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!

nails are done, polished in a rather nice pale pink
intensive foot treatment on and currently in the garden soaking up what might be the last of the sun

OMG I have booked myself an appointment with a hairdresser!!! This is my first appointment in over 20 years, since a hairdresser last ruined my hair by ignoring everything I asked her to do. I've been cutting it myself ever since. I now have an appointment for 9.15 next Saturday morning

That's fab ControlGeek! Enjoy!

Despite the chaos here, it has been a relatively good day.
Ta das:
Face mask & body exfoliation in shower this morning
Bio oil on stretch marks, regular moisturiser on rest of me.

1.5L of water

Evening routine as usual including tidy up of eyebrows.

As I didn't actually get more than an hour's sleep at a time last night, healthy eating was a disaster as I got through the day on carbs & coffee!

Hi everyone, I joined the first thread and after a while of not posting I have finally got my arse in gear.
I got a manicure and my eyebrows waxed this afternoon. Am admiring my lovely new nails done in an understated nude and will book a haircut for later in the week. Found out the beautician is expecting a baby 2 months after my number 2 makes his appearance.

currently elephanting out of my clothes so I'm treating myself to some nice maternity wear next week.

Only issue left is my skin which is dry and flaky, despite drinking lots of water. Can anyone recommend skincare that's good for dry/sensitive skin?

Evening all

Control are you looking forward to going to the hairdresser? I imagine you'd be a bit apprehensive after so long! Take a picture with you....or some pins on a hair board if you have a smartphone with pinterest downloaded on it. I've had the same style for years & despite having a couple of experimental cuts over the past six or so years, my hairdresser can still follow the original cut she gave me from a picture iyswim?

Not achieved much today...didn't get in from town with the kids until gone five! I've been in the shower, exfoliated, shaved, shampooed and conditioned, moisturised, blow dried and straightened.

I have another spot brewing if anyone has a miracle cure I'd appreciate knowing it!

I didn't get chance to look at skincare today, kids were a bit toooooooo enthusiastic about being out with dp as well as me (seriously, you'd think they never ever saw the man ) but I did get a new silver sparkly bracelet and earrings, smart new purse [and replaced my holey socks - it's the small things, right!]. And dp got me some pretty new undies so am going to model them later

Have been eyeing up new coats too....£25 in Primarni.....could get a couple at that price just don't know what to get yet but got a few weeks to decide

Good evening all :)

Just a quick check in to say day 1 went very well...
Despite 12 hour shift today I managed to

Bodybrush/exfoliate/moisturise before work
not eat any crap
Moisturise my hands after (almost) every handwash
Warm water and lemon
2 litres water
Low carbs diet

Feeling so pleased I'm rewarding myself with a nice

Oh, and shred dvd is on order!

justkeeponsmiling.... is allowed, it's the weekend! I'm enjoying a nice bottle of Rekorderlig myself

Yes! Totally agree lucysman Cheers!

Can I just say, I love reading what everyone's wearing. I think it's having to wear a uniform 3-4 times a week, I love nicely dressed people. No particular style, I just like looking at people who look well put together probably because I rarely feel like that's what I look like

Does anyone know anything about sulphate free shampoo?

lucysmam I'm not sure - I think I'm more nervous, really! I'm not having anything drastic done, just having the back taken up to the shortest of my long layers so that it is all one length again. I'm going to keep my front and side layers. What coat have you seen? I could do with a new one but I'm really fussy

smiling well done, that sounds like a good day all round, to me!

Plucked a few hairs from my eyebrows last night - that's my 'first' for the week - never done that before, and probably won't be doing it again! I think I can get away with it, I don't have caterpillars or a monobrow or anything.

Yesterday's voucher spend was a bit of a fail - the skincare voucher was for Boots No 7 stuff. Not only couldn't I see anything I fancied buying, but it was all somewhere between £20-£30!!! Got two lip lacquers with the makeup voucher but was very unimpressed with the range. I know we don't have the largest store in the world, but three eyeshadows?? All horribly overpriced, too. Think I'll stick to Maybelline in future.

Managed to ruin my favourite smart-casual top yesterday, too - mixing up an oil and mustard dressing for the salad, I flicked a load over me so now have lovely oil stains on pale grey jersey.

tartiflette I've used a few, you need one silicone free too as if your shampoo or conditioner with silicone in you need the sulphate to wash it away otherwise it builds up ime.
The L'oreal Everpure are nice but not all silicone free, Liz Earle shampoo & conditioner are good too.
I've bought a new Gliss one from the £1 shop but not tried it yet.
You also need more water to get a foam, it's tempting to use more shampoo but if there's not enough lather then add more water.
It's really helped my hair.

100 days to go

Good morning

I'm just up after a lovely lie in (except dp has done nothing today so there's still three wash loads to go in and braising steak to put on for tea )

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/stainremoval/ht/Removing-Cooking-And-Vegetable-Oil-Stains.htm for Control

Link is to a how to remove cooking oil stains how to, hopefully your top is not wrecked!

I forgot to mention yesterday, vitamins and supplements are on 3for2 in Sainsburys if anyone needs to stock up

there was something else too but I can't remember....sure I'll be back (when somethig gets done around here)

bugger link fail

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/stainremoval/ht/Removing-Cooking-And-Vegetable-Oil-Stains.htm try again

last chance

housekeeping.about.com/od/stainremoval/ht/Removing-Cooking-And-Vegetable-Oil-Stains.htm

Done the improved version of the morning routine:)

Right, now the house is back in some kind of order and braising steak is cooking happily I'll crack on with my morning routine!

Tonight's plan is face mask, shower, moisturise, take off all nail polish (inc. toes), check eyebrows, dry and straighten hair and then sit on my bum to paint my nails...

The other thing I forgot to tell you was ....that Poundland have those sprays that dry nail polish fast in stock so I got one not expecting it to work & used it the other night.....it worked! I sat for an hour flicking through telly and on mn and they were bone dry. Am going to get another before they're all gone!

I've dry body brushed, showered, shaved and have an Eve Lom face mask on. I forgot to moisturise and use my pedi thing. I did flexitol my feet though.

I'll gave you all know I am wearing make up, dress, tiny earrings, necklace, done my hair and.... my very very old slippers! Can't buy new ones, I get some from the continental santa on christmas eve.
I put the bamboo gloves and hand cream by the bed, ready for the evening:)

have not gave!

Face mask washed off, eye cream & moisturiser applied. Should go moisturise my legs but I'm sitting down and am feeling lazy.

Go do those legs Helga!!

My morning routine is all done, except the hot water and lemon....dp forgot and brought me a cuppa up to bed so I drank it!

I'm not dressed yet though still mooching around in my dressing gown half listening to dd1 read (she's more than capable of doing the book without help & will ask if she needs help - am not being neglectful!)

Just going to run the kids a bubble bath so I have time to dry dd1's hair properly....always forget hers doesn't bother her in summer but is cooler now

Control I have spied pink Primark coat in In Style, that's got an asymmetric zip and is fairly bright for £25. They haven't got it in our local one yet though. And a creamy coloured one, double breasted & fitted on top and more of a 'skirt' from the waist, that's £25 too! Might see if dp will get me one for Christmas and get the other soonish to replace my threadbare red one. That's not done bad though for a £25 primarni one....must have had it three years, if not more!

So... Part of my mindfulness program comes in... I have a birthday card to send. I normally am really rubbish at writing them, happy birthday dear X, love dilidali. I am making myself put more effort into it. The cards are always chosen for that person, so I am happy with it, but not with the content.
Heeeeeeelp!

Dilidali I am useless at meaningful cards too, I do well at choosing something appropriate then get lost at writing a decent message in them

felt sad today, went to go outdoors for the first time -bargain of the year for dh with new walking boots half price and in ginormous ogre sized feet size too-but all the lovely half price outdoor jackets are for normal sized people. must diet