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!

Hello, would there be room for one other?

I have been a lurker for the past few days and im inspired!

Quick low down im 29 with dd6 and ds3 and work part time so should have no excuse not to look presentable non? Since lurking i have pumiced and moisturised my feet and painted my toes a lovely bright shade of red, have been using my Clearasil Blackhead remover face scrub and im currently sitting with a sock bun on the top of my head to attempt some lovely curls.

Im currently dieting so will be making do with my wardrobe untill spring time as dont want to spend my meagre funds just yet. Also my current style is leggings, boots, dresses/long tops and cardi's etc Im also going to treat my self to a small item each time i lose weight eg nail polish, eye shadow, costume jewlery etc just a few pounds (im off to get some nail polish tomorrow as i lost 2lbs this week)

Im also loving the tips and looks like i might need to keep my weight loss treats for some of these.

Hi Rainbow, welcome! Well done on the weight loss. I was not impressed when I weighed myself this morning and weigh exactly the same as I weighed last Monday. Saying that, I did give up BFing DS2 last week, so my boobs are probably adding about 9lbs in accumulated milk

Might repaint my nails in front of Sherlock (have it recorded, will start watching in a mo). Need to wax my legs, but don't want to totally traumatise DH by doing it in front of him!

Scarlet your hair sounds lovely! Mine is poker straight and very very dull. I can never do any kind of 'messy' look as it either slips out of just looks like `I tried to do sleek and failed miserably.

No ankle boot joy to report yet, but I am now contemplating ordering these boots. I don't normally like Fly boots, but these don't have the weird sole that they normally have. Also quite like these, but was really planning on something more ankle than calf.

Love the fly boots hopefully.

Hi scarlet no I didn't get a chance to pop to NL over the weekend but will hopefully get a chance to go this week.
Hi rainbow ooh is the scrub any good?

Hopefully if your milk has come down (is that the right terminoligy?) y next week you may have a bigger loss on the scales and there for a bigger boost for the week!

Well i have taken my hair out of the sock bun and its not been very succesfull, dont know if hair was not damp enough or what but will try again in the week.

I also forgot to add i have been shredding, not every day but will be doing it again after school run. And me and a friend have arranged to meet once a week for a long walk/trek.

Weeks task is to drink more water.

rainbow You're right, red nails = instant glam (I need to sort mine out!). Am also making my wardrobe last til spring/summer as will either be skinnier or pregnant!

scarlet Do hugh-waisted skinnies stay up? I spend forever hoiking mine up and it's doing my head in. I can't find a red lipstick to suit me (am light summer, I , but am wearing Nars Niagara every day - v bright and makes me look alive - used to just wear lipgloss, but was corpse-like with shiny lips . Need to find a cheaper alternative though as the colour is great but only lasts about 5 minutes.

corky Am stealing you hair image for appointment next week! I usually have a full, heavy fringe but a different hairdresser cut it and it just doesn't work.

hopefully I find skirts hard, as you then have to find a top too. Dresses are much easier [lazy].

Clotheswise, have been watching too much of Borgen and The Killing - I want a trench and a satchel like Sarah Lund's. What do you think about this one? It's still available in every size and both colours, so am hoping for further reductions...
What about summery shoes? Do I replace my battered navy converse with the same ones or go for superga? Or shock horror, step away from the trainers?

For days when I'm struggling with vain club like today, I console myself with 'at least the thought is there' - that must be better than nothing, right?

I agree that skirts are hard work. I have stopped buying them unless I also buy a top that goes with at the same time, otherwise they never get worn. Dresses are much easier, then it is just leggings and boots plus accessories which I can manage in the mornings.

I have to say, that when I'm at home with the boys and it is a normal day - ie. preschool run, maybe supermarket or other errands then I just wear jeans and a henley t-shirt (bfing) and then either boots or my Merrell trainers. I blowdry my hair and do basic makeup so that I look decent, but I can't be bothered faffing with putting an outfit together properly when it is likely to get smeared with Weetabix and vomited on before I even get out of the door! These are clothes that are easy to wash, and saves my nicer things for days out and weekends etc.
I'm sorry if that is letting the side down, but it works for me :)

Rainbow am hoping my milk will finally go in the next few days. I better lose about 5lb off each boob or I will be disappointed

Riding mac is lovely, assuming you haven't got huge boobs, otherwise it might be a tad frumpy.

Glad I am not alone in finding skirts challenging!

Cannot wear mail varnish every day - it chips too quickly. Am loving my current red lipstick thing though!

hopefully I have no boobs, but that's a whole other thread.

Has anyone else read the 'Simplify me!' thread in S&B?

That is what we need to be aiming for ladies, we are merely fiddling at the edges

Wow, just wow.
I haven't had a shower today as dd won't go in jumperoo or cot without screaming...

She is in for such a shock

Riding I hope the hair do will work out for you, I have very high hopes for my appointment this week. Let me know how it turns out.
Rainbow try oil cleansing if you have blackheads, since I started it my blackhead "situation" has improved hugely.
I'm another one who struggles with skirts, skinnies (with a top obviously) or dresses for me.

Mac should be lovely then Riding!

at the Simplify me thread. Saying that, I think if you're committed, it actually is possible to do quite a lot with a newborn. It's the shell shock/trauma/wanting to spend the day on the sofa that ruins it all. I was appalling at achieving anything with DS1, but with hindsight I can see that I actually had a fair bit of time once we got past the first hellish 14 6 weeks.

Evening ladies! Quick post as I am knackered out from my first ever Zumba class. Spent most of the time concentrating on not falling over so at least it was a distraction!
Have some jeans in my online basket which Im going to purchase tomorrow. Today I wore my black "not to be worn anywhere near DD, keep for nights out" jeans which were previously quite fitted in a good way but today just made me look baggy. Wore them to playgroup & library this arvo. Was checking out what some of the better dressed mums were wearing.
Used some new dermelogica products I got when I went for the facial on sat & skin is feeling v clean!

Hi Ladies
Just a quick one to report my 3 things for today:

1. Firstly, I blow dried my hair (didn't have time to straighted so was a bit fluffy but better than just towel dried). Still feels awful though as had been swimming yesterday and not washed it afterwards - so still has a slightly sticky, heavy feel to it like the chlorine is weighing it down. Nice.

1. Used pumice thing on feet (must remember to do this regularly and not leave until nice weather comes along and hobbit glorious feet are unveiled!)

1. 'Did Face' i.e. bit of concealer, bit of mascara and a lipgloss.

Had to get up half an hour earlier to complete new 'beauty regime' though and was late for school run - but felt so much more 'together'. :)

Lizard what were the 'better dressed' mums wearing?

Hi everyone, sounds like you are all doing great.

worrisome I am also an apple and was a bit worried about skinnies but they really aren't as bad as I thought, I'd even go as far as to say I think I look quite nice in the ones I'm wearing now. I wear them with boots, the ones I have are sort of like these but with out the buckle or the fur lining or the white stitching! www.catfootwear.com/UK/en-GB/Product.mvc.aspx/19482W/0/Womens/Anna?dimensions=0

I have managed 5 days of a row shredding and I went to a yoga class last night. I swear my newly washed jeans didn't feel quite as snug this morning, although I still have 5 days until I can weigh and measure myself which will be the crunch point.

I have decided my next clothing investment is going to be a non-nursing black bra. Now that I'm only BF at home before and after work I figure it's a cheap way of making me look slightly better in my current clothes as all my BF bras seem to be rubbish at supporting what is now a rather ample bust.

Beauty wise, haircut going well but haven't been able to follow any skincare regime or wear makeup as I'm having an eczema breakout on my face, hopefully it'll clear up in a day or two though.

chained I find the V05 hotoil in a tube that you put on for a minute before washing your hair helps to get rid of the chlorine feeling.

Have been lurking the last few days and picking up tips along the way. Thank you. I'm impressed everyone is doing so well, I'm finding it really helpful.

Tonight's big question is _ how do you work out your shape... when I look at magazines I seem to be all of them!
I'm 5ft 9" - 9st 7 (60k) 34b boobs, small waist but rather heavy bottom and thigh area. (Buying trousers and skirts is a nightmare!) So ladies what am I?? A pear or an apple ?

Also - does anyone use Origins products?

Thanks for the reference to the Simplify thread - I honestly don't know what half the products are that the OP uses -(What's primer?) This also explains why I'm on this thread and not that one since I'd not be able to offer any useful advice.

Wisteria you sound like a pear to me (and enviably slim ).

I am so bored of shredding. I will go up to level 3 tomorrow, just to break the monotony. I am not fit enough by any stretch of the imagination, but figure I'll do a few days at 3, and then just pick whichever level I feel like for the next week or so. Level 2 makes me (that'd be red faced and cross!)

Thefurryone i bought a couple of non-nursing t-shirt bras a couple of months ago, and it made so much difference to my shape - instant 5lb loss!

I still have cannonball boobs. It is not a fantastic look. But I made up for it by wearing an outfit I really loved today - skinny jeans, forest green sweater with detailing on the shoulders, my new favourite boots and red lipstick. I felt ridiculously glammed up for a normal day, but it was fun catching sight of myself looking like a real person!

hopefully those are very nice boots, i have my eye on some in a similar style but tan leather.

wisteria I agree you sound like a pear, I'm an apple as I have slim hips and bum and then an enormous waist.

Alibabaa I read the thread 'simplify me' and
You're right, we are not even scratching the surface lol! TBH I think I am doing well if I manage to cleanse tone and moisturise at night and slap myself with cold water of a morning

Riding I don't have any problem with the high waisted jeans staying up. They really seem to suit my shape. The ordinary skinnies from Next I am forever pulling up. I think red lipstick can be tricky, hence why I am new to it - always avoided for fear I would scare DC!! I went to Clinique and asked them to suggest what shade would suit me best. I have a warm skin tone and blonde hair. I am sure there will be one out there to suit you.

Wisteria I would also say that you are a pear, like many of us British women!

Never mind clothes today, I am still smarting that some effer ate my M&S chocolate teacake that I left on my desk yesterday and was saving for today!

Wisteria yes you sound like a pear to me, im also a fellow pear and also struggle with skirts as the last denim skirt i had spun round my waist every few steps (highly annoying!)

Corkythecat can you explain more the oil cleansing method? and do you wash your face as normal with soap (as i always do) then oil cleans? and does it make your skin greasy?

I have been at work for the past 2 days but have had on make up and done hair nice, although had to re do it after sock bun disaster on monday!

I have been in the bath and dry brushed my body before hand to boost circulation and moistuised all over and used bio-oil on my stretch marked tummy.

Tomorrow i will wear Dress and long sleeved top combo, opaques, flat knee high boots and do my hair up for a change.

Hopefully im doing the shred too but aiming to do 2-3 times a week as opposed to everyday as like you say it can be monotimus (sp?)

Ooooohhhh - many thanks for clarifying my shape status. I'm so excited to have finally cracked this.

Hopefully - love the boots. I'm still hobbling around in my pseudo mega cheap Ugg style boots. V un-chic - but v comfortable.

Please can someone explain the oil method -. I once tried Eva Lumb (correct??) and just got lots of spots . Is there a way of doing it without getting a break out. Or am I too old for this sort of thing!

Off to wallow in the bath and then moisturise!

BTW am still wondering whether to invest in House of COlour or CMB - the latter is MUCH cheaper! Or am I better saving my pennies and just going shopping!
WW

PS I'm probably going to name change to reflect my new found pear like status!

Really quick one to report on my vanity thus far! Work has been manic so I've not been able to focus as strictly on myself as I'd have liked (don't my bosses realise I've got glamming to do??) but so far:

• have taken delivery of my new Babyliss Big hair and attempted to use it this morning. Initially impressed with the results - I think once I've had some style cut back into my hair it will be a great tool. (that does depend on being able to use it without DS tugging on the cord though..). I also bought some FrizzEase heat protector spray - first time in years I've bought a hair product that wasn't just shampoo or conditioner!

• I also delved further into the world of makeup and bougt a Clinique Chubby Stick lip gloss which I really like so far. Doesn't really feel like I'm wearing lipstick but gives a nice colour.

Off to read through the thread now to get some more ideas! Have a good week all.