Frump to Fab 2019 - Here We Go Again

maman

Have a Fab Christmas everyone.:xmassmile

Alongside the time with family, eating and drinking (probably too much) I'm looking forward to having some time out for refection on what we can achieve in 2020.:)

3forholidays

:xmastree: Have a lovely Christmas everyone! :xmastree:

Moll

Merry Christmas Everyone , Hope the new year will be a good one for us all xx

maddiemay

Happy Christmas everyone, keep fabbing......... xx

lessonlearned

Good morning Lovely Ladies.

Happy Boxing Day

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day and that the man in the red suit bought you some lovely gifts.

I have been spoilt rotten and had a lovely day with my boys and their girls, and of course my sweet little grandson.

My tummy wasn't a 100% so I was careful not to overindulge. I finally feel much better today, more or less back to normal, but am rather tired so I'm just going to have a nice gentle day.

I did have a bit of a "widow" moment on Christmas Eve but the rest of the time has been lovely. I am happy and content and ready to move forward now, to celebrate this years achievements and starting to think about my plans for next year.

Still not finalised in my word for 202 yet ........

This years was "Panache". All about trying to live with style and flair. I think I have done this .......I have lost weight, and in the process improved my appearance. I have revamped my wardrobe, gradually redefining my "look". I still need to do a bit more editing but not today... today is just for me, to rest, relax and reflect.

And of course I have been styling my house, just the way I want it. Still not quite finished but it has been so nice to sit and enjoy my pretty house over Christmas.

I think all my hard work this year has paid off. Over the last few days I have received some lovely compliments both about my appearance and my home.

So whilst I think it's fair to say I have achieved my goal of living with panache I think there is still some work to be done. Of course there is, there is always room for improvement. :rotfl: I'm not going to rest on my laurels. I shall continue to work, improve and evolve. I think of myself as a work in progress.....

So it's Onwards and upwards.

I am currently in the process of setting new goals and fresh challenges for the year to come.

Are you all going to join me........

Are we going to be truly fabulous in 2020.

maman

lessonlearned wrote: »

Are you all going to join me........

Are we going to be truly fabulous in 2020.

Definitely count me in LL.:D

We had a pleasant day yesterday. Unfortunately it's absolutely tipping down with rain today so unlikely to be able to get out for some air.:(

I've made a start on fabbing and being mse :money:by doing a bit of online shopping.

I've posted before about what good value beauty gift sets can be. The Benefit gift set that contains a full size jar of my favourite moisturiser is currently 33% off in Debenhams. I've ordered 2 so for £52 (free delivery) I'm having 2 jars of cream (normally £34 each) plus all the other 'free' goodies. There's a full sized eyebrow primer (sort of hair gel for eyebrows) which is brilliant when I've had my brows tinted and don't need colour. Then there's a travel size eye cream and a primer which is a good concealer for light make up. You may not want these particular products but it's a worth a look if there's anything in the beauty line that you'd normally stock up on.

I like Boxing Day. Food is so easy as we adore leftovers.

Wednesday2000

I'm definitely joining in with you guys for 2020. :A

I was thinking how much I have changed in the past year and a half. I know what colours suit me. I now know what dress lengths suit me, mini and maxi. I also know what necklines suit me as I was eyeing the tops up in the charity shop the other day.

I wouldn't have known any of this a year and a half ago.:)

I have been tidying my house and have already put away the decorations and tree.:p I left the new fairy lights I bought out in a pretty bowl on the table the tree had been on. I put my silver Buddha statue and my two scented candles on there too and it looks lovely. I really like getting back to normal as soon as possible but it still looks nice and cheerful in here.

I am going out with my husband tomorrow after we drop the dogs off at the vet to board. We are going to try a Toby Carvery as they do a surprising amount of veggie and vegan dishes now.:T I haven't been to one of those restaurants in years! We are meeting up with one of his friends in a pub afterwards.

I'm going to wear my pink blouse I dyed with my black dress, tights, boots and my faux leather jacket. I'm going to do my nails red.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

I have had a really enjoyable Christmas with my younger adult daughter and son. Just lots of relaxation, fun and laughter all round. :j:D

I did a roasted pork loin joint, roast potatoes, sweetcorn and gravy with sliced mushrooms, onions, a red pepper and a yellow pepper for Christmas Day. It only took just under 20 minutes of preparation and the dinner was cooked within 2 hours. :j

We sat down together at the table set with a Christmas cloth tablecloth, red and white plates sat on red chargers and red stem wine glasses and rose low alcohol sparkling wine.

On Boxing day I reheated the left over slices of the pork joint in the left over gravy slowly in a pot and served it with pilau rice and sweetcorn and we had white low alcohol sparkling wine with this dinner.

I got lots of really lovely Christmas presents, but my most treasured from my older daughter and son-in-law was the book An Improbable Life by Trevor McDonald which has a personal inscription to me on the fly leaf written by Trevor McDonald :j:D:T

The washing machine and tumble dryer were given a little holiday for Christmas day and Boxing day. :rotfl:

I left my laptop off for Christmas day and concentrated on giving my daughter and son a good day full of great memories. They both loved their Christmas presents, especially their new Superdry jackets from me.

For the 1st time in many years, I have not done any shopping in the online sales or high street shops. :cool: I am going to be curbing my spending in 2020 and I have started how I mean to go on. I will be going into 2020 with everything that I want and need and even though I will still be sourcing inexpensive birthday presents throughout 2020, I realised that there is no rush right now to be purchasing any.

maman

Your Christmas sounds delightful sugarbaby, especially the festive table. The Trevor McDonald book was a very thoughtful present. They must have gone to a book signing specially. How kind.:)

I'm starting to reflect on what I want to achieve in 2020. I think I need to start a 'to do' list otherwise I'll forget some of the ideas that come to mind.

My last visitor is going home later and it'll be good to relax. We had a good time last night playing Linkee but ended up with more snacking rather than a proper meal in the evening as that's what people wanted. I don't normally snack so I'll be glad to get back to normal today. We've still got plenty of food in but I need to look ahead and do my meal plan for the coming week and some shopping for fresh food, especially vegetables.

It's dull here but yesterday's rain has cleared. Not sure if we'll get out but I'd like to.:)

lessonlearned

Good afternoon lovely ladies.

Glad to hear you all had such lovely Christmases. Even without my darling who was Mr Christmas personified I still enjoy the festive season. I love having my family round me, watching their excitement as they open their gifts and of course all the feasting and fun.

Extra jolliment this year was my grandson, now 18 months old and becoming a real character who was delighted with a yellow plastic child's garden chair that I dug out for him to sit on. He was so proud of himself sitting in it, being able to get up and down unaided. He dragged it round with him all afternoon. Hours of fun......with such a mundane object.....who needs fancy toys. :rotfl:

I haven't bothered with the sales so far.....although I did pick up a (third) Christmas tree, extra decorations and fairy lights a couple of days before Christmas. All half price in Asda.

My kids were amused with three Christmas trees dotted round but I think Christmas trees are a bit like candles........a girl can never have too many. :rotfl:

I also splashed out and bought a garland for the mantelpiece. I have always wanted one but in the past I improvised with pine cones and bits of greenery from the garden. Anyway I treated myself. It was only £10. It is frosted and I also wrapped lights round it, added pine cones and silver baubles. I have to say it looks stunning against the white mantel and the denim blue wall. And it cost so little.

It all sounds very extravagant and decadent but I didn't really spend that much. And everything can be used again and should last a good few years.

I didn't go mad with presents either but tried to choose with care.......they all seemed genuinely thrilled with their gifts. Its not really about how much you spend is it, it's about being thoughtful and trying to match the perfect gift to the recipient. And it's so nice when you can tell someone is genuinely pleased with what you have bought them.

Like SUgarbaby I also look for things throughout the year. I have a breathing space until the first round of birthdays in May but, after carefully questioning DS2 today, I have already decided what to buy his girlfriend.

I jot ideas down in the back of my diary so I don't forget them.....

I was actually going to see if I could find myself a nice leather handbag in the sales but DIL beat me to it. She bought me a gorgeous burgundy leather bag. Really nice.

DS2 came round today whilst his girlfriend was at work (she's a nurse so had to do a shift). He worked through my to do list of odd jobs that I can't manage and then we tucked into bacon and scrambled egg butties. I sent him away with two packs of mince pies.....he was chuffed to bits, they are his favourites. I cant eat any more, otherwise my tummy won't be happy, it's still not 100%. I'm still having to nurse it along.

I have given most of the leftover turkey, Christmas pudding etc away and am just keeping food simple till my tummy fully recovers. I want to be fit for NYE.

I received a lovely RAK today.....(Random Act Of Kindess). I did a few favours for my new neighbour who hasn't actually moved in yet because she has had the builders in and the house isn't really habitable.. She just camps out here for the odd weekend. Anyway as a thank you she presented me with a sweet pea scented candle and a small box of Linder chocolate truffles. Yummy. . Such a lovely gesture when I did so little really.

No one else bought me chocs this year because they know I need to be careful with my blood sugars but she bought me just enough for a little treat. I shall enjoy a couple of them tonight whilst I watch Guardians of the Galaxy.

I did weigh myself this morning.......let's just say I will need to climb back on the WW wagon. Pronto. :rotfl:

Like you Maman I am looking forward to lots of nice fresh fruit and vegetables again. Some of my clothes are feeling a little tight. :rotfl: