Operation Renovation - aka The Christmas Countdown

[HelgatheHairy]

It's 115 days to Christmas Eve!

You can use this thread exactly like you were using the previous thread to keep track of what you're doing, have lists, ask advice etc. As its about renovation rather than strictly beauty, nothing is off limits so beauty, clothes, exercise, healthy eating.

So here we go!

Aaaargh I chipped a nail in work this morning and it has all split, which means I will have to file all of the others down to match.

I needed that like a hole in the head.

He's an American cocker spaniel, normally he is lovely.

Control geek, this is probably a stupid question but how did you do it with the steamer? I have one so could do that too...

karbea mine's handheld, with a load of different nozzles. I used the one that looks like a miniature vaccuum cleaner and just really scrubbed away at it (after going at it with a cloth and bleach). I used a cloth to wipe away the moisture that gathered on the surface, and just went at it for about 10 minutes. Was so relieved, as the mattress was pretty new and bloody expensive and I really thought I was going to have to get a new one. Your pup sounds lovely - dogs that age are still learning, and rain really puts them off until they can get used to being walked in all weathers.

DD1 has now come down with (unrelated I think) vomiting. But I am at least being diligent at applying hand cream after each time (many hundreds of times) I wash my hands.

I suspect by tomorrow the bags under my eyes will be suitcases (anyone know a good product for bags under eyes? Mine are always pretty bad)

ControlGeek - I like your thinking - a reverse 5:2, what about weekends though? I find I am good all day Saturday but come Saturday night the wine, crisps and chocolate come out! So maybe 4:3 is more realistic!

What sort of skincare do you need? Cleanser, moisturiser etc? I would just get a cheapie cleanser and spend more on the moisturiser. Although the best moisturiser I have used is the Aldi one! How about a nice face pack or scrub?

Karbea - I have a 7 month old pup, he is not allowed upstairs so no peeing on the bed but plenty of other mischief (had to throw shoes away yesterday but fortunately they were the old ones I use to go out in the garden with him!). My fault for leaving them in his reach!

White vinegar is good for washing anything that smells of "pet" btw.

VVViola - hope your dd is better soon.

Where do you buy white vinegar?

karbea most supermarkets have white vinegar. The label says distilled malt vinegar on my bottle

Am just doing tea for myself and dd2, tuna for me, fishfingers for her with herby new pots and peas. Then we're off in the bath, it'll probably not be relaxing . I'll have to remember to rinse my hair with the shower though before we get out.

Is anyone else drinking more water? I've been drinking near on 2L a day for what feels like forever now in the hopes it might help improve my complexion (along with everything else) but I don't look that different so maybe it's all a myth Plus have cut out caffiene too.

cut out caffiene but not totally.....I NEED* it in a morning

vvviola oh dear, not a good week in your household! Hope all snot and vom passes quickly.

ILikeToClean 4:3 sounds good I'm not sure what I need to be honest, my Anew range does pretty much everything, including a cleanser, day and night moisturiser and an anti-ageing eye cream with light reflector! I guess I could just mooch and see what takes my fancy.

lucysmam I am when I remember, but I still find my skin follows my hormone cycle. I get less bloated when I drink water consistently though.

Ok, just been shopping and got the following to start me off:
Botanics dry body brush
Soap and glory exfoliating mittens
Olay anti ageing facecream for 30+
Olay anti ageing eye cream
Garnier hand repair cream
Garnier hydra lock body cream
Avocados
Lemons
Green tea
Fruit
Greek yoghurt

Roll on tomorrow :)

Also arranged to go to circuit training with a friend on monday, as it's only a couple of pounds, whereas the Shred dvds are quite expensive and I'm on a budget, otherwise I would give it a go...

Had a good giggle earlier when I read the back of my new eye cream which said "avoid contact with eyes", funny!

I am drinking more water but constantly on the loo now! It does make me feel less sluggish so am really trying but I do love my tea, trying to have just 2-3 cups a day. More biscuits at work today but am going for a 3 mile walk tonight with a friend so will probably just have soup when I'm back!

Justkeeponsmiling - wow good haul of products!

Shred DVD is £5 on amazon so fairly cheap - I must do it in the morning!!

I got to shower! And shave, wash hair, moisturise, wash face. Used Flexitol on my feet and have fresh clothes on. Feel human again.

I have started drinking one cup of nespresso coffee everyday. Along with 2 cups of tea. I am drinking 2L of water though. I seem to be able to tell how hydrated I am by my lips. If I'm not drinking enough water my lips get really dry and cracked and lip balm makes no difference.

Lucysman I found that drinking loads of water plus drinking a couple of cups of green tea a day did make a difference to my complexion in the past, so I'm trying it again now, hoping for similar results!

ControlGeek my diet gets really bad when I'm working so I'm planning on leaving all spare cash at home (not tempted to buy from vending machines) and bringing loads of healthy stuff in so won't be tempted by all the chocolate and biccies we'll see! I can't wear nail varnish at work but will bring my new handcream in and try to use regularly and save nailvarnish for monday when I'm off. Will also do mu feet then I thing, I painted my toes about 2 weeks ago, they look shameful now!

Iliketoclean really? I looked at it a few months ago, the one I looked at was ridiculously expensive, like £70 or something, it consisted of several dvds, I wonder if I'm confusing it with something else?!
If it's only a fiver I'll definitely buy it!

I just realised - confused "the shred" with the "insanity workout" dvd. Douh!

smiling I have yet to sort my toes out, there is still a crescent on my big toes that sports the last varnish I put on, all the others have grown out of it!

Ohhh and in today's team meeting at work, my manager announced that he had applied for budget to create a specialist role (ie hopefully higher grade/money) in the area I work - and I'm the only one in my team with experience in that area! Am now going to continue to put all of my efforts into dressing for the job I want, not the job I have.

Had a swim (not much time this week so managed 8 woosey lengths)

Hair now in henna wax .
After dinner I'm planning to escape to the bathroom with a magazine and a long soak.

I bought a couple of nice jumpers today. One deep plum , one grey. Very autumnal

Helga....yay to feeling human again! I love that fresh out of the shower & pampered a bit feeling

justkeeponsmiling I'll persevere with the water and maybe add some green tea to my shop in that case!

Control new job you're the only one with experience for, eh? Onwards and upwards!

Bath was erm....fun...but certainly not productive with dd2 in there

I ended up jumping in the shower when the small one went to bed so I could wash my hair, exfoliate, pumice my feet and then moisturise all over without having to share & explain everything I'm doing

I didn't shave....cba (am usually 3/4 done with my evening routine when the kids go to bed)....but will do tomorrow.

Dp is bringing kebabs on his way from work & I have a scrummy bottle of Rekorderlig to keep me company until then . In fairness though, any kind of takeaway is rare here because I enjoy cooking so just crack on with it.

I forgot to get dp to take my nail polish off my toes (Control I didn't literally mean remove my toes , that made me smile earlier - my oldest is very literal too) & the only gloves I have are rubber washing up gloves, no idea if the nail polish remover will melt them Anyone any idea?

Am just about to read a skin care article in In Style & do a bit of googling, see if there's a natural way (and maybe cheaper than products) to deal with large pores....we shall see

Hi all,

Very productive day, several ta dahs:

1. Face mask on this morning
2. Defuzzed
3. Blow dry done
4. Walked 5 miles
5. Body moisturised
6. Manicure done
7. Pedicure done
8. Brows threaded

Not so good on the water intake though, managed herbal teas instead of diet coke though!

I also baked some cakes for a friend and obviously had to taste test one...

Justkeeponsmiling at the insane £70 DVD!

101 days to go

ta da
hair washed and conditioned
showered
shaved

to do
nails and these must be done
lose 5 stones before the 27th sept

Today's to-do list:
Buy In Style magazine in the hope of that elasticizer freebie (still not managed to do that yet)
FIND my Boots voucher (then spend it)
Put make up on
Choose earrings for today
redo nail varnish

Today's ta-da list:
Hair oiled (DP loves the smell, not sure whether it's even worth bothering with perfume any more!)
Hot lemon water
Fasting (day 1 of this week)
Dressed nice though casual - blue skinnies, grey long sleeved jersey top (it's my only day not working this week, have given myself permission to go seriously casual!)

Hello

Just on my way to town with the girls. Wearing indigo skinnies, heather ish coloured fine knit with my brown boots and red bag. Remembered earrings too. Have put coats on the three of us but the sun's come out so will end up carrying those probably

Morning routine was done by 8am . I was reading about large pores last night, think I need to use something more gentle on my face so going to have a look while we're out.

Not sure of my plan for tonight yet so will update with that when we get in