Monday, June 25, 2007

Fashion awakened...the last part

Pregnancy treated me well. My hair became fuller, my nails grew and stayed strong. My complexion was clear. I was glowing. I was beautiful.

When I had my baby, I remember that my stomach was still a bit flabby and naturally I wondered if this was the beginning of the end. I mean, the baby was out and my stomach still maintained a 3-month pregnant look.

However in about a week, I was back in my normal clothes. In two weeks, my stomach was completely flat and had lost the blackness that came with pregnancy. I had a lot of time on my hands and money coming in although I wasn't working so I decided to focus on buying things to wear back to work. I was just so fed up with the dowdy maternity clothes and decided to give myself a treat. (yep, my mother was right). I even changed my glasses to berra ones.


My first day back at work was an experience. My office is a bit competitive in the ways of fashion and style. Let me walk you through a scenario of what you can expect when you get back from a Maternity leave.


First of all they sight you..Then their gaze fall to your tummy while their mouths are going through the motions.

"Hey, you are back! "

"Look at you, you look so good!" *Glance at the tummy*

Hug, hug *Surreptitiously feel the tummy for bulges and lumps*

Pull back, look at your face and sometimes, *hug hug again, in case they weren't sure what they felt the first time.*

May the Lord save you if that stomach is not as flat as a washboard, your gist will go round before you do.


I decided to save them all the trouble, I wore a tightish tank top and a jacket. Left the jacket unbuttoned. That way, no one would have to bother me with all the hug hugging.


true to type, this was what played out:


"Hellooo!! You!!"

Come in for a hug and secretly glance at tummy. (I actually see shock register) and then they throw all caution and secretiveness to the wind and actually stare, followed by gasp followed by

" Ah, look at your stomach. Hey, May the Lord do this one for me o! What did you do? "

I quietly assured them that I never exercised. I see that they don't believe me.

Whatever.

I have digressed jare. Let's just round up with saying that I decided to dress to flatter my body. Luckily, my sense of style has woken up (finally) and now I look good 90% of the time. Not bad for the nerd that started out earlier.

In case you are wondering why I wrote about this, it's actually for my fellow nerds who want to let out their sexy, stylish self. This is my success story. And for all those out there who think that a nerd can't chicify or blokify, you berra watch out. (S)he may just overtake you in the style game.

13 comments:

  1. I really like your blog lady. And I'm always up for the nerd who chickifies herself :) Better late than never abi? All the best to you and your daughter Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been reading your blog for months (if not more than a year!) and this is my first comment because it really touches something in me.

    I've been a nerd for the most part of my life. I got a class award for being the most nerdy lady in my undergraduate class. Now, I am steadily becoming a chick. It is nice, my sister. I never thought I could strike the balance but I think I am getting there.

    It is exciting to go for a meeting and for people to admire me for my presentation and my skirt suit! Men and women from all races look at me and say "You look beautiful!" and it feels soooo good.

    Not that I don't make mistakes but I am doing really well (if I can say so myself!). I am prouder of my body (I am working on acne spots but I have overcome the insecurity about off-shoulders). It's almost a spiritual act for me and I sometimes think God really wanted me to get my self-esteem out of the ditch.

    And for once, I believe the man who has loved me from my scrawny 100 level days when he looks at me in awe and says: "You are the most beautiful woman in the world". Yes, now I am comfortable with his crazy habit of taking photos of me and inundating everybody's life with it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. And did I say it has given me courage to start blokifying my man? Back in the days in Nigeria, he wouldn't even look at face powder. Two nerds in the same ship is no good! Now, don't even try us! How about last week, he told me "Thank you o. O ti so mi di expert on Neutrogena and 'Clean & Clear" (You have turned me into on an expert on Neutrogena and Clean & Clear). It was so funny but it's true.

    It is a life-changing experience - accepting the fact that YOU (even you!) can be beautiful or handsome.

    That is not to say we should be vain (before people begin to put noses in the air). It is about making some effort to look nice for YOU.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hurray for nerds! There's hope for us!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely well thought out... I liked these series of posts... Looks like you found confidence in You! Good job girl, it's certainly what's best for your kid!

    ReplyDelete
  6. @ Bitchy: Thanks for stopping by. And for loving my blog. I also love the strong way you present your issues on your blog.

    @ anonymous: Where do I start? They have awards like that? How mean;). I would have won that too. No contest. You think you are getting there? You are obviously already there. I mean to get the admiring looks and compliments. I read the last bit about the man that saw you as being beautiful and thought " Awww" Those men that we attract at our nerdiest are a special breed aren't they?

    @anon again: Blokifying him, you don't say! That must be fun. Good thing he has such an open mind. I know what you mean by all this being a life changing experience. I went from: It's not all its hyped to be to: What a buzz. I am still getting used to it. And you are absolutely right, it has nothing to do with vanity.

    @azuka: Yes o!

    @nyemoni: Thanks, dear. I have to be a style icon for my kid. She will never be ashamed to introduce me to her cool friends. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  7. in my head,

    don't think I'll ever get pregnant.

    just figured it out, you wrote on my blog and it came into my yahoo. I'd wondered.

    Address is laspapi@yahoo.com. I replied to your gmail and sent my numbers as well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats on your baby, the flat tummy, and your new found chicness.
    Nice Blog.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats on getting ur figure back and loosing ur 'nerdish vogue' LOL!! I hope my story isnt too different when the time comes. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Everybody shout Halleluya! God be praised! There is nothing God cannot do. He turned water to wine, so he can surely turn a geek to a chick!

    I thank God for your life o, my sister! We musto celebrate! Jollof rice at my place?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Haha! Nerds unite, right? We shall surely take over the world.

    Congrats on your newest family member and your turn chick!

    ReplyDelete
  12. my dear ..i am trying to get out of that i dont care thing..and become a babe..in the post where u said scatter- scatter walk..i laughed because i too tend to walk anyhow..but in heels i am forced to walk properly..so when people are like why r u always in heels when ur tall..I am like i need em! God bless

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please whatever you were eating and doing during pregnancy, me I want some oh! and please don't tell me it is in the genes or it is a nerd thing!

    ReplyDelete

people expressed their opinion