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

And today am wearing...

New turquoise skinnies with skinny yellow belt
Short sleeve navy T tucked in (over black cami)
Short grey cardi with 3/4 length sleeves
Green/yellow glass bead necklace that my Dsis brought back from India and I've never worn
basic make-up which will redo and glam up when I go out tonight for sushi night at a friend's house

Not sure about shoes yet. Too wet and cold for blue ballet pumps so may be brown lace up boots or dark blue converse hi-tops.

I even emailed my youngest Dsis last night (who once told me and other Dsis with a sigh that it was such a shame that we weren't more fashionable so she could steal our clothes ) to ask her to recommend me some style blogs and have joined pinterest.

Fashion fever continues

Im with you Engels, Ive got various items that I could really do with using up... Im using a little each day and not allowing myself to buy anymore unless its amazing

Today Ive made much more of an effort - black leggings with a black mini over the top (Id like the leggings and skirt combo from allsaints but I cant see them lasting any longer than normal leggings, plus I cant spend that on leggings...) a grey vest top, a charcoal grey shirt done up but not tucked in, and a large black baggy cardy, kinda shrug type but longer so its around my bottom and black biker boots.

Hair is in a side plait, side fringe. Makeup is bb cream, powder, highlighter on cheekbones, just under brows, cupids bow. Rimmel blusher, black eyeliner, black mascara! No lippy as yet as Im having a coffee but no guesses as to what colour I'll pick

And all this to tidy the house? My mood is lovely so its worth it. I dont even mind that the kids are refusing to get dressed and I have a mountain of washing to do

Today I am wearing jeans, black vest top, black 3/4 length sleeve cardi, black converse, green chunky wooden necklace. Will be wearing black coat and elephant scarf to go out. Today's bag is a small red Fat Face across the body bag.

Taking DD to hairdresser this morning so have made a special effort with my hair . Then going to see the performance at DS2's theatre with the yummy mummy brigade (and I use that term in horror not in admiration!), so have to remember make up for touching up in my bag.

Also going to have a quick look in the dregs of the Monsoon sale for any bargains as I am passing on my way to Costa plus need to get some cotton wool pads or my cleansing routine will quickly die a death when I run out (thanks for reminding me Engels!)

Ooh Engels I love your outfit! Id love to be able to wear skinnies and a skinny belt, rather than something to cover my thighs I really want a grey cardy like you mention too

I'm impressed that so many of you are already up and looking fabulous. I did a spin class last night and I'm now lying in bed wincing every time I move!

Jemima your outfit sounds lovely too, I really want one of those scarves! I love elephants, and orange, so thats the one Im after. Hope you have a really nice day

Always I admire you for your spin class! Bet your legs are agony today... A friend of mine goes to double spin classes, one after the other Ive never been to a spin class before but it sounds pretty tough, Id be surprised if I made it through just the one class

My cardi is from fat face. Is a 12 and has got a bit tight, so even though I bought it to wear buttoned up (or poppered up!) I can't anymore, so I wear great it open or just with the top popper done up (has a round neck).

Guy this is the first time in my life I have ever worn skinnies. I always told myself they drew too much attention to my thighs and stomach and made me look like a short arse, but actually they look pretty good so much so that I would now like to go and buy some more

I love the sound of a side plait guy. I am definitely going to start looking at different ideas for my hair. It's down at the moment and feeling lovely from hair mask last night, but I think my next evening in front of the tv will be hair night. I have a set of heated rolelrs I bought for when I got married 2011 and have only used them a few times. And jemima you've reminded me that I really need to go to the hairdressers!

I agree about making an effort=feeling good - I'm off to tackle the washing now as well!

I am very excited - my sister was at a Dermalogica event at her local salong during the week and she's bought me the starter kit for sensitive skin. She says everything looks a decent size so should last a while. I'm kind of hoping I don't like it though because it is £££!

Always - that kit sounds lovely, how thoughtful! I remember my friend was telling me a few years back that her friend gave her loads of various dermalogica items for xmas (her friend owns a beauty salon), only my friend hadnt heard of the brand. She said it 'looked shit' and threw it all away.

I was and my friend was all 'what?'

Ive never tried it but I do hear it raved about. Maybe when I somehow earn my fortune I shall treat myself!

Engels - Ive never set foot in fat face. Theres one near me but its situated where all the more 'expensive' shops are located and so I rarely venture to that part if Im clothes shopping. I should next time, I may surprise myself! I enjoy a side plait/ponytail, its less severe than having it all pulled back and you can soften it up. I sometimes wear a huge flower clip/hairband so that the flower is situated just under my ear (if that makes sense) I think its pretty cute and contrasts well (I think) with more dramatic eye makeup.

issimma that dress is gorgeous - what a great shape, it's pretty much out of stock, but I'll keep an eye out for something similar. How long have you been working from home?

Today I'm wearing purple skinnies, purple/grey striped t-shirt, grey shrug, and purple/navy batik style scarf and grey slippers!

Guy it will need to be amazing for me to justify the price. But now that I'm in my 40s I probably do need to invest in something more intense rather than going for the cheapest Superdrug option.
As we have a shiny new thread, I've decided to adopt a shiny new attitude. I can't do a lot about my clothes just now because I don't have a lot of money (although I have ordered a bargainous pair of boots from eBay thanks to Trampy).
But I do have plenty of products that I should be making more of. So, for now, I'll concentrate on my face and body and getting into a really good skincare routine. I'm upping my exercise levels too.
So hopefully when I do get some new clothes they will just be the icing on the cake!

Engelsemama love the sound of the turquoise skinnies and yellow belt, so I'e just added a red skinny belt to my purple skinnies, not sure it really works but it's the only colour I have! Right I'm of to make macaroons and cookies to take to friends tonight (I won't eat any Guy!)

I know a lot of people hate ff but I have some nice stuff from there and also some not so good stuff

am joining you with upping exercise levels always - am off for a run with a friend in an hour (which will be a great excuse to spend time redoing my make up when I get back!)

Thats a good idea Always, I should be doing more exercise too...

Gibbs - I think red belt and purple skinnies would look cool. So keep it on! Mucho impressed with the baking, I tried making cookies once and they turned out crap. Macaroons look amazing (Ive never tried them though) I doubt I could manage to bake them either... Sending you strong willpower vibes I baked 2 cakes recently and didnt so much as lick the spoon lol

Hope your run is good Engels, Id like a running partner but can I rope any of my friends in? Hell no. It gets mighty boring running by myself sometimes, and Ive had winter off completely so will be back to square one.

Thx Trampy for the link to the boots. They are exactly what I mean. However, I found some knee high leather boots in my spare room that I hadn't worn for ages. The are leather with a small brown heel. I got them reheeled and they are as good as new! So will be wearing those (trying to save money here too!) for the forseeable still want Kate's boots though

I do have quite a few work jackets - mission for this weekend is to sort out wardrobe and put everything that doesn't fit me in the loft, with the hope of getting back into them soon. Not at the stage where I'm ready to throw clothes out as I generally love all my purchases!

Engelsemama - love the sound of your outfit :)

I'm still in my PJS giving the whole house a good scrub and clearout. We are out for dinner later so will change into one of my many dress, tights and aforementioned boots combo. Will update once I know which dress.

Also this thread has reminded me that I need to order some contact lenses instead of slumming it in my glasses all the time!

Always well done you - spin classes scare the living daylights out of me! I run too Engels and Guy but I much prefer to run on my own. I go out at 6.30am before the kids are up and really like the fact that it is half an hour to myself to clear my head. Will be glad when this cough has cleared up and I can get back to it.

Went for a wander around the shops this morning while DS1 was playing football and DS2 was in drama club. Lots of nice things in Monsoon but they just don't seem to fit my shape now. So I ended up next door in New Look, which I very rarely shop in. Ended up buying a hoodie which looks nice with jeans and converse and a black and white stripe top Neither are very glam, but I tend to dress quite casually and I find as long as my hair and make up are done tidily casual suits me.

I also saw a lovely scarf with an owl print and DD is going to show it to DH as a present idea for my birthday next month.

I was chatting to one of DD's friends' mum last week about losing weight and she asked me what size I am now. She has just popped round 2 pairs of jeans in my size that were apparently "tormenting" her in her wardrobe as she hasn't fit into them since having her second baby and she doesn't think she is likely to fit into them again anytime soon. They fit perfectly. So I now have another 2 pairs of jeans.

Went to Boots to get some more cotton wool pads for my cleansing routine. Also bought some proper eye make up remover so that I don't wake up in the morning with panda eyes. Then a set of different coloured stud earrings fell into my basket too - I don't tend to like wearing big earrings if I have a chunky necklace on so studs will be ideal.

Oh and I survived hanging out with the yummy mummy brigade

I dont always mind running alone, but sometimes I wouldnt mind a run and a natter I get up and go out early too, as some days I feel too self conscious to do it any other time of day

Well done on the new jeans Jemima! Im still after a perfect pair of jeans.

I bought 2 pairs of lovely suede gloves years back, but havent worn either because they are slightly too long for my stumpy fingers. Havent been able to part with them until now though because theyre so nice but lets face it Im not going to wear them. One pair is a royal blue kinda colour, and the other pair (my fave) are a mustard colour Id say. Think they were from Accessorize. I should get them on ebay but I really cant be arsed

I also want some long drop earrings, Im talking almost shoulder skimming.

This thread is costing me! lol

I spent the morning glamourising myself! Had a bath and used my Soap n Glory peaches face wash with my Clarisonic. Used body scrub and then de-fuzzed my legs. Also put on a deep conditioning treatment that my hairdresser gave me.
I wasn't going to put on make-up but decided just to go for it. My boss gave me some Clarins Beauty Flash Balm for Christmas so I decided to give it a go. I'm not sure about what it's actually meant to do. Does anyone else use it?
So all that effort and I just popped out to Aldi for half an hour and am now back home for the rest of the day!
Oh - and I'm doing another spin class tomorrow if anyone wants to join me;

I used to run alone (and really enjoyed it) because I had no one to run with but the last year have been running with a friend (also a colleague) who lives in the same street as me. It makes it go really quickly and now I'm not used to running on my own anymore. Respect to you for running at 6.30am jemima - I am not a morning run kind of person. Earliest I can manage is 8.30am on a Sunday, but no way on a week day!

always I bought some beauty flash balm a few years ago and also couldn't work out exactly what I was supposed to do with it . I think some people use it as primer after their moisturiser.

Off out now after trying to work out which of my shoes goes with skinnie jeans. Have plumped for converse as my ankle boots just looked weird and is way too cold for ballerina pumps.

Hey all, quick update before I leave for dinner out.

Had a long bath and used body lotion afterwards.

Have also used toner for the first time in years, so will keep up the cleanse, tone, moisturise routine.

Outfit is:

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.spoiledbrat.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/lucymecklenburgh-star-dress-daybreak-spoiledbrat-towie.jpg&imgrefurl=www.spoiledbrat.co.uk/blog/2011/lucy-mecklenburgh-from-towie-on-daybreak-in-our-stunning-yumi-star-dress/&h=455&w=490&sz=50&tbnid=pxQOF2qMrL1uMM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=97&zoom=1&usg=__5-UIY6uXEfOOevrivr7-JMIy0CI=&docid=b3OSvz453sscPM&sa=X&ei=eFgNUc-wAsK80QXp24GwDQ&ved=0CEkQ9QEwAQ&dur=611" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this dress
black opaques
black suede ankle boots with a bow and banana heels, that have seen better days but I can't find another pair as nice!
grey cardie

And even though I'm wearing my glasses I've put on some blue eyeliner to match the dress

Blimey- I'm offline for a couple of days and you lot start a massive new thread! Only just found it.

Am thinking of having my hair all chopped off. What do people think? It's currently just a v v boring shoulder length choppy bob, but it's fine and lank looking unless I actually make myself blow dry and straighten it.

I like Beauty Flash Balm - I mix a teeny tiny bit with my foundation.

Chop it off!!