Ain't No Mom Jeans

Attention Moms: Think 'Girls Gone Wild' is Dying Out? Think Again (And What To Do)

  Back in 2006, my husband bought me a fantastic book by Ariel Levy called, Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture.  In this book, Ariel explores the stratospheric rise in popularity of shows like "Girls Gone Wild" and our current sexual stereotypes of women.  But this book is more than just a rant.

It turns out that in order for shows like "Girls Gone Wild" to be successful, they need....well...girls.  They need girls to cooperate.  They need girls to willingly take off their shirts for the camera. And they do.  Why?  Ariel goes on set with a "Girls Gone Wild" camera crew and finds that all it takes, in most cases, is the promise of a "Girls Gone Wild" baseball hat.  So yeah - there's something else going on.  Add to that, the rise in celebrity of porn stars.  Porn stars are getting their own TV shows, are being interviewed in magazines for tips on sex.  Which strikes me as funny.  I mean....people know that porn is fake, right?  YES - porn is actual sex, but these women aren't really having 12 orgasms in a row.  They are just pretending to.

More upsetting, however, were the interviews Ariel did with current high school students - both boys and girls.  There was the usual stuff: girls wanting to be prettier, girls wanting to be thinner...but what struck me as new was the additional (self-imposed) "requirement" that girls now also be sexually sophisticated.  Not just active, mind you, but sophisticated. Sophisticated in a way that really isn't achievable by anyone still in their teens.  So what we've ended up with are high schools full of girls who look and act the part...but who still have no idea how to orgasm.  The bottom line?  These girls aren't enjoying it.  Like porn stars, they are pretending.

Reading: Celebrity Mom Fashion on WhoWhatWearDaily.com

I have a love-hate relationship with Who What Wear Daily.com.  While I love most of the items featured, I'll be the first to admit that I love them in a sort of a fantasy-world kind of way.  There are only so many date nights or parties out where this mom is able to whip out the sky-high heels and gorgeous, silky clothing...so I often find myself frustrated after reading their articles about Anna Sui's new Cloaked Tiers Skirt or the adorable lace-up (and very high heeled) booties worn by Jessica Alba.  Love them, but how often would I wear them?  Not very. 

Reading: Happiest Mom's Thoughts on Shopping For Yourself

There are few blogs that I read religiously.  The Happiest Mom is one of them. The Happiest Mom, aka Meagan, is the mom of five (and therefore qualifies as an expert).  I find her blog filled with some of the most well-written, thoughtful, and insightful articles I've read in years.  She manages to capture and convey the essence of motherhood without relying on old stereotypes or cliches.  Her voice is unique, yet I think you'll find it familiar.  She articulately puts to words so many of the things I feel, issues I struggle with.  I find her inspiring.  

What We're Reading This Week: Potty Training Books

OK, yes, I know many of these books have been around for quite some time, but they are, in fact, what we're reading this week. With my sweet potato rounding out his 26th month of life on Earth and preschool starting in September, we're gearing up for the marathon that, apparently, is the feat of potty training a boy child.  We're loving reading these books as we sit on each of the three (yes, 3!) potties hanging around our happy home and wanted to share:       

What We're Reading This Week: Wearing Flats With Tights from Blue Collar Catwalk

Dear reader: have you ever considered the rule of thirds with regard to your flat footwear?  How about the sheen and texture of your shoes in relation to your tights?  Have you recently scrutinized the curves of your feet and how your flats accentuate them, either elongating or shortening your leg, depending on their fit?  No?  Mmm hmm. . .  I didn't think so.  

Neither have I, and I suppose that's why I've been largely unsuccessful at pairing flats with skirts and tights.  Not that I've tried that hard.  I either a.) spit and curse my 5'4" (and 5/8ths!) height, then put on a pair of heels instead, or b.) spit and curse my 5'4" (and 5/8ths!) height, then opt for trousers.  

"How many times have you put flats on with a pair of tights and just feel ... off? You either look barefoot, cut off at the ankles, or weighted down and a bit shlumpy. I think we've all been there. . . " the genius behind Blue Collar Catwalk sagely writes.  Kyla has pondered these questions and she nailed the formula in her recent post Flat Out Lovin' It Part 2 - Flats With Tights.  At 5'3" with a 30" inseam and looking as smack-down fabulous as she does, Kyla's definitely the go-to-gal on this subject.

Check out her post for the most insightful analysis of flat-wearing (with skirts and tights, no less!) heretofore and for some amazing styling tips that will inform your fall through spring wardrobe.

- M 

   

What We're Reading This Week: How to Wear Dansko Clogs From The Style Bakery

  Silly me.  I had assumed that only mums would be interested in trying to make Dansko clogs fashionable.  So imagine my surprise when the Style Bakery fielded this question from one of their readers:

I'd like to know how to look fashionable wearing Dansko clogs. They are so comfortable... but I'm transitioning from high heels and want that chic look. Is it possible?

And after our own internal Dansko debate on Ain't No Mom Jeans (found at the bottom of the Cool, Winter Slip-On Shoe post), I was curious to see how another, not-necessarily-mom-focused style site would handle the Danskos.  Would it be bloody?  Snarky? 

Style Bakery's response was actually very diplomatic and graceful.  It should not go unnoticed, however, that their primary recommendation was to invest in a pair of honest-to-goodness clogs, which is (in my opinion) a far cry from the Danskos.  Furthermore, they urge their readers to try wearing their Danskos with the same kinds of outifts one would wear with actual clogs:  skirts, dresses, skinny jeans.

This advice is exactly opposite of our guidance in the Cool, Winter Slip-on Shoe post.  If you recall, we recommended that you hide those Dansko babies under a nice bootcut jean. 

So now I'm re-thinking:  how bad are the Danskos?  Readers -- would any of you ever pair your Danskos with a dress or skinny jeans?  For now, I'm sticking to my bootcut denim recommendation, but am open-minded.  Some styles need time to grow on you. 

You know, like a fungus. 

xo,

S

ps.  The Style Bakery did find a pair of Danskos that resemble real clogs, as well as some fantastic clog options at various price points.  Read their full response here.

Our Sexy Tips on Rookie Moms

Rookie Moms asked us to guest post on easy ways to make moms feel sexy...just in time for Valentine's Day! 

 When the topic of sex (or sexy) comes up, I always find it helpful to chat with my husband.  Not only does he always have an opinion on this topic, but it is usually something very simple and to the point.  When asked what “items” a mom could wear to look sexier, his response (after the eye-roll) can best be summarized by the punch-line of the old joke: “Show up naked.  Bring beer.”

But….the problem, as I see it, is that sexiness is just as much about a feeling as it is about a certain look.  Yes, we can show up naked (with beer), and we love that you guys just look past poochy stomaches and saggy boobs and merely focus on the fun that’s about to start….but for us (or me, at least) it’s not so easy.  I need to feel it.

Click here to read the rest of the article and to see our easy tips on adding a little something-something to your wardrobe. 

Also check out the "sexy police" link at the bottom of the article.  Double bonus points to any of you that can actually rock this look.  LOL

xo,

S

What We’re Reading This Week: What Sisters Do Best/What Brothers Do Best

When my brother and I were growing up together, it was him and me, against the world.  We were a team, and although we invariably drove each other bananas at some point on any given day, we were sister and brother, through thick and thin.  That’s all there was to it.  No discussion.  Together we felt bigger, stronger, more secure, and, best-of-all, we always had a friend through cross-town moves, new schools, every-other-weekend visits with our father and on family vacations.  So. . . as a sister and newly-minted mom-of-two, I’m always looking for ways to reinforce the importance of the sibling relationship because I know what a life line it can be. 

Right now, with two-year-old and 5-month-old boys, that motherly prodding comes in the form of obsessively pointing out and exulting images of happy brothers in magazines, songs, pictures and books.  Me: WOW!  Look at those brothers!  They are having sooo much fun!  He's too little now, but soon you'll be having a blast with your little brother!  Which is why my new favorite sibling book is What Sisters Do Best/What Brothers Do Best, by Laura Numeroff with illustrations by Lynn Munsinger.  This is a flip-over book that has the story of what sisters do best and illustrations of sister/sister and sister/brother pairs on one side and identical text with different illustrations of what brothers do best on the other.  

This isn't a book on par with childrens' classics like Seuss, Goodnight Moon, or even The Going to Bed  Book, but it is a simple, straightforward and illustrative jumping-off point to talk to the apples of your eye about the perks of siblinghood and all the things they can do together one day. I think it helps my big boy, when he's looking with total bewilderment (see right) at this little attention sponge who, though adorable, only rolls over when he's angry, to know that some day they'll be able to do lots of things together, like climb trees, ski and help each other out.  And, should a little chic come along some day, we'll be all set with the flip side about sisters. 

- M

What We're Reading This Week: Do You Have Sexy Jeans? Here's How to Tell (on Rookie Moms)

Rookie Moms, one of our all-time favorite mom blogs, asked us to guest post with the general theme of "sexy" in time for Valentine's Day.  First up:  sexy jeans. 

Are your jeans sexy?  Or are they screaming, "I'm a mom with a saggy, saggy  bum!!"  Apply the hand-grab rule and find out.

xo,

S

What We're Reading This Week: Size 12 Skinny Jean Recommendation from Fashion For The Economically Challenged

Gang, meet "FashionAddict".  She's a fellow blogger who focuses on affordable fashion.  If any of you follow her blog, Fashion For The Economically Challenged, you'll quickly learn that not only does she manage to find cute looks at really affordable prices, she is a whiz at shopping her own closet.  You'll see how she remixes her favorites over and over.  I love that.

While FashionAddict mainly focuses on office appropriate attire, I came across one of her posts that would be especially of interest to moms.

Over the last year or so, there has been much discussion on Ain't No Mom Jeans about the value of skinny jeans.  I would dare say that many of you are under the assumption that skinny jeans should only be worn by size 2 gals.  While I've always disagreed (I think skinny jeans can be flattering on a range of body types/sizes)....well, for many of you, the love wasn't there.

But a picture is worth a thousand words, no?  And no one can dispute that FashionAddict looks great in her skinnies.  I love that despite her misgivings, she gave them a try: