Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

indiepanda

Hello fabbers. Seems like ages since I've posted - been so busy it's been hard to make the time to write anything down. It's all good though, so am not complaining.

My Easter weekend hiking was great fun despite lengthy journeys down the M4 and back - at least I had a friend for company en route. Was really nice catching up with my old friends and got a lot of complements about how well I was looking which was gratifying.

I've been sorting out my wardrobe, buying some new bits and taking out some that are too large now. That includes some trousers I had only bought in February - got the next size down now. I am trying to work out how little I can get away with buying to get me through the summer... depends if I manage to get down another dress size I suppose. In an ideal world I would get to a size I want to maintain for the autumn and then build up from there but we will see how the summer goes. I had in mind I was aiming for a size 12, but I am already that on top whilst still being rather soft round the middle, so perhaps it's a 10 I need to aim for, at least in tops, perhaps not trousers (I am pear shaped underneath it all and starting to look that way again - had gone decidedly apple shaped round the middle)

Dress sizes seem to have grown radically in the last 15 years - I've had to remove a Precis dress and suit that is falling off me from my wardrobe which I bought in 2015, and I am just able to wear again two Precis trouser suits bought 15 years ago that are supposedly the same size. Explains why I didn't go up as many dress sizes as the weight I had put on would have suggested - the sizes grew part of the way with me.

Been to another of my Ceroc workshops and while I was away working in Edinburgh this week I even went to a class up there - better than sitting in the hotel room all night. The other two nights I went for a walk round the city - it's so picturesque. Wish I could have stayed up for the weekend, but it's a friend's birthday tomorrow, so we are out tonight in town and then tomorrow going for a pub lunch locally.

Off to the hairdressers today - love it when I manage to time it to coincide with a night out - feels a waste just going home for the evening afterwards.

Already sorted out my outfit for tonight - a rather bold yellow t shirt with a jungle and parrot design on it from Oasis and some teal trousers from M&S (the ones I had to go down a size in) with some yellow and turquoise ballet pumps I got years ago in Pretty Ballerinas plus a very old GAP denim jacket which has hardly been worn as I bought a bit snug a few years before I moved to London - fits nicely now. I've been comfortable wearing colour for ages having had my colours done, but I am finding myself willing to go for even bolder ones now - happier to attract attention I suppose. My colour consultant probably started it - persuading me to try a neon yellow top when I ordered some new ones recently. Good to have someone who will encourage you into new things, and someone who will be honest too - I know she will tell me if something isn't flattering, where shop assistants will say anything to make a sale.

Oh, I probably didn't mention, started internet dating again. Met a couple of guys who live locally but I don't think that will go anywhere. But got a date next week with a guy who sounds really quite similar to me who I had spotted and was going to message but he messaged me first. We traded a few messages over a few days and he has suggested meeting up next week. We'll see how it goes.

Next week is going to be a busy one again, seeing a guy I met internet dating the first time round back in 2013 on Tuesday and Ceroc on Wednesday as well as the date on Thursday. But I don't yet have much planned for the weekend so I can catch up on the sleep then! Just got to make sure I don't use the busy times to slip back into old diet habits, had a few too many carbs this last week being away from home.

My lodger has told me she is moving out in a month. I am quite pleased, had been debating whether to ask her to move and concluded the issues weren't quite worth it (I don't like confrontation), but whilst I can always spend more money, I am quite liking the idea of having more space in the fridge and kitchen cupboards and getting her smells out the house. I don't know if it's because she eats in her bedroom rather than downstairs and collects dirty dishes up there or what, but there's a really musty smell that comes from there. I think I will take the opportunity to get the room completely done up - take off the wallpaper and replaster before painting and then get new carpet put down - she didn't tell me how bad the moths were in her room and they've eaten holes in it. Not sure if I will rent out again after - if I do I think it will only be on a Monday to Friday basis, but will see how the money goes. The last few months have been a bit expensive, but part of that has been buying way more new clothes than usual, and whilst I might not be at the end of that, I definitely won't be buying at that rate forever or I will need a new house to store them all in.

Right, better shift myself or I will be late for the hairdressers, have a fab bank holiday weekend all xx

maman

indiepanda wrote: »

Been to another of my Ceroc workshops and while I was away working in Edinburgh this week I even went to a class up there - better than sitting in the hotel room all night. The other two nights I went for a walk round the city - it's so picturesque. Wish I could have stayed up for the weekend,


Off to the hairdressers today - love it when I manage to time it to coincide with a night out - feels a waste just going home for the evening afterwards.

Edinburgh's a lovely city and full marks for going to a dance class.:T
I always try to do the same. It seems a waste of a blow dry. Another tip is to get photos taken for ID purposes like passports or security passes when you've had your hair done.

indiepanda wrote: »

Oh, I probably didn't mention, started internet dating again. xx

No you didn't, you dark horse!:D Pleased you're enjoying life.


I agree you should try to buy a minimum until you're happy with your dress size. I don't think I'll ever get to a complete capsule wardrobe but I really am trying to cut right back. There was an article in my newspaper this week about a minimal number of essential items. They called it the magnificent seven:

• jacket
• trews
• blouse/shirt
• pencil or A-line skirt
• luxury knit
• gorgeous but practical handbag
• smart dress or jumpsuit

Jeans were added as a possible No.8.


I have all those items but several of each. I suppose I could manage with perhaps 4 sets of 8 to take in all seasons. I think I'd want to add a top/tee to the list as well as a blouse/shirt can look a bit formal in some situations. Food for thought.:)


Have a good weekend all.

Toni'sfriend

Hex 2
Glad your son liked your hair. I can't believe mine actually noticed. Mine is so much easier to manage now. Although not as perfect as when the hairdresser did it it's still looking nice and neat. Still debating about the waxing v threading. It's the annoying stray hairs that I don't see well.

lessonlearned

Indie....go you with your internet dating. Dark horse indeed. :rotfl:

Pinged my back this morning so just sitting with my back massager that fits onto a chair. Not as good as a proper massage but it might help.

Have booked a couple of viewings for bungalows on Tuesday. Fingers crossed.

Other than that no real news.

Have a fab weekend.

sugarbaby125

Indie it is good to read such a positive post from you once again. I hope your date goes really well

LL I hope your chair massage gave you a measure of relief and that your back pain will eventually fade away

I had really bad stomach pains for all of yesterday, so I was unable to go t work or do any of the other things that I had planned. It was a painful and frustrating day.

I did get a few tasks done that I had been trying to find the time to do, so that the whole day was not completely wasted.

LaineyT

Hey lovelies,

Still reading along and fabbing as much as possible.

Re eyebrows have had waxing and threading but must admit I mostly pluck them now, most annoying thing is that as I age they are getting lighter so you think they are relatively under control until you turn sideways in a different light and oh lord, there is a thick cluster of blond hairs:eek: and it's not just my eyebrows, my whole face seems to be getting fuzzier and needs constant control. Oh the joys!

Not sure if I could cope with just the seven essential items Maman even if they were magnificent, think my lower limit would be 25 tbh.
I am aiming to put together a good capsule wardrobe over the coming months with an emphasis on quality clothes that will last, with the addition each season of a couple of cheaper pieces that are on trend at any particular time. There does seem to be a missing market for the 40/50 year olds with decent disposal income who want to look chic rather than all out trendy and can't help thinking that many of the major retailers are missing a trick?
Have taken advantage of some good savings on last winters clothes and picked up a couple of jumpers in the sales,one cashmere, the other wool, I also sent for some lovely black leather loafers that were half price but need to exchange them for half a size bigger.
Great to catch up on everyone's news, new haircuts, house viewings and dates, what a lovely eclectic bunch we are
Happy weekend x
ETA hope you feel better soon Sugarbaby x

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

I went to the pub last night for a night of dancing and had a really good time

The DJ was on fire! He rocked the whole pub out

I wore lots of perfume and layered it with the matching body powder and body lotion. I wore black mascara, a bronze/brown eye shadow, clear lip gloss and clear nail polish. I was wearing my black silk and velvet skirt with my red v neck front and back red sleeveless top with my black Kaleidoscope cardigan and my black patent leather peep toe Van Dal sling back shoes. I wore large twisted solid gold hoops, solid gold chain with a 9ct diamonique pendant, with a solitaire diamonique and solid gold ring and a solid gold bracelet.

I spent the 1st hour of the night enjoying myself and dancing on my own. Then Wayne joined me and then I spent the rest of the night dancing and talking with him. I had a really good time dancing with Wayne, but I did not want to talk about anything to do with our past, so that we would have a fun evening. I told Wayne we could meet and talk about the past soon, if he was willing to listen. I still feel a lot of anger towards Wayne at times and I am not sure it will ever be resolved to my satisfaction unless he wants to change how he behaves towards me.

Just before my bus arrived, Wayne insisted on giving me £40 to 'treat' myself and I accepted his money, not because I needed it, but because I did not want to be bothered cooking today, so I could buy pre-cooked chicken from Morrisons hot counter and buy salad items to make a big mixed salad. I will spend the rest of the money on my biggest passion, which is books. It has always bothered Wayne how independent I am, but I prefer to be. I have credit on all of my bills and in the case of my Thames Water bill that is paid for the whole year in advance with a little extra credit on top. I have hundreds of pounds of credit on my rent account. I am completely debt free and have a few thousand pound in savings, so there is no need for me to be anything except independent. He is far too used to women who have enjoyed accepting his help to pay their bills, their rent and getting him to buy them expensive gifts and generally bleed him dry.

maman

Sounds like you had a good night sugarbaby. Love the sound of your outfit and make up. Wayne is a strange one. He obviously want you to be together as he never gives up trying to get a relationship going with you however much you keep him at arms length. Maybe one day (and it's a big maybe) he'll get the message that you're an independent woman but more importantly what that means. It seems that he finds your personality attractive but doesn't get what it means i.e. he likes the fact that you're strong but still seems to think you'll let him call the shots. Odd!!


:T on being ahead with all your bills and savings. Martin would be proud of you.:money:


I've done little or nothing but the basics today. I always cleanse and moisturise but I've been slobbing around the house in leggings all day. I did some paperwork/emails that were outstanding and we have had a delicious, healthy roast tonight though. As part of my 'slobbing' I watched some trash tv earlier. One of those 'Can't Pay we'll take it away' programmes and it amazes me the mess some people live in. So I'm not that much of a slob. My home is pristine in comparison. Even before I read MK I'm a great believer in a place for everything....

chanie

sugar your MSE ways are inspiring.
Maman I also watch 'Can't pay we'll take it away' I really do feel sad for some of those people on the show.


I did my breadmaking course last week and I enjoyed learning something new. I tried making some bread at the weekend and I'm not sure it turned out brilliantly, but I guess its practice!!!


Me and OH are going to have a 'date' is a couple of weeks time. I've booked us onto a Go Ape event (which is a ropes and ladders assault course up in the trees) and then we are going to have lunch, before picking up the children from school. OH always complains that I neglect him, so I though I should focus on us spending some quality time together, without the children.


I have also bought this, with my monthly budget:
https://www.astleyclarke.com/uk/18ct-yellow-gold-vermeil-light-pink-skinny-woven-bracelet-31346ypkbos

I'm not a big jewellery fan, but this is very 'me'. I love its understated simplicity (yes, that sounds pretentious, but I don't like fussy clothes or accessories). I definitely want to focus more on accessories, as that's something I don't ever focus on and I've seen some lovely bits and pieces around.

maman

Love the bracelet chanie . I like understated jewellery too. I have gold bangles I wear constantly.
Enjoy your date. Can't say Go Ape would be my thing though.:rotfl: