Easter renovators! Come one, come all

[HelgatheHairy]

After the brilliant success of our Christmas Countdown Princessing thread I'm starting a new thread to take us to Easter. From 1st Jan it's 108 days so there will be a countdown to this days.

This idea stems from the original princessing threads but has evolved to accommodate all aspects of beautifying, beauty, clothes, diet, exercise etc.

What we like to do is a list of what your planning on doing and working through it.

Links to follow.

RIGHT. I need this thread. In 2014 I am going to:

• grow my hair. It grows soooo slowly and it was absolutely perfect length c.2008, but I stupidly listened to my mother and had it all cut off. Possibly have my fringe cut back in.
• take care of said hair, then maybe it won't look like a hedge while it's growing out.
• take vitamins/supplements every day
• have two alcohol-free days a week
• edit my wardrobe dramatically, because I have in the last 6 months or so figured out what works for me and I have a LOT of superfluous stuff
• get better at accessories, esp to help make my quite formal clothes (a lot of pencil skirts etc) less formal
• make a list of skincare products and make-up that I know work on me and STICK to them rather than going beserk in Superdrug on a regular basis
• continue gymming, and start bouldering and pilates
• have a facial every so often
• generally rock being 35 (tomorrow!) and child-free

Also - keep scraping and moisturising my hobbit feet all year round rather than doing intensive sanding in May and then forgetting about it.

Not done as well today as it's been a bit hectic but managed to get the basics done

I have...
*cleansed, serum and moisterised
*put on eye cream
*body moisterised
*used handcream throughout the day
*nice outfit and perfume
*made appointments for brows and a manicure next week
*drank lots of water
*stuck to the diet
*walked for an hour with a heavy pram

I got my pilates dvds today so going to have a watch of them later and have a go! Going to have a nice pampering session in the morning though so tomorrow should be a bit better.

My shoes are perfect, so that is one less worry. I am now colouring my hair and hoping that the power stays on long enough to wash it out! Big storm brewing outside, around 1000 homes have been evacuated in town because of the expected tidal surge.

Providing the salon can actually open tomorrow I have decided to go for a nude Shellac colour called Cocoa. A lot of my jumpers for work are quite bold colours, so a nude will go with anything.

Quick question - what colour bag if I'm wearing nude shoes? I need to take a tote to carry everything, but have both a black one and a tan one. Which would look best?

My tah dah list for the day is:

Cleansed,serum,moisturiser
Filed and moisturised hooves,also moisturized knees and elbows
Day three of the plank challenge

Have an appointment to get my hair cut next week, it grows like weeds

I'm still on the hunt for that elusive handbag

I'm having a test run drive to my new office first thing in the morning,I'm adding a good hour and a half to two hours to my (already lengthy) commuting time each day

What's the rest of your outfit like Jemima? I'm tempted to say tan I think. Btw, teal shoes sound ace! I always stick to black/brown for shoes...maybe I ought to branch out into dresses and coloured shoes (possibly not at the same time though, might overload myself )

TAda list - Cleansed toned mostursed, manicured , hair wash, body scrub before work walked to and from work and station - need to get on with some house work - feeling a bt blah!

Ta da
feet filed and moisturised
face cleansed, face mask, toner mois.
started sorting out nails- filed, cleaned and mois hands - but didn't get round to clear polish. Probably gest since I'm painting the cellar tomorrow!
sent back top and bolero that didn't fit

the reason I'm doing my nails is because DH gave me a lovely birthday present yesterday...an engagement ring! I mean, we've been married for 2 years so it's only taken him a little l8nger to get round to it than the average man Taking it to get resized tomorrow.

Hurray for jemima s new boots. I am so excited for you! You must make sure you come back on monday and tell us how it went!!!
allengels, how lovely!!!! Link? I think it warrants a french manicure myself!!! Before it comes back from resizing!!!
wolf, what bag are you looking for?

For the rest of the ladies, I am inspired by your efforts :)
lucy, feeling a bit less meh?

The shoes will go with several outfits, but generally either navy or grey trousers and a cardi or jumper. The cardis and jumpers tend to be colourful - red, coabalt blue, teal, emerald green, orange... although I do have boring grey and navy too. My coat is navy, and I usually wear a scarf. I'm veering towards the tan tote bag TBH.

Not quite sure what to say about engels engagement ring - congratulations doesn't quite work! Lovely to have though and reminds me that I still haven't got round to resizing mine after losing weight.

Aaargh not fair!

Just weighed myself and I have put another 2lbs since Monday. This means I have gained 4lbs over Christmas . I am really disappointed as my size 8 jeans that had started to feel tight are feeling comfy again.

So I am feeling fat and bleugh with a spot the size of a small country erupting on my chin.

I will update my to dos when I've stopped sulking .

106 days to go

SORRY 105 days to go

Good morning

Dilidali yep, feel much less meh now...think it was just the build up of so much going on got on top of me a bit

Jemima I'd go with the tan tote if that's what you're leaning towards. Glad you got shoes sorted, that would have been an interesting walk otherwise .

Helga did you get your phone line sorted yet?

My plan for today is to find something that'll help clear this patch of dry skin on my face (pinched a squirt of cetraben last night, may do the same again after Asda has been).

We're staying in afaik so make up free day although I will apply some foundation/blush/mascara if I do go anywhere. Hair had a night off blow drying last night & will do the same tonight too.

I signed up for a january challenge thing through a thread on Good Housekeeping. This weekend's "task" is to clean/clear floors, buy flowers and top up cleaners....I've just ordered the cleaning bits on Asda shop, dp has been instructed to buy me nice flowers and I'll do the floors tomorrow (plan some more diy/shifting about first).

Right, off to put the kettle on for a coffee before I get going. have a good day all

Morning all! Taking ring in now, then going to paint cellar when we get back. Will have to make sure I cover mmy hair otherwise I'll add to the grey!

Hair attempt no 1: straighten to within an inch of it's life. Result: total failure. Ended up with straight frizz which showed off grey hairs. Particularly irritating as I was at family barbecue where DH's step-sister showed up. She's 10 years younger than me, has a child the exact same age as my DD1 that was an interesting few months for FIL who was in no way ready to be a grandparent, and always looks stunning and impeccably put together.

Hair attempt no 2: overnight hair repair cream I discovered in by box of stuff.

(Working my way through all the stuff I have at home first before I look at wax/oil/new solutions)

Have almost finished sulking about weight gain, and witch hazel gel has decreased the size of my spot.

Ta Da
Weighed myself (9st 7)
Hot cloth cleansed and moisturised face, applied witch hazel gel to enormous spot on my chin.
Dressed (Navy and white striped knitted tunic, indigo skinnies)
Healthy-ish breakfast (the granola, fruit and yoghurt was going well, then I had a piece of toast and marmalade )
Water and vitamins
Two loads of laundry washed and dried
Ironing
Christmas decorations taken down
Christmas tree put outside
Hoovered up 1,000,000 pine needles
Recycled Christmas cards

To Do
Strip beds and wash and dry sheets
Put make up on
Appointment for Shellac at 2pm
Pop to Superdrug to buy a face scrub and mask
Buy flowers as house looks bare without the Christmas decorations
Buy some more fresh fruit and veg as we are running out of salad stuff.

ta das since last post
Shredded twice (yesterday & day before)
makeup including foundation and blusher
Hair brushed and oiled (since been trampled into a matted mess by one of the cats though!!!)
Dressed smartly for work
Successfully completed my fast day
Laundry
Bathroom S&S (yesterday & today)
Earrings
Painted nails a SHOCKING pink. They are almost glow in the dark!!!
Upped my water intake a lot compared to normal
Vits taken (I keep forgetting to mention them on here but I've been good, only missed one night so far)

to do
Today's shred
tackle the carpet on the hall stairs & landing
Dress smarter if going out later - just in 'shred' clothes at the moment to prompt me to get a move on
Drink more water
Take vitamins
Fasting day either today or tomorrow depending on DP's plans for evening meal
Polish work shoes as they're very muddy
Put salt in the dishwasher

I like the idea of the good housekeeping thread, I might have to go and lurk - or resolve to read the fly lady emails instead of deleting them en masse

Plans have changed!! Dp's mum is having both girls overnight again so we're off for a couple of in town & to see if I can find anything with my £25 (dp got two smart tee-shirts the other day but couldn't decide what to get me).

Have showered, exfoliated, shaved, hair washed and conditioned, used a little bit of dd's cetraben just on the dry patch & applied a full face of make up. Glad I got dp's mum to wash me a couple of my newer jumpers now!

Does anyone know if hard/soft water can make hair feel different? We're only 3miles or so up the road yet my hair is so much more manageable & feels so much softer I've not bothered with the irons it feels that nice !

whohooo lucysmam go celebrate! That is some treat :) Yes, hard and soft water have a major difference in how they make your hair and skin feel. If you've moved from hard to soft, you'll also notice that you barely need any shampoo to get a lather, too.

Oops. Bad Saturday. Didn't de fuzz in the shower so feel a bit icky. Need to wash hair but had to rush out. On the other hand-
Ta dahs
Cleaned out fridge and freezer
Bought loads of fresh fruit and veg
Healthy eating so far today and am going to make a very healthy Gok chicken dish for dinner.

I seem to be better at household ta dahs than personal ones, even if they are more effort. Any thoughts why or hints to turn this round please?!

Ta Da list so far
Shower
Cleansed & moisturised face
Moisturised legs & feet

Doesn't look that much written down!

We've also taken down the Christmas tree and DH put together the jumperoo we bought DD for Christmas. She LOVES it.

lucysmam I'm signed up to the same thing. I've vacuumed but not mopped and haven't had the chance to get flowers. Got enough cleaners in stock.

I was having quite a good day, but have now slightly ruined it by ordering pizza

Ta Das since last list
Had my nails done with Shellac, went for a completely different pinky-nude in the end.
Bought a face scrub, face mask and 2in1 serum & moisturiser in Superdrug
Bought another cardi for work in Monsoon - I know I wasn't supposed to be spending but I have had my eye on it for ages, it has now gone half price and there was only my size left on the rail. It was meant to be...
Bought flowers and salad
Changed beds and put them on to wash

To Do
Try to remember portion control when pizza arrives
Try out new face scrub and mask.

I hope I'm not too late! I have a million things I want to do better but S&Bwise I'll attempt the following:

Stop saving clothes for best - it's a really annoying habit.
Have a bath once a week so I can take better care of my feet using a foot file after and attend to defuzzing chores with a face mask on. 3-in-1 there!
Shower every day lazy tart alert!
Dress for the day instead of the nearest thing to hand (another lazy tart alert)
Minimum make-up every day. I'm too old to get away without it these days
Brush and style my hair - it looks shite if I don't.

There, I'll be gorgeous by Easter at this rate!