Musings About Life... After Birth

Robeez, the makers of those little shoes you know you all put on your babies, recently launched its fourth annual Season of Giving campaign, a charitable initiative to donate shoes to infants in need during the holiday season. Here’s how it works: For every Happy Holidays e-card sent from the Season of Giving website, Robeez will make a $5 product donation via its charitable partner, Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.). It’s easy: one card = $5 worth of Robeez footwear; 10 cards = $50 worth of Robeez footwear, and on and on!

A little bonus: For taking the time to send an e-card, Robeez is offering senders a chance to win one of seven new Shoes and Socks Gift Sets. The initiative ends December 20. It only takes a few minutes, so visit seasonofgiving.robeez.com and help others keep their feet warm this winter.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, six months after having my second child, weight-wise, I’m still nowhere near where I’d like to be . Sigh. That’s why this afternoon (Wednesday) at 2:00 PM EST, I’ll be joining Broads Molly and Christine of XM Radio’s “Broadminded” (tune in on XM Channel 155!) to try Hello! SkinnyJeans, your good ‘ol classic denim staples made with a high nylon/elastane content that sucks in your gut, butt and thighs. The credit for this find goes to Momtourage member Alison, who read about them in a magazine and said we needed to get some ASAP.

We’ve tried other slimming jeans before, so the Broads and I are looking forward to comparing these bad boys to other varieties. Catherine Hart, the founder of Hello! SkinnyJeans claims her jeans are the best because they’ve got “scooped out” thighs, which drastically separate and slim your thighs and push out your tush, and inseams that are drawn forward on the leg, making it appear that there is less real estate on your drumsticks.

Wanna check them out for yourself? Visit skinnyjeans.com. They come in a variety of colors and lengths, and are $178 each.

Need to drop a few pounds? I do - like, a “few” times seven or so. In the meantime, it’s all about Spanx, the miraculous shapewear from Atlanta girl (woo hoo!) Sara Blakely. I hate to admit that all of those “Have you lost weight?” comments I’ve been getting recently can’t honestly be answered with “Why yes, and thank you, you wonderfully observant person!”. My seemingly svelte figure is completely the result of my wearing Spanx’s Hide & Sleek Girl Shorts and Slim Cognito Body Shaping Cami. Sara, you deserve a Nobel Prize.

This afternoon (Tuesday) at 1:00 PM EST, I’ll be joining Broads Molly and Christine of XM Radio’s “Broadminded” (tune in on XM Channel 155!) to discuss the newest offerings from Spanx: the Bra-llelujah! Full Coverage Front Closure Bra and the latest additions to Spanx’s hosiery line, the Patterned Tight-End Tights and Under the Heel Tight-End Tights.

Want to win a new bra or some hosiery from Spanx and Assets, Spanx’s lower-priced sister line? I’ve got 10 bras to give away and 10 hosiery sets including one pair of Spanx and one pair of Assets patterned tights each to give away. To be eligible to win, you must be registered for The Momtourage’s mailing list, so if you’re not, click on the green “Join Our Mailing List” box at the top, right-hand corner of this page to register. If you’re already registered, you’re already eligible to win!

Thank you to everyone who has been sending me emails telling my how much they’re loving their Handy Sacks. Don’t they totally rule? I’m telling you, the seriously eliminate that annoying diaper bag/purse chaos. If you haven’t purchased one, you can still get them at Divas and Drooligans  - and if you use code MAYGROOVE15SAVE, they’ll knock 15% off the price!

Here’s another recommendation and chance to win something else I love from Divas and Drooligans. First, however, a little background:

I have a minor obsession with bibs and burp cloths. I can’t get enough of them. Especially when you’re outside the house,  there’s just something nice about throwing a cute little cloth (as opposed to a schmutzy rag) over your shoulder - even if its purpose is to protect your clothes from you baby’s puke. Likewise, to me, fastening a cute little bib on my baby just feels far more civilized than a stained, crappy one. Don’t get me wrong - I understand that baby gear is not always gonna look pristine, but you can at least try to avoid falling into the ratty bib trap. Basically, I see bibs and burp cloths as the baby gear equivalent to an adult’s sweatpants; you can go old and comfy, and that’s totally fine, but with just a little extra effort, you can avoid schlumpiness.

When it comes to the kinds of bibs and burp cloths I like, I have two favorite styles: monogrammed/personalized ones (that’s the Southern in me), and groovy, whimsical ones (That’s the former NYC gal in me). There are all sorts of places to get great-looking monogrammed/personalized bibs and burp cloths (my personal favorites are The Cutest Things and Moonbeam Baby). For whimsically cute ones, however, I love these the chenille-backed sets from Divas and Drooligans:

Yesterday, Momtourage member Lauren ran into a woman who was in the new moms group we joined shortly after our first babies were born. “Oh Chelsea, she looked like such a….mom,” Lauren reported, shuddering. Though I probably should have been filled with indignation to hear “mom” used to signify “dowdy/schlumpy”, I wasn’t; I knew exactly what Lauren meant, because, admittedly, I’m guilty of using “mom” pejoratively too.

Sadly, these days “mom” (think “mom jeans”) is all too often used to mean “dumpy”. Blame it on SNL’s “mom jeans” faux ad (tagline: “Because you’re not a woman - you’re a mom!”) - or the reality that when you’re pushing a stroller, doing so in sweats and Pumas as opposed to a Michael Kors shift and Prada pumps is, let’s face it, a heck of a lot easier.

I remember watching - and loving - contestant Laura Bennett on Project Runway a couple of seasons ago. She was the redheaded mother of like, 500 (ok, 6, but that’s essentially 500) kids, yet she always looked impeccably put-together. Essentially, she was the anti-”mom”. “If I am dressed dumpy, I am going to eat badly and act dumpy,” she said. “It’s such a simple thing to get dressed and feel better about yourself.” Perhaps “mom” style really is that simple; it takes a little extra effort, but getting “dressed” when you’re a mom is about more than just fashion - it’s a state of mind and being.

This Spring, updating your wardrobe from “mom” to “MOM!” is super simple. Trust me - you don’t need an innate, Carrie Bradshaw-esque sense of style and you won’t have to sacrifice comfort or a ton of cash. Simply take some of what you’ve already got, add a few on-trend items and be ruthless in getting rid of your dated, “mom” duds. Let these tips, taken from the Spring 2008 runway trend report I wrote for the April issue of The Family Groove, be your guide for what to add to, toss from and keep in your closet this season in order to render yourself decidedly un-dowdy:

Bright colors

Items in bold colors were all the rage last fall, and continue to be just as omnipresent this spring. Maintain the trend in warmer weather by wearing floaty tops, tank-style dresses or swingy skirts in bright hues. If you want to try the bright color trend, but are a little hesitant to abandon your tried-and-true neutrals, test the waters by toting a bright bag or slipping on a hot-hued pair of sandals. A great accessory to try: the Los Feliz Beverly Tote from L.A.M.B, which is $395 at shopbop.com or at the Tyson’s Corner Center Nordstrom.

If you’re ready to jump right in and take the plunge, add a piece in a neon shade. In order to avoid a full-on 80s vibe, pair neons and bright pieces (like this Alexander Wang Pebbled Knit Tank, $207, at www.shopbop.com or Georgetown’s Cusp) with subtle neutrals like khaki, gray or navy, and accessorize with simple gold or silver jewelry, as seen below:

Embellished pieces

Last fall, tops, dresses and accessories adorned with jewels ruled the runways – and retail racks. This trend is still going strong for spring, though in a slightly more subtle manner. Your best bet: tops and dresses with necklines decorated with delicate jewels, metallic studs or graphic, metallic sequins. My (ultra-affordable) picks: Studded Knit Dress, $32.80, and Sequined Knit Tunic, $24.80, both available at forever21.com or the Montgomery Mall location of Forever 21.

Gladiator Sandals

This Greek-inspired footwear was popular last spring, and will continue to show up in stores and on soles this year as well. For comfort, wear a flat style during the day, but for evening, kick your nighttime look up a notch with a high-heeled or wedge version. For the most flattering, leg-lengthening look, choose a pair with a thin ankle-strap. My picks: Nine West’s Sulliban Sandal, $89, and Jobilyn Sandal, $79, both available at ninewest.com or at the White Flint Mall location of Nine West.

A neutral bag

Last season, snow white bags were seen on the arms nearly celeb lunching at The Ivy. This season, however, neutral bags in bone, gray and beige are the white-hot way to finish your outfit. My picks: the Kooba Lola Tote, $645, and Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock Teri Tote, $428, all available at Bloomingdales.com or the Chevy Chase Bloomingdale’s.

Light denim

Dark denim is still chic (and, of course, slimming), but this season, try trading in your trusty indigo jeans for paler-hued versions. Avoid going super-light and instead opt for a cool chambray shade. Wider-leg styles are in, as are boot-cut and skinny-leg varieties, so choose the style you find most flattering for your body type. My pick: J Brand Love Story Jeans in Summer, $179, jbrandjeans.com or Bethesda’s Denim Bar.

Ethnic prints

Ikat, batik and tie-dye, looks most commonly associated with the 70s love child look, are suddenly fresh and fun. Ease them into your wardrobe without looking like a Deadhead by pairing a top with tailored, trouser-style jeans. My picks: Nieves Lavi V-Neck Poncho, $132 and Yaya Aflalo Solar Tunic, $294, both available at shopbop.com and Gerogetown’s Urban Chic.

Mod-inspired fashions

The 60s pop art look has come and gone, so shelve your graphic prints for now and instead opt for an ethnic print or an acid-hued bright.

Bermuda-length shorts

Time to (ugh) hit that Stairmaster, because shorts hemlines are rising faster than Google stock. Knee-length Bermuda shorts are out, and have been replaced by mid-thigh and shorter varieties.

Corset belts

Shelve your thick & chunky corset belts for now and instead cinch your favorite dress or tunic with a skinny belt, preferably in a bright shade of patent leather.

I’ve never been a huge fan of “message” tees. Even when they were cool like two or so years ago, I always thought they were lame - especially when worn by annoying celebrities like Paris Hilton and the like, with messages like “I stole your boyfriend” or “Mrs. Timberlake”. Barf.

Of course, maternitywear has its fair share of message tees, many of which are equally lame (who can forget Britney Spears, pregnant with first son Sean Preston, showing up at the premiere of the remake of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” sporting an “I have the golden ticket” tee, complete with arrow pointing to her belly?). I find most of them pretty contrived - especially the “obvious” ones that say corny things like “sexy mama”. Ohhh - I get it! You’re sexy - AND about to be a mama! How CLEVER!

As with anything, however, there are exceptions. Occasionally, maternity tees do pop up that are downright funny - not to mention authentically clever. My favorites are the ones from Molly Anna, many of which are made from organic cotton. Here are a few I find quite cute:

This Saturday, DC/Baltimore boutique Urban Chic (one of my absolute favorites) is having their big one-day sale! If you shop between between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, you’ll enjoy 55% off red dot items from designers like Rebecca Taylor, Tory Burch and Kooba.

If you’re in DC, visit the Georgetown location at 1626 Wisconsin Avenue. If you’re a Baltimore gal, check out the store at 811 Aliceanne Street. Bethesda and Annapolis locations are coming soon - woo hoo!

I became pregnant with my son in January of ‘05. Because I had him in early October, the bulk of my maternity clothes (and trust me - there were lots and lots and lots of them) were all for the summertime. If anyone needs maternity tank tops, bermuda shorts and/or cute sundresses, call me. This time, however, I became pregnant in June, and will deliver in March, rendering my previous maternity wardrobe virtually useless. Damn!

My husband recently surprised me with a weekend getaway to visit old friends in Chicago. Before leaving, I knew I needed to purchase a coat; my long-sleeved t-shirts that were still totally working in DC would not cut it when it came to keeping this cold weather-averse mama warm in the Windy City.

Because I only had one day to shop, I headed to a couple of maternity stores (there are really only 2 decent ones in DC (for the love of God, will someone PLEASE open more?)), but found nothing. The coat selections were all completely picked over, and I found nothing (with the exception of one that cost nearly $500, and I just couldn’t pull the trigger. Aren’t you proud of me, honey?).

Because I had to run to Target that same day and get a couple of things, I checked out their maternity section as a last-ditch effort. During my last pregnancy, I was all about the Liz Lange Target line - her maternity t-shirts are super-cheap yet high-quality and fit amazingly well. For sturdier pieces, however, I wasn’t so sure I’d be into it. Wonder of wonders, however, I found a seriously cute and stylish, affordable coat: Liz Lange for Target’s Houndstooth Button-Front Coat, which was only $59.99.

It’s very pregnant Jackie O, don’t you think? In person, it’s even cuter than in this picture. Sold!

God, I worship Target. I might move there.

I love the website Trendy Tadpole. They have really cool, hip t-shirts for kids, my favorite of which is this one:

Hilarious. And true for my kid, I am sure.