Frump to Fab 2018 - Fabulous Dahhhhlings

maman

Good news about getting into the size 12 money . It's a start! Glad you got compliments.
I agree with you about the flat stomach. I only weigh about once every two months and use my clothes to 'tell' me in between. Clean jeans are always the give away. Whenever I've gained a few pounds it goes on my stomach and thighs. Obviously I can disguise this when necessary but I like to be at my best weight for pencil skirts and other figure hugging outfits.

Pleased with my hair. Also the highlights (or rather the bleaching from the sun) are still fine so can put that expense off until next time.

moneyistooshorttomention

I'm using my mothers method here arent I - re the "my clothes telling me" - as that's what she does.

Frustrating one can't designate exactly where the weight is to come off from. I would probably find half a stone further weight loss would do if it would come off exactly where I want (in my case = a tiny bit off the face, a little off my boobs and the majority of it off stomach and abdomen). Arms and legs were slightly "off" - but are now back to correct size.

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies.

Well done Money. You are making fantastic progress. I hadn't heard of Audrey Coyne so I watched a couple of her videos. Very good.

Speaking of viewing. Did anyone watch Fashions Dirty Secrets last night - all about the pollution caused by excessive clothing manufacture. The world is paying a very high price for cheap fashion. Not only is the environment being trashed but populations are getting very sick because the water is so polluted. The West should hang its head in shame.

What was so depressing is that not one of the mainstream clothing manufacturers would even consent to an interview. As for our beloved Home Secretary......:(.

What a sorry state we are in. And of course all the climate change news last night was pretty dire.

I mentioned I have installed a new smart meter. Well all I can say is it's a good job I'm getting a new boiler. I'm going to have to get to grips with the poor insulation in this house ASAP. The figures on that meter made for grim reading when we had that cold spell a few days ago. I'll do what I can for now, adding draught excluders, heavy curtains, rugs etc but the bills will probably be a bit high this winter.

Oh dear I do sound all doom and gloom this morning. I really am not on a downer (honest) but I do get so frustrated at times. I get so annoyed with greed, both the corporate greed that is destroying our fragile planet and private greed when householders cover up a multitude of sins when they sell on their money pits of houses. :rotfl: and I can never understand why people neglect their houses when it's their biggest asset.

Hey ho. I can put this house right but I can't take on the world.

My son popped in last night and tweaked my broadband so at least that's working properly now. He took a note of the worst offending light fittings. He will get me a batch of the most urgently needed low energy lightbulbs. Luckily he gets them at trade prices. . It's a start.

We've got a few more warm days this week but I'm guessing that will be it now. Winter is coming. :rotfl: At least I am well stocked up for winter clothing now. And my tumble dryer arrived on time yesterday, so at least I won't be making things worse by having damp washing hanging round causing condensation.

I guess all we can do is reduce our consumption and, as we discussed the other day, recycle where we can and dispose of waste in a responsible manner.

On a cheerier note I am aiming to spend the last few decent days in the garden. I bought some hyacinth and tulip bulbs for a bit of spring colour so I'll get those in, cut the lawn and a tidy up. The new shrubs seem to be doing ok.

Acupuncture today. My back is a lot better today, I'm getting there. :rotfl: Gave myself a nice pedicure and manicure last night. My nails seem to be getting stronger, and even my hair seems to be a bit thicker - good signs that my Overall health is much improved.

My plan to change my life is going well. Despite my little moans the house move has gone smoothly, the little niggles are being sorted out and I know I'm going to end up with a nice home.

I am nearly ready for Phase II.

lessonlearned

On a more positive note.......just read that in a survey of 30 large U.K. cities, Derby came out 3rd safest, and that healthcare is one of the best, only falling behind Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

That's nice to know. :rotfl:

And of course, affordable property, and beautiful countryside.

(Sssssh dont tell everyone, else we will be inundated). :rotfl:

Now if we could just get rid of some of the more depressing boring old chain stores, selling the same expensive tat that you can find up and down the land. Like most cities, it's just the same old clones which have got a stranglehold on our high streets, although the historic quarter is fighting back with more small indies.

Maybe there's hope yet.

Btw. Yesterday, I Met the lady who has just bought the bungalow next door. It's smaller than mine and is an absolute wreck - not even habitable - but she has plans. Once these two houses are done it will really lift the tone of the neighbourhood. Looks like I've made a good investment. She's Italian and a widow and seems very nice. I have to say the neighbours here are really lovely. I think they are glad to see that my next door neighbour and I renovating these two run down properties. A few have already complimented me on the improvements to the front garden.

Right time to get cracking. The sun is shining brightly now although a cool breeze yet.

humptydumptybits

chanie wrote: »

I had an early morning trip to the tip today. We had lots of waste materials from our DIY, including wood and polystyrene packaging, which we had piled up in our front garden (lowering the tone of the street). None of it was heavy, but was bulky. Luckily, I managed to get it all in the car. I wanted to go early as I know the tip gets really busy, so I got there before 9:30am and there wasnt a queue. We will have to go again next week as the flooring company have said they wont remove the old flooring.

Now, for the setbacks. They are minor in the grand scheme of things, but when you are short of time, they can be very annoying. Firstly, I found out the tip wont take old paint. We were given two huge (10 litres each) tubs of emulsion by a relative, that were going spare. The paint had gone off, so we didnt use it, but now we have to get rid of it. I was given the contact details of a contractor for the council who will take it for free, but I had to go online and fill in a form and someone will contact me blah blah blah. I am a responsible citizen, but I was tempted just to stick them in the bin, as it felt like such a faff.

The second setback was that we needed some skirting board. I decided to try a wood merchants yesterday, as we literally need two pieces totally about 20cms and wanted to see if we could get an off cut. The wood merchants all seem to be closed on Saturdays. So today, after the tip, I popped to Wickes and they had it, but dont cut wood. The piece they sold was too big to fit in the car. I guess I could have bought a saw and cut it in half myself, but I just couldnt be bothered.

I am really missing my fab Fridays, as I am working 5 standard days rather than compressed hours. I used my Fridays to run errands, but I cant do that any more. I may see if I can work a 9 day fortnight in the future, as that would really help, but I dont think my manager is that keen on flexible working, so we shall see.

I want to live where you do. Here you can only take two bags to the tip and you have to speak to the man on the gate when you go in, if you go to often he will tell you that he has taken your number and you can't abuse the system. So annoying if you are doing DIY or having a clear out, I hate fly tipping but sometimes I can understand why people do it.


Have you tried B&Q, I found them really good when I was doing some DIY, I took my measurements and chose my wood and they cut it exactly to size. There was a charge but I don't think it was much.

humptydumptybits

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I'm using my mothers method here arent I - re the "my clothes telling me" - as that's what she does.

Frustrating one can't designate exactly where the weight is to come off from. I would probably find half a stone further weight loss would do if it would come off exactly where I want (in my case = a tiny bit off the face, a little off my boobs and the majority of it off stomach and abdomen). Arms and legs were slightly "off" - but are now back to correct size.

I can recommend a hulahoop for the waist and stomach. I've lost 1.5 inches off my waist in about 2 months, makes my middle match the rest of me:rotfl: It is an easy fun way to exercise, initially I think I got most effect from bending down to pick it up again but can do a ten minute stint now with no problem. The grandchildren think it is hilarious but I think they are just jealous as I'm better at it than them.:T

maman

I listened to bits of the programme about instant fashion LL. It was a good message and I agree about the large chains not being prepared to speak. Unfortunately I think I must be getting (extra) intolerant as I find some of the accents of presenters both on radio and television grating and it puts me off listening. I know they're trying to be inclusive but some of them are passing local accents off as sloppy speech and I hate that.:o

lessonlearned wrote: »

As for our beloved Home Secretary......:(.

I think it was the Environment Secretary that gave the trite and rather irrelevant statement. I'm sure he'd love to be Home Secretary or even PM!

These sold like hot cakes when he was Education Secretary!





I must be in a mood for ranting this morning! I just checked online for my trains to go to Manchester tomorrow. I can get a direct train from here or I can go via London. The direct train costs double the price!:eek: So I am encouraged to get on a busy commuter train to London and then cross from Waterloo to Euston at peak rush hour in the morning! Total Madness!:mad:


Let's get back to fabbing.:D


I have a massage and facial booked for next week and this morning I booked another for the first of November. Both at Groupon prices so that's good.:)


I was thinking last night about weight in the wrong places money and while I take your point about vanity sizing there are other issues. This will be a history lesson for our younger posters but I remember how women dressed years ago before the advent of tights which IIRC roughly coincided with mini skirts in the 60s. Previously, young women wore stockings and suspender belts (or at least I did) but older women always wore a 'girdle' or 'roll on' with suspenders attached. These were a bit like the 'magic knickers' or control garments you can buy today. Much older women like my grandmothers wore proper boned corsets!:eek: So while women may have been wearing smaller clothes, there was help to get into them and hide lumps and bumps whereas we expect to wear leggings and look perfect.:D


I'm dancing tonight and an early start tomorrow so I need to sort out what I'm taking with me today. It's a conference so smart casual should be fine (smart jeans and jumpers/long sleeved tops) but I think I'll take my new Zara dress in case anyone smartens up for dinner. I wore it last night to the art group and it felt good. Last night was about Caravaggio. It was good to know something about his life as I've seen some of his intense religious paintings in the cathedral in Valletta.


It's still bright and mild here. Great while it lasts.:)

chanie

humptydumptybits wrote: »

I want to live where you do. Here you can only take two bags to the tip and you have to speak to the man on the gate when you go in, if you go to often he will tell you that he has taken your number and you can't abuse the system. So annoying if you are doing DIY or having a clear out, I hate fly tipping but sometimes I can understand why people do it.


Have you tried B&Q, I found them really good when I was doing some DIY, I took my measurements and chose my wood and they cut it exactly to size. There was a charge but I don't think it was much.

Our tip is a recycling centre, so I guess its in the Council's interests to let people bring whatever they can fit in their car. They work on a 'trust' basis, but you have to show proof of address and they will give you a badge for the year. The tip has huge shipping containers ,which are sorted by material. You have to climb some stairs to be able to check your stuff in. I probably climbed the stairs about 15 times that last trip!!!


Will also be going back this weekend with the old carpet - unlike wood, you can't really leave it outside in case it rains.


What I find frustrating is the amount of flytipping that goes on. Literally every few weeks I see sofas, mattresses and furniture dumped by the side of the road. I once emailed my local councillor with half a dozen separate items I took pictures of on my way to the station one morning. I wrote that I understood it wasnt the Councils fault that people fly tip, but unless the are going to put CCTV on every street, there was no way of catching people as its not like people will write their name and address on a mattress.


It feels like a loosing battle and its frustrating for me, as a responsible person to do the right thing, when I could probably dump my stuff at the end of the road!!!

moneyistooshorttomention

humptydumptybits wrote: »

I can recommend a hulahoop for the waist and stomach. I've lost 1.5 inches off my waist in about 2 months, makes my middle match the rest of me:rotfl: It is an easy fun way to exercise, initially I think I got most effect from bending down to pick it up again but can do a ten minute stint now with no problem. The grandchildren think it is hilarious but I think they are just jealous as I'm better at it than them.:T

I remember having a hula hoop as a child - and I never could get the knack of it:(.

So it's my two dance sessions a week and the odd walk as my exercise I'm afraid. There'll be the odd one-off dance sessions as well (was duly making a note of an evening one coming up I fancy). Arranged with a new friend for her to take me to a regular music evening event soon and I think there is sometimes dancing at that too.

LESSON LEARNED - Sounds like the new house is going well and you are starting to settle in nicely:D

I have watched that fast fashion tv programme this morning. I did have some idea of what's going on already - but I think this makes it clearer. It's a shame it was on at a bit of an anti-social time - as I feel more people need to know this. Think I'd better postpone the other similar programme I've got lined-up to watch - ie the "Drowning in Plastic" one till another day. Don't want to watch two such programmes in one day:mad: With having some knowledge of all this already I was already trying not to clothes shop just for the sake of it and to have clothes with a low "cost per wear". I have always expected my clothes to last me literally years of reasonably frequent wear.

I'm fine with following local accents and that doesnt bother me at all - as I've learnt over the years to follow a wide range of accents and understand them (ie when I can see many other people cant). I can still recall my mother standing there smiling approvingly at me (something she rarely does LOL) when I understood perfectly when someone with some sort of speech deformity was speaking to me. It's appearance that gets me - I confess to switching off if there's too high a proportion of 2010's size people, as I find it difficult if I'm trying to just listen to people (but not look at them) and do wish they'd go back to slim/attractive presenters as the norm. I know...I know...but I'm a "visual" person and it is difficult for me to look at people I find "unappealing".

Must be one of the few people that goes "Will you please charge me more actually for what clothes I buy - and make them to the standard they used to be made to?". I was only trying on a Marks & Spencers skirt I bought quite a few years ago the other day (to see how far it still is from fitting me again). I bet they don't ever make that quality these days (ie fully-lined/with darts/quality material).

silvasava

Money - I like regional accents rather than the 'received' english that used to be spoken on radio and TV. The thing that irritates me is pitch - if its shrill I just switch off mentally as well as physically!
Must admit I did look at some hula hoops in HB the other day - I could do it as a child but not sure now......think I probably need to do it in private too