Believe it or not, as a SAHM, I like to look nice. I'm not rocking those suits and strappy sandals like I used to but I still want to look nice, if albeit casually.
After kids, my body and I are occasionally at war. Sometimes my body wins. Sometimes I win. But, we have a mostly peaceful existence.
My body reminiscences about being just like it was in college. I remind it that I carried two children in my womb for 9 months each and TO SETTLE THE FLIP DOWN. I'll take my stretch marks and saggy belly any day if it means I can have my two sweet baby boys. (That's right, folks. I'm bringing sexy back!) I'll wear these stretch marks with pride as they are a reminder that I was blessed enough to be able to have children.
I am roughly the same size after kids, except *ahem* things are a little differently proportioned. (Mamas, you know what I'm talking about!)
For many reasons, I don't want to spend a lot of money on clothes. My kids wipe their noses and other things on me like a Human Kleenex. They pull on my pant legs to get my attention. Or after giving me a hug, they hang off my sweater collar like Kobe hanging on the rim after a dunk. So, whereas I used to shop at Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and the like, these days, not so much.
These days, my favorite place to shop is a place that rhymes with Bold Gravy. I like it because you can find cute, trendy pieces without spending a bunch of money. (And also because it is super close to my house.)
I love to shop. When I say "shop", I mean going into a store, by myself, with a cup of coffee in one hand, strolling leisurely along, stopping at anything that may catch my eye. THAT is my idea of blissful shopping.
But, alas, this is not meant to be most of the time. Most of the time it ends up being a bit more chaotic.
For instance, the other day, I took the boys there to take a look around. After placing Baby L (2) in the stroller and taking J's (4) hand, we head into the store. I arm each boy with a Hot Wheels so they will have something to do while I look around.
Upon entering the store, I go to the first table to take a look at some lightweight sweaters. They are playing with their Hot Wheels. Things are going swimmingly.
As I move to the next table to look at t-shirts, things start to go downhill fast. Baby L chucks his car, grabs a stack of t-shirts and throws them on the floor. Meanwhile, J runs over to an assessor/toy/trinket stand, grabs a squirt bottle and puts it in his mouth as he pretends to drink.
GAH!
I quickly assess the situation. After rolling Baby L away from the table, I run over to J and grab the bottle out of his hands. I tell J that is not our water bottle so we do not put it in our mouths. J and I walk, hand in hand, back to Baby L who is squawking. After putting the t-shirts back on the table, I quickly search and find both Hot Wheels, place them in my purse and come up with option B.
Option B involves me handing my keys to Baby L and playing "I Spy" with J, while I continue to look at clothes. All goes well for about five minutes, then Baby L tries to eat my keys and J runs off.
At this point, I have a few shirts and a couple of pairs of pants to try on. I yell for J who comes running and we all make out way into the dressing room. Trying to get all of us in there is like herding cats. For serious.
Anyway, at this point, the natives are extremely restless so I realize it is time to bring out the big guns. I pull up Kipper The Dog and hand them my iPhone.
Whew. Success!
I try on my clothes quickly, but methodically, to see if these clothes will be the ones to make my inner supermodel reveal herself. I'm not asking for much. Just a cute, sparkly top that hides my after-baby-tummy or those pair of jeans that will make my butt look J-Loesque.
Eureka!
I find a cute lightweight striped sweater. I'm in love. *Sigh.* Old Navy, you complete me.
By now, my iPhone lays discarded on the bench, J is opening the dressing room door while Baby L is licking the mirror.
Abort! Abort! The ship is going down!
I quickly snap out of my reverie, take off the top, put back on my shirt, grab the kids and get the heck out of there!
All of this takes about 30 minutes. No joke.
So yeah. Shopping with kids is crazy.
BUT, it is worth it if you find that one piece that makes you feel beautiful. Like my striped sweater.
Human Kleenex. Ha. Totally. I am still not at peace with my new body. Maybe someday... Visiting from Finding the Funny!
ReplyDeleteUhghhh... this is why I have no clothes!
ReplyDeleteIts peak season, June through August, is smack in
ReplyDeletethe middle of New Braunfels' hottest, sunniest weather season. It is a must see and experience if you are in the area. From picking up shells and walking along the shore to boogie boarding out in the ocean water shoes are made to stay on the feet and keep them protected.
If your tween is into paint-ball you can take everyone to play paint-ball.
ReplyDeleteFor adults, a virtual makeover of hair and makeup may be
the equivalent of a little one hood game, with an improved style sensibility
that tends to make the knowledge each entertaining and inspirational.
I hope you have fun planing a birthday party for your tween, I hope my birthday party ideas for tween's helped you.
My web site ... home lighting
In that case, this kind of question should not be taken from any
ReplyDeleteshow telecasted in specific country. Popular prizes
include sports tickets, cash and vouchers for drinks, food - and dollars off
of tabs. The food is decent and the drink specials on Tuesdays
include $2.
Have a look at my weblog pub quiz anagrams
(Thank you rounds are always welcome, of course. At
ReplyDeletethe end of each round read out the cumulative scores.
The food is decent and the drink specials on Tuesdays include
$2.
my web-site ... pub quiz anagrams
The players would begin as members of the SCA, going to Phoenix for the Estrella War.
ReplyDeleteFor adults, a virtual makeover of hair and makeup may be the equivalent of a little one hood
game, with an improved style sensibility that tends to make the knowledge
each entertaining and inspirational. You Divide everyone at
the party into two groups, or tribes.
Visit my site :: Business Intelligence
In other words, they go against the grain
ReplyDeleteof the careers their parents had. You must definitely
be planning to make it special and memorable by keeping a good theme, ordering the
best food and choosing the best games. 8.
Feel free to visit my web site :: best pub quiz team names
There are many sources to choose from that can offer
ReplyDeletesimple solutions to the problems you are experiencing
with your canine. This will help make navigating the weaving poles a habit for you dog.
Oh, Behave Dog Training and Behavior Counseling.
Also visit my web site ... dog training aids uk
On Sunday nights Erin Jaimes hosts a blues jam where anyone from Alan Haynes to Gary Clark,
ReplyDeleteJr. You must definitely be planning to make it special and memorable by keeping a good theme,
ordering the best food and choosing the best games.
The buccal cavity is a small cavity that has neither jaws nor
teeth.
Review my web site pub quiz and answers
In that case, this kind of question should not be taken from any show telecasted in specific country.
ReplyDelete*Rounds table format. Ask your local club to run this for
you.
my weblog: pub quiz amsterdam
DJ spins out on Saturday nights. Anna had been looking through
ReplyDeletemy phone while I was naked. Ask your local club to run this for you.
Feel free to visit my web-site ... brainstormer pub quiz answers
One thing that you should practice, and the only time that I believe you will dump your kayak will be when exiting and re-entering the boat.
ReplyDeleteIn water types, you can consider cold or warm water, waves volume
and other related elements. So, make sure you stay hydrated, so that
you do not tip off in fatigue while reaching the dock.
Have a look at my weblog: hotel reservations
In other words, they go against the grain of the careers their parents had.
ReplyDelete* Team answer sheets - Basically a grid lined A4 type sheet with answer write in numbered boxes and a line on top for the team
name. The Bull's Head Pub, Bangkok.
My blog :: great pub quiz Names
If all players are wrong the murderer gets away and everyone loses.
ReplyDeleteYou make different challenges like scavenger hunts, food challenges, mazes and
races. Play games all night long in keeping with the twenties theme such
as various card games and crossword puzzles.
Also visit my web-site - anti virus
Very quісklу this wеb ρаge wіll be famоus among аll blogging anԁ ѕite-buіlding viewers,
ReplyDeleteduе to іt's pleasant articles
Feel free to visit my website; diamondlinks review
On Sunday nights Erin Jaimes hosts a blues jam where anyone from
ReplyDeleteAlan Haynes to Gary Clark, Jr. *Rounds table format. 28.
Also visit my web page - clever pub quiz names
In other words, they go against the grain of
ReplyDeletethe careers their parents had. Local country clubs are
offering trivia fun for as little as forty dollars per couple.
Ask your local club to run this for you.
my blog; redtooth pub quiz answers
DJ spins out on Saturday nights. At the end of each
ReplyDeleteround read out the cumulative scores. 8.
My site - pub quiz austin
Some were practical, of course, but others were psychological and emotional.
ReplyDeleteI believe my exact words were "I don't want to be your dirty little secret. Theme Format: It is almost like standard format of the pub quiz.
my webpage; pub quiz archive
Also, we need to determine the rounds of the quiz according to it.
ReplyDeleteYou must definitely be planning to make it special and memorable
by keeping a good theme, ordering the best food and choosing the best games.
28.
Feel free to surf to my homepage :: pub quiz aberdeen
Also, we need to determine the rounds of the quiz according to it.
ReplyDelete* Team answer sheets - Basically a grid lined A4
type sheet with answer write in numbered boxes and a line on top for the team name.
Ask your local club to run this for you.
Here is my web site; pub quiz aberdeen