling rose. That wouldn't be a massive issue in itself, but the lower ceiling is cracked and drooping so it needs to come down, which means fixing what they covered up... so whole new ceiling. Will then replace the cornicing and put back a nice ceiling rose. The walls are papered and you can tell they are bumpy underneath, and it looks suspiciously like the fireplace in the room has just been covered up with hardboard and papered over (they have done that elsewhere in the house) and it looks really unprofessional. So I am getting the fire place properly bricked up (I know a nice fireplace can be a good feature, but I have never even lit the one in my lounge, and I want the wall space for other things in the bedroom - probably going to put my dressing table there.) and the walls replastered. Anyway, then the skirting boards also aren't decent Victorian ones, not shallow like in a new house, but not shaped either. So I figure if I am ever going to get that sorted, now is the time. Then there is a new deeper wardrobe to put in, and we will probably take advantage of the ceiling height to put in two rails, one for tops and one for longer items (I might need to use my stall to reach the top one!) and a cupboard and shelving on the other side.

Then of course all that lot needs to be painted. So better go out and get some test pots tomorrow. Will probably just go for some sort of soft white / ivory though - means I can change colour of bedlinen etc without needing to re-paint walls. I have some pretty bold art work to put up too which will be the main source of colour in the room.

I am considering new furniture for the bedroom too.... but I think I will try living with the new bedroom and then see how it feels. Don't want to take on too much credit or take too much out of my savings so I need to give myself some time to add to the savings anyway.

So hopefully allowing for the 2-3 weeks of work to be done and time to find someone to help me move furniture from room to room I will be in my new bedroom for the autumn . Will force me to have a bit of clear out of my stuff in between which will be good for me. Going to start by taking a couple of small pine bookcases which were in the lodger's room that I don't need to the charity shop today and one of my freestanding mirrors. I will have a mirror put inside the door of the wardrobe in my new bedroom so I definitely don't need two.

Clothes is a big challenge.... when do I get rid of the clothes from when I was fatter. Any advice from people who have lost weight? I am caught between not wanting to chuck out for fear of gaining weight again and having to spend a fortune replacing clothes I quite liked and thinking in holding onto them I am just giving myself permission to slide back into my old ways!

Going to have to make sure in among all the house fabbing I don't forget to look after myself too - including keeping an eye on the diet to avoid putting the weight back on. At least running around decluttering is good exercise!

Have a fab weekend all x

Floss

Lainey...you so need to take a look! If you have a fave brand, just pop it into the search box and see what is there - often BNWT stuff can be picked up for a fraction of the original price.