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Original poster

It's the Countdown to Christmas

468 replies

Helgathehairy · 01/09/2014 09:07

115 days to go

Here we go!

OP posts:
OrangeyTulips · 13/12/2014 09:09

12 days to go

OrangeyTulips · 14/12/2014 10:45

11 days to go

EdithDickie · 14/12/2014 20:38

Been awol lately Sad

Had awful cough for weeks that knocked me for six. No running for nearly 3 weeks as any exertion made me cough so much I was nearly sick.

Gained 1lb too.

However, now much better and did a Santa Run today with dd (4yo). Just 2km but we really enjoyed it and - hooray - no coughing! Smile

So I'm feeling back in the game!

Taking my running kit to work tomorrow and planning a lunchtime run.

Will eat well and hopefully lose that pound again by Christmas.

I have my work Christmas do on the 23rd. It is a BIG event and I really want to feel confident. I tried on the dress I got off eBay the other night and I love it but also feel a bit exposed! Sleeveless and draped at the front so showing a lot of arm and décolleté. This has panicked me into getting back on the push ups! Will do them every day between now and then.

It has been lovely to read everyone's progress. WELL DONE!

OrangeyTulips · 15/12/2014 07:56

10 days to go

appleblossom23 · 15/12/2014 10:32

Sorry been MIA - another mental weekend at work. I seem totally unable to do work, looking after the children and looking after myself. I have capacity for two, and obviously the kids and work take priority!! So going to have to hyper focus on me for a few days before I'm back at the coal face.

Currently eating a cheese scone with approx 6kg of butter on it. Will try harder at lunchtime.
Have bought some Estée Lauder double wear light - had some a year ago and loved it: it makes me look put together and stays on ALL DAY. Amazing stuff.

Plan for today: water, some vegetables, vitamins (finished the fish oil, now trying krill) maybe some exercise. Possibly wrap up children's presents. Maybe a nap.

Edith, sorry you've been poorly. Hopefully on the mend now Flowers

EdithDickie · 15/12/2014 19:34

Thanks apple, much better thanks.

You sound so manic! Hope that you got that nap!

OrangeyTulips · 16/12/2014 08:46

9 days to go

appleblossom23 · 16/12/2014 10:00

Morning countdowners Grin

Did my nails last night, they're lovely and shiny this morning and every time I feel chaos descending I have a glance at them. It's the little things isn't it?!

Co washing going well - only went two days between washes because the roots felt not exactly greasy but a bit sort of lank and flat. Having said that, the ends don't resemble crisps, so maybe everything's evening out. I tried to find some curl cream in boots yesterday (the cheap stuff in a pink pot?) but there was none Sad Any other co washers got any recommendations? I really liked the fact that that stuff was cheap so it wouldn't be a disaster if it joined the pile of other hair stuff that hasn't worked. Funnily enough, almost of the pile is hair oil or serum. That's full of silicone... No wonder it didn't work!!

Have good fabulousizing days xx

appleblossom23 · 16/12/2014 10:02

Ps Edith sorry am on phone! Didn't clock message. Little nap yesterday and really good sleep last night so feel much better today thanks xx

EdithDickie · 17/12/2014 04:45

Ah that's fantastic [smil

What did you do with your nails? Just nosing as mine are as un-chewed as I think they have ever been and so I am considering painting them. Only thing is they are really short as I can't bear having long nails so I'm not sure of the best thing to do?

OrangeyTulips · 17/12/2014 08:33

8 days to go

appleblossom23 · 17/12/2014 14:59

Well I have to have my nails short and unpainted for work so I just use nail hardener/protector - it's clear and unobtrusive but stops my nails from peeling and disintegrating with all the hand washing.

I file my nails, use nail varnish remover to take off the coat of protecting stuff, soak my hands for 5 mins or so in some warm water. Then put cuticle remover on (use boots own stuff, costs about £4, works well.) and leave it to do its stuff for 5 mins. Use an orange stick (why are they called this?? Never understood!) to push cuticles back. Rinse all that off. Buff nails with buffer (few pounds from boots, has 3 sides to smooth then polish nails) and then reapply hardener stuff. (Sally Hansen)

Takes about half an hour but I only do it once a week. You'd never look at my hands and think I'd had a manicure but it makes them look tidy and actually I think cleaner and more professional than when I haven't done it and my cuticles are overgrown and nails are tatty.

Hope that's helpful Xmas Smile

EdithDickie · 17/12/2014 19:24

Thanks apple, that is helpful. Been an age since I have done anything with my nails.

Soooo... I think the fabulousizing has worked a bit.... I got asked out today by a boy in my office who was very complimentary indeed! He's also 19 years old!!!! I am 35. And married. He said the age wasn't a problem at all but if I ever changed my status or mind I should let him know! So hilarious! Also quite flattering really. Dh says he admires his spirit for being so bold!

Apart from that I went running today for the first time in 3 weeks - it felt tough! - and finished the Christmas shopping Grin

appleblossom23 · 17/12/2014 20:54

Oh my word!!! That's amazing! Xmas Grin
Despite my fabulousizing, no man has approached Xmas Hmm I will live in hope.

I've just been for a run too. I don't know why, but the first one after a rest of a week or so always feels really easy. It's the subsequent ones that feel tough. Odd.

Well done on your Christmas shopping Xmas Smile

OrangeyTulips · 18/12/2014 09:17

7 days to go

EdithDickie · 18/12/2014 22:29

Haha thanks apple, I am still kinda smiling about it, very flattering!

Worked an extra long day today and feel a bit more prepared for the Christmas break.

We've started wrapping the presents, cards posted, we're getting there.

I have chosen outfit for work Christmas do on Tuesday. Little purple dress, ankle boots. Have practiced curling hair into "casual glam no effort made here" style so will hopefully look good and feel confident.

Thank you so much for this thread! Grin

EdithDickie · 18/12/2014 22:39

I also went for a run today, only 1.5 miles but every little helps Smile

OrangeyTulips · 19/12/2014 08:43

6 days to go

OrangeyTulips · 19/12/2014 10:47

I know, I know - I've been missing in action for quite a while. I have been reading all your posts though!

Thanks to apple I have bought the Boots cuticle remover because I've never bothered with such stuff before but clearly need to tidy my cuticles up. Thanks for the fab tutorial! Must try co-washing too!

edith - hope the do on the 23rd goes well. You'll look great in purple! How very sweet of that 19 year old. I have a five year old chasing me but not in the same way!

Well done to both of you on the running. I have been walking, doing my cuticles in front of a blazing telly (DVD makes room cosy but not warmer!) and am researching a pixie haircut for my hair appointment tomorrow. Will not fit into the jeans in storage but i have enjoyed the journey with you all!

Only 6 sleeps now!

OrangeyTulips · 20/12/2014 08:10

5 days to go

appleblossom23 · 20/12/2014 09:07

Glad you like the nail stuff orangey. It's good isn't it? I've had poorly children again (tummy bug this time) so am shattered. Got a bit of sleep last night. It's not helped by the fact that I've eaten nothing but rubbish for three days. Going to try and eat really well for the next couple of days to perk me up a bit. Am at work though which is a bit of a spanner in the works. Must avoid the abundant chocolate....

Are we going to keep going after Christmas with general fabulousizing? I've really enjoyed the support Flowers

OrangeyTulips · 20/12/2014 09:29

I'd like to continue in the new year - and I'd make a better effort to achieve goals.

Sorry to hear that the bug has hit your household. It's doing the rounds alright. At least you all have it now and not next week.

Nail stuff is great. On bus to get hair cut. Have brought picture of Michelle Williams with a pixie cut to show the hairdresser. Smile

EdithDickie · 20/12/2014 10:34

Get well soon apple family.

Hope that the hair cut goes well Orangey Smile

I would also like to continue in new year - how about counting down to valentines, then easter for bite size aims?

appleblossom23 · 20/12/2014 11:33

Ooh! Love new hair. V exciting!

Yes yes to continuing, and I love the idea of a valentines countdown but I have no valentine *very very sad sad face. And no 19 year olds asking me out either Xmas Wink

I'll just keep being fabulous for me. Best foot forward and all that.

And thanks for the get well wishes. The small apples are almost back to their normal selves and the big apple hasn't been poorly. Fingers crossed it stays that way!

Update on the co washing: hair feels great, definitely softer at the ends, still not exactly silk like, but much improved. And I'm laying off the hair dryer and straighteners and bracing my kinks Xmas Grin

appleblossom23 · 20/12/2014 11:33

*embracing....