Frump to Fab 2021

maman

That's really good to know. I have everything in to do embroidery but haven't done anything for a year or so. Last thing I did was Christmas gift bags (2019) for friends. I did red names on dark green bags so they could repurpose them for Scrabble tiles. I've also done similar on natural linen in yellow and green for my DGDs and filled the bags with little Easter chocolate treats. I need a project!! 🤔😉

thepurplepixie

maman said:

I like the pendants Wednesday. They're unfussy enough to wear with any outfit so wouldn't need keeping 'for best'. 😊 I was reading an article about Prue Leith's new house today and she has a sort of tree sculpture on her wall to hang all her chunky, funky necklaces and a rack made from rolling pins for her bracelets.  


I'm pleased the fish and chips were a success pixie. I think the Prime Minister is speaking to parliament about 3.30 p.m. tomorrow and then doing one of those earnest talks to the nation about 7 p.m. It's good that the vaccine programme is proving successful but I can't see people accepting ongoing restrictions at the same time. Of course it's public spirited to protect the NHS but I think people will expect some personal freedom too as a result of having been vaccinated. It seems that many countries and also airlines will be expecting some sort of vaccine passport too so that's another decision to be made alongside the 'no jab, no job' debate.  

Chilli is definitely better after it's had time for all the spices to marinate sugarbaby. I love the Hairy Bikers' recipe and I sometimes add extra  veg pulses and leave out the meat completely. We're not vegetarian but it tastes brilliant and very healthy. 😋 Another Hairy Bikers' recipe for us today, their braised steak. I think you're a bit of a hero balancing different requests for meals pixie.  It's no wonder you welcomed a night off. 😊

I love that tree sculpture, I'd love something like that.  I'm a cheat with the food, did roast chicken dinner for me and DH then just did a microwave packet of rice, lots of chicken and all covered in Nando's sauce for GS so not very hard but it was nice to have a night off.   I had a gateau but we are all stuffed so  haven't touched it.

Littlest GS wants to come and stay, he saw big GS when we did a zoom call so he wanted to come.  He's a bit of a dustbin so no problems feeding him, he is the least fussy child I've ever known.  If I'm not careful I'll have the six of them here before you know it, it is lovely to see them together, from 2 year old to 16 they all get on so well and the little ones think the two big ones are fantastic and they are really good at looking after them and entertaining them.  I'm a bit like the Old Lady who lived in a shoe.

I'll definitely be listening to Boris tomorrow.

Wednesday2000

That tree thing is cool, but I could not have that on my wall at home. I would be looking at it constantly thinking it looked messy.

I did order the Ruby & Oscar necklaces and I also got a Diana Ingram green heart shaped murano pendant necklace as I wear red, blue and green a lot. I got a serum, eye cream and a face mask from Amazon too, the brand is called Eir Scandinavia. I have bought quite a few Nordic brands over the past couple of years as I find their products quite light on my skin.

It was quite a lot to spend on myself for my birthday (well, officially it's from my husband ) but I know I will wear the necklaces a lot over the years. 

I wish I could say I was one of the people who has saved lots of money because of the lockdowns but I'm not. I think I might try and not spend any more money until Friday now. Eek. I have enough food in the house and I have just bought another £1 book on my kindle this morning. 

I rejigged my chests of drawers last night so I have all my skin care and hair care stuff in two separate drawers in front of my mirror. I ordered another jewellery tidy too. I need new sunglasses but I'm going to wait until I can go into a store and try a few on.

I woke up early again as my dog wanted to go out. I was watching a video in bed by Davina McCall about how much exercise she does in a week. It wasn't as much as I expected as I saw her figure when she was getting changed into new outfits in another video the other day and she looked ridiculously toned and fit. I started reading my book and then just decided to get up as the deliveries are arriving today and I needed to order some medication online from my GP.

I am about to have a hot shower and wash and deep condition my hair. My hair really needs cutting. I wonder when hairdressers can work again. I'm going to have a good two inches off when I can.

maman

I thought you were reining in your spending Wednesday! 🤣 But I'll let you off as they are birthday treats. 😉

Personally I couldn't live with the clutter  of that tree sculpture/jewellery stand thing.  Prue Leith's new home was very barn like though with very large rooms so I suppose it would work better there than in the average house. Probably doesn't have to do her own dusting either. 😁

I don't think hairdressers are likely to open any time soon . It's looking like after Easter along with non essential shops. I wish the PM had waited until he gave the plan to parliament before all the leaking and briefing that's gone on in the past few days.  I'm just hoping for clarity from today's announcements so that we know which data provides the triggers for the various steps. 

This week promises to be much milder and hopefully drier so we can start getting out regualrly.

How are you feeling today LL?🤔

helensbiggestfan

a little better thank you, Maman.  Dosed myself up with night nurse. Still no voice yet.  Good job I live alone. 😂

Managed a quick schlep round Aldi this  morning, just a bit of a top up shop. Fun and games though.  Managed to split open carton of cream....what a mess!!  

I haven't been eating much this last week or so, and when I have, it's been lazy comfort food (rather a lot of ice cream, chocolate, and the dreaded pork pies🤣) so I stocked up on fruit and salads and healthier nibbles.   My appetite still isn't that great so I picked up a couple of cartons of soup for when I know I ought to eat but don't really feeling like it (iyswim). I'm afraid I'm not much of a soup maker at the best of times although I really do like soup, so I'm cheating.  

You're right, it's much milder,  so nice to not feel cold whilst I was out.  Yesterday I even managed an hr tidying up in the garden. It was so lovely to get out. The weather looks set to be pretty mild this week, maybe not much in the way of sunshine but I must admit I do appreciate the extra warmth.  It's so nice to be able to switch the heating off and open the windows.  I'm sure having to have the heating on 24/7 last week made my lurgy worse.  I know it dries my skin out something rotten so it makes sense that the mucous membranes also get dry, hence the awful blocked sinus and ear canal, maybe making them more infection prone.  

I am still using the humidifier, especially at night.  I add a few drops of eucalyptus oil.  It definitely helps.  They aren't expensive.  I got mine from Amazon, about £20. I always take it on holiday, especially cruises.  It does help offset the drying effects of air conditioning.   

Other than that not much news.  Just keeping myself to myself. Didn't see family this weekend, didn't want to pass my germs on to them.  

I think it was pixie who said she had done a money sort out.  That's my plan for this week. Just continue to rest and recuperate and get back up to full strength and concentrate on putting my house and finances in order.  Maybe a bit of gentle gardening.  

Wednesday, your purchases sound great. I must admit I fancy a little spending spree, I feel I deserve a bit of retail therapy after battling this lurgy.  😂.    I must confess I really miss browsing the shops.  Online shopping doesn't really do it for me.  I like to see, touch and feel things.  I have decided my first ports of call are going to be Dunhelm and places like the Range and TK Maxx.  I want to give my house a bit of a "lift" with a few fresh accessories.  And also the garden centres, treat myself to some nice rose bushes and plants.  I want lots of flowers and colour this year.  

I'm not concerned about summer holidays this year, tbh I will be quite happy just being able to browse the shops and meet up with friends for coffee or lunch.  Al fresco will be fine.  And I can live without sweaty gyms or crowded pubs and nightclubs.  😂

As Capt Tom used to say.  "Tomorrow will be a good day".  What a lovely mantra that is.  

I know we still have to proceed with caution but, for sure, there are better times ahead.  Just a little more patience, the good times will roll again. 😉.

 I read this morning  that a lot of firms are planning to recruit staff, and that the  Bank of England and the City are predicting an upsurge in the economy.       Some sectors will benefit more than others of course, I would imagine the hospitality and travel industries in particular will take longer to bounce back.  They have taken a huge hit.  But In general I think there is likely to be a lot of pent up demand across most sectors and hopefully we will see a bounce.  

As many of you might know, it was London Fashion week last, although it was a much more low key affair this year, with most designers showcasing their collections online.  I always knew that the fashion industry was a valuable source of income to the U.K. but I must confess I hadn't realised just how important it was to our economy.  Apparently it employs 900,000 people and is worth more than the the fishing, music and motor sectors combined.  Who knew?   So don't feel guilty about buying a new frock.....you will helping one of Britain's most valuable industries. 😂🤣. 

In the meantime, have a great week y'all.  Keeeeep fabbing,  

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

I had to rearrange my breast screening appointment which I should have had on Saturday afternoon. Covid has really affected my memory, so I put a reminder on my mobile phone. I only discovered today that I put the reminder for today when the actual appointment was for Saturday gone. So irritated with myself with the mistake I made. 

It was my cousin's funeral today and thanks to technology I could watch the live streaming of the funeral. It was harrowing and yet beautiful. Her 16 year old daughter was extremely distressed, her pain was so visible for all to see and hear. Even my elderly aunt was allowed by her care home to attend her only daughter's funeral. Almost as hard as my granddaughter's funeral. 

I won a £100 Tesco gift card in a Tesco competition this week. A little bit of sunshine in a time of bereavement and grief. 

I was notified by text today that I have been identified by the NHS that I am 'clinically extremely vulnerable'. They will be writing to me about the support available to me locally. 

savingfortomorrow

 I have been reading along but somehow haven't posted in a while. I think I had nothing interesting to write a few times and accidentally deleted a post or two before I posted them. 

Sugar- It is a terrible loss your family has experienced with your granddaughter. To lose another family member is just too much. I honestly hope that comfort will be given in the memories of good times and the joy you all shared.  You and your family remain in my thoughts. 

Wednesday- you're right Prue's thing is a bit cluttered. It makes me feel like I would spend an hour looking for one necklace- in the manner of wheres wally? Your birthday necklaces and creams will be lovely. 

LL - I hope you feel better soon. I know you watch sugar intake but a tiny amount of honey can be soothing. I swear by sugar-free Fisherman's friends. Horrible stuff but the voice comes back. I once had a terrible bad sore throat and lost my voice. I really need to speak at work and it was awful. 

Maman your needlecrafts are very impressive and so personal gifts to receive. 

Wednesday2000

I know, Maman. I probably did say I needed to spend less! I did get an email from Ruby & Oscar that the sapphire necklace is out of stock so at least that saved me some money. The moisturisers and the green necklace arrived yesterday and I have tried the serum and worn the necklace so far. I do like the green necklace so I might buy a blue version of that instead at some point.

I was talking to my MIL last night on the phone and she said that she is hearing about a few people in their forties getting the Covid jab now. So it looks from what the government are saying that I can get my hair cut in April and go out properly to a restaurant in May. I hope I will have had my first jab by that time.

It was mild enough that I could wear a v-neck jumper out today with a light cardigan. I just walked around the block so I know that is about 3,000 steps. I'm about to have some breakfast and continue with my book. I'm reading so much lately. I seem to be on a roll with some good thrillers.

Wednesday2000

I just checked my bank account and HMRC have taken out my cheque, finally. One less thing on my to-do list!

candygirl

WEDNESDAY and anyone else with Netflix. Have a look at The Big Day.It's about extreme , luxury Asian weddings.Totally ott, but funny too 🤣
Sunny here , so I feel a bit brighter .Spring is on it's way 😁