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.

[KiaOraOAotearoa]

supermum, welcome!
Been wearing dresses and making sure my make up is touched up etc, apart from today, when I only had two important meetings (unplanned), not only did I look sweaty and having mad hair day... I also forgot to put make up as soon as I got to work.
So...I adopted the 'I'm faar too busy to care about this s**t' attitude, whilst inwardly I was cringing big time.
oh well. I won't lose a lot of sleep over it, but it was one of those days I could have really done with the war paint.

[KiaOraOAotearoa]

Good morning!
Having a lazy morning in bed with DD, coffee and croissants (I had a maple and pecan pastry-logged it in MFP: 404 calories!!!! Good god!)
It is too cold in the house to get up, tbh.
I think I shall put the heating on today. Also we're off for a walk in the afternoon, it is the first day I am going to dress autumn-y: boots, tights, skirt, cashmere jumper, scarf.
Got the vitamins out, I start taking them today.
Changed my moisturiser for a heavier one and put hand cream pots everywhere.
Got my car blanket washed and smelling gorgeous ( don't laugh, I am freezing till the car heats up/defrosts, I got to keep warm etc etc etc )
Booked facial, haircuts, threading, waxing and a pedicure for October, Nov and December.
Got several outfits ready for the parties/meet ups.
Off to take all the ibuprofen I can legally take. :)
Have a great Sunday everyone.

[lucysmam]

good morning all

kia if I remember later on I'll upload a pic of a coat I found in Primark that you might like (it's on my phone & I'm on tablet atm)

We've had a busy week house princessing - living room is almost complete Just can't find any curtains the right length without me having to alter them.

Also properly started Christmas shopping - bought onesies for the girls on Friday.

Have stuck to doing my brows myself, they look the same to me as they did when I had them threaded. Our hair appointments up to the weekend before Christmas are also booked. Am on the hunt for a redder dye for my hair too.

Today's no make up, finish painting woodwork day here. As well as make apple pie, rhubarb crumble, chocolate cake, jam and coconut tart, cook brisket for Sunday dinner and freeze the cooking apples my dad's bringing round later on - not much then

Tonight's pamper night...hair mask, face mask, exfoliate, pumice feet, file finger and toe nails, moisturise all over and defuzz inc top lip. If it's not too late I'm going to paint my nails too.

Right, off to get dressed and make a start. Have a lovely Sunday everyone

[Blondieminx]

Morning all

I am wearing proper make up for the first time in a week. Off to meet friends later. Got my hair done yesterday too with more caramel/coppery tones through my blonde and a good 3in off the length, it looks miles better.

Need to do my nails too tonight Lucysmam might go for a burgundy now it's feeling all autumnal!

[CallingAllEngels]

Morning ladies!

Am still here, pootling along, though pg is taking it out of me as am so up and down with energy and mood-wise.

Bought this maternity coat and a pair of skinny black maternity jeans last week. I wasn't going to bother with a maternity coat but since it's getting colder and edd is end of December figured I should. Plus the only coat that fits me now is a really old, shapeless coat that I wear for gardening or walking in woods and makes me feel like right scruff! I reckon the style of the coat also means I can wear when not pg.

Hair sounds lovely blondie

lucy sounds like you're busy - I'm going to take a leaf out of your book and have a proper pamper this evening. Won't paint nails though as will have to do that end of next week for BF wedding (Bridesmaid! Tried on the dress last weekend and it still fits!).

kia hope you've had a nice walk.

welcome supermum - I'm abroad as well (Neteherlands so not so quite as far as you!).

Thanks to whoever linked the earring book (think it was control ). decided to give the one I'd ordered in purple to my Dsis for Christmas and have ordered a teal one for myself. My dsis also gave me a beautiful pair of silver shell studs that someone had given her but she didn't like them, and have just remembered that I have a 15% off code for the literary gift company and LOVE their bookity jewellery (using vintage books) so may have to get some bits from there for my christmas stocking of course

Also reorganised my day-to-day make-up yesterday and looks fab.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Catching up and marking place. It has been a busy week and I am full of cold

Survived the TV crew and got lots of compliments, especially on my shoes (teal suede Clarks Chorus Jazz) which I really should wear more often.

Have raided the Boden sale this afternoon, but loads will probably go back. Also bought some accessories for the first time on the School Gate Style blog shop, will report back when they arrive.

Worked out that I went swimming 17 times in September, which I am quite pleased with

Tomorrow's outfit: navy breton (Boden) under a sleeveless denim dress (Boden), feather print scarf (yet more Boden), teal opaque tights, black knee high flat boots ( Clarks). Probably my green satchel (Accessorise) as a handbag.

[Helenagrace]

I've just caught up too.

Been at a work conference this weekend. Have socialised too much so early nights and healthy eating required ASAP! I took my new skincare regime with me and kept to it (despite crashing into bed a 01:40 this morning!

Tomorrow is a policy writing day so I'm going to wear a breton stripe t shirt, some nice heavy weight jersey wide leg trousers and brogues. Hopefully I'll get to walk on the beach when I have my lunchbreak.

I'm going to change over to winter hand creams (thanks for the reminder KiaOra). I need to stock up on good lip Balm as I'm really prone to cold sores when it's cold and windy. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Want2bSupermum]

Hi everyone and thank you for the welcome. We closed on our new home on Friday, moved out of the temporary apartment on Saturday as the place was delivered in a filthy state so I hired four people to help me scrub the place (I swear I have seen cleaner stables and pigsty). I booked in with the expensive place and am wait listed for a weekend appointment. DH is travelling every week between now and Thanksgiving so week nights are not an option.

With all the stress of coordinating the last part of our move on my own I have lost some weight. My pants come down without unbuttoning them! I cooked dinner at home for the first time tonight. I was magical to have home cooked food.

[Helenagrace]

Moving is so stressful isn't supermum?

At some point we're going to have to move again. I dread it!

Hope you get an appointment soon.

It's raining heavily here which has reminded me that I haven't waterproofed all my winter boots yet! It will have to be the patent brogues with a dress and opaques today.

[lucysmam]

Good morning ladies

Supermum, we moved days before Christmas last year, v. stressful but worth it! I hope you enjoy your new home.

[lucysmam]

Helena, it peed it down here yesterday and Monday. Forgot to dig my wellies out to walk my friend's two dogs so ended up with soggy feet wearing an ancient pair of boots to do it. Not good

[lucysmam]

Meant to say as well Helena, I like the little tubs of vaseline for lips...currently have the green one on the go. Or, you can get some nice tinted ones rather than lippy, fairly sure I spied some in wilko

[lucysmam]

Calling I love the coat you ordered. I had similar in cream when pg with number two & wore it afterwards as well so hopefully you'll be able to do the same.

I hope I haven't missed anyone!

Control, you still with us?

I'm ofd cushion, storage box and shelf bracket shopping shortly to finish off the living room Still haven't found curtains to fit but what we have will do until after Christmas so I can crack on with the hall/stairs (quick lick of cream/magnolia just to tidy up atm and satin on the wood) and then do the girls' room before Christmas to get rid of the yellow (

[Karbea]

Hello - Can I rejoin?
I'm sorry i've been awol.

Things are pretty rubbish around here, I'm working more than full time (i usually do 13hrs) and we've no money currently to spend on anything. All beauty, good eating, exercise and general looking after myself have gone out of the window, the only upside is i've hardly been out in public so it doesn't matter how bad i've been looking (I wear a hideous uniform to work).

So today, i've taken the afternoon off (I started work at 6). And i'm going to get a bit organised. I hope you'll all let me rejoin, not entirely sure how interactive i'll be, as i wont have too much time to keep up to date, but I'd definitely like to try as much as I can!

I've started flossing and mouthwashing in the eves, and i've just sorted my daily vitamins out between today and sunday.

Going to write a list and will report back ;)

[ControlGeek]

Here I am lucysmam!

I've been reading daily, but struggling to find the time to post. I'm back at work again now, and have put some great routines in place. Let's see how long they last

Nails need a bit of tlc, and hair could do with a bit more of a regular super-conditioning. Sorting my clothes and shoes out the night before is making my mornings a lot less stressful.

I've completely revamped my wardrobe, shoe drawers, undies drawers and jumpers shelf. I took three old-lady-trolleys worth of stuff down to the charity shops and am chuffed to say that I can now fit everything in where it ought to be Next step is the craft room. I really, honestly, truly will get to grips with it!

Helena I use Nivea intensive care chapstick on my lips, I find it works really well throughout the year.

Good to see you back karbea, looking forward to seeing your list. It can be so hard to find the energy when you're working all hours.

[Karbea]

I do need to think a bit about what I wear (when im not in a uniform), my hair (when it's not in a french plait) and makeup, currently wearing pretty minimal - but at least everyday! Anyway... here goes. I'll be adding new things in each day...

Ok! Here is my list!

Run & Swim 4 times (2 each) before 15/10

Today

• floss, mouthwash - daily
  
• Whitening Strips (next 5 days)
  
• Bath with Epsom salts.
  

9-Oct

• Always eat a meal within one hour of waking.
  
• Take vitamins
  
• At home facial
  
• At home manicure (Thurs/Sun)
  

10-Oct

• Eat five times per day: three meals and two snacks (Breakfast, Morning snack, Lunch, Afternoon snack, Dinner).
  
• Don't eat - Wheat and Rye: These are linked to bowel dysfunction, depression and low energy
  

11-Oct

• Don’t let more than four hours go by without eating a meal or snack
  
• Don't eat - Dairy
  

12-Oct

• Eat protein with every meal and snack.
  
• Don't eat sugar.
  
• Epilate - every Sunday.
  
• Hair treatment - every Sunday.
  

13-Oct

• Eat fish at least 3 times a week, oily fish no more than three times
  
• Don't eat - Potatoes and sweet potatoes
  

14-Oct

• Don't drink calories
  
• Don't eat vegetable oil.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

The local courier must think I've won the lottery, I've had so many deliveries this week. Unfortunately most of it is going back. From the Boden sale I ordered a couple of tunics and two shirt dresses, but none of them look right. From White Stuff I ordered lots of knitwear to try, but again everything apart from one short sleeved swing cardi is going back. Ordered some wide leg trousers from East today, hoping that they fit as well as my Matalan ones but are better quality. The only things that have really been a hit are my scarf and necklace from the School Gate Style blog shop, both of which I love.

At least I am being more discerning and sending things back if they don't look great.

Tomorrow's outfit: navy wide leg trousers, navy and cream breton, new pink necklace. With a big coat as we have been hit by storms again.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Forgot to say, nice to see Karbea and Control

[lucysmam]

Hello Karbea and Control

Control you sound like me clearing out before Christmas! Feels good to be organised though. I thought you did your craft room a while ago? How are your braces going? & wedding plans?

Karbea small steps are the way to go! You sound quite deflated lately when you post, you ok?

Jemima your winning the lottery comment made me ...bet our postie thinks the same about me (little does he know most of my parcels are cheap bits and bobs for the girls' reuseable advent calendars)

I've been lazy tonight...forgot to defuzz, looked at my moisturiser but cba, hair is half dry & very very fuzzy, two broken nails being ignored (spent the afternoon deep cleaning & knackered now). Will sort myself out in the morning.

[Karbea]

Aaa lucysmam no not really! totally exhausted! Just finished work and I've still some to do. My toes kill from being on my feet all day, and I've corns :(
Didn't actually achieve any of that yesterday or today, ended up having a terrible headache yesterday :(

[Blondieminx]

HelenaGrace I love the Crabtree & Evelyn lip butters they do at Christmas (just had a look in the website, the lovely mint one I like isn't in stock yet) they are really rich and nice.

Karbea & Control sounds like things are very hectic for you both right now - take a little bit of time for yourselves please... X

I have been AWOL for a bit too, my dad died so tbh I have been focussed on sorting stuff out for the funeral, rather than renovating myself. But I want to start eating more healthily again and to get back into the swing of things slowly. We've had really good support as a family from
our friends and neighbours which has helped a lot x

[Blondieminx]

LucysMam it sounds like you're going great guns, decorating as well, do you wanna come over and help with mine?

[Blondieminx]

Jemima I managed some Christmas shopping but you sound like you're making great progress with your wardrobe. Off to have a browse at the blog you mentioned - I feel in need of some retail therapy!!

[lucysmam]

Blondie, so sorry to hear about your dad. It's good that you've had support from neighbours and friends.

Decorating is going well...did the bathroom Tuesday. Ran out of satin for the skirting/doors though so they'll have to wait. Need some new towels but was debating asking my dad for a set for Christmas maybe instead of the randomness we usually get.

Routines are slipping a bit here I haven't moisturised for a while...vitamins are gone & I forgot to replace...nails are a state...water has not replaced !

At least I go out with my hair done and a full face of make up every day though. & a friend has offered me a few dresses she no longer wears to try and get me out of jeans/boots/jumper uniform.

I'm half way through putting together Princess Anna skirts in paper. Trying to work out the panels so that I can translate it into a fabric skirt to fit dd1 is making my head go

[CallingAllEngels]

Sorry for being AWOL. Am just coming to the end of my half term and have been doing lots of baby prep and planning for maternity cover. 5 more weeks of work to go!

blondie so sorry to hear about your dad

Welcome back karbea

Big waves to Helena , Jemima , Control , lucysmam , supermam , kia and anyone else who’s lurking.

Sent back my maternity coat as a) the 14 was massive and b) reckon even a 12 would look like a tent on me due to style. Instead bought this one in a 12 and very comfy with a hood, and should be able to wear it post-pg.

Am keeping on top of face skincare but not much else. Making an effort on workdays, but have just spent most of half term slobbing in jogging bottoms and tops while I try and make room for the baby!

Am looking forward to some pampering when I start ML – going to book myself a pg massage to celebrate.

Hope everyone’s well. x