How to sparkle on Valentines day
As a mum, your morning probably goes like this: Wake up. Have the quickest shower in the world, followed by the quickest make-up session balancing one of your children on your lap while the other one uses your mascara as a crayon. Throw on some clothes that are clean but rarely ironed and brush your hair with your child’s hairbrush as they have lost yours when using it as a microphone.
Mmmmm ever thought it might be time to add some glamour to your day (and night). Valentines day is the perfect opportunity to add some sparkle to being a mum. (Apologies to those mums who think they sparkle already – but we here at the gurgle office admit to throwing on a chunky knit and jeans most days). So, here are out top tips (compiled from memory from those luxury times we do get to go out) to help you to sparkle on Valentines day.
1) Give yourself more time
Mums don’t have much free time. Sometimes even going to the loo means being accompanied by a two-year-old. If you are going out this valentines day why not get the babysitter to come over a couple of hours earlier so that you can indulge in a long bath, paint your nails and spend time deciding what to wear whilst your kids are being given their tea downstairs. You’ll feel a whole lot better about going out if you haven’t had to multi-task the tea, your make-up, the kids baths and ironing your best skirt! You’ll also enjoy your evening more because you’ll feel relaxed. Your partner will appreciate you feeling relaxed and hopefully you’ll feel sexier if you haven’t had to rush getting ready – we all need a bit of pampering from time to time and a bath is a good budget pamper.
2) It’s the little things
Before you go out take time to think of the little things; inexpensive ways to feel good are the next best thing if you can’t quite stretch to a massage. Painting your nails a new colour, (try hot pink) or moisturising your body all over with a sparkly body lotion will help you to feel pampered. Getting a spray tan might feel like a credit-crunch indulgence but will help to brighten your skin up if you haven’t had any sun since last summer. The same goes for a blow-dry; if your finances can’t stretch to a fancy haircut, why not get a blow-dry at your local salon before you go out, that way you get that ‘just walked out of a salon’ feeling without having to pay full whack. Failing that, why not use a home dye to dye your hair a new shade. Even if it’s just refreshing the colour, your hair will shine and smell fantastic for your date. (Using hair dyes is not recommended during pregnancy).
3) Accessorise
There’s no need to splash out on a new outfit (but obviously feel free too if you can afford it!) Why not splash out on accessories instead to liven up an outfit. A chunky necklace and earrings that pick up a colour in your outfit will jazz up your look without costing the earth, or accessorise with a new scent – prove to the world that you don’t always smell of baby sick!
4) Wary of the mum tum?
If (like most of us) you’re embarrassed by your mum tum and can only wear half the clothes in your wardrobe because most of them are too tight on the tummy area, fear not! You can look good if you follow a few simple rules:
- Stick to one colour to help give yourself a longer, leaner look. This way you don’t need to stick to black to make yourself look thinner, just one colour.
- Avoid tight clothing that will make you feel uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable will make you feel unconfident and therefore less sexy! It's amazing how good you can feel in an outfit that fits you perfectly.
- Divert the eye away from less than perfect areas, for example, if you hate your arms wear a little jacket, or if you hate your tummy, wear a long scarf wound around your neck that drapes over your tummy.
- Wear the correct size clothing for your size. If you wear too small, clothes can hug your hips or tummy and emphasize bulges. If you wear too big they can make you look heavier than you are.
- Patterns can fool the eye into thinking you seem slimmer as long as you stay away from horizontal stripes! The fashion for bold prints is strong this season so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something that suits you.
5) Remember to love YOU
Obviously the above advice is for women who feel as if they may have put on a bit of weight during their pregnancy, but before you decide what you are wearing, remember that your valentines date (be it your husband, your partner or a new date) wants to be with YOU for valentines. You are the mother of his children (in most cases) and he loves you for being you. Try not to get obsessed with how your figure has changed since childbirth and concentrate on spending time with the person you love with no kids around! The more you talk about how unhappy you are with your figure the more people around you start to believe it (even though they were probably thinking you look fantastic). Confidence will make you feel sexier. If you follow the steps above and take some time out to pamper yourself before you go out on valentines day you will feel much more confident and sexy. Remember, you are an amazing mother and doing a brilliant job of bringing up your children. Now is your chance to have a night off and feel special. You thoroughly deserve it!
6) Talk
Finally, try not to talk about the kids too much when out on your date. (Or the credit crunch for that matter). Plan your next holiday or have a laugh about all the other people having their Valentines dates together.
7) What to eat
What you eat on Valentines can help to make you sparkle! If you are pregnant, obviously check out our feature on what you can and can't eat during pregnancy to ensure you are not eating the wrong foods. The same goes if you are breastfeeding, not drinking too much alcohol is essential unless you have expressed your milk beforehand. If you are breastfeeding and have pumped your milk, be sure to bring extra breast pads with you in case you leak any milk. Great foods to eat while you are out are;
For happiness:
Stick to foods which contain Tryptophan and Phenylalanine in them as they help to raise energy levels and alleviate stress and anxiety. Eat foods such as Cod, Salmon, Halibut, Mackerel, Sole, skinless chicken breast/leg, duck turkey and beef. Also try chedder cheese, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
To help you feel sexy eat:
Bananas as they contain B Vitamins which are key for converting carbohydrates into energy, but also help to manufacture sex hormones such as testosterone.
Ginger stimulates the circulatory system, which increases the blood flow to the genitals.
Honey is rich in B vitamins (see above) but it also contains boron, which helps your body to metabolise and use estrogen - an essential agent in helping blood flow and arousal.
Nutmeg and cloves can help to stimulate the nevous system and can help you to relax.
Oysters have long been considered as aphrodisiacs because they contain a high level of zinc which helps the production of testosterone. Research has shown that oysters, mussels and clams contain two types of amino acids that spark a rush of sex hormones.
And for pudding? Try dark chocolate because it contains Phenylethylamine (PEA) which makes you feel calm and happy - a bonafide reason for eating it we think!
Above all - Happy Valentines!
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Mothercare
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