Frump to Fab 2021

chanie

Hi fabbers,

Just thought I’d pop in and say hello.  I hope everyone is set for Christmas and you all have a nice time.  I’m still working, but I literally just need to man the phones, so I feel like I’m on holiday.  

I still need to buy my turkey and a few other bits, but I’m not sweating it. Also need to buy a couple more gifts, but again, it’s all in hand.

what are you all up to?

maman

I seem to have got out of the habit of posting but I do read along and keep up with everyone's news. 😊

It's been great hearing about all the Christmas preparations. Of course I wasn't surprised that you got all your wrapping of the gifts done @sugarbaby. You really are so incredibly organised. Hope you were happy with the cleaning of your oven and rug as I know you have such high standards of your own. Well done for sharing your cooking skills with the community and doing all that jerk chicken. I'm sure it went down well..literally! 🤣

I'm assuming that was the meal your family asked you to organise @chanie . What a great idea to treat yourself to a new dress for the occasion and I love the sound of velvet flats. 

What's great is that all the fabbing habits I've picked up on here are firmly ingrained so I've been keeping up with those too. I haven't bought anything new this Christmas but have been planning outfits from what I already have in the wardrobe. Like you said @chanie, it's easy to forget exactly what you have! Through the year, I have replaced the occasional cosmetic/toiletry like moisturiser but, in the main, I'm still using up what I have in. Shampoo is getting a bit thin on the ground. My hair is really soft and limp at the moment. It's healthy and shiny but needs more body. Any ideas? 🤔

Today is my DD1's birthday. She never wants to do much as it's so close to Christmas and everywhere is usually packed but we met up for coffee this morning and went to a lovely coffee shop in the garden of a local museum. As the world and his wife were in the shopping centre it was blissfully quiet there.
Tudor House and Garden | Discover & explore over 800 years of history on one site.

We're out with a couple of close friends for a meal tomorrow and after that we'll just be seeing immediate family. One of the habits, from previous lockdowns, we're determined to resurrect is a regular walk. I do hope it's dry over the next couple of weeks and some sun would be welcome too. 

Love to all. 😊

chanie

maman lovely to hear from you.  Sorry, I can’t help with your hair, as I’m a curly girl and volume isn’t really a problem for me.
I hope you have a lovely meal with your friends.  Will you be spending Christmas with your daughters?  

DTucker1983

It's a lovely day today after a hideously wet and windy night. We got out for another walk, 7000+ steps.

leftatthetrafficlights

Happy solstice everyone!! ❄🎄🍾 

I've contributed very little this year but have done plenty of lurking!! 🙈😂 today I am celebrating solstice then tomorrow I'm starting a new chapter in my life which will consist of self-care and balance 🙌 

Fabbing for me doesn't include fashion I'm afraid, just not my thing, but it will be about taking care of myself, finding pride in my appearance and looking after my physical and mental health. It's been a horrendous year for me so turning things around is really important - I'm looking forward to sharing your journeys over the next 12 months 😊

helensbiggestfan

Happy Solstice Lovely Ladies.  

I have been looking forward to today.......finally the turning point as the sun begins its return to the northern hemisphere.  From now on the days get a bit longer and a bit lighter. Imperceptible at first but gradually its effects get stronger.  

It's been a difficult year for many and unfortunately, as covid ramps up again, life will still throw us curved balls and challenges.  But 2022 is just round the corner and with it comes new hopes, new dreams, new beginnings.  I too am looking forward to the new year and a fresh start.  

LATTL.....don't worry about being a fashionista.  I am not one  😂🤣. I certainly don't follow fashion slavishly.  Always remember that fashion is fleeting but style is timeless and enduring.  

Find your own style and dance to the beat of your own drum. 

Another dark dismal day here.  Just off to Aldi.  Don't fancy it but needs must.  

Have a great day.  

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,  

Maman, the oven was left spotless. The rug could be cleaner, but he did manage to spot clean all of the stains out of the rug before doing the overall clean. It does look so much better though than it did before the clean. 

My Great grandson Shylo is one in early February, so I have already started to wrap some of his birthday presents. The plan is to have a first birthday party for him in February 2022, but it is a wait and see game as with live with this pandemic. If it goes ahead, it will be family party in my grandson and his partner's home in Andover, as they want Shylo to celebrate his first birthday at home. 

helensbiggestfan

A couple of fun quotes.....both by Coco Channel. 

"I don't do fashion, I am fashion".  

That's pretty easy to interpret, be yourself, don't be a slave to trends.  

"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress, dress impeccably and they remember the woman". 

It's all about grooming.......being the best you can be. 

And my favourite.......

"A woman can be gorgeous at 30, charming at 40 and irresistible  for the rest of her life". 

So often we hear women complain that they feel invisible and ignored.  Well yes it can happen, but it doesn't have to be that way.  We can still turn heads for all the right reasons by dressing well, carrying ourselves properly (posture!!!!)   We don't have to disappear into the background just because we are of a certain age.  

We don't have to disappear in a sea of black or even worse dress in head to toe beige.  😱😂


Never be afraid to ditch the frump and embrace your inner goddess.  

chanie

happy solstice fabbers.

helen I’m also looking forward to 2022.  I always think a new year is a new start.  I know nothing technically changes, but it’s a marker isn’t it?  Have you recovered from your lergie yet?

sugar I can’t believe that your DGGS is going to be one.  I think it’s lovely that your DGS wants to host the party.  It shows that he is a proud and responsible father.  I’m sure you will be giving him lots of guidance to make the event a success.

Helen back to you, loving the Chanel quotes. 

I’ve been thinking about what I what to achieve in 2022.  I know I say this every year, but I think my new working from home job, is giving me a good opportunity to slow down and enjoy life as I won’t be having to commute, which will save me 10+ hours a week.

One of the things I want to focus on next year is my garden. I want to grow more flowers to attract wildlife and make it look prettier.   I bought a bird feeder and birdhouse from HomeBargains, which I’m looking forward to putting up.  We do have another bird feeder, but the wood pigeons have taken over it and scare away other birds, so I’m hoping this smaller feeder will work.

helensbiggestfan

Love the birdhouse. Very cute.  

Yes, Chanie the new year is a marker.  Without dwelling too much, this year hasn't exactly been my best so I'm looking forward to a fresh start next year.  I have my mantra at the ready and a list of goals I want to achieve.  All will be revealed in the new year. 😉. 

Good that you are enjoying your new job and  work regime, saving 10 hrs a week commuting has got to be good.  All that extra time.  Fantastic.  

Well I'm all shopped out, presents wrapped, house decorated.  Aldi was fine thIs morning. zipped round in no time.  Hair cut tomorrow then I'm done.  I don't think I have ever been so organised for Christmas, maybe I've forgotten something.  But who cares.  

Time to put my feet up, get down  to some pre Christmas pampering, watch some Christmas films to get me in the Christmas spirit.   

I have treated myself to some new skin care products as a little love present from me to me.  And why not. I don't have a partner to spoil me so I'll spoil myself. 🥰