Frump to Fab 2021

maman

Completely agree with you @sugarbaby125. That's what my DGD meant. I think she was trying, tactfully, to tell me that I'd view a film differently because I'm older. 🤣 I'm another that doesn't get swayed by reviews. I remember rather snobby critics panning Downton Abbey and then having to row back when people were glued to it every week.

My Phase Eight skirt was a CS buy as was my favourite Phase Eight lace cocktail dress. Someone will be out there loving your skirt too. I love chazzas. 😁

Wednesday2000

I had a nice day out in York last week. It is a lovely city. I felt too tired after the travelling there and back so I didn't go out on Thursday evening like I was supposed to. I was asked to go out Saturday night too, but I wasn't in the mood. I always get like this at this time of year and I feel like hibernating at home!

I did buy a red trench coat last week from Barnados and I really like it. I have worn it out almost every day for my walks. It's just the right length for me. I have said before that I can't find coats that fit well so I was glad to get this one.

I'm not particularly feeling very festive at all. I am so sick of this depressing pandemic and the fact I haven't moved house yet. The estate agent said the person buying our house is getting annoyed by the chain being held up but he told her that it's nothing to do with us. As far as I know the people we are buying from still haven't found a house yet.

I have my third booster this Wednesday. I'm hoping I don't have any side effects from it.

I haven't got much at all planned for the next few weeks. I am meeting my brother for his birthday and my husband and I are going out for a meal but nothing else at all planned. It's good really as we are supposed to be saving money. I think the next few weeks will just be indoors watching Netflix and reading the books on my kindle. 

chanie

Wednesday im pleased your trip to York was a success and you got to explore another city. I think your timing was spot on, as who knows when you’ll get to go again.

maman I think the number of people with FOGO will be increasing with the omicron variant. I don’t fear going out, but quite often, I just can’t be bothered. But you have lots to keep you occupied anyway, so maybe it’s just you shifting your interests.

You asked me about potential hobbies.  I don’t have anything specific for now, but It will be nice to have more time for reading, gardening, trying new recipes.  I should be able to keep on top of the house more, so we can use our weekends better. 

Sugar I haven’t been to the cinema since before the pandemic. We are thinking of doing a family trip to watch something with the children as they haven’t been to the cinema longer than we have.

maman

Thanks @chanie. Strangely it's not a fear of the virus, it's more wanting to stay at home. A bit of can't be bothered, like you said. 🤔

Wednesday2000

Yes, I feel the same as you two, like I can't be bothered to go out.

I feel like I went out a lot since June. Well, it was mid to the end of June we were house hunting and we went out to restaurants and bars while we were by the coast. Then I joined that local group and went out socially a lot and I've seen live music three times, I think. I just feel like staying at home now. 

I woke up today and saw something on Instagram about putting your priorities first. I have been very forgetful the past couple of months. I'm not sure if it is because I had a fibro flare but I just worked out I have forgotten to take my thyroid medication 14 days in the last 2 months! 

Every day I need to remember to take my two medications, vacuum every day (because of my pets) do a meditation exercise to try to control my anxiety and go out for a walk for an hour. Those are my absolute priorities. 

The post on Instagram was by Courtney Carver, she does Project 333 where you only have 33 items of clothes for 3 months. I watched a video on her wardrobe this morning and it inspired me to get rid of more stuff. I won't be as extreme as her, obviously.

I just went through my wardrobe again and looked at what I have. I bought this black 90s cardigan with a furry collar from Clockhouse C&A which I haven't worn yet as I forgot about it. I think I bought it in the summer and it obviously wasn't cold enough to wear at the time so I am wearing that out today.:)

Oh yes, I am going to look for a birthday and Christmas present for my brother and something for my husband on Etsy later too. I like the quirky things they sell on there. I might look for something for me as well, lol.

helensbiggestfan

Hello everyone.....

I am another one who has become a real home bird. I find myself turning down invitations because I just cba. It is something I do need to address but not today😂🤣. 

 Mañana....maybe, 😉

I have had my flu jab this Morning and my covid booster last week, so now that I'm all caught up with the vaccines I have no real excuse. 

 The new covid variant is another set back of course but not much we can do.  Covid is here to stay and we will just have to find a workaround.  I am taking the view that I will just try to be sensible and not take stupid risks and then hope for the best.  But I do think ways of living and working etc will continue to change and evolve.  

Wednesday.....I have been watching lots of videos on you tube,  Lifestyle, fashion, decluttering, money, current affairs, just dipping in to topics which catch my eye.  I found out I could watch you tube on my tv, much better than hunching up over my iPad.  Honestly there is so much of interest on there, so much to learn.  

I did another wardrobe sweep recently but already I feel like doing another one.  😂.  But first I might tackle the kitchen again.  

I don't know if many people find the radical MK or Joshua Becker approach to decluttering best or whether they have to do it more slowly and then keep revisiting.  I seem to be in the revisiting camp, decluttering in easy stages.   I have got rid of loads, not just clothes and linens but also ornaments, bric a bra, furniture and kitchenalia etc. and yet.....I still seem to have a long way to go.   🤔. 

chanie

I started my new job.  Although it’s early days, I’m already feeling the benefit of not having to commute everyday.  I do have some onsite meetings coming up, but they are local, so I don’t mind.

helen I prefer decluttering in stages myself.  It’s important to think about what you do and don’t want to keep.  Keep plugging away and you’ll get there

maman

Good luck with the new job @chanie. ☺️

I favour my adapted version of Marie Kondo for my decluttering. It's not just about getting rid of stuff I don't need but I like the 'place for everything and everything in its place' that she commends too. I find that once I've found storage for categories of items, I keep things tidy. 

Still keeping up with the fabbing. Today I've had my eyebrows waxed and tinted. Looking neat and groomed. Really pleased with the effect. ☺️

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies, 

I have started the 2 biggest tasks that I need to undertake. I started to deep clean my bedroom this morning and I started wrapping the birthday presents for my daughter's 40th birthday and all of the Christmas presents. 

I have brought all of the presents and the wrapping materials down into my living room. Now I just have to do as much as I can each day until both of these tasks are complete. 

I went to my local Odeon with my daughter earlier today to watch the film Pirates. This film was not really for someone of my mature years, but it was okay. I give this film 6/10 and my daughter 7/10.

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning lovely ladies.  

Glad the new job is going well Chanie.  Nice you don't have to commute. 

Well I don't know, maybe it's just the time of the year, the lack of daylight and  the dark depressing days of winter, or maybe it's the after effects of having two vaccinations in quick succession, but I'm feeling so tired, and so lacking motivation at the moment.  I have a to do list as long as my arm and zero enthusiasm to tackle any of the tasks on it.  

It's all a bit woe is me at the moment.........I need to get a grip.  

Interesting that Maman and Chanie have adopted the same decluttering strategy as me.  I have been watching quite a few decluttering videos and a lot of the posters say the same, that it's probably best done on a gradual basis and then keep on top of it by doing regular mini sweeps.  

I did manage to give my wardrobe another sweep the other day, and now have two black bin liners ready to go.  I am being quite ruthless, getting rid of anything that is not flattering.  I am trying to be more objective about what styles, cuts and colours actually suit me or make me feel good.  

I can now announce that I no longer possess any beige, brown or grey tops or sweaters, coats or jackets.  😂🤣.  I don't mind those colours on my lower half, just not next to my face.  

I would like to tackle the kitchen but I think I will  leave that until the new year, I really need to get cracking with the Christmas preps.  You sound very well organised SUgarbaby.  I think I will get cracking with Operation Christmas next week. I have bought most of the presents so I've made a start.