SALT LAKE CITY — Knee-deep in children, science projects and dinner on the table, we moms can — by sheer busyness — unintentionally go down the dark side to the somewhat slouchy mom look — a place where old sweats and hair scrunchies are considered normal daywear.

I’ve been there, repeatedly. After recently having a baby, I gave myself permission for one year to wear only pajamas, except to church and the grocery store, and on occasion, the latter I gave some leeway.

But coming out the post-baby haze, I’m finding what most women do at some point on the busy-with-children treadmill — it’s time to re-energize the look. Perking up on the outside not only helps us feel better inside, get more done and create respect for both ourselves and from others, but it sets a healthy precedent for our children and brings back the “woman” and “wife” part of us to our husbands.

Wardrobe

Glamour magazine suggestions don’t always fit necessary basics for a mom wardrobe. I’m not a size-2 model — I’m a mother of seven. What helps me better function is having three basic outfits: errands, chic and professional.

VIDEO:

Studio 5: Slouch Mom Pick-Me-Ups

Click the link above to watch Connie's "Studio 5" segment on slouch mom pick-me-ups.

• Ideal for errands are a pair of good-fitting jeans, a classic or trendy top and cardigan, with or without earrings.
• A chic outfit is a tad more spruced for date night or lunch with girlfriends. This includes trendy or colored jeans, fun shirt with a pea coat, quality boots or unscuffed shoes.
• And third, a professional outfit. My mom always says to invest in three things: well-fitting shoes, a black winter coat and a good suit. With navy blue or tailored black, I can still wear a classic suit from high school (well, at least for now) paired with a trendy shirt or scarf.

Try combing through or cleaning out your closet to find three different outfits that you can pull and wear anytime.

Makeup

Mentally, this can be an all-or-nothing deal, which means often women can go unintentionally au natural. While that’s a great look, a light sprucing does add pop.

Consider creating a one-minute routine that helps you get out the door without looking like you just got up. A quick pass with foundation, taupe eye makeup, brown or black eyeliner close to the eye line and smudged, a dab of blush or bronzer, and lipstick with gloss all takes me up to five minutes and I’m ready to roll.

Hair

If there is one thing to spend money on, it’s a good haircut. Despite my dislike of hair-doing (ultimately, a repeat time-waster to me), a great color and cut not only looks perky and polished but can last six to eight weeks.

If you’re still sporting a do from 1996, consider changing things up a bit. Check out some before-and-after haircut pictures from www.oprah.com for some possible ideas.

If you give an idea from a category a try — one outfit, one makeup tip, one hair cut — you will feel perked and ready to play, even if it’s just to go to Costco.

Connie Sokol is an author, speaker, TV contributor and mother of seven. Contact her at www.conniesokol.com.

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