Operation Renovation - The Christmas Countdown (part 2)

[HelgatheHairy]

Our new home

I wear a LOT of scarves, I love the jeans / slim fit jumper / big scarf look. Also my work is in a lab and is freezing! I wrap them twice round usually but I only buy extra long ones that are atill loose and casual looking twice wrapped.

Zara have good ones and tk maxx. Also Atterley Road.

Do a google image search for Jessica alba scarf! That's exactly how I wear mine.

www.scarves.net/scarf-tying-index.html scarf link, it's not the one I used but loads of ideas on there

oooh thanks bigkids and lucysmam, some lovely ideas there! I have finally got to the end of my to do list so plan on rewarding myself by going shopping tomorrow without DP - TX Maxx and Primark, and possibly Asda if I cba to walk that far, depending on how many bags I am carrying by that point I'll pick up a couple of scarves and see how I get on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

I love scarves and wear one most days. I have just bought this robin print one in black as I thought it would be nice for Christmas concerts, Carol services etc. I didn't pay that much for it though, I think it was £8.99 in a local shop. Today I have been wearing this scarf. I like bird prints

Job interview is for manager of the nursery department at a local school. It is a job that I really, really want.

I've been keeping up with routines, but still look really tired. Probably because I am really tired

Hi everyone,

It's pamper night tonight so going to have a nice bath and exfoliating sesh.

It's well and truly winter here and I'm secretly pleased I am getting to dig my nice, warm jumpers out! Still need to find a winter coat though...

Good luck with your interview Jemima

Have fun shopping Control, my fella said today that he's going to work some overtime just so I can go shop!! Can't bloody wait

Jemima, I like the scarf in your first link...will have to look out for similar for myself for over the festive period. I'll keep everything crossed for you for the job! I'm applying to be a dinner lady at dd1's school ...one of the other mums already is a dinner lady & told me before the job went 'live' iyswim so I have the application form filled out for the morning

Paint, it's turned into winter here too .....I actually don't mind winter really, love snuggling up on an evening under my blanket

Am just settling down with my pudding now, rhubarb crumble.....really looking forward to it. I stroked dd2 to sleep so she isn't moaning and groaning...just so I can eat it in quiet .....hopefully the stroking is not a permanent fixture

75 days to go

Morning all.

Not been able to post much as DP is off work this week so we've been busy.
I've kept up with princessing me & the house. I've rearranged furniture in most rooms to make better use of space.
Had a few hours at the hairdressers yesterday for trim & highlights, feel lots better for it. She commented how much better condition my hair is in now compared to the beginning of the year so I'm really pleased.
I owe a huge thanks to Lucysmam for recommending a set of drawers on another thread. DP bought them for me and now all my makeup, nail things & beauty stash are organised. It's made me stupidly happy, will pop a couple of pictures on FB.
Good luck for the interview JemimaM
I hope your Dd is feeling better Lucysmam
Have fun shopping Control, are you going for anything in particular?
Sorry for anyone I've missed, currently have both DDs on my knee.

jemimaM I'm sorry, I completely missed your post about your interview - good luck! I am sure you will knock 'em dead.

lucysmam good luck with your application, too. I'm doing the reverse - I am working overtime so DP can buy a new shed. The 5:2 diet is reducing our food spend though so I figured I could have a little wander around the shops today pretty much guilt free.

Dressed in light blue skinnies and my beige and blue owl jumper this morning. Not sure whether to shred before going into town (will be eating lunch there with DP) or when I get back. I think later might be better, my hair's looking ok for once, I don't want to ruin that by getting all sweaty!

DP was so excited about his weightloss today that he made me get up and stand on the scales to prove they were weighing accurately 12.5lb in 6 weeks, he's a trooper! I've lost 5.5lb in the same period, but it feels like I have lost more as my shape has changed a lot too.

JemimaP I want nice things to wear to work. I have four dresses and a skirt already, but don't want to be wearing the same things every week iyswim. I'd really like dresses, they tend to fit me better than skirts and tops as it's hard to find skirts that sit on the waist rather than dropping down onto the hips.

I have just made the fatal mistake of searching for dresses on ebay I have already bought this in size 10 (bit worried as I've gone by the measurement chart on the page, but it says the dress is sized smaller than normal uk sizes. No way am I a size 8) and have four more dresses and suits in my watch list.Poor DP might not get his shed at this rate

Good morning

JemimaP of your new storage from Ikea...I liked the one with the mirror but have to save for it so am collecting smallish boxes from Poundworld atm for organisation.

saving for a shed Control....the exciting lives we lead

Dd2 only woke once last night & was stroked back to sleep so I got a proper nights rest. Still tired but not as bad!

I think we've skipped autumn and gone straight to winter...it's freezing, rainy and grey here And I need to go into town with dd2 for a birthday present for dp's mum dd1 reckons get socks.

Don't think I'll be trying the Aussie shampoo and conditioner I wanted for my hair this week, we'll have about twenty quid of dp's wages left for the week after paying rent/food shop/phone bill etc . Am just off home (when the bus gets here....think it's lost ) to see how creative I can be with the contents of the freezer for the next week

Bargainous dress Control! I ought to try a dress at some point rather than skinnies & a jumper or top (I am more adventurous in summer, honest! )

Good luck jemima and Lucy!

I have some bits to sell so that I can buy a new pair of boots. I have a moses basket, a sling (that should get a lot), a maternity swimming costume etc. does anyone know where I would get more, eBay or Facebook or gumtree?

Oh lordy, somebody please take my ebay account off me - I have just bought this too

lucysmam hope your buses are better than mine - they're one an hour where I used to live, and often didn't turn up at all. Glad you were able to get a proper night's rest, it makes a huge difference!

ooooh, Control I really like that red one!! I think I'd feel overdressed for mooching around the house & school runs in something like that but it is rather nice

Thanks Bigkids...application form gone in the post

Control the buses are supposed to be every ten mins ....I waited twenty for the one I've just come home on though & they just get worse when the bad weather hits.

Freezer was a goldmine of half boxes of stuff like fish fingers/cakes, tubs of homemade bol sauce, meatballs & more so I only need to actually buy Sunday dinner, packed lunch stuff for dp and bits to go with what's there. Helps me out a bit too....I need to defrost it....looks a tad snowy in there

It's cold!! DH went off to work this morning, 10 seconds later he came back in to get warm water as the car was frozen over!!

Little bit of make up on today as going to have a trip to town. Have sleep suits reserved in next for DD for Christmas www.next.co.uk/g493598s3 I think I'm allowed go a bit overboard for her first Christmas!

Helga actually frozen over??? Wow, I must be in the only warm pocket of the uk today then, because it drizzled a little overnight but it's just a really beautiful autumn day here otherwise. I lurrrrve the sleepsuits, especially the norwegian style one with the rows of picture. Gorgeous!

lucysmam they will most definitely be officewear and posh meals only - I can't imagine even wearing casual dresses around the house. I live in leggings and now my skinnies To be honest, I'm a little worried about feeling overdressed even at the office in those two but at that price I couldn't resist.

Right, 10 minutes then I'm heading into town to hit the shops and have lunch with DP. Why do pale blue skinnies feel so much more casual than dark blue ones?!

Evening all

I'm still here, hanging about until I can actually focus a little more on myself and not on assignments/illnesses/general chaos! Still waiting to see if DD2 will get the pox - but both she and DD1 got some weird viral temperature thing over the past few days. All just about recovered now though.

I nearly got my eyebrows done today. I dropped DD1 off at a party in a nice part of the city that I don't get to go to very often, so I treated myself to a wander around the shops and a cup of coffee with my study books. There was a place doing eye makeup and brow stuff, but both staff were busy and kind of glared at me when I went into the shop, so I scuttled back out. I think I must have just looked too scruffy

But it's the thought the counts, right?

It is sooooo cold here. I have to go and watch DS2 and DD play hockey later and I will be piling on the jumpers! Mind you, it gives me a good excuse to wear my new white gilet, which is entirely impractical but looks fab

My order from Next arrived last night and I have sorted out an interview outfit from it - mink coloured wide leg trousers and a navy long sleeved scoop neck jersey top. I have a colourful chunky necklace to brighten it up, but haven't decided on shoes yet. I am also trying to decide whether to dye my hair over the weekend, or whether that would be tempting fate for a colour disaster!

Well done on your weight loss Control. I've lost another 2lbs this week despite eating loads, it is getting silly now. I've now lost 80lbs altogether.

Good luck with the job lucysmam, do you know when the interview is yet?

vvv I'd say that was a very sensible 'nearly'. They should have been far more polite to you if they wanted your custom. PLeeeeease say you will go back and do a Pretty Woman on them

JemimaM wow that is some weightloss you've got there lady! If you're still losing, it must be right for your body though no? Your interview outfit sounds fab.

My phone is determined to drive me up the wall today. I have just taken photos of everything I bought today and it is refusing to send the emails to myself. Grrrr! As soon as I can get them off the phone, I'll post them to fb. All in all, a good haul. Two scarves, some black tights and nude tights, two work dresses and a dressy non-work dress. Could do with a tummy shaper under the non-work dress, really, but from the front it looks fine

Okay I may have gone slightly mad on the underwwar front. I have now bought seven sets of bras each with two pairs of knickers!
I am justifying this to myself as I really need to throw out everything I had so I was starting from scratch. I think I am a bit addicted to having matching sets though!

ineedsomehelp I DREAM of doing that!

Turned into a beautiful day, cold but bright blue sky. Had a wander round Next, they had some lovely chunky knitwear. Saw a lovely parka in Oasis m.oasis-stores.com/ellie-faux-fur-lined-parka/coats/oasis/fcp-product/3930016328. It looks much better in person and so cosy

Treated myself to a gift set of 3 small chubby sticks - I've never tried them!

I'm sure a lot of people would think it a terrible waste of money Helga but none of my old underwear fitted me properly anymore and it was all very greying. Having lovely matching sets makes me feel so much better about myself. And I haven't had any money to spend for such a long time that I maybe have gone slightly mad! Have promised myself a day in the house tomorrow with no shopping involved!
That parka looks lovely. I got a similar one in River Island a few years ago and it's great on cold days.

I'm no sure about the weight loss Control. I am now at the point that people are starting to comment that I am getting too thin in the face. My BMI is exactly 21 (I am 5'6" and weigh 9st 4lbs) so I am still well within normal range, but I do think I look tired. Which might be because I am tired, or might be because I am getting too thin. Having been overweight or obese for my entire adult life this isn't a problem I'm used to!

I would love to splash out on some new underwear, mine has all got too big again. I'm hoping for vouchers today so that I can treat myself.

Am currently a little bit that Gok ignored my question on the webchat. But I'm sure I'll get over it!