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!

98 days to go

paint I'm so sorry to hear your dentist news. It's not your fault though, and you've no need to feel embarrassed. The circumstances were completely out of your control.

lucysmam foam monster aside, those instructions worked - thank you! My top has been rescued I also managed to rescue DP's tie the same way yesterday evening after he dropped his tomato omlette all down it

Hot lemon water to start today off, and teeth thoroughly cleaned as I have my dentist appointment this morning. Hair and make up done, earrings are in - but with some difficulty. I'm trying to get both my sets of holes used to having earrings again, and my left ear is really suffering a bit. The right one seems to be coping ok but I want to be able to wear earrings whenever I like so I'm just going to have to persevere. Not my smartest clothes today, but they look co-ordinated (black trousers with beige pin stripe, beige cream and black top, black and gold butterfly earrings, black frilly cardi).

Hello everyone, just catching up. DH has been off doing an ultra marathon for four days so I've been alone with 2.5yo and 3 month old, not a lot of time for pampering! I have been keeping up with morning and evening routines, taken imedeen and hot water and lemon, drunk 3l of water a day and shaved my legs. He's home now :)

I've decided to not paint my nails for a while but instead to take off all varnish and treat them twice daily with almond oil (which a nail technician once told me is the best thing for them). Fingers and toes.

I'm on low carb boot camp which I'm loving and last week lost 2 inches from my waist!!

vvviola I'll look up devils claw ty.

Paintyourbox about the fillings and possibly losing teeth. I ought to take better care of mine really. Have never flossed! Dentist check ups for me will have to be reduced to once yearly because of the cost of them & I'll have to take better care.

I'll look up arnica gel and krill oil too...something's got to help with the pain.

Control glad the instructions saved your top! You wouldn't believe how often I splash myself when cooking

oh and vvv...yep I get very frustrated too! It doesn't often bubble over because I don't see the point in huffing and puffing and making us miserable but was fed up yesterday & it all came out. Still feeling a tad delicate today but think that's partly down to nerves about hospital.

Today is not shaping up to be my day so far either dd2 fell and grazed her hands on the way to the bus stop ..she cried....and I cried . She threw a strop on the bus which almost set me off again. Am not snotty or blotchy though this time which is a bonus!

Morning routine is all done. Am at dp's mums waiting for her to get sorted to go to the hospital. Lunch today will probably be of the greggs variety as dd's appointment is at 11 but we always end up waiting hours for this particular consultant

I need to start getting up half an hour earlier though so I'm pretty much done before everyone else, feel a bit rushed lately

Morning everyone

I've been terrible with keeping up with this :(
I do my morning & evening skincare but I did that before so it doesn't count really.
My diet, exercise & clothes are my bad areas.

Losing my running partner has scuppered my running as her eldest provided the childcare. I'm thinking how best to sort this.
I have however straightened my hair this morning and wearing earrings & necklace so feel better for that.
Fighting the kids away from my GHDs reminded me why I don't bother though. Any tips anyone?

I'm wearing indigo skinnies, a black sheer top, with black vest underneath. I'm not remotely good as clothes/fashion but feel really good for making the effort.

bigkids I'm amazed at the amount you were able to do while DH was away - I'm struggling to do the small amount I've set myself!

lucysmam I hope your day's improved a bit, though glad you aren't snotty and blotchy today Rightly or wrongly I always blame the hormones when I have days/weeks like that. DP has finally (after more than 12 years!) learned to ask what's wrong rather than just reacting to my snappiness now (did this for the first time ever yesterday, I was like )

JemimaP Would your running partner's eldest still be interested in babysitting, so that you could carry on with your running? I know it's not the same running on your own as with someone though.

I'm so jealous of everyone wearing their skinnies each day. I have one pair, and they are starting to fade and fray at the knees now despite my best efforts. I do get fed up of wearing work clothes all the time, especially in this weather. If I dress to be comfortable getting to and from work, I'm melting while I'm at work. If I dress for the office temperature, I'm shivering on the way there - and it's only September!

The dentist didn't go particularly well this morning. The filling was right at the back, and though I had the loveliest dentist, she gave me the injection from hell and I may have cried a little I'm only just able to start feeling my lips and tongue again now. That's it for 6 months now though, thank goodness.

I really need to step up my exercise. I've done a bit more walking than usual in the last couple of weeks, but need to knuckle down to the shred. AF is due on Thursday or Friday though, so I think I'll wait until her visit is out of the way first.

bigkids I have the same aged DCs, and can't find a huge amount of time for pampering as DH works shifts so apart from the joyous time (this hour) when they are both napping I have one or other needing feeding/ playing/ changing.

Ta da for today though ... managed the shred while DD1 went to preschool and DD2 watched before her feed, exercise instead of hoovering or cleaning bathroom :-). Have drunk a reasonable amount of water so far.

Not bad for 6 hours sleep, thanks DD2

Awww control that injection sounds horrible! So glad you now get to escape for 6 months. I have to go every 3 months at the moment!

Hope things went okay with your daughters appointment lucysmam

Today is a horrible day here- it's freezing and pouring with rain. Dd is full of snot and although I took her to the library for story corner, she slept right the way through.

I did get quite a bit done this morning- shaved my legs, moisturised all over, put cellulite cream on, used my foot file (my feet look great at the moment!) and did my makeup.

Diet still bad but going to do a meal plan and online shop as DD is at childcare this afternoon.

I have a yoga class tonight and have walked 6 miles today too. Water intake terrible- have had 2 hot chocolates instead!

Off to take my vitamins. and resist the urge to have an afternoon nap

Control I had hoped so but she hasn't offered and I'm reluctant to ask as she would say yes, even if she can't.

You have my sympathies regarding the dentist, when I had my wisdom teeth out they were so far back the injection was actually into the top of my throat, it was horrific :(

Hi all, just catching up!

2 1/2 exhausting days at work but I'm quite pleased with my efforts so far.

Been sticking to most of my pledges and I'm feeling loads better for it. Had a diy foot spa and facemask last night whilst DH was out and DCs in bed and felt lovely. Also did the test to see what colouring I am (clear winter, apparently) and went into town today to get some of the recommended makeup, and also to cheer myself up a bit as DS3 is now also in school full time and I'm feeling surprisingly lonely without him :(
I was determined to buy a lipstick (have never ever worn lipstick before) and only half chickened out this time -I bought a liptint with gloss to go on top in bright fuchsia! Wearing it now and feeling quite smart and daring!
I've also treated myself to a £15 jumper from H&M in emerald green, another one of "my colours". lucysman where did you get your £8jumpers from? I'm desparately trying to extend my autum/winter wardrobe.
Have done shockingly bad on the exercise pledge but then again my "shred" dvd has not arrived yet, so that's my excuse
Off to do DCs tea now, but will re-apply the new liptint first, I'm trying to get used to myself wearing it around the house first, then hopefully will have the courage to wear it out and about :)

I'll be back shortly with a proper update....

(can't remember who posted what, again, sorry ) but...

Hospital went well, the smallest has been discharged from her consultant at last but we have to request an immediate referral back if we spot anything out of the ordinary.

The eight quid jumpers are from primark, they're on a stand folded up in ours, rather than hung. They're a chunky fine -holey knit if that makes sense, with 3/4ish sleeves.

I'm just off in the shower with the girls so might not be that productive....we shall see!

Control that injection sounds bloody awful! I asked for a filling last time I was at the dentist as I managed to rip part of my gum away from a fang tooth My mouth felt like it wasn't attached to me for hours and it hasn't really helped the tooth anyway, it's very sensitive still. I have been and bought floss and mouthwash after reading on here though, going to start tonight.

Right...shower!

Almost forgot....can someone link the colours page again, please, I forgot to bookmark on my phone

www.thechicfashionista.com/your-best-perfect-colors.html

I don't know who posted this link originally but thanks very much! The eye shadow colours I bought today after googling my colouring do look lovely, I'm really pleased. Even DH noticed after some prompting that my face looked different and said it looked lovely several times (I'm still waiting to find out if he has an ulterior motive though )

lucysman great news about your DD! Fingers'n toes crossed she'll stays well for you. I'll check out the jumpers next week (after payday!)

Just out of the shower. I used the micro-pedi but forgot to body brush. Have moisturised including my feet and remembered to floss (have terrible teeth, full of fillings, hearing everyone's dentist story's reminded me).

Well done everyone

Just done my Callanetics and bought InStyle today to try the Elasticizer. That's about as far as it goes at the moment as we're still 'camping' in the attic with stuff everywhere, skirting boards going into our bedroom tomorrow and carpet on Friday, at which point normal life can resume and I shall be pampering to within an inch of my life.

Oh have drunk loads of water also today.

Dreading dentist tomorrow after all this injection chat!!!

I have been lurking but not had time to post although I have really enjoyed reading others posts. The time seems to be passing quickly so I think that I need to step things up a bit.

TaaDaa's for me are all skin care, exfoliation, moisturising, skin brushing at least once a day. I have also been able to keep up with the diet and vitamins.

The 'must do better's' are exercise, which is just not going to happen any time soon, eating fish and nail care.

Is there an alternative to salmon?

Someone asked about dark circles under the eyes, I would recommend the Camomile tea bag eye mask. It is cheap and simple but really works.
Just steep the tea bags in hot water for a few minutes, place over the eyes (check that they are not too hot first!) and rest for 10 minutes. Clear sparkly eyes!

Also need to do more on the groomed look. I have a proper wardrobe of clothes for work but am not so sure for casual. I like the idea of Autumn sweaters so might go and have a look at the weekend.

I'm back! Shower was more productive than expected even though dd2 came and got herself in when I'd usually get my wash etc first!

I have exfoliated, defuzzed and moisturised all over. Washed, conditioned, blow dried and straightened hair.

Drunk two litres of water through the day and am drinking mint & spice tea now. will have a proper brew before bed at 9:30ish.

Clothes are out for the morning, nothing exciting tomorrow. A different cream knit with skinnies and boots.

justkeeponsmiling ty for the link, I'll have a look that shortly.

tart I bought In style for the elasticiser too! There's a skincare article in there I half read the other night too. Meant to go back to it actually

Count thanks for the cammomile tea bags tip, am going to market for some more fruit and salad tomorrow so will nip into Sainsbury's and get some. Probably save trying them out for Sunday though which seems to be a good day for me to do stuff like face mask/hair mask/paint nails etc.

Speaking of nails, they don't look any worse today than yesterday so I'm going to re paint tomorrow at some point.

97 days to go

I've finally bought in style for the elasticizer too with the added bonus of a richard pattinson interview and was going to use it last night but was at needing to put it on wet hair 20 mins before washing. I was pushed for time so will have to wait til the weekend to try it out.

Sorry, I have read back but can't remember what anyone said

Oh dear. Caught sight of my reflection in a shop window today. Not good.

My weight has shot up again and I struggle even more at looking groomed now.

And my new attention to washing & conditioning my hair has only made it really fluffy & impossible to style (not that I manage well at the best of times)

Back to the drawing boards.

Am particularly upset by it all as I need to talk to one of my lecturers in the morning and I needed to impress her with "really together mature student who has worked in the field a lot and is now coming back to get the academic background" image. I'm not capable of impressing a toddler right now

good morning

Better start today thankfully. I did forget earrings though! But I have remembered to re apply lippy twice since leaving the house

vvv my dd1's hair goes fuzzy if washed every day, try every second or third maybe? Hers looks more tame the longer it's left. No-one's going to know you haven't washed it so long as you style it properly.

Control I was at needing 20mins too...weekend seems to be the ideal time for it!

Have literally just saved some woman from being hit by a car, crossing the road to the bus stop & she's there with her nose in a copy of Elle magazine....just marches into the flamin' road I grabbed her by the arm & gave her a look like one of my dd's would get but still, stupid woman! even I, with my phone almost superglued to my hand, managed to look up and check for cars ffs!

Am off to buy indigo dye this morning, figure I can get my old skinnies done tomorrow then while I wear my new ones.

Viola have you tried hair oil? It's excellent for flyaway hair.

vvv you poor thing, it's been a right old time for you, please don't be too hard on yourself. I second what lucysmam says about not washing your hair every day - I have very fine hair, but lots of it. I wash it every second (or possibly, if it's the weekend, every third) day and have seen a huge difference since drying it with a hair dryer, using straighteners on it, and applying hair oil to the ends each morning and after styling. I'm no good at working out time differences, but is there time for you to squeeze in an emergency hair dresser's appointment? As for your meeting with your lecturer, rather than dress to impress, dress in something that you actually feel good in (comfort, happy memories, whatever). If you feel good, you will look good. Good luck!

lucysmam well done you for your good deed. I hope you're ok and not too shaken by it. Some people just do not have the common sense they were born with! Oh, and well done on your dd getting discharged from her consultant, long may it last. (sorry, meant to say that yesterday).

Ok, so everything done this morning apart from hot lemon water and lipstick. I am wearing completely the wrong colours for me - hot pink top and earrings, apparently I am a warm autumn - but I don't care, because I like them