Frump to Fab 2021

maman

You're doing well branching out into buying furniture on eBay sugarbaby. You've got a good eye for a bargain. 😊 Personally I'd rather buy a good quality used item than many new things. That especially applies to furniture where you can get solid wood. We have a chest of drawers in the bedroom that came from eBay some years ago and DH and I enjoyed a day out in the Cotswolds fetching it. 😊😊😊

I'm looking ahead to sandal weather too Wednesday. I did a defuzz of my legs this morning and I've got my podiatrist appointment next week. Then I'll paint my toenails. You're right Wednesday that the polish always lasts longer on toes than fingers. 

I think lots of people are getting the feeling that things are getting back to normal chanie. It'll seem even  more like it when indoor things open up in a couple of weeks time. I'm really looking forward to my dancing starting up again and being able to use my National Trust and English Heritage memberships to go inside places. Then we need to find out about foreign travel and the traffic light system. I think that could be a bit chaotic if people have to pay lots for testing and risk not getting results on time for flights. 

I've decided that the animal print maxi skirts are going back to Sainsbury's after all. I did like the skirt but didn't like how it looked with any of my tops. If I go into the city centre this week I'm going to look again at the white top I fancied in John Lewis. If they don't have my size in store I could order 2 for click & collect from Waitrose to try on at home. 

Gloriously sunny again here. It lifts the spirits. 😊

sugarbaby125

Maman, I decided to spend some of the money I saved in 2020 on fabbing up my home a bit. I prefer quality, well made furniture, so I decided to buy used from eBay, as I really did not want to pay retail prices. There is the added bonus that furniture items are being recycled rather than taken to the local skip. I had been really pleased with how quickly I have managed to find exactly what I was looking for.   

chanie

maman I had a feeling that you would end up returning your skirts.  I’m also looking forward to using my English Heritage membership again and I definitely want to take the opportunity to do more this summer. 

Sugar how exciting for your son to come home after finishing his degree.  I remember when he was starting his course and the time has gone so quickly!!!

Toni'sfriend

Today was Himself's second jab. A good distance away so my son drove us there. It was really busy. I sat in the car whilst he went in. It was very efficient and only took about ten minutes. I t was really nice to get out somewhere different even if it was just sitting in the car. However, I really am feeling very unfit so I seriously have to address this.

I also need new glasses. I was never really happy with the last ones. They were OK at first but neither pair fitted properly. One pair is now falling off and the other is digging into my nose. Himself is having the same problem with his. Rather than go to a "chain" optician I think I'll opt for an independent one this time. My son has recommended his but I think I'll wait until I have my second jab as it's in our local shopping precinct. Not a place I want to venture into.

I have a curry in the slow cooker which I am told smells amazing. I have to take their word for it as I have no sense of smell. It's a bit of a handicap when you like cooking!

No weight loss I'm afraid so I'm going to have to rethink my eating habits and start in earnest tomorrow.

maman

I wear glasses for distances TF. Mine had got so loose that they would fall off if I leaned forward. This was in the first lockdown. I'm happy with Boots opticians and they tightened them up for me.

Your fitness will get better if you keep going with the walking. You've made a good start. I lost weight 10 years ago with Slimming World. It's a simple common sense plan that suits me but there are lots of ways to lose weight. I just like to have a plan.

I realised that I've eaten in the Cafe Rouge in Greenwich Wednesday. It was when we went to see Adele at the O2 a few years back. My friends like to park there and then catch a bus to the arena. It's much quieter eating there than the on site restaurants. Greenwich was our last day out before lockdown 1 when we went to the Queens House to see the Armada paintings. I'm getting desperate!! 🤣

chanie

Toni both my children wear glasses and we’ve been going to an independent opticians for years.  I absolutely couldn’t fault them.  Plus, it’s helping a local business.

maman and wednesday you have both reminded me that Greenwich is on my list of places to visit!  It’s one of those places I want to go, but never do. 

Wednesday2000

It is a lovely area.

I used to go to school in Greenwich so I always used to go out there when I was a teen and into my thirties but I realised I hadn't been to Greenwich since 2010! I have been to the O2 lots but not the older part of Greenwich with the Cutty Sark etc... I wish I had bought a property there after university. Oh well.


I realised that Garnier lavender cream doesn't suit my skin either so I'm having to use it up as body lotion. I really hate having such sensitive skin on my face!

I just had a bath, shaved my legs and then used the lotion. I did meditation and started my new book this morning as well. I painted my toenails yesterday and they came out quite well as I usually go over the edges. It doesn't feel like sandal weather today as it feels quite chilly. I'm wearing my black polo neck and maxi skirt. I need to go for a walk later as I didn't over the weekend apart from Friday.


My husband has a cancer checkup coming up so he has to have an at home swab test and then self-isolate for a few days. We are planning on repainting the living room white while he is off work.

Toni'sfriend

Thank you all for the advice. Once I have had my second jab I will make an appointment with the local optician. It is in our shopping centre which I have been avoiding but I have to go there sometime.

So, I've downloaded an app on which to track everything I eat and drink in an attempt to get the calories under control. Not perfect as I cook most things from scratch and it's difficult to get the calorie count exactly right but definitely better than nothing. Walking should be a lot easier now that we can venture outside our local authority area. It will have to be later this week to start again as we're waiting for deliveries but I've already discussed some potential routes with Himself.

maman

I'm having to repurpose the Olay moisturiser that I bought too Wednesday. It just made my eyes water. I'm going to use it for foot cream as that's as far from my eyes as possible! 🤣

I think keeping a food diary, whether on paper or online is a great idea TF. It's a form of accountability even if it's just you that sees it. Another good principle is to copy those healthy eating portion plates.

Healthy Eating Portion Plate (27cm) – White – Matalan

You don't need to actually buy one of course but the idea of having half your meal as vegetables is a good one. If you do that when plating up it leaves less room for the carbs. Carbs aren't bad for you but they should be in proportion. 

I've just been pottering around today, not achieved much other than a bit of cooking. I find Mondays during lockdown really difficult. It's that Groundhog feeling. 

thepurplepixie

Lovely day here.  Very frustrating as the work hasn't started on the house, promise that it will tomorrow but I will believe it when it happens.  So to take my mind of it  we went to Paignton Zoo.  We have an annual pass, we've had one for over 20 years and it was a bargain when the children were young but we don't use it much now.  It was lovely, not too busy but lots of young families.  We had lunch at the cafe, we usually use the outside tables so it didn't feel odd.

Bathroom fitter is due to phone me tonight to give me a definite date for starting and to go through my choices.  Can't wait.

Toni's friend I need to see an optician so I must motivate myself to do that.

I've ordered some jeggings from Cottontraders, they look nice.  I've never had jeggings before so I hope they are OK, I also choose a nice top.  I've replaced all my trousers that got splashed with bleach and with the underwear and socks I bought last week I think that is my spending done for now.