The A Game

The A Game

So I haven't looked really good since my wedding. It's not that I went on a seven day fast, had mud and algae wraps, hot stones pumeled into me and oil dripped on my forehead. It's not that I was wrapped in seaweed and cling film, dosed with freezing water, stuck in an ice chamber, plunged into a hot whirl tub or sweated it out in a sauna, steam or wave room. No, I just had me hair and nails done (fingers and toes), slapped on some fake tan and took time to do my makeup. Ok, I had an amazing dress and shoes too, but they aren't the only reason I looked so much better for just a few hours about four years ago.

Now my husband would say it was pure matrimonial bliss, that gave me a glow that day and while I have to agree, it was also something else. What was the elusive X factor? Simple, I had planned it all. Yes, I had taken the time to plan the dress to fit just so, the shoes to match so well and to twinkle so prettily and my hair and make up to be just right. I didn't leave anything to the last minute. Everything was planned and thought through and it worked together. In other words, I was playing my A game and I liked it!

Since then, I'm not sure I've got it together with quite the same success. While that's a shame, it's made me realise now, that's that's the difference between me and many of the most beautiful women in the world.

They take their A game out every time you see - unless you see them in one of those magazine 'caught' shots when for a split second they look, well, gulp, normal! Of course, I'm exaggerating, I have no real beauty to speak of like real beauties. But I probably have pretty much the same stuff of the pretend beauties.

What do I mean by pretend? You know the ones. They become famous, either through some hideous reality show or contest e.g. Kelly Clarkson or by marrying someone quite famous e.g. Princess Diana. Now, look really closely, they looked just like me or the girls you see in the coffee shop. They did, they really did. Their hair was a bit lack lustre, their faces unremarkable and their clothes really just ok.

Pretty or attractive maybe, but not stunning, or special. Fast forward a few months and every waxing, skin, hair, clothes, expert has been on their case and they are declared one of the most beautiful women in the world! Posh Spice or excuse me, Victoria Beckham, has literally, transformed herself from Essex girl (that's Bridge and Tunnel to you) to catwalk model.

I can see how this might just sound like green vitriol. It isn't. It's the opposite. I want you, my readers, to really see that the only difference between you and all these 'beauties' is the A game. Taking the TIME to make the most of what you've got. If you want to.

Sometimes it happens almost by accident. You know what I'm talking about, one morning you wake up, unsuspecting of something fabulous and whatever you throw on, just happens to look fantastic. You check out your hair and the look just gets better and then when you apply your makeup, it doesn't look fake or sloppy! Hallelujah! The fashion angels are smiling on you today. Who would have known today was going to be the day. Never me. Not only is this a very occurrence that all my beauty stars collide; but when they do, all I'm invariably doing is something ridiculously mundane (like visiting Winn Dixie) and my husband is ALWAYS out of town. As much as mychildren love me...you can understand why the word WASTE comes to mind.

My friends it appears are luckier. Jeanne, I saw you in the park about a year ago with wrap green dress, fabulous shades and your hair in a plucky blonde pony. You looked A list. Yvonne, saturday night, I know you were already at a fabulous party but with that silver outfit and hair blow out, you could have been on the cover of Vanity Fair. As for you Elsa, you could have given Katie Holmes or any Hollywood mum a run for their money at the school gates, in your running bottoms, rocker red zip up hoodie and fabulous Prada shades.

The point of this blog?

Well, first of all to remind you that EVERYONE has an A game. Yes, you do, and I bet it's last appearance wasn't four years ago.

Secondly, to advise you not to wait for the fashion angels to bring it all together, they can be pesky.

No, the answer is, if you want to look JUST like those magazine 'beauties' (yes Jennifer Anniston included, after all she's not famous as 'girl next door' for nothing) all you have to do is get your A game out more often. Can you imagine, every day, looking your best, whether sporty or smart, you'd be like Jen, looking good from leggings to lame. Your confidence would shoot through the roof; and you'd still look just like you, but the best you, you can be.

I hear the prophectic 'physician heal thyself' and the truth is, I KNOW HOW TO DO THIS. Yes, I KNOW how to take my A game out every day. And I can tell YOU how to do it too. Oh DAMN, I've just run out of space! Damn, damn, I'll have to wait until next week....

LOVES: My fantabulous friend Vanessa's new dress recommended by Vogue. Vanessa is a goddess (a good, kind one too) and she'll make you look like one too, just follow the link below.

http://www.isabellaoliver.com/womens-clothing/in-the-press/The-Goddess-Dress/D/30100/P/1:400:4030/I/DR428

LOATHE: Acid colours? I looked bad the entire 1980s, why would I do any of that again?