Post-Pandemic Princessing - Summer 2021

[BloomRoses]

Would anyone like to join me on attempt a "princessing" challenge aimed at when things (hopefully) start to open back up in the summer?

After nearly a year of lockdown consisting of comfort eating, social isolation, a lot of anxiety and a lack of exercise I feel like I want to dedicate the next few months to a lot of self-care so that I can emerge from lockdown feeling a little brighter and more confident than I currently do.

It doesn't have to just be beauty-related but can also be things related to nutrition, mental health, exercise, etc.

Links to previous princessing threads who I credit for the idea :
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1156122-Project-Princess
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1559450-Anyone-interested-in-a-100-day-Princessing-challenge

Disclaimer:
I know using the term 'post-pandemic' is maybe a bit overly optimistic but I can't resist a bit of alliteration and anyway, I'm choosing to be optimistic.

Urgh. Decided I have to do "Sober Spring" to keep me off the wine. Just one evening with two glasses of wine and I feel dehydrated, have dark under-eye circles and feel a bit grumpy the next day, it's just not worth it for me.

Tomorrow is Saturday which means I get to leave the house and go to town. Hurrah!

OK, I'm picking up groceries and getting a takeaway coffee, but this is lockdown and that constitutes a novelty.

I have painted my nails (in Nails Inc Piccadilly Court, pretty sure this came in an M&S advent calendar several years ago but it's still going strong). I have tidied my eyebrows and paid special attention to my evening skin care routine.

I've laid out my clothes for tomorrow already (jeans, breton top, light grey wool coat, pink scarf, black chelsea boots).

I really hope they appreciate all the effort in the butcher's and the deli

Yay! Love these threads. Unfortunately I was dumped a few weeks back so I definitely need this thread :

1. Drink more water - currently at 1L max
2. Haircut and hair dye
3. Regular epilating - think I'll mainly be doing my face but have bought the Braun box kit
4. Go back to my daily 1.5hr walks now that kids are back at school
5. Would like to lose half a stone at least that I've put on over lockdown
6. More fashionable school run clothes - trainers, leather leggings and basic tops all purchased rather than my unsightly old parka
7. Wear more makeup and look presentable rather than slobby and waiting for the weekend.

This weekend is the big wardrobe sort out! Time to do a cull and make a list of what I need for spring, and decide which items I never want to see again.

I feel like I have completely lost my fashion identity since Covid so have no idea what I like any more or what is in style!

I've been doing this @duvets! I have tonnes of stuff to be donated and have ordered some of those bags to be sent off for the best bits. The rest I'll send to be recycled, but will go through the go pile when the bags get here.

I've also just sorted through all my books and the kids' (we have A LOT), and have some boxed up to sell and another two huge bags to go to the book box at the tip. Definitely wanting to be a bit more minimalist! I have too much stuff.

Wardrobe is purged, 4 small bags to take to charity shop when I can. Now I can see all my gaps... but knackered, not got energy to shop, will have to do it another day.

Persuaded hubs to give me a hair trim this morning so feeling a bit better about school run tomorrow.

How's it going with your sort out @BallsToYouSue?

Yeah, not too bad thanks @duvets! I've parcelled up a load more books to be sold - first place I tried wouldn't take them, but tried another one and they wanted quite a lot, so that's good. I'll get a few pennies for them, which makes me feel less extravagant about giving away so many clothes. Still waiting for charity bags for those, but I have all the clothes out. My wardrobe is looking really organised, which is lovely.

I also CBA to shop to fill gaps, so I've ordered one of those personal styling boxes. It will come in April, so hopefully will get some nice, spring/summer things. I'm ok for winter stuff.

Sounds like you're getting on well too.

Yep!

☆Fitness pal app and fortnightly weigh in
☆exercise every other day with Jillian Michael's exercise dvd
☆face steam with my Christmas gifted face streamer then rosehip oil drops afterwards
☆mani pedi every other Sunday
☆Light face tan drops
☆buy myself 2 dresses that are a size down as inspo
☆1 self affirming affirmation every morning
☆pint of water to start the day
☆scented candles
☆phone number change and social media temporarily disabled, may even delete
☆1 new perfume
☆practise thinking positively and smiling more, frowning less
☆kefir and sauerkraut for the whole gut-brain thing
☆multivitamins and healthier eating
☆find a good foundation, eyelash curlers and buy myself a vanity case
....may even order an online eyelash curling kit

Oh and I have put on about 20lb since 2020 so that too.....

Keep going everyone.

I'm keeping up with the skincare. I'm hoping to look like a boiled egg soon.

Been body moisturising and exfoliating

Hair has been olaplexed

Kept up with the exercise.

Off the wagon re: diet but back on tomorrow. Tried on my fat jeans and they don't fit. Enough said.

Still need to: whiten teeth

Also making a massive start on the admin this week. Can't bloody wait.

Ordered a bunch of clothes which have been arriving that I have thoroughly enjoyed!
Doing ok with diet.
Trying new face tanning drops but can't see any difference yet!
I've picked a new hairstyle but now the long wait feels even longer, I'm champing at the bit to get it done.

Hope you all doing well with your princessing plans!

Been trying to get in as much exercise as possible. Lots of walking and one run so far this week. Will go for another run today.

I've bought a couple of jumpsuits, which I think will be nice for spring/summer. I've also bought some cotton trousers, as I'm sick of jeans but don't want to have no option other than skirts and dresses.

Diet....meh, I've lost motivation a bit there. Not that I'm eating cake all day, but in terms of sticking to a set diet...meh is the best I can say! I'll keep up the healthy eating though and I am trying not to snack.

My bags have arrived for parcelling up clothes for donation. I've got some money for the books I sold. Only £15, but it's better than nothing! DH parcelled up some of the rattier books and I'll be surprised if he gets half what he was quoted, but still, better than having them hanging round here, not being read.

I've been putting flexitol on my feet twice a day when I remember, which I mostly do. I want to have them sandal ready for summer! I'm planning not to wear coloured polish though. Just clear/buffed nails. I hate chipped polish more than I love colourful nails so there you are!

Can't wait for salons to open so I can have my legs waxed and eyebrows tinted. But don't know when that will happen!

With the onset of more freedom outside, I put on foundation and eye makeup today. I had missed that smooth look. Albeit only the top half of my face will be on show, I enjoyed applying.
Am working this afternoon and have a zoom meeting, I wonder if anyone will notice anything.

Hopefully will wash and hair mask this weekend as I plan on staying inside.

Hello all. I fell off the wagon, yet again, I’m such an idle bone.
I’ve put in weight so I ordered some woolly dresses, warm, comfy, not particularly flattering though, I don’t really like them mid calf, but they’re ok with boots.
I run, so I’ve been cutting my toenails to the quick, they are tiny and ugly. What colour should I use when they’re that small? I have cocktail sausages instead of toes as well 😩.
I managed to sort out my cracked heels by filing them to death and applying Lansinoh, they’re ok now. I blame kayaking, sometimes I paddle and think: this is where you get trench foot, I can FEEL it 😂😂😂

Been applying lansinoh on my hands at night, then cotton gloves.
I swear silk pillowcases work, I wake up less crinkled.

God, have I killed the thread? I’m so sorry!

Oh God no, not at all @BuddhaAtSea! I just haven't got much to report on the princess front!

I've bought some new running shoes if that counts. I'm feeling it with all the running on pavements!

I'm also wearing make up and blow dried my hair today, which is unusual for me.

@BuddhaAtSea not in the least, I am inspired by your silk pillowcase, it's going on the wish list!

Not much to report here, face tan drops working so looking healthier without makeup.

Having lots of fun processing all my online shopping

Been doing yoga again but still a bit lazy on the proper exercise front!

Wanted to do a pedicure but found out DH has been using my foot file and was too grossed out!

Been researching pub gardens so that should give me a bit more motivation to keep going!

Following to read later..I’ve let myself go & today’s mother’s day photos have spurred me on to do something about it😩

5lbs down so far, although I did have a huge Mother's Day dinner from a local restaurant today so I won't be standing on the scales for a good few days...

Have had a proper self care Sunday evening - bath, face mask, filed and painted nails etc. I may not quite be gorgeous, but I'm very well moisturised!

Have planned the next few days' meals on MFP and will try to stick to it. Lots of healthy food in my Tesco delivery this morning. Am trying to increase protein and decrease carbs to stop getting hungry between meals. It definitely isn't low carb as I'm eating too many carby fruit and veg, but is lower carb than I normally am.

Have laid out my clothes for a 5km walk before work in the morning, and downloaded a podcast to listen to while I'm out. I seem to start the week really full of motivation but it definitely wavers as the week goes on. I need to find a way of staying motivated all the way until Friday.

Very good idea! I’m going to try to keep my first goals simple (focusing on undoing some of the lockdown bad habits first) but :

Drink 2.5l water every day
Substitute some of my coffees for herbal / fruity tea
Daily long walk
Daily yoga (even if some of the days it’s the 10 minute “lying on the mat” yoga video and not a very active one)
More veg / fruit

In bed by 10pm
Have dinner earlier - ideally no eating after 7pm

I want to start working out with weights too, but I think I’ll start with the easier wins and then weights can happen at beginning of April.

I’ve tried the elasticiser last night for the first time in my life. Blimey, it really does make your hair bouncy and shiny. Love it! And I started the mammoth task of giving myself a pedicure. My toes have been neglected for over a year. And I run, it really messed everything up. The lansinoh helps, but it’ll take a while.
The other thing I need to look at is my wardrobe. I either walk the dog or exercise or spend hours on the sofa (I wear a uniform for work). Not exactly the environment for nice clothes.

Hi all!

I've been continuing with upping the exercise and having no booze at all. So far, so good!

I've dyed my hair (wasn't going to, but the regrowth liked horrendous)! I've dyed it blonde and used a purple toner to get rid of the yellow as my hair has warm tones. I also did some much needed hair removal today . Feeling rather princessy now!

The great clear out continues as well. I've got rid of A LOT of clothes. DH is as I have also bought more. But there is a method to my madness, I swear! I've got rid of lots of dresses and tops which never got worn and replaced with a few, carefully chosen pieces which are more practical and which I know I will wear. I've kept a couple of impractical things, in case we are ever allowed out again, but I do mean just a couple. One going out / event dress and one going out / event jumpsuit which are both versatile as well.

Hope everyone else is getting on ok.

Well done everyone!

I have been wearing smarter clothes and a bit more makeup on my school runs and had quite a few compliments. I sleep by 9pm each day. I still need to drink much more water but I've reduced down the sweet treats in the house so much less temptation. Hair cut and coloured so thats sorted too. Definitely getting there!

Oh sleep by 9 sounds delightful! Might have an earlier night tonight actually. I'm usually awake but in bed at 11.30ish.

@BallsToYouSue its not ideal but my kids won't sleep unless im there so i was forced into it but its quite chilling rather than snacking on the sofa watching Netflix