A few questions if you have time. Make-up and clothes,

[lifeas3plus1]

Thought I'd put it all into one post

Clothes: I went through my clothes a little while back and after having 2 babies in 18 months, quite a lot of stuff got chucked out. Ok I lie, 99% has gone.

I literally have a pair of very baggy jeans that I managed to wear all through my pregnancy and a few cheapy primark tops in various colours.

So I need to start all over again. I have decided to go for a few more expensive quality pieces rather than loads of crap so what do you suggest?

Name 10 of your staple pieces that you love.

I have just spent £100 on a decent Animal ski type coat for cold, rainy winter days so that's one thing out of the way.

Shoes: I'm fine with shoes. I've got some gorgeous going out shoes. A pair of converse and a chunky pair of sheepskin lined leather cat boots. I would like some more winter boots that are less chunky, flat, mid calf or knee length.

Any recommendations?

Make Up: I love Nars make-up but it is quite expensive. I need something just as good but cheaper if possible. I do have a full set of Nars make-up brushes that I got for Christmas hardly used so that's sorted and I recently bought a prescriptives foundation.

Do you have staple pieces of make-up too. Things you use every day?

If you got to the end of this and you have time to reply I'll be very grateful.

Exciting!

For clothes, so much depends on lifestyle especially in winter. Walk a lot vs drive everywhere, SAHM vs WOHM, that kind of thing. However you're sorted for coat and shoes and those are the 2 main variables re lifestyle.

Boots - I love my M&S brown flat boots with warm lining; I bought them last year but these look similar (though not sure if they are warm-lined). Also for my lifestyle I need a pair of good wellies I don't mind wearing in town as well as on our country track.

My 8 other "easy pieces" are:

1. Cashmere jumper.
2. Cashmere cardi.
3. Uniqlo "Heat tech" tops (I have several polo necks in different colours) - for layering.
4. One really nice jersey dress or tunic, v-neck, long sleeves.
5. One pair of trousers.
6. One pair of leggings.
7. One cutesie skirt.
8. Scarf/ hat/ gloves. (I know that's 3!)

The biggest thing for me is to pick toning colours so you can wear everything with pretty much everything else. I chose one neutral (black) and one colour (purple - notwithstanding other thread about avoiding purple) - you can go mad on pattern (if you want)with your accessories and your dress. But everything I bought pretty much toned in. Did a lot of research beforehand!

Sorry I can't help with makeup - I tend to buy inexpensive, I like No. 7, Meybelline and l'Oreal. I use free lipsticks from magazines as blusher and highlighter as well. Eek!

what make up do you use every day?

Sadly, Prescriptives no longer exists. A shame, as the best foundation I ever bought was from there.

Staple key clothing items for me currently are:

M&S Limited Collection or Autograph scoop-neck three quarter sleeve t-shirts in a range of colours..Decently priced and wash well/hold their shape well.

Black jersey Vivienne Westwood Anglomania dress with a cowl neck - I've worn this for day/work/nights out in the pub/parties - it is very adaptable. Can't rec it highly enough.

Black cigarette-leg trousers.

Pencil skirts in black and grey (for work).

Ballet flats.

Brown knee high boots - nice with jeans or to 'dress down' a pretty dress or skirt at the weekend.

Above the knee denim skirt.

Silk camisoles.

Make up staples I like are:
Clarins beauty flash balm
Max Factor foundation
L'ancome eyeliner in grey
Mac shale eyeshadow
Bodyshop lip and cheek stain.

Make up staples for me are:
Clarins Beauty Flash
Touché Éclat
Mac lip glass
Benefit do great highlighters and powder blush like Dandelion
Yve St Laurent Mascara and foundation
Also buy eyeshadows, liners and blush from Mac