Anyone interested in the annual Countdown to Christmas "Princessing" thread?

[Helgathehairy]

It's 118 days to Christmas Eve!!

I would actually feel bad if I didn't start this thread. For the last 4 years I have run a Countdown to Christmas Princessing thread. This is the preliminary is anyone interested kick-off. I'm actually just going to copy and paste from last year from here on.

The term "Princessing" was invented back in 2011 by a poster called Blackswan. It was the year of the royal wedding and she proposed that every year you should get ready for a wedding you were attending as if it were your own.

I took that idea and ran with it!

The general idea behind that original thread and all the "Princessing" "Grooming" "Operation Revnovation" threads since has been to make small sustainable changes that help make you feel better. To make this measurable, most people finds it helps to make a list - not too long, no more than 20 items really of the changes you want to make. The original thread had one general list but as no two people have the same priorities I think it's better for everyone to have their own individual list. To anyone in need of inspiration the original list was:

1. 8 glasses of water a day
   
2. Exfoliating
   
3. Using some kind of teeth whitener
   
4. Using some kind of regenerative face cream
   
5. Intensive nail care (feet and hands)
   
6. Some kind of eyelash growth serum
   
7. The Shred / other intensive exercise
   
8. At least 2 extra fruit & veg
   
9. Healthy breakfast daily.
   

10. Hair oil (moroccan hair oil for eg, or kerastase etc)
11. No alcohol during the week
12. Daily vitamins
13. Body brushing
14. At least 2 servings of salmon or other fatty fish per week.
15. One early night once a week. Suggest 9PM.
16. Regular hair removal
17. Give up one naughty favourite item e.g. chocolate/crisps
18. No more fizzy drinks
19. DAILY body moisturising.
20. Warm water with lemon first thing in the a.m.

You don't have to post your list but I would recommend you write it down somewhere for yourself.

Original Princessing thread
I'm a frump
How to be groomed

I'll have a look for a few more up to date threads when I get a chance.

Last year I added a new aspect - a 5 day kick off for people who wanted to start early/get a head-start on things. The kick off was inspired by this thread 5 day makeover. The general idea behind the 5 day makeover is a few things that would have an immediate effect and things to get you ready to kick things off. So hair, nails etc.

I really need the thread this year (I think I say that every year!) I'm 23 weeks pregnant and not really doing anything to look after myself. I also have a three year old and am permanently tired. I'm due on 22nd December (officially, one mid-wife thought 25th would be more accurate) so will probably spend Christmas in pajamas but would like to look decent in my pajamas!!!

[BritabroadinAsia]

Ooooh! Another princessing thread, thank you! Congratulations on your pregnancy Helga, and here's to a glamorous Christmas with your newborn.

I've lurked on these before and not committed (vicarious princessing, if you will) but have had a few months of serious over-indulgence and insufficient exercise. I keep thinking how old and frumpy I look as most of my clothes no longer fit, and I'm feeling monstrously unfit and inflexible.

I think my list will probably reflect this - will have a think and post one in a bit.

[lasttimeround]

Hi I'd love to join. I'm having a bit of a renaissance atm.
Things I want to do:

1. continue low carbing for weightloss until Christmas with a few low carb lite weeks included.
   
2. start some sort of exercise regime
   
3. continue taking vitamins and calcium daily
   
4. oil - lots - skin hair nails.
   
5. sort dry heels
   
6. Try for consistent mani-pedi
   
7. enjoy perfume/s
   
8. invest in some higher end make up
   
9. pay attention to clothes and buy a few updates.
   
10. remove make up every night
    
    Finally generally practice being positive about myself and my appearance.

[ohidoliketobe]

Ohhh I'm getting involved. 38 wks pregnant with DC2 and I have a toddler so my list is just going to be small easy things that hopefully build up into me feeling and looking better (water, fruit and veg intake, moisturising, taking off my make up etc). Just taking 10 mins to look after myself made me feel more human after my last pregnancy so I'm hoping this will do the same.
Will have a bit of a think and report back.

[Buttwing]

Yes I would love to join you, I've lost 3 stone since having dc4 and have come to a bit of a standstill ( in fact I've put half a stone-ish on over the summer) I would really like to start losing again some I'm joining slimming world again as soon as the kids go back to school. Also general sorting myself out needs to start, dc4 is starting nursery 3 mornings a week so for the first time in 11 years I won't have a preschooler/baby at home with me.

My list is something like this-

Lose 2 stone
Get back on top of skin care
Regular footer
Mails done every two weeks
Start exercising-dog walking/jog
Dentist app already booked-start whitening treatment after app.

Helga a Christmas baby!how exciting to be having (hopefully!) new born snuggles at Christmas is it your first baby?

[disneyprincesswannabe]

Congratulations helga. I was due on 14th Dec last year and felt as far from princessy as possible so making an extra special effort this year. I shall write up my list later and post

[toBurpOrNotTo]

Hey Helga I would love to join in! I'm 14wks pregnant, & just about gaining some energy to get some decent exercise done. I like your feel-good take-care-of-yourself list, & would probably just add one more item - to drink plenty of water.

Congratulations on the Christmas baby

[toBurpOrNotTo]

Hey Helga I would love to join in! I'm 14wks pregnant, & just about gaining some energy to get some decent exercise done. I like your feel-good take-care-of-yourself list, & would probably just add one more item - to drink plenty of water.

Congratulations on the Christmas baby

[Helgathehairy]

ohidoliketobe you're nearly there!! I love your list, short and achievable. Might steal the idea from you.

buttwing thank you. It's my second baby so have some idea of what's happening this time!

toburp congratulations! My energy levels never really recovered! I agree about the water, it's going to get harder as it gets colder!

[RJnomore1]

I'm up, I need to do something !

[Nursenat100]

I'm joining! I'm feeling decidedly bleurgh about myself at moment. I've put on a bit of weight and need a bit of a kick up the bum to get started.

I'm away in a caravan with the kids for the next 5 days so might not be the best start, but I'll follow you lot and crack on next week

[Ohb0llocks]

I'm joining, feel extremely shitty about myself at the minute. My list:

1. sort diet out (more fruit and veg, less choc and crisps)
   
2. more exercise
   
3. sort hair out
   
4. make an effort each day (feel like I've let myself go)
   
5. drink more water
   
6. lose some weight!

[BritabroadinAsia]

Ok, my list:

1. At least 12,000 steps 5x week
   
2. Pilates/yoga 2 x week minimum (internet for yoga and a Pilates class)
   
3. Use MyFitnessPal properly to track food!
   
4. Keep grey hair at bay every 4 weeks
   
5. Glass of lemon in water in mornings
   
6. Take vitamins every day
   
7. Use perfumes more often (nicked that one from lasttime)
   
8. Body moisturising after shower
   
9. Sort out cracked heels
   

10. No alcohol for 5 days out of 7

Hmmm. Hope that's achievable. How often should we report back, Helga?

[lisam78]

I'm in! I really need this. Will post back later with my list 😊

[bluebeck]

I'm in if I may join you? I keep starting new regimes but "something" always happens and I fall off the wagon

I have a disability that severely restricts my ability to exercise, so my weight loss is diet only unfortunately. I am currently 5ft 5 and 12st 4lbs so a wobbly size 14 (16 on a bad day) I would like to do the following:

1. Lose 2 stone which would put me back to a small size 12. I don't want to be much thinner than that as in my fifties and will look haggard if I go too mad.
   

1. Drink less/no alcohol.
   

1. Take make up off every night.
   

1. Moisturise face and neck every day.
   

5.Moisturise and fake tan body at least once a week.

1. Keep on top of eyebrow maintenance!
   

I actually have a wardrobe full of lovely clothes I cannot wear

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Ooh congratulations with the Christmas Baby Helga make sure your PJ are Princessable and be serene

I will think of a list after I've revisited by old list and see what I've kept up with.

Then I can decide on my 2016 List

[taxworries]

Oooh this looks good. I have let myself go over the summer! But I always find Autumn invigorating so a good time to do this. I'm doing whole30 in September which sorts out the no alcohol and better diet and hopefully improved skin and better quality sleep. So I'd make mine
-more water
-no more than two caffeine drinks per day (one tea/one coffee)

• teeth whitener
  
• body brushing before shower in morning
  
• get back into going to the gym, I used to love it.

[slightlysoreboobs]

Me! Me! Fab idea. I'll have a think and come back with list. Jobs done today: exfoliating half my body off with a dermaflannel in the bath and dealing with rank wart on my thumb I'm so stunning I don't need princessing

[OhGoshDarnIt]

I lurk on these threads every year, this year I am in! So my list is this...

*Drink more water

*Wash make up off every night

*Get a proper skincare routine, cleanse, tone and moisturise

*I want to make Sunday's my pamper night, nice bath with Epsom salts, clay mask, hair treatment mask, nails cut, filed and polished, eyebrows tidied up, fake tan done

*try different things with my hair, it's long but I only ever ever wear it down and straight, want to try some up do's

*Oil pulling twice a week

*leave the car and walk more

*try and cut down on smoking!!

[OhGoshDarnIt]

Oh and stop eating so much rubbish! I don't really need to lose any weight but I do need to eat more healthy as I just live on junk food

[Ladywholunches3]

Me!
(1) eat under 1200 calories a day most days, aim to lose rest of DC3 weight and go from 12'11 to 11'3
(2) get teeth prof whitened
(3) book in that dental work!
(4) straighten hair more
(5) get some decent face products eg hydralon and use twice a day
(6) get to 2L water a day
(7) restrict Diet Coke to 1L a day (drink way more)

Good thread!

[Helgathehairy]

In the past, the "actual" thread kicks off at 100 days to go and then there's a daily countdown. You can post everyday, every few days, once a week; whatever you feel like.

[WellHurrahAndHuzzah]

I would love to please. List to follow tomorrow.... when I'm sober

[WellHurrahAndHuzzah]

PS. What teeth whiteners are people recommending??

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Thought of some:

1: stop kidding myself that I want to grow my hair. I don't. I look a scruffy old bat when it goes 6+ weeks. I need to keep to my 5 week cuts.

2: make sure I keep a supply of henna, it needs to be applied on a day when I have 4 hours to faff about without my glasses on. If I have none I really don't want to be pottering off to Lush.

3: I walked for 3 hours today and I didn't keel over, so I'm going to try an hour an evening at least 4 days a week.

4: keep drinking water (I don't drink alohol/fizzy drinks or milk) but try and cut down on the coffee a bit

5: I know that my poorly insides do not like any wheaty things so I'll carry on with minimal , I do like a croissant but only every 2-3 weeks.

6: carry on with the "My Beauty Hoard" , I'm working through the stack of bottles and try hard not to buy more unless I run out or it is an unmissable bargain (like a BOGOF)

7: same with wearing what I have, wear all my clothes, throw out/recycle anything that doesn't flatter/isn't comfortable

8:buff my nails when I'm at the computer

9: start using night cream or the night masks I have. Night time is when the skin repairs itself

10: I've changed from 3 Days to 4 days at work , so I need to get more organised in everything really. No excuses .