Frump to Fab 2021

savingfortomorrow

the modified monopoly board was funny - it is like a snapshot of our life. 
I have not purchased much clothing this year and honestly, I don't want to or know where to. All the usual places are shut and online is cut off. I stocked up with eBay last spring and got some amazing bargains. I saw my first package with customs declaration and it really put me off spending. 
I have enough of everything really and aside from a new pair of shoes, I am ok. I just need to mix and match to discover new combinations. 

I used the lightbox this morning as I eat breakfast. Applied makeup and walked from the furthest away car park to work. I didn't hit the target of steps I did better than last week.
On the negative side, I got a bill from revenue which was higher than I hoped. The money was kept aside but I hoped it was a few hundred less. So there goes the shopping budget. 

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning lovely ladies

Amber weather warning here, so another deluge on its way.  It's been raining heavily off and on for a couple of days now.  Managed a short walk yesterday during a dry interlude, not very far but better than nothing. 

SFT. Love your Top 5 list.  Shame about the tax bill though.  And the difficulties with customs declarations for eBay.  Is it very complicated.  I have been looking at buying some vintage bits from America but the costs involved really stack up. And I have also looked at buying from India a couple of times but the thought of customs procedures has put me off.  I will have to educate myself.  I suppose it's like anything else, easy enough when you know how.  

Candy. Shall be interested to see how you get on with those hair products.  Do let us know. Mine is so fine. I use volumising  products which help but I would love to find something which could make it thicker or stimulate regrowth.

I ordered another coat yesterday from EBay.  Pale green tweed, 60s Mod style, very Carnaby Street, I'm building up quite a collection. 😁.   Need to start looking for dresses and skirts for summer. I got rid of a lot of my summer clothes after I lost weight last year so need replenish my summer wardrobe.  

I must admit I am looking forward to the charity shops opening up again.  eBay is ok and there's lots of bargains, although you do have to factor in postage but I'm much prefer bricks and mortar shops.  You can't beat a good browse and maybe a cup of coffee or lunch somewhere.  One day......🤞. 

Tried some of my size 14 jeans and trousers on yesterday that I hadn't worn in a while. 😱. Let's just say it's a good job I'm back on WW.  My own stupid fault .......I blame it on the curse of stretchy leggings and joggers, they lull you into a false sense of security.😂

Maman. Nowt wrong with a bit of chick lit for light relief - same with films etc - we don't always have to be serious and worthy.  In fact I throughly recommend we indulge in a bit of escapist fantasy  to chase those Lockdown/Winter Blues away.  Better than alcohol or junk food or binging on cakes, biscuits and chocolate.     

I did watch the documentary "Outbreak" last night, sobering stuff but a very good world overview. And the death figures yesterday were shocking.  As my son pointed out - the equivalent of 4 jumbo jet crashes every day.  😟.  I just hope the world has learned from this, because this virus and others like it are here to stay.  The shocking thing is it could have been contained...... Greed, politics and hubris has been a deadly combination.  

Oh well - I am aiming to deep clean my kitchen today. Do something constructive and take  my mind off things.  

Is decluttering and cleaning the new black??? 😂🤣

have a great day y'all.  

TC77

Enjoying reading, I'm putting my earrings on , and wore rings for some meetings . Always maintain moisturizer morning and night but otherwise focusing on work and supporting kinds ( GCSE and one older but vulnerable.).  Inspired by those regularly donating to food banks. Praying the govt continues with £20 extra to those in universal credit,  the amount spent on other areas and yet those very vulnerable left not knowing - unbelievable.

thepurplepixie

I've been using Nioxin for my fine thinning hair.  It has worked well for me but sometimes it works too well, I have to have my hair cut more often as it is growing fast.  My DD swears by Philip Kingsley products.  I suppose different things work for different people and it can take a while to find the right one for you.
It is grim here, heavy rain and windy, just put the bins out and nearly got blown away.  We are a mile from the beach at the top of a big hill and if it is windy we know about it.  If GS wasn't here I think I'd go to bed for the day.

Wednesday2000

I am skipping my walk today as we have a yellow warning of heavy rain. I did drink my tea at the garden door and have used my lightbox to get some light. My eyes felt a bit sore although I'm not sure if it was the lightbox or the fact that I used eyeliner for the first time in ages when I put make up on today.

I got a call from the dental surgery as I paid for a filling just before the first lockdown so I have an appointment in mid February. I suppose there will be precautions. My husband had an appointment last year and he wasn't allowed to bring a bag in with him. 

I have run a bath and I might just get back into pyjamas after as I'm not going out today. I have my book to finish and I wanted to watch a video on Qigong as that was mentioned in the book. I think it is similar to Tai Chi. I meant to find a class in that a couple of years ago. Another thing to add to my list of things to do when life gets back to normal! I suppose I can try it from home by YouTube but it would be better in a group situation.

(Oh yes, I looked up the reason why the doctor said drinking warm water is best in the morning. She said it is more hydrating than cold water as it has a vasodilating effect that makes veins pop, promoting absorption. It is good for your brain health.)

maman

Storm Christoph is here too but nothing like as bad as in some parts of the country, just blowy and wet. Don't blame you for not going out Wednesday. ⛈

 I notice that Slumdog Millionaire is on television later tonight. It was a film I meant to catch at the cinema but never did so will record it. DH might enjoy it with me. We sat down to watch Marigold Hotel last Saturday but it was cancelled because of the snooker so that's too come. 

I know exactly what you mean about the curse of leggings LL. I wore a dress on New Year's Eve and was conscious that my stomach wasn't as flat as i like it. It did motivate me to get back into the healthy eating PDQ. That's been going on since 4th January so feel much more like myself.

I like the idea of wearing rings TC. It's something simple that will cheer me up.😊

Could you post a link to the Nioxin shampoo pixie. I could do with something to thicken my hair a bit. It's OK but I'd like a  bit more body. 

I read in the paper that M&S are teaming up with some other fashion retailers both for online and instore sales (will post the article). The ones mentioned were Phase Eight, Hobbs, Joules and Seasalt . That's probably because they've done research into were their customers have deserted them for.  Apparently they've already linked with Nobody's Child and Ghost  but I wasn't aware of that.  I like most of what Hobbs sell and odd bits in the other retailers. I will investigate. Maybe they'll have a special range a bit less pricey than usual. I know John Lewis did something similar with Boden and Hush. 🤔

I took a bit of  extra time over my skincare this morning. One thing I did was close my eyes while I was using my complexion brush. It felt so good, like being cosseted in a salon. Sounds silly but made me feel good! 😉

maman

M&S brings new labels into the foldAshley ArmstrongWednesday January 20 2021, 12.01am, The Times

Companies

The retailer has struck deals with fashion brands including JoulesShare

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Clothing at Marks & Spencer could look different in the spring after it struck deals with four womenswear brands to bolster its online sales.The retailer will sell clothes by Joules, Phase Eight, Hobbs and Seasalt online and in its shops when they reopen after lockdown, it is understood. Sources said that the brands had been picked by M&S because they had a significant overlap with its customers and would assist its plans to drive more shoppers to its website.Last week Marks & Spencer bought Jaeger out of administration for £5 million, the first fashion acquisition since the group bought Per Una from George Davies in 2004. M&S is not taking on any of Jaeger’s 63 stores as part of the rescue, resulting in about 230 job losses.The partnerships are a radical departure from the previous strategy of relying on its stable of own brands, which include M&S Collection, Autograph, Per Una and Blue Harbour menswear. Two years ago M&S scrapped its Indigo, Classics and Limited Collection ranges after customers complained the multiple labels were confusing and distracting.Online collaborations with the Nobody’s Child and Ghost fashion labels have proved successful, while a partnership with Early Learning Centre in the run-up to Christmas boosted festive sales.

savingfortomorrow

pity they could not save the jobs for the affected staff. 
I moved electricity today - looks like a 135 saving per year and moved to 100% green electricity also. I will soon have the revenue paid off 

thepurplepixie

Here it is Maman.  https://www.nioxin.com/en-GB/products  If you click on Concultation Tool next to the search box it will ask some questions and then tell you which one you need.  It isn't exactly cheap but the shampoo is very good and you only need a small amount.  If you try it and like it then it is worth investing in the 1 ltr bottles as they are better value.

I looked at reviews when I started using it, doesn't seem to suit everyone but it has definitely been good for me.   I like my hair looking thicker, I like not losing hair, I get fed up needing it cut so often, I really look like I need a cut and I only had it done 4 weeks ago.   I used to be able to go 3 months!

Floss

I think M&S are picking up some of the concessions / brands from Debenhams.