Hop on, the train is about to leave frumpsville

[DULLDull]

I posted on chat a few days ago about this but thought this might be am even better place.

I am frumpy and I hate it.

I am 45, 3 stone overweight and a SAHM who feels has lost her mojo since motherhood descended 12 years ago.

I want to change so I am hoping to start a thread for any like minded fellow frumps.

I am thinking clothes, hair, make up, diet and style tips in one place to help release our inner goddess.

Anyone care to join?

still I recommend a plain dark grey file of the type easy to find in boots/Superdrug Tesco. I also most of the time cut my nails straight across and all the same length with a toenail clipper, then round off corners with file, giving them all identical squoval shape. Two coats of pink rimmel nail nurse and you’re done. Then body shop hemp hand cream.

Please may I join? I've been lurking but I messed up my membership so haven't been able to join until now.

I'm 44 and at the beginning of making gentle changes that I hope will add up to long term improvements.

I go to yoga once a week and love it. I've bought a treadmill and use it for half an hour, three times a week.

I also do yoga at home, and do 10,000 steps a day usually

I'm always on pinterest and reading blogs such as Bum40 and Not Dressed As Lamb. I've worked out that the key to looking great for your age is to be slim and not have hair that's too tidy. The hair bit isn't a problem...but I'm two stone overweight.

I'm listening to the Food Psych podcast every night to try and get into intuitive eating, but my intuition REALLY likes sugar. I'm on yet another attempt at giving up wine.

Style-wise I'm of the maxi skirt, lagenlook, turned up jeans, Birkies, Adidas slides, slogan t-shirt persuasion. Not very good at being formal, but trying to embrace my scruffy laidback aesthetic.

I do have botox, and it's bloody brilliant.

Nails I keep short, and tend to use red or dark polish on them when I can be bothered. Sea and Sand is the best face mask I've used.

Sorry, that was a bit of a marathon. Hope I haven't sent you all to sleep. I'm going to settle in and read the thread now.

BettyBooHoo Congratulations on the nod of approval from your DD. Very rarely given, so a thing to value 😬

Thank you bagel. I knew she was sincere in her approval because she graciously allowed me to upload a photo of her and me (wearing this outfit) onto my Facebook. This is unheard of

I’m impressed Bettyhoohoo I won’t let my kids take any photos of me because I look gargantuan. Absolutely no pictures of me are allowed on their Facebook pages. Maybe I’m starting to look a bit better now but I still have a long way to go.
I have spent hours listing clothes on eBay today. I’ve bought plenty but never sold before. I hope I sell some things after all this effort ( after trying Depop first which was useless).
Dd2 is currently painting my toenails a bright pink as we are feeling uninspired today. Partially due to waking up early worrying about dd1’s A level retake.I din’t know why I’m worrying because she’s gadding about everywhere having a wonderful time.

Can I ask who you used and the name of the Dr?

I would love to jump onboard if there is room ..happy to sit in the luggage wagon as im so frumpy im unlikely to be allowed into economy just yet

I dont even know where to start...

I can really recommend the M&S Pure Clay Mask (it's in a dark pink tube) - it exfoliates as you wash it off and makes my skin look instantly better.

Iamnotaceleb No! Straight to first class for you and a glass of champagne 🥂

Teta I've sold a few bits, mostly eBay things that haven't been quite right so I've resold. Unsurprisingly, as I bought them for £5-8 usually, some sold for very low prices. I save packaging and bubble wrap from any delivery, so I'm not wasting money on buying dedicated packaging.

not have hair that's too tidy how do you get an acceptable medium? I always seem to have an outer layer of frizz no matter what I do. Mousse helps a bit but I wish there was something that worked properly.

JaneJeffer I have a similar problem. At the moment I'm using John Frieda Frizz Ease leave-in conditioner, and it's working better than a lot of the more expensive stuff I've used.

I'm a curly headed girl and find mousse or cantu curl custard, followed by lots of leave in conditioner best.

Thanks ladies. I'll try some leave in conditioner. I've tried the Frizz Eaze serum before but it didn't work. Going to google cantu custard!

Great excitement here. I’ve sold two items already. The only thing is because I’m new to selling ( not buying) eBay have put a halt on PayPal for up to 21 days unless I receive feedback🙄.
Dd2 is now helping me photograph perfumes for sale with the flash on my phone and donating me her delivery bags for re-use.The tables are turning.
Wearing a electric blue Wrap t shirt and fluorescent pink toes today in an effort to feel brighter.
Welcome to all the new passengers. We can all inspire one another.

Jane are you on some of the curly girl groups on Fb. They're supposed to be very good. I've also seen ppl like a few drops of Squalane oil (from the Ordinary) on the ends of hair to reduce frizz.

Jane I have wavy hair and I love the Aveda Be Curly range. It's expensive, but you only need a small amount.

Hello ladies
Can I join as well? First MN post.
I need other like-minded ladies!
I’m nearly 37, had my third and last child nearly 4 months ago and need to start taking care of me.
I’m sick of being frumpy and taking the easy option all the time.
I have not much clue when it comes to clothes and struggle to like any of the trends in stores. Finances are also constraining.
I don’t have much idea about applying makeup or doing hair.
I am overweight and have been so since mid twenties.. I struggle with feeling like I have wasted my life being over weight and now feel it is my time to lose it and feel great! I have three daughters and want to be an example to them too.
I need to lose another 10kg to get under 100kg. Eventually would love to be 75kg (is that 11 stone??) so I’m breaking it up in chunks.
I’m starting small...

• I bought some nude lipsticks to get used to wearing lippy first
• I’m wearing mascara daily
• I am trying to style my hair or at least straighten it more frequently
• making a checklist of clothes I want to at least try or buy ... skinny jeans anyone??? I have never been game but I think the baggier pants just make me look bigger!
• I took up walking and am really enjoying it surprisingly .. I can feel my legs, hips and butt starting to become more toned.
• I have gone through my wardrobe and gotten rid of all ill fitting, old and daggy clothes/shoes so just need to slowly buy in new ones as I lose weight.
• I have started getting a lip and eyebrow wax on a more regular basis.

Look forward to sharing ideas!

Welcome Yasmini.
You’ve bought 3 children into the world so are well worth looking after. If you are happier and feeling good about yourself that will be positive for your family.
Some of us are finding Pinterest useful for outfit inspiration at the moment. Find pictures of a celebrity who’s style you really like and try and copy the look. You can then search eBay for similar items for a cheaper option. I really like H&M for basics. As we live 12 miles rurally away from our nearest shopping area I order a lot online. I know my local shop has quite a good selection of the Curve range in. It might be useful to try on to get the right size. In terms of jeans trends I think there’s a move away from skinnies to straight or wide legged trousers. Though there seems to be more skinny jeans back in the Autumn ranges surprisingly. I love H & M for the Pull on trousers and inexpensive linen t shirts. Anything elasticated could be worn over a period of weight loss.
Does anyone else find themselves wearing white t shirts all the time?
I have several linen T’s and vests that I wear constantly but always manage to stain them with curry/tomato sauce. I’ve discovered that if you treat them with fairy washing up liquid and rub into the stain dry. Then wash with cold first ( so not to set the stain) and then warm most stains disappear. Then wash in machine with whitening powder/ stain remover on a delicate wash.I get 90% of stains out at this point. Then hang in the sun. I know this is rather boringly prosaic but it has revolutionised my life 😁.

How are you all?
Yesterday I bought a hot cloth cleanser from superdrug (recommended on another board) and it was lovely! Always been a just wash everything off with clearisil type girl so felt lovely using something dedicated and taking time to do it properly. I have two sisters and an auntie who are very "put together" and always look lovely with nice clothes, make up, hair etc so I have been asking them for tips as well. My aunt is in her late 50s but looks in her 30s so I'm hoping it's not just all genes and she has some magic elixir! Pinning everything on Pinterest so I don't forget!!

Morning all. I must take a look at the hot cloth cleanser. I go to bed with my mascara on every night and then remove it with a tissue and moisturiser after my shower in the morning. Definitley not to be recommended.

The fairy washing up tip is very useful. I am always staining white tops. Q

Thank you @teta, yes I think so too! Thanks for the tips. Have downloaded Pinterest again after not using for a few years so will give it a go.
I’m in Australia so it’s winter right now, and it seems skinny jeans are still being worn around me at the moment. I’m a more of a straight leg person myself. Maybe I’ll hold off on the skinny leg. My issue is I don’t have any other pants other than jeans? What other type of pants do people wear? I had been looking at ponte black pants online but haven’t gotten to the shops to actually look at them yet. Are they the stretchy type?

Yasmini i am feeling the mum frump too! Im 101kg and desperate to get to 11st perhaps we can encourage eachother

I wear skinny jeans because they make me.look smaller but im aware thst doesnt work on all shapes. I have such short legs others just drown me.

I’m not much use Yasmini as I never wear trousers apart from jeans. My legs are too short and chubby, trousers just look awful .

Sadly skinny jeans look terrible on me. I need to find some nice high waisted, straight leg jeans!

How’s the eBay selling going Teta? I’ve never had much luck selling stuff on eBay. I’ve always found that, once the fees and postage costs are paid, there’s very little leftover .

I’m currently trying to grow my hair as A LOT has fallen out PP. Has anyone tried any supplements that have helped? Or are they all a con?

Bagel I'm not on FB. I've read about the curly girl before but I have a sensitive scalp so have to be careful what I do or it gets very itchy. I probably wash it too often but menopause has turned me into someone who's always overheating. Maybe I should chop it all off!

It's such a pain having sensitive skin. I tried rosehip oil recommended by MN and thought I would look new and improved. Instead I ended up with a bright red face! I decided to use it up on the hard skin on my knees and they also turned red! And it's not cheap.

treacle I'll have a look at the Aveda and see if I can afford it. It's probably a better idea to buy something more expensive if it works than a lot of cheap stuff that ends up lying around unused.

I hate the thoughts of having to wear winter clothes soon. I love wearing shorts and a t-shirt and sandals.

Just as I posted that Peter Mark (Irish hairdressing chain) sent me a text they have 20% off shampoo and conditioner! Are they spying one me?