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!

97 days to go

Good morning

Morning routine all done including flossing and mouthwash....earrings and bracelet remembered too.

I swapped my pink sweater for a really fine knit with sparkly bits in because I'm off to meet dp for and in town. Kicking myself now though, it may be prettier but it's cold and rainy and I'm frreeeeeeezzzzziiiinnngggg But at least my smart new hat and scarf are getting used

Control did you manage to sort fb group or do you still need a pm with a name?

Think I might ask dp for clothes for.Christmas this year or the BEAUTIFUL red or dead boots I've seen but can't justify at £100 (but they are lurvely beautiful boots!)

Need to get my moisturisers today (face and body) and cod liver oil.

Along the lines of the colours page, which I didn't understand....I am cool something .....has anyone seen something similar for perfume? The bottle dp got me for my birthday has nearly gone so was going to start hunting for a new one

Ugh, full of cold today and can't concentrate on anything or keep a train of thought going.

I've set up the FB group, but have now found that I can only add people who are on my friends list. There is only one of me on FB, so let me know if you'd like to join the group and I'll pm you my FB name for you to friend me, and I'll then add you to the group. I'll fill in the blanks when I'm back home from work this evening :)

dili well done for doing all that and 36 hours work!

lucysmam have a look here for some ideas on floating plants. I've ordered from them before and they are good.

helga don't worry - you are keeping the countdown going and that's what matters! I don't own any pjs so can't criticise

Somehow I managed to pull myself together enough to do what looks like an incredibly fancy hair do - whohoo! Gibson tuck at the back, then I found my front top layers were too short and fell out of it. I felt a bit sick by then so figured it wasn't good to have them hanging in my face, so gave the loose bits a diagonal side parting, then did a twisty thing with each side and pinned them back with a grip. Makeup and earrings are done, smart clothes donned. That was about all I was able to manage before having to head off for the train.

DD had a great night and morning so I'm feeling good today. Got my face washed and moisturised and eye cream on so I'm happy. Have hair in a ponytail because if I leave it down in generally ends up with puke in it.

Am wearing pj bottoms AGAIN! I did a major clothes clear out while I was pregnant. And somehow most of my bottoms have ended up in the same wash! They'll be dry tomorrow hopefully!

I managed to wash my face this morning but we don't always have hot water first thing - are there any face wipes that don't ruin your skin?? I used them when I was younger and they weren't any good but wondering if things might have changed. I've heard good things about Ole Henricksen wipes but they're £15 for 30 (and even more when I convert to €)

So far this morning I've done the shred and had my weekly weigh in for ww. 1lb off - bit disappointed as have done exercise but hoping there's some muscle build up in there balancing it out.

Wearing the same uniform of jeans, vest top for bf and today a grey and cream stripy top over that.

ControlGeek I would like to join the fb group - although it may be easier for you to make it closed to start with then it is searchable but you have to approve people to join. Then secret after people have found it maybe.

Hello everyone

This morning I've taken off toenail varnish, pushed cuticles back, done my foot filing and put almond oil on my nails and flexitol on my heels. DS2 has just dropped off in the pram under the extractor fan so about to do Callanetics.

It's 10 weeks till I go back to work and this thread plus the low carb one are making me feel brilliant, like a caterpillar beautifying myself ready to burst out of my cocoon! I'm also feeling every day like I'm taking time for myself and valuing myself, I know it sounds daft but it's true. Even now, I took off my toenail varnish and my nails are stained and I thought right that's it, I'm 32 and I'm not putting up with half measures any more, either I have a pedicure or I learn wow to do it properly myself. I am TOO OLD now to not take care of myself.

In that spirit I've started clearing out my wardrobe, getting rid of everything tatty or that doesn't fit perfectly or that I don't love . If I end up with 3 items of clothing so be it!

Oh and I would like to join the group please

Dilidali I love your 30 minutes 'me time' idea. Am going to steal that one.

Know what you mean about feeling amazing on the low carbing Bigkids - I did the Bootcamp last year and it was brilliant.

Hands and nails in an awful state after sanding and painting skirting boards all morning.

Well, I have hunted high and low for my burnt orange nail polish but can't find it anywhere so have plumped for one called Satin from Sinful Colours. Iirc, it's similar to yours for your finger nails Control.

I got my moisturisers and stocked up on 3for2 vitamins in town. Bought some make up remover wipes from Wilko - two for a quid. Will report back what they're like later on (can't remember who asked about them)...Poundland sometimes sell Kleenex makeup remover wipes, I forgot to get a few boxes last time they had them in & they've all sold out .

Hello,

Sorry I've been AWOL :( I've been pretty bad as well.
Promise to get me sh!t together tomorrow... As long as you'll have me back ?!?!

I've missed your posts Karbea

at wipes. If I even looked at a wipe too long is breakout.

I use Superdrug Vitamin E wipes to take my make up off, then Hot Cloth Cleanse afterwards.

Have got a course with work tomorrow, we are supposed to dress "casually". I don't want to look a total scruff though... Am going to wear straight leg jeans, lace up wedge boots, black long sleeved t-shirt and a zebra print scarf. I need to re-do my nails too.

I have also just received the application form for a promotion so am musing on what to wear if I get an interview. I will need help and lots of hand holding!

As far as I know all wipes are bad and should only ever be used in absolute emergencies. I only ever use them on planes.

Someone on style and beauty linked to this skin care blog the other day, I've been reading and love it. She hates wipes?

I already do a lot of what she suggests but it's prompted me to get a cleansing balm and exfoliating toner ordered.

I've been taking imedeen for six weeks now and my hair is really soft and shiny now, I'm really impressed!

Surely it depends on what suits your skin? If wipes give you spots, don't use them. If they don't then use them if you want

Wipes are presumably better than forgetting to take your make up off.

Well yes, but much worse than properly cleaning your skin, I believe

I've been using them to take off eye make up before cleansing, cut in halfs.

Didn't know they were supposedly bad, I'll have a read of the linked blog next week when dp on afters.

I'm just off in the shower & then going to try out my new moisturiser (superdrug vitamin e body cream, and skin oil for my face). Plan is to stick one of the pore strips I forgot about on my nose when I get out and paint nails when the girls go to bed.

Hey all, I too have been pretty rubbish. Good points: still keeping up the night time routine of flossing, nail cream and lash serum, did my nails last night, trying to think more about clothes.

Bad points: I am not managing the Shred every day - I have just been getting up too late in the mornings and then don't seem to have time in the day to do it and then reshower, redo hair, make up etc, so have done it a couple of times this week around 5pm then showered and put on my dressing gown. DH must think I spend all day in it as I am in it when he leaves in the morning and again when he gets home !

I have been fairly good with fasting although keep sneaking Cadbury's Roses out of the tin my MIL bought us so the no chocolate rule has been broken! And had a LOT of wine on Saturday night so felt tiredhungover on Sunday and had to comfort eat! My excuse is DD had an entrance exam and I felt really emotional and stressed for her (she was laid back but I wasn't!).

So must do the Shred more - I tried level 2 last night and it was a killer but do-able, I might just aim for 3 times a week and any extra is a bonus.

Another stressful weekend ahead, another entrance exam on Saturday and then she is off on a school trip on Monday for 5 days so will be tearful again! DH is away on Monday on business so just me and DD2 so we will eat healthily, but then I have a friend coming over that evening so will break the no alcohol in the week rule!

It's not going as well as it should but I am determined not to beat myself up about it and try a bit harder once all this stuff is out of the way and life goes back to a bit of normality!

Right, I'm home and have been tweaking the group - it is now a 'closed' group as per petalsandstars' suggestion, which means you can search for 'Operation Renovation' and it should appear. I believe you should just be able to request to be added, and as soon as approved you're in!

I've not done one of these group admin things before, so I'm learning as I go, bear with me

Once it looks like the initial uptake has died down, I'll put the group back to 'secret', meaning anyone can invite anyone who is on their friends list into the group, but people searching for it won't find it. Hope this is ok with everyone.

I have searched for the FB group but can't find it.

Weighed today and have lost another 2lbs, total loss is now 77lbs. Really can't get to grips with maintaining my weight, I was supposed to have stopped at goal weight which was 70lbs lost, but have carried on and lost another half stone. I had a row from two friends today that I am starting to look "too thin" and they are worried about me becoming anorexic. I don't think I do look "too thin" but I agree that I don't need to loose any more.

*lose

Oh, and I ordered some new ballet flats with a 40% off Brantano code that someone posted on S&B earlier. They'll do nicely for if I get an interview.

I've PMd you, JemimaM

Ok, if you search for 'Operation Renovation' and click on 'show more' (and possibly 'show more' again), and hover over the group names, ours is the one that starts 'Nothing's off limits with Operation Renovation'. I tried to add a rainbow picture to help identify it but had an epic picture fail. Hard to believe I work in IT

You'll have to wait until later or the morning for pics of me on fb....I don't think I've got any decent ones on my phone of me to share!

Nose strip is on. Almost 2L of water drunk....moisturiser smells luffly I didn't defuzz though...have a shaving rash