Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

maddiemay

sukeyboo - if you need a clay mask REN invisible pores detox mask is fine on my sensitive skin, for a nourishing/moisturising one have a look at La Roche Posay, they do a range of products for sensitive skin, the other French Pharmacy brands probably do too.

Met with my bestie for a light lunch and lots of chat today:D I wore dark denim jeggings a grey chunky tunic and and a slim roll neck jumper underneath, black boots, black duvet coat and a purple scarf. I treated myself to a pair of burgundy coloured leggings which should look great with a burgundy and dark grey cashmere tunic I have and a cyclamen coloured mid thigh length tunic with pockets, it will be lovely for spring and summer.

It was cold and blustery, but bright sunshine and blue skies, a lovely day for driving through the beautiful countryside, masses of snowdrops on the verges and saw my first wood anemones, they are my favourite spring flowers.

sugarbaby - OH and I were late back from our appointments, but we did catch you from 5:30 onwards, you did great and I enjoyed seeing your bubbly personality shining through, as it does in the written word:D

lessonlearned

I make my own masks using various clays and powders, with either Rose water or witch hazel to bind them together.

Calamine powder with rose water is the gentlest and most calming for sensitive skin. You can buy both from any proper chemist or just search online. I got my last lot from Amazon.

Alternativey you can make a very soothing mask, from bananas, cream and honey. A bit messy but works a treat.

Hope that helps.

indiepanda

maman wrote: »

That being said, indie, I would urge you to try Palmers Natural Bronze Body Lotion. It's cheap enough in Boots or Superdrug. I find it builds such a good tan I only need to use it a couple of times a week. The pump bottle is great too, makes it so easy to apply. It'll be perfect as arms and legs start to come back on show.

I bought a new hairdryer yesterday as I think the motor on mine is on the way out (keeps cutting off). I do have a travel one as a spare but I'd be devastated to be without one. It always takes e a few days to get used to doing my hair again after it's been cut. If I won the lottery (that's metaphorically as I've never bought a ticket) I'd employ a personal hairdresser.:D

I do have various freebie part bottles of fake tan so I need to give them a try, but the Palmers one sounds like a good choice for when I've exhausted them. My problem is I generally hike in short sleeves so I end up looking like I have a bit of a golfer's tan - you know tanned from half way down the bicep and white further up. Perhaps if I get my arms slimmer and more toned for the summer when it's warm I can hike in a vest top instead to reduce the hard lines.

I know what you mean about the hairdresser. My hair is naturally curly and my hairdresser can dry it in these beautiful soft waves, but when I blow dry it, it invariably frizzes a bit as I don't have his skill level, so I always finish it off with straightening irons which looks nice but not nearly as glam. It's also rather time consuming and dreadful for the condition to do too often, so most days I go out with damp hair with some Aveda Be Curly scrunched into it, and then it will dry in proper curls. It's in better condition for the reduced blow drying, but it's a more casual look. Although plenty of naturally straight friends envy me the curls so I shouldn't complain.

sukeyboo wrote: »

Must have a wardrobe sort out soon as I haven't bought any new clothes for ages but I might as well wait until Spring arrives now and treat myself to some new outfits. Have any of you lovely ladies bought clothes from the Kettlewell website? I have heard mixed reviews about the quality of their clothing.

I have a lot of Kettlewell clothes and generally am very happy with the quality and love the range of colours. Both have improved quite a lot since they first launched, they were quite a young company when I first used them. Sometimes when they come out with a new style it's not so good so I tend to wait to see what the reviews are like before buying. Other styles will get stocked for multiple seasons so you get a good impression of what other customers think from the long list of reviews. I'd be lost without them as it's not that easy to find good autumn colours in styles that also work with my body shape. For example, I look better in tops with scoop necks - too high or too angular don't flatter me, so the likes of uniqlo who do lots of crew and v neck t shirts in different colours are wasted on me as the necklines don't work. Plus it seems most shops are biased towards cool colours - tons of neutrals like black, white, shades of grey etc, none of which do anything for me.

The merino knitwear is lovely quality and I am especially keen on the various jersey faux wrap style tops which I layer over a contrasting lace trimmed camisole. They usually have very good end of season sales too - often half price. I've got dresses, tunics, tops, leggings. The only thing I haven't got on with were the skirts, but I've not bought any of the current styles so they may have improved too.

My other tip is you can often get free delivery and a small discount if you order via your colour consultant via direct. I email mine and she places the order and it gets delivered to my address - I just transfer the money on line to her.

lessonlearned

What a cold,miserable, grey, drizzly day......

Just checked the weather forecast - more of the same for at least a week. .

Never mind, I guess a good time to catch up with some indoor jobs, cupboard sorting, deep cleaning etc.....

indiepanda

I know what you mean LL, I had to push myself to go out for the yoga class I had booked earlier in the week and I drive most of the way there. It's more of a curl up on the sofa under a cosy blanket with a nice film kind of day.

Going out later but only a few minutes walk round to a friend's flat. She's having an afternoon tea thing to celebrate her upcoming move to Devon. Suspect it will end up a bit of a drunken affair - for others anyway. I've not had any alcohol for about 6 weeks and I am not going to start now or I will end up messing up the weekend with a hangover. Going to take some sparkling water to keep me on the straight and narrow.

I went to whole foods and got some little chocolate millionaire type things which are dairy and gluten free to take as my contribution. Still got sugar in the form of dates, but it's almost impossible to get anything vaguely cake-ish that doesn't have something a bit naughty in and at least the list of ingredients is proper food rather than odd e-numbers and things I don't recognise. Will have a decent lunch before I go so I don't end up indulging too much.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

It has been an eventful week for me this week after I appeared on The Chase. My 5 minutes of infamy is over though. :rotfl: One of the teachers at the sixth form where I work refused to believe that the newspaper stories were about me! Silly woman. I can carry on as normal now.

My nephew just became a first time father yesterday to a beautiful baby boy. I am a great aunt again. I am so happy for him and his fiancee. :j

Everything has calmed down at work. My supervisor is no longer constantly criticising me and I am getting along with her really well again. She was unfortunately bringing the stresses of her personal life into work with her each day, so she was constantly losing her temper at work and not just with me, but I was bearing the brunt of it.

I agree with LL that we should all spend money pampering ourselves and making ourselves fab. I am using a N0 7 protect and perfect day cream from the set I bought on offer late last year from Boots. My skin is now getting used to it after a week of use. I use Sanctuary products every day, mostly bath and body products. I love layering all of the bath and body products, I emerge from a bath smelling lovely and with my skin glowing. Of course I always find bargain priced Sanctuary on eBay or wait for Sanctuary UK or Boots to have half price or free gift offers on Sanctuary.

sukeyboo

Thanks for all the advice on face masks - I hadn't even thought about making my own - maybe when I retire I will give it a try but for now I think it will have to be shop bought for ease.

The info on Kettlewell is much appreciated indie - I am an 'Autumn' like you so I will spend some time thinking about a new capsule wardrobe for the Spring

I like the sound of your outfit maddie - still haven't bought any jeggings as yet - I am quite slim (size 8-10) but have short legs :eek: so I'm not that sure they will suit me.

milliejo

I have been lurking on this thread since early January and it has been really inspiring. I work from home and it can be really isolating during the day with only the dog for company when everyone else is out at work/school
I have worn perfume everyday for years but now my toenails are always painted ( I had no idea how much this could chear you up during the winter months) and I always now wear lipstick when I go out. My mood has really improved
So thank you ladies

chanie

milliejo welcome and well done with all your fabbing.

A quick update on me: Yesterday, I bought some new bedding to match our bedroom from Dunelm Mills. It's nothing fancy, but it seems to have washed well and is comfortable.

Today, I got my eyebrows threaded and an underarm wax, so that's my maintenance done.

maman

chanie wrote: »

A quick update on me: Yesterday, I bought some new bedding to match our bedroom from Dunelm Mills. It's nothing fancy, but it seems to have washed well and is comfortable.

I was thinking along the same lines myself today. I'm really pleased now that our bedroom is finished but it looks a bit too bland (LL would probably say too beige;)). I've got one set of new bedding that I love (Orla Kiely) but it's one of her plainer designs and all the other sets are plain white, fairly cheap and not particularly new. I'd like to buy a duvet set that would inject some colour so I'm on the look out for that.


We're off to Wembley tomorrow to watch out team in the EFL Cup, really looking forward to it. I want to look smart but need to be warm and comfortable too. Tomorrow promises to be dull but reasonably mild so I think I'll wear my black wool coat with red scarf (of course:D) and flat shoes or boots as there will be a lot of walking involved.


Not done a great deal today. I did spend an hour pampering (general maintenance) and cooked some lentil soup for lunches during the week.


So pleased the thread is helping you millijo.:)


You're doing ever so well with the healthy eating and weightloss indie. Do you intend to give up booze indefinitely? Personally I have wine as my treat as I don't have a sweet tooth so going without puddings doesn't bother me.