Anyone interested in the annual Countdown to Christmas "Princessing" thread?

[Helgathehairy]

It's 118 days to Christmas Eve!!

I would actually feel bad if I didn't start this thread. For the last 4 years I have run a Countdown to Christmas Princessing thread. This is the preliminary is anyone interested kick-off. I'm actually just going to copy and paste from last year from here on.

The term "Princessing" was invented back in 2011 by a poster called Blackswan. It was the year of the royal wedding and she proposed that every year you should get ready for a wedding you were attending as if it were your own.

I took that idea and ran with it!

The general idea behind that original thread and all the "Princessing" "Grooming" "Operation Revnovation" threads since has been to make small sustainable changes that help make you feel better. To make this measurable, most people finds it helps to make a list - not too long, no more than 20 items really of the changes you want to make. The original thread had one general list but as no two people have the same priorities I think it's better for everyone to have their own individual list. To anyone in need of inspiration the original list was:

1. 8 glasses of water a day
2. Exfoliating
3. Using some kind of teeth whitener
4. Using some kind of regenerative face cream
5. Intensive nail care (feet and hands)
6. Some kind of eyelash growth serum
7. The Shred / other intensive exercise
8. At least 2 extra fruit & veg
9. Healthy breakfast daily.

10. Hair oil (moroccan hair oil for eg, or kerastase etc) 11. No alcohol during the week 12. Daily vitamins 13. Body brushing 14. At least 2 servings of salmon or other fatty fish per week. 15. One early night once a week. Suggest 9PM. 16. Regular hair removal 17. Give up one naughty favourite item e.g. chocolate/crisps 18. No more fizzy drinks 19. DAILY body moisturising. 20. Warm water with lemon first thing in the a.m.

You don't have to post your list but I would recommend you write it down somewhere for yourself.

Original Princessing thread
I'm a frump
How to be groomed

I'll have a look for a few more up to date threads when I get a chance.

Last year I added a new aspect - a 5 day kick off for people who wanted to start early/get a head-start on things. The kick off was inspired by this thread 5 day makeover. The general idea behind the 5 day makeover is a few things that would have an immediate effect and things to get you ready to kick things off. So hair, nails etc.

I really need the thread this year (I think I say that every year!) I'm 23 weeks pregnant and not really doing anything to look after myself. I also have a three year old and am permanently tired. I'm due on 22nd December (officially, one mid-wife thought 25th would be more accurate) so will probably spend Christmas in pajamas but would like to look decent in my pajamas!!!

I'm in ( again )
I already do the 8 glasses of water , and book hair and beauty salon appointments in advance
I really need to lose a stone or so , in weight and cut back on the booze and bread
So
7 fruit and veg a day
10,000 steps a day
Write down what I truly eat and be careful
Will do the moisturising , argon oil doesn't suit my hair , so I'll give that a miss
Which vitamins ? Any ideas ( I'm quite old )
Nails done every Tuesday evening ( shaped and buffed )
That's a start
When is day 100 ?

Hi I am back with my list

• 2L of water everyday
• record everything I eat on MFP. Try to stick to under 1200calories and loose the last of the baby weight
• eat 2 more portions of fruit or veg
• no chocolate, crisps, alcohol or fizzy drinks except for special occasions
• cleans and moisturise twice a day
• treat myself to one high-end beauty product each month
• invest in new dresses. At least one per month to start building the wardrobe

I am going to start with that for now then gradually add in more steps each month

Ok my list.
Hopefully baby comes in next 2 weeks then I can go from day 100! I don't want to set a weight target as I don't know what kind of birth/ recovery I'm looking at. So like I said upthread, just small changes to make me feel better:

1. 2 litres of water a day
2. 5 portions of fruit and/or veg day minimum.
3. Remove nail varnish as soon as one finger chips and not leave it until next time I repaint/ try to touch it up.
4. Remove make up every night.
5. Moisturise body, face, hands and feet every night.
6. 10,000 steps 5 x week (put that expensive double buggy to use! )
7. Once a week, remove old nail varnish (if lasted), file buff and repolish.
8. Buy some decent underwear.
9. Good sort out of wardrobe

10. Get haircut into asymmetrical bob - a style which I've had previously and only takes 5 mins for me to style in the morning, prevents me from getting into ponytail rut.

May I join too? On holiday at the moment but I like these ideas for when I get back to reality!

Gosh, Helga, she's 3?!!!! Congrats on your pregnancy!
I'm in this year too! :)

I'm due in 3 weeks and looking and feeling decidedly unprincessy. I'm not good at pampering/makeup/clothes etc - I never really learnt how or what I should do so looking for inspiration. I will follow this thread and try to write a list of things I can do before/once baby arrives to make some positive changes.

Christmassing?
It's sodding August ffs!

Oh dear god is it that time of year? So after I have had my summer holiday I will
1 continue with increased water consumption and lack of caffeine
2 embed the do a beauty thing a day (shave legs, pumice feet, shape nails redo nail varnish, repeat)
3 if I like the eye lash dye then make repeat appointments at sensible intervals
4 sort out a daily moisturiser that works and doesn't make me feel greasy
5 get back on the no booze wagon except special occasions
6 continue with gym without shirking and shift this stone once and for all
7 make appt to find out why hip hurts do much (probably before 6)
8 sort out regular wax appts and just do it, much nicer than DIY and less painful
9 Sleep, in bed asleep by 10pm no buggering about
10 sort the wardrobe out stop with the faffing and just do it, if i haven't worn it it's not going to happen really is it?

Oh and remember I am fabulous honest!

Me me me me! I'm in need of an overhaul, can I join too? I'll add my list tomorrow once I've had a think!

Teeth whitening... I buy peroxide whitener from a website called happy smile. Its bloody brilliant although can make your gums a little sensitive

Just been on Amazon and ordered a load of stuff to kick start this off!

Ordered a big pot of Aztec something face clay and a bottle of apple cider vinegar to mix it up with (as per the reviews) bought some face wash, cleanser, night cream and a big bag of Epsom salts.

I actually can't wait until they come so I can make a proper start!

I'd like to join please!

Me please! Want to harness the "back to school" traditions and make September a fresh start.

Will work on definitive list but instant draft looks a bit like...

1. 30 day shred
2. Daily vitamins
3. Use my fitness pal properly
4. Daily average 10k steps (managed a 40 day streak on this earlier on year )
5. Go to bed earlier
6. Weekly clear out of handbag(s)
7. Daily skin care routine
8. Morning lemon & hot water
9. Drink 8 glasses of water a day

I'm in. I go on holiday on Christmas Eve, so it'll be good preparation.

So far I have:
Take make up off every night
Use facial oil before bed
Home pedicure weekly
Gym at least twice a week
Drink more water (have got water bottle primed for this)
No alcohol Mon- Thurs
Back on SW diet- properly!

I'll have a think about the others!

100 days to Christmas Eve will be September 14th (I think, would someone mind double checking!)

I'm in

What Fitbit would you recommend? And what is whole30?

Im in! Love this idea

1. Im seeing a PT one session per week which i want to maintain
2. 1200 cals per day on MFP
3. Cut fizzy drinks crisps treats to just a Sat night cheat night 😂
4. Up water intake
5. Remove make up every night
6. Nails done and maintain them
7. Get a hair cut every 8 weeks... mine grows so fast and is super thick
8. Buy new underwear
9. Aim to gradual tan moisturise every other day

Im sure theres more but i can start here

I'm in. Going back to work after mat leave this week. Will be a good fresh start all round.

Ok, I'm in. Here's my list:

1. Start regular exercise. I'm starting with couch 2 5k, going trainer shopping today!

1. Keep on top of my grey roots...home dye job every 3 weeks, hairdresser dye job every 9.

1. Keep fingernails neatly filed. Do not polish as they chip straight away!

4.Cut back on sugar. Stick to one treat each day, not a biscuit with every cuppa.

1. Pinching standingonlego's idea of weekly handbag clear outs...get rid of the receipts, tissues, bits of fluff etc!

Weekly handbag clear out is a good one! No point in looking super groomed and polished, then pulling a toy car, a half eaten pack of raisins and a handful of old receipts out of your bag while trying to find your purse!

Me please! Seriously lacking in confidence and need to sort myself out. It's my birthday today so I'm "fresh starting" a bit tomorrow and then want to seriously knuckle down in September.

1. 3 meals a day, watch portion size, no snacks. I have around 2 stone to lose but history of ED so calorie / carb counting etc is out, I just need to stop shovelling in biscuits

1. Exercise - get my running mileage back up and use my kettlebells. So do something every day.

1. Hair - need it cut, need to style it properly every day.

1. Body brush and moisturise daily

1. Weekly manicure, pedicure and facial at home.

I also need to generally work on having a more positive attitude towards myself (well, towards life really!) - been a right moaning myrtle for the past few months and I'm getting on my own nerves now. Hopefully looking after myself a bit will give me the kick up the arse boost I need!

Blimey yes I need this - am also pregnant and v low energy.

Will post my list soon.

Count me in please.
I have made slow changes over the years and already live by the following list:
2L of water a day minimum.
Manicure fortnightly and pedicure monthly.
Cut and colour monthly.
Hair treatment weekly - Aussi 5min one.
Remove make up and moisturise every night.
Hot cloth cleanser used twice a week.
Full de-fuzz and exfoliation twice a week.

I have been dieting and lots 2st 1lb since January but could do better with my diet and exercise. Want to up them both and get more sleep.

I've been so inspired by this thread I've name changed!
I've had a crap time recently but things are looking up and I think this thread is just what I need. I'm stealing lots of ideas from everyones regimes and feeling really positive.

Count me in too please.

Weighed myself yesterday and it was horrific. Have been going to the gym and doing Callenetics for a couple of months so feel stronger but am still massively overweight. So my list is to

Eat 1200 calories per day of proper, healthy food.

Continue with the gym and Callenetics

Make the effort to put on make up and do nails more often.

Iron clothes that need ironing and not just think that clean is good enough!

I want to 'princess' my house and life a bit too, so when the kids go back to school I intend to do the diy jobs I have been putting off. Want the house to look nicer by Christmas.

Pass my driving test

Not keep clothes/bags/nice jewellery for 'best'. I do have some nice things and I want to use everything I own and stop thinking 'when I am slimmer I will do X' and just do it now!

Will add more as I think of them.