Frump to Fab - 2025

sheilavw

Hope that you feel better soon Helensbiggest fan. Have a restful weekend x

Wednesday2000

How are you feeling now Helen? How is your new home coping with the heatwave we are having? My house is like a freezer in winter, but luckily okay in the heat of summer.

We went to Brighton last weekend and the Airbnb was unbearably hot. I think from now on we are just going to book Premier Inn as at least you are sure of getting a comfortable room with heat/air conditioning. We went away as we saw the band Pulp at the O2 in London and then Nine Inch Nails (American rock band) at the O2 too. I did think about Candygirl when I saw Pulp as I know she liked Jarvis Cocker.

helensbiggestfan

Hello Everyone. 

Long time "no see". Don't ask me what I've been doing lol, time just seems to whizz by.  Currently sitting in my lounge, nice and cool. I have been browsing eBay.  Treated myself to a dress and am watching a couple more.  Haven't been very successful in the chazzers lately.  Sign of the times maybe, people selling rather than donating. 

Wednesday.  how nice that you are getting to see some of your favourite bands in concert.  I often think about Candygirl. She was so lovely, taken too soon. 😢. I miss her, she would often send me private messages, little jokes etc. She had a fantastic sense of humour, often a bit risqué but never cruel or unkind.  As the saying goes "the good die young".  

Unfortunately still struggling with my aches and pains, currently trying acupuncture.  Had two treatments so far. There does seem to be a slight improvement.  

It will be birthday soon.  74. How did that happen.  Lol. I would love to be able to say I look and feel 10 years younger.  Alas I don't, no point trying to delude myself.  But I am not giving up.  I'll keep trying. 

Have booked a haircut for the coming Monday, still trying to grow it a bit but it desperately needs trimming and shaping.  

I have decided against a holiday for now. Save my pennies.  Maybe some winter sun, say Jan/Feb time. 

So....No real news, just plodding on.  😉. 

Time for brunch.  Not really interested in food in this hot weather, cba to cook much because the kitchen gets quite rather hot so I've been a bit naughty and bought a few ready meals. Trying to pick healthy ones of course.  Ha ha.  

Murphybear

sukeyboo said:

How exciting @helensbiggestfan - I am sure you will soon be settled in your new home. I was watching your namesake earlier today - unbelievably, for the first time I watched Calendar Girls - loved the film ❤️

Used to find some brilliant things in our local charity shops - Sherborne (Dorset) was a great hunting ground as it is a fairly affluent area. Struggled to find anything exciting recently though. I am also in need of some transitional new clothes - have lots of winter stuff and a reasonable amount of summer items but it’s the ‘Spring’ weather that always flummoxes me. One minute it is still chilly and frosty and then really mild.

Had a lovely long Badedas bath tonight and then used some Champneys eye masks while listening to some relaxing ‘spa’ music - almost nodded off at one point 😊.

Hi

You could have taken the words out of my mouth. . I live in an affluent area and have some brilliant charity shop finds too.  Then I got tingles down my spine, my local charity shops are the same as yours, Sherborne  . My husband went shopping with a friend recently and brought me a charity shop find.  A peacock coloured dress with matching bolero style jacket.  Hand made  from silk.  It’s gorgeous.  Sadly it’s one size too small but I have been that size last year so fingers crossed, I want to wear it for Christmas.  

Every time I mooch around the shops now I will look at women and think “Is that Sukeyboo?”

Murphybear

thepurplepixie said:

Well this is a mix of good and bad.  We hear so much of how bad the NHS is but this is my experience.  Went for a well woman check up today.  Nurse was lovely, very painless blood test and my weight is actually OK but I am at the upper end so can't put more on, my blood pressure is also OK but only just.  I mentioned a symptom I had, nothing dreadful but she said she'd speak to the GP.  Two hours later I get a call to say doctor wants a specific blood test, apologised they couldn't fit it in today but booked me for 9 am Monday.  Pretty efficient and I certainly can't say they've kept me waiting.  Slightly worried that they are clearly taking this seriously but impressed that our over worked NHS can be so fast.

Unfortunately we only read about the worst side of the NHS.  The best side is that it is brilliant.  My husband and I always go to each others appointments, our GP is happy with that.  On his last appointment we chatted about me and he said, “I need to see you, would tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock be ok?”  

I grinned, yes please

sukeyboo

Murphybear said:

Hi

You could have taken the words out of my mouth. . I live in an affluent area and have some brilliant charity shop finds too.  Then I got tingles down my spine, my local charity shops are the same as yours, Sherborne  . My husband went shopping with a friend recently and brought me a charity shop find.  A peacock coloured dress with matching bolero style jacket.  Hand made  from silk.  It’s gorgeous.  Sadly it’s one size too small but I have been that size last year so fingers crossed, I want to wear it for Christmas.  

Every time I mooch around the shops now I will look at women and think “Is that Sukeyboo?”

It’s a small world isn’t it - I will be the same now - wondering if anyone in there is Murphybear 🤣

That dress and jacket sound amazing - I love peacock colours - they are my favourites along with terracota and reds which I tend to wear more in the Autumn and Winter. I am sure that will give you the incentive you need to drop a dress size by Christmas.

helensbiggestfan

Are we melting yet. Lol.

sheilavw

Very hot night here! 

helensbiggestfan

good Morning Lovely Ladies. 

Yaaay.  It's raining.  Love it, everything smells clean and fresh again. Lawns starting to green up nicely.  

Well how we all.  I'm doing ok. Still a mass of aches and pains, but keep on keeping on.  

It was my birthday recently, 74 😱😂. and  I have been thinking a lot about my wardrobe.  I have a lot of clothes which for some reason I haven't worn for a very long time so I think it's time for a purge and a wardrobe refresh this autumn. 

I also love the autumn colours and will be adding more into my wardrobe. For a while there I was buying mainly neutrals but they aren't really me iyswim, especially in the winter. Neutrals can make me look washed out.  One of the most surprising changes is that since my hair turned white I can now wear pink. 

Colour is a very powerful thing.  When I was going through the worst of my grief after losing my husband I suddenly realised that most of my clothes were grey or brown.  I think my choices were reflecting how I felt.  I got rid of them and starting adding more colour and I began  to feel better.  Recently I've noticed a lot of navy and black has crept into my wardrobe. I don't know why because they don't really suit me. So once again I need to have a clear out and any replacements will definitely be more colourful.  

Still growing my hair, not really sure about it. It's just at that difficult in between stage when I'm tempted to give up.  

Have to say I'm enjoying the cooler temperatures. 20C/25C seems to be my sweet spot these days.  

helensbiggestfan

Hello Everyone.  long time, no see.  Can't believe it's been a month since I last posted.  A lot has happened. Probably too much.  I ended up having a minor health scare, nothing serious, just a warning sign is all but it forced me to review my life and take stock.  So now I am a reformed character. Lol. More sleep, regular rest, better eating habits and finally learning how to delegate. 😁.  

I didn't get round to purging my wardrobe.  That starts in the next few days.  I have had a quick look and I reckon I can get rid of at least 50%.  I am resolved to gradually get rid of all synthetic fabrics, especially in clothing that lies next to my skin.  I have noticed my skin just doesn't like them. I have had a couple of excema flare ups recently so I have switched my detergent and am being more mindful of using natural skin care products.  

Other than that not much happening. My handyman has been very helpful, building flat pack furniture for additional storage.  He converted a deep bulk head cupboard over the stairs into a wardrobe for my winter coats. Much better than cramming them into my main wardrobe,  

Hope you are all well.  It's quite autumnal here today. I don't mind, those heatwaves were a bit much for me.