Operation Renovation - The Christmas Countdown (part 2)

[HelgatheHairy]

Our new home

Got out of the house for a while without DD today. At the age of 34 (35 in 3 weeks) I bought my first 2 pairs of skinny jeans! Got them from Vero Moda - size 14 which is the biggest size they do, a plain denim pair and a navy pair. I tried on a pair from there about a year ago and couldn't even get my leg in them!

Love the boots lucysmum I'd like a pair of boots with a bit of a heel. Must have a look in New Look.

I live in skinnies Helga, took me a good while to discover them though Think it was three years ish ago just before trying for dd2....I had a total overhaul then because I was sick of how I looked.

Are you looking forward to your dd's first Christmas?

Boots are from Deichmann, £29.99 reduced from £59.99!! Might be worth a look if you have them over there, bargainous prices & generally good quality (have only ever bought the girls stuff from there before though so we will see how these fare).

I'm going to squeeze in another early one tonight I think, one of the mums at school told me I look tired this afternoon (she's just had a baby too )! That's once I file all my nails down though so they're the same length & not all over the place

I spied a really really nice red dress in H&M yesterday....really nice....just not sure what I'd wear it for if I asked dp to get it for christmas

Pics now on fb :)

lucysmam those boots are just fab!!!

I was meant to be doing Christmas shopping yesterday but the queues were too long, so I got a pedicure instead

She didn't do a great job on the hard skin on my heels (but that usually takes a while to sort) but I now have lovely blue sparkly toes.

The rest of me is still as dishevelled as ever (even more so today after a crazy day of Christmas shopping, dance dress rehearsal for DD1, swimming test for DD1 and a very grumpy, suffering from allergies DD2, and an imminent MIL visit for DD1's dance recital tomorrow).

But, I'm still regularly taking my vitamins, using night cream, properly cleansing and moisturising, remembering my suncream and slowing sorting out my wardrobe. The efforts have to show through eventually, right?

(Speaking of which, will anyone still be up for a similar thread in the New Year? My graduation is in May, and I never got good photos of my last one, so I want to look really well for the photos this time around)

Helga - I'm with you on the skinnies. I was talked into a pair by a personal shopper in Debenhams (my Christmas present from my Mum two years ago), and I was amazed. Had sworn I would never wear them (the waistline is still not a pretty sight, but long tops sort that issue out )

12 days to go

I'm definitely up for a thread in the new year. With DD getting that bit older some things are getting a bit easier. I can now leave the house without her to get eyebrows done! (Haven't done it yet but in theory I can). May is my "deadline" too as we're going to New York.

I'm sooo looking forward to DDs first christmas. She's the only grandchild on both sides as well so major excitement. Have gotten her a jumperoo. Both grandparents are getting photos in frames of her. BIL has a professional type camera so we've had him do a few photoshoots!

Christmassy duvet cover is going on the bed today!

I'd also be up for a new thread in the new year. I want to be at my best for 15th January, but think I will need this thread beyond February as and when it's confirmed that my IVF round hasn't worked.

I know I don't post as often as I used to (bloody flu!) but I make a point of reading it every day and it definitely acts as my conscience when thoughts like 'can my hair go another day without being washed' pass through my mind

I really need to get back to basics. I'm still taking my vits each day but after IVF will be dropping down to the basics (folic acid, vit D and multi vit with iron rather than the squillion and one horse pills that I'm taking at the moment).

Hot water with lemon has gone out of the window, I seem to be incapable of breaking my (decaf) coffee habit that early in the morning. I need to increase my water intake dramatically. Getting rather bloated on the drugs at the moment so that might help.

I'm keeping up with my nails, but my hair's gone on the back burner for the moment. I'll try and get a trim done before Christmas as I'd still like to get the back layers cut out. I'm still toying with the idea of a dana scully style bob before my hair gets too long.

My wardrobe is almost sorted, but need to sort out work shoes as the soles are falling off the two pairs I have at the moment. More boots would be nice, too.

Sorry for the mememe post, just trying to get my thoughts in order as much as anything.

control if I read that right you're undergoing IVF in Jan or Feb? Sorry if you mentioned that previously, I only get to skim read sometimes. It sounds like you've already decided it won't work? I'm not going to say anything as twee as "you have to think positive" (as if that was all it took!) but please don't give up hope either.

Thanks helga, yes, the bulk of the drugs happen at the end of January and the collection/transfer process (hopefully we will get that far) will be at the beginning of February. It's our second round, and we have a lot of male factor issues to overcome in addition to my own problems, and I get the impression the consultant is just trying to use up our NHS goes so he can start charging us for the work I'm still in self-preservation mode at the moment (hence the negativity), but no doubt if things start to go better than they did last time my hopes will start to raise.

Evening all

(I haven't properly read todays posts yet, just skimmed btw).

Vvv...a pedicure rather than Christmas shopping sounds good! I did all mine barring a few bits online this year & life has been so much easier.

Helga go get your brows threaded! Best thing I ever did

Control you sound quite down in your post! How long does the whole IVF process take? Must be very stressful!?

Well, I've had one of those days here. Ll's agent came round demanding I let him in....yeah 'cos I'm gunna do that when you're right in my face demanding to come in & trying (successfully) to intimidate me. Horrible horrible man. Apparently I'm being unreasonable not letting contractors (who have not been to the house, or contacted us to see if we are in I might add) in to give quotes or agreeing to let him in without dp here! Spent half the afternoon blubbing he got me that worked up so afternoon school run was a snotty, red eyed mess

We're taking the girls to see Santa in town tomorrow, and for some lunch,so am going to spend the morning sorting my mop out and maybe put a coat of something sparkly on my nails

Gosh, sorry lucysmam I do rather, don't I! I'm actually not feeling too bad about it all, I suppose, but I do get caught up in my own little bubble sometimes. My last round took 2 weeks (short protocol) but this one is taking three months in total because they have me on different drugs.

So sorry to hear about your LL's wanky contractors, though I suppose it's a good thing that he is starting to look at getting the work done. Is it still within the council's timeframe? Poor you though, it sounds like such a nightmare and you really do sound ever so worn down over everything. Can you get a couple of hours to yourself and just have time doing nothing? Maybe a long bath, just for you?

vvv I also had a good chuckle at you going xmas shopping and ending up with a pedicure - that's the height of princessing!!!

11 days to go

lucysmam that sounds really rubbish. Are you getting advice from anyone on your rights as I'm pretty sure the agent can't just turn up and try to intimidate you. The Mineysavingexpert forum has a section on housing and the posters really know their stuff.

I've finally dyed my hair (and the bathroom counter,wall and top I was wearing). Chilli Chocolate is the name, I was expecting it to be slightly red but it's actually the exact same colour it was. Not a bad thing really. Seems to have covered the grey anyway!

I NEED to get my eyebrows threaded and a manicure. Wouldn't mind a pedicure either. Some Saturday in January I'll go and get everything done. I'm just not looking after my nails and my nail file is now hidden somewhere behind the Christmas tree where I can't get to it.

Have the Christmas duvet on the bed as well!

Helga I'm off to speak to the housing people with dp's mum on Tuesday morning, hopefully to find out if they can offer help with a bond. I've found a house, so long as it's not been signed for today, but we're going to struggle to get the cash together before the arse wants us out. If not, then I need to know if the notice he's tacked onto the end of a letter saying we've refused tradesmen entry is legal or not.

Thanks for the MoneySaving info...I'll sit down with the laptop tomorrow at some point and have a look on there.

I re-christmassed my nails tonight but they're not very good tbh...will not do them while dd1 jigs away to xfactor in future (The Killers were ace though).

Control I used to have a Dana Scully bob (and a very similar hair colour /lippy shade ). Go for it! I was actually thinking the other day about re-watching the xfiles.

Right...off to bed....my turn for a lie in

10 days to go

Heading into town tomorrow as my favourite jeans have given up the ghost, the cheap skinnies I bought 2 months ago are unravelling on one of the seams and I think my fat face khakis are about to go at the knees - that's all my casual trousers that are smart enough for work!

have a few 15% 8ff stickers for the department store in town and should make the most of them.

Good luck for tomorrow lucysmam I hope they can help you move on from this nightmare. I love the idea of you with a dana scully bob, it would really suit your face.

helga yay for the hair dye - I still have stains on the gloss paintwork that I can't get off from my last dyeing session too!

engels its so typical that both would start going at once. Hope you have a productive shopping trip.

I had a really good day yesterday, but was so busy I had no time to post my achievements! So, on behalf of yesterday I:

-showered
-hair washed and intensively conditioned
-hair dried and straightened
-wrinklestop on forehead, eyes and sides of mouth
-full anew range used on face
-advent box moisturiser used on face, neck and decolletage
-nails done in steel grey with electric blue glitter
-matching earrings and necklace (dark silver metal with diamond-type jewels)
-full face of makeup, including dark grey eyeshadow from the previous day's advent box gift
-dressed initially in indigo skinnies with mn [ wine ] t-shirt for meeting with another mner then later in my shiny steel grey jumper bought the other day from primark and same indigo skinnies and dark grey suede style boots for travelling half way across the country to take DP's son and his girlfriend for a meal, then back again the same day

Today is mostly about last minute presents, posting stuff on and generally making sure everything is sorted. I feel quite odd that all my xmas shopping and present-buying is finished. I keep looking around for extra people to buy for. I've never had a year where it's been anything other than parents and DP before, so it's been lovely having extended friends and family to think of.

If anybody on here would like a christmas card, please pm me

9 days to go

Outfit and make up sounds fab co trol.

managed to get a pair of jeans (same as last pair!). Will try andtput a patch on inside of knees and sew up skinnies if I can.

not looking very glam today - khaki's with cream 3/4 length sleeve fitted cable knit jumoer, glasses, no jewellery, no make up except tinted mois and lip balm, perfume.

have to whip the house into shape now as it's a pit.

Morning all (just, I know)...

Had a busy morning here...been to town for spangly shoes for both girls Christmas parties and for dd2's birthday bits for the 28th. Replaced my mascara, picked up a new hair mask and glitter eyeliner while I was out too . Just nipped into drs to sort the oldests prescriptions for over Christmas (her asthema's really playing up this week ) and now on my way for number two while dp and the oldest keep warm at home.

My nails are chipped already even though I only did them saturday night, will have to wait for tomorrow for repairs though as my best mate's coming round later on for and to exchange gifts. well, he buys gifts for the girls, I make him a christmas cake.

I'm on countdown to lovely brows now....3 more sleeps . I seem to have a few patches that just will not grow so am giving them 8 weeks after that to get their act together & if they still haven't grown they'll be coming back off!

What are you all having for christmas? I'm at a loss as to what to ask dp for , he's pulled a lot of faces at the practical stuff I need that I've suggested!

AAAArgh!!!! Have only just found this thread and its nearly over........ Please say that there will be a new one starting in the New Year so that I can start off my new Years Resolutions to 'princess' successfully. In the meantime, will be using the links to other related threads to catch up on the whole princessing thing, not much point in starting now as I would be just setting myself up for failure with all the Christmas treats and big meals.

Welcome style! I think a few of us are definitely looking to carry this on into the new year, please do feel free to join us, and to share your christmas celebrations in the meantime

thanks RCGTotY, would love to join in and really hope that there is a good few of you carry on into the new year as you all seem to be really supportive of each other and achieving your goals.

Evening

Hello Style

I tried my new hair mask in the shower (even though I finished my last one last night )...hair feels silky soft! except it's quite frazzled really, I didn't realise until today but my last cut was sometime around the beginning of the thread!

Just settling down to wrap stocking fillers, hopefully there'll be no small visitors tonight ....they went up an hour later than usual tonight because my best bud was here longer than we expected! I usually sit down and force dp to join in with a couple of but am saving the bigger stuff for the weekend when we're both in to wrap

Think I'm going to re-paint my nails tomorrow night at some point, if I get through the zillion and one things else to do first

8 days to go