Toddler Thursday: Maybe Mommy needs a new look
It's Sarah K.K., back with another installment of Toddler Thursday ...
I had a fun assignment on Tuesday, helping coordinate things at a photo shoot for a special fashion section The Sun will be publishing in a few weeks. The stylist was showing me the clothes she'd pulled when she mentioned that one of the items was from this new boutique in town, and had I been there?
Erm. Not exactly.
I hate to use my son as an excuse, and I hate to be a cliche, but honestly, I'm lucky if I get out the door with my hair brushed and a touch of makeup most days. Shopping for myself hasn't been that high of a priority, and when I do get out there, most of the time I can't find what I'm looking for, things don't fit quite right, and then I get frustrated and go home. Which leaves me with a lame-o wardrobe of mostly jeans, T-shirts and a handful of other pieces that are slightly more interesting but aging quickly.
I said this, in way fewer words, and the stylist looked me over and said, "Maybe you need a Mommy Makeover."
Oh, there is no "maybe" about it. I do. I haven't had a haircut since October, my eyebrows are out of control, and I don't even like looking in my closet right now. When I returned to work after maternity leave, I declared to myself that I was not going to be that cliched frazzled mom. I was going to try to look put together, at least most of the time. At first, it kind of worked, but after a couple of weeks back, my son unexpectedly went into the hospital for two weeks. After that, I could have cared less what I looked like, as long as I was clothed. Then, once life calmed back down again, the kid was mobile, and that took a big chunk out of my getting-ready time in the morning.
Not to mention, let's get serious: I work long hours and rarely get to see him awake in the evenings, so our morning time together is precious. When it comes down to a choice between putting on eyeshadow and blowing my hair dry or spending an extra 12 minutes hanging out with the little guy, he wins most every time.
But I'm also getting tired of looking like a scrub, so I'm trying to find a compromise. Getting up earlier is one option, though the shower is next to his room, so that might just wake him up earlier, too. Bathing at night instead might work, though my hair looks even crazier if I do that. I'm reassessing the wardrobe -- hey, at least it's spring, and I have some skirts that look OK. I would really like to find some pants, though, that are: 1) flattering, 2) stylish and 3) washable. So far, I've been coming up empty.
Fellow toddler-moms, what are your strategies for making the time to look like a grownup?
Comments
I'm in the same boat, but I was a slob even before I had a kid. It's tough for working moms... time spent in the stylist chair could be time spent playing with your little one so you feel guilty even getting your hair done. I have to rely on easy fixes: nice earrings, mascara, and lip gloss (along with the ubiquitous peanut butter and toddler snot on my shirt)
SarahKK: Heh, I got a handful of cereal bar smeared on me this morning, discovered, of course, after I was on the way to work. But worth it, right?
Posted by: Betsy | March 18, 2010 4:07 PM
I work full-time and have two kids under the age of four, so I'm right there with ya on all this. I've had the best luck finding pants (and tops and dresses, for that matter) that are flattering, stylish, washable at Ann Taylor Loft. I feel like going to one place saves time, which (like any mom) I never have enough of. The Loft store at Arundel Mills has a bigger-than-normal clearance section, too, which is usually stocked with lots of good stuff. All of which looks extra cute smeared with peanut butter, cereal bar, whatever the kiddos had for breakfast.... :)
Posted by: kate | March 22, 2010 1:45 PM