I'm sitting here with my baby in a red cotton sling, wearing an olive green tank top, grey sweat pants, pink Haflinger slippers and a black newsboy cap over my morning bedhead--I had to run down to retrieve last night's laundry from the laundry room. The Chickadee's been fussy this morning (gas) so I haven't had a chance to shower yet. I did manage breakfast, thank goodness--I don't do well when I don't eat!

I've been thinking on and off about what works for me and what doesn't in my new life as a mom and I thought I'd share a bit.

I'm very fond of "wearing" my baby in carriers like slings and wraps. I find that because of this, it doesn't make sense to wear tops with a lot of detail or ornamentation (ruffles, collars, etc). They just bunch up and get wrinked if I put on a carrier. Also, I need to wear higher necklines. The weight of the Chickadee on my chest or over my shoulder or whatever tugs down my necklines, which means my bra shows if the neckline is low (IE my J. Crew scoopneck tees).

I don't have room in my apartment to have laundry drying racks set up most of the time like I used to, because I know have a bassinet, a large dresser (used as a changing table) and other baby accoutrements taking up space. I also don't have as much time for laundry and I do a LOT of baby laundry. And I get spit up on regularly. This means I'm almost entirely sticking to clothes that can be machine washed AND machine dried (with the exception of jeans--I know better than to machine dry those!). I've actually split my closet into machine wash-and-dry clothes and clothes that require more attention (hand washing, hang-to-dry, ironing required). I think I might actually swap and/or consign a good chunk of those clothes, keeping only the most versatile and wonderful items. They just don't suit my life now. So, I'm after very affordable, easy-care, simple but attractive tops and dresses for spring and summer. Let me know if you find any!

That said, I've found it's vital for me to shower, put on makeup, style my hair, and wear clean, reasonably attractive clothes every day. It helps me feel human and sane even though my life is so different now--it's kind of a touchstone. If take 10 minutes to put on mascara and brow colour, blow dry my hair, and throw on some dark denim clams, a bright tee, a cardi, and some hoop earrings, I feel a zillion times better and more ready to enjoy the day. My husband and I made a pact the day we picked up the Chickadee that no matter what, we would both always get to shower every day! I've heard too many stories of new moms not showering for days and hanging around in spit-up-on PJs. I don't judge anyone who finds themself in that position, but I know it would make me feel terrible. So far, so good.

Almost all of my exercise now consists of long walks with the Chickadee in a carrier or her stroller. The weather's getting warm and I've found my ballet flats--even my Privos with insoles and heel grips--aren't quite up to the task. I want something that feels like a sneaker but that doesn't look like gear. It doesn't have to be as pretty or refined as a true ballet flat, but I don't want to go the route of Merrills or something. I ordered the Naot Valerie sandals in Lead and the Me Too Kali thong sandals in champagne that I posted a while ago on another thread, and I'm hoping that will take care of my sandal needs, at least.

I really need a lightweight summer cardigan or two that are not black, but shopping is suddenly a whole other ball game! I either need to leave the Chickadee at home with Mike or shop with another person so someone can watch her while I try things on. No more popping over to the consignment store around the block on my lunch break. Hmm. I wish more Canadian retailers provided online shopping!

The strangest little things change with a baby. For example, most of my PJs are satiny. The problem is that when I prop the Chickadee on my lap and in the crook of my arm to feed her at night, she slips around on the smooth fabric! So I've ordered some cotton PJ pants and am on the hunt for inexpensive camis and a cotton or terry robe to wear with them. Crazy.

Baby girl finally fell asleep, so it's time for a shower. Here are a few posts with some recent outfits in them:
http://unfashioned.wordpress.c.....-few-days/
http://unfashioned.wordpress.c.....e-outfits/