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.

NK5BM3 Try walking to school and work, you might find you get to work feeling more awake and alert. I walk 3 miles a day (including up and down a very steep hill) to get to work, plus I have started swimming on the way in. It gives me time to clear my head and I'm sure I'm more productive when I get to work. It helps to make the switch between home and work.

Oh, and I carry a huge bag with my swimming stuff and lunch in, as well as my handbag. I drew the line at carrying shoes with me in the end and just wear flats to work. Although in the winter I may start leaving a pair of office shoes under my desk and change when I get there.

Morning all,

As suspected I'm struggling to do this whilst working so much.
Just feeling so tired, but I think part of this is due to eating badly.
This morning I've had a bowl of blueberries and a mint tea.

Starting work at 10, so going to spend the next hour doing some bits!

Promise to try and make more of an effort on here.

Just came back from the second run EVER. I am enjoying having the fields to myself, this morning it was rather misty and dark, a bit Thomas Hardy-ish, I was listening to music and then I thought: what if someone's gonna whack me one over the head, I'm literally, in the middle of nowhere. Thought that'd cheer you up and encourage you to exercise. Sorry. But what does one do in the winter? I don't know, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I have a medium size running tshirt from lidl (I am a 12, thought it'd be fine). It runs up my sizeable belly and did my head in.

Anyway, yesterday I did shred (helen, it's on youtube. I have done it so many times now I just use my phone propped on the windowsill and squint from time to time. No sound)

brit, I think using clear varnish will help making tour nails look more groomed. Or buff them, if you have the time. (Also, and I'm telling you this because I must be one of the last people on the planet to have discovered) glass nail files, they are amazing!!!!
helga, I am so sorry, you went through all the trouble to open a new thread, I honestly haven't seen it and jumped on this thread thinking it's all the same. So sorry my dear. Perhaps for the next one we'll make a decision before the thread dies completely, like it did in the summer, understandably. How is the 'baby' (she'll always be a baby to me, bet she's walking now)
Lucy, hope your new gadget sorts out your roots :)
jemima, I am so green with envy! I dream about walking to work and popping into the pool on the way. Your scenario seems absolutely perfect to me. I am one of those people with a house in the middle of nowhere, hardly any neighbours and a corner shop 4 miles away, yes, the views are to kill for but I'll be damn if I ever see them, 8 months of the year I leave for work in the dark, come back in the dark, at least a month is spent abroad, the rest of the time I am driving 17 miles to the nearest shop/pool/classes/cinema etc. I am not ungrateful, but I spend 12 hours a week in the car. When people say I'll pop to the shops I always laugh, I'll pop too, takes me 3 hours!

Welcome to all the new ladies :) sorry for the epic post, they're all still asleep.

Hello everyone

Jemima I love hearing about your outfits. Obviously photos too would be marvellous, but I suspect that would slightly derail the thread and turn it into a kind of fashion blog...

Engels I remember being past my due date in a ridiculously hot summer and frankly, it was hideous. Winter babies rock. That life stage is past, and now I am empathising with NK5 and the grey hair coming through every 3 weeks - I hate it! Are you brunette too? Difficult to get away with it, unlike all my blonde friends, who never ever seem to have roots.

Wine I will champion your use of 'considered-ly' as that perfectly describes the way clothes purchases should be, and invariably aren't when I go shopping and perhaps it will catch on?

Ok, ta das

Lemon water done
Exercise done - hour walk up and down a hill in flipping hot weather
MFP completed, having a bit of a shocker about how much fat I'm consuming - think goats cheese rather than almonds
Moisturised
Screens avoided past 10.30pm last night

Still to tackle

Hair. Hmm.
Nails are uniform length but remain resolutely unbuffed
Wardrobe, which could require a couple of hours so need to put it in the diary

Looking forward to the updates.

Hi Brit yes, I'm a brunette too, very dark, so the moment the whites come out, it's shocking. I have a friend who's finally gone all grey and I think she's incredibly brave (at 41!). But but... I'm not sure it's me. I don't dress that way, and I think when my hairdresser says it's looking bad, I trust her (and no it's not about me spending the money at the salon - she doesn't need my money - she's just known me for a long time now).

So on saturday, I did a self-dye. Even bought it at Aldi (so cheaper?)... and it worked a treat. if that'll take me to end of september that'll be wonderful. I have an event to go to in end of October where I truly must look good (black tie, glam). :)

lucy here's the link to where I got the glycolic acid from www.bravuralondon.com/featured/glycolic-acid-10-30ml.html. and it seems very popular - it's out of stock!!!!

Jemima - I will endeavour to walk. Maybe I'll pack a bagpack and put my lunch and work stuff in it. that'll give me more hands. I have a boy going into year 2 and for some stupid reason, his book bag only has a handle, no strap. So it's a PITA to carry. having said that, with the free school lunches now, there'll only be that bag to carry! :)

Hi Brit yes, I'm a brunette too, very dark, so the moment the whites come out, it's shocking. I have a friend who's finally gone all grey and I think she's incredibly brave (at 41!). But but... I'm not sure it's me. I don't dress that way, and I think when my hairdresser says it's looking bad, I trust her (and no it's not about me spending the money at the salon - she doesn't need my money - she's just known me for a long time now).

So on saturday, I did a self-dye. Even bought it at Aldi (so cheaper?)... and it worked a treat. if that'll take me to end of september that'll be wonderful. I have an event to go to in end of October where I truly must look good (black tie, glam). :)

lucy here's the link to where I got the glycolic acid from www.bravuralondon.com/featured/glycolic-acid-10-30ml.html. and it seems very popular - it's out of stock!!!!

Jemima - I will endeavour to walk. Maybe I'll pack a bagpack and put my lunch and work stuff in it. that'll give me more hands. I have a boy going into year 2 and for some stupid reason, his book bag only has a handle, no strap. So it's a PITA to carry. having said that, with the free school lunches now, there'll only be that bag to carry! :)

Hi Brit yes, I'm a brunette too, very dark, so the moment the whites come out, it's shocking. I have a friend who's finally gone all grey and I think she's incredibly brave (at 41!). But but... I'm not sure it's me. I don't dress that way, and I think when my hairdresser says it's looking bad, I trust her (and no it's not about me spending the money at the salon - she doesn't need my money - she's just known me for a long time now).

So on saturday, I did a self-dye. Even bought it at Aldi (so cheaper?)... and it worked a treat. if that'll take me to end of september that'll be wonderful. I have an event to go to in end of October where I truly must look good (black tie, glam). :)

lucy here's the link to where I got the glycolic acid from www.bravuralondon.com/featured/glycolic-acid-10-30ml.html. and it seems very popular - it's out of stock!!!!

Jemima - I will endeavour to walk. Maybe I'll pack a bagpack and put my lunch and work stuff in it. that'll give me more hands. I have a boy going into year 2 and for some stupid reason, his book bag only has a handle, no strap. So it's a PITA to carry. having said that, with the free school lunches now, there'll only be that bag to carry! :)

Sorry for the multiple posts...! Not sure why posting from the computer makes that happen!

Morning all

Nk5, thank you for the link, will have a look if when I get off MN.

Would your ds carry his book bag in one of those gym bag type bags on his back? Would free up your other hand then too. Think I saw some in Sainsbury's in town for under two quid in red, green, blue

My oldest is going into y3, no free dinners there...tenner a bloody week for some odd combinations (pizza with a side of broccolli, anyone? I think the strangest was the curry served with roast pots, peas and sweetcorn one day ).

So far this morning -

Up, dressed, hair straightened, make up on. Remembered earrings - the girls even convinced me to put them in the holes at the top of my ears but they're starting to itch so will probaby come out. Spot creamed the spot that's brewing (between brows of all places . Am using the fucidin cream we were given several tubes of when we had impetigo, works wonders on spots -I checked with Dr first).

Bills paid - need to go get cash for dinners next week and kids haircuts at weekend.

Am heading upstairs once I've ordered shopping for tomorrow to put the randomness in our room in the airing cupboard, dust/polish/hoover/wipe down woodwork & door/curtains down for a wash. Need to order some drawer organisers too on amazon - I seem to be misisng a lot of pants, they're not with their matching bras

Haven't got round to drinking any water yet even though I kept myself a bottle so will fill that next time I get up too and aim to drink it by 1pm. Then refill and aim to drink by the time I dish tea up later on.

Pic of hair will be on fb in a mo too, finally remembered to snap it this morning.

Have a nice day all, check in again later on

I have just realised that reads like I'm taking the door down for a wash

I'm not - I'll wash the door down while it's on it's hinges!

Hi all,

Back from work. Ok before I went I shaped my nails, but they are still without varnish. Epilated the bottom half of my legs, did a hair treatment and veeted my moustache!
For lunch I had four bits of chicken and a chic bar. I've just had 2 chic bars and a few oatcakes :/
Rainbow trout for dinner.

I french plaited the top of my hair and then curled up the end bit and pinned it, plus I wore a bit more makeup.

I really need to colour my hair but I'm so scared. I've only ever had highlights at a salon. I spoke to a hair dresser (a customer in tesco) today and he said as long as I pick a blond it won't go green eck! Does this really happen???
I want to go dark blond, mine is too trashy! I want to use a semi perm colour as if I really muck it up I can wash my hair 30 times... Anyone any recommendations?

Tonight I'm going to paint my finger nails. Might try and remember to floss too!

Kia I live in the sticks too, well in a small rural village. My 3 mile walk to work/pool is either side of a 5 mile bus journey .

I am also a cruel beggar and make my DC carry their own bags. Always have done, right from when they started school. I have 3 with only 3.5 years between the eldest and youngest. They all play lots of sport and play instruments, meaning that they usually have a collection of football boots, hockey sticks, violins, trumpet etc about their persons as well as their normal school stuff. I refuse to be a donkey!

OK, I am officially stressed. My PFB starts secondary tomorrow, but has fallen awkwardly in football training this afternoon and his elbow has swollen up. Am trying to decide whether to take him to A&E - he is supposed to be having an early night before starting the new school!

Anyway, things that went well today:
Swam before work
Walked 3 miles (in the sunshine, yay!)
Ate healthily - porridge with raspberries for breakfast, tuna and butterbean salad for lunch, venison, bulgar wheat and salad for dinner. Banana, Nakd bar and fruit salad with greek yoghurt for snacks.
Drank 2.5 litres of water.
Only one cup of coffee.

If I make it to tomorrow without exploding in a ball of stress (which seems likely right now!) I am going to have the same tuna and butter bean salad for lunch again. I am going to wear a navy jersey dress with a blue swallow print cardigan, navy tights, tan brogues and a tan handbag.

Ok, you guys have convinced me to walk, interestingly we haven't started school yet. Inset day tomorrow. Grr.

Things I did today, drank warm water with lemon first thing in the morning. And no tea. Also had a hot choc at mid morning at work and a peppermint tea at lunch. Didn't walk much unless you count the fact that my office is in the basement and I am forever climbing two flights of stairs if I need to go upstairs (for the loo, photocopier, administrators, get out, go to the car,,,) so everything really. I easily walk up and down 20x a day?! That's a start isn't it?!!

It is definitely a start. My office has 4 floors and we are on the 2nd. I am amazed at how many people take the lift because they are "not fit enough to walk up the stairs". Surely if they started taking the stairs instead they would get fitter? Some of them even take the stairs down!

Have changed my mind about my outfit for tomorrow, I think I will be too hot in tights and a cardi. So am going to wear black trousers with a white lace top and leopard print ballet flats.

Today went well back at work. Told I was glowing, even though i felt like a heffalump. Wore my skinny maternity jeans, tan ballet flats, blue/white thin striped short sleeved blouse with white vest underneath and amber pendant and dangle earrings. Spot of makeup and Chanel.

Ate pretty healthily for me.
Breakfast: Muesli and glass of milk
Lunch: cheese sandwich on brown bread with cherry tomatoes
Snacks: grapes, apple, banana, 2 chocolate digestives
Drinks: 2 small cups coffee and 5 cups tea (mint, chamomile, redbush), one glass biter lemon and a large glass of water (need mroe water!!!)
Dinner: white fish baked in the oven with chilli, rosemary and garlic, with ratatouille type vegetable mix. Followed by a very naughty chocolate desert.

Picked out my clothes for tomorrow: skinny jeans with red ballet flats, stripey short sleeve T-shirt (blue and white) with red dangly earrings and silver necklace.

Just about to head upstairs for a shower, wash hair, body moisturize and to do face...must get a move on!!!!!

NK5BM3 why not ease into the walking to work and do it two or three times a week. That way you can drive your extra stuff the day before and be a bit lighter.

I noticed a couple o C25Kers well done the NHS pod casts are great. I did it a few years back and really liked it but a change a change of country and a bunch of other excuses is seeing me back at walking pass. Once your feeling confident check out parkrun. None competitive regular 5km runs and people clap for you as you finish!

Did pretty well on my list yesterday but forgot to take a glass of water to bed so didn't take thyroxine overnight :(

I did however buy a new pair of trousers. They are jersey black and white with a sort of check pattern. Nice and comfy for my expanding belly.
Todays outfit is the above trousers, a mid length fitted black dress, a black waterfall cardi, will wear sandals which are shades of orange and yellow, have a chucking orange and wood bracelet and an organgy pashmina. Right off to blow dry my fringed.

Oh and I'm considering doing a project 333 to help with the wardrobe. I've done it before and have to admit found it really liberating and I looked ace.

Just seen this thread, it fits in perfectly with my "shit I am spending the winter in Australia with a shitload of models" epiphany.

Just moved house to be a lot closer to work and have had a massive clear out of clothes - I'm left with the bare bones.

1. Walk to and from work. About 4km a day in the tropics. Not easy.

2. Exercise for 30-45 mins every other day on top of the walking.

3. Eat 3 healthy meals a day. I tend to skip breakfast and have a huge sugary coffee instead.

4. Get my hair sorted out - cut and colour. At the moment, it is a grown-out brassy mess of a mane. I'm hoping for a sleek wavy long bob with fringe.

5. Sort out nails. I've got an awful habit of picking my cuticles, so planning to stop that and sort them out.

6. Get a blazer, white shirt and work trousers tailor made. I'm an awkward shape for high street clothes (30GG size 12 hourglass with a pot belly) so have decided to splurge on some decent clothes.

7. Apply for the Masters that I have wanted to do for ages.

Hoping to drop a bit of weight and tone up, but overall have a bit of a lifestyle overhaul. I've lost myself in the past couple of years and I have been feeling really miserable recently.

Instead of wallowing, I am going to try and kick it up the arse and sort my life out!

I typed a big post yesterday and the Internet ate it.

I walked 4.6 miles on our day out and managed to stay within my mfp allowance so quite happy with that.

Water not going very well but I'm definitely drinking less coffee.
I've managed a few early nights and feel better for it.

Hopefully I'll get my next c25k in tonight. DH is going to do one on Friday with me.

Doing pretty well with cleansing routine, getting outfits sorted, and less well with food and drink.

Picked out outfit for tomorrow: grey jersey bump-hugging dress with black tights, tan heeled brogues, greeny jewelled necklace with hair in plait. Just hope I won't be too hot.

Am suffering the effects of not being able to sleep last night worrying about DS1 starting secondary. Definitely need an early night.

Ta Da
Hot cloth cleansed and moisturised
Swam before work
Walked 3 miles
Ate healthily
Drank 3 litres of water (really thirsty today for some reason)
Only one coffee

I have ironed, but I'm not sure yet what I'm going to wear tomorrow. Possibly navy wide leg trousers and a rose print navy top. I just want to sleeeeep....

That'll be me tonight Jemima - DD starts high school tomorrow. DS also starts a new school.

Ta das today:

Healthy eating
On track for an early night
Clothes out for tomorrow (white linen trousers, navy and white top, navy loafers)
About to do moisturising routine

Still working on:

Water
Drinking less coffee

Hi all,

I'm really not doing very well, and as I said the other day I think it's due to bad diet. I've sat here tonight and had 2 snickers!

I'm just annoying myself now, so I'm going to try really, really hard!

I really need some quick and easy healthy food options, so please share if you've got some!

Didn't do anything beauty wise today (apart from doing a hair dye test behind my ear!) and it's late now, but I will floss and mouthwash, which I always forget :/

Good luck to your DC today Helena!

I have dragged myself out of bed but am still feeling exhausted. I'm hoping that my porridge for breakfast will perk me up. I really don't feel like going for a swim, but maybe I'll feel better once I've done it.

Decided to wear navy wide leg trousers, navy jersey slash neck top, longline dusky pink cardigan, ballet flats and a long necklace.

Have hot cloth cleansed and moisturised, plus applied hand cream.

Need to file and repaint my nails tonight.

I've found a swim plan on the Swimfit website which has different challenges that are the same length as stretches of open water. This week I am logging my lengths against the width of Loch Ness. Let's hope I don't meet any monsters in the pool!

Morning all,
I've had a banana for breakfast, and now I'm off to work. Wearing my tesco uniform ;) hair french plaited.

Back from work!
Have agreed to go on a diet with my friend from work so hoping that'll help me. We had our final bar of chocolate! I'm going to eat my almond croissant I had over from yesterday now, leftover pasta for lunch, then that's it for bad food!
Going to try and sort out the winter wardrobe today and paint my nails!