La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) - on a tiny budget.

mandy47

wort said:

Hi all, Helen helped me on the widow thread 5 years ago and I was reading along with the other thread but find myself agreeing with Poppy.
I have been for my nails done today,  I started having them done a few months ago as my nails had started splitting down their length, I was unable to file it away. I love having nice nails so although it’s an expense I do really appreciate how it makes me feel.
I'm looking forward to a meal out for my gdsons birthday at the weekend , and dressing up plus catching up with everyone.

I understand the nail thing. Having mine done is a treat to myself. I try and grab a few hours OT to cover the cost but that's not always possible. I also save any birthday money towards it. Nothing fancy, no glitter or diamantes, just plain.
My nails went from acceptable (barely) to horrid after having chemo. Hence the monthly trip to the nail parlour. Makes me feel better turned out.
I would be prepared to give it up if necessary but I would rather not.

Jellybaby

I’m recording a win on my first Transformation Tuesday - I went for a brisk walk after work! I’ve only been promising to do this for a couple of ahem months. It was cold with a gale blowing and I got absolutely drenched 🤣 but feel the better of it I and will do it again on Thursday (I’ve told you all so I have to do it now).

nannygladys

I know what you mean about being a 'slob', I reckon I turn into one every winter eg jeans, leggings, fleeces, thick over large jumpers so you can layer up underneath .... 🤣
So I know I'm a day late but I have been looking after dgs all day and I don't want  'nice' clothes being jumped on, be ruined from playing on the floor at his level or covered in nappy contents or the such like so my Tuesdays I'm going to call dress down and be better on the other days 😂
So as I have a few errands to make tomorrow I will dress up a bit and wear my proper coat (not a walking one) and put some 'slap' on (that takes me back as fair few years,!!!) And I'll be feeling good!!!!! And on the way back I will call in the local garden centre for a few ideas, keeping my purse firmly in my handbag, in fact I will take a flask with me and stop at the mere, I hope the weather's decent🙂 do you know I'm looking forwards to it now I've decided.
Nannyg 

helensbiggestfan

Good morning my lovely friends .  

Great to hear all your triumphs and wins, the little tweaks like getting nails done etc to lift our spirits.  

Nanygladys.  Yes it can be harder to look stylish in winter, when dressing for warmth often has to take priority.  My trick is to try and go for glamour.  Faux fur and faux shearling/sheepskin are cheap as chips and they are warm and cosy,  although the downside is they are not rainproof.  

I have to admit my heart sinks when the shops start to fill up with winter clothing, the colours are often so dark, drab and depressing,  I often look around me and am dismayed at the sea of black, navy, greys and browns that becomes the default mode of so much winter clothing. I decided some years ago that dark colours do nothing for me, They drain me and make me look ill, and they seem to drag my mood down too so now I do try to wear more colour.  

I am collecting coats. I usually buy vintage or at least pre loved, and usually pure wool/cashmere, and I have picked up some lovely coats from as little as £2. Cheaper than a cup of coffee.  And at those prices I can afford coats in every colour of the rainbow,  😂

There's nothing like a scarlet coat to brighten up a grey British winters day.  

And today I give you........

Wellness Wednesday 

My primary goal this year is to get strong, fit and healthy.  I have already started chiro and have started planning my proposed dental work.  They are the big ones, the most expensive and I have had to work and save hard  in order to cover the costs involved,  

But there's still more I need to do, luckily most of which is free or low cost.  The usual.....more sleep, better food choices, exercise, relaxation.  This  week I have actually remembered to start taking my vitamins and supplements instead of leaving them to languish in the kitchen cupboard. 

And once the family have gone back home I shall get back on WW. Bit by bit and I will get there. Like Debs said earlier up the thread ........I too don't want to be "Granny on the bench" whilst everyone else is having fun. BTW the Ecuador and Galapagos trip sounds wonderful.  

 

If I want to enjoy La Dolce Vita then I have to get myself fighting fit.  I will monitor my progress, checking in with myself every Wednesday to ensure I am staying on track and meeting my targets.  

Have a great day y'all. ❤️

carolbee

Oh I so agree about the drab winter clothes colours, it’s the exact time of year we want light and bright isn’t it?

I'm trying to cut sugar down for my start to Wellness Wednesday.

Your wardrobe must look like a rainbow @helensbiggestfan, how glorious!

iris

wort said:

Hi all, Helen helped me on the widow thread 5 years ago and I was reading along with the other thread but find myself agreeing with Poppy.
I have been for my nails done today,  I started having them done a few months ago as my nails had started splitting down their length, I was unable to file it away. I love having nice nails so although it’s an expense I do really appreciate how it makes me feel.
I'm looking forward to a meal out for my gdsons birthday at the weekend , and dressing up plus catching up with everyone.

Hello wort - I remember you from the Widows thread - how are you?

Helen is a very supportive person.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday.

Iris x

Willow1983

Good morning everyone, loving the new thread 🥰 I will be following along as always and hopefully will pop in now and again. I’m doing slimming world and really need to get stuck in 🙄 got two holidays this year and want to feel great! I am 59 this year so the big one is next year and really want to get myself as fit as possible, I walk everywhere so get plenty of steps in. Just checking if you are still commenting on frump to fab or is this the new main thread you are using Helen? 

helensbiggestfan

Hi Willow.  Good question,  

I think the Frump to Fab thread is well established now with lots of regular posters and plenty of chat,  I think this one will be my main focus now, although I will still drop by on Frump to Fab from time to time.

Good  luck with Slimming World.  I am sure you will meet your targets for the big birthday next year and as you say you want to get the most from your holidays so definitely join in with Wellness Wednesdays. 

Nargleblast

Colour can make so much difference, can't it? Yesterday, I didn't do the looking into fitness activities I had intended to do, but I did, on the spur of the moment, go into town. After visiting two charity shops I am the proud owner of three new tops, total £13.25 spent. White backgrounds, floral prints in blues, greens and purples. Immediately the clothes collection in the wardrobe looks brighter. They've been through the washing machine to get rid of that charity shop detergent smell, and I shall wear one today.

I do need to step up my activity level, I have a midriff section that is making itself noticeable. I need to do more walking, keep myself busy and active. First of the month today has ignited a cleaning and decluttering spark in me, so that fitness activity will be my contribution to Wellness Wednesday.

 I approve the getting your nails done routine, mandy47, don't ever give up on that. It's a small pleasure that helps make your life fun. When I finish work at the end of the month I will be able to paint my nails more frequently.

Good plan to reduce sugar intake, carolbee. Cutting down on refined sugar and carbs, trying to eat as many different plant items in a  meal as possible, reduce portion sizes of everything. At the same time eat what we enjoy, experiment with recipes. All things we can do to improve our health and well-being. 

Nannygladys, I think you may be on to something. Tell yourself you're going to tidy yourself up and go out and do something specific, it's like making a contract with yourself, and you do it because you don't want to let yourself down. You end up looking forward to it, and when you do it you  find yourself enjoying it.

It's all about having the mindset, isn't it?

Jellybaby

My life seems to be all about Wellness Wednesdays at the moment!  I'm 59 soon and late to the party on all things menopausal with TOTM still persisting 😢  However, a few months of HRT and various bits and bobs and following Slimming World for even longer, I'm feeling a whole lot better about myself and life in general.

All the problems in the world seemed to hit me last year and I realised if I didn't do something then there would be nothing left of me to give to those I cherish.  So I'm really making an effort to look after my physical and mental health. It's not easy and I've a long way to go but can see a difference already - the main one being walking away from toxic people.

Happy Wednesday all!