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.

[TrampyPants]

Wornout, that sounds fab! this is the skirt, not so long ago I would have runscreaming from the tights, but they're surprisingly flattering with the right boots. I've done my nails in revlons smoky canvas which is a greige. The shirt is also an ebay bargain, here I love leopard print but quite fancy going vintage tomorrow...

Always, how did the conference go? You could work the paleness to your advantage. I've just bought my first ever bright lipstick and it really worksagainst my sallow death skin.

[muddlingalongquitenicely]

I'm off work today ill, so just in joggers and a top for now, will be pampering myself later on though.

currently watching a top on ebay, and flicking through superdrug and mua websites making huge shopping lists while drinking peppermint tea. seen some lovely nail polish colours to look out for when I get out shopping at the weekend.

[TrampyPants]

oh no, are you ok? whats wrong? pampering later sounds good. Im off into town so will pick up a face mask and a hair mask while I'm there. take a look at site like cheap smells, xtras-online and fragrance direct I get everything from them now, they are so much cheaper than superdrug or boots.

todays outfit has changed because it was so windy and rainy that I need to be practical. skinny burgundy cords, cream oversized jumper with a raspberry vest under and slouchy flat grey ankle boots. all set off by my knitted deerstalker and duffel coat.

Ive ordered a new moisturiser and make up remover from cheap smells. its by Sen which Ive heard is brilliant, Im a bit worried, I usually stick with my neals yard rehydrating rose (which is just perfect for my skin) but I cant find it for less than £20, and this is only £6.

[GuyMartinsSideburns]

Hello Ive just had a splurge on a few pairs of boots to try, one pair are tan suede which make me nervous but I like them (Ive got a gorgeous pair of suede boots that I had for xmas about 6 years ago, all pristine in their box because I dont want to 'ruin' them - dh then bought me them in leather so I could lol One pair are brown leather knee high - not sure I wont look daft but worth a shot. Thought even if I just wear them with skinny blue jeans they might make me feel less slouchy. The last pair are a pair of black worker style boots that Ive been after for ages. Unfortunately they didnt have brown in my size but again, I can always return cant I. Dh had a panic attack over the total but in my defence they are all in the sale! If the panic spreads to me I'll just return them all and go barefooted. only half joking

Rain, rain and more rain today and blowing a gale! Im making no effort today except my face is nice and my hair is decent enough. I want dry, sunny days to hurry up!

Have a good day everyone

[Awks]

Poundland has marvellous Sally Hanson nail varnish in at the moment - I got a greige one and a bright orange one yesterday. They also have Andrew Collinge purity shampoo and conditioner which smells nice. Bargainacious.

[muddlingalongquitenicely]

i bought some veg sushi last night on my way home cause as I was hungry and thought I could shove it down my throat while cooking dinner, and have been in the bathroom from 6am this morning...

But on the good news front hubby just called me from a big matalan he went past on his work travels and said anything you want from the store

so i sent him some pictures of things from the catalogue, he has now text me to say he has got me a jumper, 2 bags and 2 pairs of shoes.

hopefully going to poundland this weekend so will look out for the nail polish Awks and will now peruse those websites trampy.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Video Conference sounds awful Always! I'm a nursery teacher and spend half my life trying to avoid getting in photographs with the children. There is an awful one of me at the Christmas Party with Santa that I am trying to "lose".

I am off work ill too today, have been to the doctors and got antibiotics and steroids for my horrible wheezy chest. Hopefully they will kick in quickly as I am really missing swimming and running However I have bought myself a stack of magazines and am putting my feet up on the sofa with them. All in the name of research you understand, as I am still trying to find a style.

Good news though - I have lost another 2lbs. 2lbs more and I will have lost 50 in total. Although the steroids aren't going to help that!

[twinklestar2]

Hi everyone, can I please join?

I have finally finished reading the whole thread and have been inspired by you all!

A bit about me: 34-year-old former glamour puss that has fallen by the wayside! I was fab in my 20?s, 2 stone lighter, had more disposable income to buy clothes with and went out so much more than I do now so always made the effort. I used to match my nail varnishes and eye liner to my handbags

I want get back to feeling fabulous!

Since reading this thread I have:

Cut my hair from its lanky mess to a sleek bob
Had my eyebrows and upper lip waxed professionally
Sorted out my make up and put together a kit I can keep in my handbag so I can touch up my make up at work
Made sure I wear make up and put earrings in every day for work
Joined the gym again
Made sure I brush my teeth every night

I live in dresses, tights and shoes. So today I?m wearing:

this green dress
black opaques
black cardigan from Primark
these shoes
diamante studs

[princessx]

Hey Remus- point taken about 'yummy mummy' it used to make me cringe too but now I've started using it with gay abandon!

I guess I'm really aiming to look rich and relaxed. I'm not really into indie or street cool. Dare I say I want to dress like gwyneth Paltrow rather than Kate moss!

Anyway just bought grey jeans and khaki jeans from good old primark to get me out of my black leggings, and smart soft grey ankle boots for when I take the kids into work to show them off. I'm going to buy some Breton style feeding tops from jojo maman bebe tonight too.

Still haven't done nails or hair, but going to get eyebrows done tomorrow.

[Engelsemama]

You're infecting me with your ideas and enthusiasm for fashion ladies!

Today I wore:
grey jersey dress with 3/4 length sleeves and wrap over bsom bit (if that makes sense)
Long mid blue cardi
chunky glass pendant I bought on holiday a few years ago
brown suede knee highs that I have only worn a hand full of times because (like you guy) I didn't want to 'ruin' them
Plus blow dry AND contact lenses.

I got a few double tales at work because people didn't realise it was me (not because I'm stunningly beautiful )

And an even more worrying side effect of this thread is that I decided to leave school when I was finished teaching (marking will wait!) and go into town for an hour. Have just arrived home with a pair of turquoise skinnies (I have NEVER worn a pair of skinnies - always told myself they didn't suit), a new top and a skinny yellow belt to accessorise. DH was when he saw the colour of my trousers since I am never out of jeans and denim skirts.

Going for a run tonight and will have a lovely home facial when I get back

Wow jemima ! Well done on your weight loss - that is amazing.

issima my nails lasted one day until they were chipped to shit. I think top coat is the way to go for me. It's the one thing I can't be bothered with (and am so bad at doing my nails they alwasy look like a 5 year old has done them anyway). I have never had a manicure

Hope you're feeling better soon muddling

[wornoutbutstillwonderful]

A few of us unwell at min I see, I woke up this morning to two unwell Dc and myself a headache, cough and cold. Luckily Dh was home today and has been great running around after us all.
Welcome to the thread twinklestar love the dress you linked that is right up my street stylewise.
Hope your feeling better soon muddling jemima yay with the weightloss that sounds amazing.
So tomorrow I will go with todays outfit seen as I slobbed around in pjs today. Still only had half my time off work and I am trying to keep up with the healthy eating, I am going to weigh myself the morning I go back to work to see how much I have lost over 10 days of sensible eating.

[wornoutbutstillwonderful]

Sorry that last post of mine sounds really garbled when I read it back.

[Ambassadoryouarespoilingme]

Afternoon ladies,
I hope all you sickly ones start to feel better soon: its hard enough in January with the bad weather, without feeling rough on top of that. I have found that a fizzy vitamin pill every am in a pint of water seems to have helped me to steer clear of some of the germs peddled by my children. Still feeling a bit snotty though .
Today, I had a run then worked from home so am in sloppy yoga trousers, a grey striped top and a thick knitted jacket thing, with my lovely new stripey slippers. Not too glam but at least roughly coordinating, and with clean hair and neat nails thanks to the teachings on this thread. Just in case anyone very foxy knocks on the door!
Hope you all have a good day tomorrow and keep up the good work - it is worth it.
x

[JemimaMuddledUp]

I think I'm going to wear jeans, cardi and scarf to the cinema tomorrow night, possibly with boots. It is forecast to be cold and wet and we will have to walk from the car park to the cinema, I'm not sure the dress would be practical. I will already be freezing from 2hrs standing in the cold and rain watching DS1 and DS2 playing hockey! No attempt will be made to be glam on the hockey sidelines either, I am just aiming for not catching hypothermia I will save the dress for another night in a couple of weeks when I am going out for a meal with the girls.

Steroids seem to be kicking in as I am breathing better now. Am going for an early night though with my magazine stack.

[GuyMartinsSideburns]

Engels - glad you wore your suede boots today! I shall do the same BUT can I wait for the rain to stop first?!

My stripey failsafe knitted dress is going to HAVE to be binned, its looking more and more tatty At least its done me well I guess...

Your turquoise skinnies sound fab, Id like a white pair and a real carrotty orange pair.

Id like to look nicer tomorrow morning, but really dont feel I have many options when walking in the rain, iyswim?

[TrampyPants]

Hello all!

Guy, they sound awesome! Ignore the fear. awful weather here too. Can you find a new jumperdress? Laredoute has some good ones.

Awks, poundland rocks for stuff like that!

Issi, shame about your manicure, have you thought about the gelish/shellac manicures? They last ages. And well done on the facial!

Muddling, oh no are you feeling any better? Score on the dh front though, awesome!

Jemima, oh you poor love. Good thinking on the magazines well done on the weight loss.

Twinkle, welcome! You're already doing so well. I'm impressed. Love that dress and shoes. Am eyeing them up in nude. IKWYM about falling by the wayside though. It sneaks upon you, doesn't it?

Princess, they sound, lovely. I do like the gwennie/jen an style, but it doesn't suit me.I'm definitely more Kate Moss

Engels, today's outfit sounds ace. And well done on breaking out of your comfort zone, I bet they're ace. I love that you considered accessories too. And fab on the facial. I have seche vite as a topcoat. I always use base too.

Wornout, hopeyou all feel better soon.

Ambassador, did anyone foxy come? It's ace that you have coordinated your sloppy clothes too.

I've just painted my nails gold and amwatching telly. Was thinking about the next thread, are there any links that we should put in the op?

[TrampyPants]

I was also thinking of starting a new thread for the new month..

[muddlingalongquitenicely]

Feeling a lot better now only managed to keep one bag and the jumper.
Bag is a brown satchel type for £5 and a grey mesh jumper for £10 the shoes were too big it seems my feet have shrunk :( and the other bag which I thought was a light tan colour in the catalogue similar to the other one turned out to be pink! So they have all been returned now.
Hopefully getting my haircut tomorrow looking at a cut similar to Alice from twilight on the breaking dawn poster.
Also I won my top on eBay it's a grey blouse which will look great with either trousers, jeans or pencil skirt

[muddlingalongquitenicely]

Loving a new thread for a new month, looking forward to seeing what everyone else is wearing/doing.

I know it's an old thread but there is one called how to be groomed I found it very useful. Maybe a link to that in the first post :)

[twinklestar2]

Thx for the welcome everyone! Am just about to have a bath and take my nail varnish off. Will plan tomorrow's outfit tonight and post what I'm wearing.

[twinklestar2]

PS Trampy seeing as you are so lovely at finding stuff, would you mind looking for some flat suede boots like the ones Duchess Kate wore when she was leaving the hospital after her morning sickness? Preferably without the £300 price tag!

[TrampyPants]

Twinkle, of course. I'm at home tomorrow so will have a root around t'internet for you.

Muddling, I'm glad you refueling better, sorry about your plunder though. Shirt sounds nice, Grey is a fab colour.

I'll look for that thread in a min and start a new one tomorrow morning with links to those bargain sites (the clarins lippy from Xtras is awesome, lasts well, nice colours and softening without that jelly build up)

[GibbsGirl]

Have also been reading the whole thread and lurking and would love to join in. Have started a clear out of my wardrobe and am going to try everything on and it's not going back if it's tatty or doesnt fit. Am low carbing & feeling much better for it so want to look better too.
Looking for some jumper dresses, could anyone point me in the right direction please? Have tried some from wallis but they just looked shapeless on me.