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'll join!

Here is a link to the thread I started recently in a similar vein.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2695364-One-of-them-there-sort-my-life-out-threads?pg=1&order=

Can anyone recommend a tooth whitening system? I did one last time I joined one of these threads but it did start to irritate my gums a bit. That involved strips you stuck on your teeth. It did have an effect though.

Ok got my list. I've already started taking off makeup at night and upped my water take and veg portions.

1. consistently getting in 10000 steps
2. Do 30 day shred
3. moisturising whole body daily
4. Use nail oil and keep nails in good condition
5. Sort out feet (hard skin and very persistent verrucas gross)
6. Keep on top of roots
7. Start wearing perfume (need to find one)
8. Hit up primark for clothes (i've lost 2.5 stones but have another 4 to lose and don't want to be going round looking scruffy in too big stuff but don't want to spend loads)

Oh I love threads like this!! Can I join please?
Will need to compose my list and post later.
Thank you 😊

Still thinking about my list - but wanted to recommend the 'Productive' app as a good way of tracking/reminding yourself to keep new habits.

Right, my list for September:
Shred
MFP
Run 3Xweek
Book haircut
Facemask once a week
No snacking
Face exercises

Am typing this from the gym clearly not workin hard enough if i can still type on a teadmill

Am also back on 1200 calorie diet today.

Olive I've had issues with a verruca and bought a roll of zinc tape from ebay. It wasn't really expensive and seems to be working!

Hi

Just checking in from the Sort my life out thread.

Doing C25K
Water in the house only
Trying to eat better and cut out some of the sugary snacks and Costa hot chocolates

I just realised I actually need a list myself! I'll actually have a bit of a routine from next week, DD started pre-school today! So will have 3 hours to myself 3 days a week.

PhoenixJasmin tell me more about the Productive app?

My list is ridiculously long, I need to trim it a bit but have no clue what to trim! I have a list of dailies, them 2/3 times a week, then weekly and one offs. I'm actually relocating tomorrow so I'll gradually add bits to my routine over the next couple of weeks rather than going full out. I also need to go buy things and unpack things as I have no clue what is in our new place in boxes and what isn't!

I don't have drinking on mine as I drink 3+ litres a day!

I've been on some sort your life out threads before, I really am not great at keeping up with posting on recurring threads! Somebody mentioned Original Source that they bought as a treat, you can usually buy last season "flavours" from pound shops! It's wonderful and when I lived near a pound shop I'd often have numerous to choose from at any one time

Dailies:
Strictly no gluten! I will regret it.
No electronics in bed.
Floss before brushing in evening.
Wash face morning and evening
Daily vitamins (pregnacare and Vit D)
Physio exercises
Hand and nail care - cream regularly throughout day, oil cuticles daily
Moisturise all over - inc. feet!
Healthy breakfast - no more sharkies!
Apple and another piece of raw fruit/veg each day
Meditate
Short walk just to get out of the house, even if it's round the corner!

2 or 3 times a week:
Exfoliate body with sea salt
Swimming 3 times per week minimum
Exfoliate face
File feet
Regular sea salt/epsom salts baths
Yoga (online)
9pm bedtime
Keep eyebrows in shape
Pore strips

Weekly:
Hair oil or intensive conditioning
Massage from Mum - back and head
Epilate
Face mask
Practice some quick hairstyles
Learn some basics of putting on make up well

One offs:
Haircut
Buy a hairdryer to replace the one that one of the rats ate through
Buy some make up
Buy a pair of 1L water bottles to replace my manky one

Productive app looks good!

Hi everyone

I've lurked and occasionally posted on these threads before but would really like to commit this time :)

I'm working on my list and will post later. Generally to do with eating better and regular exercise I think.

I never ever ever ever go to bed in makeup and skincare mostly sorted. Although I do tend to try lots of new things and chop & change products regularly so maybe one will be to stick to the same products.

I'm starting in the morning. Got my healthy food all sorted and got to make sure I do my daily exercise. I also ordered a lash growth serum thanks to another poster, and I got my hair cut today. Aiming for one day at a time

Well I've been taking my make up off every night this week which is an achievement! I work evenings so by the time I get home I'm knackered and normally just fall into bed.

Also some of my bits and pieces from Amazon came yesterday so last night I used some Olay night serum stuff on my face, and on Friday when I'm off work I'll be trying out this clay face stuff I've bought.

Haven't drank any water today at all just cups of tea as usual and I had a McDonald's for lunch with a strawberry milkshake oops!

Anyway, food shopping day tomorrow so aiming to buy more healthy stuff and less crap!

Right! I have my list!

1. Drink a lot more water. 8 glasses/2L a day is the standard recommendation isn't it.
2. September Whole 30 takes care of diet initially; after that remain gluten & lactose free, and continue to ensure 5 a day + 2 portions oily fish a week.
3. Yoga - keep going to my weekly class, and practice 2-3 mornings a week at home as well. Maybe treat myself to some new blocks/comfier mat for home.
4. Run 2-3x a week. Really no excuse to not do this, the park is a few minutes away, and my dog loves it too. I just need to motivate myself to get out of the door. Which I have done twice this week, so feeling proud already.
5. Get back to my skincare routine - cleanse, tone & moisturise in the morning, double cleanse, hydrate & moisturise/overnight treatment at night. Start a retinol treatment 2-3x/week - think I decided to try LRP Redermic. Weekly at-home mini-facial with some exfoliation and a mask.
6. Body scrub in the shower 2-3x a week.
7. Body moisturise in the morning after a shower.
8. Teeth whitening system? I did this last time but it started to irritate my gums. Need to look into it again! Thinking maybe trying activated charcoal?
9. Try out a eye lash lift, they're pretty dark and thick anyway but always wanted to try it!

10. Get back on track with my feet, they're not too bad as I've been to the chiropodist a few times over the summer, but if I keep using Flexitol a few times a week overnight it'll just get them nice and soft. 11.No screens for 30-60mins before bed- instead of tv or playing with phone, listen to radio/podcast, read a book, take a bath, have a conversation/do something else with DP ;-)! 12. Hair mask weekly and use hair serum after washing 13. Maintain neat nails- shellac manicure every 3 weeks, home pedicure at least monthly. 14. Wear contacts and do basic everyday makeup more often on weekdays 15. More of a one-off, but re-Kondo my clothes, and plan a winter wardrobe.

When is 100 days before Xmas?

OK, I'm back with my list. Going to try to keep it short and achievable!

1. Keep up exercise regime (yoga once a week, body pump twice and the shred 2 mornings a week)
2. Cut out the biscuits with every cup of tea!
3. Replace some of the tea with water
4. Try to drunk warm water and lemon in the morning.
5. Keep up with the leg shaving etc every second day.
6. Hair mask and face mask once a week
7. Manicure and fake tan once a week/ pedicure once every 3 (at home)
8. Keep up with hair cut and colour every 8 weeks.
9. Get to bed earlier - no netflix/screens etc before bed!

That's it for now ☺

I've finally made my list...

1. Gym 5 days a week - 5 stone to lose
2. 2l water per day
3. Eat well, but don't deny myself the odd treat
4. Proper facial care routine
5. Hair oil daily
6. Nails kept filed and polished
7. Same with toenails
8. Sort out cracked heels
9. Keep eyebrows tidy

10. Teeth whitening 11. 6-7 hours sleep per night with one waely night per week

I'm starting from tomorrow, although I've been doing the gym for 3 weeks now. My muscles hurt....

Waely? Early!

Definitely up for this! So my list is:

1. Drink 8 glasses of water a day.
2. Face care routine morning and evening.
3. More fruit and veg.
4. Get back into exercising (used to go running but have completely gone off it since doing a 10K earlier in the year). I'm going to try to walk every day, will see if I can get back into running again but I don't enjoy it.
5. Straighten my hair every day, rather than just tie it back.
6. File nails and use hand cream every evening.
7. Decent nights sleep, rather than Mumsnetting until midnight! One very early night per week.
8. Sort out my wardrobe - get rid of ill fitting clothes and slowly build up a good quality selection.
9. Spatone in the morning and vit B12 to get energy up.

10. Regular hair cut. 11. Online yoga. 12. Cut down on time spent on phone - it clearly has an effect on my energy. 12. Avoid Doritos aisle in Tesco! Cut back on Doritos and choc. 13. Moisturise every day.

1. Teeth. I hate my teeth, although I visit the dentist regularly. I have gaps and lots of fillings in the back ones, and they are naturally quite yellow. I've already bought a new electric toothbrush. I have a new dentist so have chatted with him about what I can do - first step is to have my tongue tie cut so it doesn't pull my gums down. Then will start looking at the gaps and maybe replacing some of the fillings. Will try new whitening toothpaste. This might take a little longer than the others but I am hoping to be able to smile properly soon!

Think that's it, will definitely look at the Productive app, thanks for the tip.

Hello all! Here is my list:

1. cut down alcohol (am planning a dry September) as I am convinced it ruins my energy levels, skin, sleep and makes me gain weight
2. cut down phone usage
3. 2l water min per day
4. try and do some yoga and walking every day
5. eat more veg and less bread
6. have a 'pamper night' every week where I have a bath, shave my legs etc, do face mask, maybe fake tan and paint nails.

Just checking in.

My 1200 cals per day has totally gone to pot. Bloody m&s has rum truffles on sale!

On the bright side I have epilated my legs and had my tache threaded (oh the glamour ). Also had eyebrows threaded and tinted.

Stop I have threading (eyebrows, lip, chin and sides )on my list for this weekend - an unfortunate necessity!

I have bought new work (and out of work) clothes in the sales and will not save them for best! I hate my job and am applying for others, but at least I will look fabulous while I am plotting my departure

I have so far kept up with my intentions of regular yoga and am going to at least 2 gym classes a week.

I wore some make-up today not a lot, but my usual work make-up is some moisturier , so mascara and eyebrow crayon was good for me.

I have been wearing my Pedometer too, only clocked up 6000 steps today though (which is "average" but I want to get to 10,000 most days) at work I'm unlikely to get many.

This is just what I need. I've found myself in a bit of a disorganised rut and am keen to sort things out.

Here's my list;

1. 1200 cals a day. 300 for breakfast and 300 lunch. 400-500 for dinner. Couple of pieces of fruit for snacks.

2.Davina DVD in the mornings 4xa week.

1. 8 glasses of water a day

1. Get hair cut and weekly oil treatment.

1. Moisturise daily.

1. Light make up every day.

1. One item of jewellery every day.

1. Menu plan weekly. I know it's not actually 'princess ing' but it will help me to eat well, free up time stressing about meals and ingredients and help me reduce food spending.

1. Read before bed.

10. Daily vits.