Spring-cleaning ourselves! A new thread for Fabulizers

[TrampyPants]

I couldn't find the old one so thought I would start a new thread for spring!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Hi Trampy. I gave up on the other thread because it got so long. Good to see you though!

I'm still v pleased with the Vitamin E face oil and have also now started using the Soap and Glory foot file to try to get my feet ready for if Spring ever does properly arrive. Not much else to report tbh but wanted to say hello!

[frillyflower]

I need a spring clean. Hoping for some motivation advice here.

Feel doughy and lumpy and sick of wearing trousers, boots, big padded coat.

In fact want to burn coat as have worn all through this vile winter.

Advice on kick start of better diet, exercise, beauty regime?

[TrampyPants]

Remus, IKWYM, I couldn't get on with using oils, it bought me out in big blind spots. BUT I have been using the same moisturiser for a while now, and its lush!

Welcome frilly. I'm useless on diet/exercise, but I can say, take baby steps. I have one day a week (usually sunday) when I have a long bath, use a body scrub, shave my legs and use a face mask. I check my eyebrows everyday, to keep them in line. I use bb cream daily and have one make up-free day a week. clothes, I have basics like l/s tees and wear skinnies rather than bootcut jeans, because they don't suit me. What are your aims?

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Could I join you please?

I'm emerging from nearly 6 years of being either pregnant and/or breastfeeding - and actually my sense of style was bad before that, partly through weight issues, but also through the lack of a decent bra and a lack of money!

I would like to sort out my wardrobe, and take more care of my appearance. I've lost a stone since January and would like to lose 2 more. I can't cope with a full-on diet thread though, I need it to just be gradual and in the background rather than a zealous obsession!

[TrampyPants]

Hello Ali, of course! more the merrier. I just realised that I dress like I am in Twilight. I'm 35, and need to start polishing myself a bit otherwise I will start to look haggard. I've been fabulizing since january, and I feel loads better. I'm even getting compliments. I've also cut down on my caffeine, which in turn helps me sleep.

I recommend going through your wardrobe and throwing out things that don't fit, don't suit you or you haven't worn in over a year (apart from fancy clothes) I was brutal and it helped me focus and pick out outfits. I did the same with make up too. I also joined groupon and wowcher, they often have deals for manicures, etc.

[frillyflower]

Hello! I would like to lose about 10 pounds and tone up my horrible stomach. I would like to be fitter and I would like to stop my terrible eating habits (eat v little all day then stuff down bread cake and wine of an evening). In fact I think I will cut out wine except for special occasions.

Want to feel like sleek panther woman instead of doughy lardball. That's all!

[suebfg]

I've been off work for a couple of weeks, have cut down on caffeine, no alcohol, been out for lots of walks and I can already see a vast improvement in my skin. I think it is probably down to the combination of all these things.

[TrampyPants]

frilly, cutting back on wine will help enormously, and I know exactly what you mean. I see these sleek, groomed, pulled together women and I feel like a goblin next to them. I will be one of them, I will!

sue, it makes a huge difference, doesn't it? the first couple of weeks were tough, but now I don't miss it at all. I have a good stock of herbal teas and dont touch caffeine or chocolate after 2pm.

[suebfg]

Yes, it really has made a difference. I hope I can keep it up now :)

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Trampy - yes that is exactly it. Sleek and pulled together! I don't want to look like I've tried too hard either. There is a mum at school who always looks fabulous, but she clearly spends an awful lot of time on hair and makeup each day, not to mention her outfits.

I saw a woman in John Lewis this time last year. She was probably about 55, and greying naturally. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail, minimal make up and lovely simple clothes that really suited her. If it wasn't for the few lines near her eyes she could have been 25/30. But she had that self-confidence that younger women lack, she really looked amazing and made a huge impression on me!

sue, that sounds like a lovely couple of weeks :)

Ok first steps for me are,

• alternate tea with hot water and lemon, and no cups of tea after the DSs are in bed.
  
• use cleanse and polish every evening.

[googietheegg]

Can I be in your gang? Have a nearly one year old dd and now getting ready for my first post-pregnancy summer a bit floppier than before. Did a fake tab two nights ago but just have blotchy knees and Very Brown Feet.

I've for about half a stone to lose too and need ideas for non mum hair as I just put it up in a topknot everyday

[googietheegg]

Fake tan

[frillyflower]

Ok am going to drink tea when I get home in the evening and then just water with meals.

Will try to drink at least 1.5 l water per day and walk for 30 minutes.

Will think blotchy lardball every time I am tempted by cake, pudding and wine.

[frillyflower]

Hi Googie. I hav just had hair cut into cute bob and highlighted blonder for summer. Feel better.

[googietheegg]

Bob sounds good Frilly. Less keen on the no booze rule though.

My dd is still in the pulling hair phase so a bob may be impractical. I also have a ball-shaped head.

[suebfg]

Well, I've already caved and am enjoying but I might stop at one instead of having several :)

[frillyflower]

Have resisted and drunken pomegranate juice instead.

Feel very smug - I mean good!

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Didn't have any wine last night and got a decent night's sleep. Didn't do full evening skincare because I decided to have a panic attack and just wanted to get to bed.

Have plucked eyebrows this morning and remembered hand cream.

[thoughtsbecomethings]

I really need to make more of an effort ..... Every day

[TurnipCake]

Hello fabulisers!

I'm going to see a play today with a friend, then we're going out for cocktails. Much needed, considering I had a seminar day with work and came face-to-face with the woman my ex cheated on me with and left me for, and then another co-worker suggested we all go for a nice catch-up drink... Note: I looked sleek and pulled together that day, tips from the other thread helped, so thank you!

I had a lovely facial last week, I booked in for a 60 min facial but the lovely lady who does them gave me an offer which resulted in a longer facial for less money!

I think I'm going to wear black skinny jeans today with boots and a bright top

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Turnip - yay for looking sleek and pulled together, especially when faced with the OW.

Today I'm wearing teal skinnies and a white with red stripes breton. Mac again for outside, and pumps.
Not 100% happy because the pumps happen to be teal and blue, so feet and legs were a bit matching, but for the moment I don't have any others.

[TrampyPants]

Welcome to all! Today I met MIL in town for a cuppa (with ds) and a spot of shopping. I wore a pea green a-line skirt, black and cream striped top, a wide tan waist belt and low tan knee highs. I felt bloody marvelous. Sadly, my ribs and hips started hurting, so I'm in leggings and a top now, on the sofa drinking peppermint tea.

Ali, outfit sounds really, really nice! The great thing about this thread is it's all baby steps. You add things into your routine as you go along.

Frilly, hair sounds lovely, and well done on the pomegranate juice!

Googie, what type of style are you looking for? is it all one length, would layers work?

Thought, thats what we are for! inspiration and support. on the first fabulizing thread one poster remarked that her dh and dc's were the most important people in her lives, but she never dresses like it. And thats my problem. Left to my own devices I'm lazy and scruffy. But, I've developed some really good habits now.

Turnip, am ate the facial, and at the ow. I love when that happens. I went to a christening where my ex was with his new lady, and I looked bloody fab. He even commented on how great I looked. Ha! even if we are still friends, its still nice to look better than i did when he dumped me

[googietheegg]

Yay Turnip! Soooo pleased you were looking fabulous for that particular occasion!

Trampy - I have shoulder length dark blond layered with highlights hair, sort of straight/bit wavy/bit meh - can look great with bbh/tongs but I hardly ever have time so end up with topknot or ponytail. Need easy hairstyle ideas really.

[googietheegg]

Oh and trampy I'm loving your outfit. Today I had denim skirt, grey cable tights, Breton and green cardi with biker boots.

[ShebaQueen]

Ooh can I join please? I need to lose some wieght but I want to do it by cutting back on portions and walking more rather than a full on diet and exercise programme which will only last 24 hours knowing me.

I also want to stop wearing black all the time, I have a work "uniform" and a weekend "uniform" so I have vowed to have a clear out and buy some new clothes for a capsule wardrobe - I keep reading about those.

For skincare and grooming I want to develop a routine.

Anyway you have inspired me to get started