Operation Renovation: The last of the summer wine, and sorting out Autumn wardrobes

[ControlGeek]

Following on the heels of the previous renovation threads, this one will seal the deal on Summer and take us nicely into Autumn with a flurry of mn scarves and flashes of seasonal nail varnish.

As always, this thread is for all types of renovation - diet, hair, make-up, clothes, or simply finding ways to make more time for you.

The rules are simple, make a list of 10 things (or as many as you are comfortable with) you will do to start to work towards your renovation goal and decide how frequently you need to do these.

I'm just having a coffee and then plan to drink just water for the rest of the morning. Hopefully I can cut back on the caffiene a bit.

Haven't had any weekend either this week. Plenty of tea though, need to find something else to drink.

Right...second load of washing to go in then second brow to do. Will post a pic on fb unless it goes horribly wrong in which case I will hide in a paper bag

I've been out of renovation action due to a sore back but I'm slowly gettign back on top of things.

I did my nails last nigth and they finally are starting to look nice so I'm goign to keep up the file and buff on a Sunday night as they are just the right mix of short for practical but long enough to look done. I'm thinking about buying some polish but I'm trying to go hippy/eco for my beauty products and haven't foudn a local place with nail polish yet.
Apart from that my food intake has been high! but I'm writing it down. I'm reading Sugar the Bitter truth and want to slowly start working towards his recommendation. Number one on my list is to eat more veggies. I love them but have got out of the habit of eating them.

Morning all! Love the mumsnet swears by, but have so much unused stuff in my make-up bag!

Looking forward to picking up my make-up organiser next week in England and hope that'll help me make the most of what I have.

Just about to pop into town for some new bras and see if they have nay other nice maternity tops - that's what I need atm.

Ordered one of the earring cases as well, thinking about getting one for my Dsis for Christmas.

Okay, got 2 plain tops and a pack of 2 bras.

Off to thermal baths with friend in a bit for a good gossip!

I'm just back from a weekend away. Just what I needed.

My skin is looking better for a bit of TLC. I picked up some facial oil in Waitrose as I've heard it's good for cleansing. Need to Google what I'm supposed to do though!

Aaaah, I feel so relxed!

You two sound all chilled out

I must have done something right yesterday...I had my hair cut two weeks ago, no-one mentioned it at all....did my brows yesterday & I've been getting compliments on my hair all over the place

Had a chilled pamper last night and early ish night. Still knackered but not as bad as last week. Seems to have caught up with dp though, he got up at 11am & left for work at noon.

Nails unpainted as I plan a mammoth baking session on Weds afternoon & couldn't be arsed with taking polish off agaib so I filed and buffed instead.

Am still looking at my many jewellery boxes like , trying to decide the best way to organise it all but not getting very far.

Lucysmam I use a scarf hanger for necklaces. It lives in my wardrobe which makes it easier to match them with outfits. I have a book thing for earrings - Pia jewellery sell them.

Feeling very autumnal today! Wore my knee high boots for the first time this season, with a dark grey Boden Breton, a black babycord skirt and a grey elephant print scarf. Autumn dressing is really in my comfort zone though so I am quietly pleased.

Had another Boden delivery today. They sent me two lots of vouchers (one for £15 and another for £10) so have used them to replace some of my tattier Breton tops as I wear them all the time. I also bought a lovely feather print scarf reduced from £25 to £5.

Tomorrow I plan to wear navy wide leg trousers with a navy Breton and the feather print scarf. I need to file my nails, the only problem with swimming every day is they keep splitting.

I have a work do on Thursday, dress code is "smart casual". No idea what to wear. Will probably end up in a wrap dress with boots. It is in a marquee so needs to be something warm enough. I hate "smart casual" - I don't want to look too scruffy or too dressed up!

Aaargh I'm having such an outfit indecision about what to wear tomorrow! I'm trying to look like I haven't tried to hard but am effortlessly stylish. 100 guests coming from outside the company, I need to nail this one. Should probably have thought about it early enough to buy something rather than relying on what I have in the wardrobe.

Sorry been MIA... Busy week at work last week with 3 late nights and then dd's birthday party. Then went to Germany on Monday and returned on Tuesday. Haven't done much beauty wise but have been drinking lemon water. I can now tell you that I've been a lot more regular...

Was also talking to a colleague today about a fab dress she had on... And it was a dress I was eyeing in Boden. Was commenting about how slim she looked and how i wouldn't look as good in that dress because of my mummy tum and she showed me her secret!! One of those tummy control body shaper things!! I'm so touched but pleased she revealed that - it doesn't make me feel so inferior then!! I'm going to look into that at m&s!

Question: my foundation is running out. I've been using Estée Lauder's double wear. And previous to that I used lancomes teint foundation.

I now see on mumsnet swears by, the lighter version of Lancôme. Is that good?

I have acne scarring and although I'm doing glycolic peels etc which is improving, I still feel conscious of them. I did buy the no 7 version but I really don't get on with it. It keeps slipping off (I have oily skin) and I don't feel happy with it - somehow the colour looks off.

Any suggestions for medium to full coverage oil free foundations? Thanks!!

I need a mum tum shaper. Or possibly liposuction. In the next 12 hours.

Have just found out that there is a TV crew coming to the work do and doing a live broadcast from there. No pressure then.

Am falling back on Boden, as I usually do when the going gets tough. Navy jersey wrap dress, navy opaques, teal suede heels, pewter babycord jacket, feather print scarf (which has the same teal colour as the shoes in it). That will do for the day. Then in the evening I can take the jacket off and wear the scarf as a wrap/pashmina type thingy.

Need to paint my nails now. And get a good night's sleep.

Jemima your outfit sounds fab! Good luck and enjoy!

I remember about a year back when BBC rang to interview me about something. And then said that they were turning up with a TV crew... And I totally flipped. Of course, it was the blooming day when I hadn't washed my hair, I was wearing a 'supermarket' top (nice but still...) and I didn't have spare makeup.

in the last week I have had the following:
3 portions of meat (a tasty steak, roast chicken, and sausages); the remainder of my meals were meat free. no crisps (this is a big one for me -i love crisps), one glass of wine, lots of water. hardly any tea.

i have had a cold for a lot of the week, so haven't really been feeling my best, so have tried where possible to overcompensate by making y outfits more fun/vibrant etc.

had clients over this week too for meetings, so have had to up my game and put my happy face on. :o)

skin routine is going well - managing to stick to facial routine and am moisturising full body every day.

I'm looking for a nude lipstick. have had a test of some in boots while bored on lunch, but am after some recommendations please!

I was brave today and wore a dress with opaques and brogues. I've seen lots of people do it but it's out of my comfort zone. I got some nice compliments!

Diet a bit haywire this week but tomorrow is a new start

Gym this morning and am now at work (sigh) studying and clawing another hours overtime.

Had dippy eggs for breakfast. Yum.

Will walk home in a bit then probably off to the beach for some sleep. Maybe a sea swim. It's 25 degrees here today yippee!!

Currently in my comfies but will throw a pair of khaki shorts on with a nice Tshirt for the beach. Still in flipflops.

Food wise today were cooking a roast for the family this evening. Lots of veggies to bulk out my one medium chicken to feed 6...

Yesterday I went for a ride and we went for a stroll round the lanes in the evening.

Food wise - toast with homemade (not by me) jam, hotdog with smoked chicken, cheese and barbecue sauce (naughty) and veggie stir fry for dinner.

emenem I think we might be near each other - I live due south of London near the sea?

I washed my makeup brushes this morning. One of those jobs I mean to do regularly but never get around to. I'm having a pottering sort of day so no makeup making it an ideal day to do it.

Hicking glamour today.
I plan to sort out my wardrobe tomorrow. I have bought a cotton storage box for under the bed/sofa.
Everything that doesn't fit me goes in there. Next march it all goes for sale if I'm not back to my size 10.
It is going to leave a rather empty wardrobe.
I have one denim skirt and 2 dresses that fit. Several jumpers and millions of scarves. New boots bought last spring.
I think I need a new coat for the winter. What suits an apple shape?
Manicure and pedicure after bath tonight. Plucked rebel eyebrows, need to attack the moustache.
:)

quick post for kia, scroll down to the second coat it's rather lovely if you like that kind of thing

I'll be back with a proper post shortly, just drying my hair.

Thank you, I love that one!!!! So the search begins! Your suggestion was very helpful, thank you!!

I'm south if London yes -Helena- but probably a bit more south than you. Not mainland uk.

Have to decide what to wear tomorrow for work. Have a meeting with deptarent head. To discuss my lack of support, being overlooked for things Etc. Not looking forward to it.

Good luck with the meeting emenem. Hope it goes well.

I have a lot of Skype work calls today and hangout meetings too so I'm doing uber-smart top half and full make up with yoga pants. I will have to change before school run I think!.

I tried the Boots foundation matching service on Saturday and they've done a great job. I went for an ultra matte finish and i'm pleased with it so far

Right, wardrobe culled.
I have a box under the sofa now, if by the end of march I am back to size 10, it all goes back in my wardrobe. If not it all goes to charity/friends etc.
Found my pair of velvet trousers, still fits, I paired it up with 2 jumpers and 3 tops.
Got 2 wrap dresses (one that works for christmas), 2 Boden ones (same design, different colours), one skirt that can be dressed up or down, 2 tube type of jersey skirts, a white shirt, plenty of long sleeved tshirts and vests.
No winter coat, but working on that.
Knee high black boots, Clarks calf high boots, flats.
Party shoes I have had the same pair for years, it's in mint condition still.
This arvo I'll polish all my jewellery.
And order contact lenses! And put the sandals and flipflops away (bar one pair).
Washed all my scarves. Found and washed my gloves and my winter wrap thingy.
Got the vitamins out.
All good.

Meeting went well. I managed not to cry or shout. Said my bit. Took my to do list with me. To prove a point.

Then went back to desk and carried on ploughing through it.

Hoping things change.

Bought new mascara yesterday. Wanted ysl baby doll but ysl ladies ignored me. Bought clarins instead. Love love it.

Dinner tonight - scallops pea and mint mash. Crispy pancetta. Yum. Ratting out as mil birthday. Yum.

Joining in.... So I am looking terrible worn around the edges these days and need to smarten up. We are mid move and staying in a temporary 1bed apartment. I have three items in my makeup bag (foundation, mascara and lipstick), my hair is like a bird's nest, my straighteners are in storage and I have two plastic bins for my clothes.

I now live in Hoboken NJ which is just over the water from NYC and I need to start taking advantage of all that is on offer. I already get my eyebrows done but can't bring myself to get my nails done as the places are not clean enough for me. I need to do the following:

1. Stop getting cheap haircuts and go back to the $100 a haircut place. I also need to admit defeat and get them to dye my hair. I am incredibly aware of the grey at the front and it drives me nuts.
2. Get to yoga 3 times a week once we are in the new house.
3. Drink 2L of water a day.
4. Sort out my shoes and get myself snow boots. Donate any shoes I can't walk a mile in.
5. Get an appointment with my friends dermatologist in NYC for my rosacea before winter arrives.
6. Stop ordering food in and ban DH from cooking his calorific yummy food.