Style Dilemma Solved: What to Wear to a 44th High School Reunion

I can't take credit for this one. vtgracie, a.k.a. my baby sister, helped my Mommy get ready for her 44th high school reunion. And she pulled it off - sis with the styling, mommy with the wearing.

They picked out the pieces when Mommy was visiting Baby Sis out in the Chicago suburbs. They found both at an adorable little boutique targeted at moms: Hot Mama.

Top: Sweet Pea; Jeans: 7 for All Mankind (Baby Sis swears these, one of their stretchy trouser styles, make you feel like a sky-high model); Sandals: Cole Haan; Bracelets: vintage (I've got dibs on at least one)

I hope any boys who dissed my mommy (like the one who slipped a mickey in her coke) or mean girls who were hatin' had to take a second look. And maybe Ralph will forgive her for dating him just for his car. Mommy was a catch in high school (if I'd thought ahead, I'd have gotten a pic from her), but now, Jimmy is one lucky (if not crazy and sainted) man.

So all of you working on your ensembles for the Next Big Reunion, take note. This is the way to do it. Simple, modern, and using shapes and silouhettes that flatter.

1, 2, 3...a huge collective sigh for what cannot be

Dariaux and I conversed yesterday. To bang or not to bang? (Hair, people, hair! She's leaning towards yes.) Sweater dresses? (Me, yes, she, heck no!) H&M? (Both of us - sometimes*)

But the big conversation point came late in the day.

I had just been telling H that I'm excited for wearing heels again. After nearly a year of back problems, then pregnancy, then new-mommydom, I'm finally at work again and can wear whatever height heel I want to. And driving to work, rather than Metroing? That means I can wear driving shoes (adorable Prada-esque Franco Sarto black patent flats), then jump into the height when I hit the office.

New black pumps, I told H.

Then Dariaux emails...

Dariaux: Ooh, saw a sign for these - must have.

DC Celine: oh dear. i was just saying to h that i think i want a new pair of black pumps. since i'm driving, i can wear more heels - and wear driving shoes to & from

Dariaux: Aren't they lovely????

DC Celine: yes, but 275? just can't do it.

Dariaux: Ever bought a pair of CHs?

DC Celine: yup. my pregnancy shoes are ch. WONderful. SO worth the money

Dariaux: :-). Exactly - my last pair of CHs lasted forever and felt like heaven. So 275 isn't that bad - slightly more than $10/month if they last 2 years.

This is why I love her so much. Never mind our insanely similar likes & dislikes - peaty, smoky single malt, discussing religion, classically tailored but funky clothes, same books - she can rationalize a pair of Ferragamos with the best of 'em.

And they are oh, so pretty. And practical, with all that Nike technnology.

But alas, I now have Very Important Priorities. No more ridiculous Purchases Without Thinking (see post mentioning $700 BJ ensemble). Diapers, savings, and college funds.

But Mommy does have to teach The Bean some things. First impressions are very important. So maybe I'll find the next version down...

*More on this one later...sweater dresses, too.

Shopping Results

Note to self: don't shop for clothes when 36 weeks pregnant. It does not yield good results. Mostly just near breakdowns.

After I got through that, I did manage to replace my miserably smelly Mia flats (oh, so cute, and served me well, but they need to be retired) with a pair of Air Bria from Cole Haan. As I said to the nice salesman who actually sat on the little stool (didn't put my shoe on for me, though), red is just another neutral. I rationalized the cost by saying I'd buy a really cheap pair of black ones to cover my bases.

And despite some honestly cute options at A Pea in the Pod, I could barely make it out of the dressing room without crying. Something about how I look like a tent in most things, and the things that are fitted won't cover my left boob. They don't carry anything larger than a large, said the very un-pregnant saleswoman. Ugh. I just can't take the clothes in my wardrobe anymore - that would be the reason I'm trying to buy new clothes with less than a month of pregnancy left.

Macy's - yes, Macy's - to the rescue. I just went in to check the shoes, and notice on the little signs that they had a maternity section. Turns out it's Mimi Maternity and Motherhood Maternity combined - literally.

I made myself feel better with quick, cheap purchases: a pair of green khakis that won't fall down all the time (like the other M pants I have) and two simple v-neck t-shirts, black and navy (slimming, right?). Or maybe it just belied my mood.

I'm going to try and cheer myself up by wearing my new ruby slippers tomorrow.

Style Dilemma Solved: BlueSuitGirl Scores Sale Shoes

We don't have a picture of the bag yet, but BlueSuitGirl sent pictures of her Big Score Shoes for her trip. In the end, she sort of split the difference and did sandals and "walking shoes" to cover all of her Cairo bases.

Cole Haan's Air Brylee came in first for the "cuteness" factor to wander shops and restaurants...with Nike Air technology in the sole (heavenly), and on sale at $119 (normally $175).

Tsubo's Salus (Tsubo means "pressure point" in Japanese) makes for a great trekking shoe so she can view the pyramids in style and comfort.

Thanks to the Infintessimal Readership for suggestions...BlueSuitGirl promises to report in on her finds' results upon her return to the States.