Frump to Fab 2021

helensbiggestfan

Thanks Chanie, some great advice and tips there.  

I have been doing quite a bit of homework, trawling through individual websites and selling platforms such as eBay, Etsy and Vinted etc.   There is so much variation in how people present themselves and their businesses.  As for the pricing.........very confusing.  I guess it's just going to be trial and error.  I have much to learn so my plan is to start small and build up slowly. Learning "on the job". 😂🤣.  Many years ago I did have a small sideline business selling children's clothes but it was before the days of internet commerce so this is all new to me.  

I am very lucky because I am in the fortunate position in that this is just a little hobby business, not a means of keeping a roof over my head, so there's no real pressure.  It's a passion project, one I have wanted to do for a long while. It's not going to make me rich beyond the dreams of avarice but that's not the purpose of the exercise, just a nice fun thing to do.  

I still love diy and gardening but I'm not getting any younger and I'm finding it harder to do the things I once did so easily, so I need new creative outlets. And if I can make some money......well even better. 

Pixie.....you did well with mowing your lawn. I did think about doing mine but by the time I had finished clearing up all the leaves and winter debris and tackled the weeds I had no energy left.  As it is my shoulder and arm really hurt now.  I am seriously thinking about getting rid of the grass and going for something easier to maintain, just need to think it through. I've got a few ideas.  

thepurplepixie

LL I was interested in your story about looking like a hooker.  I've never worn "sexy" clothes, well I did wear minis but never worn anything low cut or strapless, don't like things that are tight.  Anyway I grew up in an inner city area that was notorious in my city as the vice area.  I was used to being proposition (doing business love) from 11 upwards.  I would get propositioned in school uniform at 8 am waiting at the bus stop, out in jeans and a jumper.  I got propositioned as an 18 year old who was 9 months pregnant, and I was like a ship in fullsail as a skinny teenager with a 9 lb baby on board.  God knows what sort of reaction I'd have had if I'd worn something tarty. 

40 years after marrying and leaving that area it still impacts me, the most obvious thing is that I never look into cars, I learned early that looking at passing cars was seen as "looking for business" so I would be a very poor witness to a car accident.  Friends/colleagues have often complained that I ignore them if they wave at me when driving past.  So I suppose my attitude to clothes might still be influenced by those early experiences.

Wednesday2000

I liked the show Revenge Sugarbaby.

I just went for a brisk walk (wearing plimsolls ) and did a load of laundry. I just called up to order a blood test form and I have booked my appointment for next Monday.

I really didn't like the colour of that New Look tan jacket I bought so I dyed it dark plum yesterday along with a few tops. I need to dye my bed covers this week. I did buy a red and a purple dye for when the charity shops reopen.

I want to swap all my pyjamas for lounge wear over the next few months. I have started hanging them up in my wardrobe and viewing what I wear around the house just as comfortable clothes.

I just wrote down the blood test appointment on my calendar and I was going to ask my husband why he had booked a day annual leave this week. I had forgotten it is my birthday! With lockdown it doesn't really seem like a special day at all. There was a vegan restaurant in London I wanted to try but obviously that isn't happening. We will probably watch a film or something. Maybe get a takeaway. 

Wednesday2000

thepurplepixie said:

LL I was interested in your story about looking like a hooker.  I've never worn "sexy" clothes, well I did wear minis but never worn anything low cut or strapless, don't like things that are tight.  Anyway I grew up in an inner city area that was notorious in my city as the vice area.  I was used to being proposition (doing business love) from 11 upwards.  I would get propositioned in school uniform at 8 am waiting at the bus stop, out in jeans and a jumper.  I got propositioned as an 18 year old who was 9 months pregnant, and I was like a ship in fullsail as a skinny teenager with a 9 lb baby on board.  God knows what sort of reaction I'd have had if I'd worn something tarty. 

40 years after marrying and leaving that area it still impacts me, the most obvious thing is that I never look into cars, I learned early that looking at passing cars was seen as "looking for business" so I would be a very poor witness to a car accident.  Friends/colleagues have often complained that I ignore them if they wave at me when driving past.  So I suppose my attitude to clothes might still be influenced by those early experiences.

I used to work in an office in Kings Cross and that used to happen to me all the time, even though I was obviously dressed smartly. That area used to be a  total dive. I'm always surprised how different it is whenever I go there now.

helensbiggestfan

I guess I must have led a very sheltered life, being brought up in surburbia.  That particular evening was probably my first venture into the city alone so it was a learning curve.    Prior to that the furthest I'd ever been allowed to go on my own was the church youth club. 😂.  I wasn't very street smart but I soon wised up. 

I'm not scarred by the experience, I can look back and laugh at myself for my naivety.  

Of course the sad truth is you don't have to look like a lady of the night to be on the receiving end of unwelcome attention. As you so rightly say even when modestly dressed or even, God forbid, in school uniform, you can still be propositioned.  

Miserable day here, so back to normal.  I've given myself a light skin peel this morning.  Just about to have second breakfast and then I shall venture out for a walk.  

It's like Groundhog Day innit.  😂🤣

maman

It's another glorious day here. As ever, not much  nothing planned but it does help to see the sun shining. 😊

I've nothing against plimsolls Wednesday. They're absolutely fine for casual wear or exercise but they just looked wrong with the sort of smart clothes people wear on TV.  My birthday is next week and I need to check what's allowed before planning anything. I can't remember when we're able to go out and sit down without taking exercise.  If it's allowed we might have a picnic. It seems that many people ignored the advice/rules at the weekend and congregated in parks and other open spaces. We did see some groups playing football in the park but I'm pretty sure they were household bubbles from student houses. It must be hard to explain to small children too why they can't play with classmates they see in the park but next Monday it will be fine at school including at Breakfast Club and after school clubs. 🤔

There's been a massive increase in sales of leisure wear.  Of course it's different for messy jobs and DIY but  I think it's a good thing if people are planning comfortable clothes for indoors and smart enough to go out for their walks and shopping  too.

thepurplepixie

Maman if the seafront here is anything to go by you can sit and relax/eat/chat.  I was surprised at a large gathering of men on motorbikes, all big macho blokes on big noisy machines slightly ruined their image to have to get the AA out to get one of them going.  The park was packed, I suddenly realised how this has impacted on GS he is 16 and has breezed through lockdown but he looked at the park and said, "This isn't safe let's go."  The queues for icecreams/chips/drinks etc were very long.  In short Saturday on the coast looked like a normal spring day, busier than normal for February I'd say but it was a lovely day.

My husband was shocked that there wasn't a police officer in sight, lots of reports of Devon and Cornwall Police being very proactive but I thought they must all be having a day off, later we heard about the big WWII bomb explosion in Exeter and realised lots of them must be there.

Wednesday2000

I was just joking about the plimsolls. It's the first time I have worn them and they are very comfortable. I don't know if I mentioned this but I bought some barefoot style trainers this year that are very uncomfortable so I'm relieved these trainers feel good. I cannot stand having sore feet.

I went for another quick walk and it is quite chilly after the sunshine at the weekend. We were very lucky with the weather during the first lockdown. Hopefully this will be the last one, ever!

I am going to make a coconut milk vegetable curry later this afternoon. I should be cooking more as I'm at home so much. My husband has a course today but will be home early. I don't know what we are going to watch next. It feels like we have watched everything good at this point!

MrsPorridge

Nice and sunny here again, so a bit more gardening by DH.  While he was out of the way I moved all the furniture in the sitting room and gave it a seriously good hoover and clean.  I also cleaned out my wardrobe - I now have 4 big sacks for the chazzer when they open.  Upstairs hoovered and bathroom cleaned and downstairs hoovered.  So I now have a nice tidy garden and house

We are off for our weekly visit to the garden centre tomorrow. I have laid out my clothes already!  My white top and blue/white paisley short sleeved dress, which I will wear as a pinafore with the white top as its winter.  Oh, the excitement of it all.

sukeyboo

Well, Fabulous February went reasonably well - could have done better though so I am going for ‘Marvellous March’ 😉. Definitely going to try and up my game as far as fabbing is concerned so that by the time restrictions start to lift I will have had a head start.

Still managing my exercise DVD on all weekdays and feel much more toned - I don’t really need to lose any weight as I fluctuate between 8st 13lb and 9st 2lb so at 5ft 4in tall I think that is about right.

Sounds like you have had a busy morning MrsPorridge - enjoy your trip to the garden centre tomorrow.

Pixie - I have a friend that lives in Swanage and she said it is much the same down there - the weekend was very busy - I’m not sure if people are just not sure of what they are allowed to do or whether they have just had enough and are ignoring the rules but, with the weather improving (hopefully) it is only going to get worse.