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!

helga I remember all my DCs going through that stage when they were about 6-8 weeks old. I'm totally at what you are able to do I hardly got dressed when they went through that phase

Right, 5 minutes to myself so hopefully I can get a proper post in!

Yesterday was really productive, I:
Shredded (it might be my imagination but it felt like it was getting easier)
Mowed the lawn
Changed and washed the bedding (now out on the line to dry)
Washed, dried, oiled and GHD'd my hair
Defuzzed
Used my Anew treatments for my face
Dressed smartly even though I was just going into town
Removed nail varnish
Filed nails
Reapplied nail varnish (nude rose)
Had a mini beer festival at home to save money (would normally have gone to Moreton in Marsh's festival) and enjoyed a few good ales and a picnic in the garden.

Today I'm fasting so no shred, but have taken down a massive bush in the garden that was bugging me. Still dressed like a scruff, but will do something about that later. Didn't get up til 1pm

vvv very well done on your achievements, it sounds really hard for you at the moment. I hope things improve soon. CP is horrible but I didn't get it until I was 20 and wished like mad I had got it over with as a child.

smiling well done on your shredding! Keep it up, and don't be afraid to disobey Jillian back off when you need to. Better that, and do it every day, than not be able to walk for a week!

lucysmam thank you for thinking of me, all is good here - I'd forgotten what it was like to be so busy though. I always feel evil asking DP to give me 10 minutes of peace so I can get on here. Work's picked up too, so it's not so easy to sneak a quick post

Sorry not to namecheck more, my peace-time is up :)

quick visit, been away all weekend for a wedding, absolutely shattered but was pleased with my outfit-will put up a pic in the fb group

Evening routine done plus pumiced feet, face mask, aussied hair (smells luscious! ), nails filed and cuticles pushed back....will paint tomorrow....am sat with and chocolate covered pretzels!

Helga at least your fella will bring you a ....mine has to be asked repeatedly to make one

Control good to 'see' you just wondered because you've not been around so much. I get what you mean about work getting busy, dp is working his days off this coming week & doesn't expect to get many at all in the run up to Christmas

Blueandwhite your dress is lovely, really suits you. Did you enjoy the wedding?

Right, am off to pootle around the boards and drink my .....eyebrow threading in the morning !

Posting to give myself a kick up the backside... had a rubbish day for looking after myself.

DH on lates so had no time to shred today as he was in bed all morning after getting in after 4am and left for work again at 3pm so I've had DD to entertain and also a baby who wants to be attached to a boob all day helga (know how you feel). After baths and evening feed it was after 8 before I could get back downstairs so have had cheese on crumpets for tea.

Rubbish diet today and not enough water either.

New day tomorrow though, back in the swing! !

Yesterday I did my nails, hair removal, eyebrows tweezed.
Today, I have used baby oil after my shower to moisturise. I love the smell of baby oil! Had my iron tablets with orange juice.

You all have been very busy with all your renovations! I think I am doing well if I manage something once a week. But it's all a step in the right direction I guess, it would not have entered my head if it weren't for this thread. (Thank you helga and other posters)

86 days to go

Good morning

Just on way to get my eyebrows threaded & maybe go for a quiet in town. Knackered today for some reason & my wrists/hands are unusually sore so will have an early one tonight after I paint my nails (when I decide on colour ).

Morning routine all done apart from eye make up, I have brought it with me though so shall go and apply some once my brows are done (feel quite naked without it!!).

Does everyone like the hot cloth cleansers? Dp has given me some old games to trade in & whatever I get I can have.....so, I was maybe going to treat myself to the Superdrug Vitamin E hot cloth cleanser and something else....any suggestions?

Right, bus is almost in town, will be back later on probably

I forgot to ask....who has the nice smelling hair oil? What is it? I need some more this week

That's me, lucysmam it's L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil. I don't know if Superdrug have still got it on offer (I need to stock up so I don't run out!)

There is always something that I forget in the mornings. Today I remembered:

hot lemon water
Brush, floss, mouthwash, whiten teeth
Dress smart (black tights, black dress with flowers at the bottom, black jacket)
Dark silver earrings
Makeup and hair

...and forgot deodorant

Nails are slightly chipped after just one day - it's really hard to take care of them because DP absolutely loathes the smell of nail varnish. I don't really want to go back to not wearing any, and even just the top coat is too pongy for him. Will have to have a think.

Looks like it's going to be another busy day at work so this may be it until this evening!

Thanks Control will have a look next time I come to town (literally just got back on the bus)

Eyebrows are done....cheeky cow asked if I wanted my top lip done ....I shall take the hint & go home to get the epilator on it!! Well, once I've had some kind of brekky that is

lucysmam I would have taken the option of having your lip waxed! I've tried epilating mine and the pain is too much (unless I have a couple of G&Ts first!) so always get it waxed.

controlgeek I went through a phase just after having DD when I forgot deodorant EVERY DAY for about a week. Only realised when DH put it on top of my clothes when I'd gone for a shower!

really helga? I might go back then & have it done....or next time I have my brows done.

Control I forget deodorant all the time!

Can I ask people's options on this Tiffanys necklace? DH said he wants to buy me something special this year for Christmas/my birthday (29th December) for having our baby and I've seen this. I love the pink sapphire.

I bought myself this necklace (without the stone) when I was 19 on holiday in New York. I was a late starter, I'd never had a boyfriend and I bought the necklace as a kind of "I believe it will happen one day" (I know I know but I was 19!). I've lost it since but I like the symmetry of my husband buying it for me on the birth of our daughter!

Am I horribly soppy?!

www.tiffany.ie/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=24669661&mcat=148204&cid=287465&search_params=s+5-p+41-c+287465-r+221323338-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

lucysmam really! Find the cuspids bow bit of the lip the worst with the epilator, it just ends up patchy cause I keep pulling the epilator away!

That's very pretty helga....I had something similar but cheap as chips a long time ago. I think it'd be lovely. (btw, my smallests birthday is the 28th dec!)

Just. Catching up again here. Helga, I love that. It's a classic!

We got back from the wedding 2am today (DH drove London to Edinburgh ) so have been sleeping in shifts all morning. He's just taken the boys to sainsburys to get bits for a roast and I've taken the opportunity to have a bath, exfoliate, body brush, do feet and a face pack.

Am gearing up for an incredibly unglamorous week potty training DS1! Don't think I'll be wearing any nice clothes!

So I start tomorrow. I also start a new job, so I am hoping that keeping busy and out of the house will keep me out of the kitchen cupboards! Which of the rules do you find easiest to keep to when you started off? I really need to sort out more healthy eating, and cutting out the snacks, but I am so used to the chocolate boost when I feel tired. I have about a stone to lose-would be nice to see it gone by Christmas. I Have started moisturising every day over the last few days and I am quite surprised as to the difference it has made-dry scaly skin begone

Helga-I love the necklace. It is very elegant.

Letsdothis start with vits & hot water/lemon first thing. I put everything out for the morning the night before & have to walk past them to get to the bathroom

bigkids I think that bath & bit of pampering sounds well deserved. Did you all enjoy yourselves?

Good luck with the new job Letsdothis!

Helga I used to have a necklace similar to that too, they were fashionable when the Bridget Jones film was released, weren't they? Perhaps they'll have a comeback with the new Bridget Jones book. It is very pretty.

Nails are done and drying, pink with little glittery bits. Will give them another hour and then head up to bed I think. Have felt more and more blah as the day's gone on Think I might have the lurgy

How's everyone doing with water consumption? I've been drinking 2l a day & cut out a lot of daytime caffiene. It helps that my tastebuds seem to have changed as I've got older & I'm quite enjoying the herbal/fruity teas I've chosen.

Right, last ten mins of Atlantis (Jason is quite dreamy ) & then maybe read for a while before bed.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Tomorrow is October
And we have "StoptOber" for stopping smoking
"SoberOctober" posters to go an entire month without alcohol.

But I don't smoke or drink. DS suggested I give up coffee (isn't going to happen, pet)
I can do a month without chocolate though.

Since late August (since I came back from holiday) I have:
stopped using the armchair to sit at the PC.
My back feels 100% better
Stopped watching rubbishy soaps Corrie & Emmerdale . My brain feels 100% better
Started drinking Yakult every day. I used to get ....TMI warning very loose bowels and cramp in the morning which I put down to stress but it had been lingering on since a D&V attack.
That's cleared up.
A huge glass of water at night - but need a 3am wee. But then I know I've got another 3 hours sleep

And started a Multi-Vitamin (Iron and B12 mainly) just because,

One step at a time I reckon. Need to wax before I can brave the swimming pool again.
Get my hair cut.
Dye it.

70isnot.... Hmmm. Like you I'm not a smoker or really a drinker (2 glasses of wine in the last week and that's a 'heavy week' ). I'm not sure giving up caffeine the month all my assignments are due would be the best plan (for me or those lucky enough to have to put up with me).

But chocolate I can do. It won't be easy. I'm a total chocoholic especially after having to give it up for over a year when I had to give up dairy because of DD2's allergies.

So, chocolate of any sort it is.

After I finish the chocolate muffin I just bought for my lunch