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!

No joy in town for indigo dye Does anyone know any brands I could look for other than dylon which is all anyone had?

Aww Vviola I'm sure you look fab. Have you swapped to sulphate & silicone free shampoo & conditioner? When I first changed I went through a fluffy phase, it soon passed and I can go 3 days between washes. Using a tiny bit of argan oil after washing has helped too.

I have a style/ fashion question :) What do you all wear when just at home? I'm not doing much this morning and find jeans a little uncomfortable, I'm wearing maternity jogging pants! I have a tiny bit of money to spend on clothes for the first time in years and am going to get some of he £8 primary jumpers but what else? Any suggestions?

lucysmam there is Dylon on Amazon for about a fiver delivered if that's any good?

Thanks Jemima I'll have a look on amazon with a shortly & see if there's an indigo one on there.

Primark do some skinnies in a heavyweight jersey for a tenner, I find those pretty comfy (wore a pair yesterday)...they look a bit more legging-ey than jeans when on but are still smart for being around the house

Brilliant lucysmam they sound perfect :)
It's the first time I've been clothes shopping for 3 and a half years! Ive survived on whst i had & the odd charity shop purchase. I'm ridiculously excited :)

Try before you buy though, I got two eights and then went back for a third...the third was teeny & had to swap for a ten!

Thank you so much to justkeepsmiling for the colour thingy, I am a deep winter apparently which is funny as I have some of those colours in my wardrobe and they seem to suit me best!

Well done on your good deed lucysmam hope the universe rewards you in some way!

Don't be too hard on yourself vvviola I work as an academic and I am amazed when my students turn up on time and don't look too hungover! Have you switched to paraben free shampoo? When I did my hair was terribly fly-away for about the first week, I think it's the hair "de-toxing"

I am being very lazy today- I only woke up at 10.30am! Normally an early riser so must have needed the rest but feel a bit out of sync now with my day! Have had hot water and lemon and a healthy breakfast. About to Shred (if you don't hear from me later it's because I've had some sort of cardiovascular event due to my lack of fitness!)

Will update later- really need to get back on the challenge today!

Hello. I forgot there was a new thread! I haven't read all of the thread, just the last page. I will catch up on thread later, don't want to miss out on any good tips!

Lucysmam, amazing well done for saving that woman!

Vvioloa, I second the wearing something you feel comfortable and confident in. is this an interview for a uni course? good luck, fx.

I have been better at taking my iron tablets and have discovered that using dry shampoo before blowing and straightening makes my thin hair look a lot thicker, hurrah!! I actually dreamt that I had lovely thicker hair so am taking it as a positive sign! I bought baby oil for quick moisturising while still in shower and it seems to work.

Oo I am also doing an inventory of my clothes and attempting to sort into outfits for work and casual. Then making a list of what items I need to purchase so I don't waste money.

I did the colour thing, thank you justkeepsmiling. I am a deep autumn. I do remember in art class in school the teacher did this for us and it was an interesting lesson. I remember her saying I was a winter.

Thanks everyone. I haven't consciously switched to a paraben free shampoo, but I've just realised I've been using my Lush shampoo bar, which is probably naturally free of all sorts of stuff which might explain it a bit.

Clothes are a bit of an issue as I lost weight, didn't buy many new clothes really, and now am back in the old stuff again, so everything makes me feel a bit crap. Even my dresses look pretty dreadful at the moment, but may try a dress & boots.

It's just a meeting to ask for a bit of assistance with the research project I'm doing for her class - I've kind of backed myself into a corner with the approach I'm taking and need some advice on how to get myself out. Seems all my classmates have no problem looking for that kind of advice, but I find it quite difficult (like I'm admitting I don't know enough to be there).

Anyway. Bedtime. Shall focus on my bedtime routine and start afresh tomorrow.

I'm an academic and researcher too viola and you should see what others in my department consider work wear! You'll be fine on that score. Good luck

rummi sounds like you've got a good plan for sorting your wardrobe out.

Good luck for tomorrow vvv

paint are you ok over there? How did the shred go?

Another vote of thanks to smiling - I am now basking in the glow of my most successful primark trip to date. A lovely thick winter duffle coat (with hood!), scrummy jumper, new pair of skinnies to increase my skinny stock by 100% and a pack of four pairs of knicks (got to be done) - all for the princely sum of £36!

Today I am accessorising with a bright red shiny nose as I have a streaming cold. Not a good look!

I have booked a hair appointment for this Saturday and an appointment for a facial, eyebrow wax and nails for the following Saturday. I'm definitely feeling in need of some "me time".

I need to look at that Colours link to work out what I am. I think I am Autumn, but am not sure.

JemimaM not a good look! Hope it doesn't linger too long for you.

Would anyone be interested in forming a group on the dreaded FB? I'm really loving all of the outfit descriptions and thought it might be a nice way of charting our ascent to Christmas perfection, not to mention the chance to say 'how does this look?'

So glad everyone loved the colour thing, can't take credit for it though, someone else posted it first and I just re-posted the link (was it you helga ?) It's great, isn't it?
vvv loads of good luck for tomorrow! I'm with the others, try not to be too hard on yourself, keep your head high and smile loads, that will win everyone over! I totally believe in fake it till you make it! It's crap when you put on weight you lost recently, isn't it? Hope it goes well for you, good luck!!
jemimapuddle I usually wear leggins and cosy jumpers, I don't have a lot of smart clothes and I don't want them to get ruined when I cook, etc, but I don't like "slumming it" too much either. I also feel uncomfortable in my jeans (finally weighed myself on sunday and I've put half a stone back on over the summer, that would be why I guess :( ) I recently spoke to a friend who said she always wears her thghtest jeans around the house as it reminds her not to eat any crap. Interesting strategy I think, but I don't think I could do it though!
lucy at that woman, well done you!

I'd be interested in a FB group - have been doing lemon water in the morning and trying to be more 'groomed' with clothes and make up choices but don't get the chance to get on the computer often. FB works good on my phone, MN does not!! Means I don't get on the thread very often and could definitely do with keeping the momentum going, have gained 10 lb in the months prior to this challenge!!

I usually wear jeans around the house too, but then I haven't really got anything else that fits that isn't smart. All my leggings are too big, and I find I'm the wrong shape to look good in tunics and leggings anyway.

I've finally had to give in and wear my wedding ring on a chain around my neck as it is far too loose on my finger and I am scared of it falling off and losing it. I need to get it resized really.

Thanks everyone, I may try some leggings too.

I'd be really interested in a FB group too, I'd not be much use for fashion (I am trying harder thought) I know a fair bit about a lot of beauty products though as I have tried them all a lot of them :)

Hiya, hope you don't mind me messaging you, I'm trying to read all the messages on Operation Renovation (it's taking, literally...DAYS!!) and noticed you're from the North East. I am too!! Where abouts are you? (Don't worry, I'm not a stalker... I can't even drive and stalking by bus is a logistical nightmare...plus it's getting a bit nippy out there! I don't like the cold) :-D

I'd like to apologise - I only manage to come on about 2 times a day and generally never manage to name check anyone. Hopefully as DD gets a bit older I might actually get her to sleep without being held!

And in the spirit of the thread I'm wearing a charcole dressing gown, red plaid pj pants and gray socks! Forgive me!

Helga I'll join you in the pj parade....mine are mis matched oddments ....grey trousers with little pink polka dots, a cropped tee shirt with hearts, leopard print dressing gown & piggy slippers

Control....any recommendations for a pretty floating plant for my fish tank? I don't really want to go the chemical route to get rid of this algae & since most of my plants are plastic I can give them a proper scrub & leave to dry overnight. Duckweed is out because I don't want to be forever pruning it...

Evening routine is all done here, just teeth to brush and floss, and mouthwash to do before bed. I forgot about the pore strip for my nose again so will try and remember that tomorrow.

Nail polish is off but not going to replace as I want to get my hands in the big fish tank tomorrow (water changed the small one today but felt guilty the whole time about having polish on I really am a tad over protective and fussy about my fishes ). I may give them a coat of clear polish if I have time in the morning as dp has an unexpected day off, and then remove well before I get stuck into the fish tank though. Undecided as yet.

I have decided I'm going to start with cod liver oil for my sore wrists and work my way up the £££ scale as Sainsbury's do cod liver oil in their basics range and it's on 3for2 atm.

I hadn't realised until I actually looked, the timotei shampoo and conditioner I've been using are paraben free....my hair hasn't done the fuzzy thing some of you are describing though....unless that's because it gets ghd'd every day to within an inch of its life maybe

I'd be interested in a fb group too....can't remember who asked but it'd be nice to have a female, rather than dp's, opinion of a couple of outfits....I might actually have the confidence to wear them then.

Clothes were sorted for tomorrow. I had gone for a pink, long sleeved, sweater with black skinnies and my boots but might make a bit more of an effort if me and dp do go out. That sweater's from Primark too, think it was only a fiver and has also washed and worn really well.

Tbh I don't get what people moan about Primark for....it's meant to be one season fashion at those prices & they change stock so often so us skint folks can keep up with trends....if it washes and wears well, and lasts a few years for a fiver surely that's a bonus!

(EPIC post again, sorry )

annielewis, JemimaP, lucysmam, and anyone else interested - I just tried to set up an empty FB group but it's insisting that I have to add friends at the time of creating the group. If someone wants to me their FB name, I'll add you as a friend then complete the group setup. I'll do it as a secret group unless anyone has a burning desire for me to make it more public?

I mostly wear leggings around the house, and whatever suits the weather (rather than hides my bum!) on top Must wear my skinnies more, now that I have two pairs. Have had DP taking photos of me in various outfits this evening. I think he's still a bit suspicious - 'who are you going to send them to?' he asked. Not quite sure he believed that I really only wanted them to see how others see me in the various outfits!

d'oh! If someone wants to pm me their FB name that should say!

Hi - I've just PMd you my name, let me know if any prbs,

Thanks annielewis friend request should be with you now.

Hello everybody!
And apologies, I have so far worked 36 h since Monday and I am a bit worse for wear.
I promise to type a proper tadaaah list this weekend, at the moment is still under the bed in my new notebook.

The changes I have implemented and kept at since Sunday:
Hot water and lemon. I make a cup along with my coffee, drink my coffee and the take vitamins with the lemon water.
I ate fish once. I really really don't like it. I tried a new recipe that my clan absolutely adored it, I had trouble keeping it down. I am taking omega 3 fish oil capsules.

I became religious about me time. I take about 30 mins every day to myself. Just keeping quiet, doing my nails or looking at winter outfits, writing cards, baths or making appointments.

I drink more water.

I lapsed with my exercise, but I knew that. Some days i am so tired I want to cry.

I've been ok with choosing outfits the night before.

I promise to write properly on my day off :)

Loungewear....I tend not to change when I get home. I wash my hands, put an apron on, cook, do homework, housework, etc. then I have a shower and pyjamas and then bed.
At the weekend we've always got something on, so I wear dresses again and use the apron to cook/clean etc.
but I'd like something. Not tracksuits though. Some slouchy oversized jumper and comfy trousers/leggings.....I could kill ANY outfit with my slippers though, they are really really wrong. Ideally I'd like something that looks like a ballet pump but no sole as such.
I'll be back.