A few months ago Sam and Tracy Gold had the fantastic idea of having a makeover competition on Women24.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful? We could go out and give real women a new lease on life!" Sam smiled gleefully.
"Um… yeah… I suppose," I said, feeling rather sheepish.
"Good. Now do it," she said. (Right, I thought. Gulp.)
Then something magical happened.
We picked our first winner, Fundiswa Ndzakama. On a chilly winter morning in Jo'burg, we swathed her with makeup, picked the perfect outfit to suit her personal style, and gave her a choppy, glam new hairdo. By the end of the day, she was glowing. Don't believe me? Take a look at her makeover.
The whole exercise reminded me that trying something new can give you a new lease on life. Winter can really be a sluggish time for most of us – waking up before the sun rises, dragging yourself to work and draping your body in baggy jackets and jerseys... It's easy to hide your wonderfulness under layers of gloom. It's a slump, isn't it?
But why wait til summer to rediscover our joie de vivre?
Having just bought a new jacket over the weekend, I'm strutting my stuff already and feeling sassier and more confident. Who knew a measly coat could do that? It's not about overhauling who you are or how you live, it's just about making a small change that adds a little spunk to your step. And I promise, it does wonders.
Go on, take a chance and enter the competition here!
Even if you even if you don't win, you don't have to feel left out. Tracy Gold has happily agreed to share her style secrets with everyone on her Women24 blog (isn't that sweet?), and if that isn't enough there's loads of hints and tricks to help keep your spirits up. Whether it's throwing a few cushions on your couch, or splashing out on a mini-shopping spree, or even just trying your hand at a new recipe, you can inject a little light into your life by trying something new.
We're still on a roll with the makeovers and you know something? I'm having more fun than I thought I would.
Have you made a small change to your life or anyone else's recently? What little treat have you discovered to keep you grinning through the dreary season? Pop it in the box below!