Frump to Fab 2021

maman

So sorry to have opened my big mouth about the odd socks pixie!! I take it back, especially as you then explained that they're underneath your boots. I do hope I'm forgiven. 🤔 I definitely agree that you should spend time and money on yourself whether it's your hair or anything else. 

We had a new bathroom about a year ago and we still take pleasure in it every single day. It looks amazing and the shower is just bliss. It's as good as any in a luxury hotel and worth every penny. 😊

sft, I was going to recommend the Body Shop hemp hand cream too. I really like the earthy smell and it's very effective.
Hemp Hand Cream | Hemp Hand Protector & Lotion | The Body Shop®
DD1 likes Neutrogena , especially as it comes in small handbag sized tubes.  Until you buy something in, I'd suggest you rub oil into your hands at night (any oil, even cooking oil if that's all you have in) and then any moisturiser after washing whether it's a cheap face cream or whatever you can lay your hands on (pun intended 😉). Then keep hand cream easily accessible for regular use. It's a good idea to have some near your favourite chair so you can pamper in the evenings. 

I'm going to do an audit of all my pampering routines for the new year to see where I can improve. The fact they've become routines is because of this thread. So starting form the top down with hair, I'd advocate a good cut. I know it's hard at the moment with salons closed in so much of the country but I found that I managed well in the first lockdown because I had a good cut to begin with.  I favour highlights for colour because root growth isn't so obvious but  others may not want colour or prefer block shades. I use blonde products, mainly John Frieda. Personally I have to blow dry my hair as it's not thick  or straight enough for wash and go but I really envy those who can. As well as a decent hairdryer and brushes I have a hot air curler thing which is brilliant. 
Nicky Clarke NHA046 Hot Air Styler: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care
I think that's about it for my hair. What does everyone else do? 

I'm going to put a dress on this evening and make up . We're having a nice meal and then may play cards or a board game  unless there's a film we can both agree on.  Then we'll welcome in 2021 with bubbles. That's our usual NYE in recent years so not feeling hard done by. 😊

Wednesday2000

It is freezing here today! I only managed a 20 minute walk and just wanted to come home. I did bounce on my trampoline when I got in for about 10 minutes.

I was feeling so cold in my clothes that I wore outside that I have just changed into my pyjamas and fluffy socks and got a hot water bottle. I have a black long sleeved thermal top under my pyjama top as well. I finally feel warm.

The YouTube online "party" tonight will mean I can see them but they can't see me so I don't need to be dressed up for it.

My new Dr Chatterjee book arrived today and I'm just watching one of his video/podcasts now as well. I'm a superfan of his, haha. I'm just having some grapes and peanuts as a snack but we are having pizza and salad for dinner later. I'm going to read at the weekend as my husband is back to work.

helensbiggestfan

I only read  about the Nivea trick for leather the other day.....you live and learn.  I have a couple of very nice vintage bags - one is an Osprey. I have bought some lovely bags over the years on my travels, mainly from Italy or Spain. I do like good soft leather. I am afraid I don't like vinyl.  However I've noticed there are some really nice vegan friendly materials around now for both bags and jackets and coats. I might be tempted.  

Well bad news.    Sort of, but not unexpected.   Needed emergency dental treatment this Morning. A crown came loose and has taken half the tooth with it,  alas tooth can't be saved. She's done a quick temporary filling to keep me going but that's it I'm afraid.....mega expensive dental treatments next year. 😱😅.   But tbh it's way overdue. I have needed work doing for a while now but kept avoiding the issue.  

I had planned on making a start on sorting out my dental woes this year but of course Covid got in the way. Provided this temp filling holds I will wait until after I've had my covid jab before I start treatment.  I was very Impressed with the surgery's  hygiene protocols but obviously an extensive course of treatments would require a lot of visits and hours spent in the dentists chair so I think  whilst the new strain of virus is on the rampage I will delay the programme of works until things settle down a bit.  

There goes my world cruise.....😂🤣.  

I had intended  spending NYE with DS1 and family but they have heavy colds and as I already have earache (probably tooth related) and feel a bit grim I decided to pass.  So it's a quiet night in with some nibbles and the TV.  I don't mind.  Then, once we all feel better in a day or so I'll do us a nice New Years lunch, maybe Sunday.

So that's it. It's a lovely day so just going to go for a walk and then settle down and enjoy a bit of quiet time as we say goodbye and good riddance to 2020.  

I am sooooo looking forward to 2021 - despite all the dental work 😂.  I have lots of ideas buzzing round in my head, lots of plans and schemes.  Obviously I will have to be patient and wait for things to die down a little before I can implement them and get things going but hopefully by Easter we should all be in a much happier place.

 Once  the vaccine is rolled out and covid cases start to fall again we can all start to breathe a bit more freely again and "normal" life will be resumed.  

Stay safe and well my lovely friends.  And a very happy, healthy and (wealthy???😂) New Year to you all.  

Dahhhhhlings.....Let's make 2021 FAB-U-LOUS.

maman

Ouch! Sorry to hear about your tooth LL, hope the ear pain goes.

I was hopeful for the vaccine but listening to Jonathan van Tam last night, we can't hit the bingo with reckless abandon as I'd planned. Gutted! 🤣🤣🤣

thepurplepixie

Maman actually I've been making an effort with socks, I've got a matching pair on.  I've also got my favourite top on and some trousers that are very flattering and make me look much skinnier than I am.  Mainly though I managed to speak to my son, although he still has the covid cough and can't say much.   It has perked me up as I've been worried about him, texts just aren't as reassuring are they.

I do think a new coat will make me feel smarter but I can't decide what I want.  I've never been great with coats except for a Mary Quant one I had when I was 15.  I loved it so much, nothing else has lived up to it.  It was a sort of aqua shade with the buttons concealed under a fly front and a faux belt at hip level that went about three quarters of the way round with little silver buckles where it ended sort of in front of each hip if that makes sense.  It was a very fine wool and I felt drop dead gorgeous in it.    I found perfection at 15 and nothing else has ever matched it.  It was short as was the style but when I grew a bit it was too short so I gave it to a cousin and she cut the belt off,  I could have cried when I saw it.  I do think getting a car made coats less of an issue somehow.  Looking smart on a journey seemed to matter more pre car.

Wednesday2000

maman said:

I was hopeful for the vaccine but listening to Jonathan van Tam last night, we can't hit the bingo with reckless abandon as I'd planned. Gutted! 🤣🤣🤣

I know, that was my first idea to have fun after Covid. Play bingo, lol.

Sorry about your tooth LL. I need to have one out next year. I was going to get a filling (I paid for it back in March) but now I'm just having it pulled out.

chanie

maman great idea to do a pamper audit and review your routine.
wednesday enjoy your pizza and party tonight.
helen I hope you feel better soon.  Toothache can be awful.

I’ve just found out that the children won’t be going back to school on Monday as we are on one those areas that will remain closed.  It looks like about 2/3rds of London boroughs are affected. 

helensbiggestfan

I had to chuckle at the bingo remark.  I have to say I rather like Jonathan Van Tam. He does have a way with words. I love his analogies, they often make me smile even though the news behind it is pretty grim.  He can always be relied on to try and lift the doom and gloom. 

The news broadcast last night was very sobering. The rise in cases and the strain on the NHS. The only thing that lightened it a bit was Tams little joke and the good news about the  Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine.  Let's just hope that the second vaccine helps speed up the process.  The sooner the programme gets rolled out to the greatest number the better. 

MrsPorridge

LL - for the ear ache, if you don't have ear drops, soak small pieces of cotton wool in olive oil (warmed if you prefer) and put in your ears.  should give some relief.

thepurplepixie

My smartening myself up effort for the day is....................  I've cut the past it's best elastic off my face masks and sewed some nice strong elastic on.  I was fed up of my mask feeling a bit loose and having to pull it up, now it is a nice tight fit.  Might not be much but at least it is a positive.

Got some beef, roasties and yorkshires in the oven and a trifle ready for afters so seeing the old year old with a full stomach.