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Sunday, October 26, 2008
How much work does it take to get this stay-at-home mom Manhattan-ready?
It took several weeks, multiple experts and a charge card to get me prepped for the Big City and restore me to my pre-child state (sort of).
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How much work does it take to get a stay-at-home mom ready for a big event in New York City? I whole heck of a lot — at least in my case.
My husband was being honored by his company with an award and a fancy dinner in New York City. It meant a free three-day trip to Manhattan, but it also meant I had to make myself presentable to people beyond children and other mothers. (The president of his company and the board of directors were among the guests at the dinner.)
Before I had kids, it wouldn’t have taken much work to get ready for this type of event, but after seven years of not going into an office and only hanging out with children my standards have dropped — along with my breasts.
The Ann Taylor Loft jean skirt that I live in may be fine for taking my daughter to Girl Scouts or helping out in kindergarten, but it doesn’t fly in the Big Apple. Other obstacles included needing a bra that didn’t flip open for nursing, color on graying hair and make up that wasn’t purchased along with diapers at my local Publix. Shopping would be necessary! (Luckily, there was a cash prize with my husband’s award so I wasn’t taking food from the babies to clean myself up.)
My first stop was Nordstrom for some guidance on what type of outfit would be appropriate and how to hide my flaws. The saleswoman helped me choose a dress (in fact lots of saleswomen weighed in on the decision), and even went up to lingerie to bring me down some “shapewear” to try on under the dress.
Ladies, let me tell you about “shapewear.” It is essentially a girdle that doesn’t hurt. There’s none of the painful bones that you might remember from your wedding corset. (The only time I have ever worn anything like that.) The new stuff is like a tight bathing suit that just smoothes everything out. I wasn’t sure if I needed the Spanx with the built-in bra or with hosiery so I didn’t buy it that day.
When I was finally ready to pick out the shapewear, I didn’t want to drive back to Nordstrom or all the way into town to Intimacy, but I knew I needed help figuring out how to make everything look right under my dress. So on my hair stylist’s recommendation I went to Necessities by Sherrie in Snellville for some help.
After a little analysis, Sherrie told me my current strapless bra fit but wasn’t pushing me up and that’s what the dress needed. She also told me the straps on the dress should be tightened to hold it up correctly.
She fit me in a pushup strapless bra and some high-waisted shapewear underwear that flattens your stomach and pulls in your waist (It was a different brand than Spanx.). I had clean lines in the dress and filled out the top. She also managed to fit me in a new everyday bra before the baby freaked out and climbed out of the stroller.
Finally, I was on to hair and make up. Stephanie the owner of Salon John Francis in Lawrenceville had diagnosed my hair problem the last time I was in. She told me a bunch of hair had fallen out after the baby was born, and it was growing in and sticking out. She had cut the back shorter to let the top catch up. So this visit she shaped me up and tinted my gray a lovely shade of brown with a touch of copper.
While getting my hair done, I told Stephanie I needed help picking new cosmetics. I was wearing my make up the same way I did in high school. Plus, I haven’t bought make up from any place other than a grocery store in probably six years. This might be OK when you’re young, but not when you’re starting to show some wrinkles.
Another hairdresser overheard me and advised me to go to Douglas cosmetics at The Avenue Webb Ginn in Snellville. Many of the women there are aestheticians and can help you figure out which brands and colors are best for you. I went out there and Betty got me set up with all the right make up. New face cream, eye cream, foundation that actually matches my skin tone, powder, concealer, blush and eye shadow.
I came home and told my girlfriend Margaret that I was ready for New York. Ever wise, Margaret explained that I didn’t do this all just for New York. The trip just gave me a deadline. I needed to do all this stuff to feel pulled together after having my last baby. I think she was right.
Epilogue: We had a fantastic trip last week. My parents were very generous to keep all three children. I felt great walking around the city and very elegant on my husband’s big night. Back at home, I’m excited about feeling a little more presentable every day, not just for special occasions.
You can reach Theresa at ajcmomania@gmail.com. Ideas are welcome!
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