Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

maman

Really enjoyed reading your post indie. It's as if you're thinking things through aloud. I find message boards really useful for that. Like you said, you don't need to kiss frogs for company so best left alone until you feel like trying again.


Your decorating is at the really interesting stage now. It'll be good to move into your stylish bedroom for the winter months, very luxurious. Like you, we've replaced a lot of the original features in our home that the previous owners took out while 'modernising'. One very useful thing is that we have picture rails in most of the rooms so we can move pictures around easily. My DH collects antiquarian maps and prints so that's what we mostly have but also a few paintings. Our bedroom has two windows with a bit of wall in between which bed faces. On this wall we have a lovely Turkish watercolour of old Ottoman houses, reminds me of lovely holidays.


I need new handles for our fitted wardrobes too. They're wooden and painted in eggshell and it's really difficult to wipe so they end up grubby. I need to do some Googling to see what's about.


We've got a painter coming this week while we're away. He's making a start on the outside of the house and then he's going to do the hall, stairs and landing. Nothing much to decide in terms of design, just freshening up with an off white instead of current grey. Kitchen's going to be done too but that's just freshening up paintwork as well as units and tiles are all fine.


It's a bit like the 'should I have a cleaner?' argument. DH is madly busy with his job/hobby at the moment so although he can do decorating he'd prefer to use his time differently. Like you said LL, if you can afford it why not spend your money as you choose. I'd have a cleaner if I needed one. DH finds cleaning therapeutic so I leave him to it.;)


It's another glorious day here. I'm just waiting on towels etc. coming out of the WM then going to go out for a couple of hours. There's a small Turner exhibition on in Winchester so I plan to see that and browse around the city a bit. Hope everyone's got something to do they enjoy.:)

indiepanda

greenbee wrote: »

Sounds like great progress on the house indie. Do you want to come and organise mine?!

Where are you getting your magic blinds from? I need some for the back of my house and possibly one of the bathrooms.

Haha, I have quite a way to go with mine yet, but maybe next yea ;-)r. I am probably going to get magic screen blinds from Blinds to Go.

http://www.blinds-2go.co.uk/roller-blinds/refine/pf-27

maman wrote: »

Really enjoyed reading your post indie. It's as if you're thinking things through aloud. I find message boards really useful for that. Like you said, you don't need to kiss frogs for company so best left alone until you feel like trying again.


Your decorating is at the really interesting stage now. It'll be good to move into your stylish bedroom for the winter months, very luxurious. Like you, we've replaced a lot of the original features in our home that the previous owners took out while 'modernising'. One very useful thing is that we have picture rails in most of the rooms so we can move pictures around easily. My DH collects antiquarian maps and prints so that's what we mostly have but also a few paintings. Our bedroom has two windows with a bit of wall in between which bed faces. On this wall we have a lovely Turkish watercolour of old Ottoman houses, reminds me of lovely holidays.


I need new handles for our fitted wardrobes too. They're wooden and painted in eggshell and it's really difficult to wipe so they end up grubby. I need to do some Googling to see what's about.


We've got a painter coming this week while we're away. He's making a start on the outside of the house and then he's going to do the hall, stairs and landing. Nothing much to decide in terms of design, just freshening up with an off white instead of current grey. Kitchen's going to be done too but that's just freshening up paintwork as well as units and tiles are all fine.


It's a bit like the 'should I have a cleaner?' argument. DH is madly busy with his job/hobby at the moment so although he can do decorating he'd prefer to use his time differently. Like you said LL, if you can afford it why not spend your money as you choose. I'd have a cleaner if I needed one. DH finds cleaning therapeutic so I leave him to it.;)


It's another glorious day here. I'm just waiting on towels etc. coming out of the WM then going to go out for a couple of hours. There's a small Turner exhibition on in Winchester so I plan to see that and browse around the city a bit. Hope everyone's got something to do they enjoy.:)

Yes, definitely. I find writing things down helps me organise my thoughts.

This is the first old house I've owned and whilst I don't want to go to mad with Victoriana (I definitely didn't want to reinstall a fireplace in the bedroom as it is a waste of wall space) it is nice to have some older touches - so much nicer than the first modern terrace I owned in Swindon which was built in the early 90s and cursed with artex ceilings. My second one was my favourite - semi rather than terrace and though modern it was done quite nicely, coving, decent deep skirting, flat ceilings, built in garage, lots of storage built in, en suite shower room and downstairs loo as well as the bathroom... If I could have just moved it to London I would have been thrilled, but it wouldn't have been in my price range here

Sounds like you might live in a similar part of the world as I used to, I was a frequent weekend visitor to Winchester when I lived down in Romsey. I should really have based myself in Winchester, would have been a bit more going on. Romsey is a perfect place if you are happily coupled up, especially with children, but as a single girl it was a bit quiet.

I rather like old maps too - well maps in general, for all the fact I rely on sat navs / google maps to show me routes I like looking at maps and would like to get an old one of London that covers my part of town. (well, not too old, my house dates back to about the 1860s I think, go back much further and this part of town will still be fields.

I agree about use of time - I have a cleaner as I'd rather do something else with that time. Most of the work I had done I couldn't have done myself, but I could have saved myself some money by emulsioning the room myself. However, I would have had to find the time to do it before the carpet fitter came, which would have meant delaying getting the carpet down and the room finished, and the painting was the small part of the job and I wouldn't have achieved the same standard. My old attic bedroom needs painting at some point and I may do that myself as it's modern and doesn't need replastering etc, but my smaller bedroom is in a similar mess to the one I've just had done so that will probably all get outsourced.

lessonlearned

Hi. Fabulous posts.....I love all this "nesting" that's going on.....

I got some of those magic blinds from blinds2go. Love them, they filter out the harsh glare of the sun and give total privacy. I didn't mind everywhere being open when DS2 lived with me but I felt a bit like a goldfish in a bowl when he left. Daft I know but makes me feel more secure knowing people can't see that I'm alone.

My bedroom is coming along now too, just the finishing touches. We still have the original fireplaces so I have just finished reblacking the insides and have ordered two new frets. They can't be lit because the chimneys have been blocked up. I have Picked a load of pinecones and need to get some pillar candles to dress them.

I just need to try and sort out the hall floor, original Victorian tiles. I need to replace two tiny segments and then give them some TLC. I have to say it's lovely to see it all come together although I still have a furniture painting marathon ahead......

My cleaner really is lovely. I have struck gold. I hope she never gets fed up and decides to leave. :rotfl:

TBH. I know I am a bit OCD And a tad too much of a perfectionist so that is why I have always been loathe to outsource cleaning, decorating and diy but I just have to face facts I am not the woman I was and I need help with the heavy jobs. If I still had a hale and hearty Husband then doubtless we would just muck in and do it together. DS2 was great when he was here but I don't want to rely on the boys, they are busy enough as it is.

The other day I went in the loft and had a moment of blind Panjc because I though I wasn't going to be able to get down......:rotfl:

So yes I am going to buy help now when I need it.

Many years ago when I was a young mum working full time I nearly worked myself to standstill. I was having real problems with my back. My mum, a wise old bird, asked me how much I was paying for treatments for my back. When I told her she said why don't you get a cleaner.....much cheaper and no back pain.....she was right of course.

MAman what about some porcelain knobs. I put them on an old dresser that I have shabby chicced. They look very pretty.

Indie......I have a friend who is a widow who has been trying internet dating......what a complete waste of time. Everyone one she has dated has been either downright weird or a complete t&sser. Pardon my language but there really is no other word. :rotfl:

Well now I'm going to brag.........:D

The other day when I went for my massage I sat in the waiting room with a lady who was going to have her eyelashes done. She was very glamourous and nicely turned out. She told me she was 50 and I complimented her telling her she looked good. It was the truth, she did.

She then asked my age. I said 66. Her jaw nearly touched the floor. She said but you look at least 10 years younger. I was dead chuffed.

I fessed up.....I said well if you had seen me a year ago you wouldn't have said that and I told her about being a carer and how I had come close to looking like a bag lady.

So.....all my hard work is starting to pay off. I came home and had a good look in the mirror and she was right I do look more refreshed and less haggard these days.

Not exactly a super model but I think I'm doing ok.

Floss

Have to admit that we have a cleaner bit in my defence m'lud, we do have 2 four-bed 3-floor houses It is an expense but it frees up weekends for us to do what we enjoy.

Am currently lounging on a comfy sofa looking at the sea view from our cottage in Pembrokeshire, glass of wine and a small bowl of almonds close at hand. We did an 8 mile section of the Coastal Path today, a lot of steep ups & downs but absolutely gorgeous weather & countryside. We have booked dinner in St Davids tomorrow for our 7th anniversary (this cottage is where we came for our honeymoon:D) and have plans for a few more walks later in the week too.

maman

You should have told that lady that it's the super thread you started that's made you look so good LL!:D

indie , I was in Romsey only last week sadly attending a funeral at the abbey. It's a nice place and I go there occasionally for the independent department store which is great at bra measuring but wouldn't want to live there.

I had a very enjoyable and productive few hours in Winchester. The exhibition was interesting, focused on Turner's representation of sunlight in landscapes.Then I strolled through town and did some gentle shopping! I bought 2 summer tops in sales and some super indigo jeans in the White Company. They were expensive but I felt like treating myself. I'm going to pension off some of the jeans I've stopped liking to the CS and limit myself to 2 smart pairs and 2 knocking around pairs.

Then I had a salad in Pret and went to get some moisturiser from Benefit. They weren't busy so they tried out some new products on me including an eyebrow kit and a lovely light foundation /tinted moisturiser. I've made a note for when my current ones are used up.

So a very pleasant way to spend the time. Hope everyone else is having a good weekend.

maman

Floss wrote: »

Have to admit that we have a cleaner bit in my defence m'lud, we do have 2 four-bed 3-floor houses It is an expense but it frees up weekends for us to do what we enjoy.

Am currently lounging on a comfy sofa looking at the sea view from our cottage in Pembrokeshire, glass of wine and a small bowl of almonds close at hand. We did an 8 mile section of the Coastal Path today, a lot of steep ups & downs but absolutely gorgeous weather & countryside. We have booked dinner in St Davids tomorrow for our 7th anniversary (this cottage is where we came for our honeymoon:D) and have plans for a few more walks later in the week too.

Sounds like bliss floss . Happy Anniversary.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

LL I am glad you were given such a lovely compliment about how you look. It is a real shame that we will not be meeting you in person in October, as I am even more curious to meet you than I was before.

I will be forever grateful for this thread, as it gives me so much inspiration, especially on the days when I feel as if I can not be bothered, I try to make some effort with my appearance. I never want to be 'mutton dressed as lamb' woman, but neither do I want to dress older than my chronological age.

Floss, Happy 7th Anniversary to you and your husband. It sounds as if you are both having a great time together in Pembrokeshire.

I went to another Poetry group in Beckenham last night and I had another really enjoyable evening. It is run by the same man who runs the Blackfriars Poetry group. My friend of 13 years who I met at Hillcroft College, was there, as she is a regular attendee of this group and lives in Beckenham. She was really pleasantly surprised to see me there. It is 2 longish bus rides away from my home in South London, but it is a very straightforward journey. I had been inspired to write 4 new poems this week, so I performed those 4 poems for the group, despite my nerves.

I am putting together all of my other creative writing that I have written over the years into one lever arch folder. There are many more pieces of work than I had remembered. Most of the poems, autobiographical reflections and short stories have never been performed by me, so they will all eventually be heard at one of the Poetry groups.

I will also be making the time to write new poems and short stories as inspiration comes to me.

I have been forced by chest pains to have a quiet, relaxing day, watching some of my favourite SKy shows. I did pop to Lidl to pick up a few items, then on to Morrisons. I went early this morning before the crowds would be out, but even that simple task took it out of me, as I have a cold. The cold symptoms just appeared from nowhere yesterday, but although they are not very debilitating by themselves, combined with the chest pains, I know that I should not be doing anything strenuous today. I am taking Beechams Max capsules to keep the cold symptoms at bay.

I am definitely returning to work on Monday for my usual 3 hour shift, but I will be on light duties for the next 2 month's, so my worn down body should be able to cope admirably with the light duties. One of the other cleaners has been assigned by Management to do all of the heavy work on my floor for the next 2 months.

Okay, it is time for me to watch my recording of X Factor. This way I can cut out all of the adverts, the judges waffling and simply watch the acts and enjoy the singing talent in the show. :j I tend not to watch the really awful singers, as I feel it is cruel to put them through round after round, just to laugh at them.

Have a good evening Ladies.

LaineyT

Morning lovely ladies,

I am up early this morning, the dogs have been fed and the spaniel walked (my old lady tends to forgo her morning exercise as too stiff first thing) so am now enjoying my first cuppa of the day and catching up on the threads.
Happy Anniversary Floss and enjoy the rest of your time away.
Your spa day sounded fabulous Sukey
So pleased to read that your heart is fine LL and you do sound a bit brighter in yourself, what a lift that compliment must have been
The new bedroom sounds smashing Indie I too adore teal and have accents of it in our living room, throws, cushions etc.
I have also had a recent cull on my jeans Maman and have donated all that didn't make me look and feel fabulous, it's hard to find a really good pair isn't it.
You seem to be very inspired at the moment Sugarbaby and finding real joy in your creativity, hope your cold is a little better today.
I have had a busy week with various projects going on, first and foremost has been the hunt to find a decent yard to keep the lovely Lulu at, not being lucky or rich enough :rotfl: to have my own land and stables needed to look elsewhere. The yard where I kept Bill no longer does liveries so have been visiting others and pleased to say think I have found the perfect home, it's 15 miles away so bit further to go but two of my friends have their horses there so worth the extra effort, it's clean, tidy and well run, the grazing is good and you can hack for miles across the fens without hitting a main road, perfect Now for some much needed horsey shopping, am really hoping that my existing saddle will, with a little adjustment, fit Lulu as that could be a major expense if not, my bridle should be fine but the rugs definitely not so will need to measure her and then get at least a waterproof turnout rug straight away.
Along with all things horsey have also been doing a little nesting, especially in our bedroom. We prefer a sheet and blankets to duvets so have a top bedspread to dress the bed, in the summer I use a pretty patchwork one but have been looking for something a bit cosier for the winter months. Have finally found it and that, together with new pillowcases and a flat sheet have been ordered and are on their way, sorry can't seem to do links on my tablet but they are from a UK firm called SoakandSleep.
We had a scheduled power outage on Wednesday and it was off between 8.30 and 5pm, it was a miserable day so didn't go far (apart from out to lunch so as not to open the fridge you understand ) and I spent most of the day reading which was fine but it did make me realise how much I missed the radio. We have a sonos system around the house and even the DAB radio in the bedroom doesn't take batteries so have ordered a small radio for such emergencies.

Right, time for another drink as mine has gone cold, enjoy your Sunday ladies x

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies

Floss. Happy anniversary. :T. Hope you have a lovely day..

SUgarbaby. Sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. Hope you feel better soon. (My chest pains are niggling a bit this morning but quite mild). Going to try some gentle yoga in a bit. You sound so creative with your writing. And so brave to stand in front of an audience. I have tackled many scary things in my life but speaking/singing to an audience is beyond me.

Like you I can't bear to see those acts on programmes like X Factor being publically humiliated - even if they are talentless and deluded - it's just not kind. As for those smirking judges....I feel like putting a brick through the screen. I don't watch the shows because they make me cringe, but I do sometimes watch the odd act on you tube.

Lainey.....lovely to hear about Lulu and Bill, finding good livery stables is very hard. We have one of those local selling groups and of course the prices people ask for their unwanted items are usually very reasonable, I was stunned to see a show jumping saddle on offer for £750 - Second hand. Mind it did look in excellent condition.

Going to tackle a bit of painting today. Shabby chic a couple of bits to go in the guest room.

I was interested to hear that Debenhams now use the same suppliers as BHS for their lighting. I have been looking for bedside lights so will give them a try. I always thought that the lighting department in BHS was one of the best.

Went to a BBQ at my eldest sons last night. DILS parents are over from Venezuela at the moment so lots of outings and lots of eating .....I havent put myself on the scales. I don't think I dare. They are becoming real anglophiles. They rave over some of our traditional English food. Last night I introduced them to the joys of trifle. DILs dad has a real sweet tooth and he was in 7th heaven, he had three helpings. Tomorrow we are all meeting up for a meal in one of my favourite restaurants. I definitely won't be calorie counting!!!!

I am still trying to stay pretty close to paleo though so hopefully not too much damage. I am going to try and do a bit of paleo baking today.

I have got meals down to T now, paleo meal times are second nature now but it would be convenient to be able to have the odd biscuit or cracker and of course a piece of cake now and then would be nice. :rotfl:

MAman - your leisurely few hours in Winchester sounds lovely. Such a pretty place too.

And ladies.....you are not going to believe this.....but I have splashes of teal in both of my bedrooms!!!

Great minds think alike......

Its a bit dull here so a perfect day for pottering about, a bit of painting, sort a couple of cupboards and a bit of baking.

Have a lovely day.

LaineyT

Good leather saddles, even secondhand, can go for hundreds of pounds LL so you can see why I hope my current one will fit, despite being over 10 years old it's in very good condition having been well looked after by a qualified saddler and yours truly, love the smell of tack conditioner You can buy cheaper synthetic alternatives but you can't beat leather for comfort and durability,