Frump to Fab 2018 - Fabulous Dahhhhlings

maman

Tucked up warm here too although the snow isn't anything like as bad as in some parts of the country.


I've gone for two layers today too LL, thermal leggings and vest under my usual house clothes.;)
I was meant to be going out for lunch today and then to a theatre matinee but the drive was risky as more snow expected in the area so we've called it off. I had planned to dress in a theme close to the national costume I wore on every 1st March as a child (red skirt, black top etc) but that won't be happening today. I plan to stay in and cook us a hearty meal and catch up on a few bits around the house.


It's hard to know what to advise for your dinners floss without knowing your tastes but low carb and low fat would seem to be the way to go. You can't beat a roast dinner if you have mainly lean meat and plenty of veg especially greens and go a bit easy on the gravy. I roast chunks of butternut squash and carrots to minimise the number of potatoes.We really enjoy a stir-fry with a measured portion of rice or noodles and make your own sauces as the ready made can be packed with sugar. Another tip is to make mash with swede & carrot rather than just potato to keep the carbs down. Lovely with sausages or as a topping for cottage pie. I think the trick is to have some low fat protein (fish or meat unless you're a veggie), a minimal amount of carb (your DH could have more if you have the willpower to watch him) and then really pile on the low carb veg. :T well done for tackling it now before things get out of hand.:T


Keep warm all. I may be back later. It's good to know we can chat with virtual friends without having to brave the weather.:D

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

I am not feeling very well, so I had to re-book my medical appointment for next Thursday. Just a tummy bug, so it will soon be over and done with.

Sashy, I hope your son is now over his cold. It was rotten luck for him to get a cold straight after the bug. I have never stopped being on 'alert', not even when I am deeply asleep, in case my children need me and my younger son is now 17 years old. I can wake up instantly when I believe they need me, but sometimes it is a false alarm. My son might only be coming into my bedroom to put his dirty clothes in the laundry basket :rotfl:

I only wear a single layer of clothing inside my home, as I keep it so toasty warm all the time, especially in this present extremely cold weather. It is just the weather for me to watch recorded TV programmes and films and do lots of reading, so even in times of freezing weather, there is a silver lining for me.

LL congratulations on continuing to lose weight

Floss take heart in the fact that you are trying to work out the best way for you to tackle your weight loss journey to regain your former figure

chanie

Good afternoon, fabbers.

My WiFi has been playing up and I keep loosing posts. I hope everyone is okay.

The children’s school has been shut for the past 3 (yes 3) days. OH stayed off on Wednesday and yesterday they went to my sisters. I was hoping that school was open today as I had a hairdressers appointment and I didn’t want to have to take the children with me, but equally didn’t want to have to reschedule. We got a text last from the school saying that it would probably be open, but this morning, another text confirming they were staying shut. I just don’t understand how London can’t cope with a few inches of snow.

I ended up taking the children to the hairdressers with me and they were well behaved. Luckily, I only needed my roots doing so it didn’t take too long. As a reward, I’ve taken the children to IKEA and they are in the crèche, whilst I’m having a free cuppa in the restaurant.

I’m frozen to the bone (there is no parking near the hairdressers, so it was a bit of walk) and I can’t wait to get home so that I can warm up.

maddiemay

Hi everyone, loads of horrid snow here, but everything previously put in the diary has been re-arranged or put on hold. No attempt whatsoever at being stylish, although my warm casual gear is bright and cheerful, looking after my skin as normal, but having a rest from makeup for a day or too. Perfume still being used and continue to be aware of my posture.

Chanie - brownie points to your children for being so well behaved, great that you were able to have your hair done.
Sugarbaby - I hope that you are feeling better today.
maman - love th daffodils picture, I hope that we will all be enjoing them IRL soon.
LL - as you say slow and steady with weight loss is good.
sashy - I hope that you are all recovering from the bugs and getting some sleep, same sentiments for rubyslippers - it must be so tough with it all falling on your shoulders.
Floss - great news about the job, may I suggest that you keep your protein levels up, it will keep you full for longer and our bodies need protein to build and repair tissues. we also use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

Butterfliesarepretty

Hello Ladies,

Its very cold isnt it, we are in darwen, its not been bad but icy and windy. I was feeling a bit sad today as the interview I went to yesterday was part time 25 hours a week 8-1pm but was told the job was mundane printing and laminating orders for a roofing company, but the interview was so happy and positive and thought I had got it in a way because he almost was bursting to tell me Id got it.

Had to chase the agency today for feedback and was told the guy who interviewed me felt I would leave after finding it mundane because of my experience in accounts over 32 years.
Basically overqualified! Im just a finance assistant.

Anyway felt a bit let down, also didnt get job at Age Concern, they wanted full time really, but considered part time for the right candidate. I came second.

So im just going out of my mind a bit to keep mentally active. Can anyone suggest something else besides washing cleaning decorating and gardening! My lovely husband bought me some tulips and prosecco to cheer me up.

Going to the gym tomorrow. picking up a new radiator for the front spare room, we also may have to have my husbands daughter move in with us as she has to get a permanent job before end of march as she cant pay her rent and wants to be taken on permanently so she can buy her first house. So we have to get the room finished, we have the secondhand day bed, get the wallpaper for one wall and painted the rest brilliant white.

Then the scottish paintings and pictures can go up with the stag lamp and chest of drawers that I planned to go in.

Last week my husband paid for my hair, I went from red to highlighted blonde to hide the greys and give me confidence.

Oh heck its a bit frustrating but Im really trying hard and trying to relax!:o

shanks77

Floss for a low carb meal how about chicken strips dipped in egg then Parmesan or Grana Padang cheese then baked in oven? Tastes like breaded chicken my ex loves it and doesn't see it as "diet" food.
Block polenta makes lovely chips either fried or oven baked and the loose stuff is good as mash

Floss

Thanks for the tips ladies:)

Maman we often had parsnip or carrot & parsnip mash as a "carb" but have got out of the habit Same with polenta "chips" Shanks though I love the sound of the chicken strips! Maddie I am planning a protein shop for when we've eaten the chicken thighs, salmon & h/m all meat sausages in the freezer

maman

Glad you found the tips helpful floss. I think it's really easy to get into a rut with cooking/eating. I suppose carbs are on a bit of a spectrum though. Personally I think of parsnips as a carb (also polenta) but it's relative. Greens are probably the best but not as filling as the more carby veg.


Food has been whatever I can conjure up from the freezer for the past few days. We're getting very low on fresh stuff now but I'm thinking if I can manage today, maybe deliveries will have caught up a bit in the supermarkets by tomorrow.


Dressing has definitely been for warmth rather than fashion in the past few days. Been indoors except for a little trip to the small Co-op for some bread. Today we're off to football and some rain is forecast too.:(. So it'll be my thermal stuff with my parka on top as that has a big hood.


I have made the effort this morning with my shower and blow drying my hair. Planning to wear some light make up too as I'm feeling a bit pasty and washed out. It's been indulgent sitting around watching DVDs (yesterday I watched Gosford Park, having loved Cranford) but a bit of cabin fever has set in.


Next weekend is my birthday (thank goodness it's not this weekend) and we're off to Italy on Monday so I need to lift myself for that.:)

maddiemay

I have treated myself to some pampering this morning, Gatineau firming and lifting face mask, La Roche Posay repairing moisturising balm, and eye wateringly expensive facial mist and balm from an up market beauty box I treated myself to a while back.

During the Autumn and Winter I nearly always wear ankle boots or trainer type shoes with socks and am now in the habit of creaming my feet every morning before I dress, it has really paid off and I have been using up lots of creams and potions that had been abandoned as I developed sensitivity to them, I had also been gifted two 500ml pump bottles of the type of cream/lotions usually used to eczema/dry skin conditions so no excuse for scaly feet (one of my pet hates is seeing people in sandals with feet resembling crusty hooves:eek::eek:)

More snow due here later, no venturing outside, really need to kick myself upstairs to use the exercise cycle.

Maman a holiday in Italy sounds wonderful:D

lessonlearned

Hello lovely ladies...

Another one starting to get cabin fever. I had to either cancel or postpone everything this week. Never mind. I have got plenty to keep me amused. I have watched a few DVDs too this week, done a bit of cupboard sorting, tried my hand at paleo baking with mixed results. I am not a baker, I would be a disaster on those bake off programmes.

I have made arrangements to meet a friend for lunch on Monday and then go the cinema to see Finding Your Feet. The forecast looks a bit more promising after Sunday. I am really looking forward to getting out and about again. Roll on spring.

Maman. Have a lovely time in Italy. Where are you going.

Well I have been impulsive this morning. I have booked a cruise to Iceland. It is not until next year but it is one of those destinations where single cabins get booked up well in advance.......a lot of single males, but mainly nerdy camera types, serious bird watchers etc It is a place I have always wanted to go so maybe I am a bit nerdy too. Ha ha. Anyway it was a good price so I thought why not.

I have been pampering too. Yesterday I created a sort of home spa experience, scented bubble bath, facial, self body massage, eyebrow tidy, manicure and pedicure. My skin is really dry, especially elbows, knees and feet. I really need to make more effort, I have got a stack of creams to use up so no excuse really.

Btw.....update On the frownies I bought to try and soften forehead lines. I started using them this week. They seem to work quite well, although the effect is temporary of course so ideal for a hot date (I should be so lucky) or job interview. Apparently if you use them regularly the effects are cumulative and should, over time, soften the wrinkles more permanently. A couple of months apparently.

You do look a bit daft wearing them and I would imagine your partners would take the Mickey but if like me you sleep alone well it doesn!!!8217;t matter how silly I look.

Lost another 1lb this week, a slow process, just need to keep going.

Don!!!8217;t know if you saw an article in the Daily Mail about the woman who died in hospital in Brazil. She was actually on our cruise, got sick and was airlifted off and transferred to a hospital on shore.

The hospital are accusing the cruise line of abandoning her but realistically I dont think they should be blamed. She was a sick woman and shouldnt have been on that cruise in the first place. They did their best for her when she developed pneumonia but a ship is not the Place for someone with complex medical needs like this woman had. Cruise ships do have medical facilities but they are not hospital ships.

Not nice to die in a strange country, without family and unable to speak the language but I am not sure we can blame the cruise line for what happened.

She was obese, with diabetes and high blood pressure to start with so when the pneumonia took hold she ended up with a cardiac arrest. Maybe if she had been in the uk at the start of her illness she might have lived but even so there are no guarantees. Not everyone survives a cardiac arrest even in the best equipped hospital.

Very sad.