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!

Couch to 5k thread here for ControlGeek.

justshabby I use the bumble and bumble hairdressers oil, I prefer it to Moroccan oil, it's less gloopy and in a pump dispenser.

113 days to go

goatherd I do like the micro peti. I have the "original" one, Scholl have one now as well. I'm using mine every second day and covering my feet in flexitol every day.

Please excuse spelling - it's 4am and I have a baby lying on me.

justshabby I use L'Oreal Extraordinary oil. It's lightweight and doesn't make hair look oily just calms frizz and fly always.

I had a clarisonic and loved it but it died recently and I haven't replaced it

kezztrel could you have organic apple cider vinegar? Lots of benefits but it tastes horrible. You could have a tablespoon of it or mix it with water.

Goinggreytoosoon, the Lacura q10 has good reviews, you could try that. I've tried the Lacura facial wash, not bad, easily comparable to Olay and also the shimmering day cream which smells gorgeous and gives a dewy finish.

Yesterday was not great. Had very little sleep (somehow I ended up spending most if the night sharing a cot mattress with an almost 4 year old), didn't shred, ate lots of cheese and dark chocolate and failed to dye my hair. Will shred and dye this morning,though.

Morning all .

I've had a good look at the colours site , and I've self diagnosed myself as a cool winter .
Wardrobe is not too bad , as we moved just over a year ago , and I was ruthless getting rid of unworn clothes .
Quick question to the style and beauty experts , I'm 53 years old , I need to lose about a stone , which style jeans / trousers would be best ? I have boot cut per una at the moment . I'm a bit scared of skinnies .

Resolved that September is going to be completely alcohol free .

Need to get in the shower now , will moisturise skin , condition hair and blow dry .
Tonight I will do my nails
Must remember to take my vitamins ( check the sell by date , they're the ones I bought last year on the 100 days thread . Oops ! )

Working today , ( in a cafe , will get my lunch at about 3-30 ) if not too busy I will fast today , lots of water for breakfast , leafy salad for lunch , white chicken meat and veg for dinner .

I have a note book , and will keep a written record of how I'm getting on

Morning all! Back to work and school this morning

Ta Da
Been for a run
Had a shower and moisturised
Washed and conditioned hair
Hot cloth cleansed and moisturised
Drank 2 glasses of water
Took vitamin
Eating healthy breakfast as I type...

To Do
Style hair
Put make up on

I'll be cycling to work, so that is a bit more exercise.

Hope you all have a good day!

Just a pre- work check in.

This mornings Ta dah's

Cellulite cream applied
Foot cream applied
Body cream applied
Makeup done
Hair blow dried
Cycled to train station (fast pace to keep my heart rate up)

Going to have fruit and yoghurt at work for breakfast then start on the water.

The not so Ta Dah bit:

Ended up with a slightly broken bike and very broken handbag (strap on bag broke, wedged itself on back wheel of bike knocking light flying across a rather busy bridge!)

Bit scary at the time but I imagine to anyone watching it looked like the scene in Open All Hours when Granville ' fixes' a bike and subsequently loses control down a big hill.

Morning all! Some very inspiring lists, everyone is doing so well.
The PP who asked about hair oil I use Naissance organic argan oil, much cheaper than the branded stuff and no silicone or other stuff.

Ta da for yesterday
Did week3, day 1 of couch to 5k
Shaved legs & moisturised body
Oil on hair after washing
Cleanse, toned, serum, oil, moisturised am & pm
Managed to only have 3 coffees, had 3 peppermint teas but no other water so really need to work on that.

To do for today
Exfoliate body
Start day 1 of 6 week kettlebell plan
Drink more water
Face mask tonight
Early night - aim for 8.30pm

Sounds disgusting Helga but will look into it, thanks!

Is there room for one more? One who needs an awful lot of help??

I've never been particularly polished or groomed, and now it's just turning into looking frumpy (part time SAHM, part time student so no 'need' to dress up). Am also on a pretty strict budget - although I have quite a few bottles of various things around the place from previous bouts of good intentions.

And also, Christmas = summer here (and the end of my dissertation, and start of job hunt) so lots of reasons to get myself sorted.

So, what do I need to do?

Starting with:

• hot water & lemon in morning
• moisturise daily
• hand & foot cream
• defuzz & do eyebrows (weekly? Daily?)
• gym 2x week
• some other exercise other days.

I have to sort out my diet too, but it has to be something that can work for the family too as I haven't time to cook more than one meal (and family meals need to be egg & dairy free)

I'm not really going to do much about clothes until I lose weight and by then I'll be hopefully putting some of the winter stuff away anyway.

Does that sound like a good plan?

Can anyone recommend a good night cream or serum? My skin has open pores and feels greasy quickly, mid-30s, lines already. I've been using a sample of the REN frankincense one, but ideally would like a cheaper replacement!

I use L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil too - the mist version designed for fine hair It smells gorgeous.
Have added clarisonic to my wishlist.

to do - mini mani and pedi, vits, shred, try to eat fewer carbs, keep up general cleansing/flossing/moisturising routine.

I love advanced night repair serum. You can't really go wrong with it, but it is expensive.

As a night cream I use rosehip oil from holland and Barrett, it has improved my early 30s slightly dry and lined skin hugely.

Thanks to those who reported back on their Shred experiences. i will keep going with it!

Also lots of impressive ta-dah lists: but (and don't want to spoil the thread here) I can't believe how much some of you seem to get done! When I had a tiny baby i hardly showered let alone did the stuff you lot are doing!! Not criticising, it's impressive, just make sure you have a bit of occasionally if it all gets too much

justshabbynochic - thanks so much for that tip! Didn't check in yesterday so only just seen. Will grab a copy today, sounds brilliant.

Well I've just finished shredding - 2nd time, level one - it's agony yet energising at the same time.

Ate really healthily yesterday - All-Bran & fruit, 2 x poached eggs on tiny weeny slices of hovis toast no butter, cold beef with green salad & avocado for supper ....... but then spotted the left over b&b pudding in fridge. Oh dear

At least it's gone now. And no alcohol AND an early night. Hope I can be as good today ( without the pudding ) !

Good morning all

Well I nearly checked in at 4am too! Last night was one of those where you see every hour on the clock Think I spent half the night making.mental lists for today

So far...

vitamin taken
cleanse/tone/moisturise
make up inc. eyes a bit more glam than usual.
earrings remembered

Just on way to get parcel tape and a marker so will get a 500ml bottle water in town.

Typical I went for a knit for today & weather here is scorchio!!

Exercise for the next few days will be a fair bit of walking and lugging boxes/buckets so will re-start shred next week when house sorted. Also plan to look at doing c25k once sorted.

I didn't realise the extraordinary oil came as a mist!

Am still doing well, been managing to do the shred every morning even with the kids around. On day 4 and already noticing an improvement in my stamina

Struggling a bit with water, been managing 6 glasses a day but am going to work on it.

Skin is feeling great from all the pampering.

Thank you fellow MNers for this thread it's given me the kick I needed

vvviola....your list sounds about right....jump on in & pamper away.

It's nice to have the motivation to do it instead of sort of "I'll do" attitude

Morning team,

Protein juiced, morning vits taken, pt'd, showered/scrub'd/moisturised, just about to blow dry hair.

What are we doing about boot cut jeans? Bin? Or will victoria beckham make them fashionable again?

Today I'm wearing a breton T from river island and zara blue skinnies (worried I might be too hot later).
I've acupuncture today, still need to order the rest of my vitamins and continuing wardrobe sort out later, and still need to wash the dog!

karbes apparently it's safe to embrace boot cut!
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1836008-Bought-jeans-for-first-time-in-15-years-They-are-boot-cut-AIBU

karbea sorry - Iphone changed it up karbes!

Happy to be called karbes :)