Ha...ok, it doesn't have to be ALL the time...but for the most part...it usually is. Have you ever worn spanx? NOT an easy experience...worth it? Absolutely.
Well, was I ever happy as a pig in....you know...when I saw that WEDGES are back baby! Sooo easy to wear, and walk in. Your chances of falling down a flight of stairs with wedges on, are drastically reduced. Phew.
But here's the thing...I have two little girls...one of which, still needs to be carried...in order for us to get anywhere, in a reasonable amount of time. And the other...well...she's quick as a fox, and I need to be prepared to run after her at any time...safety first people. I refuse to be the mom in sweatpants, with no make up on, my hair in a disaster everyday. Don't get me wrong- I am sitting in my pj's right now. My kid (the fast as lightning one) is very sick...poor thing- so today was a sweatpants day. And tomorrow might be a sweat pants day...but Monday...Monday, will not be. On Monday, I will get up, shower, and get ready for the day ahead...pretending that I have a reason to use my hair straighter. I may not even leave the house. At this point, I don't have anything that I need to lug the kids out for, but if something comes up, like if we run out of milk...I will be prepared. Are you judging me?-let's be honest. You may be laughing to yourself. "Oh my god-she straightens her hair to get milk? How vain." And maybe it is...but I also know, that when I am dressed like an adult woman, and feel like I look presentable, I FEEL better. I find that I walk a little taller and I smile a little more.
Kinda funny story actually....one day, I had a lot of errands to run. (My husband works over seas mostly, so my poor kids have to come along for everything.) I got dressed- to feel good- including heeled boots...and headed out. Well, my kids were soooo good, that I decided to treat them at McDonald's. We went in, and my then 2 year old was playing in the play place. She went right to the top, and freaked herself out. She was stuck. Coming down herself was NOT an option. I was mortified...and worried. Did I have to climb up there and get her??? I knew that the stupid structure could "handle" it...lol-my dad was the contractor who built the said McDonald's, so I got to test it out, before it was opened...another mom offered to sit with my baby while I went up and rescued my toddler. I was pretty frantic, and I just went in-didn't stop to think that I should TAKE OFF the boots with heels...duh...anyway, it was fine...a little harder to get around, but we made it down, finished our happy meals, and got out of there. I later updated my facebook status, realizing that I probably looked like such a fool, (and what's better than being able to laugh at yourself, right?)-something to the effect of *"Note to self...when climbing to the top of the play place to save daughter...take off heels first." Well, a few friends were able to laugh with me about how they too have had to climb up at some point or other...but there was one gal...who needed to say something like "Oh my god. You wear heels to McDonald's?" All I could think was..."Really? Are you THAT chick? Just because I'm a MOM doesn't mean I have to look like I deal with poop and puke all day! If that makes you feel like you're a better mom, be happy with yourself...don't try to make me feel badly about myself." Which is something important that I realized after having my first baby. Not taking care of myself, does NOT make me a better mom. Taking care of myself DOES. How can I take care of anyone else, if I'm not taking care of myself first?
Do YOU need to wear heels to get milk? Probably not. But maybe sometime you should try it....because maybe you'll like it! Which really brings me to the most important thing about FASHION and STYLE. And that is- Confidence... do you wonder how the hell Lady Gaga leaves her house? Yeah...so do I...no amount of confidence could make me smile while wearing a steak on my head...and body...and feet....ewww...I don't get her...I like her...but I don't understand what's going on here....
The point is...if you are confident in yourself, it doesn't matter. The other day, I could not find anything to wear. I ended up with leopard leggings, a brown over sized tee...(which, now looking back is the wrong cut...)brown knee high boots, and a tux-style brown with gold speck vest. Too much brown...brown OVERLOAD. And half way there, I realized...omg...what was I thinking? But, I was already on the road, what was I gonna do about it now? WEAR it. If you let your clothes wear you, you'll look awkward. Who knows what people at that meeting thought...but best of all: who cares. In the end, I thought, OK, I don't look HORRIBLE, so I'm gonna wear it, and be confident in MYSELF, not just my clothes. And I felt great.
Love you sweats, but love yourself too. Really...you know you feel better when your hair is done.
Love it Rach! And its true! I always said that I refused to be "that mom" too. And its like you said, sick kids or things like that do cause the odd sweat pant day but looking your best always makes you feel better! I have learned to always expect the unexpected with kids, you never know who you are going to run in to, meet or what things your school aged son forgot to tell you about that you are expected to be a part of. I am always trying to teach my kids to be proud of who and what they are and then I realized there is no way that I can preach to my son the importance of matching clothes and cleaning up to look his most handsome if I am the one in a oversized hoody, inappropriate sweatpants for a mother of 2 and wife and whatever shoes happened to be near the door. I strive to be that mom that as stupid as it sounds, people look at and say wow, that they admire the fact that I can wipe noses and butts one minute and shake hands in a business meeting the next and still get everything I need to done and best of all? Look amazing and put together while doing it! I am proud of who I am and what I do and mothering is not only a full time job but it is also a privileged and if I don't dress to make me feel my best everyday I am not celebrating the two wonderful gifts I have been given, I am letting the clothes wear me and letting my life seem like a chore. How can I ask anyone to take me serious or to be attracted to me personally or professionally ( appearance or personality wise)if I don't own who I am and if I don't feel and look go to ME! We as woman are our own biggest critics, and we have this guilt born into us that if we are taking the time to paint our toe nails, straighten our hair, get our nails done or perfect our eyeliner that we are taking something away from our children, when honestly, we are only creating bitterness by saying we don't have time because of our children. A great pair of heels, the perfect jeans, an amazing hair day or that awesome make up look can change your whole perspective on the day and ultimately make you a better mom.
ReplyDelete(Sorry for the long post but I am now done my little rant :) )
But completely off topic, where do you find your great oversized t's and your super cute vests? I am doing a closet overhaul!