Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

maman

Wednesday2000 said:

. I saw some men walking around the other day in the park and wondered if they owned mirrors! Lo

That's brilliant Wednesday. :   At least some things don't change. I've always thought that the sun brings out some of the worst possible sartorial disasters. That look which some young men go for, bare chested with a folded tee shirt draped from their waistbands, shorts , skinny white legs and massive trainers. Or the middle aged men who come out in vests that show off their beer bellies. Yuk!! Some women aren't much better wearing camisole tops with grubby bra straps on show and rolls of fat spilling everywhere. :  

Sorry to hear you're suffering with nightmares sft. But you do seem very well prepared. :  

Under other circumstances, Donald Trump is just a joke but to have such a clown as 'Leader of the Free World' is scary.  I notice that today he's decided that he's not giving a press conference because it's a waste of his time and the media ask him negative questions. I wondered if he just fancied a day off because apparently it's his wife's 50th birthday or he's embarrassed to show his face because the whole world is laughing at him after his 'sarcastic' disinfectant faux pas.  Crazy.

I'm hoping we'll have a short walk today. It's another beautiful day here. :

helensbiggestfan

Meant to say.......one of the Johns phoned me yesterday. I'm still not interested but I'm vain enough to enjoy having an admirer. 😂

Maman.........your comments about satorial disasters made me smile.  

Wednesday. I found a leg make up at Aldi. Very reasonable, I think it was £1.99, easy to apply, a nice colour and a pleasant smell.  And of course you dont run the risk of fake tan disasters because you can see what you are doing.  

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,
Having had Covid 19 and recovering, I find that I feel so much more grateful than I ever did just to have the daily joy of being alive. Having the right to make my own choices for my life, because I live in a Country that is a democracy. 

I am thankful beyond belief that I discovered the money expert ways of Martin Lewis some years ago, took many of his money saving ways to heart and completely changed my life. The most important lesson is to know that being a money saving expert will not result in you having to lead a life devoid of joy. For me being completely debt free for years and also being in complete control of my finances and my bills and other outgoings, stopped me from having any nights so filled with stress, that I could not sleep. 

In this time of turmoil, I think it is even more important for us ladies, to make an effort with our grooming even if we are only going to get some grocery shopping or going outside for some exercise. Fabbing empowers us all to make the best of our personal assets and reminds us that grooming does matter all the time. 

I have very few reasons to complain in lockdown, as I am eating even better, as I have resorted to doing a lot more home cooking which is also less expensive for my daughter and I. Every day, I have plenty of time to watch television and read. I am no longer rushing in and out of my home for nights out, which even though were very enjoyable to me, I am finding very easy to live without. I have lots of CD's of different types of music which I love, so even now, I can enjoy music and dancing at home at no cost to myself. 

I will be gift wrapping 21st birthday presents for my grandson tonight even though his birthday is not until July. I gift wrapped presents for my son's 20th birthday in June last night with my daughter's assistance. Thank goodness that I had already bought some gifts for both of them. 

I have not bought as many as I had planned to, because I feel that there is no need for any kind of lavish present, when all around the World people are in desperate need of food and their other basic needs because of the Covid 19 pandemic and a lot of those people live in our own neighbourhoods. 

maman

You sound in a very good place sugarbaby. 🙂 Like you, I'm really pleased I found mse. A friend recommended it for the weekly newsletter and then I found the forum. I've loved making virtual friends on this thread and a couple of others. 🙂 Also, there's nothing I hate more than waste or being ripped off so all the money saving tips have been a welcome challenge. 
I completely agree about making the best of ourselves. It's really sad to hear about people who are so depressed by the lockdown that they can't be bothered to eat or dress properly. I heard someone on the radio today saying that some days they just stay in bed. That's definitely a sign of depression. I'm so pleased that the government have recognised that having some fresh air and exercise is important. We just had a local walk round the block today, a bit short of 5 000 steps but it all helps make the days varied.

I like the Palmers Cocoa Butter fake tan from Superdrug or Sainsburys. It does smell like chocolate biscuits at first but it soon goes. I don't use it 'neat' but mix it up with my body lotion.

I did my manicure on Friday and now I'm getting back in the habit of buffing and polishing my nails in the evening and oiling cuticles. With all this washing, it's important to pamper our hands. 🙂

helensbiggestfan

Lovely post Sugarbaby......

I have not stared death in the face myself but having nursed my darling husband and watched him suffer, staying with him till his final release I too am very appreciative of my life and that at least one of us has been able to see our sons reach adulthood and to see our gorgeous grandchild.  It might sound naff but I truly do count my blessings each day. I am grateful for my life, my health, my home and my security.  

I came within a cats whisker of losing my home and everything we had worked so hard for  (through no fault of my own)  so I too am so glad I found Martin Lewis.  (All Hail).😂. As for fabbing, well let's just say I'm a convert and like most  converts to any religion I am something of a zealot who will preach the virtues of self care to anyone who will listen. 

I wasnt brought up to take care of my appearance - the Catholic Church teaches us it's just idle vanity, pride being one of the seven deadly sins.  It doesn't get any worse than that. There were no mirrors at my convent school ....😂.   But I've learned since that "fabbing" is the cornerstone of health and well-being.  And I certainly wasn't born a looker, not with my birthmark......the good looks fairy passed me by but with a bit judicious fabbing I can scrub up well.  Now I enjoy making the best of myself, dressing up and showing up each day, having fun, filling my life with joy, laughter and love. 

It is funny but, apart from missing close physical contact with my family - we are great huggers and kissers 😂.  I don't really mind lockdown at all.  Sure it would be nice to go for a coffee or a nice meal in my favourite restaurant but I'm sure it will happen again one day.  But even though I'm practically in solitary confinement, it's not so bad. It has its compensations, and having plenty of time is lovely.   

This afternoon I had a wonderful four way face time with my DIL, her mum in Venezuela and one of DILs aunts in Madrid......the wonders of technology.  I have regular FaceTime with my grandson.....he recognises me on screen and he chats away, giggling, waving and blowing kisses so at least we have been able to continue to grow our relationship and he hasn't forgotten me.  

And now my nausea has passed I can even enjoy my food again......😁. How good is that.  

maman

I hope not naughty food LL. 🤣
I'm quite contented with lockdown too. I'm in touch with friends and family through WhatsApp messages and phone calls. DD1 who only lives a mile away has been calling round once a week with bits of shopping and we've been chatting from the end of the drive. We rarely see DD2 anyway so phone contact is normal with her and the 60+ mile journey to her would definitely be an unnecessary journey. 

I am finding the interpretation of 'the science' a bit random as I really can't see how it's different to meet up with a friend (at 2m distance) is any different from meeting a random stranger on a walk or in the supermarket. I suppose the government has to aim the message very generally but I'm desperately waiting for the 'grown up conversation'. The 'shut up and do as you're told' message doesn't sit well with me. 😁

chanie

what amazing ladies you all are. 

Me and my sister were talking about the lockdown recently and we agreed that we have been enjoying it.  We both work full time and are juggling young children and even though we are still working, our pace of life is slower.  I have gained 12+ hours a week through not having to commute to Central London every day.  But I’m also very lucky in that I have OH and our children, contact with our families, we are have a nice home and no serious financial worries.  Plus, no one close to me has been seriously affected by covid.  Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t easy trying to work whilst looking after children at the same time, but I’m trying to remain positive and enjoying extra time with them.

Wednesday2000

Interesting comments on here, as usual. Being at home so much has given me time to reflect on my life too.

I may as well say this on here as I have set myself a challenge. I want my husband and I to be retired/ financially independent by April 2022. I am throwing down the gauntlet. I will be 46 then and he is a few years older than me.

I am actually quite sick of living in London and I want to move to the coast. I want a much quieter life and I want him to leave his job as I am so tired of living around his shift pattern. We will have a lot less money but I don't care about that.

Thanks to MSE I started overpaying our mortgage and we became mortgage free a few years ago. We can move to a cheaper property and live off the sale of the house until my husband can claim his work pension a few years later.

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning Lovely Ladies.  

Wednesday. Wow.  I think that is fantastic......There's lots of info out there now about how to achieve FIRE. Im sure you will do it and I'm sure you won't regret it either. And I don't think you'll be the only ones having a life change.  I think a lot of people will be thinking along the same lines after CV. I think something like this does help us ask the pertinent life questions......what do we actually want?   

I read an article this morning that said life after CV will be about "Reset". I think a lot of people are going to making significant life changes.  I think it's made a lot of people think about their values. 

Well apparently not much warm sunshine this week so I'm going to crack on with indoor jobs, mainly kitchen painting.  My builder popped round yesterday for a brief chat about this years programme of works, so aiming to make a start with the outside jobs soon. 

My current account switch has gone through ok so now I'm going to continue with my financial reshuffle.  I have been living relatively simply since my husband died of course but living through lockdown has taught me that a lot of my spending was unnecessary.  

Apparently a lot of bereaved people go through a period of spending their way through grief.......it's quite a common reaction and I was a bit "spendy" for a while.  Big holidays, then the new house of course, completely restocking my wardrobe but I think I'm done now.   I don't envisage any large purchases or much in the way of travel for the foreseeable future, so I'm going to concentrate on managing my money well and replenishing my savings.  I'm already overpaying the mortgage, it's only a small one. I'm paying double what I need to pay each month so the capital sum is coming down nicely.  

My long term plan is one more house move......(maybe😉).  Not quite sure yet, maybe a nice apartment but in all probability something a little smaller and low maintenance. Definitely downsizing and simplifying. I will then be mortgage free with a nice nest egg to see me comfortable in my dotage.  😂.

 I have enjoyed this house renovation, it's been good for me to have a project to work on whilst I had a good think about my life going forward.  I met a lot of retired or bereaved people on my cruises who just seemed to spend all their time having one holiday after another with not much in between. They didn't seem particularly fulfilled or happy and I realised I needed more than just being on "permanent holiday".  

Good to see Boris back......thought he still looks a bit peaky but glad to see his "bounce" and energy seems undiminished.   

Just need to get back on WW now and shift 10lbs ASAP.  👍

Wednesday2000

Thanks LL. Yes, I agree it is good to see Boris back.

I have just ordered a new canvas wardrobe for my clothes. I am going to move my old wardrobe out of my bedroom and use it to store household stuff as the place is feeling cluttered with all the cat litter. I binned some old slippers so I bought two new memory foam pairs. I also bought some more loo roll and a journal.

I'm reading a self help book and the author advises writing in a journal every day. It's called The Source: Open Your Mind, Change your life. It's written by a psychiatrist and it's about how to change your life to what you want it to be. Very pertinent to me at the moment.

I have just used my trampoline for a while and I'm about to have a healthy lunch.