Operation Renovation - The Christmas Countdown (part 2)

[HelgatheHairy]

Our new home

Thanks for the idea LaFata, I think I have numerous pots of glitter stashed upstairs from my clubbing days (think there's even glitter hairspray ). will dig those out at some point and have a go at that.

I'm struggling to do everything - today I've managed nice outfit (grey maternity jeans, bright pink vest top, black v neck jumper, black cowboy boots) but no time for any makeup apart from a bit of foundation. I'm sure it's easier to be princessed with money and a nanny for the kids :)

Jemima that's fab weight loss, also want to know how you have achieved it! You're now the weight & height I was pre DS, I never felt particularly skinny but looking back at old photos now, I would have looked skinny rather than slim if I'd lost more weight (hope that makes sense!).

Cat Aldi Lacura do a good cheap version of touché eclait, think its about £5?

I treated myself to this foundation and its amazing - decent coverage, and gives my skin a wonderful glow. I definitely look less tired, and it was only £3 :)

Rockchick I am a big fan of MUA make up. They bring out their versions of all the 'in' things but at such a reasonable price. And everything I've tried has been excellent quality. They have their own version of chubby sticks for anyone who would like a cheaper version if the Clinique one.

I like MUA too, the stand in our local Superdrug is very empty lately though Maybe they're bringing out a load of seasonal stuff or something

I've just cleared the weeks worth of crap (bus tickets, wrappers etc) from my handbag....zipped it back up & the zip came off the other end so now I have something else to fix Just hope it goes back on ok because it's my favourite bag!

Lucysmam - if I put teabags or cotton pads on my eyes I 'd be asleep long before the 20 minutes were up

DD1 was at a sleepover at DH's aunt last night with her cousin, so this morning was a little calmer than normal. Which meant: face mask/exfoliation/defuzz/moisturise at shower time PLUS I discovered an old sachet of Aussie Three Minute miracle so put that on my hair in hopes of it doing something about the frizz/fluffiness. Looks good so far.

(Illness summary: still no spots for DD2, DD1 got all clear from doc after weird temps during week, DH still has man flu, and DD1 returned from sleepover with v swollen foot that she can't walk on properly after a trampoline incident. If no improvement in the morning we're off to the out of hours clinic ~sigh~ )

I tend to order the MUA stuff online. The stand is always quite empty and some of the stuff looks like it's had a hard life! So I order it so it comes through all packaged up and pristine (appeals to my perfectionist tendencies!)
Having said that I do not need anything in the make up department. This morning I cleared out the box I keep everything in and chucked load of stuff out. I did feel a bit guilty as some of it was quite good stuff but I just don't use it for whatever reason. This way I reckon I'll make more use of what I've got as I can see it more easily. And I think it's fair to say I have more lip glosses than I can ever realistically use. I could wear a differentcolour every day of the week!

Genius! I never thought about looking online for the MUA make up (even though I check prices of stuff online before shopping ). Might do that next time I need to replace some bits.

Bag is fixed ! Just need to stitch it back together because I had to unpick some of the stitching that holds the zip in place. Will do that after I make pizza dough for tea

I typed out a big long post at lunchtime but it doesn't seem to have actually posted!

Anyway, I've got my new glasses. Pic on my profile.

lucysmam you can get it on the Superdrug site or they have their own site too. Delivery has always been fairly quick although I can't remember what they charge.
It does mean you're taking a bit of a chance if you're ordering a new colour of something but it's so cheap it's not a disaster if you don't like it.

jemima glasses look good. I would love to get some new ones but need to get a job first. It's always so hard to choose them I find.

Meant to say helga did you know you get chubby sticks for the eyes too? I've got one in a lovely golden brown shade.

Jemima glasses look fab! same shape as I went for but mine have a really red frame

INeed that's even better, them having their own site, bet there's loads more on it. I'll have a gander & bookmark for when I have some pocket money

Am being lazy tonight; have showered, washed and conditioned hair and moisturised all of me. that's it! I cba to dry or straighten it so will pin up in a donut bun tomorrow & straighten the fringey bit I have that doesn't tie back. Need to take toe nail polish off so will have to get polish remover out next time I get up

Just about to carry on with what seems like an EPIC pile of mending!!

lucysmam it must be great to be so handy at sewing and mending. I can sew a button on but that's about it. Which is a terrible admission as my Mum is a retired Home Economics teacher!

control shopping spree went well - was only out for about an hour or so but it was nice to be on my own shopping for a little while!

!I found a cardi from next in a gingery brown colour, a green plain cotton top, a purple top and a cream (holey knit) cardi all from dotty p's, using birthday cash/vouchers so no cost to family budget or guilt.

Not too bad a haul, the tops were in the sale and there was 20% off knitwear in outfit so enjoyed my bargain hunting. Will try to post pics to fb tomorrow.

Need to take off polish tonight as I'm chipped, and will have a defuz/ moisturising session tonight too.

INeed it is indeed....I just wish I'd stuck at the fashion degree I was doing instead of being young and foolish & dropping out! But it is indeed very handy. The only stuff I can't do is alter big, heavy stuff like coats - which is a shame as I have a fab one that needs some work but will cost £'sss to have done - my machine just isn't up to it.

I have given up on my bag for tonight, I haven't got a leather needle & dp doesn't want the big light on (he's not long been in from a 12 hour shift) so I can't see well enough to make out the original holes to try a normal needle. Will stand in the kitchen window in the morning to do it....light is better there.

Cat I am a fan of touche eclat, and the aldi version is a great copy. The only thing is that there aren't any testers and I ended up with a shade too dark (sad). So I kind of blend my shade with the addition of foundation, seems to work.

Hi everyone.

73 days to go

V jealous of your mending skills Lucy. I've just learned to see this year, love making my own clothes. Going to attempt a long tweed cape this week. Hope my machine can cope.

I'm doing well at princessing this week. Hair is still extended and very long with bouncy curls. I've worn makeup every day. I've also been stalking Caroline Hirons' blog for skincare advice. My skin is much better. Love the double cleansing and have followed the advice about layering products at night. It's worth a go.

Diet wise I give up. I'm going to do Cambridge from tomorrow. It's hard work but nothing gets you as slim as quickly. DSis had lost 5 stones recently and looks stunning. There's always been a bit of rivalry between us do anything she can do...

Just to add YY to Aldi touché éclat. All the shades are too light for me but my best friend swears by it and she looks fab!

boots offer Laura Ashley skin are set is half price in Boots this week only

www.boots.ie/en/Laura-Ashley-Ultimate-Indulgence-Gift-Set_1363572/

Morning all

I'm still laid in bed!!! Girls are watching the iPlayer on the telly so took advantage of it & have snoozed for the past hour!

Just about to go do brekky....not sure what yet

Misssss I haven't made anything in ages, we used to have some great fabric stalls on the market, and shops but most are gone now. Once I factor in p&p on websites, it's usually cheaper to buy

Big pamper and paint nails tonight. And must check my eyebrows today in the light....I tried at 8pm last night using the kitchen light...couldn't see a thing.

Hair is ready for colour/cut too so will book that for next week I think

Right...up I get!

Morning! I have made an executive decision not to go into work today after yesterday's security guard debacle, so will finish off what I can do from home.

So this morning, teeth all brushed, flossed, mouthwashed and whitened, and I have shredded already. DP has promised me a homemade brunch to end all brunches so at least I now feel I have earned it!

I looked at the MUA website, seems there is a load of stuff out of stock on there, too - must be getting ready for a season change or something.

vvv I'm with you on the teabags thing! Five minutes in and I'd be snoring. How's everyone doing at yours now?

lucysmam I am very of your mending talents. I really need to sort my junk room craft room out so that I can get at the machine and fabric again.

petals that sounds like bliss! I love a bit of peace to go shopping. Your haul sounds brilliant, well worth the trip!

What is the aldi touch eclait called? I might have to talk DP into a trip up there after brunch...

ControlGeek, you have a craft room???

I'm turning my office cupboard (we changed the walk-in-wardrobe into a little office for me when I started my dissertation) into a craft room when I finish studying. The lack of light may be an issue, mind you!

(I'm making no comment on health of the house til after my big meeting with a lecturer on my research project tomorrow, don't want to jinx anything!)

Minor ta-das for today: vitamins, moisturiser & SPF (trying to get into habit before it's crucial), healthy dinner, and convinced DH of dire need for pedicure as soon as I have time (not a huge feat, he spotted my bare feet peeking out of covers this morning and said "dear god you could really do with a pedicure" )

vvv I will be all too glad when I can turn it into a nursery, and evict my craft stuff into the cupboard in the (very tiny) guest room. At the moment though it's not even really a craft room - it contains all the stuff we unpacked after moving that doesn't have a proper home, so I can't get at anything I want. Once we have DP's shed sorted, lots of stuff can be evicted into there and I can go to town on making it a proper craft room worthy of an face

I have done well on the exercise front today. This morning I took part in a 5k cross country run with obstacles! Did feel like I was going to die at the time but the rush afterwards is amazing!
Came home and had a long soak in the bath then did my hair and make up and got dressed in the clothes I had, for once, got organised last night.
I have treated myself to two cupcakes from the van that delivers round our town so the plan for the rest of today is to sit on the sofa and do very little!

Well done on your 5k + obstacles Ineedsomehelp. You must be super fit.

Today I've done a mixture of school work and pampering. Popped to the shops and bought some bits. A glass nail file, some hand cream, nail polish, some nair and a game changing revelation of a gadget.

I don't know what the proper name is but it's a razor blade attached to a handle that shaves the hard skin and callous from the feet. Sorry if tmi but I attacked my hooves and you should have seen the pile of shavings I managed to harvest! My feet are now baby soft and I've painted my toes a plum shade. I really want to wear sandals now, I was too afraid to all summer! It was about 2.50 from body care if anyone fancies a go.