Once you have let yourself go, how do you get back to looking nice without it costing the earth ??

[CrackerNut]

I have most definatly let myself go over the past few years and even more so since I became a single mum.

I can't figure out when I stopped caring as much really.

Anyhow, how do I get back to caring ? I hate the way I look at the mo, out of date, frumpy mum of 3.

Jennifer Love Hewitt from Ghost Whisperer.

Thanks Dexter

When I go on holiday I am alot more relaxed about what I wear, I dress up more, but care less what people think and so wear stuff that i like without worrying wether anyone else will like it.

I need to be braver when not on hols i think.

Right, tell us a bit about your shape. Not the shape you were but the shape you are right now.

I have a tummy problem now and so I am having to buy carefully but I also like my arms/shoulders and chest so I have something to work with.

What is your tummy area like?
Legs?
Fingers? Do you have elegant fingers/nails?
Arms?
What bits are you proud of?
Eyes?
Feet?

And how long have you been a single mum? And how did your relationship end?

Ignore me if you want. I just hate to think of you feeling frumpy when you are beautiful. Its the feeling we need to change.......the clothes will follow naturally.

Ahh thats it, thank you, I knew it was Jeniffer something

I love her characters style.

Ok frumpy, here goes....

I am 5'2 and weight 9 stone 8lbs, size 12/14 top and size 10/12 bottoms. I have no arse to speak of at all, which you may think is a good thing but it's not lol.

I apparently have good legs but not sure i'd agree. I have DD/E size boobs and a bit of a tummy.

I do have nice nails as I mamaged to break my 27yr long nail biting habit 3 years ago. Unfortunatly though my hands are quite rough looking.

I like my nose, and don't mind my boobs but thats about it.

Have been a single mum for 3 yrs. The split was my desicion and something that took me a long time to do but I don't regret it at all.
Have been single ever since and am considering joining a nunery

just googled jennifer love heweitt and got loads of pictures of her in a bikini! possibly not the every day look you are going for but I love her style too and you are very pretty.

LOl beanie, no can't quite see the playground mums approving of me in a bikini

oh and I say - be brave. do it slowly so maybe wear something that is a little bit out of your comfort zone like a daring top with jeans but that you feel good in.

Good idea beanie.

I see so many people out and about and think 'oh they look lovely', but then i automatically think 'well i couldn't wear that', and I need to stop doing that.

this is her, in a dress with jeans. how do you feel about that kind of look? Primark do some lovely dresses which are about £12 and could be worn with jeans.

Ruby, I am sure you are nothing of the sort.
I feel quite old and crumpled myself lol.

Beanie, I think some dresses over jeans look nice. Not liking the one in that link though tbh. I thin it is more her style in the programme that I like rather than her rl style.

I am most definatly a nervous nelly

I do need to stock up on acsessories yes. I did use to have alot but have got hardley any now.

Another vote for personal shoppers. I went to one in November and it was fantastic. I was feeling v frumpy - I seemed to have adopted a daily uniform of Joules sweatshirt and jeans and needed to break out of the rut. I went to John Lewis, had 90 mins with a personal shopper, we had a chat, I told her what I wanted to achieve and she went off to find the clothes. She came back with lots of things I'd never have looked at but I loved when I put on. It was really nice turning up to things (glam events like toddler group!) looking nice and up-to-date.

The best bit - as RubyRuby says - it's totally free (Debenhams also have a free service) and all dept stores have a good mix of 'high street' priced concessions as well as the expensive designer ones - you just need to give the shopper an idea of your budget.

cannot see your pics, but if ou are biggrer on top than below, goootttta get a good bra - i actually got a great set from florence and fred at tesco - they kind of make it go where it's supposed to rather than flattening or drooping, and at 6 quid a pop, I was v pleased when people told me they thought I'd lost weight - not that I had, but stuff was where it shoudl be..

Am trying not to wonder why, if i am so gorgeous, that I am still single without so much as a smile in my direction in 3 yrs

Only kidding

Thanks for the compliments guys, much appreciated and will take them and the comments on board, and think of you all when I next go shopping.

Must go to Tesco and look at their clothes as I never go there.

Cracker, where do you normally shop and where would you like to shop?
Do you do your nails?
What jewellery do you wear?
What outfit that you currently have do you feel you look best in?

Sorry for all the questions but we have to get you on a stage............

I am running about tonight but I will keep popping back. I'm not giving up here

Do you have any spare cash right now? If so, how much?

Morning

Unfortunatly cash is very thin on the ground at the mo. I tend to just pick up cheap bits and bobs when I see them, normally from New Look, Primark etc.

Jewellery - I am not keen on gold so only wear silver or white gold or costume jewellery.

Nails - They are ok but I don't really do anything with them tbh

Outfit - I really don't know. I don't think I have anything that I like how I look in lately.

Today I have on - Black linen trousers, grey/black/white flowery strappy top, black cropped cardy, black ballet pumps.
I look ok but still feel frumpy and boring.

I need to inject colour.

Good lord if you're frumpy CN, I have no idea what that makes me! I am learning so much from your thread (though I'm a different shape to you) so am reading with interest but have to add to the "you really are not frumpy" brigade...

I do realise that doesn't stop you feeling frumpy though, that's half the battle really.

Can't wait to hear what you end up buying.

I think firstly I need to go through all of the clothes I do have as I found a top this morning that I had completely forgotten I had

I suppose I am not frumpy compared to some people, but I just feel frumpy.

I need a slap lol

Get a decent hair cut, it doesn't have to cost the earth. Ask friends who have good hair where they get theirs done.

Once the hair is good the rest will fall ito place