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!!!

Can someone recommend an eyelash growth serum for sensitive skin?

I wrote a post last night but it disappeared

Helga I remember you from previous princessing threads

I have lost a stone over the past few months through regular Body Combat and getting my "emotional snacking" under control. I aim to keep going with that, plus:

Get my eyebrows (and face ) threaded regularly

Do my nails regularly (I feel so much more groomed with them painted)

Get my feet sorted - a summer of sandals has taken its toll!

Stop saving clothes for best and just wear them.

Carry on with sorting out my wardrobe and handbags. Trying to declutter!

Get back into regular Yoga practice.

Life overhaul. My job makes me miserable, so I need to keep applying for others and not get downhearted.

This thread has come along at the right time for me, as I always feel like the change of the season to Autumn is a good time for change

I started last year with a different name but dropped off. I've just committed to doing a whole30 in September as well (it's a 30 day paleo kickstart/exclusion diet - no grains, no sugar, no dairy, no alcohol, no legumes - so you basically eat fruit, veg, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds) and just started running as well, so feel like I should harness the fresh start vibes. I need to 'princess' my home and my mental health as well as physical health & style/beauty stuff so I'll think about my list and post it later :)

I was very interested in doing the Whole 30 last year but DH wasn't really interested, he would be now but I don't want to do it while I'm pregnant (although it is safe to do)

stopmakingmelogon and anyone else interested - there's a thread over on the Christmas topic about Organized Christmas. It's basically princessing your house for Christmas. I'm over there too (with a different name). It's based on a website.

Hello to everyone who remembers me! I definitely recognise a few names!

Marking my place! I always want to do this but don't have time to maintain it in the run up to Christmas with work. But I start maternity leave on thursday and baby isn't due until early November, so I actually have time to pamper myself a bit before it's born and may join in until then (and with certain aspects after if baby allows!)

This is my 4th whole 30 now (didn't complete one though). DP and I do it together, I don't think I'd get through it alone! We keep each other on the straight and narrow.

I'm in. Think I worked up the nerve to post once last year

1. More water/less redbull
2. The Shred / Cto5k/swimming
3. No toast/main carbs at work (we get free toast at break and free school lunch!)
4. No alcohol during the week/as little as possible at the weekend
5. Early nights and go to sleep! I go to bed at 10 and read until 1am!
6. No more fizzy drinks

Thanks for that Helga. Will definitely take a look.

Have sort of started today. Did Callenetics and had fruit smoothie for breakfast and leftover casserole for lunch. Ruined it a bit by eating dd's spiderman cookies and snack a jacks though.

Have epilated my legs and removed old nail varnish ready for replacing later today.

In terms of the house I will make dh clean all the windows today.

Today I remembered to cleanse, moisturise and brush my teeth before getting dressed. And I filed and painted my nails. Tonight I'm going to have a good pamper session, I'm going to ask the tween if she's got any body butter I can steal, also blow dry hair after shower, I'm usually too lazy

Love your name disneyprincesswannabe

Oh me too. This is such a great idea! I have a 5 week old baby so I feel very un glamorous. I need to get my butt in gear!

• lose 2 stone
• 10k steps a day
• drink 8 glasses of water a day
• take make up off every night
• moisturise body daily (stretch mark crisis)
• sort out cracked heels
• yoga and weights weekly
• brave a post birth bikini wax

Here's hoping for the motivation!

Can I join?
My goals:

1. A daily average of 10k steps (based on weekly totals)
2. Watching what I eat, particularly in the evening
3. Max 3 units of alcohol per week
4. Tracking my sleep, going to bed earlier, tapering off sleeping pills
5. Trying to maintain work/life balance when work&travel gets hectic

Hey Helga, I remember you from the 'getting our act together' threads. They tailed off in June I think so I am keen to get back on it!

I am currently 39+2 so feeling hot and big and uncomfortable. I have all good intentions of getting myself sorted and presentable by Christmas so hopefully this thread will give me the kick up the backside I'm sure I'll need.

My list:

1. Drink 8 glasses of water a day.

1. Do at least 10,000 steps a day (starting from a couple of weeks after the birth!). I've got a Jawbone UP but have hardly used it since being pregnant so need to get back in the habit.

1. Use MFP to log what I'm eating. Not necessarily to lose weight but to keep an eye on what I'm eating. I tend to eat less junk when I use it.

1. Keep toe and finger nails painted and looking neat.

1. Once baby is here, give my poor feet some tlc. I can't reach them at the moment, and they're puffy, painful and not very well loved.

1. Get out of the house for a walk every day. I was dreadful for staying in when DS1 was little. Hoping to get a bit more fresh air this time!

Will read through the other lists now for some inspiration.

Count me in! I'm just rejoined Slimming World today and I'm feeling motivated. I try to do a load of small things daily, but I love the idea of doing it to a set timetable. I've been trying to introduce a new small habit each week and that's going well!

My starting goals:

• Walk 6k steps a day
• Dry five
• Lose 3 lbs by Saturday

millie I abandoned those! Obviously didn't succeed in getting my act together and got embarrassed!!

Lots of pregnant people on this thread! Hats of to you all, I hated every second of being pregnant I'm amazed I actually had four children! The first thing I said after giving birth (after is the baby ok obviously) thank god I'm not pregnant any more was all worth it the end though.

After reading someone else's list I wanted to add buying new underwear to mine I would be seriously embarrassed if I got run over!

Helga we carried them on for over a year but I got really crap at updating around June time this year and I don't think anyone else carried them on. Maybe I'll start another one in January; new year, good intentions etc.

Have had 4 glasses of water today which is a start! I'm usually really bad at making sure I drink enough.

Today I filled a litre bottle with water and managed to drink half of it, probably the first time I've actually drank water for over a year, I live on Pepsi and tea usually.

Had a bath this morning and moisturised afterwards, put on fake tan then blow dried and straightened my hair, forgot to do my eyebrows through so I'll do them tomorrow. Had treat myself to 2 bottles of that "original source" body wash and have been keeping it "for best" (no idea why!) so cracked it open this morning, it smells amazing!

Can I join in: my list
Lose 4lb, not a massive amount but I'm only 5ft.1.
Tone up, my stomach is getting me down
Drink more water
Reduce slightly my diet coke habit (being realistic)
Keep feet polished
Remember to moisturise neck
Maintain eyebrows
Keep using facial wash and not the lazy option of wipes (massive difference to skin)
Keep using retinol (no difference yet)
Pamper time once a week

Have started some of these. Had dds bday this week so not starting the diet until Sunday

I'm up! 5 things for today:

1. 30 day shred.
2. swim 30 lengths
3. moisturise body
4. big salady lunch
5. make hair appointment

GO!

Level 1 of the 30 day shred ..... DONE

@selfimproved I use the gosh at SuperDrug lash serum and I have really sensitive eyes , it's the only one that doesn't irritate. Can I join too please? I need to put on 1/2 stone in weight and get my skin cleared up or at least improved so I am not so ashamed / embarrassed that I don't go out! Looking forward to reading everyone else's plans

Can I join please? My list is:

1. 10 000 steps per day
2. 3 x run & 1 x class a week
3. remember to take my iron pills (my hair is falling out!)
4. nails once a week
5. wear make up more often

Love the idea of preparing for something likes its your own wedding. I felt like the best version of myself at my wedding & would love to feel like that again!

Thanks joangray - will order it. Would love nice long lashes

Oh can I join
I'm on a weight loss journey atm and need to sort myself out s&b wise too
I'll be back with a list later. I'very already started doing a lot of stuff already