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!

Lovely Numtum, there's a few No7 things I'd like to try so will wait until I can a voucher or it's 3 for 2. Thanks for the rec!

Here's my version of the original list. Have stocked up with some hair/nail items as these are the bits that need the most work.

1. 8 glasses of filtered water a day - won't be filtered, but I am trying to drink more, particularly at work.
2. Exfoliate (everything...within reason) - currently using an exfoliating shower gel.
3. Use teeth whitener - have sensitive teeth, so have bought some whitening toothpast.
4. Use anti-aging face cream - already using Nivea Q10
5. Intensive nail care (feet and hands) - bought some Flexitol for hands, need to spend some time on my feet though.
6. Use eyelash growth serum OR eye cream - have eye cream, need to use it regularly.
7. The Shred / other intensive exercise - have a few health issues, thinking of trying yoga, need to walk more.
8. At least 2 extra fruit & veg every day - willl do this.
9. Healthy breakfast daily - have porridge most days, or a cereal bar when I get to work if pushed for time.

10. Use hair oil (moroccan hair oil for eg, or kerastase etc) - have bought some hair oil and some deep treatment conditioner stuff. 11. No alcohol during the week & no boozing it up on weekends - no problem with this as I don't drink much. 12. Take vitamins every day - really need to do this as I get loads of colds. 13. Body brushing - need to get a body brush. 14. At least 2 servings of salmon or other fatty fish per week. - will aim for one to start with and then try to increase it. 15. One early night once a week. Suggest 9PM. - Usually go to bed early as I get up at 5.30 for work. Am always shattered though, so will try going at 8.30 one night. 16. Regular hair removal - already do, but thinking of having eyebrows waxed. 17. Give up one naughty favourite item e.g. chocolate/crisps - have cut down on a lot already as I am doing Slimming World. 18. No more fizzy drinks - don't really drink much fizzy stuff. 19. DAILY body moisturising - my legs in particular are very dry at the moment. 20. Warm water with lemon first thing in the a.m. - not sure about this as I have very sensitive teeth.

I have lost 1/2 stone over the last few months, and would like to lose another 1/2 by Christmas. I also need to concentrate on getting my hair into better condition, and also my nails and feet. When I lose the 1/2 stone, I have promised myself a manicure/pedicure and eyebrow waxing.

I also need to seriously sort out my clothes, I am guilty of saving stuff for best, I need to accept that work is my best as I very rarely go out.

Trousers all taken up, have somehow managed to break two nails in the process though Found two pairs of wide-leg summer trousers in my drawer too but they need a good foot taking off each pair so I will do those another day when I can concentrate....kids are being asses today.

Have a couple of bits of handsewing to do later on as well but they will definately be waiting for after the kids go to bed

Ladies, I'd love to join you please, if I may. Never done a thread like this but could definitely do with the motivation!

The last twelve months have been such a rollercoaster. Split with my long-term partner this time last year - losing all hopes of marriage and children in the process - but bought my first ever home in the Spring, and was promoted.

I have less to spend (my flat is a moneypit, and obviously I'm on my own now) so my social life has shrunk, whilst too much time on the sofa has meant I've grown around the middle. I can spend entire weekends in the same pyjamas.

I want to lose a stone, have shiny hair and glowing skin all over, and sparkling eyes and teeth in time for Christmas, please.

Right now I haven't even brushed my teeth, washed my face or got out of my jammies .

Remember the last year's thread - pls can I join this one?

DH & I really need to shape up or ship out! Having one last blow out tonight - roast beef, yorkshires etc, then bread & butter pudding .

But after a week long birthday celebration (mine) where we seem to have burned the candle at both ends every day, I must address the major issues which are

i) I drink FAR too much wine
ii) No exercise since about May this year
iii) Facial skin is dreadful, body skin is a fright
iv) Hair is sun damaged and frumpy

I would like to lose about 7lbs, have clearer skin and more bounce.

So, booked for the coming week - poodle parlour on Wed (eyelash tint, bikini wax, eyebrow tidy), dentist on Fri morning (scale and polish), hairdresser on Fri afternoon (cut and foils).

I'm starting The Shred again tomorrow, am determined to do every single day this week, along with All-Bran for breakfast, at least 5-a-day fruit and veg and 4 x pints of water. Also - at least 2 early nights this week.

We are away next Sat night with friends, posh dinner & hotel, I want to look at least 25% better than i do right now!

Well I've showered! DH informed me there was puke in my hair. Used the exfoliating gloves at least.

I could do with eating a bit healthier, breakfast was 2 croissants with jam, have also had nachos and a small bar of chocolate. Dinner is chicken & chips & coleslaw and a caramel cupcake for dessert. I'm a bit better during the week.

Managed 4 glasses of water so far and one coffee, but did have a sneaky chocolate bar in the kitchen during toddler meltdown at lunchtime. Am doing ww and breastfeeding so do have points to spare on chocolate but ought to cut down as it has become a bit of a crutch at stressful points.

Need to take off old polish and redo all nails tonight aswell as dig out moisturiser as my legs are really dry too.

Aiming to sort through some clothes on Monday or Tuesday when DH is at home as I struggle to do anything at home with 2yr old and 3month old without having to stop every 5 minutes

I've had omelette for lunch managed to go to the supermarket and get lots of healthy food, so I'm having trout and ratatouille for dinner, DH decided he doesn't want that so I've told him I'll share his portion with the animals and he has now popped off to waitrose to get himself something else!

Im off to clean some of the tip house.

My dad's just been round to see the girls before they go back to school and nursery....and gave me £80 so I will be off back to Primarni to see what else I can find when the cheque clears

Can any of you ladies make use of three little girls' vests in age 2-3?

Hello NotQuite don't know if you saw the thread but there's a nice sized trial sample of Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer in Instyle magazine this month...

...the price for a normal bottle is £25! It's a pre-shampoo if you haven't heard of it that promises to bring back bounce to hair.

I used it once and haven't even used half of the sample yet (my hair is down to my boobs) and have aready noticed a difference! When I do it again next week I'm going to leave it longer I think.

Elasticizer is brilliant! I try and fail to sleep in it once a week.

Eating French Fries :( I need some healthy snacks, at this time of day I always end up eating somethings bad :(

And a Go Ahead yogurt bar thing. DH asleep, I'm taking a cleaning break, waiting for the washing machine to finish.

Marking place. Have been a bit rubbish over the weekend as have had friends to stay. So will officially start tomorrow. Loving this thread!

Feeling quite pleased with myself

Exercise - went for a run
Healthy breakfast eaten
Fruit & Veg - 6 portions
Water - 5 large glasses so far (so at least 1.5 litres)
Showered, exfoliated, legs shaved,moisturised.
Face hot cloth cleansed and moisturised.
Hair washed, conditioned and styled
Tidy clothes and a bit of make up
Will have stuck to well within my calorie limit unless the biscuit tin attacks

I did eat an ice cream in the cinema, but that was a special treat ;-)

oooh checking in - so far today

have body scrubbed
vit e face oil
hair conditioned
shaved legs

Going to

paint toe nails
drink herbal tea
salmon for dinner with steamed veg
try and drink some water

caught sight of self in mirror out shopping today and am appalled - when did I get so fat!!!! This thread is perfect timing for me!

Good luck everyone!

So far today I have had hot water and lemon. I cleansed toned and moisturised. I tried the shred but realised shariah that I needed a sports bra. Will d it properly tomorrow. Tonight ill have a bath, defuzz, exfoliate and moisturise. Oh and I body moisturised this morning. Not bad for a first day but will so better tomorrow.

All organised for back to school tomorrow here.

Vitamins and make up on the side ready to be taken/used. Dryer and ghd's are out for when I've been in the shower with the girls. Will defuzz, deep condition hair and pumice stone my feet in there.

Got a couple of bits to hand sew tonight then will give my hands a bit of tlc. Will probably be a bit late to paint my nails by then though....always get sheet marks in them (any top tips to avoid that?). If I don't do them tonight, will do tomorrow

And an apple...

Can I join? Perfect timing, I'm over 14 stone and have finally realised I need to make some major lifestyle changes, I'm fed up of being fat and unfit. I've let myself go a lot, I rarely wear make-up or nail varnish because I can't be bothered, my skin is awful because I never drink enough and I haven't had a haircut in months, I even realised yesterday I'm starting to look like my mum which is terrifying, I'm 27 and she's 63

I started doing couch to 5k last week, there's a thread in exercise if anyone wants to join us, we still have people on week one. Through that and healthy eating I lost 2.5lbs last week, and I'm hoping this thread will help me find the motivation for everything else.

I don't live near a decent chemist so I need to order some stuff from boots online. What do I need? So far on my list I have hair oil, vitamins, exfoliator, face masks and possibly some new make up. I already have no.7 face cream and eye cream, I just need to use it!

Do you live near a town at all SevenReasons? Only reason I ask is because Savers and Home Bargains (sometimes pound shops too) sell branded beautufying stuff and vitamins much cheaper than Boots or Superdrug

Well I've had an appalling start today :(
Up at 4.50am with dd2 and having first period after MMC & erpc last month so hair is shocking and I feel awful. I've drunk lots of coffee & eaten biscuits & chocolate today but nothing else.
I cleansed, toned, moisturised this morning but always do so it doesn't really count.

I've promised myself not to just flop in bed once DCs are asleep so plan will be nails, toes, face mask, shower, exfoliate & shave legs as well as cleanse tone & moisturise.

Will be happy if I manage that but will see

hello
Not an amazing start by me, but could be worse.
I have: washed and conditioned hair (2 in 1, cheat) and spritzed with L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil.
Shaved legs and showered, used body moisturiser.
REN cleanser and moisturiser on face (a sample, but I really like it.)
taken vitamins
Not eaten bread, pasta or rice.
flossed teeth.
Sent dh out to buy biscuits
Exercise? Did some weeding and the yogo bit on Waybuloo.

I want to keep up grooming routine, try a low carb/paleo WOE, start The Shred again, and follow this weekly routine:
Monday - manicure
Tuesday - pedicure
Wednesday - hair removal mission
Thursday - face mask
Friday - run

What make up do you all wear every day? Am sahm/wahm so don't want to overdo it.

Jemima I think you deserve to give yourself a break today!