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?

The single thing that helped me improve my skin care regime was moving my day creams to the bathroom. Now it’s part my morning shower. Night creams by my bed.

So basic, but I moisturise without fail now.

All good ideas. I will spend the next few evenings figuring out what works for a bedtime routine and see how it works. I used to be such a morning person, and I hate that right now I'm living on coffee those first few hours of the morning. To be fair, when I don't get to sleep until after 1am or so and wake up at 5am, that's to be expected.

Oofor I had the same thing with the awful thoughts and dreaded going to bed because I'd lie there thinking all sorts of terrible things and feeling anxious. I started taking CBD oil from H&B and it has helped so much. I still stay up too late though! I definitely think it's a menopause thing because I never used to be like that. I'm way more anxious about going anywhere there's a lot of people too and I don't know why. It's shit.

Snap ! I'm sure I'm peri menopausal too (48) can't drop off until early hours but then can't wake up ! And anxiety bloody not fun ! Even to the point of door knocking or phone ringing it's crazy . From neck to top of knees I feel like a squidgy marshmallow not exactly the look I was going for and just found out I may be going on holiday in 7 weeks first time in years and visions in head of being surrounded by young supermodels . After looking at beachwear online which may I add does absolutely 0 for self confidence!!!!!! But trying to have calm thoughts and be happy I have the chance but an old egg on legs in a bikini surrounded by the cast of Victoria's secrets catwalk is firmly in my brain x

Thanks Jane and Coffee - it is horrible isn’t it? But also reassuring to know it’s not just me. I might get back in touch with my counsellor too.

I’ll try that oil too Jane. Thank you.

I seem to be going all-a-bit-hippy about the next stage of my life. I’m a very typical Mum type, work, volunteer, but my clothes at the supermarket, get tea on the table, drop the kids off, pick up the kids... But - shit man - I need to find myself. My soul needs some nourishment!

Coffee - I go on holiday on Sunday. My plan is to waft around in a full length kaftan. Possibly with a margarita in one hand and one of those long thin cigarettes in the other. At breakfast. 😄

A quick check-in to report 16:8 is already working really well for me. I’m within 10lbs of my target weight for the first time in 5 years!

Also had highlights and a cut and blowdry since last I posted. Have abandoned curly girl and all thoughts of greying au naturel and it’s done me the power of good.

Mm18 I’m jealous but good on you.
Mine has gone to pot due to dds brownies and the very long holiday and the kitchen being a constant tip. I was going to have steak and salad for tea but ended up eating potato smilies with the steak. And then the only gluten free option M&S had for lunch was a baked potato. Plus the kids demanded a huge cottage pie on Sunday. So I’ve made for for the lack of potato for weeks by having a surfeit. I’m on holiday this Saturday and my body is definitely not beach ready. Kaftan sounds like a fantastic idea.
I’m also having issues sleeping due to teenage boys trotting up and down to the attic until 3am. I have no problems falling asleep but then they wake me up. I have taken to spraying copious amounts of this works deep sleep spray on my pillow ( in the middle of the night) and that seems to work.

Ohhhh teta I've heard about that spray I think I might need to invest ! oh fox that made me laugh that's soooo the look I'm going for hahaha although my kids say I'm EDINA from abfab anyway but I'm laughing my head off as I can just see being exactly how you described unless I win the lottery before and it's a full body lift !!!!!! Lol oh and apparently it's def a kaftan or kimono as sarongs are very old fashioned tut I was all up for cellulite coverage too but can see jewelled kaftans wafting as I type x

Also have teenage boys living in a different time zone in my house Teta.

Roll on September 4th.

Oh and well done mm18 ! I'm a gray crop here ! I want to loose about 14lbs but my willpower and eating habits are to put it bluntly crap !! X

Yep ooforfoxsake. Mine are eating me out of house and home.
If any of you like a bit of leopard I bought the M&S leggings as on the Hush thread ( lurker) and they’re relatively subtle leopard. I’m going to wear them with over the knee boots and a long black jumper that I already have. So just a flash of leopard - more befitting a chubby (fat!) 53 year old 😁.

Lol ohhhh love a bit of leopard teta !! I got the shirt dress from Zara and it's so flattering I love it ! X

As another owner of teenage sons I'm beginning to wonder if there's a connection between that feeling like a wreck?

"I seem to be going all-a-bit-hippy about the next stage of my life. I’m a very typical Mum type, work, volunteer, but my clothes at the supermarket, get tea on the table, drop the kids off, pick up the kids... But - shit man - I need to find myself. My soul needs some nourishment!"

Ooforfox Absolutely!

Jane mine are pre-teen, so I'm thinking perhaps yes.

So glad to hear it Bagel. I was a bit embarrassed to post that. 😬

I haven't posted since I joined the thread
I've not bought any new clothes yet, still need my hair cut BUT have bought a conditioner to use on non-work days and may invest in a better leave-in one than my daughter's baby detangle one! Semi-decided to not dye my hair and just go with the grey.
I've been running a bit but not doing too well with my diet.
I have started using the L'Oreal glycolic pads and it has made a difference to my skin, it looks a tiny bit clearer and more even. Got a couple of things from The Ordinary to try too.

Well I'm back from my hols and back at work 😢 in my very frumpy uniform which was not helping my mood. Popped into a local shop for milk (long story about corporal punishment in schools as children) and the wonderful lovely should have gone to specsavers woman behind the counter said "but that never happened when you were at school you can only be 30 odd! MADE MY FLIPPING YEAR!
However back in the real world. Healthy eating is on and the wardrobe sort for Autumn starts this weekend. 😁

Amazing gingercat, that made me smile. Hopefully it’s given you a bit of a boost.

Until I turned 30 people always thought I was early 20s. I’m now 33 and people regularly think I’m late 30s . I think it’s 90% lack of sleep and 10% having children so not being able to put the effort into gym/hair/clothes like before .

P.S. Teta I’m jealous of your eBay success. I have frantically been listing everything. I have ‘earned’ £21 and of that I’ll need to pay about £8 postage . It’s soul destroying.

Great thread, hope there is still space for me to join the train too!!

41, Mum of a 2.5 yr old and a 10 month old who is still breastfeeding (so huge norkage), back to work in 3 weeks (confess I can't bloody wait) but J feel utterly shit.

I think my main problem is sheer exhaustion (no sleep in our house) but smallest one has nursery settling in sesh today so going to get eyebrows done and nip in to John Lewis for a mass trying on sesh. And try not to depress myself.

My problem is I'm short, only 5 ft, overweight and have the dreaded mum tum. It's not a c section overhang, it's just overhang. Unfortunately being so short means I really struggle with trousers and dresses.

I also don't get a second to myself at the moment, but this morning put the smallest one on bathroom floor, gave her bits to occupy her and shaved my legs and washed my hair rather than the mum bun.

I also follow Styled by Susie on Instagram and FB plus the group Styled by Susie community and have got some great ideas. I had a style analysis done and that has also given me ideas.

Something I picked up was always wearing a statement necklace to jazz up an outfit. Especially if you are a hourglass shape and it breaks everything up, or a long necklace as it draws the eyes down to the waist. So I do try and make a real effort with jewellery now.

But I basically need to get my shit together and be me again. I am hoping returning to work will do that for me where I'm valued as an adult in my own right

Hope to do a proper catch up over the weekend but want to report another self care success before I forget. Not at all glam but ... the dental hygienist! I went for the first time in three years and the difference is quite something.

Hi guys

Getting roots done today. Have replaced my makeup but struggling to get good look as wear glasses.
Nails are shocking keep breaking & I ve started bitting 😳😳😳
Bought some clothes in my new size 16. No longer 12 but will get back there. I just want to look good now!

Booked with a friend for course of makeup lessons! Also pinned loads on Pinterest. Really struggle getting a put together work wardrobe that is young looking. Work in office.
But no dress code!?

Just found you... just wish I had found you sooner... clinging onto my mid 40s by the skin of my teeth, overweight but losing gradually (by cutting out sugary stuff and most stodge), guilty of not looking after myself for sooooo long. My DD (16) said last night that she’s never seen me wear half the stuff in my wardrobe so the time for revolution is now!! Especially as I start a new job & career next week!! Will now RTFT for inspiration and be back no doubt with questions later...