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.

Evening ladies
Today and yesterday have gone ok on the grooming front. I did a 9k run today so my fitness pal has been in the green on the calorie front, which always puts a spring in my step. That includes 6 truffles and a huge vino, so I'm a happy bunny. Yesterday I went on temporary strike from mumming and wifing, due to a series of mini incidents which made me feel like I'd earnt some 'me time' credits. During my 'rest time' I managed to do myself a proper manicure including base coat and top coat, and its still looking good today despite carrying logs and fixing some small toys.
Clothes wise, the running and the mani made me make a bit more effort and I felt good today, even though it was only in the confines of Asda . Off to work in London tomorrow so hopefully that'll give me a chance to put on a few nice clothes.

All of you sound like you're doing really well. Remus, all your outfits sound amazing and the poster that has been doing 9k runs... I now down to you!

I'm like the poster above who sai they have no excuse as they have no DCs and live by themselves - that's me too. Similarly, I hate all my clothes because I'm fat and don't have a clue! But I'm going to try again from this morning

Always, it sounds like you have just got really down. When your hair isn't right it ruins everything else (I had a run in with a scissor-wielding psychopath and had to have all my hair cut off to rectify it.) What do you hate about your clothes? I find a few basics help enormously. Don't give up!

Ambassador, well done I can't run 9yards let alone 9k.

Ds is school age, but I have never made an effort. I goot stuuck in a rut.

Work today and I am wearing raspberry long sleeved top from primark and a cream wool dress from matalan with a wide black belt and with black opaques and my black biker ankle boots. I need to get into a routine for putting some make up on in the morning though.

Today Im in the same brown knitted dress, long sleeved top and leggings combo, yes with a big cardy! The dress is certainly helping me look more stylish in such cold weather, and was a complete bargain considering I paid a couple of quid for it in a charity shop aaaaaages ago

The only times Im going outside today are to drop the kids off and pick them up later! Brrr!

Totally slacking here but I have my leg in plaster so that's kind of limited hat I can do.

Clothes are either leggings or yoga pants as nothing else's fits :(
Have tried to keep on top of nails and moisturising. Hair feels mess as its a quick wash in the sink which dh does, still drying and straightening it but it feels like it needs. Good deep condition and dying.

Diet is out the window what ever dh cooks I'm more than happy to eat

Alaska I live in central queensland so it is steamy enough for shorts! though am seriously envious of winter clothes at the moment. some people are never bloody happy!

Haven't been very polished today but very much presentable - and feel like I should get some extra points for the most healthy dinner of quinoa, mango, avocado etc... and have drunk loads of water. Baby steps....

Yesterday I was all set for a browse round the shops for BB cream and a few other things, but I ended up taking my youngest with me. Usually he would remain asleep for the entire shopping trip so I thought it should be fine but of course this time it didn't happen and he kept crying though nothing seemed wrong! It was awful so I just had to give up on the idea of browsing and scurry home. However, I am going to attempt a trip out next weekend on my own so hopefully will be able to have a proper look round then! And I did manage to invest in a hair turban (as mentioned on mumsnet!) to put round my hair after a shower, and used it this morning. I think my hair looks a bit better for being out of the way while I sorted out breakfast, though I could be imagining it!

AlwaysReady, I also have a spot on my chin, the day after I thought perhaps I was getting too old to have spots now (I'm 32 and hadn't had any for ages)!

Hi everyone, been reading through the posts and imagining the outfits with earnest.

Remus, did you go with the fishtail option?

Ambassador you are an inspiration doing a 9k run! No wonder MFP is happy to concede a few truffles and vino! Me, I've walked no further than my desk to the loo today!

Sweetie your healthy dinner sounds lovely actually, I'm a little bit jealous! In fact, I'm also jealous of your weather, it's sleet/snow here

So today's outfit is a slim black roll-neck (White Co) with a camel-coloured wool dress over the top (Benetton), thick black tights and knee-length black boots (Clarks). I failed on the coat front, having thrown my giant navy puffa jacket with a fluffy hood on but it's snowing so what the heck.

I've been continuing with a slightly more organised and attentive morning schedule which is working well. I have to say I feel more professional somehow when I am a little more groomed. I've been using rosehip oil on my face in the evenings and am really liking it.

That sounds gorgeous, Alaska - and the puffa coat was necessary! I did similar - I went for the fishtail option but put huge puffa parka on top. I changed into heels at work and (astonishingly!) survived in them all day.

I can be a bit more casual tomorrow, so am aiming for a 'flippy' printed silk skirt and opaques, I think. Shoes and jacket will depend on the weather! Or I could go for a jumper dress and heeled ankle boots, maybe. Or...or... :)

My nails are hideous - I have broken nearly all of them in the past week. Must remember to whack some Sally H stuff on them tonight.

V impressed by the 9k runs, Ambassador. I'm proud of myself if I manage to stagger around the block for twenty minutes! Was supposed to go tonight but it's wet and dark and horrible, so I'm making excuses.

Need to get out of this rut I'm in. So I'm going to the hairdresser on Friday and I sent her a message to say my existing colour isn't working for me (she's a friend). So she's got her thinking cap on for me. I think I'll just go back to a warm brown - maybe a bit boring but more flattering I hope.
My clothes are just really boring. I have a work "uniform" of black trousers and different tops. Some days I go really wild and wear navy trousers!
I'm not very good at shopping either. I'll a buy a top, for example, thinking it will go with trousers I've already got. But then I end up with things that I can only wear with one other thing iykwim. So I don't have a lot of tops and bottoms that I can mix and match.

So many people seem to be doing really well, which is fantastic. I sympathise with the earlier poster who just can't get going, it's really really hard, even with a great thread like this for motivation. Baby steps, I think, is the way forward. Pick one thing (the style and beauty equivalent of shining your sink before bed) and do that until it becomes routine, e.g. Using blusher, mascara, bb cream or whatever. Then add another thing in... With clothes I'm having to completely re-learn what to wear. Pre-dc's I followed what was 'in' and spent time shopping. Now I only really buy disastrous buys in on-line sales... Just because they are cheap doesn't mean they will go with things I have learned and keep repeating same mistakes e.g buying tops that are too short or ride-up after a few washes. Bought a pair of skinny jeans which look so much more modern than my old boot-cut jeans, but haven't plucked up the courage to wear them yet. Been reading n style blogs how to wear leggings as I bought a pair from H&m but don't have enough tops that are long enough. I wore them with a short tunic type dress at home yesterday but as I'm breast feeding my youngest couldn't wear that outfit out in the real world for practical reasons . I need some boots to wear over my new jeans that won't break the bank... And I need to start doing some exercise and stop eating chocolate all the time... Baby steps though!!

So many people seem to be doing really well, which is fantastic. I sympathise with the earlier poster who just can't get going, it's really really hard, even with a great thread like this for motivation. Baby steps, I think, is the way forward. Pick one thing (the style and beauty equivalent of shining your sink before bed) and do that until it becomes routine, e.g. Using blusher, mascara, bb cream or whatever. Then add another thing in... With clothes I'm having to completely re-learn what to wear. Pre-dc's I followed what was 'in' and spent time shopping. Now I only really buy disastrous buys in on-line sales... Just because they are cheap doesn't mean they will go with things I have learned and keep repeating same mistakes e.g buying tops that are too short or ride-up after a few washes. Bought a pair of skinny jeans which look so much more modern than my old boot-cut jeans, but haven't plucked up the courage to wear them yet. Been reading n style blogs how to wear leggings as I bought a pair from H&m but don't have enough tops that are long enough. I wore them with a short tunic type dress at home yesterday but as I'm breast feeding my youngest couldn't wear that outfit out in the real world for practical reasons . I need some boots to wear over my new jeans that won't break the bank... And I need to start doing some exercise and stop eating chocolate all the time... Baby steps though!!

Sorry for the double post!!

That sounds like brilliant advice happynappies

Well today I have made an effort again with hair and makeup, i am enjoying this thread and am not finding it too difficult to spend more time on myself. I think because my children are all now at school, my life has changed in the fact I work more days so I am getting more used to being on my own a little more, I can also get through household jobs in a jiffy compared to this time last year when I still had my youngest waiting to start school.
I am trying to see this time spent on myself as a job as an investment, I am much happier in general when I feel better about myself.

Evening ladies
Glad to hear you are all still checking in. Although where's Karbea?
Today started off ok, as I was off up to London for work (I usually work from home) and so I had the time to get ready properly, shower, make up etc. I wore a light grey trouser suit and a purple chiffon shirt. So far so good. I even had the time to take in a packed lunch to save on money and calories. That is where it all started to unravel. I had to run for the train in high heels, and when I got on the train, i realised that my key had pierced the lid of the salad, and I had a handbag full of salad dressing! Classy. So my gloves, purse, phone, etc were all covered in garlic and oil.
Tomorrow is home-based with a bit of running so lower on grooming but hopefully no dramas either.
You are all inspiring me with keeping up your fabulizing.

Bore da pawb!
I love the sound of your suit Ambassador

I have even slacking the last couple of days - no moisturising or physio at night and my back is aching again so it makes me grumpy and ern less inclined to stick to routine.

I did, however, bleach my facial hair and have moisturised my face very day, so at least that's something! I have also put make up on every day too, so I'm not a complete slattern.

How do you all rate Barbara daly make up btw?

Hello,

Sorry for being AWOL, but I've really hurt myself. I'm in bed in agony. I ran on Sunday for 60mins and ever since it feels like something heavy and painful is laying on my chest and squeezing my core, yesterday I thought it was my back.

I can hardly move and laying is painful,

So... I've done nothing,I was in a tracksuits yesterday and didn't even blow dry my hair. Haven't got up today yet,

Wish I knew what I've done :(

morning all! Karbea, do you suffer from teitzes? its inflammation of the rib joints and feels like that. I hope you get better soon

Ambassador, oh no! what a nightmare. is everything ruined?

twll, I dont think Ive heard of it, well done for keeping to the routine.

wornout, me too. I have felt better since making more effort.

happynappies, there are some good sales on boots at the moment, wrt the bfing tops - h&m have some fab wrap style longer tunics.

Always, Im at the hairdresser on thursday. babysteps!

how are you all doing?

I have been slacking a bit, my joints have been suffering because of the weather, so Ive been a bit slobby. today I have the hospital, so dress up day!

Hope you feel better soon Karbea, that sounds awful :(

Ambassador, I'm sorry but your salad dressing handbag has made me laugh-I do have a handbag tip that might help a bit? I keep everything in my bag in plastic pencil cases (I have quite a few), you can buy them in different sizes from ebay)

-Hands. Mini hand cream, nail file, orange stick, small bottle of clear polish or topcoat, tiny round pot with those all in one polish remover wipes

-Essentials. Phones, USB phone charger, debit card, house and car keys, work pass, £30 cash in notes, five pounds change in coins for car parks, comb and mini mirror

-Medicines/emergencies (this one is very full, but has no more than four of each tablet or thing!) paracetemol, ibuprofen, sudafed, Strepsils, immodium, senna tablets, Karvol, Calpol sachets x 2, teething powder sachets x 2, plasters, earplugs in a small case, single use twisty thing of saline solution, tampons x 2, mini tube of antibac gel and probably a few other things I've forgotten!

-Snacks. Small bag of almonds, small bag of apricots, Nakd bar, Earl Grey teabags x 2, pack of chewing gum

-Make up (worked this out as everything I'd need to repair my face if I ever cry at work, or my luggage gets lost when I'm flying and I need to go to a meeting before it arrives!) Travel pack face wipes, 2 x sachets of facial moisturiser from a magazine, cheapy Boots cucumber eye gel. Tiny pot (5ml?) with enought foundation for me to use it two or three times, concealer stick, mini eyeshadow, black mascara, eyebrow pencil, very thin flat pot of blusher and small blusher brush

Then I have a couple of others for when I'm travelling that just live in my cupboard until I need them-

-Passport, emergency credit card, European health card, company emergency phone line card

-Travel-(in case luggage gets lost and I need/want to shower before it arrives) sachets from magazines of shampoo and conditioner x2, shower gel x 2, body lotion x4 (they never give you enough in a sachet!) spare pair of knickers, travel size deodorant, cheap toothbrush and mini toothpaste tube, mini pack antibac hand wipes

I started to do this when the baby got interested in my handbag, to keep baby slime off things, and now find it's a great way of being organised and only carrying the stuff round that I need. It does also mean if I have a drink in there and it leaks, that the handbag stuff is protected (and I guess it would work for salad dressing too!) and that I never lose stuff in my bag.

Just realised that it might work for other people too, will write the above into a blog post when I get a minute :) Hope the bag wasn't too badly damaged!

Wow minimum, that sounds great. Will be copying as I've also had the lunch all over handbag experience.
Went to the gym this morning and spent some time on the treadmill and did some weights, so that was great.

Filed a large jug with water when I got to work this morning and am determined to drink it today and break my Diet Coke habit. After 4 glasses I'm now spending all my dashing to the loo!
I also braved the very glamorous ladies at the Mac counter over the weekend (4 of them, all looked like supermodels!) and got them to suggest some new make-up. Bought tons, but coudn't afford the brushes (£20 plus EACH!!) so need to find a cheaper source. They did make me look good though, including getting rid of the dark circles under my eyes. I'm not sure I can apply it all so well though!
Failed to sort a proper outfit today though - just grabbed what was clean

Meant to say-if you can think of anything I've forgotten, please let me know!

I'm sure my colleagues think I'm mad, thinkof, but it honestly works really well for me :)

Have you tried Barbara Daly brushes? She's a proper make up artist, and sells her range at Tesco, I really like the primer and foundation, and have a good blusher brush from there-will be a lot cheaper than Mac!

Oh, I also forgot to say thank you to the poster who suggested Wendy's Lookbook on youtube for ways of wearing a scarf-it's amazing, I'm going to learn three ways and stick with them till I'm ready for a change!