Operation Renovation - The Christmas Countdown (part 2)

[HelgatheHairy]

Our new home

[lucysmam]

I think from a quick click, that the second post down links to the first thread .....with the list of stuff we're all working from, we're not all doing it all though iyswim? We've tailored our own lists from what is there and added/taken away as we saw fit. Anyway, should give you an idea.

Off to blow and straighten hair, back when kids go to bed

[Dilidali]

I'll try and remember what we're supposed to be doing.
Helga had this brill idea of a 20 item list do, 100 days up to Christmas.
So stuff like: drink more water, hot water and lemon in the mornings(I love this one, I take my vitamins with it), fish twice a week, 5 fruit&veg a day, moisturise every time you shower, put a bit of make up on, think about the next day's outfit and try and look together and polished. Thread eyebrows (or wax, whatever really), have a haircut, exercise!!!!

Some things you do every day, some once a week, some once a month.

We all made our own lists, really, with whatever we feel we should 'do better'.

Sending the child for a bath now, brb

[Misssss]

Evening! Been really busy all week and haven't had chance to reply. Thanks for the lovely welcomes though.

I'm doing ok with my renovations. I've been putting out outfits the night before and my general grooming is much better. Think nails, eyebrows, hair removal and makeup. I did one zumba class last week but have yet to start shredding again. I low carbed for most of last week and I've lost 4lbs so feeling a bit better about my weight too.

The weight is the one thing I really dislike about myself. I can't help the feeling that no matter how good I look, if I'm fat that is all people notice. I'm also fed up of people telling me how pretty my face is and how gorgeous I'd be if I lost some weight. Grrr!

I've just got new hair extensions, gone for a much brighter colour than normal but they are very nice, big and bouncy. I'll post a pic in the fb group. I'm feeling more and more like the old me every day.

Went on a date last night, I've known the bloke for a while but we're both a bit too busy for anything serious. We went for a meal and some fella went up to him when he was paying and told him he was "lucky!" Talk about a confidence boost.

[HelgatheHairy]

Welcome LaFata

This is the link to the introduction thread. We took the princessing list as inspiration but customised it for our own personal preferences.

We're a friendly bunch so just shout if you need help. You don't have to post your list once you decide on it but some people liked to to show their intentions.

On a side note - DD was only 13 days old when I started the first thread, now she's 8 weeks! Time flies!

[HelgatheHairy]

Had a lovely time at the in-laws. Had a roast chicken dinner & MIL held DD so I could use both hands to eat! Then I went to bed for an hour while they kept her entertained. After I got up had a slice of yummy carrot cake made by FIL and a cuppa.

Watching The Hangover 3 now (it's not great)

[bigkidsdidit]

Hello everyone, been catching up, I've slid off after DH had a week off and it's weird how the less you have to do the less you get done . With him here I barely got anything done even though he took the boys out!

Anyway, I'm being good with my routines and body brushing, vits, hot water and lemon, fish, veg and salad. Weigh in day tomorrow on the low carb thread but I feel loads slimmer :)

Just realised I'm back at work in two months today so have written a count down list. Today I bought a nice black polo neck jumper with a £50 John Lewis voucher I had and this month will also get some layering vests. Next payday I'll get some cardigans (I want cashmere so it'll be eBay) an she week before I go back I'll get two new pairs of jeans to fit my skinny self and have a haircut, professional manicure and eyebrows done. I'm really looking forward to it, I find being at home very isolating.

Will catch up with all your posts now!

[Dilidali]

She's safely 'boiling' with a book (child, in the bath that is. We're at the 'I'm nearly a teenager don't you know'. 'Needs a bit of deodorant now' stage, actually)

Anyway, just realised I haven't actually posted my to do list. No big secret, just didn't get around to do it.

Morning routine:

Brush teeth
Make coffee, hot water and lemon
Shower, defuzz, moisturise, deodorant
Apply make-up
Get dressed, perfume on, drink the above coffee, take omega 3, evening primrose oil, vit D with the hot water and lemon.

i have breakfast at work :)
I fill up two bottles with water and drink through the day. Always bring my own lunch
Stay away from biscuits
Snack on fruit only

Evening routine

Shower
I don't moisturise my whole body afterwards in the evenings, but I use foot/hand cream, eye cream and face serum and cream. I tend to give it a break with all the moisturising on certain evenings, give the skin a chance to breathe.
I wash my hair every other day, I blow dry it, I use argan oil because I swim a bit and work in a very dry environment.
I prepare my clothes the night before.


Exercise: I tend to alternate swimming with pilates. A long walk at the weekend.

Weekly

Manicure and pedicure. I file finger nails, push cuticles back, buff. Nail varnish on toes.

Need to go and fish out the teenager wannabe. I'll be back :)

[Countdowntess]

Dilidali I love the idea of an advent tin! I think that I might have a good look through what I have stashed away and make myself do 1 extra beauty treatment a day in December. I have a box with magazine freebies that I never use, things like intensive conditioners, BB creams etc. It will help in my quest to use everything up.
Other ideas for your tin from me would be a nice soap, Hotel Chocolat do little tiddly pots of yummy chocolate and maybe some cozy winter socks or a mini hot water bottle. I also like candles and bath bombs, especially the Lush Christmas ones, but I think that they have already been mentioned.

Welcome to all of the new ladies.

I had a quick look through the Boots catalogue but was not really all that inspired this year.

Going to try harder next week, I have done all the ironing and cooked all of the meals so there is no excuse for me not to do as much as I can from the list.

My spots have also finally cleared so I am hoping that my skin has equilibrated with the extra skincare and water drinking.

[lucysmam]

This post will probably be epic.....but split in bits (dp is using the dinosaur so I'm on phone app again!)


Misssss lovely to see you back Fab to have a compliment like that! Did you enjoy your date? Will you be seeing him again?

Blueandwhite glad the oil came out....remember literally two or three drops ON ENDS ONLY next time (I don't think it matters if you put it on wet or dry btw, have had a read of my bottle)

Control at shredding at work again! http://www.acne.org/aspirin-mask-reviews-75/ aspirin mask link as promised (one of many on t'internet)

Jemima how did your ds's footy match go?? (it was footy wasn't it or am I remembering wrong )

[lucysmam]

Helga your PIL sound brilliant! Hope you felt refreshed after your hours sleep?

bigkids I find I achieve less when my dp is here....still sticking to my routines but he's on afters this week so less will get done round the house until he leaves for work

[lucysmam]

Count I have the Boots book too....not very inspired either tbh....am compiling dp an amazon wishlist & a written list of things I would like to try

Right, think that's everyone....apologies if I missed anything

I have showered, exfoliated, defuzzed, washed and aussied hair, moisturised all over. Mud masked my face....aspirin masked the big spots that were brewing (they seem less red and lumpy. Think iirc it's the salicylic acid that helps clear blocked pores). Hair is dried and straightened. clothes out for the morning. Feet pumiced and smothered in cetraben. Hands manicured (I found some products to use up! I have a case full of bits from being a nail tech....two full hand creams, hand mask and exfoliator! So have done the full works & will paint tomorrow when kids in bed)

I'm going to try the Aussie shampoo and conditioners this week.....the deep conditioner smells luscious so hopefully they're just as nice!!

Small pile of repairs to get through at some point this week too. & work on my December box

[Misssss]

Lucysmam loved it. He only left a couple of hours ago... He's great, The little part of me that is full of self doubt says he's out of my league but we had a great night/day together. For once I didn't feel as if everyone was looking at us thinking why is he with her. I'll definitely be seeing him again, probably in a couple of weeks.

The Aussie stuff is lovely btw. I really like the smell and it makes my straw hair feel nice and soft.

[lucysmam]

bugger Control try this link instead, didn't notice my first didn't convert

[lucysmam]

Misssss that's ace! You look really great on the pic you posted on fb....no way is he out of your league

Glad the aussie stuff is good, I tend to feel a bit guilty buying more expensive bits and bobs but last time I bought expensive-er (yep, I know it isn't a word ) shampoo etc, they lasted me months. I've made sure that dp & the girls each have their own so they don't try using mine

[Rockchick1984]

Oooh, what's the Aussie hair stuff please? I managed to style my hair today and put on more makeup than just a bit of tinted moisturiser, so that's a vast improvement on my normal morning routine

[lucysmam]

for Rockchick I'm using the 3 minute miracle conditioner atm...tis lurvely, my hair smells gorgeous! £2.99 in Savers if you want to try it....three for a tenner everywhere else I've seen it atm (Boots/Asda/Wilko)

[Rockchick1984]

Will give it a go, thanks!

[ControlGeek]

Quick check-in before I head off to bed (thanks for the link lucysmam will read it properly tomorrow.

My Sunday night pampering went for a ball of chalk tonight - only just got back from the hospital with DP. All is well but now I'm knackered out with the stress and from shredding and stressing at being spotted by the security guard so have just fallen in and out of the whoer and will probably go to bed with wet hair

[ControlGeek]

shower. I fell in and out of the shower. I did not fall in and out of the whoer

[Paintyourbox]

Hi everyone!

Sorry I have been off the radar for a week! Dd has been poorly with hand, foot and mouth which has coincided with teething so have spent every day with her clinging on to me and every night trying to get her to sleep.

Determined to start again tomorrow- need a thorough grooming session from head to toe!

My mum bought me a lovely pair of jeans and I am too bloody fat for them. So angry with myself for letting my diet go.

[CatAmongThePigeons]

I've completely lost my way with this and it shows I am aiming to book a haircut this week as I'm in desperate need of good cut and style.

I have thoroughly conditioned my hair (its still very fluffy, does anyone have tips?) and have removed the chipped nail varnish and painted on a low maintenance pink instead. Hve got tomorrow's outfit sorted so I should be a bit better at facing the day.

[HelgatheHairy]

79 days to go

[INeedSomeHelp]

Spent a very long time in Bravissimo yesterday with a very patient assistant. Finally came out with one sensible white bra, a sensible black one, a lovely navy patterned one and a totally mad lime green and turquoise leopard print one! Also got two pairs of knickers to match each one. Just about had a heart attack when it came to paying but thought what is the point of trying to look better if I'm wearing saggy undercrackers that don't do anything for me. And I will tell myself that again when I see my bank statement!
Also went to Next and bought a new pair of jeans and they are a size 14 - get in! And they definitely fit and I can still breathe and sit down and eveything.
Sorry to go on but getting new clothes that fit and flatter is a big part of this project for me. Partly because I've been working so hard at boot camp over the last few months. But also because I haven't really had any money since stbxh left a year ago so have had to make do a lot.

[lucysmam]

Morning

INeed that sounds like my kind of shopping trip! Did you have fun? the lime leopard set sounds fab btw

I'm just on way home from school run to get dp out of bed . Going to start on a couple of repairs today so I have more peace and quiet when the girls are in bed. Got to sort the bomb site that is my kitchen though.....EVERY surface is covered in stuff this morning

Routine all done, the cod liver oil isn't helping with my aches & dr is still none the wiser as to what is causing it so consultant appointment when I get one (could be bloody months!)

Spots seem to have gone down loads & pores are not looking so big after using the aspirin mask and face wash with salicylic acid in it so will def keep that up. The face wash is more like a cream cleanser though so might have a look for one that foams (I like to see bubbles iykwim? )

[bigkidsdidit]

Morning :)

Totally agree about underwear ineed, your list sounds great. My underwear drawer is shocking, I haven't bought anything new since I got pg with ds1 4 years ago. Then i was breastfeeding, then I got pg again, and now it is all totally the wrong size. But it is so expensive!

You have inspired me, today I'm going to clear out my whole drawer and keep only a few bits (it is overflowing and I have to stuff clean bits in ) then I'll ask for vouchers for Christmas and replace it all :)