RIGHT new resolution starting now - I WILL BE more vain - join me??

[omydarlin]

Anyone want to join me in my New Years Resolution (starting now) to be more vain/groomed/less lazy about feeling and looking great?

I will log on to style and beauty at least twice a week for stylish/beauty/groomy tricks
I will not buy cheap "that'll do " rubbishy clothes any more (well ok but cheap but I have to love them)
I will look after my skin/hair/nails
I will respect my body by giving it lots of water fresh air and healthy food (am doing a weight loss trail thing for work so this should be easier.
I will stop going to work with greasy hair and flaky nail polish or clothes with holes in

It strikes me that I don't care enough about maintaining my appearance - but conversely I do care when I suddenly catch myself in a shop window looking rough as a dog or when husband compliments me out of the blue because I have bothered to blow dry my hair!

Anyone want to join me for a bit of support or any advice how to become vain will be helpful - strikes me being more vain would be a good thing for me!

Cheerful there are lots of American equivalents, but I think it's more important to check that your consultant is adequately trained, as there seem to be a lot more 'freelance' (i.e. crap) analysts. This Facebook group is American, and is filled with people interested in colours and lots attempted to figure it out for themselves based on what colours look good on them. You might be able to find someone not too far from you... Oh, and this forum has lots of examples of different seasons' palettes (scroll down the pages to find the appropriate season) if you want to see some palettes to try yourself. It's never going to be as perfect as getting draped, but it's a decent starting point.

My online clothing order that came today was a little disappointing, in that the two cardigans that I had high hopes for were both way too frumpy on me. I kept a nice red tank top though, which should be useful in summer. I am so crap at dressing my body type - can't wait for style analysis to hopefully improve that a bit! Hope my ankle boots arrive soon

I am also crap at beautifying during the day too. Washing and minimal make up is about all I can manage, and that's often done one handed while carrying the baby! I urgently need a haircut (16 months and counting since the last one I think), as it currently takes so bloody long to dry it's ridiculous. Shorter hair would definitely make my morning easier, as it wouldn't lie quite so flat and lifeless if I don't find the time to blow-dry it.

I have a ton to do this evening, but I'm going to try to find the time to neaten up my eyebrows a bit. Incidentally, does anyone use a decent eyebrow pencil/powder/anything? Mine look much better when they're defined just a tiny bit, but it's hard to find a pencil/technique that doesn't turn them into big black stripes.

Managed to Shred again today, 4th time in 6 days, so not too shabby! I'm definitely beginning to see a slight improvement, might go wild and step up to Level 2 tomorrow (mostly to stave off Shred-boredom rather than because I'm actually fit enough). Have decided to try to find a yoga/pilates class or similar to start in a month or two, as my core strength still isn't up to what it was before I had the DCs. What is the tupler book? Will it help my rubbish core?

Cheerful just checked and there are actually a handful of HoC consultants in the States -www.houseofcolour.co.uk/yourconsultant/index.html

scarlet I so need to do that. I'm laying a baby in less than 6 weeks but I have so many clothes - it's just I forget I have them or the fuckers don't fit! I have been perusing the sales thinking "oooh that's nice" and then I realise that actually I have a perfectly functional barely-worn (if not BNWT!) identical item in that bloody size in the wardrobe in my office. I'd be much better off spending my fiver on The Shred DVD! Perhaps actually I should modify the rule to be "for the next 6 months the only clothes I'm allowed to buy are gym clothes in progressively smaller sizes".

I too am terrible at pampering myself and I sit here typing with a broken nail which really had I filed last night would not have broken at some point in the night.

hopefully I'm quite fair but find if I get my brows professionally shaped they "look" more defined/darker iyswim, because they've not got fuzzy edges of barely visible white fluff! I only really define them if it's full-on nighttime war-paint as I'm terrified of looking like Jackie Stallone - although I gather from The Daily Mail that the "Scouse Brow" is now something we should be attempting to emulate!

Blowing a gale here and whilst I can use that as an excuse not to wear a dress it'd have to be blowing pretty darned hard to blow my make-up off. I'm taking my son for a hair cut at the hairdressing college so need to double paint the war-paint on as it's full of terribly glam girls young enough -to be my daughters who're just 17 and it's their bloody job to look good.

Today I am wearing one of my new dresses this which is lovely, I have a waist so it shows it off while somehow miraculously managing to skim over my belly! Will be wearing it with cowboy boots and pretty scarf when I go out in a little while.

Anyway, today's S&B related job is to buy body moisturiser...any reccs? Needs to be unscented and suitable for very sensitive skin.

Now I'm thinking about it, I need a good jacket for spring too. Project 'get myself looking decent' is going to bankrupt me!

Last night I came up to get ready for bed a bit earlier, moisturised my whole self, trimmed toenails and used cuticle oil, plus normal bedtime skincare.

Hopefully - I use eyeshadow the same colour as my brows to define slightly with a fairly stiff angled brush so it smooths them out. If I am very pushed for time in the morning then I use just foundation and then do my brows as it makes such a difference.

Mrsbuggy - I use boots daytime and Clinique nighttime in terms of moisturiser. The Clinique is one I got on a free trial from mumsnet a few months ago, and it is amazing! I shall be buying some when my free pot runs out!

Oh sorry, you are after body not face. Oops!
I like Aveno, I use the almond oil one but I am pretty sure they do an unscented one.

Last night I swam 50 lengths. Then I came home and dyed my hair and whilst I was waiting for it to work I painted my toenails (no-one will see them except me but I know they are done!) and moisturied my whole self! This may sound incredibly basic to many of you, but for me it is the equivalent of a weekend at a spa.

Today I am going to spend all the points on my Advantage card on new face stuff and a red lipstick. Not nappies.

This evening I WILL shred. I will.

I have attempted a v light touch with my old eyebrow pencil this morning, and it has definitely improved things. I am terrified of ending up with a proper scouse brow though! Also terrified of over-plucking in my efforts to neaten them up.

Mrsbuggy I have heard good things about Lidl body lotion, if there's one near you. Friend has ditched her Aveeno (sp?) for this, and I intend to start using it once I've worked my way through the three (yes, three) tubs of body lotion I got at christmas time. Maybe people are trying to tell me something?

Very that sounds like an impressive amount of beautifying, well done! I am pleased with myself for being in the routine of applying body lotion after every shower/bath now - have kept it up for a couple of weeks now.

Ooh, my M&S ankle boots arrived today. They're really nice, exactly what I'm after, but half a size too small. Am passing a huge M&S tomorrow though, so will drop them back for a refund and either buy or order the next size up.

We have just booked our first ever night away from both children, for a wedding in April. I am having that as my vague target for having lost all baby weight and being presentably stylish. I have some gorgeous heels to wear from pre-baby days, now I just need a dress to go with them! I think I might make one, but if anyone has any good smart dress links to inspire me, feel free to share...

Am thinking my current outfit choice of draped skirt might be a little unwise in this weather, but don't have anything else clean. Walking to town could be interesting this afternoon!

Hi All,
Re: moisturiser - use Aqueous cream instead of soap - you can also use it as a moisturiser.(V cheap for a great tub of the stuff). If you need a treat - try Cath Collins www.cathcollins.com/products
Smell divine.
Hopefully - have had a similar problem with M and S shoes/ boots, (V annoying) hope you get them changed easily. Well done for having a night away planned / target to aim for. AM really impressed you're thinking of making a dress - DH's Xmas present to me was a sewing machine . I'm going to get out of the box this afternoon for the first time!

Ok what's the feeling about The Shred dvd - worth investing in? Has anyone done the whole 30 days? I'm interested...

I've just bought a book by Dr Oz about staying young.
www.amazon.com/You-Staying-Owners-Extending-Warranty/dp/0743292561

Hope you're all looking lovely - in spite of being at home (still resting aching foot) thanks to this thread I've actually bothered to put my work clothes on and not shamble around in pjs all day.

WW

wisteria it's great being able to sew, especially kids clothes, which are so expensive for the amount of fabric required. Adults clothes are less bargainous, but it's good being able to play with the print/fit etc. I blog a bit about my sewing, although haven't sewn anything for myself since about November, here

Hello all.
Talking about eyebrows, I had mine threaded a while back and it was a revelation. They looked so neat and tidy! Alas, I didn't keep it up Anyway, I got them done by an indian lady in Harrow shopping centre for £3. H works there so maybe I will go again and he can also buy me lunch while I am there
Well, it was first day back at work for me today and, as predicted, I was running late before I even got out of bed! This left me limited time to do my hair but i did put a pencil skirt and jumper on and my animal print pixi boots - hoping for a slightly kooky look. I also wore my red lipstick - was worried it may be a little racy for work - had some compliments though which felt good. By the time I left for the school run, it was blowing a gale so hair only got worse. By the time I left the school to walk to the station, it was peeing down and where was my brolly? Oh yes, under my desk where I left it before xmas!

HOpefully - what a great blog ! Wow you and your sister are so hugely talented. OK I threaded up the sewing machine and managed to sew on DD's name tapes and Brownie badges. To say I'm impressed with myself is an understatement - last time I used a sewing machine was in 1978!!

Scarlet what your wore to work today sounds like a great look - I love the bit about the umbrella!

Am hobbling back to work tomorrow - not sure what to wear tho.... Sound familiar anyone?

MsBuggy meant to say that I love the dress you linked to. I bet you looked fab today.

Scarlet you outfit sounds rather cool, especially topped off with red lipstick. I always think you can get away with a bit more if you look 'finished' (with lipstick), iykwim. I makes it all look intentional rather than got-dressed-in-the-dark. Possibly a fraction less glamorous post-school run

My ASOS ankle boots (like these but in tan suede) also arrived today, and they are also lovely! I made some surprise money today (with my little online fabric business), so I'm allowing myself to keep both this pair and the M&S pair. Woopee! The ASOS pair are definitely for smarter rather than every single day (I walk too much to wear heels day in day out), but I'm really rather pleased with them. A bit more fashion than I would usually consider, but pleasing with skinnies or short skirt/opaque tights.

We are going shopping tomorrow and I am determined to buy something to wear that doesn't fall into the skinnies/t-shirt combo, but is casual enough for every day. No idea what

Well, I bought the red lipstick recommended by Sali Hughes here but when I put it on I realised it highlighted my bushy moustache. So I have bleached it for the first time in years! Hurrah. Now I need a 50's style dress to go with my new glam lips so will look at hopefully 's sister's blog for inspiration.

wisteria I have just started doing the 30 day shred - I am on Day 2. I'm not doing it every day - planning to do it 3 or 4 times a week. I nearly stopped half way through tonight. It is bloody hard work! And I need a better sports bra. But lots of people rave about it.

And I am feeling so much more positive now, and not wanting to waste all this beautifying, that I have suggested to DH that we go out this weekend. For no reason. He has looked at me like I am a bit mad and moaned about the cost of babysitting etc. but I will win him round

Very (I keep wanting to abbreviate your name to VerySmelly, but that just seems mean!) I am Shredding atm, it is hell. But results are quick - I've done it 5 days out of the last 7 (I think) and can already see a difference. I moved up to level 2 today, more out of boredom than fitness. I only have 2.5kg weights, and I literally cannot do one of the exercises with them more than once. I may get the baked bean cans out for the dreaded 'chair squats with a v raise' tomorrow...

wisteria I started shredding today so will let you know how I get on. I weighed myself and took some vital measurements and the plan is to do this every 10 days when it's time to move up a level. I'm also doing Paul McKenna to try and sort our the comfort eating. I don't know if it's having any effect on my eating but it's definitely improving my self image and confidence levels.

hopefully love the boots. I just saw some similar in Oasis when I was in changing a watch for my mum but was running late for the hair dresser so couldn't stay to try on.

scarlet thank you, but sadly it (& most of the rest of that order!) is going back, I should know better by now, things with buttons inevitably end up gaping massively over my boobs. It did look great until it started gaping though!

This has put me in a dilemma. I want to wear tea dresses all the time, but I can't find any! My Great Plains dress is still to arrive, maybe that will end up staying. I am feeling demoralised!

msbuggy I find FatFace is pretty good on the boobs, I have various things from there with buttons that all fit really well and mine are huge, that is even taking the fact that their sizing is generous into account.

thefurryone - I do Paul McKenna - there is thread over in dieting if you want some company, we kind of use it like therapy to discuss our food issues!!

Today I am just in jeans and a stripy Boden top, and my hair is pulled up in a high ponytail/messy bun thing. No make up, but where I've been religious on the skincare this week my skin is looking really good :)

ali they were from Fat Face! And I had already gone up a size.

I have actually made effort today because DH is off work for his birthday. Am wearing charcoal pinafore (new look bargain last year) and tight, mustard top and scarf and reddish lipstick. Attempted hairstyle but it has mostly turned into my standard bun/ponytail thing.

Returned m&s boots as they looked very grey, not chocolate, in day light. Hoping to find an alternative over the weekend!

Tights, not tight!

Just popped in quickly to say I now have nice hair! I'm feeling all lovely and swishy now I just need to work on making it nice everyday.

Alibaba thanks I will check out the thread as I'd love to know how others are getting on with it as I'm never sure if I'm doing it right IYKWIM.

Ok - here's a cautionary tale.... I went back to work today for the first time since my little collision with a car on Tuesday. I put on an ok dress and intended wearing my nice flat boots. BUT no! they didn't fit - my bruised foot was too swollen. So unf. I let the side down and had no option but to wear the jeans and fleece and trainers, as trainers and slippers are the only things that would fit. Hmm. Good news - at lunchtime DH bought me some v cheap ugg style boots from M and S (£15!!) and they fit perfectly. SO its back to leggings/ skinnies until foot returns to its normal size. The moral of the tale is always have suitable footwear in your wardrobe which will be ok for work in the event of a swollen foot!

Thanks also for references to FatFace - I'd never have thought of shopping there - but I fancy a lot of their stuff.

Will hold off buying The Shred and will stick to Rosemary Conely dvd as she has exercises suitable for those of "limited mobility" i.e.: me ! Keep me posted on the Shred progress - how quick before you notice the results ?

Furry - congrats on new swishy hair.
Ali - what's the new skin care regime - I've run out of cleanser and need a new one.
WW

scarlet well done on winning the competition, what will you be spending your voucher on? Beauty stuff I hope.

hopefully I also have a handful of body butter type pots which I've acquired over the last year. I didn't body moisturiser for years but am making up for it now. Although can't reach my cocking feet.

My 'waist' currently measures 44", this is not a glam look! ;)

hopefully I've asked for a sewing machine for my birthday as I used to sew a lot and got real pleasure from it - would also be useful given I'm an hourglass and modern clothes seem to be cut for apples. Anyway, it occurred to me I've not bought a pattern since 1991 from JL in oxfd. St. Where the flip can you buy patterns from these days? Any good website recommendations? There used to be a shop on every high st of course but times have changed.

I've had a make-up fail today, must try harder tomorrow!