Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

chanie

sugar I hope your test results come back clear. Pleased to see you are getting into the Xmas spirit and wrapping your presents. I do love card Factory as well. I have loads of wrapping paper as I bought quite a few rolls from Sainsburys after Xmas last year and the year before for 50p each.


I'm off tomorrow, for my 'me' day, although I'm not really feeling it - probably because I normally have something nice planned like a beauty treatment or a few cheeky purchases, but I don't have either planned. I tend not to buy much in December anyway, as I hold out until the sales. Still, I can have a nice lunch somewhere.

maman

Fingers crossed that it's not arthritis sugarbaby.


Have a lovely day tomorrow chanie. I think you're right to put off spending until January. There's nothing worse than seeing something with a lower price tag in the sales that you could have waited for . It's different with presents for small children but for yourself it's well worth waiting. I'm sure you'll enjoy your lunch tomorrow and perhaps there's something else you can do like go to an exhibition or see a film.:)


We don't do much Christmas shopping although I still enjoy the festival. We only buy gifts for children in the family and most of those are either at a distance or of an age when giving them/their parents money to choose is far better. If there's one thing I really loathe it's buying 'stuff'.


I'll buy nice food treats and decorate the house (I leave it until the week before) and we send cards including special ones for close family.


On Monday we went to the cinema. We don't go that often but I'd read the reviews and fancied the film 'The Man who invented Christmas'. It's the story of why and how Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. It has good actors in it and we enjoyed it very much.


I'm having quite a busy week what with the cinema, dancing and a Christmas meal with friends tomorrow evening. Friday is the only evening I'll be at home. I'm looking forward to that!


I called by at the hairdressers' this afternoon. I've made an appointment for Monday but I thought if I went in person someone would cut my fringe for me to keep me going until next week. So that's tidied it up a bit, it wasn't just getting in the way but it won't lie straight when it gets too long. I have been known to cut it myself but I'd rather not.


It's been quiet on here this week. I'm guessing everyone is busy with Christmas events and preparations. It'll soon be time for New Year's Resolutions!:D

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Chanie, enjoy your 'me' day tomorrow

Tuesday evening, I went to Karaoke. I had a really enjoyable time, but my friend and I left 20 minutes early because we were both feeling so tired.

This morning I went to my local Odeon Silver Screen screening of the film Home Again. I really like this feel good film. I would give it 8/10. I had my free cup of tea and biscuits as my breakfast, as I did not have time for breakfast before leaving home. I am going back to the cinema tomorrow morning to finally see Victoria and Abdul.

I am continuing to wrap Christmas presents. At least the birthday presents are all wrapped.

maman

Hope you enjoy Victoria and Abdul. I really enjoyed it.:)

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies......

A bit quiet on here, but I guess we are all very busy. Hope you are still finding time for a bit of “me”time amid all the racing round, getting things done. Don’t forget to look after yourselves and keep up with the fabbing.

I’ve had my yellow fever jab, felt a bit rough yesterday, still feel very tired and a bit drained and achey so just a quiet potter today. Hopefully Going to decorate the tree later.

I went out with the Jolly Dollies on Sunday, had a lovely time. Met some new ladies I’d not seen before so my social circle is getting bigger.

Can you believe we are nearly at the Solstice, (there was a fabulous super moon last Sunday). After that the days will start to lengthen again. As always as we approach the end of the hear I have been reflecting on the last hear and already my thoughts are turning towards 2018.

2017 started very badly, the death of my father and then the awful business with my sister. It knocked the stuffing out of me and my health really suffered. I feel that I lost the first 6 months of this year, just dealing with it all. Even the trip to the Baltic was spoilt because it came just when my sisters treachery was reaching its climax. I really didn’t enjoy that holiday as much as I should have.

However, I managed to put it all behind me and the second half of the year began to see improvements in my health and wellbeing. The October cruise was the real turning point when suddenly I felt all the grief and sorrow just slipping away.

I now have my sights set firmly on the future. Yes I still miss my husband, of course I do but there is no longer that awful empty void in my life and constant sorrow in my heart. I am happy and content and hopeful for the future. 2018 bodes well, my trip, my first grandchild and I have lots of plans and ideas. I am Determined to squeeze every last drop of enjoyment and pleasure out of life from now on.

SUgarbaby....hope you are doing ok. Look after yourself.

Chanie....hope you enjoy your “me” day.

I’m off to Chatsworth next week. The theme for the house decorations is “A Dickens of a Christmas”. The reviews are very good, apparently they have surpassed themselves this year, with live actors acting out scenes from not just A Christmas Carol but also several of his famous stories.

I don’t know if any if you know Chatsworth but the dining/banqueting Hall is stunning at the best of times. They have the most amazing collections of silver, also As to be expected Crown Derby and also the most beautiful Cranberry glassware. Apparently they have set it up as Miss Havershams wedding banquet.

Speaking of Crown Derby I dug out a few of my treasures from the loft and I now have some of my favourite pieces on display. I also treated myself to some new cushions and a new throw, lovely mustard and mulberry coloured tartan. Nice cosy colours for winter. And some red plants, an orchid and an antirinum.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.........

maman

Good to see you posting LL.


Hardly Chatsworth but I have a few pieces of Crown Derby on display in my hall. they're there all the year round but this time of the year they are joined by my Crown Derby Santa:

maman

Sorry Santa took up so much room. I'll put him out later in your honour LL.:) I have a few other small animals including a robin so I arrange them around a crib scene.


We're off out for a Christmas party tonight. It's in quite a high end restaurant and there's dancing. I'm going to wear my new (to me) black lace Phase Eight party dress. Thanks to the fake tan my arms don't look pasty any more. I do hope the venue is warm enough but I'll take a pashmina just in case.


I've done all the usual fabbing including a defuzz as I'll wear sheer tights tonight. I'm also planning a little bit of tinted moisturiser as I haven't worn any this year so far. Heels will look best but I plan to put some ballet pumps in my bag in case I get tired.


I'm trying my hardest to keep up with healthy eating in between the festivities. This morning I'd lost 2 lbs and delighted to say I'm (at last!) back to the weight I was before my holiday in July.:D


I'll be joining in Fab Friday tomorrow but it'll be a quiet one.

chanie

ll you have had a rough time, but you are out the other side and have lots to look forward to in 2018.

maman I love your little Santa, it’s adorable.

I’m back from my shopping trip. I had a nice wander around Westfield shopping Centre, a nice lunch and back home for a chill out before picking up the children from school.

Like LL I’ve been thinking about 2018 and specifically what I want to achieve. I’ll let you all know once I’ve written it all down.

LaineyT

Enjoy your meal out tonight Maman and good news re the weight loss.

I have also been thinking about 2017 LL, in many ways it's been the worst of times having lost my darling Mum in January, then having to deal with the clearing of her home and all that entailed. The desolation of being orphaned and the loss of a 'family' home has left me so low at times that didn't know how I would cope, but cope I did.
My life is very different now but I am gradually getting used to the changes, exploring new avenues in my life and looking forward to what 2018 will bring. After a period of not working I fully intend on finding a part time job, with hours to suit me and I have also put forward my details to a well known charity so that hopefully I can put something back into my local community, exciting times!
Not too much fabbing has gone on this week, too busy staying warm and cosy, I have been using the samples that my niece gave me last week and especially like the day moisturiser which, although quite thick, doesn't feel claggy on my skin iyswim?
We are having a relatively quiet festive season but I have been making lists and have made good headway in purchasing the few presents we are giving. There is nothing that we can think of to buy each other but, having recently dug out all my old vinyl records, we are now thinking about a record player as a joint present to each other.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

I really enjoyed watching the fim Victoria and Abdul today. It was a 9/10 film for me.

LL I am busy at the moment, but I am pacing myself and looking after myself. I listen to my body and when I get warning pains I will take a break from what I am doing and rest my aching body. :cool:

Most of my presents are now wrapped. I need to write out the birthday and Christmas cards tomorrow. My eldest son is driving to London on Saturday to collect all of the birthday presents, Christmas presents and all the cards for both occasions to save me having to spend too much on postage & packing materials.

Maman, I hope you really enjoy your evening out and get lots of compliments for your healthy look and your gorgeous Phase Eight dress. Your Crown Derby Santa is such a stunning piece, it must give you so much joy.

I am going to the Indigo 02 to see Vision of Elvis tomorrow. I am looking forward to singing along quietly to the Elvis songs.