Feeling Beautiful

Okay, it is Monday morning my kids can't seem to find a matching pair of socks, I've lost the car keys and haven't even looked at yourself in the mirror yet and now you are telling me to feel beautiful. Who are you kidding?

I've got bags under my eyes, my hair looks like the birds have come to nest in it and my clothes don't look like they have seen an iron for a month. Actually I don't think my clothes have seen an iron, do they know what an iron is? Ah you are making me lose my track of thought, don't do it - I may never recover! Now  where was I ?

That's right, still trying to find that other sock . Found the car keys on the kitchen bench. Didn't I look there three times before and why is my son David grinning at me? He has found another sock, no that one doesn't match either of first two.

Quick glance at the clock, fifteen minutes to go before we are all out the door. Now you were saying I need to feel beautiful, just let me get this coffee down me first and I will think about it then. Seven minutes to go, found a matching pair of socks in David's sock draw. Sarah can't find her homework, four minutes to go.

Oh and I'm meant to be feeling beautiful, maybe tomorrow, I don't have time today!

Does that sound like someone you know, maybe personally?

Feeling beautiful starts with one special person, yes you know what I'm about to say - you. And you are the only one out there who can make yourself feel that way. But if your mornings are anywhere close to Alice's above and your the last one on your list to look after, feeling beautiful can feel like another person and another lifetime before children and parenthood.

Now when I was looking for a role model on how to feel good about myself, the first person I looked to was my hubby. You will hate him, my husband isn't a horrible man, he is loving, cute (I think so) and he can look after four kids and cook dinner with jazz music floating down to greet friends at the door. No kidding, I was sick in hospital and my friend came over to see if he need a hand, four kids under six and there he was making a tasty dinner and all the kids happy. My friend never offered to help him again!

He can also get two off to school, one to kindy and have a toddler all looking speck and span. What I use to hate, is that he can walk out the door with an iron shirt on his back - note here that I DON'T iron, clean shaven and smiling. While I look like I had just pulled myself out of bed, although I had been up for almost two hours with the kids.

Once the sleepless nights had finished I started to asked myself how does he do it? How can he walk out that door looking cool, calm and with it and I can't?

Now here is the secret, his tricks of the trade. Less is more here.

Follow these few simple rules and you too can look like you have stepped out of a fashion magazine. Actually that is probably going about a hundred miles to far, but trust me you will feel beautiful or at least together.

Rule One: Always go out with your clothes ironed. Really take five minutes in the morning or five at night and make sure your clothes are freshly ironed and shoes are clean. Your already half way there.

Rule Two: I don't care whether you like makeup or not, wear lipstick. True, if you put no more make up on, it can make you look like you have spent the time making yourself up. One time, I had just a few minutes to look "with it". No time for make up, clothes were ironed so that was a good start, quick brush of hair - which was so mad I tided it back and a quick flick of lipstick on my lips - total time three minutes. Went pass a couple of friends, who said they don't know how I always look so smart. True story.

Rule Three: Brush, comb but what ever you do - control your hair. Neatly brushed hair is your crowning glory and it does make you feel good. Have a back up plan for those days when your hair won't do what you want. Mine is too de-frizz and tie back. Fine something will take no more than a couple of minutes, keep hair ties, comb and clips in your handbag so that you can tidy yourself up.

That is it! Three steps and less than seven minutes to a more happier you.  Try it, you have nothing to lose. Oh and if you are anything like Alice, spend that seven minutes on yourself first - your may still find morning hell but at least you will feel a little more beautiful. It's a nice way to start your day.

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