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.

Thanks tramps will peruse the web later looking at nail polishes any particular colours I should look towards? I'm so out of touch with what's fashionable

Oranges and pinky reds arealways a good bet.

That was me TrampyPants thank you, I will give it a try, it's a lot cheaper than Bliss. My legs are a lot better when I remember to exfoliate but I find if I do get an ingrown there the mark stays for absolutely AGES. Not so bad in Winter but it's an added reason I prefer not to get my legs out in the Summer - in addition to being pasty/bruised (I seem to end up with legs like a 7 year old boy, must be less clumsy).

Muddling I really rate Nails inc colours - Haymarket is a good Springy colour, but I have so many colours and reckon these days it's just about what you fancy at the time. I also LOVE their Electric Lane holographic topcoat - amazing over loads of colours and gorgeous in the sun/under spotlight type lighting. Otherwise Barry M is v cheap and has lots of colours whilst still being quite good quality.

Trampy I love those links, Id love a pair of wedge trainers and shoeboots, however I feel ridiculous if I feel too 'dressy' when Im only taking the kids to school. Plus I like to get a good stank on and dont think theyre practical enough for me. Look lovely though. Ive got a pair of KG 'Vanika' shoeboots that look cool with them, but again I hardly wear them because Im not exactly going anywhere!

Feel Im stuck in a bit of a rut tbh. Im still looking for knee high boots, think thatd help a bit. Keep seeing lovely suede ones, but again I wouldnt wear them in this weather.

Thanks for your help though

Am decidedly low maintenance today as I have a stinking cold, so am huddled on the sofa in jeans and a hoodie feeling sorry for myself.

My friend dropped round and Avon catalogue and I am ordering a couple of nail varnishes and some of that moisturiser with a hint of tan in it so that I am prepared if we get a nice Easter and I need to get my legs out

Am hoping that the courier comes this afternoon with my Debenhams order as it includes my new Converse high tops (I've worn my old pair out) which had 25% off and free delivery.

Have also ordered a box of nakd bars that were on special offer. They make good, healthier alternatives to chocolate bars, and I like to take one in my bag when I go swimming as I always come out of the pool craving pickled onion monster munch starving.

Oh and I'm going to the cinema at the weekend to see Les Mis with a bunch of friends. It is at the nice arts centre cinema and we are going to have a couple of drinks at the bar there too. If I list my entire wardrobe (it won't take long, I have so few things that fit me) can you help me choose an outfit?

I own:
jeans
black trousers
black leggings
knee length denim skirt
embroidered skirt
black long sleeved scoop neck top
black vest top
purple top and a similar teal one
dress
Long black cardi
Normal length black cardi
black gilet
black cable cape
grey roll neck oversized jumper

I also own lots of jewellery/scarves/shoes/boots etc as I haven't had to get rid of them!

I am also trying to decided on an outfit for Saturday afternoon - there is a performance at the theatre where DS2 goes to drama group and it is very much yummy mummy territory. I am thinking jeans, black vest top, black cardi, elephant scarf and converse in an attempt to do I'm-not-trying-too-hard-but-I-haven't-been-dragged-through-a-hedge-backwards-either. That outfit also has the advantage of making me look very thin

Jemima I'm totally with you on the pickled onion monster munch! What is it about swimming and pickled onion monster munch? Maybe a throwback to childhood? Your outfit for the theatre on Saturday afternoon sounds really nice, especially the elephant scarf. And if it has the added bonus of making you look very slim then it's a winner!

I'm knackered today although not for any particular reason. Luckily I had planned today's outfit last night otherwise I would have reached for the nearest thing I can find. Today I'm wearing a navy blue jumpsuit (Michael Kors) unbuttoned to just above the waist, grey vest top (Joseph) and grey snakeprint court shoes (LK Bennett). I've had to slip the shoes off under my desk because they're starting to ache a bit!

Ooh I'd like to join this thread! I've just made a latish new year's resolution not to buy any black clothes this year as I have a wardrobe full of baggy cheap looking black jersey items. My aim is to look like a well off yummy mummy. Any ideas where I should go clothes shopping? I'm guessing primark is out.

I've also been planning to paint my nails for a few wks, need to just do it! Also want to dye away grey in my hair but don't know when I'll get time for that. Just had ds at beginning of jan.

Alaska I think it must be a throwback to childhood, we always used to have them after our swimming lessons

I'm thinking of adapting the Saturday outfit for Friday night, possibly wearing the long black cardi and ballet pumps then and the normal length black cardi and converse on Saturday.

I currently have loads of black clothes princess, but that is just because I have only bought a few things in my size so far and I needed them to go with anything! I do brighten them up with accessories though. When I was a size 20 I used to shop in Boden and Monsoon and tried to avoid black as much as possible, but now almost everything I own is black.

Hello all.

Jemima - I like the dress for the cinema - have you got a biker jackets and boots to dress it down and 'indie it up' a bit? 'Scuse phrasing but you know what I mean!

Can I please ask that people don't aspire to look like 'Yummy mummies' or is that me being a bitch? The phrase is so cringe-worthy that it makes me want to vomit and it seems to imply that women are 'mummies' before they are simply women who want to look nice. Sorry if I'm being bitchy but I think our sartorial aspirations shouldn't be to look like 'mummies' however yummy.

Work today (again!) and more black (again!) -

black jersey dress - White Company
black cropped military-esque jacket with gold buttons
black and gold scarf - v old
black opaques with tiny gold studs all over them (Monsoon - LOVE these)
black platforms
gold cuff (Cos)
grey nail varnish
flicky black eyeliner

I don't have a biker jacket, but I do have these boots in black, maybe I could wear them with the dress and a cardi?

Dress, boots and cardi sounds perfect for the cinema. Have fun!

Welcome princess, I find topshop, warehouse, tkmaxx and ebay are great attention moment, primarily too, it's all in the way you wearing, Imo.

I agree with the skirt boots and cardy, you'll look ace.

And yes please to monster munch. Now I'm craving them. Bugger.

Remus, that outfitsounds ace! I agree with you wrt the phrase yummy mummy. My sister uses it and it makes me rage.

Issi give yourself a break, 9weeks is nothing. What season are you?

This thread started a month ago, look how far we've come! I'm so proud of us. I have just done my eyebrows and had a bath, so smell fragrant and lovely. Doing nails now.

Phew! Thought you'd all pounce on me and tell me off for being a bitch. Glad to know I can safely return to the thread!

Thanks re outfit. I may actually wear some colour tomorrow!

Have just read through the whole thread and am feeling very inspired by you all. the puttingmetogether blog that someone recommended earlier has made me want to go through my wardrobe this weekend!

Yesterday one of my colleagues told me she liked what I'd done with my hair. All I'd done was blowdried it (which means I've obviously been lookng like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards since I came back from ML a year ago!).

I'm a teacher but non-UK so it's very casual here. I live in jeans, though have recently stepped away from my converse. Don't have my own classroom so end up walking all over the school dragging heavy bags (heels are not my friend) plus one of the subjects I teach is quite practical so am on my feet. Hasn't stopped me coveting some nude heels though.

I'm on half term in a week so will have 2 days on my own when DS is at nursery to do some serious shopping and get a hair cut. Underwear draw definitely needs doing. Ditto bra shopping.

Have just started running again after a 6 month break and it feels great.

Small steps!

Welcome engels! I love nude heels. Whereabouts are you? And welcome to our thread.

Remus everytime I read your outfit I think "glamazon"

I'm in the Netherlands and surrounded by statuesque glamorous Dutchies

I desperately need to buy some trousers that are not jeans. I think a scout around town is in order. I always end up buying my clothes when I'm back in the UK, but there must be some good stuff around here!

Hi Engels. You've inspired me to blowdry my hair tonight, instead of my usual trick of sticking it into a ponytail whilst soaking wet.

Trampy - gods no: I'm really not. I look like Minnie Mouse dressed as that little Adams girl most days (can never remember what day of the week her name is)!

Have sorted out my outfit for tomorrow (disclaimer - it almost certainly sounds better than it will look!):-

navy blue silk printed mini-ish dress
black opaques
black blazer
really bright pink scarf (might change my mind about this)
silver necklace and cuff
black heels

I love navy and black together.

Remus - she is Wednesday, as in 'Wednesday's child is full of woe'

Yep, Wednesday. I love that for a name. Dh thinks I'm odd.
That sounds fabulous!
I'm going with skinny jeans, biker boots and leopard print chiffon shirt.
Or my new rust a-line mini (looks like it's from the 60's) with navy polo neck and cream cable tights and tan knee highs. Not sure about mini and knee highs though..

Evening all,
I like the sound of that skirt Trampy I have been looking around for a nice versatile one all day. I did get myself 2 new tops both with peter pan collars, one is navy with cream polka dots and the other is a peachy coral chiffon.
I am now on a quest to find a black shortish skirt (maybe a line) so I can wear the navy top with it tucjed in and a chunky belt, if I can find this I think maybe a real red lippy might look nice, what do you think?
What outfit did you go for jemima I couldn, t get the picture of the skirt up but I agree with remus about the dress boots and cardi combination.
Tomorrow I think I will be wearing skinny indigo jeans with either new coral top or a mink silky tshirt, and my studded toe pumps all very simple but will curl hair and dress up with long beads.
Anyway off for a shower and a bit of glamourizing prep (aka face pack, body oil and tidy nails).

Leopard print chiffon sounds great.

I like mini skirts with knee high boots, providing the boots are flat.

at anybody with thighs skinny enough to wear cream cable knit tights though!

Had an awful experience at work today. Had to take part in a videoconference so I could see myself on the tv screen as well as the other participants.
Kept thinking how pale I am! Not a lot I can do about that. But it definitely reinforcdd that I need new work clothes. So I spent the evening wandering aroun B & Q! Dressing the house is much easier than dressing myself!