Ain't No Mom Jeans

DIY: An Easy but Cool Outdoor Space for Toddlers (And Portable Enough for Apartment Dwellers)

M and I were recently interviewed by the Denver Post about how to keep the little ones entertained (but safe) at home.  You can read the full article here.  My contribution to the article centered on the transformation my balcony goes through each summer.

As many of you know, I live in the heart of Denver.  We live in a 2nd story condo, right off of a busy street, on an intersection that is the site of fairly serious accidents at least twice a year.  We have bums, I'm practically on a first-name basis with the 911 guys, and we live right across the street from an apartment building only known as "the crack house".  On the upside, you can find a liquor store merely by walking a couple of blocks in any direction, and porn 24 hours a day.  Sadly, most of the hookers have left.  

It's not what most people think of as an ideal environment for raising kids, but for us, it's home.  And one of the ways we've found to cope is by making the best of what outdoor space we do have: our balcony.

The trick to transform a balcony into a play space is that everything must be portable and easily washed.  One can't just hose everything off when it gets dirty.  And because the balcony sits right off the living room, I can't stand to get one of those plastic Fisher-Price sand and water tables -- I would end up poking my own eyes out, staring at that thing all day.  Not to mention that it's hard to store off-season.

So I've spent the last two years trying to find items that look cool, and are also portable, washable and store-able.  Lastly, I want to be able to quickly transform the space from a day-use play space, to a night-use dinner space.  Here's what I've found:

What To Wear To Look Hot at Your High School Reunion (without trying too hard)

Reader Question:

I'm attending my 25-year HS reunion in 2 months and am wondering what I should wear to the Dinner/Dance? I want to look hot without seeming like I'm trying too hard.

Answer:

Ah...yes.  The high school reunion.  Where you want to look totally, wildly hot...but in an effortless way.  Where you fend off compliments with a dismissive wave of your hand, "this old thing?  I've had it for years." 

So what to wear?  If you Google, "what to wear to your high school reunion", most of the advice centers on the little black dress.  LBDs are always appropriate for these types of events, and if you have one you love, go nuts.  However, the LBD isn't the most imaginative choice.  I'm assuming that you are writing in because you are looking for something beyond the obvious.

Go Buy Now: Patagonia Baby Down Sweaters

"Go Buy Now" is our new section dedicated to the stuff that sells out before you even know you critically need it.  As soon as we find out one such crucial item is available, we'll give you a heads up, regardless of the fact that the timing of the content seems absurd.

Thoughts From a New Mom: Don't Ruin This For Me

Readers, I'm delighted to introduce our newest contributor, Lane!  Lane (aka LCB) is not only wickedly funny, but...in her own words...

"I am currently...an intentionally unemployed social worker who is growing a human, following my husband's dream, trying to stay relevant, and practicing my mothering skills on two rescued dogs, Enid and Falcor."

If you, like me, can't get enough of Lane, check out her blog, the Overseas Trapeze.

xo,

S

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As soon as you announce your pregnancy to your loved ones and the world, hot of on the heels of joyful congratulations comes unsolicited advice. Enough of my friends are now mothers that this onslaught of information was not completely unexpected. I realize that within people's love for us and excitement for the changes coming in our lives comes their natural urge to help in some way. And sharing stories, tips, warnings and encouragement is one way of providing that help before the baby arrives, when there isn't much tangible to do. I am a firm believer in the wisdom than can come with experience, so I have taken many of these offerings to heart. I'm no fool.

However, in between the sage words and the enlightened encouragement, it is impossible to miss the stories, tips and warnings that have a bit of a cynical edge, a negative tone. Perhaps it is when someone asks whether you hope to breastfeed/cloth diaper/co-sleep/stand on your head during labor, and upon hearing your answer gives you the 'Tisk, tisk, we'll see about that! I said I would do (insert activity), too, but it isn't realistic. Let me tell you how to do it right from the start.' Or perhaps the person in question doesn't even bother to make up a question so they have a pretext from which to launch their rant, they just cut to the chase (I actually appreciate this, if only for time-saving reasons). 'Don't even think about natural labor/epidural/c-sections! You are a fool if you do!' or maybe 'Don't expect to sleep with your husband for a month/six months/a year/until 2034! Your baby will be in your bed until it's good and ready, and it's cruel to consider otherwise!'

Live Near a Madewell Store? A Crazy-Good Sale, Going On Now!

Hey Gang -- Reader Amy just posted this comment:

Public Service Announcement! If you live near a Madewell store, they're having a WICKED summer sale right now. I just walked out with 2 of those awesome slouchy tees, a gorgeous boho scarf, a pair of slouchy skinny jeans, and a bracelet for under $45!!! Yes, you read that number right. Get thee to the store!

Thanks, Amy!!!

Don't know Madewell?  Check out our Madewell love-fest here.

xo,

S

What To Wear Under Racerback Tops and Dresses

Reader Question:

Hi! First of all, I love your blog. It has truly helped me re-do my "mom-drobe" and get back to looking like a regular person.

I love these racer back tank tops (pictured at left from madewell.com), but I never know what to wear under them. I usually do a strapless bra, but I feel like I need something else because the arm holes are usually really big and reveal most of the bra, not to mention someone could sneak a peak at my back/belly flab :)

Should I layer another tank underneath? If so, does that have to be racer back as well, but tighter? Do I try to find a tube top or something? Help!

Thanks!!
-Julie

Answer:

Julie - LOVE your taste in tops.  I'm also a huge Madewell fan - a perfect place to look for non "mom-drobe" items.  And I think I'm going to have to steal your phrase "mom-drobe".  Look for it in future posts.  :)

In terms of what to put under a racerback....try one of the following strategies:

15 Totally Hot, One-Piece Swimsuits For Moms

It's taken me over two years as a mom to be able to say this...but I now think that one-piece swimsuits deserve a little love.  The current crop of one-piece swimsuits are not only practical and flattering, they are downright hot.  Hot in a wildly sexy way.  And let's face it, for postpartum moms facing a looong summer, do they really have any other valid options?  The postpartum jelly-belly is pretty frightening.  And even if you've managed to tone down the jelly-belly, many of us just don't look like we used to.  So if the thought of lounging pool-side in a bikini (while your flab hangs out with its best friend, Gravity) makes you want to run screaming....fear not.

...

Post-Baby Pooch?  Ruche it Away!

  The brown suit pictured at left is the Sweetheart One Piece by Ron Beattie for La Blanca, $119 at Nordstroms.com.  This suit offers good support for the 'girls' (shelf bra with foam-lined cups), as well as a seriously ruched midsection to hide any post-baby belly.  

Need more tummy control?

Miraclesuit's Sonatina One Piece (shown at right in gray), boasts shirring at the bust, straps and waist to make you look 10 lbs trimmer.  This suit has some post-baby belly banishing powers.  The Sonatina is available at Nordstroms.com for $130.

Need better support for the girls (at a lower price point)?

Reading: The Best Swimsuit Guide For Real Body Types on Glamour.com

M and I have often thought that a killer Ain't No Mom Jeans article would be a before-and-after series using real moms and swimwear.  You know - get real moms to volunteer, then help them find a more flattering bathing suit.

Any volunteers?

See, that seems to be the problem. Not many of us (myself and M included) have any burning desire to be photographed in our swimwear, then uploaded to the web.  Not even for "educational" purposes.  (NOTE:  If you are that brave and live in Denver, shoot us an email. We'd love to help.)

Thankfully, Glamour magazine has found folks much braver than most.  Glamour's article, How To Find the Sexiest Swimwear For Your Body Shape, is probably the best swimsuit guide for real bodies that I've found to date.  They use real women (not models) and show before-and-after pics for each woman, as well as listing a few other swimsuit options per body type.  Their real women models are all young, and Glamour doesn't deal with mom issues specifically (like nursing or maternity, for example) but they do cover a wide range of body types including: athletic, curvy, apple shapes, large bust, and a small pooch (pic shown above).  

I have a newfound respect for the one-piece suit.

Thanks, Glamour!!

xo,

S

$5 Bucks to Help Beat Breast Cancer?

 Meet Ms. Katie Kitchen, a BFF of Ain’t No Mom Jeans.  She’s on a mission to help cure breast cancer by walking a 39 mile trek through the Rocky Mountains in honor of her Aunt Joanne, who fell victim to breast cancer in 2007. 

Katie is a wee bit short of her $1,800 goal, and the walk starts tomorrow!  Can you help out with a late donation, say $5 - $10!?  Click here to read more about Katie, her team Save the Ta-Tas, and to make your donation.

Finding a cure for breast cancer is a cause near & dear to Ain’t No Mom Jeans’ heart.  One in seven women will get it in their lifetime, but by committing ourselves--even though micro donations--to finding a cure, we can all help beat this terrible sickness that ravages women of all ages and their families. 

All our best to you and yours this summer, mamas and thank you for helping out.

 

How To Wear Swim Skirts

Us Moms, we love ourselves some swim skirts.  I say this, because every time I'm at the pool, the moms in swim skirts are out in force.  And I get the appeal.  After baby, there's just a bit more cellulite, a bit of softening, a bit of droop. Yes.  But swim skirts are tricky - they are hardly the panacea of mom-friendly swimwear.

J.Crew's tulle swim skirt (pictured at left) is one of my very favorite swim skirt options.  To keep it mom-friendly, I'd pair it with a simple solid color halter top instead of the bandeau top.  Unfortunately...most of the swim skirts at the pool are not nearly this cute.  What makes the difference?  (Hint - it's not the tulle)