7 ways to look like one of those 'got their life together' people.

We have the secret.

My life is not at all like a Pinterest board, but God I wish it could be.

I scroll through my social media feeds and I see beautiful floral arrangements, photos of perfectly positioned meals and a great outfit that looks seriously effortless. In my world, I kill every flower I buy, eat mostly microwaveable meals (trust me, those don’t photograph well) and can somehow manage to make that $320 jumper I bought look like it cost $10.

See, I’m not one of those “polished” people. You know, the ones who can somehow pull off a simple white t-shirt and jeans combo. The ones who can decorate their room in fairy lights without looking tacky and can eat dessert without spilling it on themselves.

But if you, like me, are a little on the non-put-together side of things, there are a few easy things you can do to start living a Pinterest-worthy life.

1. Wake up 15 minutes earlier.

Or, only press snooze once instead of three times like I do. I absolutely need to take my own advice here: it’s hard to give off the ‘put together’ vibe if you turn up to work looking like you rolled out of bed, put on the clothes you laid out the night before (because five minutes extra sleep, DUH) and stuffed your sorta-wet hair into a top knot.

Just get up a little earlier, take your time to fake your way to polished perfection – just brush your hair, seriously – and everyone at work will notice.

2. Learn to love red wine.

Before I started drinking red wine, I used to wish I liked it. I’d watch couples at restaurants take a whiff and describe the smell to each other, thinking they looked so damn classy. Now, I feel ridiculously snazzy when I order a Shiraz at dinner. Still can’t quite identify those wood undertones though, but there’s definitely a hint of Vegemite, right?

3. Work on having really great posture.

My posture used to be great – I did etiquette classes for a while, guys – but after years of sitting and staring at a computer screen, everything I learned at finishing school had been forgotten and I catch myself slumped in my seat at a very strange angle at least seven times a day. Move your computer screen, sit up straight, square your shoulders… You’ll immediately notice a change.

Speaking of Pinterest and polished… (Post continues after gallery).

4. Get properly fitted for a bra.

You’re never going to feel or look polished if you’re constantly tugging on that pesky underwire or pulling too-loose straps back onto your shoulders, are you? Turn up to a store, get yourself measured and spend some money on a good quality bra. Just don’t go to the place that crushed my dreams as a flat-chested 13-year-old by telling me I “should probably just stick to crop tops for a few more years, sweetie!” Still. Not. Over. It.

5. Find your signature beauty style and stick to it.

Love red lipstick? Great. Wear it every day. My signature style has become winged liner and bright pink lipstick. If you stick to a signature beauty routine, you’re going to instantly look and feel more polished, as well as save time in the morning thinking about how to make your face look less just-woke-up and more refreshed-and-ready.

6. Invest in an awesome, yet practical bag or pair of shoes. Or both.

If you’re still carrying around that years-old Christmas present from your mum’s cousin that you never really liked in the first place, it’s probably time to trade it in for a classic bag. Even if the rest of your clothes are things you’ve had for years that cost no more than $10, a great bag or pair of (comfortable and cool-looking) shoes will go a long way in changing other people’s perceptions of you.

7. Fake it.

If you really, really want to be a polished person but you just can’t seem to get there (story of my life) just let someone else do it for you. Upgrade your bedspread, buy some cool homewares, clean your house, invest in a great diary and some stationary and just let everyone think you’re way more put together than you actually are. Works a charm, I swear.

What do you do to feel polished and put together?

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