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.

Sorry that's a bit random, I'm no good at posting....oh I am fed up.

I have been lurking on and off since the thread started. I started off well but then fell ill for a week or so and could barely manage to drag myself out of bed. But I am now determined to get back into some good routines. I have eaten rubbish for the last few days and feel the impact and so will start being a bit healthier tomorrow as well.
Am going to have a nice soak in the bath, shave and moisturise to get me going again.
It's good to have a place to pick up tips and not be judged!

Feelingood and engles, welcome! Feeling, that all made sense to me. H+M have some fab cords, I got some with an ankle zip and they're ace.

Jemima, that all sounds really good. It feels good to have a plan, doesn't it?

Way2, welcome, I hope you continue to findthis as helpful as I have. Sorry that you've been poorly, I was ill for over 2 weeks andit was horrible. Hope this is the back of it.

Well done Jemima.
Welcome to other posters.
Am trying to do 5:2 diet,quite looking forward to my 'fast' day tomorrow!
I eat Marks and Spencers children's meals,delicious and just over 200 calories so perfect for main meal.
Random question,do people wear full length dresses to balls nowadays??
Going to one in March with group of friends.
Have lovely Phase Eight navy silk 'cocktail' dress which was planning on wearing,but one of other ladies says she thinks most will be in ball gowns.
Any thoughts??

Hi All and welcome to all the newbies. So glad you're enjoying the thread. I've been with it since the start and have found it really motivating.

Today's look was blue jeans (Firetrap, was the first time I've worn jeans in ages thanks to this thread so actually felt like a treat!), grey vest top (Joseph), red and white stripey Breton top (Boden). I felt cheery and bright so wanted my clothes to reflect that.

I've also been keeping up with the moisturising all over every day and my skin is grateful for it. I'm really enjoying using Trilogy rosehip oil on my face at night, i'm sure it's helping me look a little more glowy. I've also dug out my Slendertone belt in the absence of any desire to go to the gym so my new plan is to do a session every night.

Got a long day travelling for business tomorrow so will spend my hours on the road dreaming about purchasing very expensive fabulising products one day!

Thanks for welcome. I will go back and read more of thread.

So I've bought two jersey dresses from phase eight they are crossover which after research was found to suit my shape. I have black coated skinnies and wine puffball he, tunic from mint velvet. Wait....I never seem to wear any of it oh and a leather chocolate biker jacket.

I do school run n baby groups the odd pub lunch. So what I want to know is do you spend time ironing n organising outfits and plan wardrobe for week? I end up ferreting about for odd socks n shove the same old on often off the drier it's criminal. I have this thing about keeping stuff for best but as I said above I only do that.

Today I wore dusky pink plane blouse ( no button down front) with tonal cardi longline, but I had blue straight legs on and know I need to be putting these grey. I had neutral ballet pumps on with button detail.

I feel really fed up but looking at clothes has cheered me up. I'm not waiting til I lose weight, but then I need to get organised n round it goes....

Georgina, I would think long too, tbh. Do you have something suitable?

Alaska, I have bookmarked a zillion sites for make up/skincare goodies.

You all sound great. It's amazing howmuch better you feel when you've made an effort, isn't it? I've got so much more confidence and zelf esteem now.

Is anyone here a size 12? I found COATED JEANS these And I love them but I'm a 6-8 so I need to live vicariously.

I have a slendertone lurking some where might dig it out and look online for instructions

Morning All!

Need to catch up on other posts but was wondering if anyone would be happy to let me know what they think of this dress for a friends wedding in March. I am 32 and a friend has said that they think it is a bit mumsy... what do you think? I am debating gold accessories (bag, shoes, wrap etc) just as a bit of a change from black.

www.tiffanyrose.com/maternity/clothing/FLDB.html

Will read rest of posts later today/tonight!

Thanks in advance people

oooh, I love it! its gorgeous.

Love it, don't think it looks mumsy at all!

letme I agree it's very nice, definitely not mumsy.

I've read more of thread but not all. I would like to say thank you to trampy for starting it and to all the other posters who have shared their little bits insight. I feel better knowing I am not the only one who has shelves and bags full of products that I never get round to using, and not always making time for myself in the grooming and dressing department!

So today

1. I'm going to tidy bedroom, which basically means organising clothes, and I'm going to have a good assessment of wardrobe and make a list.

2. Going to buy a hair dye (just call me the grey gash!) and do this.

3. BONUS will e to paint nails after bedtime.

Now realistically this will take me all day re doing lunch with 1 yr old, school run, and swimming run.

I got up a bit earlier and got dressed in black skinniest, black n pink nikes with knee length black puffer coat. I tried to find something better to wear; but couldnt find a longline top to wear my chocolate biker jacket over, so this is first on my list. So then I didn't wear my black suede wedges....

I did tone and serum plus moisturise using some freebie elemis things, got to say they are v naice. Managed to get foundation, blusher and gloss.

Started diet today ww, counting points using app done

I've just been to look to buy some more elemis stuff wow, I don't think I will be paying that much. What does everyone else use? I can't justify spending near £100 on a pot of cream! Before this I have used garnier or no7 which ever was on special offer.

Gosh those travel sized freebies were a mini windfall in the beauty stakes 's naievely

Feeling, you're welcome. I love this thread. Your plan sounds fab.

Elemis is pricey, I trawl the discount cosmetic sites like fragrance direct, cheap smells etc. I use Neals yard Rehydrating Rose moisturiser, simple baby shampoo for my face (recommended by my gp when I had a stye and Ive been using it since, its awesome) I also use No7 hot cloth cleanser.

Hello

Friday I was in town so wore black jeggings, black and grey striped jumper dress and my brown stompy boots. Then in the evening we went out for dinner for my sons birthday, I wore a black 3/4 sleeve jumper dress, the stompy boots again (there were still patches of ice on the pavements), orange tights, orange lipstick. Yesterday I had a thoroughly enjoyable lazy sunday so wore joggers and a baggy jumper. Today it is dull, raining and cold. Im in a big grey cardy and black jeggings! Hair tied back, bit of makeup on. My fingernails are coming along slowly so I'll paint them soon.

I think Id like some new makeup items, and maybe a nice cleanser (I use ultrabland as its great at getting eye makeup off, and love using it with a hot flannel.) Just wondering if I should try something new. Am very skint at the moment though... Having one of those crappy days, unfortunately! Need a new housephone and kettle, fed up looking shit, and things cost so bloody much!

Hi everyone,
I recognise that feeling GuyMartinsSideburns but hey we're al here to support each other, ehich reminds me thanks to trampypants for your encouragement yesterday.

So today i have been good with my healthy eating, i also went for a good brisk walk around a local lake, speeded up a bit when they rain started. Once home i changed into leggings and a grey silky shirt, hair up in a messy do, makeup on.
I going to attempt the shred later i have found it on youtube so will stream it through my tv. A treat for doing this will be a hot bubble bath with a book followed by top to toe covering of body oil then do my nails.
Thinking of wearing straight leg jeans tomorrow with beige wedges cream lace jumper, coat wise tan leather jacket but this is all dependant on the weather.

Georgina the last time I went to a ball was in 1999 as a student so I'm not much help on dresses sorry!

LetMe that dress is gorgeous!

Feelin I had an Elemis facial as a Christmas present. It was lovely, and the therapist wrote down everything she had used on me during it. I then looked them up online and promptly fainted at the prices!

Well I did my hair and make up etc this morning to go to work as promised. And when I came home from work I changed out of my work clothes into a cream cable jumper and jeans rather than staying in them (which is a very lazy habit) and even re-applied my make up!

I've been gathering ideas on Pinterest to try to find a style that suits me now I've lost weight. I then tootled over to the Debenhams website where there was 20% off and did some damage to my credit card

Just don't want to look like something off Gypsy Weddings or a high school prom!
Think I will do strappy ish elegant knee length perhaps with slightly 50's shape.

what size are you Georgina?

well done everyone, I am very impressed. I need a new moisturiser, cant seem to find my usual one anywhere for a decent price!

this is soooo purty

and this

Am seriously letting us down this evening, as I got home from work and changed into leggings stolen from dd1, legwarmers and a baggy cashmere jumper stolen from dp. I look like a (slightly fatter) Kid from Fame.

I was good for work though, in leopard print pencil kirt, blazer and heels and lovely new bracelet from Cos.

I'm using the Superdrug Vitamin E oil at night, which costs pennies but is really v good for price. For cheapo cleansers, I rate Aveeno's or Olay Regenerist.

swoon

Remus, its good to slob out. Ive been in my new cords and a cream jumper today. comfy and presentable but not gorgeous.

now in my pjs