Mamas can be hot… with a team of handlers

**At my college graduation my good friend’s older sister came and partied with us. She was hilarious. The more cocktails she had the more she wanted to remind us, in her loudest voice, she “looked hot and she had three kids.”

Hilarious.

I admired her then because even without kids I understood how unglamorous her life must be and appreciated that this was her night to let loose among the safety net of her brothers and the rest of their brood. I appreciated her then.

I totally get her now.

I don’t remind everyone I see that I used to be hot, but I feel like it sometimes. Not that I think I was particularly hot, but I know for certain I was put together and stylish at least. Back then. Before the move.

This is my favorite because I remember this girl, the one who loved to cook for parties, not playdates.

The people I knew at preschool drop off in Maryland would not recognize me now and the people I see at drop off in New Jersey would not believe me if I told them how I looked in Maryland.
I was up, showered, dressed and made up in time to take my kids to school…in heels. If I was in work out clothes I was at the gym or ready for bed. That is all.

Now, I’m lucky if I shower before my kids go to bed. I see people out at night and they literally don’t recognize me because I’m out of my yoga pants. I’m afraid I have committed the sin I swore I never would.

I let go.

There are a million reasons, not the least of which is that we were broke when we moved here so there were no funds for new clothes, hair or nails. When you can’t afford nice things it’s hard to look nice.
I also dress to workout every day so that I make sure I work out. The problem is I have a hard time getting out of that gear after the work out ends. The shoe issue in a walking town is another beast I’m battling.
It’s ironic really. I’m someone who has been obsessed with fashion since I learned what “The Tents” were and here I am living a train ride from those very tents and my fashion starts and ends at black running shoes. So sad.

The problem really is I do this mommy (and maid, and chauffeur and banker and chef) thing mostly on my own five days a week so there is very little extra time in my day for eyeliner and manicures.

And then there is the tired. I’m just so damn tired.
So tired.

And so it was that one fine day I got to be pretty again. Christine, at Salon Concrete in Red Bank, blew out my hair. Christine is a hot mama. I used to admire her at school pick up. She’s stylish and clearly a professional woman to be reckoned with. She is also lovely and kind. Last week, Christine made me remember it’s actually quite a nice head of hair I have, when it’s not in a ponytail. I will be returning to Salon Concrete to make sure I don’t forget again.
There was also Nicole, the Laura Mercier makeup artist at Blue Mercury in Shrewsbury who sold me some fine new eye colors that I reminded myself I am damn good at applying.
I got to dress up and wear sexy heals and Sue Barr recorded it all for history.
My kids took a minute to recognize me. Then they looked at me in awe in my stilettos and motorcycle jacket. They liked this mommy.

People on the street stopped to watch. I played and flirted and laughed. It was a lovely day to remember that I used to be and maybe even still can be…hot.

And I have three kids.

**My PERFECT butterfly apron is from Carla Gizzi’s store in Red Bank. She also has an adorable place in Asbury Park on the boardwalk. Visit either of Carla’s locations. I promise you won’t be disappointed!