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?

[sunshineseaside]

Yes bagel, 100% what I am trying to tell myself at the moment
Thank you for the kind words xx

[Lallybroch]

I've decided it's time I boarded the train - hi everyone! I'm 55, size 18/20 and feel I need to get a grip on my wardrobe.

[teta]

Welcome Lallybroch.
I’m on holiday with three teenagers. Have escaped for a glass of rose as 14 year old Dd has thrown a strop because someone ate the last chocolate croissant. Luckily I’ve found the last one for sale.
Whatever possessed me to take my three teenagers on holiday by myself?
Never again!
I’m feeling rather fat next to all the skinny majorcan’s and next to my beautiful ( horribly spoilt and manipulative) Dd. And apparently I’m mortifying because I dare to speak my very bad Spanish in public.
Apart from that it’s great

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

Hi everyone, loving this thread. I need to jump on board too. 35 and had my son last year, I am still a size bigger and need to lose a stone. Nothing fits me properly and I am clinging onto my alternative style but its slipped into tracky bottoms and t shirts when not at work.

I want to feel like a goth godess again but alternative fashion seems to require being slim and I've not been for ages.

[coffeeisaddictedtome]

Lol oh teta you just made me laugh !!! Teenagers so lovely ! I got told in a really innocent way that my 13 yr old is not having children if it makes your body look like THAT !!! great all I needed with going on holiday in few weeks !!! Can defo see kaftan shades and plenty of cocktails and not sitting next to anyone younger than atleast 60 in my future !!!!!!!!

[Ooforfoxsakeridesagain]

Ah well I’m back from my hols where I wafted around in a kaftan and drank mojitos.

back to life, back to reality 😄

[nottakenpersonally]

choccywoccy you could have described me there! Except for the buzz cut, I was never that bold. I am joining this train!

[Lallybroch]

I've just got my clothes out to pack for my holiday. I'm going to Canada next week for 3 weeks and I hate packing. I never know how much to take and always end up with far too much. I've been buying some nice tops and jackets and suddenly realise that I could do with some more trousers. I've made an appointment with a Debenhams Personal Shopper next week before I go, so hopefully might get some. My problem is I have a large waist, but smaller hips, so fitted trousers look like baggy jodhpurs on me. I like wide legged trousers as these hand nicely whereas narrow legs just seem to cling to me.

[mikeTV]

So I've had my hair cut, but I'm struggling with trousers. My stomach is enormous so I can't get anything to fit me properly. I need to get rid of my overhang asap!

[JaneJeffer]

Has everyone given up?

[Ooforfoxsakeridesagain]

No! But all my children are now all at high school and I’m not having to get dressed and do any school runs! I’m having a week of slobbing about/catching up with work and housework before being fabulous on Monday 😄😄

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

i've been managing a little make up before work now but I am not doing well on the diet.

[IHaventACluedo]

I too feel frumpy, especially after just spending a lot of the summer in a southern med country amongst golden tanned, naturally beautiful and stylish women.

So, based on what I saw during my travels, my plan of action to emerge like a butterfly out of the brown cocoon is as follows:

Keep finger nails shortish and paint clear or light pink. Dark red only for special occasions. Not blue, yellow or other mad colour. Toe nails and feet kept in tip top condition and toe nails always painted.

Hair, keep in great condition. Warm chocolatey colour (got greys)

No to false lashes. Curl own lashes and use mascara to lengthen.

Keep eyebrows in a nice shape. Do not do HD.

Skin is very important and go to great lengths to keep it luminous. Wear a bit of makeup but not a whole face full.

Teeth whitening

Wear earrings and a watch and/or minimal jewellery

Lose a stone, get fit, tone up.

Clothes - I am going to throw out a lot of the rubbish clothes I have and buy a decent coat and a few good pieces. If you focus on all the above IMO you don't need to spend loads on clothes.

[SassitudeandSparkle]

Still here, had haircut today and booked next appointment straight away while I was there otherwise I just won't do it.

Am trying to exercise again, starting gently with stretching and Wii Fit stuff.

DH is overweight and possibly pre-diabetic now, so that might play a big part in any diet plans and I need to do a bit of research on that one. He is making more of an effort with exercise as well.

I've had the same pair of sandals on a lot this summer, there is something to be said for the quality-capsule-wardrobe I think. Not something that comes naturally to me so will have to work on that one! But I am having a big clear-out of household clothing!

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

there is so much in my waldrobe that doesn't fit. its so depressing :(

[teta]

I’m currently sorting out my winter wardrobe. It was absolutely freezing here this morning. I needed a cashmere scarf and jumper but only had my summery things out. I’ve discovered I have so many jumpers, jeans and scarves that I really don’t need to buy anything this year. Just a question of trying on everything to see what works together.
I’m very relieved that this is the first day all kids are back at school and I can think again and the holiday is over. The end of our trip coincided with my first period in months with rather disastrous consequences on the flight home. Why can’t I be one of those cool calm collected women that are always in control? Instead of the one that trips over on her shoes, bleeds uncontrollably and spills food all down her front.

[IHaventACluedo]

Looking at the weather forecast where I live it is going to be in 20's for next couple of weeks. I am planning on wearing a different summer piece every day until end of Sept and then deciding to keep or donate. Then in Oct start and so same with autumn/ winter clothes and then try and buy a few decent pieces to have some sort of capsule wardrobe.

[mikeTV]

LivingDead - I am the same. I need to lose weight asap but can't currently exercise so there's no end in sight

[Angbunnyboo]

Just finished reading the whole thread, I have found my people!

I've been in frump rut for too long due to physical and mental health issues, but I've decided to make small changes and simplify my skincare/make-up/wardrobe and generally try and get my life together.

I've been so inspired by this thread and I have so many ideas now, I think I am going to try and make small changes gradually rather than tackle everything at once which is how I always go wrong.

I'm feeling hopeful and looking forward to getting myself back on track.
Aim for tonight is to do my full skincare regime and put on some foot cream, and then I can go to bed happy!

[littleredlipstick]

I'm still going with skin routine nails are short with Barry M 7:1 nail super mani hair cut booked for today struggling to get past the 12 stone mark with weight loss

Going on a cruise in October and need to get some posher clothes for formal night and really wanted to be a couple of pounds less. I have been looking online and reading the hour glass thread as that's my shape so I have a few shops to look at now

[plusonefail]

I need to join this thread. 5’5” size 14 hourglass with big shoulders. Need to lose a stone or two really but sick of not looking nice at he size I’m at so need to sort my wardrobe out.

I also need to find a style that works for my horrible hair. It’s mid length, there isn’t very much of it but it frizzes so much at the first drop of rain or sign of humidity that it does like candy floss. It doesn’t matter how nicely it’s styled before I leave the house because within 3 seconds of being outside it’s a style-less ball of fluff. Have tried keratin straightening treatments but because I don’t have much hair it makes it look all flat and thin. If anyone knows a wonder product and a good cut for such hair please share.

Today’s jobs: throw out clothes and shoes that are beyond repair, sort feet and nails.

[teta]

I sympathise about the hair plusone. I have the same issues. I’ve found the best thing is to use a pea size drop of aveda intensive conditioner and rub into hair without washing out. This stops the frizz.
In the process of wardrobe sorting I’ve found some patterned cashmere jumpers which are back in trend. I’m planning on wearing with my M&S cropped wide denims and ankle boots. But my legs are freezing. Any inspiration regarding socks/tights? And dare I say pop socks? It’s not quite cold enough for full length boots yet.

[JaneJeffer]

It's so annoying all the maintenance that has to be done nowadays to just look half way presentable! My hair is driving me daft. I'm so tempted to just cut it up short so I don't have to deal with it anymore.

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

I could do with some ideas of neat easy ways of putting long fine hair up

[SassitudeandSparkle]

Over the weekend I need to do a proper mani/pedi. I hate filing my nails and let them get too long. Then one breaks and I like them to be a similar length so I'm forced into action! So today and tomorrow, will file them shorter and paint them, and change the polish on my feet too before it gets scrappy looking