Everyone is a "don't" sometimes. Or: the one where I was in such a hurry I left all my glamour at home.

We all want to look good. And sometimes it requires more effort than others. Some things make it harder to achieve glamour.

Being a busy mom with a super-active-oh-my-gawd-I-wish-she’d-stay-still-3-seconds toddler comes to mind (not sure why. Heh.)

Being a plus size gal is another.

Lack of sleep is also a good one.

PMS isn’t exactly the equivalent of a day at the spa either, what with the breakouts and the water retention. (Seriously, and we are the weaker sex? Look at what we have to endure.)

So take all these things, put them in a blender (it’s a metaphor, don’t be daft) and then add a large pinch of New York City traffic, a bunch of puddles from recent rain (which also changed my artfully textured and straightened angled bob into a poofy mess), and the stress of knowing that if you don’t get home by 2.30pm your 9-year old daughter will be alone when she gets back from school. Does that sound like the right mix for a day when you are meeting people you don’t know (you know, like adult human beings who can talk in complete sentences and expect you to be able to do the same) and you’d like to make a good impression? Say yes, I dare ya.

Ok, alright, let’s start from the beginning: last week I got invited by Allison and Geoff of MWW to participate to a podcast as part of Nikon’s photography podcast series. It sounded like fun, so I said yes. No worries, they also invited an actual photographer The other guest was Carrie Sandoval, children photographer extraordinaire. (Seriously, she’s awesome. Check out her work.)

Today I went into the city, sans stroller because after being in NYC many many times with Stella in the stroller, I was afraid of:
1. getting stuck in those big giant scary metallic turnstiles (seriously, when will they get rid of those??)
or 2: topple down the stairs because of trying to carry a folded umbrella stroller, a 34-pound toddler and my giant handbag which today weighted at least 10 pounds.

So, without stroller we went. I arrived early, because I knew I might get stuck because of the rain. And I brought a pair of flats along, because one can only walk in cute peep-toe wedges carrying the above-mentioned 34-pound toddler for so long. I also had snacks, stickers, my camera, and all the usual stuff I normally carry in my bag (yes, it’s a lot of stuff, which clearly marks me as one of those women who could never leave home without a handbag – bite me )

There I met Geoff, John, Steve, Frank… I think I’m forgetting someone’s name, but I can clearly claim mommy brain, right? I also met Mark, who is one of those lucky few blessed with such a fantastic voice that you can’t help but try to think of excuses to keep them talking. (Me, I’m not one of those people. I sound like a 12-year old Croatian-import valley girl on the phone.)

I also sort of met Carrie, who was calling in from a studio in San Diego. Had lots of fun, despite Stella having a bit of a meltdown half-way through, so  had to go out and console her, then go back in to wrap it all up. I was so relieved when we were done, and so mortified for Stella’s meltdown that I didn’t even take the time to take a few pictures of the studio, or of the guys, who were all fantastic. I did take pictures before that though:

Stella, looking for leaves in Madison Square Park, bright green after the rain (the park, not Stella)

They turned on the fountain while we were there, and Stella just loved it. Sea, lake, pool, fountains... and puddles. She loves all water. Formerly a mermaid, perhaps?

Then after I left I started my regularly scheduled routine of second guessing myself: did I say something stupid? Boy, I really shouldn’t have worn that top, I look like the Adriana girl from Sopranos, minus the slamming body (translation: a bit trashy) – a DD cup, a VS push-up and a low-cut top do not combine into a classy result Elisa, what were you thinking? The biggest dope slap was definitely when I realized I might have just had gone through the whole thing with my fly open. (Did anyone notice? I wish they’d told me. This is one of those “spinach in your teeth” times.)

Yeah, so I’m thinking I’ll file this under “definitely NOT one of my most glamorous days”. Still, it was fun. Silver lining people, it’s all about the silver lining. But let’s not mention it again, ok?

Note: this is SO NOT a sponsored post. Do you really think they would pay me to write this kind of stuff??? Pfffft.

Tagged as: man am I obnoxious when I'm tired, stuff I really shouldn't share but I will anyway, too exhausted to feel embarassed