Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

maddiemay

LL- I hope that your gym visit goes well, grinned about your "new school uniform":D

I investigated the local gym, but decided it was not for me, no ladies only or oldies sessions, just so many machines being frequented by very fit and rather sweaty people, mostly blokes, none of that would have been a problem except that I felt the trainer was not really interested in old folk like me and that I would be left to my own devices and might well end up doing myself harm.

Fortunately there is a small private gym, it is quite expensive for my 1 to 1 session each week, but the PT is a great guy and really cares about his clients and has quite a few oldies with joint/back problems like me.

I have been reading, but not posting much, some very serious health stuff going on around me:(, difficult keeping my mood up when so worried, but I do try not to dwell too much on things that I cannot possibly influence, self preservation I guess.:)

Sorry not to reply individually to previous posts, but have been sending virtual hugs and positive thoughts to you all.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

I am off work today as I have a very upset stomach. Hopefully I will be fine by tomorrow.

My daughter is still in the Hospital. She has been moved to another ward. She has really swollen legs, because they did not have a spare wheelchair for her to use, so she just has to lay in bed. Her circulation does not work effectively if she has to spend days on end in bed. As she can not walk unaided, not having a wheelchair is really frustrating for her. They had to move her to another ward, as too many of the elderly patients had flu in her previous ward. As her lung function is still not what it should be, she was at real risk being surrounded by so many patients with flu. Apparently one of the nurses explained that it is a different strain of flu than the flu jab.

I came home from work tired yesterday, but I still went to Karaoke. I am glad that I did, because I had a really good evening. I sang 4 songs.

1. Hurt so good by Susan Cadogan
2. It;s Now or Never by Elvis
3. Lean On Mean by Bill Withers
4. Make You Feel MY Love by Adele

I wore my M & S Autograph purple velour skirt, my purple Kaliko cardigan and a black sleeveless top with my Clarks black leather ankle boots and my black leather long jacket. I layered my perfume with the matching body lotion and the body powder. I only wore clear nail polish and clear lip gloss. I wore my silver necklace with the Purple sandstone heart pendant with the matching earrings, a silver and diamonique ring and my stainless steel and diamond Ingersoll watch.

I am sending a virtual hug to every woman who needs one. It can make all of the difference. Remember to take care of yourselves ladies.

LL I hope your induction at the gym lives up to your expectations

lessonlearned

Sugarbaby. Snap. I have a poorly tummy too. Had to cancel the gym. Hey ho, hope you feel better soon. I'm sure I will.

I have packed my bag for swimming tomorrow if I'm up to it, so I can just go when I'm ready.

I have managed to do a few yoga type stretches, maybe a walk later if the rain holds off. I'll just do, what I can when I can, maybe put on some music and have a bit of a dance to get moving.

I'm not going to be silly about it. I will get fitter, it might just take me a while.

Gosh what a worry about your daughter. I do hope they get her sorted out soon. I know I shouldn't say this but I find that hospital stays can sometimes actually hinder someone's recovery - lack of movement, poor food, not enough sleep, exposure to bugs and germs. The patient only really starts to recuperate when they come home.

So I guess once they sort out the actual medical issues the sooner she comes home the better. She can then go at her own pace.

Yes I agree hugs to all. Quite a few of us seem to be struggling a bit at the moment. I really feel like I'm going backwards at the moment so I have prescribed myself some serious self love and plenty of TLC.

On a positive note the clocks go forward this weekend so the days will be getting longer (and hopefully) a bit warmer.

maman

I'm back from my short holiday and scan read the posts. So sorry to hear many of you are struggling with health issues and bad news.:A


Something LL posted about inner strength resonated. I'm a strong person. It's something I'm proud of and work hard on BUT..... I think we all have days when we wish someone looked after us instead of us being the strong one. I sometimes look around at people (often women) of my acquaintance who are needy and lightweight and have everyone rushing around to help them and wonder if I'm the mug and should have chosen to be an airhead! I think blonde highlights is about as far as I can let myself go. :rotfl:


I have made a decision to be a bit kinder to myself though. I've been doing some part time/voluntary work for a few years which is very stressful. I won't say too much as it's in the counselling/HR field and uses my skills but I think it's time to go for something less demanding. I'll tell my colleagues this week and then after Easter start looking at other possibilities. I'm fortunate in that I no longer need to work but my mindset won't let me do nothing.


We had a great holiday. I think I probably preferred Prague to Budapest but both are great for a short break. It was out first time in Eastern Europe, Vienna and Berlin probably being the closest we've been before. We're already talking about Krakow and maybe Warsaw for a future trip.


I made good choices with clothes to take with me and managed fine with just cabin luggage. What I did miss was hair mousse! I must look out for a travel size pack if they make that sort of thing. What brand have you been using petal?


Not much happening here today. We've unpacked and I've put on one machine load. Hoping to find something in the freezer for dinner (DD kindly bought in milk and bread for us) otherwise I'll have to go to the shops.


Rain has stopped and sun is out.:)

ScarlettMcCain

Logging on again after a short break - sorry to hear sad news from a few people, sending hugs to anyone who needs them. Sugarbaby and LL I hope you feel better soon

Not much news here, I have the sniffles due to lack of sleep more than anything else….. the boys are a real handful and still don't sleep through, so with OH getting up early for work it's been very tiring. He's been going to bed early as well leaving me with all the housework I'm hoping for a nice break on Mother's Day, must be his turn at last…..

We've booked a holiday to Portugal at the end of April, I'm trying to lose another few pounds by then - 5.5lb lost so far in three weeks - which is good but I do appreciate having clothes in a bigger size to 'tide me over', I hated feeling like a stuffed sausage in the size 12's (although I'd like to be back in them soon!!). I'm trying some new make up as well from Lily Lolo, don't know if anyone's used their foundations before? They do sample sizes which is really useful, and I've also bought a 'neutral pink' lipstick (Romantic Rose) which I'm liking so far.

A couple of questions for you fab ladies! Firstly does anyone use tinted moisturiser and if so, could you recommend a brand? I was thinking of taking some on holiday - not the fake tan one but one you can wash off if you look a bit orange (as I've done before! :eek:) but don't know any brands which are good for pale/ fair skin. The Olay one gets generally good reviews on the cheap side or Laura Mercier on the other end of the scale…..

And secondly, I've bought five bras now from Debenhams which the underwiring has come out of - once within two weeks! - I'm reluctant to buy any more from there even though they're reasonably priced and I liked the designs, does anyone have another brand they like?

By the way maman, I'm using the Palmers fake tan moisturiser on my legs at the moment - I'm liking it apart from turning my hands a bit brown too where I don't wash it off properly! :rotfl:

savingfortomorrow

Rubyslippers77 wrote: »

Logging on again after a short break - sorry to hear sad news from a few people, sending hugs to anyone who needs them. Sugarbaby and LL I hope you feel better

A couple of questions for you fab ladies! Firstly does anyone use tinted moisturiser and if so, could you recommend a brand? I was thinking of taking some on holiday - not the fake tan one but one you can wash off if you look a bit orange (as I've done before! :eek:) but don't know any brands which are good for pale/ fair skin.

And secondly, I've bought five bras now from Debenhams which the underwiring has come out of - once within two weeks! - I'm reluctant to buy any more from there even though they're reasonably priced and I liked the designs, does anyone have another brand they like?

By the way maman, I'm using the Palmers fake tan moisturiser on my legs at the moment - I'm liking it apart from turning my hands a bit brown too where I don't wash it off properly! :rotfl:

I really like the superdrug bb cream it suits my pale as a ghost appearance. It is very pigmented for a tinted moisturiser so has a good amount of coverage with out it being watery. It is great as a little goes so long. It is brilliant. I use it over the regular moisturiser and find it very forgiving to even apply without a mirror.

Bras ... I like tesco and spanx brahelluah range. They both are very comfortable and no issues. The spanx one is ten fold higher than tesco but the straps are great for the shoulders.

I put the glam dress on today and it gives me more confidence. I can't believe I had so much make up on today but it looked natural. I am using my custom blend foundation (mixed 2 half used together and whitened it down with the body shop drops). Trying to use a darker foundation that does not match makes any look seem heavy in my experience. So I'm going to keep adjusting the colours.

sugarbaby125

Ruby it is good to see you back here. Did you not consider returning the bras to Debenhams as faulty for a refund or exchange? They were not fit for purpose. You have done really well with your weight loss and your make up Ruby.

As I was unwell yesterday and did not go to work, I did not get caught up in the Westminster terrorist attack as I was safely tucked up on my sofa, resting. My thoughts are with all of the families that were affected.

ali-t

Ruby, do you hand wash or machine wash your bras? I havent had a single wire pop out since i started handwashing bras.

indiepanda

Rubyslippers77 wrote: »

Not much news here, I have the sniffles due to lack of sleep more than anything else….. the boys are a real handful and still don't sleep through, so with OH getting up early for work it's been very tiring. He's been going to bed early as well leaving me with all the housework I'm hoping for a nice break on Mother's Day, must be his turn at last…..

We've booked a holiday to Portugal at the end of April, I'm trying to lose another few pounds by then - 5.5lb lost so far in three weeks - which is good but I do appreciate having clothes in a bigger size to 'tide me over', I hated feeling like a stuffed sausage in the size 12's (although I'd like to be back in them soon!!). I'm trying some new make up as well from Lily Lolo, don't know if anyone's used their foundations before? They do sample sizes which is really useful, and I've also bought a 'neutral pink' lipstick (Romantic Rose) which I'm liking so far.

A couple of questions for you fab ladies! Firstly does anyone use tinted moisturiser and if so, could you recommend a brand? I was thinking of taking some on holiday - not the fake tan one but one you can wash off if you look a bit orange (as I've done before! :eek:) but don't know any brands which are good for pale/ fair skin. The Olay one gets generally good reviews on the cheap side or Laura Mercier on the other end of the scale…..

And secondly, I've bought five bras now from Debenhams which the underwiring has come out of - once within two weeks! - I'm reluctant to buy any more from there even though they're reasonably priced and I liked the designs, does anyone have another brand they like?

Hi Ruby, hoping you get a bit of a break on mother's day and a chance to relax on holiday.

I am quite fair and I have used Estee Lauder's Daywear BB cream as a tinted moisturiser, but have also used Olay's one.

For bras I am the walking British stereotype and go to M&S every time. I wonder whether the supermarket brands would be worth investigating though - any clothes I have had from Sainsbury's TU I've been very pleased with - they're becoming my first choice for nightwear as they have a nice variety of colours as well as the cotton being super soft.

I might have to get some new bras soon - I noticed that I am having to hoike the straps up and do the back up on a tighter hook on some of mine. Will hold out as long as I can and will try to be a bit more minimalist with my next set of purchases. For someone who mainly lives in t shirt bras I have a lot of fancy ones with lace which don't work under my jersey tops and dresses, and whilst it's nice to have the odd sexy one, while I am single I could manage on a few t shirt ones until I get down to a smaller size. I think once I've got down to goal weight I will probably settle at a 34 C or something like that - was what I was before I put on weight. Am presently wearing a 36 DD, which is still an improvement over the 36 F s I was wearing when I turned 40 four and a bit years ago.

Seeing my colour consultant at the weekend, ordered a few clothes in smaller sizes and want to try a few different make up colours. Having not been that interested in make up for every day use for decades I am suddenly finding myself wanting to make an effort and wear it more often - bought a few new bits already. It's like now I feel better on the inside I want to look my best on the outside.

I am really happy with my latest hair cut, had quite a few complements on it and it's easier to style - still a bob but slightly longer and with lots of shaping. However the complements might be linked to the fact I am more inclined to blow dry and straighten it - am sure people got very used to my curly look. I posted a selfie on Facebook that I took on the way out last Friday to update my profile photo and had lots of positive comments which I have to confess was something of an ego boost.

Booked my September hiking trip - off to Romania to go hiking with my usual group. Talking to another friend about potentially doing a week before or after in Italy. I would like to get two weeks off at once like I did last year, but again I've managed to book a week here and there rather than a fortnight. Still, I like variety, a whole fortnight of hiking is too much but last year hiking followed by yoga with a bit of sightseeing was a good combination.

I let myself get talked into signing up to a retreat in Florida.. hoping I haven't made a mistake, but I think it will be good fun and could be life enhancing or even life changing, and I will add on a little time to explore Miami's art deco area which is something I've wanted to do for yonks. I adored Napier in New Zealand which is their art deco town and Miami is on a grander scale. Be nice to get some sun in November too and gives me a good goal to work towards - I will be slim enough that I will be proud to show off my figure in a bikini. I know it's feminist to say "how to get a bikini body: get a bikini and put it on your body" and I admire the women that do just that regardless of size, but I know I would be far too self conscious in anything other than a one piece with my tummy safely hidden at my current size. Actually, if I keep going at this rate I might even take one away in September.

Still loving my Ceroc, went to class on Monday and got chatting before the lesson to a guy I've danced with a few times and rather like. My flirting skills are abysmal so he probably doesn't have a clue I don't just like dancing with him, but at least I managed a normal conversation and got his name so a bit of progress. And maybe as I get further through the "get the guy" book I will learn a few flirting tricks to use over different weeks of class. Am not in a rush to get a man anyway - dating and healthy living are often in conflict!

Went to another talk on weight loss this week but I didn't really take to the presenter or agree with everything he said - did pick up a useful tip on how to deal with feelings of hunger - basically it's about conditioning yourself to live with some feelings (mainly desire to eat when not hungry or eat something you know isn't good for you) rather than take action to avoid them. You ask yourself three questions a) is this feeling causing me harm b) can I bear it? c) if it's not causing me harm and I can bear it, what is the problem with having this feeling? Made me think a bit - perhaps we've got a bit self indulgent as a society - used to having our whims indulged more quickly than our grandparents generation and too quick to react to feelings in a world where food is abundant.

Got a busy weekend ahead (bet you're surprised to hear that... not!), out at the Rivoli ballroom on Sunday for a 70s/80s disco and then off to the parents on Sunday - Dad's birthday and mother's day. Must dash - I hear on the news a local road on my bus route is closed as well as the trains being delayed so journey to work is going to be a pain - might stick my trainers on and accept I need to walk a fair bit of it!

Have a good weekend all xx

maman

Loved reading your post indie. You're sounding so upbeat. I think it's probably down to all round fabbing but I'm sure the weightloss is at the root of it. I know that's what made the biggest change for me and 5 years on I'm still loving it and determined to stick with it.:D


I'm interested in the tinted moisturiser discussion as I'll need a recommendation when my current one runs out. It's a Benefit one that they've discontinued. Benefit do that a lot. :mad: They tell me that if things don't sell well in the US they take them off regardless of what's happening in the UK. I don't use much as I want to eke it out but like savingfortomorrow said, I don't need much. That's something I've noticed recently is that products can go much further depending on how I apply them. My foundation brush has made a huge difference and with my serum, moisturiser and body lotion I use less and it goes on more evenly if I rub/warm it on my palms before smoothing in. It's something I've noticed beauticians doing when I've been for facials.


Good idea to try to manage with the bras until you're the weight you want to be indie. I got myself measured properly in a local independent store and now I know my size I look for it every time I go to TKMaxx. I have to try them on though as no two brands fit the same. I have the reverse problem to you in that I've got plenty of t shirt bras but I think they make me look bigger (I'm 34D) than a lacy unpadded one. I only have one of those so it's getting a bit worn out. I've not had the wire problem ruby and I agree with sugarbaby that you should take them back to Debenhams although I suspect they might blame you if you've machine washed them. I always put mine in the machine in one of those mesh bags but as they're TKMaxx I'm not paying full price.


Sorry to hear you're still under the weather sugarbaby. I don't think you've been right since the infected cyst. It's really made you run down.:(


I think my efforts to clear the pores on my T zone are really starting to take effect. It's probably a mixture of using my brush and an exfoliator a couple of times a week. Also, I think we got a bit of colour in our cheeks from being out in the sun when we were away so the ghostly look is going.:)


I'm doing fab Friday but my usual casual look. So leggings and a longline, teddy bear colour angora jumper (not beige:p) and I'll put on light make up to go out later. It's dry and bright here, hope you're all having a good day.:p