Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

shandyclover

Well ladies,I am back from my flying visit to Pakistan to attend my stepsisters wedding. What an adventure that was - it was truly sobering. I lived there until 2000, working for a charity project. It was good to see the charity project is still running, now staffed and funded completely locally - but several years of unstable government has severely affected the infrastructure of the country. The rich have gotten richer, and the middle classes have become poorer.
This was my youngest step sisters wedding. She is an aussie, as is her husband - but of Pakistani stock. They have been married in Australia for several years but this wedding was for his family basically. I don't know my step sister that well, she is actually my daughters age - but it seemed very important to her that I and my brother, (my dads first 2 children) were there. She is good friends with my daughters too so they were also invited. I spent a tricky week making sure I or my daughters were not stepping on step mothers toes, getting to know step sisters in laws, and dealing with daughters culture shock. All in all it went off well. We had some brilliant times and our extended family bonded. It was not without cost however, the whole trip was extremely stressful and exhausting.
Below is a snap taken of one of my daughters and I just before we left for the wedding reception. She borrowed an outfit from an Asian uni friend, I had the gold tunic and cream shawl, I just added bling leggings! I was still the most low-key dressed woman at the wedding - I wish I could post the pictures, they were all dressed like princesses! We had updos done at a local salon for £10. They did not do exactly what I asked, probably because I have forgotten most of my urdu. I thought this style ws a bit OTT, but the grooms granmother loved it, and this wedding was all for them so I left it up! My daughter did my make up but my eyes were swollen as an allergic reaction to the pollution, and I had not slept for 3 days so looked a bit peaky.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/24752508@N05/32175218234/in/dateposted-public/

LaineyT

Hello ladies,

I have been lurking for a few weeks and thought it's about time that I joined in!

Have had a rotten few months and when I look in the mirror all the stress and sadness shows in my face. My darling Mum was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer last August, I left work in the September and with my SIL nursed her until she went into the hospice just after Christmas, she died on January 15th. During this time I also had to have my best pal, a lovely horse called Billy, put to sleep, this effectively robbed me of my usual stress release and broke my heart, only for it to be broken again when I lost my Mum.
All thoughts of caring for my appearance and health have gone out the window and boy does it show, have been comfort eating for England and have put on nearly 10lbs, hardly any exercise means that have lost my muscle tone and my skin, well it's grey, tired and lined. I feel a mess.

BUT, it stops now. Started yesterday on a new eating plan and am back on the low carb regime that suits me so well, have changed my glasses so my 'look' is different and am making more of an effort with make-up etc. Life is a struggle anyway at the moment with mourning my loved ones without looking in the mirror and hating what I see, enough is enough.

Thanks for reading all about my woes, will try to be more upbeat from now on but just wanted to explain reasons etc.

maddiemay

Welcome LaineyT, I have been lurking on the daily thread for a few weeks and finally plucked up courage to join in, I recognise you from there. You have been through the most awful time and it is bound to take it's toll. Like the daily thread this place is inhabited by lovely supportive people:D, don't worry about not being upbeat, no-one can be all of the time and it is often better to let things out to supportive folks who don't have a connection IRL.

Be very gentle with yourself and just keep popping in and posting when you can.

maddiemay

lessonlearned wrote: »

Chanie thanks for the reminder about Sugars TV debut.
Does anyone know whatthe name of the programme, time and channel.

I would sooooo hate to miss it.

Just had a lovely long soak in the bath and a nice little pamper. Ready to start the day.

It was glorious earlier but has clouded over now so don't know what it's going to do.

I think the programme is called The Chase and goes out at 5pm, will have to check which channel as not usually watching at that time. I have asked OH to remind me, but 2 heads are not always better than 1, often neither of us remembers whatever needs prompting.

Long soak in bath sounds great, I struggle to get out of bath and it takes the relaxation out of it if I have to call DOH to come and lever me out:(:( - a new challenge for me concentrate on exercises that will enable me to have a lovely soak in bath:D

Not looking very fab, been to the gym and need some lunch then get myself tarted up and vaguely fab looking for meeting at the bank to go through their performance with our finances.

Shandyclover - you both look lovely. My step daughter and her lovely husband eventually gave in to family pressure to have a Hindu wedding, I loved seeing everyone in their lovely clothes and the gorgeous henna tattoos, but found the whole thing an rather enjoyable mystery:D

sukeyboo

Welcome LaineyT :hello:

Sounds like you have really been 'through-the-mill' recently. My lovely Mum also died from pancreatic cancer over 20 years ago now - it is such an aggressive type of cancer and she was diagnosed in November 1996 and died in February 1997.

You are doing very well in starting to pick up the pieces and please feel free to offload your 'woes' - we are a good bunch of listeners

You both look gorgeous in the photo shandyclover - what an experience!

Good to hear you sound so positive LL :T . I have never tried Kiko products but will have a look at their website later.

I will still be at work when your TV appearance is on Sugarbaby but will watch it on 'catch-up' later.

Floss

Maman I have just discovered the ideal skinny jeans by accident...I picked up a pair of deep blue Super Skinny high rise in the m&s sale and they are FAB! Nicely high waisted, plenty of stretch, soft & comfy I went into a local large store today & bought 2 more pairs in black & grey and a pair of indigo denim high rise skinny jeans too. They're not the cheapest, however I've been wearing a pair of the skinnys for around 2 years, they wash well but the inner thighs are now going IYKWIM

chanie

sugar I didn't get to watch all of your show as it got wiped from the Sky+. I love your haircut, it looks very chic.

shandy you and your daughter looked lovely for the wedding. You don't look old enough to have a grown up daughter.

sugarbaby125

Welcome Lainey

Shandyclover you and your daughter looked so good in your Indian outfits

Chanie thanks, but that was my wig.

maman

sugarbaby125 wrote: »

Chanie thanks, but that was my wig.

I watched it Sugarbaby
and you were the star of the show! :T
I was impressed with your hair too and then I remembered what you've told us about wigs. It looked fab!
Mostly loved your fantastic bubbly personality, that shone through
You and your family must be so proud. Well done!

sugarbaby125

Thanks Maman, the make up artist made my wig look at it's best by putting a little spritz of hairspray on it and brushing it through. She did a really professional job with my make up, which I had requested she do subtly because I do not wear make up very often

I got approached in my local McDonald's yesterday evening by a group of women that had seen me on The Chase and wanted to confirm that they were seeing me in person. It was a bit surreal

One of my sister's told me I had been mentioned in a national newspaper today so my daughter told me to google my name and The Chase. It turned out that I had been mentioned in the online versions of The Sun, The Express and The Daily Star. There were twitter comments, some positive , some negative :rotfl:, also some photos of me taken from the programme. There were even Banner headlines for the stories. It was obviously a slow news day.