My new years resolution this year is to make more effort with my appearance. Who wants to join me?

[TrampyPants]

I've never really worn make up, styled my hair or bothered with how I look. That was fine when I was young and fresh. Now I'm 34 (nearly 35) and I want to look good. I have just tried to curl my hair (and failed) and sorted out my make up, throwing out stuff that doesn't suit me.

Fab karbea. A beauty version of fly lady

twil of course you can do it on Sunday :)

I just wondered if this was somebody handsome enough for me to want to check out! No though - I thought he was really badly cast. I'll substitute for hot young dwarf in the new Hobbit film!

Oooh i'll have been going to Pilates for four years come February do I get some 'points' for that? I wear some kind of soft track suit over a long vest (so i don't flash tummy when stretching) and trainer socks...I looked ok today but problems with dd1 at school first day back

Ladies after reading through this thread last night you have spurred me onto making an effort. So today I did my hair, put on bb and mascara as well as making an effort with the clothes :-) felt fab all day. Even got comments on first day back at work about how well I looked. Lets see if I can keep it up

Right I have ordered some leggings and a long-ish looking Tshirt and hoody for Pilates from sports direct. All super cheap. Not super stylish but I don't think I'm going to look stylish doing exercise!
I decide not to go for soft comfy trousers as
A) I'm a short arse and they'd drag on the floor.
B) I'd live in them if they were that comfy.

In other news I have a whole day to myself to shop on Saturday!
Any suggestions for easy stylish things that are not too £££

Breaking news -
I have bought (and fit in to) a 32G bra!
I also bought some new black leather boots, which are quite nice.

Will someone report back on the Pilates? I'd love to know how it makes you feel without any hard work

Evening ladies, wow this is an inspiring thread... Karbea I love your blog, I've been reading a similar style one about more mundane de-cluttering and household organisation, I should think people will love the ideas you have.

I decided to launch my 'new me' programme by plucking up the courage to visit a local clothes shop that sells quirkier clothes than I usually look at. There was a 50% sale so I bought two tops. I literally wear the same jeans and tops all week, weekends and whenever I go out, so my thinking was these tops would help differentiate between my workaday mum clothes(which still need updating) and going out. Next job for me: sort out a pair of boots and pair of shoes so I can buy more modern fitted trousers/leggings. Haven't worn leggings for about fifteen years, not sure I can carry it off but then lots of people I see at the school gate of different shapes and sizes wear them... I had a look at the lovely stuff in the Hobbs sale, still v expensive for me but some ideas to get me thinking... Thank you for the encouragement everyone!

Woo Twll!! Isn't it great finding your true bra size and having a bra that fits!

Karbea your blog is awesome, I will follow it and use it well, I work best being told what to do (Tis why I like flylady style).

justcrazy Well done on the effort, it must be a real boost to get complimented!

I'm having a real wardrobe crisis, nothing bloody fits and i feel awful in just about everything atm and to top it off my fat arms have ripped the sleeves on my new dress. I'm going to have to cut the crap foods and start on the UFC trainer DH tells me to do...

Wow I'm so excited you like it :)

Evening all, welcome to justcrazy.

I can't believe how well everyone's doing. A week into January and we are all still fabulizing, awesome

Back to school tomorrow, best intentions. PE bag, book bag and violin by the door, uniform is hanging on his door. I have de-cuticled, painted my nails a lovely nude (and my toes bright orange) super-conditioned my hair, bathed, optioned and scrubbed my lips. The clarins lipstick I got the other day is wonderful, it's so soft with none of that gunky buildup and stays put without drying. I shall get another colours I think.

Undecided about tomorrow's outfit. Jumper dress with biker boots and thick brown tights, or recycling last weds' outfit of green skinnier, sheer blouse and flat ankle boots.

Karbea, your blog is ace

Hair done today make up done, felt better for it allday worth getting up that bit earlier for

Also bought new nightie and pjs

Good Morning
Last night I moisturised, flossed and did my exercises - tick.
I am back to sleeping badly now that I'm back at school though - the sort of sleep where you dot ever I deep under, you're sort of hovering between sleep and wakefulness and mulling things over in your head IYSWIM?

Then this morning - face moisturised, make up hair fully dried and brushed (!) new bra on.

Good luck for today

Twll, I couldn't sleep either. Was obsessing about everything from money to decorating. Have a good day.

Good luck to everyone, esp my fellow back to schoolers. Don't let the bastards grind you down!

God, I'm tired!

Hello

I think you all rock.... my diary for today was a desk day and I ended up having to be out and about for the whole afternoon....but because of you lot I had on a super dress, nice make up, straight hair, trendy shoes. No worries!

Thanks for the blog Karbea

xx

thats awesome! well done.

todays outfit: stripey jumperdress, brown opaque tights, brown biker boots and my suede biker jacker. make up took me 10 mins, inc primer. I'm getting good at this...

trampy your outfit sounds great! I love jumperdresses, so versatile.

Twll I also couldn't sleep last night; I had a restless toddler who kept yelling and I've got lots of work stuff going round in my head. However, at least I had moisturised lips and cuticles [grim]

So, today's outfit is a bit of a risk. It's an all-in-one smart jumpsuit in navy blue with a brown belt which I'm wearing with navy heels (I work in an office). I've had the jumpsuit for a few weeks but haven't really had the nerve to wear it because I'm not sure I'd get the balance right between chic-and-trendy or looking like I'm wearing a boilersuit and about to service a car

On the beauty front, my extra bits and bobs are starting to become routine. So BB cream on, swish of powder, eyeshadow, light mascara and lipgloss. Unfortunately I forgot perfume and this week I have only managed to brush my hair rather than style it in any way but I'm OK with that.

And I've just taken delivery of some rosehip oil which I'll incorporate into my bedtime routine. If it's good enough for Miranda Kerr it's good enough for me

Hope you're all having fabulous days. Keep the posts coming.

twllbach I do find Pilates quite hard work and sometimes look at the clock to see if its time to go home yet! but I feel good for doing it and I do a few exercises at home to protect my back and get my abs back in working order

Thank you, right back atcha. I love jumpsuits but am too small to wear them. I know what you mean about the extra bits becoming routine. It doesn't take as long as it did last week to get ready now.

Today I have bought myself some flowers. They have really cheered me up. And dh told me that I look really nice too. I'll never be glam and whitwhoo-ey, but I look like a better, more pulled together version of myself, which was my aim.

For my outfit of the day i've done a ootd blog - haha! I'm bored can you tell!

I ran this morning and have porridge with raspberries and blueberries. My Hello Fresh delivery has just arrived so something nice for dinner.
Oh and just had my gels taken off, so that I can get my nails in better condition.

Will post the flylady thing later.

Ooh, lovely. How do you find gels? I thought about trying them but I like to tailor my nails to my outfit. Downside is weak nails.

I like them because as soon as they are done they are dry, so I can't smudge them and they look good all the time. I'm constantly washing cleaning and they rarely damage. But my nails grow pretty fast and I get bored with the colours. I don't think my nails are really any weaker tbh, but I think it's good to have a break... plus I think DH wants me to cut back, but hasn't actually said... so i'm trying to do my bit.

Anyway I need to go clean. :(

I use Essie good to go topcoat on mine. It makes polish touchdry vv quickly. Cheap from cheapsmells (awful name, fab site)