Frump to Fab 2019 - Here We Go Again

Wednesday2000

The temp has really dropped here and it's raining. I felt like I was getting a cold this morning. I think it is a pyjama day and lots of hot tea and I'm also making soup.:)

My other two new Debenhams dresses arrived. I will try them on later.:A

Elmo_luvs_you wrote: »

Hello everyone

I have rediscovered the mse forums after many many years, and I'd like to join in here.
I'm trying to simplify my life - declutter, buy less things, focus more on experiences, etc.

I'm actually super proud of my progress since the beginning of last year, but I want to keep going and continue to develop good habits

:hello:

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

Hello lovely people :hello:
I have been directed over here by some lovely readers of my diary, who have taken pity on me and my non existent self esteem and suggested that this may be the place for me.
I see that there are 107 pages of the thread so it may take me some time to read it all through, but I will introduce myself briefly (or as briefly as I ever manage).
I am in my early 40's, recently divorced after about 16 years in a relationship which was never particularly good for me. Whilst the divorce is through, the financials are not sorted and the court 'battle' is dragging out and costing thousands.
I have 2 children aged 14 and 10, work as a teacher full time and a senior examiner for about 4 months of the year (Christmas and Summer). I'm financially independent, strong and will try my hand at anything, but I have very little time or regard for myself. I'm overweight and basically look and feel awful most of the time. Non existent self esteem and constant 'fear' of being judged by other people (my anxiety). Very smart and self aware but just not looking after myself well enough. I want to feel better about myself and apparently this is the place to start. No pressure everyone :rotfl:
Looking forward to getting to know you all :coffee:

:wave:

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Welcome Elmo Luvs You and Crazy Cat Lady

It is a very rainy day here in South London. I had planned to go to my local Odeon this morning, so I wrapped up warm in layers, my long line black leather jacket, black leather ankle boots, black leather gloves with my black windproof umbrella and went to the cinema as planned. It was worth going out in the cold and rain because I watched The Hustle and could not stop laughing out loud all the way through the film.

lessonlearned

Well I’ve spent a nice afternoon on the sofa drinking tea and Christmas shopping...... so not an entirely wasted day. I ordered some jewellery for the girls. The Venezuelans like the ethnic boho look so it’s big chunky chokers and collars for them whilst DS2s girl likes small dainty pieces so pretty little stud earrings for her.

I bought a couple of bits for myself and a few pairs of earrings for various girlfriends.

Speaking of earrings I’ve lost one from a favourite pair. Have been hunting high and low. I’m sure it’s in the house somewhere so
Hopefully it will turn up.

Time to cook dinner.

candygirl

LL you've said the dreaded C word:eek::rotfl:I'm not even thinking about it until I get back from Goa;)
Welcome to the newbies : hello:

[Deleted User]

Elmo - had to laugh about the bras. Only last week i was dithering in m and s lingerie dept for ages. My existing bras have clearly had it but i couldn’t bring myself to spend £20 for an identical replacement pack of two. My 24 year old daughter just doesn’t get it. ‘But mum, you need them’.

lessonlearned

candygirl wrote: »

LL you've said the dreaded C word:eek::rotfl:I'm not even thinking about it until I get back from Goa;)
Welcome to the newbies : hello:

Oops sorry.....you're right it's a bit early. :rotfl:

Bottom of my garden is flooded. :eek:

I've lost almost 3 stones and yet I haven't had to replace my bras.......my boobs have hardly changed. Lol.

crazy_cat_lady

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I hope you don't mind if I just join in.

So I am taking small steps to try and improve myself. Admittedly I haven't done much today, but this is week 4 of the 6 weeks holiday and only the third day I've had a chance to stay at home all day and relax. I tend to operate at full capacity all of the time and then either burn out or feel guilty for taking time off to rest. So probably I needed to rest if I'm being completely honest. I've spent the day pottering about and ticking jobs off my frog list so I feel better about that.
I am a complete newcomer to makeup and want to make myself look better without spending a lot of time on it. Someone told me that a tinted moisturiser was a good place to start, so I got one yesterday - and today I have booked an appointment for an eyebrow wax and tint. Apparently this is also a good place to start. Trouble is that I don't know anything at all about it - I just don't want to feel fake, but I do want to look better. We shall see - I suppose I need to take a chance.

chanie

Crazy cat lady well done with your start.

Tinted moisturiser is good for a light make up look. I’d also recommend a lifted lip balm as they are sheer but add a nice colour to your lips.

lessonlearned

Hi CCL. Thought I'd drop by for a chat whilst I drink my tea before an early night.

Of course you can just dive in.......best way.:rotfl: And don't worry, we all get feelings of overwhelm. Just take it gently, step by step, soon it will all become routine.

Sounds like you have got a good handle on things, your ideas about enhancing your eyes and using a tinted moisturiser are spot on. Tinting your lashes and/or brows will save you a lot of time and faffing around. If you have good skin then that will be plenty for summer. Maybe a slick of lipstick or lip balm to add a bit of colour when you want to feel a bit more dressed up.

If I can make a suggestion......don't let them go too mad with the brow colour. Some of the eyebrows you see are frankly ridiculous and look terribly fake. You can always go darker and more pronounced next time but I would think it's better to try a light touch first.

For the benefit of our new people.......and perhaps as a refresher for our stalwarts. Two words.......

Grooming and posture. (Do I hear Maman groaning at the P word) :rotfl: Get these basics right and you're half way there.

So grooming ........to within an inch of your life. Nice freshly washed and styled hair, clean neat clothes, clean shoes, well kept nails.....hands and feet.....pigs trotters are not a good look. Nail polish is optional, if you don't like it don't wear it, same applies to make up. Although I think that there are very few of us who look really good with a naked face. I think most of us benefit by applying a bit of slap. But that doesn't mean you have to lay it on with a trowel. A little goes a long way.

Posture ........never underestimate the benefits of good posture. It can make you look taller, and give the illusion of being half a stone lighter. It can also reduce back pain, neck and shoulder problems.

Don't believe me......then try the mirror test. .

Stand in front of a full length mirror as you would normally carry yourself. What do you look like. Are your shoulders up to your ears because of stress........is your back rounded and your belly sticking out, are you showing signs of the dreaded dowagers hump.

Nothing ages you more quickly than bad posture. Next time you stand in a supermarket check out queue take a good look round and see some examples of really bad posture.

So.....straighten up, shoulders back and down, elongate that neck, tummy and tail tucked in. Isn't that better. Done properly you will look a couple of inches taller and easily half a stone lighter. Also, and I know this sounds bonkers, but take a note of how differently people respond to you when you are walking tall and proud.

For inspiration take a good look at A list celebs. Angelina Jolie has the most wonderful posture.

Practise whenever you remember. In a queue, whilst boiling a kettle, whilst brushing your teeth. And don't forget to sit properly. Support your back, elevate your legs if they are tired.

A little tip about full length photos.......always stand slightly sideways on to the camera rather than full front facing. Sideways on makes you look slimmer, full frontal can make you look short and squat. Weight on your back leg and one leg forward, point the toe to elongate the leg.

And remember the luuvies mantra......"t#ts and teeth, Dahhhlings"

I'm having a proper salon facial tomorrow.......

I'm soooo worth it. :rotfl:

maddiemay

Good morning all. After a very slow and lazy morning yesterday I eventually got my act together and went into town and Knit N Natter, heavy rain showers, but managed to dodge most of them, felt better for making the effort to go out:)

Maman - so pleased that you enjoyed your anniversary and today is another day nearer to reclaiming your home and having a lovely new bathroom:)
sugarbaby - your zest for life must be infectious to all you meet, having seen you on TV I love being able to picture you in the outfits that you describe.
Wednesday - I hope that you have not developed a cold, look forward
reading about the new dresses.
Chanie- I also prefer the lighter feel of a tinted moisturiser most of the time, or on very good skin days just a touch of concealer here and there.

Today will be a busy one again gym with PT this morning, home to freshen up then might join OH and his cycling group for lunch at a garden centre about 7 miles away, back home to park the car up or perhaps leave it in the SM car park while I get my nails done, today is forecast to be the best one of several to come:)

LL thanks for the recap, although not perfect I do try and note my posture and straighten myself up, the pain in my joints and the effort required to move sometime makes me bend forward a little when walking, not good, hate to see people slouching around.

Had to grin at the comments about bras, although fairly petite I carry a lot out the front:rotfl: a good well fitting bra is a must for me, I always have to pay around £40:eek: and rarely find any to fit in SM,fashion shops etc, but that and pulling my tum in makes so much difference to how I look. When people watching I often have an urge to urge ladies to go and get something that fits, my own DM is very overweight and for years now has no demarcation between boobs and belly, not a good look bless her.

Have a great day, and if life is a little or a lot tough ATM perhaps try playing the glad game every day, I used to do this out loud when driving myself to work each day, really helped me.