Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

Floss

Indie I would consider a complaint - not everyone has the strength of character to walk out and the next woman she comments to may be less able to deal with the rudeness. I've heard good things about Bravissimo so probably a good place to try for more choice.

grunnie

Floss I have cleaned many a handbag lining. Hoover it then use wetwipes and dry with a hairdryer. If the lining pulls out you could use washing up liquid and a nailbrush and then rinse and then dry with a towel and then a hairdryer.

sukeyboo

Evening Ladies

I was born & lived in London for the first 32 years of my life & then moved to rural Dorset in 1997. I do enjoy the peace of the countryside but still miss the convenience of the city. When we move again, which we are hoping to do in the next year or so, it will be back to an area with more facilities, ideally Hertfordshire or Essex.

Indie I'm after a bit of advice regarding the Kettlewell sizing - I normally take a size 10 in most stores and am looking at the faux wrap tops (which look quite fitted) but was unsure whether to go for the small or medium size?

Have a great weekend everyone - let's hope the sun shines for us all :cool:

chanie

Floss wrote: »

Finally, one of my handbags is a £5 CS bargain of a tan Radley grab bag, with a grubby lining. Any ideas how to clean it without getting it too wet?

I can't offer any advice on cleaning, other than soap and water, but if that doesn't work, a handbag insert could be used inside the bag to cover the inside. I thought handbag inserts were the types of things you see on the shopping channel that no one ever bought, but I got one from Primark and its brilliant. I know where everything is, it keeps my bag clean and if I want to change bags I remove the insert and put it in a new bag.

ScarlettMcCain

Extended winter holidays sound lovely! We are going to Portugal next month for a week's break - I have friends who moved out there a couple of years ago, it'll be nice to visit them. We looked at going to Cornwall in August for OH's birthday, as he has family there, but a basic caravan for a week was over £1000 :eek: can't really justify that money when we have no need to holiday in the school holidays, if you see what I mean.

Indie, I was interested to read about your M&S experiences (and well done you for taking them to task!!) - I've never had a good bra fitting experience in there. My best local place is Debenhams (despite their disappointing products!), or when I worked in London I also used to go to Bravissimo. House of Fraser on Oxford St was good too it's lovely to hear about your zest for life and how well your weight loss journey is going, plus how much you are enjoying ceroc - it really did change my life, and not just because I met OH, more because I met a lot of incredibly friendly people at a time when I certainly needed support.

I'm trying a couple of BB creams at the moment, thank you to everyone for their recommendations; I've 'bought' the Olay and Superdrug ones using loyalty points so at least it's not costing me anything :money: I also want to do a bit of holiday skincare shopping at @ldi - bit of a pain with the boys though as for some reason they hate the store and always play up when we go - and I desperately need to do my roots and get a haircut current favourite beauty product is Benefit 'Dandelion' blusher - I was looking for a new blusher and this came up many times as being recommended. It's a nice healthy pink colour and makes me look a lot healthier!

Sadly I'm not feeling a lot healthier, can't shake off the sniffles; was doing well on the weight loss front but cannot stop eating at the moment!! Just hungry constantly!

I think it's a great idea to have more pairs of specs Floss, gives you chance to accessorise with those as well! I have a few pairs and loads of sunnies - luckily my prescription hasn't changed for a few years. I'm another one who likes the idea of country living but in terms of practicality am better off in a town/ city, I'm not that fond of driving so it's nice to be near more places I can walk to.

LL I hope you are feeling better soon and back to your 'vitality' idea…. I must think of a theme for my recovery, only just had the energy to start making lists again, and I do love a 'to do' list!

ScarlettMcCain

If anyone is as much of a lists fan as me, there's an app called 'Evernote' which is great - the basic version is free, that's all I use - but if you want more storage (to add photos etc) you can pay a small amount to upgrade. I still have my Filofax but Evernote is amazing!

LaineyT

Morning ladies, white rabbits and all that

Have had a relatively busy week but on the whole have managed to keep as fabbed as possible, wearing makeup has now become part of my every day routine and that, together with a consistent weight loss is certainly having a positive effect on my mind set. Of course I still have bad moments, missing my Mum more and more as the days go on but am gradually learning to let the tears flow knowing that it's all part of the healing process, all I can say is :j for waterproof mascara! I met a friend on Thursday who I hadn't seen for several months and she commented on how well I was looking, normally I would just shrug it off but instead I smiled and said thank you.
Indie another one here who would certainly make a complaint about the nasty woman in M&S, she needs to be addressed!
Floss may I ask how you are finding the BM serum, am seriously tempted by their Complexion Rescue, a mixture of a BB, CC and tinted moisturiser with added bonus of a SPF30.
On the city versus country subject I am very much a country girl, we currently live on the edge of a village not too far from a reasonable size town and I love having the countryside all around me. That said my opinion may well change as or when I can no longer drive or cycle to the local shops. It always surprises me when watching one of these property shows and someone wants a country weekend retreat, can't help but feel the opposite would suit me better, a home in the country for the week and then a city crash pad for spending time there at the weekends, making the most of the theatre, museums etc, best of both worlds in my eyes and I can but dream
Have booked a hair appointment for next week, currently I have a short, layered style which suits my thick hair but as I age I feel it can look a bit severe so am going to speak to my hairdresser about the possibility of growing it slightly to soften my look? Think the main problem will be with it growing out instead of down but am hoping he can do something about the bulk without effecting the length, have been going to him for years and he knows my hair well so will listen to his advice.
I did have a mini sort of my wardrobe yesterday, put away some of my bigger jumpers and brought through some lighter, long sleeved tops from my spare wardrobe as the weather has certainly been feeling more springlike. Have been slathering cream on my feet in anticipation of sandal wearing although not sure if it's my imagination but they don't seem to have become so dry this winter since I've swapped over to wearing bamboo socks rather than wool/cotton ones? Seem to remember reading about someone else using them too?

Right, better stop rambling on and go be productive, have a good weekend all x

Ellsbel

Morning all. Up early this morning to shower and dress before my shopping delivery arrives. I'm just in a lightweight sweatshirt and jeans at the moment.
We didn't go to the cinema in the end. I met a friend for coffee after work and in the evening had a few glasses of wine whilst watching a movie at home. Work had been quite draining and I had a fair bit of rushing around to do afterwards so it was one of those times when a bottle of wine was opened to "relax" and I've got a bit of a headache this morning , plus it won't have done my weight loss any good - I think I might stop drinking at home and just have one or two when I go out in future - it'll help shift the pounds quicker, and I've been doing so well.
The weather can't seem to make up its mind so far and I think it may decide to be overcast, in which case I might do some pottering and have a bit of a wardrobe clear out. I want to go to the gym at some point too - I've been managing twice a week, but with a bit of extra effort I could probably fit in at least 4 sessions.
Have a good weekend everyone.

indiepanda

sukeyboo wrote: »

Evening Ladies

I was born & lived in London for the first 32 years of my life & then moved to rural Dorset in 1997. I do enjoy the peace of the countryside but still miss the convenience of the city. When we move again, which we are hoping to do in the next year or so, it will be back to an area with more facilities, ideally Hertfordshire or Essex.

Indie I'm after a bit of advice regarding the Kettlewell sizing - I normally take a size 10 in most stores and am looking at the faux wrap tops (which look quite fitted) but was unsure whether to go for the small or medium size?

Have a great weekend everyone - let's hope the sun shines for us all :cool:

Definitely not the medium, I was thinking of myself as having gone down to a a 14 but recently bought a couple of size 12s in the shops and I also just this week bought the faux wrap in medium and it's good on me so will be too loose on you.

I have a Kettlewell stash in my dining room, got another faux wrap top (geranium to add to the pecan and soft white I bought the other week), two Tasha's in leaf and mallard to add to the neon yellow I bought last week, a sleeveless cowl in seaspray and a pair of cropped trousers in a burnt orange sort of colour. The only top I haven't tried in my size is the sleeveless cowl but I wore mine in the next size up last weekend and it was looking rather baggy. This should be enough different tops to get me through the next few months - until such time as I need a small anyway.

I have a feeling clothes sizes have changed in the two decades since I was last slim. I was envisaging being size 12 and really feeling slim, but my stomach is still quite big so I reckon by the time I am a size I want to stop I will be more like a 10. Don't want to go smaller as I will end up flat chested.

Was out last night at an indie club in Islington reliving the time I was last slim - Britpop night with a Blur theme and a tribute band. Didn't get home till 3 and couldn't sleep in. Off to meet a friend for lunch and an art exhibition at the Royal Academy, but this evening I have no plans so expect to catch up on my sleep then.

Got plenty of chores I should do tomorrow, but I am tempted to drive to the seaside instead. My havfever is giving me hell and being by the coastline is usually a welcome relief from the pollen. Forecast suggests some sun might poke through the clouds too... Will see how I feel in the morning.

I know I should really complain about the rude fitter in M&S but I didn't look at her name badge and was sufficiently flustered that I wouldn't be able to say much more about her appearance than her skin colour... and given she was black I might end up sounding somewhat racist....

Have to admit for all my bravado the experience has still left me feeling a bit embarassed, found myself in Holland and Barrat buying bust lifting cream which I am sure won't do a thing that regular body lotion would do but there you go. At least Dr Organic stuff isn't bank breaking territory.

Almost really embarrassed myself just now - went to open the door to a delivery and forgot I had opened the back door to air the house and my front door slammed shut behind me. I am only wearing my bathrobe over underwear. Fortunately I have what is called a "half-house" - looks like a double fronted Victorian from the outside, but inside there are two front doors and each of us have half the house - i.e divided vertically not horizontally like flats. My next door neighbour who shares the same external door has a key to my house as we have a shared water supply and the stopcock is on my side, and she was home to let me in. My lodger is home too, but she wouldn't be up this time of the morning and I reckon I could have been ringing the bell for hours before she would have shifted herself.

Ellsbell two gym sessions is still good, that's my mission for this week, to get organised enough to fit in more exercise. I meant to do some weights before work one day but I've been up too late and didn't get enough food prep done at the weekend so needed to make lunches in the morning.

Rubyslippers I didn't realise you did Ceroc too - even more in common. I am just loving it and want to go enough I start to make friends there (in addition to the friend I have who has been doing it for years). Already seeing a lot of familiar faces at classes. Have my eye on one guy who I have danced with a few times - you know how sometimes some guys are just so good at leading you that you feel amazing dancing with them. He doesn't rely on spinning me too much either (I don't mind turns but not so keen on repeated free spins), just lots of complex twists and turns. Doesn't hurt that he's quite good looking too.... I managed a little chat with him before class one week, enough to find out his name and where he lives and works. Probably won't go anywhere but you never know...

I should look into evernote, I tend to send emails of lists to myself. Though I really need to upgrade my phone and get something with more memory. It's my fault for being cheap and getting whatever they will give me free under contract. I am forever having to delete stuff to make space.

Right, better get moving, I need to fit a new pad to my ironing board - the current cover is too thin and I keep getting grid patterns on my clothes so I've bought a pad which amazon reviews suggest should fix the issue. Just debating which of my new tops to wear today. I think it will be one of my Tasha's, they are more weekend style being looser fitting and good for wearing with slim jeans. I think I will go for the neon yellow - it's an unusual colour choice for me, but it's good to do something different for a change. My friends are much more used to seeing me in teals and greens or corals and reds. Which I suppose it still better than the head to toe black some of them do a lot of the time.

Have a fab weekend all x

shanks77

Hi Lainey could you please let me know more about the bamboo socks as not heard of them before. Thanks in advance.
Hope everyone else is well and has a good weekend. I am in Glasgow with a friend so just enjoying the break away xx