Frump to Fab 2018 - Fabulous Dahhhhlings

humptydumptybits

lessonlearned wrote: »

Well my poor handyman is having a right old struggle with the digging. There are the most enormous woody roots underneath the surface. There’s no way I come have coped with that lot. I feel rather guilty if I’m honest. I had no idea it was that bad.

And it is so cold, the wind is coming from the east and it is horrible.
Hopefully it’s just a one day wonder and it will be a bit warmer tomorrow.

Whilst on the subject of shopping it’s the god awful cheap and Nasty fabrics that get me (and the shoddy stitching of course). I don’t know if anyone watched the programme Drowning in Plastic last night but it mentioned synthetic fibres and micro plastics such as those found in exfoliators etc. It isn’t all just about plastic bags, bottles and fishing lines. Apparently fleeces and those microporous cleaning cloths are some of the worst offenders. They get into the water systems via washing machines. It is truly horrific what we are doing to the planet.

I have stopped using any products with micro beads and as far as possible anything with sodium laurel sulphate. I am now resolved to going back to natural fabrics and yarns if I can, buying and consuming less.

Cheap scratchy lace is something I can't stand.

humptydumptybits

sashybo wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Congrats on the house move LL.:T

Have been lurking & reading along. Still struggling to get into any real routine with exercise due to a combination of shift work, DS & laziness. I have at least been doing a 40 min walk once a week when taking DS to playgroup, coming back up the hill is a real workout pushing the pram!

My local Mr M's has expanded their ladieswear section & some of it is quite good quality actually. I bought two cotton tops with boat necks & 3/4 length sleeves for £6 each and two pairs of black leggings for £7 each.

The leggings are quite thick & have a nice stretch without being see-through. I wore them to do some yoga & they were really comfortable to exercise in. So I'm pleased with the Mr M stuff so far, they have jeggings too for around £12 but not tried those as yet. I buy quite a few things for DS there & they are always lovely and wash well so thought the ladieswear was worth a punt.

To join in the clothes size debate, I thought that retailers changed the sizes every so often as the body shapes of the population change. That's why sizes from years ago are smaller, people are generally taller etc. I think it's always been the same though, you just have to try things on. I agree that it's so frustrating not knowing what size you will fit into even in the same shop. In some I'm a size 12 & in others a 14 and I have no idea when they start with small, medium & large! Except I'm generally not a small as that usually means my boobs or bum or both won't fit in it. I was really skinny at 18 & it was a shock for me when I finally got some curves in my 20s, although I always had "sturdy" calves. :rotfl:

Jeans are a particular nightmare for me as they need to have enough stretch to get over my calves & bum but then they can be too big on my waist & I'm forever hitching them up. :rotfl: You should see the state of me trying jeans on in a changing room, I have to sit, kneel & bend to make sure the jeans aren't lowering & flashing a builder's bum. :eek::rotfl: I'm really paranoid about this as always kneeling & bending over to pick up DS or play with him at playgroups etc.

I got some great jeans in Asda with quite a bit of stretch in them. They are quite forgiving as I have gone down a size and they still look fine.


The builder's bum look is definitely to be avoided if at all possible.

clippy_girl

Hello all,

I have also got those leggings sashyboo and they have washed really well. I like that they aren't thin and see through. I've also got a nice dress from there as well.

I'm struggling with tops and dresses at the moment as everything seems to be high round necked and I don't suit that kind of neckline or find it comfy. Seems to be everywhere so it must be in fashion

I prob have enough clothes to last until I loose a bit of weight as I e bought a few new dresses so can probably stop looking!

I have been seeing someone I met online for around 5 or so weeks now so have been making a bit more effort with shaving and moisturising etc.

I'm getting my hair cut on sat and have decided to get my fringe again. Will hopefully get tips from the new hairdresser as I have it blunt and thick and I hate it when it goes clumpy or separates. Girls night out on sat so as well as my hair I will do my fingernails with my shellac kit. Think I will do dark green for autumn colour!

It's now only 11 weeks until I go to Sri Lanka so I need to focus on bikini body building lol! I would like to loose about 3 stone but obv can't do that before I go. I'm going to aim for 2lbs per week by eating better and exercising. Aiming to include two body pump sessions per week to tone up as well

moneyistooshorttomention

humptydumptybits wrote: »

Sorry you missed the point, she didn't need or want to go on a diet. The clothes did fit she just didn't like the label so she would buy something in say M&S because a 12 fitted her but she wouldn't buy something she liked in say Dorothy Perkins because she needed a 14. She didn't change sizes between shops. The label doesn't really matter, she was a 36in bust in both shops and the label on the dress didn't make a jot of difference to that.


Obviously if you are dieting you don't want to buy clothes that won't last but that is surely about the fit not the label?

I wasnt aware she doesnt need a diet - as the vast majority of people now do - so I'd assumed she was one of them.

36" bust and yep...her size is fine as it is.

So - I wouldnt agree with her stance on that one then in her position. That tends to add to the pressure on shops to vanity size. For instance all the recent photos of girls that looked to be size 18 for sure there complaining that they couldnt buy clothes that were (accurately imo) sized at size 14 in H & M. After all that pressure from some shoppers that want to buy clothes with vanity sizing (as that's what they've been used to other shops doing) H & M caved in and have agreed to vanity size as well - so those size 18 girls can buy size 18 clothes that have a size 14 label on them (just like the other shops have done):mad::mad:

maman

humptydumptybits wrote: »

The clothes did fit she just didn't like the label so she would buy something in say M&S because a 12 fitted her but she wouldn't buy something she liked in say Dorothy Perkins because she needed a 14. She didn't change sizes between shops. The label doesn't really matter, she was a 36in bust in both shops and the label on the dress didn't make a jot of difference to that.

How daft is that!! Although I do know people who will cut out labels they don't like. I suppose these are the people that vanity sizing is made for.:D

humptydumptybits wrote: »

Obviously if you are dieting you don't want to buy clothes that won't last but that is surely about the fit not the label?

I'm a great advocate of using Charity Shops to see you through until you're comfortable with your size. They're good for experimenting with colour too.

humptydumptybits wrote: »

I got some great jeans in Asda with quite a bit of stretch in them. They are quite forgiving as I have gone down a size and they still look fine..

My favourite jeans at the moment come from Asda too although they don't do them any more.:( Aside from being a good fit they're called 'stayblack' and they actually do! That's along with the Woolite dark clothes wash that sugarbaby recommended:)I actually prefer my Asda jeans to the ones I have from The White Company that cost about 4 times as much!

humptydumptybits wrote: »

The builder's bum look is definitely to be avoided if at all possible.

Definitely!:eek:


I like natural fabrics best too although a little bit of lycra or some polyester/viscose mixed in can help in terms of stretch or creaseproofness (is that a word??;))


My pet hate is the summer dresses in that nasty, itchy nylon stuff. It's so unsuitable for hot weather.


I had my feet done, very happy with them. They don't need such a lot of work any more as I've got so much better at caring for them. I've been using basic aqueous cream (from £shop) and I'm very pleased with it. The podiatrist did recommend some insoles as I've been walking badly so giving them a try.


I popped in to New Look to return something for DGD. I didn't really have much time but will go back to try these:


https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/bodysuits/c/uk-womens-clothing-tops-bodysuits


The lacy ones would look so much nicer than a basic camisole and they have the advantage of keeping draughts out and preventing builders' bum!


I also nipped into Peacock's and amid the tat they had a nice jumper. It must be very new as it's not on the website. It's autumn shades in stripes BUT I really need to do a stocktake of what I've got in for winter FIRST!:)

humptydumptybits

maman I really like the burgundy one with long sleeves and buttons on the front. Brilliant way to avoid the dreaded builder's bum. Were the lacy ones soft, I can't cope with scratchy lace but they do look nice.



Peacocks is funny isn't it, as you say there is alot of tat but I was wearing some capri pants I had from there, about 3 or 4 years old and I was thinking how good they still looked.


I had a bit of luck with the wedding outfit, went into town today and it was really busy so the summer visitors haven't gone yet. Anyway I spotted a bag in just the right shade, it is a clutch bag but has a detachable chain so you can have it as a shoulder bag, the chain clips onto two hooks under the flap of the bag if that makes sense. So that is a problem solved for the princely sum of £6. I'm going to get some navy court shoes, visiting a big M&S at the weekend as we are going to visit family in a big city so not like our little branch. Then I am all set.


I've probably got to kit out two of my GC, son and his ex don't get on and I know she won't want to sort them out and other than school uniform they have to buy their own clothes from birthday money or I buy it, and my son, well let's just say he wouldn't notice if they turned up in school uniform. So I think gran will be kitting out two teenagers with suits, shirts and ties. I'm hoping shoes will be OK. I kitted them out for a family event this year, lovely outfits from Next which they then wore to an event on mum's side of the family I felt like asking her if she wanted to contribute but bit my tongue. Unfortunately I don't think they will fit next year so new suits it will be.



To be fair I will enjoy a day out with them so not all bad.

sashybo

Humpty thanks for the Asda tip for jeans, next time I'm in there without DS I'll try some different styles on & see how they fit.

Clippy I'm really impressed with the leggings & like that they have a proper waistband too. :T Will definitely keep my eye on the new things they bring in.

I met my DH online around 16 years ago now, fingers crossed it continues to go well for you.

Maman Good idea on the bodysuits, didn't even think of something like that & those ones look nice.

maddiemay

Hi all, long time no post, but have been reading along.

Regarding the bodysuits, just a little pointer from someone who has been there and wore the T shirt from the last time they were in fashion, do make sure that they are quite roomy, when worn under trousers, tights etc they had a nasty habit of riding up a little, rather uncomfortable:eek: and quite embarrassing if the need to give them a downward tug happened when with others.

LL so pleased that you are happy with your new home.

Keeping up with the fabbing fairly well, but need to have a trying on session for warmer clothes and remove anything that does not fit well or that doesn't make me feel great. I have been trying to go through my jewellery and get it into some order for matching up with outfits, I have quite a lot collected over the years, but am always in a rush and can never find what I want quickly and so end up not wearing it.

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies.


Maddie. I tend to agree with you about the bodysuits. I remember them well. I never found them very comfortable. Maybe it’s my body shape but I never did get on with them. Shame because they do keep your back warm. I now just go with an extra long vest.

I too Am starting to dig out warmer clothing. I found it very cold yesterday but at least that awful east wind has dropped so it doesnt feel so bad today.

When I moved in I did tend to just put things away fairly hAphazardly to get everything neat and tidy. However I need to rejig things a bit. Like you Maddie my everyday jewellery isn’t very handy so I need to have a bit of a sort out and find a nice convenient place to keep it all together so I can wear it more often. The good stuff lives in the safe - again I should really wear that more. I also need to do something with mums jewellery. I really don’t wear any of it it’s present state so I’m thinking if I can have some if it remodelled. Princess Diana used to do that apparently.

The top bedroom is now clear and organised so today I’m going to set up my spare tv and DVD player up there and use the space for exercise as temporary measure until I can sort out what is currently a very large shed crammed with the last owners detritus.

I have had a good look at it, it has a proper concrete floor strong enough to take exercise machines and it has power and light. With some decent insulation, maybe an electric panel heater of some sort for winter and a lick of paint it should make a really good home gym. That job will have to wait until next summer.

Got the chimney sweep coming later today and hopefully I will finally get broadband. I find it very difficult trying to do stuff on the iPhone. Lol.

maman

:wave: hello Maddie!


I'm another that had bodysuits (I think they were just called 'bodies' then.) the first time round. You're right that they can be uncomfortable if they don't fit properly. I only had a quick look at the lacy ones in New Look. They had a fabulous range of colours but I'd definitely try them on before buying.


We only have one Morrisons here so I don't visit often but those leggings sound worth a trip sashy. I'm not over impressed with the M&S ones, they've not stayed black very well and could be more stretchy. I wear leggings in the house all the time.


I do envy you your shed LL. One day if we ever sort out our garden then I plan to have one. I think they look fantastic done up like beach huts or just generally 'dressed'. I'd only want to use it for storage but they can look fab on the outside too.


I don't really do costume jewellery but I have been making a bigger effort to wear what I have. Mostly rings that I've inherited. One is a bit too big so I should really have it made smaller. Do they still do those clips to put in rings?


It's bright and sunny here again. Last night I wore the darker of my two White Stuff summer skirts for dancing and had a compliment on it. Tonight I think I'll wear the lighter one as it'll probably be the last chance. I like their patterned skirts , I've got a velvet one for winter but it's much too thick to wear yet.


Today I'm definitely going to make a start on some MK. Now I've said it I have to do it!:eek: