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.

[ControlGeek]

Oooh! Lots of new people already! Welcome to Temp, Lisa and Helena

Helena if you have a new wave branch of the WI near you, that might be a great route to making new friends? I joined when I moved to a new area and it's been fantastic - DP is very jealous of my social life now!

Thank you so much Lucysmam and Engels, I know it's seriously early days yet but every day is a step further than we've ever got before.

congrats on your 1st4lb, that is no mean feat!

Jemima a coloured scarf or belt with a bold buckle might help lift the black, or can you go for charcoal or deep brown or navy instead? Do you know what season you are?

Today, I've started on my water and am nibbling on a nutrigrain bar. Nail varnish needs to come off as it's really chipped (and orange only goes with the top I was wearing when I put it on!) but clothes wise I'm just all slouchy for comfort today. I'm still struggling with the drop in temperature from coming back from Spain, but at least the time difference has worked in my favour :)

[SpangleMaker]

I'm in! I really need this. I'd been doing well until the school hols and need to get back into a routine. Here's my list:

1. Get to bed in time for at least 7 hours' sleep.
   
2. Evening cleanse, serum, moisturise routine. I do the morning routine without fail but current evening routine is a quick wave with a wet wipe.
   
3. Lose weight. A stone by Christmas would be good! I had started doing 5:2 and it was working well but have fallen off the wagon and probably put it back on.
   
4. Do nails every Sunday night.
   
5. Face pack once a week.
   
6. DRINK WATER!!
   
7. Get into a fitness routine. I have done nothing since having the DC (eldest is 5.5) but am poised to join the local gym. It will be difficult to fit in but I need to do it. I've tried exercising at home but am always being interrupted and/or finding excuses to do something else. DH wants to get out on his bike more so I've suggested to him I help him find time if he does the same for me.
   
8. Clear out wardrobe and work out how various outfits will work together.
   
9. Get a haircut and colour at the hairdresser's (been day - ing since last Christmas)
   

10. Take multi - vitamins daily.

Wow - that feels like a long list. Looking forward to reading everyone else's.

[lucysmam]

Good morning ladies

Calling my bp is naturally quite low. Gave us a scare dropping further in theatre when I had my section with dd2. Do you know whether you're having a girl or boy? Or a surprise? If we ever go for number three, it'll be a surprise

Control I have everything crossed for success for you both. Is your dp excited too?

Blue, nice to see you again

hello to everyone else, I can't scroll to see who else posted & namecheck.

Right, on with my list...some are household ones, I want to start decorating and sorting before Christmas comes around.

1. back to normal sleeping routine, I'm struggling to sleep before 2am with the kids not getting up so early for school so am knackered. Alarm set for half seven in the morning so next week doesn't kill me.
   
   
2. finger and toe-nails are a tad neglected so will go back to doing those on Sunday night's in front of the box.
   
   
3. keep up haircut and colour. I've gone a dark red-ish brown for a change but it starts to fade after a week or so (dye is from Poundland though so not too hard on the pocket)
   
   
4. sort wardrobe. It's a higgldey piggldey mess at the moment.
   
   
5. invest in some new clothes for winter.
   
   
6. re-heel and sole boots that need it (two pairs but will have to put a couple of quid aside a week before the weather gets awful).
   
   
7. tidy up front of house before weather turns - weeds from between paving slabs/paint handrail down steps/do something about the thistles growing on front grass (any ideas about that one )
   
   
8. thorough spring clean everything before decorating - I have lists for when the girls are back at school.
   
   That'll do for now, I might be back with more later on. Have a good day all

[Helenagrace]

spanglemaker your post about cleansing routine at night could have been me. Like you I do it all properly in the morning but I need to repeat in the evening. I usually change into lounging about clothes and take my makeup off when the DCs go upstairs so I could do it then. I think that's my number 8.

[Karbea]

Hello,

I'm in, but I don't know how good I'll be, I've no money, and I'm working all hours, so spending my time with my hair in a french plait and wearing my very glamorous tesco deli uniform.

But last night I had a healthy dinner, and today I had a healthy breakfast, and I've put a treatment on my hair and epilated.

[SpangleMaker]

Morning everyone.

Karbea that sounds like a good start

I've weighed myself this morning (eek!) - 65.6kg which I think equates to a BMI between 27 and 28. It would be a good goal for me to get to a healthy BMI before Christmas.

I've spent a bit of time this morning rearranging my wardrobes and have put to one side all the things that will go into storage or be got rid of when I do the autumn changeover. ... which will be much sooner this year by the looks of things!

Hope everyone has a good Bank Holiday in spite of the weather.

[lucysmam]

Morning ladies

I meant to post last night but forgot.

I have another one to add to my list...cut the crap from our diets. It's not much - bottle of fizzy pop, 12 pack of crisps, couple of packs of biscuits and ice cream between us but the kids have started asking every night so it's time to remove it from the house (Xmas bits will be moved to the garage to remove temptation). Fri/Sat nights will be treat nights from now on.

Sunday night pamper last night. Face mask/exfoliated/defuzzed/pumiced feet/ filed toe nails (will do fingers and paint today)/L'Oreal hair mask I picked up in Poundland on hair. Hair dried and straightened after shower - need to get back to doing that every night.

[thenightsky]

Glad i've seen this thread... you've reminded me I need to epilate my legs and pits today!

off to do it now....

[WildBillfemale]

I'm in;

1. Clean and re-heel shoes and boots for A/winter.
   

1. Throw out all baggy bobbly woollies and invest in some new ones.
   

1. Get all coats dry cleaned in preparation for Autumn.
   

1. Go through wardrobe and identify gaps - write a shopping list and stick to it! (I actually jotted every item I own in a notebook 18 months ago so it's easy to keep on top of this). I cross items off when they get ruined or go to charity shops and add as I buy things.
   

1. tackle body hair more regularly so it's not a mammoth task when I do.
   

1. Do an evening skin care routine as well as morning.
   
2. Walk more.
   
3. Start cycling again.
   
4. Book make up lesson with an independant make up artist.
   

10. Find a new perfume for winter (Clarins Dynamissante my favourite is a bit light)

[ememem84]

Can I join? Feel in the need for some serious overhauling.

My list is:

1 - more exercise. I'm not overweight, just under fit. I have a gym membership I'm not using but paying for anyway. Starting next week (tomorrow) I will be walking to work at least 4 days a week (40 minute walk). And will be aiming for 3 gym trips a week.

2 - cleanse tone moisturise. i only tend to do one of the three. I used to do the whole routine, then got lazy. must go back to it. skin looked lovely. it looks icky now.

3 - try and train hair so it can be washed less. currently wash it every other day. aiming for every 3rd.

4 - remember to take vitamin D and B12 every day. as am deficient. Am also rubbish at remembering...

5 - more colour in work wardrobe - i have a lot of black and grey.

6 - regular maintenance at beauticians - eyebrows, bikini.

7 - drink more water. less diet coke. (currently down to maybe 4-5 cans a week) and less tea (I love tea so this is going to be difficult!)

8 - overhaul wardrobe. get rid of anything I haven't worn for a while. make sure clothes are kept nicely. start ironing things...

9 - i already full body moisturise every day, so no need for this to go on the list. But will aim to exfoliate at least twice a week - face and body.

10 - eat less junk. eat more healthy dinners. less meat, more green. less kettle chips and humous.

[KiaOraOAotearoa]

Hello beautiful ladies!!! Sooo glad to see you back! Welcome to the newcomers!
Control, I am so happy for you, congratulations!!!! Oh, and with Calling's baby arriving at Christmas!!!! Lovely to hear! Helga's baby will be a toddler soon, can't believe she was a few days old when I joined!
Fabulous!
I have plans, but I shall 'reveal' them sometimes tomorrow, we're going out shortly. :)

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Control I tried wearing Navy or Grey, but it didn't look as put together as black. I don't know what season I am, but I would guess at Autumn (reddish brown hair, dark brown eyes, pale freckly skin).

Just got back from the spa hotel - it was lovely. But as well as the lovely relaxing treatments it included a great deal of eating: 3 course dinner last night, full English this morning, afternoon tea this afternoon... Healthy eating starts in earnest tomorrow!!!

[Karbea]

Urgh I feel,sick, I've had a twirl, marathon and a snickers and a packet of crisps today!

[JemimaMuddledUp]

I am doing well today

Breakfast was porridge with blueberries and honey. I then took DD to the park and then to gymnastics (just over a mile walk). While she was in gymnastics I did a 3 mile fast walk, which burned 244 calories according to MapMyWalk. Then I picked DD back up and we walked just over a mile home.

Mid morning snack was a Nakd bar and a bottle of water after my fast walk. I am now eating my lunch - salad made with baby leaves, tomatoes, red onion, olives, butter beans and tuna with some low fat French dressing. My dinner is in the slow cooker - braised venison with mushrooms, which I will eat with some roasted butternut squash and broccoli.

How is everyone else's day going?

[lucysmam]

Jemima, your dinner sounds amazing

I'm just doing fish, new pots and veg for us atm.

I washed my dry clean only smart coat today - coooool wash, no spin, drip dry on hanger - job done! Just need to go over it with the bobbly bit remover later on and find a third button, or three new ones.

[ememem84]

Walked to work and back (almost 2hours round trip). Have eaten measured amount of cereal, spicy chicken noodle salad, spaghetti with courgette sweet corn spring onions spinach and pesto. Done shopping, hour of cleaning. Drunk 2.5 litres of water with lemon cucumber and mint.

Steamed face exfoliated cleansed toned night moisturised. Outfit picked for tomorrow and ironed. White shirt leopard pencil skirt black courts. Lunch box made.

[Helenagrace]

I have purchased a shiny new notebook and written my goals in. I've broken each goal down into SMART goals and drafted a new routine for mornings and evenings (building in my C25k slots). I've set a lot of reminders on my phone to do various things.

I'm also going to use the notebook to list things that will motivate me, clothes I'm on the lookout for and thoughts about how I'm progressing towards my goals.

Hopefully it will end up like a mini - journal.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Wow, that is super organised Helen!

I washed all my scarves last night (don't laugh - there were two machine loads of them, I have a serious scarf addiction). I then hung them outside overnight to dry. Have just folded them all, it is like having a pile of brand new scarves again

Food today will be very similar to yesterday, I tend to eat the same thing 2 days running as it is easier to buy enough for 2 meals or 2 people than just one. I eat different food to the rest of the family. Although I cook reasonably healthily for everyone else DH works outside all day and the DC are growing and sporty, so their nutritional needs are very different to mine. If I ate the amount of carbs that my almost 12 yo DS1 did I would be the size of the house!

So, Breakfast - porridge with blueberries and honey. Lunch - tuna and butterbean salad. Dinner - braised venison with mushrooms, roast butternut squash, broccoli, with fruit and greek yoghurt for pudding. I am going to make some homemade Nakd bars later (recipe from the Dietitian without Borders website, I found it on Pinterest) so will more than likely eat one of those as a snack, plus maybe an apple with some almond butter. I am having a bit of a thing for nut butters at the moment.

Big job today is going to be sorting out my wardrobe. I am on annual leave this week, and I think when I go back to work next week the days of summer skirts will definitely be over. So I am going to put all of the really summery stuff plus anything that doesn't fit me at the moment (size 8 jeans I am looking at you!) away in the spare wardrobe, meaning that when I open the proper wardrobe I'm not faced with hundreds of things that are unsuitable.

Have a good day everyone!

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Oh dear, I have just ordered myself 2 more scarves... Washing them all let me see where the gaps in terms of colours are - so I decided to fill them! In my defence they are cheap ebay ones, and I have been very good today - tackled a mountain of ironing and deep cleaned the bathroom - so deserve a reward

Both are tan/beige, one has a beagle print and one has a fox print. I really like the idea of teaming tan with black for work. I have a nice tan handbag and some tan boots, I bought a wide tan belt in the Dorothy Perkins sale for £2. The scarves will tie in nicely, and mean that I don't have draining black next to my face.

I'm practicing justifying another scarf purchase to DH

[ControlGeek]

I'm not even going to try and name-check! Work has kept me so busy that I am totally addled but looking hot in my primarni charcoal dress and matching jacket

Thanks Lucysmam DP is over the moon!

Karbea that is a really great start, and french plaits can look good too - can you wear fancy elastics/clips/combs or do they have to be plain?

Kia thanks so much :)

Jemima Have you tried wearing beige/biscuit/chocolate? If you're an Autumn then charcoal and navy won't be too great but a browny-red, or burnt orange would be fab.

All this talk of scarves, I have six in my wardrobe that I bought with good intentions but have never worn. I wore one once but it made me positively melt in the office.

My nails are getting looked after quite well, and my hair is loving its deep conditioning. I wish I could have spent more time barefoot on the beach in Spain because the sand was doing wonders for the rough skin on my soles.

My house is getting a bit of a princessing, too - we've 'sold' an old vehicle we own to a guy who does some garden and building maintenance for us in exchange for services about the place. I thought we'd maxed out our credit with him but today he says there is still some spare so I'm going to pluck a few more jobs off the outdoor wishlist and see if he'll do them

I need to seriously downsize in the shoe and craft-items department but don't have the heart to part with anything. I just look at things, like Penny in TBBT, saying 'but you look so good on me'

[ememem84]

Had a bit of a reaction to the leopard print skirt today. In a good way. Will be being more daring going forwards.

Tomorrow want to buy a new scarf. Saw 2 in accessorize. One Paris print. One owl.

Have eaten about the same as yesterday. Loads of water. Skin has broken out as have embraced new skin routine. Sigh.

[atticusclaw]

Hi everyone could I join in? I now run my own business from home and its definitely affecting the way I look. I don't seem to be able to focus for more than 15 minutes without wandering to get cheese, crisps, cookies etc. I know its boredom and I need to stop.

My list

1. reduce 5 cans of diet coke a day to 2 (this will be hard
   

1. drink more water
   

1. remember to take vitamins
   

1. remember to use the peptilash stuff I bought ages ago since my lashes are looking thin
   

1. start pilates/yoga/anything really to get me off my bum
   

1. dye my hair. Sheer laziness means this hasn't been done in a while.
   

1. Stop boredom eating and increase fruit and vegetables intake. I was doing well for a while on dehydrated pineapple and need to start again
   

8.remember to exfoliate, makes a massive difference to my skin

1. go back to doing a beauty treatment a night in front of the tv
   

10. full body moisturise every day.

Phew, hope I can cope with all that at once!

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Beige/tan/camel/whatever you want to call it does suit me, that is why I'm thinking that black and tan would make a good colour combination for work for autumn.

I have been playing with pinterest tonight, I love looking for ideas. I just need to start using what I have in the wardrobe to implement the ideas rather than thinking I need to keep buying things!

I'm intrigued by your leopard print skirt emenem do you have a link?

[ememem84]

Skirt is from primark. I bought it from eBay (when I was a bit drunk). Will try and post a picture. It's a bit pat butcher. But I do love it.

[ememem84]

Have also started looking at things on Pinterest. Am going to start making soup again. Great recipe ideas on Pinterest.

Outfit prepped for tomorrow, thanks to Pinterest - black skinny trousers, tan belt, white chiffon sleeveless top leopard pointy toe heels. And massive chunky cardigan if I get cold in the office.

Need to tell coworkers to stop buying sweets. Haribo are my downfall.

Going to try and not buy any more clothes until my birthday. In about 6 8 weeks.