The February Fabulizers - Where we turn chores into habits and accept compliments gracefully

[TrampyPants]

New thread for a new month! Everyone is doing so well, we are forming some great habits and, hopefully, feeling better for it.

some good links:

How To Be Groomed thread

Discount Make-up and Toiletries
Cheap Smells
Fragrance Direct
Xtras Online
Look Fantastic

Its also worth joining groups like wowcher and Groupon for discount manicures etc.

Baby steps are the way forward, and if you fall off the wagon and have a pj day (or week) its ok, just jump back on. We want to take more pride in our appearance, make an effort. As one poster said, "we think there's no point making an effort if we are just at home with our DP's and DC's, but they are the most important people in our lives - why not act like it?" I certainly feel better, my self-esteem is higher and I have more confidence.

All welcome.

Happy Fabulizing Dahhlinks

The la redoute website looks to have some nice things on it but I havent used them yet

Yes Store 21 not Studio, I'm confusing them with studio 54 or something.
Bought the £7.99 trousers in navy, no grey ones left!

I really didn't like the River Island jacket when I saw it irl today. Always disappointing when that happens. But at £60 it's probably just as well!

Hi Fabulizers,
I've bend lurking but not posting as I was a bit bedraggled from work drama and sick kids. Wearing matching shoes was about the limits of my clothing finesse. However, by Friday I had dragged myself out of the grumps and wore my new, lovely Monsoon skinny navy trousers and a navy print silk top, and felt pretty good.
Today was a all black ensemble with a Zara skull scarf and dangly gold bee earrings. I took off for a little mum date to Brighton with my eldest DD aged 5, which was really fun. The husband said my bum was 'much smaller', which is a bit optimistic but made me very happy all the same.
So I hope all's well with you, and that you're feeling ok today Trampy.

Guy I am having to go cheapo with everything at the moment through necessity as I need so many clothes and I don't know whether they'll end up being too big for me if I lose more weight again. I'm probably not brave enough for everything's a fiver though...

I'll have a look for those trousers in Store 21 bleeding, I could do with something that wasn't jeans or leggings.

Ambassador bee earrings sound lovely, do you have a link? And well done on the bum size compliment!

I went for my first run in almost 4 weeks (I've been recovering from a chest infection) and it felt great. Was also a little bit odd to be running in daylight - I go out about 6.30am and obviously 4 weeks ago it was still really dark!

I haven't lost any more weight this week, but I measured myself and I have lost another inch from around my waist. I have now lost nine inches altogether

Not sure what I'm going to wear today yet when I've changed out of my running gear, quite possibly leggings and a stripey tunic again as I'm not going far. I need to take my nail varnish off at some point - I painted them a sort of coral/orange colour after the Shellac came off but I'm back in work tomorrow and it won't last five minutes without chipping.

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday!

Jemima - great on the running! I really should get my arse out there too. I was looking pretty lovely today however now Im home again and not planning on going back out Ive been and put my joggers on, and will prob have a glass of wine whilst dinner is cooking 9 inches?! That is amazing! Well done! Dh says my thighs are definitely trimmer than they were but Id like them a bit better still, they dont look how I want them to in skinnies yet

I went to a Next for those hareem trousers, but they only had size 6 or 10 or bigger and Im after an 8. Mil is from the west mids so she's going to have a look for a pair for me this week

I also want a skull scarf. Must find one...

Well today I DROVE!! First time in months on actual roads and not tootling round a carpark. I was shaking like a mad thing when I parked up, and I didnt make it all the way home - stopped a couple of streets away and dh did the rest. As is my way, Im mainly focusing on the bits that I dont feel were good enough and I actually cried when I got in (because of the adrenaline I guess) and feeling like a failure that I didnt manage it right to our house. Dh tells me I drove about 7 miles, and that I really didnt do as badly as Im telling myself I did. Im now worried that not managing a 'perfect' drive will make it more difficult to try again, if that makes sense. Ive had the car a few months but this was the first time Ive driven it on the road and I cant help comparing it to the car I had previously. Anyway at least its a start. I wanted to say a big thanks to you lot for your kind words on the subject, Im sure they helped me today. xx

Back to topic - I went to Peacocks to look for those black and grey jackets, just incase, you understand Couldnt see them in there anywhere however I did pick up a nice black and white striped blazer. Looks fab and I reckon it'll be cool with blue skinnies and a vest top or something.

Id love some dangly earrings but can only wear silver and gold etc, cheap earrings like you see in clothes shops make my ears sore, though to be fair I havent tried any for years. Anyone used to have this problem and now find they dont? Eg are they now coated to stop any irritation or anything? Wish Id picked some up now, theyre always on bloody sale arent they I especially want some shoulder skimming ones!

Failing that, anyone know of anywhere that sells nice silver earrings but on the cheap side? Does such a place exist?!

Hope you're all having a lovely sunday too

Well done on the driving Guy!!!!

I'm sure earrings from high street fashion stores used to make my ears sore when I was younger, but I seem to be able to wear them now. No idea what is different. I don't sleep in them though as I seem to remember that made my ears really sore.

Decided to paint my nails a sort of dark mauve colour (which sounds horrible but is actually quite nice). I will regret this decision tomorrow when it chips in work, I'll probably be back to clear by Tuesday.

I have decided on an outfit for tomorrow, clothes planning was more interesting than lesson planning. I will be wearing straight leg jeans, a charcoal and white long sleeved stripey top, a grey cardigan with elbow patches, a butterfly print scarf and converse high tops.

I have a PTA meeting at my children's school tomorrow night, and as I am the secretary I have to sit next to the Head at the front where everyone can see me. I hate it. So extra effort on flawless hair and clothes will be needed!

Thank you Jemima

Well I shall now no longer ignore all the cheapo jewellery from now on! I'll have a nose and see what sales are on, topshop and peacocks always seem to have this type of jewellery on sale.

Your nails sound nice! Ive just painted mine a fawn colour, was one of those Nails Inc ones that 'Instyle' mag give away every now and again. They usually do four colours, and at £2 per mag you cant really argue when theyre usually £11 a pop.

Ive decided to try and get up earlier than usual from now on, the mornings are getting lighter and if I can manage to aim to be up at 6am it gives me time to drive, or run, or sort out how Im looking and not be in a mad rush.

Well done on the drive Guy, that's really good progress.

Evening Fabulizers,

Have stayed away this week so as not to bring the thread down with my tales of snot and woe. Finally feeling better and ready to go out in public tomorrow. Haven?t worn a scrap of make-up for a week so ready to start planning my outfits and have some fun

Have just had a Sunday night pampering shower (buffed, scrubbed, shaved, moisturized). Used a hair mask and blow dried hair.

So tomorrow will be wearing light bootcut jeans with yellow belt, navy T and cardigan with a nice necklace. Home day tomorrow so not strictly speaking out in public but nice to look nice (actually I picked out something else to wear first, but then decided it was too awesome not to be seen and so have saved it for one of my work days this week ). I have planned my outfit for Wednesday (low impact day so don?t have to walk all over the school) and am going to wear heels!

Forgot to describe my dress to you trampy . It?s slash neck, sleeveless, sits on the knee, navy and cream stripes ? more navy at top with thin cream stripes and then balances in the middle, then thicker white stripes with thin navy at the bottom ? has a tie feature on one hip so it rucks slightly across the stomach. Really flattering. Looked great with my hair down and nude heels.

Guy sorry to hear you?re having such a hard time with driving. I still get bad anxiety about driving somewhere I don?t know and having to park. I have nightmares about parking in strange places!

I would def wear wedding blazer Guy I am waiting to be pregnant with number 2 so that I can wear my wedding dress again (though someone will have to have a party?think I?d look a bit silly going to work in rose lace!).

Trampy sorry to hear you weren?t well last week. Hope you?re doing better now.

Well done on weight loss jemima I?m hoping to get out running again this week. Really should step on the scales and see what the damage is form my jaunt to UK the other weekend (pub dinner/Chinese takeaway/mum?s roast?oouch!).

I?ve never really worn dangly earrings (find them too much with glasses) and have never really managed to wear scarves. They never feel like ?me? iyswim.

Okay, epic post!

Well done on the driving Guy - it's really ok to make the odd mistake you know, even v experienced drivers do it! Tbh it doesn't really matter unless you are endangering life in the process! So if you have a neg thought, can I suggest you stop yourself and instead remind yourself of something you did well today?

I wore a skirt today! (Unheard of for me) denim mini over black leggings, black top, fitted leopard print cardi, black biker boots. V pleased with myself

I found lots of earrings on sale in Boots this year. I'm not a fan of dangly except for going out in the evening, I tend to wear ball shaped studs. But they had lots of different types.

I love scarves though, and don't quite feel dressed without one!

I have just pinned '40 ways to wear scarves' jemima so time to step out of my comfort zone tomorrow!

Can we have a link engel?

truebluemeandyou.tumblr.com/post/22126649469/fifty-ways-to-tie-a-scarf-from-scarves-dot-net

It was linked to this blog. Am off into town now to buy a scarf and look for some cool tights!

Morning all, hope you've had a good weekend. nails sound fab!

thank you Jemima, I shall make a wee purchase tomorrow

guy, Ive looked on the fiver website, Im not convinced either. I like sale stuff. what blazers have you ordered? WELL DONE on the driving! baby steps, you did really well. I had sensitive ears as a kid, but am fine now too.

always, shame about the jacket

Ambassador, good to have you back! hows tricks?

Engels, hope you are feeling better, the dress sounds swoonsome!! and thank you for the scarves link.

Ive been a bit sore and hormonal this weekend, we went bowling, ds puked everywhere and Im exhausted, genuinely feel like Ive not slept for a month. first day of the holidays and am a bit scruffy today, about to get dressed, I KNOW!

no idea what to wear, my legs look like bloody sausages today.

Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate them. I havent gone out in it today though, really would rather have dh with me for a couple more times. I want to find somewhere quieter and really get to know the biting point etc etc It felt a bit like guesswork yesterday, which I dont like but dh reminded me that I didnt stall so my feet 'knew' what to do even if my head was a bit panicky and my heart racing, and there was me worried Id forgotten it all

Im really sorry to have brought all this on to the thread tho! Umm well in keeping with the fashion of the thread I'll say that my car is a lovely dark blue/black colour and in need of a good clean

Mondays are my blitz the housework and be a bit lazy day, I took the kids to school, went to sainsburys, cleaned the house and then got tonights dinner ready to go. So Im wearing THAT dress, grey cardy, black jeggings and biker boots.

Hope you all have a lovely day x

Morning Trampy! Been wondering how you are Aw sounds like you had a tough wknd, how is ds this morning? Be kind to yourself today My kids were off last week for half term, Im quite missing them today.

dont be daft, this is a lovely thread for us to talk on. if it was just a list of what we were wearing itd be dull as!

I have housework to do too, but really CBA. bad wife and mother so Im being lazy, ds is fine now, Im on the sofa while he plays on the wii.

guy the beauty of MN is that you can pretty much talk about anything you want, no matter what the thread title. I'm on one of the good housekeeping threads and chatter A LOT about all things mostly completetly unrelated to my house

Back from town! Picked up...

Burgundy skinnies from New Look 25 euros - amazing to actually find some that fit me properly (i.e. don't need rolling up)
Black cardi from H&M - 10 euros (boring but necessary)
Yellow and off-white striped cardi from H&M - 15 euros (to go with new blue skirt)
Yellow/off-white striped scarf to experiment with - 9 euros from Duct dept store
Heart drop pendant - 14 euros accessorize

So am now replanning my outfit for tomorrow Am thinking..
Burgundy skinnies with tan belt
White T
Black cardigan
Blue ballet pumps
New necklace
Glasses on and hair down

If I was feeling brave I would go for nude heels but have 7 lessons (4 of which are drama) so thinking I'll save them for a minimal walking day

Okay, DS asleep so going to do some work now.

Engels, well done on your finds! They sound ace. And outfit sounds perfect.

I am dressed, finally. Burgundy skinny cords with ankle zips, stripy loose top, grey cardi and Grey ankle boots. No make up today. It's my rest day.

The Oasis jackets arrived, I like them but as I'm not really used to wearing such things I'm wondering if I look daft. How long are the sleeves meant to be? - where should the cuffs end? I'd say when I put my arms straight down they are about mid-palm length which I'm not sure is too long, however I've just tried my other jackets an the sleeves are the same, and who walks with their arms straight down anyway I think its cos I'm so used to wearing something that covers my front, and obviously jackets are open.

Also - because the jackets have that shiny lining (and from the topshop pics the one I like in there too has the same) when you want to fold the sleeves up a bit they're a bit fiddly because the lining is smooth, and a bit slippery if you get me. Those of you with such jackets - do you adjust as and when? Am I expecting far too much and therefore finding fault? The topshop one has 3/4 length sleeves, whereas these are full length but I could obv wear them how I wanted so are the more tempting at the moment, but I'd like opinions please! I think also the guilt of spending on myself is kicking in a bit, this happens a lot an I talk myself out of stuff an then kick myself for it dh says should go for it and not worry.

Wish I had one of you lot here for purchase decisions lol (sorry for mucho boring jacket post)

I turn my sleeves up 2-3 times so that the lining is visible. But I like sleeves poking out.

Engels - sounds like a successful shopping trip! Tomorrows outfit sounds nice.

Trampy - outfit sounds lovely!

Anyone here need to go on a diet? I keep trying and failing.

Trampy - thanks, I reckon that most jackets will have me feeling like this so its just 'one of those things'. I'll be wearing them with the sleeves rolled up too so Im prob making a fuss over nothing... Shall I keep them then?

twinkle - Ive been low carbing on and off for months, its the thing that really works for me. Ive been doing Biwi's bootcamp in the big/slim/whatever section of the board, you may find some info there as Biwi really knows what shes on about and everyone is really supportive and encouraging. Occasionally I fancy something I shouldnt have, like buttery jammy toast but I know if I ate it Id bloat terribly and then get stomach cramps so Im not sure I was meant to eat much wheat etc anyway. If anything I eat better now than before - more veg and salad, good fats and protein. Getting through the sugar cravings is tough but the low carb threads help you through, and after a few days you feel much better!