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Original poster

are you a slob mum or a dressed up mum?

81 replies

dexter · 05/02/2006 20:26

I am fascinated by mums who manage to go out of the house in make-up, with their hair 'done'. and with an outfit on which is obviously chosen and well put together; how do you do it? What do your kids do while you do all this? How long does it take?

I am slobby slobby slobby and have blamed it on the fact that I'd rather be playing with my child than doing my hair - but now that he plays happily by himself for a good while I can't deny that I could do more with myself! For those amazing women, tell me what I need to do to get out of the house looking half decent! Advice please (if you could see me you'd know how badly I need it!)

OP posts:
crunchie · 05/02/2006 21:35

I haven't been ou today, kids didn't get dressed either DH did as he had to go to work for an hour or so We slobbed, watched TV, slobbed some more, played on PC, fell asleep in front of film, ate tea dn then kids went to bed. What's the point of dressing on a sunday

mistressmiggins · 05/02/2006 21:37

I guerss I have my dads voice ringing in my ears "still in your dr3essing gown"

good for you

I think one Sunday I wont bother getting dressed - my kids certaintly arent bothered - but we tend to do famioly lunch every sunday

your sunday sounds fantastci !!

Blossomhill · 05/02/2006 21:44

I am a dressed up mum. It makes me feel good about myself.

Have to add that for about the first year of ds's life I never went out and lived in my nightie. After that I lived in a grey tracksuit for a few years.

Now they are both at school I like to make an effort (only small) and it so good for you to feel nice about yourself and have pride in your appearence.

Could never leave the house without makeup

crunchie · 05/02/2006 21:47

MM we had jkt poataoes at lunch, and muffins and cake for tea mmmm

Bit too uch TV really, but DD1 wasn't feeling well so we didn't go out. Pyjama days are VITAL for sanity. We don't do them enoughg

mckenzie · 05/02/2006 21:47

I wore a skirt the other day and DS (aged 4) asked me what it was!
So, I promised myself that I would alternate it and wear a skirt every other day. It lasted for about 4 days and then I had to admit defeat. I can't go to a mother and toddler group with a crawling 11 month old in a skirt!

mistressmiggins · 05/02/2006 21:48

quite right crunchie !

sometimes we try too hard....your day sounds lovely - I may cancel tomorrow and do your day instead...especially as I havent had the kids all weekend

joash · 05/02/2006 21:48

Majority of the time I'm a jeans and t-shirt mum. Slobby holey jeans and t-shirt covered in whatever - in the house. CLean, good jeans and t-shirt out of it. Occasionally dress up for work/placement, depending on how I feel. But I do have to 'do' my hair everytime I'm leaving the house (and use mountains of concealer).

Bozza · 05/02/2006 21:51

My DD would be extremely upset if I tried to get away without dressing her. I did on day try to clean her teeth and then leave her in her pjs but she was having none of it. DS would think it was great.

ProfessorG - yes I thought it sounded the same - very quick and looks OK I thought. Then in Trinny and Susannah's book it said that it was too severe - depends how you do it IMO because you can leave loose bits or whatever and have the ends poking out etc. By part pony tail I meant that you gather up the hair at the sides/top and put that in a bobble/clip/scrunchie leaving the back/underneath bit loose. Since it's generally the hair at the side (in my case) thats a mess this works OK. I might spray the pony tail with some leave-in conditioner if necessary.

Bozza · 05/02/2006 21:52

mckensie - it's all in the mind - I used to do toddler groups with crawling children in a skirt!

nowanearlyNicemum · 05/02/2006 22:01

help,
reading this has made me realise how little effort I've made since dd came along. I used to take a pride in my appearance but now my morning routing boils down to have shower, towel dry hair, moisturiser on face, pull clean clothes from ironing pile and add trainers........voilà, I'm ready.
I need to get a grip.

Eggie · 05/02/2006 22:07

Often have this subject brought up with Dp. He loves dresses heels etc I more often than not wear jean t shirt. Wear what your comfy in i say and dress as you wanna dress

Eggie · 05/02/2006 22:10

Often gone to work with dribble / rust stains on my suit shoulders. You'd think someone would have told me. So i'm a slob i guess

Eggie · 05/02/2006 22:11

sorry rust=rusk

joash · 05/02/2006 22:15

However, you should probably see me in my winter beach gear (or perhaps not ). Paint streaked leggings, baggy, wonderfully slobby sweater, very large (in fact enormous) baggy denim coat (my dog walking coat) and big green wellies - not a pretty sight, but bloody warm I can tell you.

Tortington · 05/02/2006 22:38

i'm presentable for work. i like looking presentable for work - i rarely wear make up and my hair is long so i just brush and go. ok if you boil it down i get up and put a suit on! so not much effort.

however i am a slob mum i say this having only got dressed an hour ago to go to shop for fags.

ProfessorG · 06/02/2006 14:22

Thanks Bozza I will give it a try

anniemac · 06/02/2006 15:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Beetroot · 06/02/2006 15:30

Usually well heeled today lok like a sack of paotaotes as have sick kids and sick mummy

mousiemousie · 10/02/2006 13:59

Make up takes 5 mins
Get a good haircut and blow dry your hair - blow dry takes 10 mins every other day
Just as quick to dress in an outfit as not - the key is to plan your outfits as you buy them, and always think in outfits not in individual items!

Heels not required to look good IMO.

welshmum · 10/02/2006 19:19

Mostly dressed up mum.
Have set outfits that work - for the office and then being with the children.
On days with children try to look at bit fashionable....unless seriously sleep deprived in which case just aim to look alive and clean.

Sparklemagic · 10/02/2006 19:53

well girls I have been reading with interest and MN has 'changed my life'! Made an effort today like I haven't for ages!! Dunno if this sounds dressed up to anyone else but it is for me: Long-ish denim skirt (bias cut) red/pink stripey v neck top, tassely belt round hips, red ethnic beady necklace, brown leather boots.

Felt comfortable and didn't have that nagging feeling that's usually in the back of my mind when I go out "hope I don't meet anyone I know"

Mercy · 10/02/2006 20:05

I am a major slob mum. Don't wear make up (haven't for 15 years or so), wear jeans, fleeces, trainers etc. What's the point - no-one looks at me apart from my children and dd regularly tells me I am beautiful, that's all that counts imo.

lovecloud · 10/02/2006 20:28

Depends on how i feel.

I wear make up everyday, foundation and blusher and vaseline on lips. Mascara and eye shadow when I am going out as I hate having to take it off in at night.

Some days I have a sink wash and hair in pony. Other days quick shower and other days long shower with bath, hair wash etc.

I did go through my dd's first year looking a bit slobby but thats just adjhusting to being a "mum".

It is important to make an effort with your appearance as much as you if you cant do everyday as otherwise how can you blame you partner going off you???

PLus if I look good, I feel good.

If my dh started to look like he put no effort into his looks constantly I would fancy him less. I want to fancy him as much as I love him and I want him to feel the same way.

Dont let yourself go, make an effort as much as you can and now and then treat yourself.

Enid · 10/02/2006 20:31

I recommend a good long coat and a fab scarf

brilliant for making you look pulled together on the school run

Enid · 10/02/2006 20:33

I have been poorly this week and on Wednesday was so bad that I went to pick dd1 up wearing dhs fleece, a pair of knackered joggers AND MY SLIPPERS, GLASSES AND NO MAKE UP.

All my friends were horrified 'oh my god Enid you look awful' Worked though they have picked the dds up for the rest of the week and in fact one of them has taken dd1 for the whole weekend