Frump to Fab 2018 - Fabulous Dahhhhlings

lessonlearned

SUgarbaby......I do hope you were not offended by my comments about people wearing dark clothing. It was just something that really struck me. London is no worse than Derby in that respect. I have noticed it here too. In winter people just seem to gravitate towards dark colours. Of course younger people always wear a lot of black. I lived in it when I was a teenager.

I know you favour black but you seem to have found a knack of adding nice accessories and jewellery. Your outfits always sound beautifully colour co-ordinated. And your black coat sounds lovely, I love things like velvet collars and cuffs or fur trimming (fake fur of course). I know real fur is becoming fashionable again but I would not wear it. I think you are right though, texture is just as important as colour. My mohair coat feels wonderfully luxurious to touch. The joke is I only paid £10 for it from a charity shop and yet it really is a gorgeous coat and being pure wool it is so warm and cosy to wear.

No what I meant was, and this does sound awful, but I could not help but notice just how many people were wearing such unflattering top clothing. I know it was very cold and obviously people needed to wrap up warm in such a biting wind but a splash of colour in say a scarf or gloves or even a woolly bobble hat or cloche hat would make such a difference.

Everywhere you looked all you could see was black, navy or dark grey. I know public transport can be dirty, especially when it is wet or snowing so dark coats make a lot of sense. But woolly scarves or gloves are both affordable and washable and it would make it easy to ring the changes and help bring those dark colours to life.

There are very few people who really suit dark colours, especially at the end of winter when everyone looks pale and drawn, so a brightly coloured scarf next to the face would really give them that pop of much needed colour. Men are perhaps a bit more restricted as to what colours would be appropriate but a red scarf looks great with a dark top coat or maybe something in a stripe or paisley print. . Women of course could wear just about any bright colour they fancied.

My eldest son wears dark colours for business wear and today he met us from the station wearing his dark grey herringbone wool coat over his business suit. And round his neck he wore his Harry Potter scarf knitted by DIL. It was a fun touch which brightened up his look and he was super warm and cosy. My other boy has a selection of scarves - usually striped ones in what he calls man colours such as burgundy or dark teal blues. They add a bit of colour to his dark coats.

There are some great films coming up. I fancy both of those you mentioned, and of course Peter Rabbit looks great fun. I have two groupon vouchers to use (thanks to you for recommending them) so I am looking forward to visiting the cinema quite a bit in the next few weeks. All part of my master plan to start socialising a bit more. My college course starts on Wednesday. I am really looking forward to it.

Just looking forward to some warmer weather.......

maman

Funny how conversations go on here. It's interesting how subjects link up.:)


I'd say that you managed with your white coat because you and DIL (for good reason) chose to take taxis. A dry cleanable coat wouldn't last five minutes on tubes and buses. I bought a black quilted coat for my trip to Italy. I fancied a silver grey one but I thought how disappointed I'd be if I got dirty marks on it while we were away so I went for the black. I wore it with either my red tartan scarf or my 'Doctor Who' stripey scarf which is a selection of pinks, purples and reds.


I agree that it's more practical to have bright accessories that are washable. Come the spring and summer (whenever that is:() we'll be able to wear much brighter clothes as lightweight stuff is much easier to wash and dry.


This morning I've had a good fabbing session particularly focusing on creaming myself. We chose to take only carry on luggage (also black:o) last week so I had to prioritise make up and toiletries. Even with a lot of DH's allowance;) I couldn't justify body lotion so my skin felt quite dry especially on my legs.


I know I've said it before but I do appreciate your film reviews sugarbaby. You seem prepared to go to a whole range of different genres too which is admirable whereas I tend to play a bit safe.


Back to dancing tonight and tomorrow. Not sure exactly what to wear but will definitely involve a skirt.:D

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

LL no you certainly did not cause me any offence of any kind, rest assured that you never have and I do not believe you would be capable of doing so ever

I currently wear too much black, alas because of the weight gain far too much of my colourful clothes do not fit. I am restricted to what size 14 tops that still fit me and size 16 skirts that are elasticated or were cut so ridiculously generously that they can still get on my much expanded hips and waist

I was born in London and lived most of life in London apart from when I was married and my husband was serving in the British Army and I lived 6 years in West Germany. I have always found Londoners to be friendly and talkative. My children have always remarked on how much strangers are always willing to talk to me and strike up conversations with me when we are all out together in public. Sometimes I am not in the mood and would dearly love to be left in peace with my personal thoughts but will never the less talk to strangers. I know how lonely some people can be and that I may be the only person that they speak to that day and so I will never be abrupt with a stranger who wants to talk to me.

Public transport is very dirty in London. I ruined a red pair of leather gloves on the Underground in a day, as the banisters I was holding onto were much dirtier than I was expecting. I once owned a beautiful cream wool coat, but with every wear, it got dirty and it was only dry cleanable, so I ended up donating it to a charity shop to curb my dry cleaning bills. When my daughter had a similar coat, it too ended up in a local charity shop. I can remember going out in a cream skirt and top and being aghast at how quickly it looked grubby, so in London lighter colours are not always practical when using public transport. I am looking forward to spring and summer when I will hopefully will be wearing a lot more colour

My eldest son loves red, it is his favourite colour and he loves other bright colours, so he is never dressed in a conservative manner. He wears red socks and underwear and he is always wearing red coats and jackets. When he was younger and slimmer he would wear red suits and even red leather shoes. He always stands out from the crowd

My younger daughter is almost always in black from head to toe, which annoys me, but I never say anything negative to her, as it would only impact on her self confidence. I buy her items of clothing in bright colours, so that occasionally she has splashes of colour to alleviate the endless permutations of black outfits she is able to put together from her wardrobe

My elder daughter loves every colour of the rainbow and is known for her colourful style. This thread has consistently inspired her, as I talk a lot to her about how it always inspires me, to make the best of myself when I am leaving my home but even more so on social events

My younger son is very stylish and he looks more mature when he is dressed formally in a suit, shirt and tie, than when he is dressed more casually. At the moment that is 5 days a week, as he has to dress formally for his Sixth Form. Even when he is dressed casually he is very smart and colour co-ordinates his own clothes

I am going to Karaoke tonight, so I am looking forward to it

lessonlearned

I think I might be a bit obsessed with colour ........:rotfl:

I recently bought two coats which are supposed to be machine washable. I bought them online in a sale. I paid £25 each. I thought they would do for everyday coats. One is red, one is pale pink.

I have not worn the pink one yet because it is a bit tight. Despite it being a bit small I decided to keep it because i though it would be lovely for spring. I should be able to wear it soon because I have lost weight since then. I shall feel like Jackie O. :rotfl:

I have worn the red one, but not washed it yet. So I am not sure how well it stands up to the manufacturers promise of being machine washable.

Both coats are in man made fabrics, mainly polyester so they will not wear as well as a pure wool one but for that price I am not complaining.

I also have a long purple coat with a fake fur collar. Pure wool and absolutely gorgeous. Very Dr Zhivago. I did pay £99 for that one but as the rrp was £275 I am hoping it is really good quality and will last for at least a decade. I do like my moneys worth......

Another recent buy was a white, yes white sheepskin. I know. Totally impractical but oh so glamorous. It weighs a ton ......but it will definitely keep me cosy when I go to places like Iceland and hopefully one day, Alaska. Again it was an absolute bargain at £50, reduced from £295. I shall feel like a Queen when I wear that one.:D

Oh I do like EBay.....such bargains to be had.

I would never pay full price for white or pastel coloured coats and you are right I usually would not wear them on public transport. Derby buses can be pretty filthy.......

I was reading only yesterday that the shops are going to be full of pastels this year......

I think I am just totally fed up with winter and am looking forward to seeing flowers and colour again.

I bought myself some garden plants in Aldi today. They were reduced. I guess they are just not selling because of the weather so they had slashed the prices. I shall pot them up tomorrow and nurse them in the kitchen until it warms up outside.

Apparently they are forecasting a white Easter......:eek: so it seems we are not done yet. Mother Nature is being a harsh mistress this year.

lessonlearned

One thing I did not mention yesterday.

There was a guy in a wheelchair asking for money. He said he had an appointment at the hospital about his leg. He showed me his leg. OMG. It was awful, a huge weeping ulcer. He looked like he could be homeless because he didn’t look too clean and was very thin. I hope not because his clothes were thin and flimsy, not even a proper coat, just a light bomber type jacket. His clothes would have given no protection against the elements.

Okay he could have been scamming and looking for drug money. I know we are advised not to give money but to buy them a hot meal instead but then I thought well what if he is genuine and really does need the money to get to hospital. He certainly needed to be in hospital. That leg looked nasty.

And I suppose the reality is if it really was for drugs or booze then at least it gives him a temporary escape from his misery. That leg must have been agony. He could lose it if he does not get proper attention.

People were looking at me as I gave him some money and they probably thought I was a foolish old woman with more money than sense but I did not feel I could just walk past him and do nothing, but it is hard to know what to do for the best. I have not been able to stop thinking about him.

Actually I only saw one other homeless person. I guess the emergency services have been out rounding them up in this weather. I certainly hope so.

My friend who lives in Coventry volunteers at a homeless shelter. She says Coventry is inundated with homeless people but so far they are managing to provide emergency shelter during this cold spell.

When I see or hear things like that I thank my lucky stars for my good fortune. I may not be rich but I have a warm house and warm clothes, food on the table and my family are all well and healthy.

sugarbaby125

LL, I totally agree with you. Leg ulcers are not only extremely painful, they are hard to treat and heal, so that they will not come back. I am always being looked at like I am soft in the head when I give a homeless man or woman £5. I do not think £5 is too much. I get a lot of 'God Bless You's' from the grateful recipients, but I am able to share my money because God has already blessed me. None of us are going hungry, we live in a centrally heated home and we are able to afford to have a social life that brings us real pleasure. My younger daughter disapproves, she feels I should make a donation each month to a homeless charity, but I point out that many homeless people for their own reasons never access the services of homeless charities

I can not afford to make judgements about what a homeless man or woman may spend the money I choose to give them on. The important thing to me, is that I am trying to do a small thing for another human being who is far less fortunate than myself

Unfortunately you do get beggars here in London and other parts of the UK who are not people in genuine need, so I take a quick look at a beggar and if their fingernails and hands are clean and tidy and so is their faces despite the opportune use of ragged looking clothing, then I assume they are not genuine beggars.

Homeless people struggle to keep themselves clean whereby fake beggars always seem to have access to washing facilities.

I absolutely hate the Eastern European women with babies in arms in all weathers where the babies seem to be drugged as they do not move, cry or make their presence felt in any way, even if you see them hours apart

lessonlearned

Yes I gave him a £5 and he seemed genuinely grateful. I just did not know how else to help. The odd thing he was quite young to be in such a state, mid 40s perhaps and very well spoken. Who knows how he landed up in that state.

I have been told that quite a fair few younger men on the streets are ex servicemen who are ill and often suffering from ptsd, which if true, then I find shameful. They should be looked after and helped to find their feet. Society owes them a debt of gratitude for their service to their country, not leave them to rot. Of course this man might not have been ex service personnel.

My friend says that in this weather the beggars will be those who are genuinely at rock bottom. The scammers will stay home. I guess she could be right. She has more experience in these matters than me.

I too hate to see babies used as props for beggars. It is truly despicable.

The thought did occur to me that if this man had been a homeless dog, filthy, half starved, flea ridden and covered in sores and injuries people would have been quicker to help. At least someone would have called the Rspca.

Hopefully the police might have spotted him. A night in the cells would have been preferable to a night on the streets on Sunday night. And they would probably have had someone look at that leg.

Hey ho......I cannot save the world but I can spare the odd £5.

chanie

I am another Londoner who lives in dark colours. This is mainly for a practical reason in that light colours get grubby quickly. My Mum once bought me a tan bag, which I used for work and within a few weeks, it looked awful. My commute involves wither being crushed on a train or walking along a main, polluted road, so everything I buy has to be durable.
I do try and wear colours that aren!!!8217;t black, so I like green, red and navy.

Today I had a meeting in Covent Garden and I bought some skincare from The Ordinary, as they have a shop there. I have heard good things about them and thought I would give it a go, as the products are pretty cheap (£5 a bottle). The products come in glass bottles with droppers and there are no fancy packages or ingredients.
My skin is tricky because it is dry/dehydrated, but also spotty, so it is difficult to find products that actually work.

sugarbaby125

LL your friend may be more experienced by working with the homeless in your area, but here in London, I can not remember a time when there were not professional beggars who are no more homeless than I am and inclement weather really does not make any difference to them, as the money they make each day is obviously worth it

There is one man in Streatham who is a regular beggar who is far too clean cut to be homeless. Even his sign, his clothing and his small metal bucket with a handle stand out for all the wrong reasons. He comes prepared with thick cardboard to sit on and he is warmly dressed for the winter weather. :rotfl:

In Camberwell and Peckham you get professional beggars who are gambling addicts who are quite aggressive in trying to get you to part with your money and I refuse to be intimidated into parting with my money. We also have this very small man who regularly begs very successfully because he is mistaken for a child, yet I know that he is an adult male with his own council home :eek:

Karaoke was so poorly attended, that it left me and my friend a bit flat, so we left an hour early at 10pm. I did enjoy myself when I was there, as I can always make the best of a night out even when the night out does not live up to my expectations

I sang 2 songs:

1. Dream Lover by Bobby Darin

2. Always On My Mind by Elvis

lessonlearned

SUgarbaby ...thanks for your insights and experience about beggars. I am sure there are many different types of beggars iyswim......

Anyhoo, a nice day here today. Getting warmer and the sun is out. Lovely. Going to get out and about in a bit.

My college course starts tonight.....exciting.

Maman. I too have very dry skin at the moment, especially my legs and my hands. Definitely need to pay more attention to the moisturising. Trying to up my water drinking, I think my skin is quite dehydrated......cold winter winds and central heating are not very good for our skin. They have a real drying effect.

Well I am back onto the decluttering. Old CDs and books in the car, waiting to be dropped off at the charity shop. I still have a long way to go. Hey ho bit by bit.

SUgarbaby.... I unearthed a pile of CDs which my eldest son had been storing for me. When I was younger I never really liked Elvis, now I rate him quite highly. I found a compilation CD of some of his best hits. I am going to play it in the car....

I also dig out all my language CDs, Spanish and Italian. Going to try and refresh my Language skills. I am still thinking about residential language courses for future holidays so I would like to get to a reasonable standard before I go. Plus of course it is DILs intention to ensure that my grandson will be Bi Lingual and I want to make sure I can communicate with him in Spanish as well as English.

One of my biggest regrets is that my mother did not ensure that I grew up bi lingual. It meant that I never got to know my Belgian grandparents properly because I could not communicate with them. I am not going to make that mistake with my grandchildren.

My DIL has provisionally booked an apartment for a family holiday for new year in Madrid. There will be lots of Spanish and Venezuelan relatives to meet so I need to brush up my Spanish for then.

And.....bonus........apparently learning a second language helps keeps our brains young and can help ward off dementia....;)

Have a great day.