Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

thepurplepixie

I'm not really being virtuous Maman, I'm just teetotal so the fizz doesn't appeal.  I suppose I could have spent it on chocolate, £80 of chocolate does sound appealing but I'd make myself sick.  I'll enjoy my kitchen bits and pieces.  I have no idea what happens to cutlery in this house, I thought it was the kids but they are grown and gone so it's either DH or me doing something with them, unless it's the GC, now that is a possibility.

helensbiggestfan

Sounds like some great kitchen accessories there Pixie.  I treated myself last week, new kettle, toaster, George foreman type multi grill/sandwich maker, and also a waffle maker. 

SUgarbaby.  Luscious looking meals.  Nice and healthy too. 

White trouser suits. ❤️ Them.  I used to wear trouser suits a lot, but don't have one at the moment.  Might need to invest. Oddly enough i have just finished watching  Book Club. (Such a lazy afternoon😂) and Diane Keaton wears both a black one and a white one.  Both look fab.  

When I got home from my shopping trip I was exhausted and in some pain. I took some Flarin and had a cup of coffee and sat down to watch the news.  Crashed out and slept for a couple of hours.  Decided that there wasn't much point in starting anything so made myself some lunch and watched a film, wrapped up in my heated sofa throw.  The pain killers and the heat have really done their stuff and I feel tons better.  I obviously needed the sleep.  

 My healthy lunch.....the remains of the salad, spicy pan fried chicken and a dusting of Parmesan.  

maman

How do you do the pan fried chicken LL? It looks good for a quick meal. 😋

It's a glorious autumn day here. We went out this morning and visited a park/part of the city I don't know well at all. This used to be the grounds of a country house, long since demolished, but it was obvious from the variety of trees that it had been landscaped.  The old stable block remained and a stream ran through the woods. We only did about 4000 steps but it was good to get out.  We'll go again and follow the stream down to the waterfront. 

One thing that has lifted me this week is making a bit of effort with make up. Through the first lockdown when the weather was good I just put on my Raybans 😎 and a bit of lippy before going out for a walk. Now I'm making a bit more effort doing my eyes particularly and a bit of tinted moisturiser on my skin. Eye make up helps wearing masks too as they focus attention on that area.  

I bought myself a small treat yesterday when I went to Waitrose for JL click and collect.  The  rose shower cream I use was on offer but I didn't need any. I did buy a hand soap in the same lovely perfume.
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/argan-argan-oil-moisturising-bar/638002-454307-454308
We're doing lots of extra hand washing lately and I prefer bar soap to the liquid hand wash that DH uses. 

helensbiggestfan

Maman.  You are right it's a very quick dish because the chicken is cut into small pieces.  

I just cut chicken into roughly 1" cubes,  toss in spice of choice and then fry for roughly 10 minutes. I do fry in butter because I think it helps the chicken brown nicely but oil would be fine.  Sometimes I butterfly a chicken breast instead, again it cooks quickly that way.  

Lovely sunny day here, visited my son for lunch. Nice gentle day.  

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

LL I love pan fried chicken with lots of hot and spicy seasoning in my dishes. It is great to see that you are feeling more positive and eating more healthy meals again. This is your me time, use it well. 

I really enjoyed my last creative writing Zoom meeting today. Lucky for me there is going to be another creative writing course that I can join in 2 weeks time. It will be great to continue with the same facilitator with a new group of like minded people. As it has completely different funding I will be able to go to the physical building rather than it being more Zoom meetings.    I will have a reason to fab myself each week of the course. 

I made a real effort today even using light make up for my last Zoom meeting. I wore an emerald green top and a white skirt with solid gold jewellery. I also layered my perfume with the matching body powder and body lotion. I was complimented on my outfit by one of the other women participants, which I graciously received. 

maman

Thanks for the recipe LL. 😊
Great to be complimented sugarbaby. Getting fabbed up isn't just about looking good, it makes you feel good too. 😉

thepurplepixie

New electric bed is in, the guys who delivered it were love and set it all up for me.  It is very comfortable and hopefully with help with DHs pain.
I have the hygienist/dentist tomorrow, I am a total scruff so must sort myself out in the morning.   You're putting me to shame Sugarbaby, I must try harder.

helensbiggestfan

wahoo......

Another fantastic 8.5 hours sleep, and I have woken up to glorious sunshine.  My week of rest, healthy food and lots of sleep has paid off, feel tons better and raring to go.  Good job really I have a To do list as long as my arm.  😅

SUgarbaby.......your writing course sounds fantastic and well done you on getting all those compliments.  You deserve it, you have worked hard to lose some weight and are now reaping the rewards of your efforts.  

Ladies.  I have made a decision.   I am going to quit social Media, all social media. Facebook, Instagram and MSE, the lot. I did think about starting my own blog and I might do at some point but for now I am going to have a break........so this will be my last post. I have been doing this for almost a decade......it's time to make way for some new challenges.  

 I bequeath this thread to you, all of you. Please feel free to continue without me, in fact I hope you do.  If any of you would like to remain in touch please do send me a private message and I will be happy to share my contact details with you.  But for now I want to take a break from public media.  Time for the velvet rope.......😉.  

A few last thoughts before I go.  One last final pep talk. 😂

SUgarbabys experience of receiving those compliments the other day beautifully illustrates the power of fabbing, of grasping the nettle and making simple subtle changes each and every day,  that we shouldn't wait until we reach our target weight loss to look good, or that we should wait until our bank balance improves or that there is an "r" in the month or whatever excuse we use ........that we should make an effort to dress up and show up, each and every day and that we should start immediately, not procrastinate and put it off for another day.

The simple truth is If we look better, we feel better and conversely if we feel better, we look better.  It's a virtuous circle. So.......yes we really do need to dress up and show up, every single day.....even if it's only for a zoom call. We need to do it for us. And if, as we will, we fall off the wagon, then we get back up and we start again  ......however many times it takes.  

I went to lunch yesterday at DS2s house. I felt a bit grim in the Morning and nearly put off the visit but I knew my son would have been disappointed if I cancelled.  Anyway I bit the bullet.  I wore my new olive sweater with grey and olive checked trousers, only cheapies from Asda but they were a great match for the sweater.  I styled my hair and it looked nice although it does need cutting. I wore a bit of slap and of course perfume.  I felt so much better for making the effort. 

I know I sound like an old worn out record but fabbing really works.  I can't really explain how or why it works. It just does.  If we take just a little bit of care with our appearance and take just a few extra minutes to do the necessary tweaks it can make such a difference to our day.

And again I dont fully understand how but the effects of fabbing are far reaching. I guess it is a bit like compound interest......you start small and it just builds, reaching out into all corners of your life.  

When I began this thread I never for one minute thought fabbing would have such profound effects on not just my appearance but also my very psyche.  I had no idea of what I was about to learn about the power of fabbing. It's been a revelation to me. 

Its true I had always used clothes and make up as a tool and/or weapon to help me overcome my disfigured face (birthmark for those that are new to the thread) and the shyness and lack of confidence that it caused when I was young.  I had always used clothes, jewellery, make up etc as my armour whenever I had to face something difficult or unpleasant, even though I never really understood quite how or why I was doing it.  

So when I found myself in the pit of despair all those years ago, facing the biggest challenge of my life, with my health failing as a result of all the stress, not knowing which way to turn and seeing no way out I turned once more to fabbing to try and dig my way out of the abyss.  It was a last resort but it worked and I've never looked back,  

Sure I have my moments, like the beginning of this week. Thanks again for your support ladies, you will never know how much your kind words of encouragement have helped me. 😘. But I got back in the saddle and here I am, a few days later, my energy replete and back to my cheerful optimistic self.  

It's been a long journey, almost a decade but I finally feel that I have made it out the other side. 

Am I fabulous yet.......pretty much. 😂🤣.  It's as good as it gets, this week has been proof positive.  It started out with me feeling low and despondent but, using all the tricks and tweaks I have learned over the last few years, I was able  to bounce back in record time.  

Ladies......Don't wait until the time is right ......newsflash .....it won't ever be right.  Don't wait until the conditions are right.......again they won't be.  Don't wait for some man to rescue you.......another newsflash......Prince Charming Aint Coming.  😂🤣.  

I leave you this........

Have faith and courage, you are stronger than you know. Try not to worry, worry never solved anything and half the time the things we fear most never happen anyway.  

Remember, when times get rough, reach for the lippy and perfume. Always keep fabbing and grab life with both hands.  

Goodbye my dear friends. ❤️❤️

sugarbaby125

LL I am really sad that you have taken the decision to cease the 2 MSE threads. You have been a great inspiration to all of us.  I hope that you will eventually return when the time is right for you. Best wishes for the future. I hope you have a very enjoyable family Christmas and New Year. 

maman

Thanks LL. 
 I'll be surprised if the thread continues in the same way but i I respect your decision. The pandemic is tough and if cutting out all social media helps you cope then it's worth it. 😊

P.S. Hope it doesn't mean internet shopping? 😉🤣