I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends......

Since I've had Liam I've seen a tremendous change in my body shape.  My butt flattened out (how does that happen??), my hips became a square box to the rest of my torso, my boobs grew, and somehow my thighs managed to get smaller. Hmph.

I haven't really done any shopping since I had Liam.  I was still wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes.  My jeans sagged out in the ass that disappeared, they were low rise and sat on the hips I used to have....long story short they were falling down constantly.  And as for shirts?  Don't even get me started.  Formal clothes?  Only what I had from when I was working, which is now nearly 4 years ago.  I was WAYYYYYYY out of style.  With no clue how to even change my wardrobe!

After a few tears of, "I'm a frumpy old housewife!" and "I look so old!"  and "My closet sucks!"  it was time for a post-baby intervention.

It has been nearly a year since I have spent nearly an entire day out by myself with no kids.  A year. Don't get me wrong, I like breastfeeding Liam, but I sure would like it if he took a bottle so he didn't have to rely so heavily on me. (read: it sure would be nice to sleep through the night and take turns feeding the baby!). 

I was feeling yucky.  I was feeling like I was ready to give up being a Stay-At-Home Mom so that I could get in touch with the adult world again.  I had come to the realization that I haven't spent any time on "Me". I had put myself on the back burner over and over again and what resulted was a burnt out woman who lost touch with the things she used to love.  That kinda happens when your job is 24/7 with no breaks. Ever.  Eric was very encouraging to go out and have a day to myself and do some shopping.  Seriously.  He was encouraging me to shop for some clothes!  (Best. Husband. Evarrrr!!!)

I spent the morning getting my hair done.  Hadn't had it done in 6 months, and prior to that it was 6 months. My dark roots were out of control! (and wowza, the gray hair was rearing it's ugly head!)

I was happy with the cut  & colour but I needed bangs and she cut me a horrible set.  So, I swung over to my cousin's house so that she could fix them up.  We were talking about my shopping trip that I was about to embark on that afternoon.

I had done some preparation for the shopping trip.  I looked on Pinterest trying to figure out something "in style" to wear.  I found myself clueless.  So I asked my friend Deena for some fashion advice.  She sent me some links of a few things she thought would look good on me.  Since she was at work while I was out shopping, I brought along my trusty phone to text her some pictures to see if she approved!  haha it was actually quite fun!  Just for kicks I texted my cousin too for a few pics.  Both of their answers were the same!

They both liked this shirt but told me I need to get a pair of skinny jeans and possibly a belt.  A pair of tall black boots were also in order (which I already had: bonus!).

I didn't quite know what to do with this shirt, I didn't end up sending this picture, I just veto'd it myself.  I felt like a bat with wings.  No thankyou.

I tell ya, January is the time to shop!  There were massive deals on EVERYWHERE.  I didn't pay full price for one item.   My cousin told me I needed to get a long sweater over skinny jeans, and Deena told me that I needed to try on some Jessica Simpson jeans at the Bay (which are awesome btw) so I put them both together and voila! 

I was told that blazers were "in" and can be dressed up with just about anything.  I saw my cousin (she's about 10 years younger than me) wearing an ensemble like this to my Grandpa's funeral and she had a pair of flats to go with it - so I picked up some flats!  And a necklace.....

I also saw a look on Pinterest that had brown boots.  I only have black shoes.  Other than my running shoes, every single pair of shoes I own is black.  So, since the boots were 50% off, then another 50% off on top of that, how could I not get them??

Same deal for the purse.  And I got a lumberjack shirt.  I never got a chance to send this one to the girls but got it anyway.....I haven't taken the tags off yet so you will have to tell me your opinion - keep or return??

I also needed to accessorize, it really makes the outfit I think and have noticed on Pinterest that accessories are pretty important.  Boots, belt, necklace and earrings.....

And last (but not least) a pair of boot cut jeans that don't sag in the butt with a Ralph Lauren bunnyhug (some of you may call it a hoodie).  Comfy.  And not black or gray - I wanted to try a little colour!

The last stop of the day was at Sephora where I needed some puffy eye reducing gel.  The girl at the till told me that she uses the age-defying moisturizer. She said, "I'm only 23 but it's important to use anti-aging products because you never know when wrinkles will start".  I said, "Yes I agree, I'm 32 and should use it more often!".  She gasped and said, "YOU'RE 32??"  ahhhh......right there made my WHOLE day, and then another associate peeked up and over the isle and said, "Oh My God, you're really 32?  Really? You totally don't look it!!"

INSERT HUGE SMILE HERE. 

It feels GREAT to go into my closet and grab something out of it that fits and I'm not embarrassed to wear.  This post-baby pick-me-up was all it took to help cure the burnout and make me feel good about myself again!

When the day was over and I was on my way home I couldn't help but think about what it would be like to be away working like that every day.  I will admit, I loved having my own thoughts to think all day.  I liked not being interrupted to go and help someone out 8 billion times in the day.  I enjoyed talking with other adults.  I liked that I just had to haul myself in and out of the vehicle.  I enjoyed going to the bathroom by myself.  A day like this was (away from the kids) was so overdue that I was not lonely for them.  Instead, I felt refreshed for them.  I felt like I could have some energy to make our days and nights at home great.   I am not saying that I want to go to work full time.  I think that much time away would make me terribly lonely for the kids.  However, I think a day here or there (whether it be working or volunteering) would be good food for my soul.  Maybe when Liam is done breastfeeding I can seriously have a look at doing something on the side.  Or maybe I just need to have some time to myself more often so that I don't get the "get me out of here!" heebie jeebies.  Everybody needs a break sometimes.  Even Stay-At-Home Moms who don't "work".