Skip to main content

No Changing the Uniform

I recall telling my coffee writer friend that I wanted to start a blog to document my motherhood journey. Trying to come up with an appropriate name, I listed all of the things that make me who I am. All kinds of random words were on the list to include Army, organization, singing, green, manicure, sweatshirts, and pearl earrings.  Playing the name game was fun I must admit. Creating is a favorite pastime. In October 2015 SweatshirtsAndPearls was born... oddly enough the same month and year I realized I was brow less, but that’s another topic for another day. My very first post covered my subconscious transition from one uniform to the next while consciously transitioning from Ciera to Mama.

Vera Wang said, “A woman is never sexier, than when she is comfortable in her clothes,” and I have to agree. On one of the most emotional days of my life (telling my parents I was pregnant) I chose my new uniform: A Sweatshirt, Yoga Pants, and Pearl jewelry.

In Jan 2020, it’s still my preference and now with a toddler it is imperative that my wardrobe be prepared for all things.

Case and point: At the park and he has a runny nose. No tissue in your purse or his backpack. Yep. The bottom of My T-shirt (under my sweatshirt) is now a napkin. I am a walking booger. Don’t you frown your face. If it hasn’t happened to you, it will.
(Cues Uptown Funk x Mark Bronson ‘Don’t believe me just watch’)

Case and point 2: You are now this little person’s “hold this please” woman as if he doesn’t have two little hands. I hold rubber ducks and fruit snacks and cups and two mini race cars, and a penny he found. Not to mention my cell phone so I can snap a picture of how cute he is going down the slide.  Yep. My yoga pant pockets are deeeeeeep.

Case and point 3: You realize that you need to go to the market for milk post park but pre-nap. Scheduling store time around nap time will save you energy. Trust me. While you don’t want to look like you literally rolled out of bed, (but seriously you’ve been up for 6 hours already because you guessed it, someone is an early bird) or that you just did all the exercise and have decided to share your body glisten with the world—-you also don’t need to do a cut crease on your brows for Walmart. It’s not Target.  Pearl earrings make your park wear public place ready without trying to hard. You’re welcome.

If you see me out and about without brows don’t judge me, instead ask me what time we can have the kids play at the park together or invite me out for coffee. I’ll show up to both places in uniform, ready for whatever.

You can be cute, comfortable, and still practical while you’re Mommin. It is now and has been
my way of life. My uniform allows me to be Ciera and Mama. What is your uniform of choice?


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sweatshirts and Pearls

I never realized that even after eight years in the military I still somehow gravitated towards a uniform. Not just any uniform, specific articles and accessories that make me feel like I’m ready to take on the day. No matter if I feel good, bad, or indifferent, my pearl earrings make every outfit public appropriate. I feel naked without them. I even workout wearing smaller versions of them. O_o Accented with my favorite necklace, (a single strand of round pearl beads worn by my mother on her wedding day); my pearls can bring any outfit to life. Even a basic sweatshirt. If I had to choose, some variety of a sweatshirt would be in my top five article of clothing. They are comfortable and warm and when paired with the perfect jean or legging BOOM!  You have an outfit ready to run errands (the bank, the mall, and Wal-Mart), visit friends and family (Homecoming and the 3.5 hour drive to Northumberland), or simply lounge around the house on a Sunday afternoon, sipping Northern Ne...

The Delivery

I woke up early on June 29th [2016], the plan was to accompany Brian to Alexandria for the day. However, as you know my plans do not happen the way I anticipate. I felt a trickle of liquid and after several trips to the bathroom, I was sure my water broke and that I did not have a 2year old accident. I didn't feel any contractions so, I figured we had some time. What's a girl to do when she's in labor and the contractions aren't heavy???! You guessed it. Put your game face on... no eyeliner though. I heard pain was going to be a beast and I'm a crier. Don't need raccoon eyes in my son's pics. I mentioned to Brian that maybe we should just go about our day and wait until the contractions got bad, but of course you can never be too sure. I didn't want to be on the side of 66East in labor. So after I finished getting ready, we headed to the hospital. I called my mom, Brian called his mom and they both made it to NOVA in record time only to be told th...

America: Under Construction

Denzel Washington said "I am proud to be Black, but Black is not all that I am." I pondered on that statement for weeks as I contemplated how to put my thoughts into a coherent paragraph.  I wondered how to articulate these thoughts amid getting too emotional, if anyone had comments. I finally decided that the only thing I could do was to simply write. Even though we are in a more accepting environment than that of the late 1800s or that of the 1960s, America is still under Construction.  Patrons were so disappointed in Beyoncé for her 'Black Panther Tribute' and found every reason under the sun to bash her. 'She wore bullets, isn't she against gun violence?' 'She's not wearing a beret or natural hair, she is not pro-black'  'She is anti-police' 'Why would she use the Superbowl (something that brings people together) to cause such political controversy to segregate people' Now, let me state here, I like the song ...