Hot New Mom on the Block

I share the following with you at the risk of making myself sound super shallow. And if the end of this story wasn’t so good, I definitely would not let you see these inner workings of my mind. It’s embarrassing. Okay, moving on...

I very recently moved to Silicon Valley. New town, new friends, new colleagues...time for a new image, right? Right! I seriously thought when I moved here (cue embarrassing music), “This is my chance...my chance to be known as the ‘cute new mom.’ No more ponytails, no more navy blue t-shirts and denim capris. I’m going to be the hot new mom on the block. When people think ‘Jane Maynard’ they will think, ‘Cute. Trendy. Put together.’”

Before you decide I’m completely shallow...

I do think there is more to life than looks. Hence the need for an image makeover to begin with. But I do think about what I look like. And, if we’re being honest here, most of us probably do. I would LOVE to be that person who doesn’t care, but alas...

Okay, back to my new image.

Week 1: Did my hair and makeup for first playdate. Wore cute new shoes. Also, looked pretty darn cute and trendy for first week at church (yeah, yeah, I know church is the last place I should be thinking about this).

Week 2: Did hair and make-up for first playgroup. We’re on a roll!

Week 3: Playgroup starts in 10 minutes? Woops, no time for hair...just a little make-up then.

Week 4: Why am I wearing this stupid navy t-shirt? Who put my hair in a ponytail?

Despite the return to my old ways in less than a month, by Week 5 I was still blissfully unaware of the fact that no one in Silicon Valley thought of me as the hot new mom. The nice new mom, maybe. But not hot.

Thinking I was on the right track, I got myself all gussied up for the Maria Shriver event with SV Moms...I even flat-ironed my hair. (By the way, as I was feeling all confident and cute, my 3-year-old walks in and says, “Your hair is silly, Mom.” Thanks.)

While I was waiting in line to meet Ms. Shriver, I spotted a new friend I’d seen a few times since we moved here. I called her name and she looked at me like we had never met. For a moment I thought maybe it wasn’t her, then suddenly she says, “Oh! Hi Jane! I totally didn’t recognize you! You look so good!”

Oh well. Ponytails are easier anyway, right?

So how's the makeover going 6 weeks in? Today I went to a Mommy & Me music class un-showered, hair in greasy ponytail, sporting the very stylish ensemble of jeans, flip-flops and grey New England Patriots t-shirt. At least I'm still brushing my teeth.

Original Silicon Valley Moms Blog post. Jane Maynard also blogs at This Week for Dinner, where she takes pretty pictures of food and fakes being a good cook.