Anyone fancy a good old-fashioned 100 day princessing thread??

[Communionmom]

i haven’t seen one of these in a while and I need it!!!

I’ve been a bit of a mess since lockdown. Overweight, drinking too much, house a bit of a mess, sleep patterns gone out the window, not much exercise (I do walk the dog but he’s older so it’s more of a gentle stroll).

I want to feel like me again and I like a deadline.

In 103 days it’s 28th November, which is pretty much the start of Christmas. We also have a Center Parcs holiday booked.
Now if you’re Irish (like me), Christmas starts on 25th November (The Late Late Toy Show) so it’s actually 100 days today!

In the past, people would come up with a list of 10? things they want to focus on over the 100 days. I think In the early challenges there used to be 1 list but later ones were more individual with everyone having their own list.

My basics are

1. 7.5 hours sleep a night (I never seem to get to 8)
2. 2L water a day
3. 16:8 fasting
4. Shower, teeth & wash face daily.
5. Start back with TOMM cleaning schedule
6. use Lumea hair removal weekly
7. deep clean every room
8. figure out how to deal with my wavy hair
9. get my eyebrows done
10. exercise, even just for 10 minutes, everyday.

I might tweak some of these but it’s a starting point.

so anyone else in??

Some stuff to start me off -

1 Book dentist check up

2 Book a haircut

3 Book an optician appointment

4 Get watch fixed

5 Start weighing myself and losing some weight

6 Do Adrienne yoga at least once at the weekend

7 Drink two cups of water per day

Thats simple stuff. I can do these things quite easily and I’ll think of more things to add, or increase eg the water will obviously be more cups but two is at least a start.

Is it only health/beauty/appearance related? Can I add other stuff like house related things ?

Getting things sorted in the house will give you more space , less clutter , better organisation which will in turn make your life easier , reduce the mental load

I have my garden on the To Do List but at the moment there's not much I can do (except maybe some weeding /cutting back brambles )

Things like wear my pesky handwash clothes ( I don't have anything Dry Clean) then when i have a laundry pile they go for a Delicate cycle and if it's nice , dry outside .
Not ready yet to give up my winter bedding but its so lovely to slide into freshly washed sheets .

Last year we had a huge clear out , it was amazing how much stuff we'd accumulated in the attic and pushed into the garage .

My list is never going to include Spa Day or have my nails shellaced .

It will definitely reduce the mental clutter, and I’ll be able to look at the other things more clearly. Good point.

And mine won’t include a spa day or nails either 😆. I could however fill the list with mending and losing weight so I can actually wear the rest of the lovely clothes I own……

@ForestLilac

I think a declutter is a good place to start, because like you said it will reduce mental clutter and make you feel calmer. Plus if you are like me, there is a good chance that you have stuff lying around which you have forgotten about...like the 3 full size and 3 sample size night creams that I found earlier 🤣. So it will save you potentially buying stuff that you don't need.

Made a good start on my first list today, just blowdried my hair with a sample of some keratase oil the hairdresser gave me (almost a year ago, it's been sat in a drawer ever since then!). Hair feels lovely and swishy now, might have to invest in some on payday.

List progress:
1. Deep clean bedroom.
2. Declutter makeup.
3. Go through skincare and put a little basket with stuff in by my bed and sofa to remind me to actually put it on my face in the evening.

1. Sort through clothes, starting with pants, socks and bras for now.

5. Book overdue smear test. 6. Actually take the bags which have been sat in my car since before Christmas to the charity shop

1. Clear rest of stuff out of car and take it to the car wash.
2. Deep clean kitchen.
3. Ditto living room.

10. Ditto bathroom.

Still here but hit a few bumps on the road, became redundant so no disposable income to spend on princessing and half term tking up ll my energy. I have had second thoughts on regaine as when I washed my hair last a huge amount fell came out, more than has ever wshed out in the shower before. I am still taking daily vitamins for hair growth including biotin.

I have a hairdressing gift card which I feel a bit meh about using as my hair is so awful at the moment, I'd be embarrased to go. I have no energy at the moment for excercise, although I had just started the gym just before redundancy but now I don't have access as it was a work benefit.

Does anyone have any good ideas for cheap/free princessing? Really want to feel better about myself but struggling with ideas.

Gosh I’m terrible at keeping up with this thread 😳
Sorry to hear about your redundancy @psuedocream3. I’d say book the hair appointment, the hairdresser will be able to help advise you on what will suit you and on products that will work best for your hair.
I know you don’t feel like exercising at the moment but even a 10/15 minute YouTube video will give you a boost or a nice walk with a podcast or music on (I’m just trying get myself back into exercising and really hate the thought of it but feel great after!). Other free/cheap things are the obvious like drinking more water and eating lots of fruits and vegetables. I really love the Garnier sheet face masks (they are around £2/3) a good scrub in the shower with some exfoliating gloves and then a nice body lotion afterwards (I’m actually using the Aveeno spray oil which I’m enjoying at the moment). Have a sort out of your wardrobe and start wearing the things that make you feel good and happy (I tend to save things but don’t really know what for so they just sit in my wardrobe!)

I’m not doing a 100 day thing, but I am trying to make an effort. I am feeling better for it and it is motivating me to make further improvement.

@psuedocream3 What about:-
Shaping your eyebrows yourself and perhaps dying them with dybrow.

Do your own nails. Just filing them and maybe clear varnish and hand cream will make you feel nicer.

Your own mini facial- cleanse, face mask, moisturise

Exfoliate your body, maybe with a homemade sugar scrub?

Drink more water

Do regular exercise- even ten minutes a day

Google for new some make up techniques for a new look

De-clutter your skincare and cosmetics so you can see what you have and use it.

wear perfume every day

Wear jewellery every day

I appreciate not all of that will be relevant to you, but maybe there’s an idea or two in there that’s helpful.

Oh these are my favourite threads! I may have posted at the beginning but a username change (or two!) later, I guess it’s time for a fresh start. So my goals for the next 100 days:

1. loose 2stone. The goal is 4stone this year, I’m back at slimming world and have lost 7lbs so far so just 3.5st to go.
2. chocolate is a weak spot but lent begins on Wednesday so perfect timing to try and kick the chocolate habit!
3. hair done. I was having balayage every 12 weeks but then lost my job and haven’t had it done in about 8months. I’m working again now, and was given a voucher for the hairdressers so I have that booked in for end of March. Though I must remember to always blow dry it every time I wash it, I have a terrible habit of washing it in the evening then going to sleep with it wet and then messy bun in the morning. Need to put more effort into styling it
4. I have also booked in to have eyelash extensions in March. I’ve never had these done, I don’t even wear fake lashes, but quite excited about these.
5. remember to remove make up and cleanse every evening before going to sleep
6. keep nails filed and freshly painted
7. hide the joggers so I’m not tempted to dress like a slob. Pick out outfits each evening for the next day
8. 20minutes of exercise every day. Either dog walk/yoga/just dance etc.
9. get eyebrows threaded and tinted
10. turn off the phone at 8pm and read in bed instead of scrolling

100 days is Sunday 28th May so just as the summer is starting really. Hopefully I’ll emerge out of my winter/spring cocoon into a beautiful butterfly just in time for the summer

(Sigh). Must get my fat arse in gear. I need to colour my greys and lose a bit of weight before my cruise in May!!

Hi everyone, thank you for all the ideas and advice, I really appreciate it. Still on half term so no hair appointment yet but it's on my list.

I had a lovely shower with with an exfoliating scrub and body oil after, tretinoin still in the mornings, carrying on with minoxidyl fo my hair growth and vitamins.

Been informed that we actually have three weddings to attend this year, first in May so I've talked myself into a wig more for confidence than anything, and so I can let my natural hair grow without heat styling or worrying about shedding from the regaine. I've done extensive research and happy with my choice, just need to click buy.

I've tried doing my makeup differently today. It doesn't look much different though, my eyes seem to look the same no matter what techniques I use. I think eyelash extensions may be the way forward as they do make a huge difference to my look I also have my eye on a quickk dip nail kit which amazon vouchers will cover. My eyebrows are barely there so I don't really have anything to pluck, but I do always draw them on nicely and hppy with he shape etc.

I have nice clothes, but not practical with very young kids sadly, nor with this cold weather, more spring or autumn wear. And many lovely skirts don't have tops to go with them, or shoes that would go with them.

WTF is princessing???

Definitely go with the wig @psuedocream3. does your hairdresser offer any other treatments apart from hair? My hairdresser also offers manicures etc, so a voucher could be used on those instead.

So first 2 days of my princessing is going well. I’ve been 100% on plan with slimming world - I even went to the cinema and munched my way through a punnet of grapes. Yesterday I walked the dog for 1hr15mins and today I started the day with 20minutes of pilates.
ive woken up with a big crease along my face though which has reminded me to find my lost silk pillowcase and put it back on the bed. I think dh must have put it away in the linen cupboard over Christmas but I’m too short to be able to reach the back. I’ll dig out the stool later.

i hope everyone was a lovely pampering Sunday before heading into the new work week (or term for us fools that work in schools 😉)

I don't think the term is much loved, but it was used in the original threads and stuck.

We have usually made lists of goals and changes and improvements we'd like to make relating to physical appearance, exercise or anything else.

Sorry for the rubbish explanation!

My list will start For Real in a week as its 100 Days till my birthday .

But today , to ease myself into the routine , I;ve done a blue shampoo/conditioner treatment. I haven't dried it yet but OMG it was bright liquid !

@Minnie123456 Sorry I didn't see your post before, I've not been on the thread in a while. Am currently using The Ordinary multi peptide serum for hair density, I also use rosemary essential oil at the same time (literally just a couple of drops for my entire scalp). I've definitely noticed an improvement over the last few months, my ponytail is a bit thicker, & the thin patch at my crown is much less visible. IDK whether it's actually the products or the fact that I'm regularly giving myself a scalp massage but something is working.

Adding to my list - I've given up eating chocolate. I still have a cup of hot chocolate sometimes, but I a) have to get up & make it, b) get some nutritional benefits from the milk, & c) can't just keep shoving it into my face - once it's gone it's gone.
I've also just started to get into a routine of exercise. It's literally been several years, & the last time I was properly fit was nearly 12 years ago. Fed up of feeling flabby, & I'm trying to prioritise making time for exercise now. I always used to just naturally fit it in, but that disappeared when I got PG (awful pregnancy). Even if it's just a fast walk to the supermarket & back, I find music helps with a good beat, keeps me from slowing down.

I've still not started the IPL. My dermatologist said I need to wait a bit longer, I don't want burns. Frustrating.

Hi, MudLady, do you use a carrier oil with the rosemary essential oil while massaging your scalp? I ask because I’ve read that you shouldn’t put neat oil on the skin.

Thanks!

@MudLady thank you for your reply. Does the oil make your hair greasy as I suffer from this as well🙈 i've noticed hair thinning over the last year or so, i'm willing to try anything to see if it improves.

Feel off the thread but back on it again, really need to keep at it as I want to look and feel good for the Summer.

TBH I mix the rosemary oil with the scalp serum. I've never had a problem. It does make you smell a bit like dinner though! Maybe use just 1 drop to start with.

I wouldn't use a carrier oil as it would make the hair oily - essential oils aren't actually oily - they're hydrophobic volatile organic compounds. They are generally referred to as oils because it's easier than saying HVOCs. They mix well with oil though, so if you want to be especially cautious, you could try doing scalp oiling once a week or so - just mix the rosemary with a base oil (jojoba or argan are both excellent for skin & hair), apply to scalp & leave for 30 mins - a couple of hours. Wash out with normal shampoo, you'll need to shampoo twice.

If you're prone to especially sensitive skin or allergies, try testing the rosemary on the underside of your forearm first. You can use olive oil for this - if you react badly you don't need to bother buying any base oil as well.

Thanks, MudLady! That’s very informative.

Okay , my 100 Days has started :

I used the Blue Shampoo/Conditioner last week , I'm not convinced it did much but I'll give it a few more goes . At least I didn't go lilac

1: Philip Kingslet Elasticiser every week , it does make a huge difference to my hair , I used it this morning .
2: the blue shampoo I;ll try and do once a week too (but more realistic will be fortnight )
3:Finish products before buying more , today I used the rest of a bottle of Aveda Shampure (I'd added some water to get the rest ) and some Molton Brown Orange&Bergamot shower gel which is my No1 favourite , but I have other bottles hanging about waiting . From the luxury of Molton Brown I;m going onto a bottle of Astonish shower gel ( was £1)
4: Use a neck/decolette cream as well as a day cream for the face
5: work on weight loss so the moisturiser is doubly important otherwise I;ll look haggard
6:Keep on with the hair vitamins , they have -I think- made a difference
7:Water , I drink loads but when it gets warmer I do do run the risk of getting dehydrated at work
8: I'm still off chocolate <hurrah> I went from May 2022 to Christmas Eve and ate some on the Christmas Eve+Day . Then stopped again. I might insist the DC buy me a very small amount of nice chocolate for Mothers Day . I'll have a think . (They won;t eat dark chocolate or flavoured so they won't finish it
9: /10 I'll need to think about .

I;ve bought a couple of nice tops for summer and a dress for holiday in October . I find now that a pull on dress is easier for Summer dressing so no slobbing about in leggings and a TShirt will my belly poking out of the gap . Though if the weight loss goes well , maybe less belly to poke out ?