Project Princess

[BlackSwan]

I have a theory that every year you should treat one wedding you're attending as though it were your own.

Not that you're the bride, or as important as the bride...that's not the idea. I mean that for many women your wedding day is the one day when you try to pull it all together to look and feel your best, best figure, best skin, best hair. You get the picture. So if you do this once a year...perhaps with less of the stress that goes along with preparing for your own wedding day...then you'll look and feel amazing.

Last year I gave birth to my first child, so getting my figure etc back on track before a wedding I attended some months later was a huge challenge. I think I succeeded pretty well - I felt great at the wedding, not like the frumpy mummy I thought I might turn up as!

So now we have the Royal Wedding to look forward to I think we have the perfect opportunity to set that as a collective project due date. 29 April.

If any of you are inclined to give this a go - I thought it might be fun to do this with other like minded (crazy?) women.

The way it would work is like this - anyone involved can add a preparation ritual to the list. Let's not make this expensive. Don't we all have a bunch of unused exfoliant, teeth whitening paste, cuticle creams, waxes and potions at our disposal in our medicine cabinet?

Get the idea? Anyone interested?

Pedi cancelled as I dropped a very heavy wine bottle on my foot and mu little toe is bleeding and bruised.

SO had a manicure instead

I shall continue to talk to myself...

Ooooo they have on outdoor one of those at a waterpark here... I always feel sorry for the fish TBH ... its not exactly an appetising dinner is it !!

Its the start of the weekend here so might sit by the pool and neck a gin and tonic

Back from my 'holiday', if you could call it that! Ended up coming home early as DS was sick from night 1. He's on the mend now thankfully. Managed to eat loads of carbs, chocolate and greasy food while I was away, so need to get back on track.

How are you ladies doing?

BlackSwan that does NOT sound like a good break or rest for you. Glad your DS is ok now.

How is everyone doing? I've slipped on the food and exercise, but doing ok on the grooming front.

The body brushing is making a big difference to my scaly knees (from kneeling to change endless nappies) and my bumpy upper arms.

I should probably cut down on caffeine a bit, it makes me jittery and hungry.

I've been eyeing up some summer clothes online even though quite frankly it won't be warm enough for ages to wear them (but it's nice to have an incentive to get my legs in shape).

Have any of you fallen in love with any new products?

Morning ! Sorry your holiday was crap Swan.
I've been keeping it going (though yesterday I have to admit I did have my first can of diet coke since I started it as my friend automatically ordered me one at lunch.

Alcohol consumption is way down this week.

Have just had an hours personal training (jogging/resistance stuff)

Nature: am trying out the oil cleansing method

I've also lost about 5lb since I started PP

[happy dance]

I couldn't manage to completely stop drinking pepsi - it's a bad addiction I have I have limited myself to 1 can a day - which is a big drop from 8-10 a day !!

I have been to the gym Monday to Friday and doing the shred at weekends now, am eating sooooo healthy also, so am really seeing results as have dropped from a size 18 to a 16

I am going to look into the OCM as I tried washing my face with Hydrous Ointment Emollient for extra moisturising but ended up with an allergic reaction so have been unable to use a face mask or exfoliator for the past few days lol !! At least my trusted Aloe Vera gel has got rid of the red face

Hello

Nightmare about your holiday Swan.

I am still trying to be good here.

Managed to do the Shred three times last week.

Have kept up with body brushing and moisturising, using anti ageing serum, hair oil. Had leg wax and manicure at the weekend and a wash and blow dry in advance of a family party on the saturday night and looked the best I have in a long time so something must be working....

Managed no mid week drinking last week too!!! (although prob made up for it fri and sat....).

Well done on the weight loss Royal!

Evizza I also have bad pepsi addiction and didn't realise how bad until I decided to stop. Am down to 2 small glasses per day.

Saw the lovely Ricky (seriously lovely ripped 25 year old ) at gym today and have a training plan and now need to keep up good eating.

Good for you whoneedssleep! Nice to get out and flaunt it!

Evizza, that's a huge drop in your pepsi intake. Two dress sizes down, fantastic!

RoyalBling, you're doing fabulously.

Thanks guys... my break was a nightmare, haven't even told you the gorey details. Flights were missed, outfits vomited on, early mornings spent in foreign hospitals... best forgotten about. Need to book another trip - we're just feeling sheepish about it now.

Have charged my Clarisonic cleanser and back on a healthier diet. Am booking myself in for some treatments this coming Sat. Hair needs a trim and I'm overdue a facial.

Oh my life Swan that sounds like hell.

Think you fully deserve some pampering treatments on Saturday, enjoy!

Eek Swan, especially crap as you pay money to go somewhere, look forward to it and then it all goes pearshape

Meggles my PT is female (I don't think i'd be able to concentrate with a Ricky around

I tried rye bread for the first time today (was very nice) and have cut down on portion size and ditched the crap.
Bought some new underwear
Walked shopped for ages (the Malls here are huge and air conditioned its the best place to walk)

I did have a tiny 125 ml glass of red wine with dinner
but all in a good day (well done whoneeds on your wine willpower!)

I have a femal PT too Royal.

I did some group classes with her and wanted a PT and she is Spanish, very attractive and has a seriously good body and I thought if that isn't an advertisement in itself then I don't know what is...I have def seen results.

I think I would be too self conscious of all my body hang ups with a Ricky around!

I don't think 125ml glass of wine counts, that is medicinal...

Ha ha ha 125ml is just below the allowable threshold!

I have been preparing myself for new underwear by chucking out old ones as soon as they turn a weird colour in the wash. If I don't go out and by some new ones soon I will run out!

Just found out I'm attending a work dinner for DH in a couple of weeks. Further reason to take this gig seriously. Have been warned not to buy a new dress. He said nothing about shoes, hair, makeup, PTs... . Now where's Ricky's number??

Hi BlackSwan, so sorry to hear about your holiday... We've all had the odd complete turkey from time to time though... Shame...

Well, my news... On the plus side:

I've lost 3lbs - a small loss but at least it's in the right direction.

I've been off the diet cokes completely (with the exception of two cans - two little slip-ups)

I've used tooth-whitening gel every day for a fortnight and my teeth look a bit brighter for it. I've now almost run out of gel but think I might buy another lot and use it once a fortnight to keep things going? Does anyone know if this is ok?

I'm having an olive oil/ aspirin facial at home once a week and using self tan to keep a bit of colour going

I am going to book a pedicure this week and then have one once a month from now on - now that summer's coming

On the minus side, however:

My finger nails are dreadful - need to sort these out... really wish I could afford to just have Bio Sculpture Gel once a fortnight but I can't

I'm hopeless with the no alcohol during the week rule. No will power at all..

I've got a big party to go to in April, so that's a good incentive for me to up my game, also a family get together in July and summer in general. I shall now go and slather on some cuticle oil and handcream to make a start on these dreadful hands!

Ooooh, can I join please.

I am on a real fitness mission, it's my 40th in a couple of weeks and since jan I have been on a real blitz - I wanna be fab and forty!!!

I have really overhauled my diet, given up wine (just for now) and am doing loads and loads of exercise. I have lost 16 lbs since I began, just another 7 lb off and I should be there, just need to get my thighs toned!!

My fitness regime is this:-

Weekly I do 3 spinning sessions, 2 badminton sessions, 1 zumba, 1-2 pole fitness and 1 aerobics......as you can see lots of exercise and I love it and am feeling a lot better because of it.

I lost my mum in August last year to lung cancer and bloated up a bit in my misery but have given myself a massive kick up the arse so fingers crossed it lasts.

Good luck to all us princesses xx

Hi Desperate - of course there's always room for one more! You may well already be the fittest of the bunch. What do you have planned for your 40th? I hope you're doing some serious celebrating.

How sad about your Mum. I'd imagine something like that does change your outlook.

Welcome.

Hi Blackswan, excellent, reckon I will fit right in here, lol!! Not overly much planned for my 40th, just a nice meal out with some good friends. I was going to have a spa weekend but really since I lost my mum sort of lost the zest for it and now cant be arsed, lol............a meal and lots of wine will be just fine.

Thank you!!

Welcome Desperate.

So sorry for your loss. Well done for finding the motivation to make changes. I'm so impressed at all your exercise and weight loss.

As for me, still not doing very well with exercise (short run twice a week though I suppose it's better than nothing). Difficult with DH working long hours and by the time he gets home the pool is closed. That's my excuse.

Am massively hungry and bloated today but it's probably PMS. Also spotty (same reason I suspect). Will try for a face mask and early night tonight.

Am generally doing ok on the grooming front. Just booked another haircut. Really need to make a decision about covering grey. Have tried a couple of home semi-permanents but haven't found the right brand or shade yet.

Really wish I had some cash for some new spring clothes, now that the weather seems to be warming up a bit.

Morning !
Failed miserably on the wine front last might (considerably more than 125ml was taken)
Am still eating well though

[looks on bright side]

Also had a bit of booze last night...for medicinal purposes (I'm such an old lady). Have a hacking cough as I caught DS cold AGAIN, so I cracked open DH's top shelf gentleman's liquor. Didn't help much though it did numb my tastebuds.

Gorgeous day in London, spring is definitely here. Got a new top yesterday, bit cool for it yet, but have it on today which has perked me up a bit.

Naturelover - decided what to do about your hair? Going permanent?

Hey Princesses - sorry not been on thread for a while. Work. Has. Been. Mental.

Been doing good. The drinking water and daily moisturising has made a MASSIVE difference to my skin. I normally have botox every 6 months but haven't been able to afford it since last May. Am holding out till June (my wedding is in August) to get it done.

Untill a few weeks ago my forehead and crows feet looked AWFUL! I cannot believe how much better my face looks. I wish I'd done before and after photos.

Been puttting on Avon daily tanner so looking a bit less blue.

Diet been okay but fallen down on the drinking thing :( Stress at work makes it too easy to reach for the wine in the evenings. Am still gyming/shredding but totally at a standstill on the scales due to the alcohol :(

Ordered new teeth whitening stuff today and more Morrocan Oil as have run out.

Hello, I've not been on in ages as I've been rubbish with grooming. I have to admit I've not had a pedicure or even painted my own toenails in 5 months forgive me!

However this thread was my initial motivation to get moving in the right direction. I've been drinking lots of water, having a healthy breakfast, eating much more fruit & veg and catinboots put me in the right direction of a 30 day shred thread. I am feeling much more energised and have lost 4lb so far

I'm going to keep going and now I'm starting to feel a bit more like my pre pregnancy self, I am going to buy some morrocan hair oil and teeth whitener, could someone please give me the links and give me the 20 commandments again

My 2 new ones are to actually wear at least basic make up and cut down on tea/coffee

My goal is still a christening in April, so will book in hair appointment, mani/pedi the week before.

Hope everyone else is doing well, & I'll try & keep up

Guys - good to have you back.

Catinboots, hope work calms down for you. We should all have done before & after shots!

Lavita, with four month old twins I doubt I would have time to drag a comb through my hair, so much respect for your efforts. As requested, here's the list.

Rubyrubyruby - ONE WEEK!!! It will go in a flash. God be careful with fake tan/wedding dress.

1. 8 glasses of water a day
2. Exfoliate
3. Use teeth whitener
4. Use anti-aging face cream
5. Intensive nail care (feet and hands)
6. Use eyelash growth serum OR eye cream.
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.