Escape from Mommy Guilt

I resumed work almost six months ago, i needed that space.. needed that time out to do things that i enjoyed, to remind me what it was like to be 'ME'. I must admit that i am quite lucky  in that regard because my son has grandparents going ga ga over every little antics of his, loving him obsessively and taking excellent care of him. We also have a maid to help around with the mess he creates.

I know he is fine, i know his routine, i know he is loved and taken care of BUT every morning i walk out that door my heart goes in knots, my stomach churns and i want to rush back and hug him.. it takes every single ounce of will power to not look back and run..into the real world..into the buzzing maddess of this world.

A mom's got to do what a mom's got to do and unfortunately i don't believe there is any cure to all the guilt that mothers go through.. but you can always cheat your heart with loads of distractions.

Below are my top 5:

1. Listen to peppy, loud, meaningless music on your way to work (honey singh, beiber, lady ga ga). DO NOT listen to any beautiful meaningful songs because trust me, every good song WILL remind you of your little one.
2. Use the travel time to apply nail paint, the focus on your nails will take away the attention on the guilt.
3. Think about the bitchy co workers, all that negative energy will get routed towards them and will flush the guilt out of your system. DO NOT think about family..even an obscure uncle living in the south pole making a snide remark will cascade to what everyone else in the family also said and WILL make you even more miserable.
4. Go window shopping on your phone or if you are feeling really low, just shop..but don't make it a habit because a mommy has to budget EVERYTHING.
5. Read. Read.. READ engrossing thrillers, murder mysteries..anything enticing, cold, chilling..a complete 180 degrees to what you are going through.. It helps me like nothing else does..transports me so far away that sometimes, i need to be reminded that i have reached work already. This is the best way to time travel, cheat - heart travel, alternate universe travel..you get it. But please stay away from romantic, 'notebook' sort of books..  trust me, you are already drowning in the pool of emotions that your heart is churning out this very minute..you need something to halt that feeling not aggravate it.

Hope it helps.. and do let me know what your escape route is.

Get a Grip Mommy #3: Elizabeth Arden's 8 hr Lip Protectant Stick Review

Winters found their way to Mumbai finally..yay! the shawls and sweaters and boots will find their time to shine.. even if it is only for a few weeks..*sigh*

Endless cups of teas and drowning in cocoa butter cream, touching my nose to feel the nip in the air (nose becomes an unofficial thermometer)..bliss! bliss!! bliss!!!

What goes a 180 degrees though are my lips... even though i make a conscious effort to NOT lick them, or breathe through my mouth (blocked noses anyone?)..they still dry out like they took a trip to the north pole!

I knew it was time to buy a lip balm.. just go to a chemist and get one in a nice fruity flavor..did i do that? NO! why? same old same old.. too bored.. so instead of spending 200 bucks on it, i decide to visit a mall, i like to pamper myself sometimes..like a reward for making it without prozac.

So i picked up a lip balm for 800 bucks.. Why?  It had won awards.. lip balm - AWARD - WINNING.. yes, there is such a category!

But that's not all. it also does all of the below:

• Treats your lips to Eight Hour® Care.

• Helps moisturize, soften and smooth lips.

• Relieves chapping and cracking.

• Helps guard against the damaging effects of UV exposure with SPF 15.

Presenting, Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Creme Lip Protectant Stick..( even the '8 hr' is copyrighted, that says something? doesn't it? :-/) Don't eye roll.. drum roll!

Ok, fine, i know i am trying too hard to justify a LIP BALM and you might still not be convinced, so below are the pros and cons:

The good part:

1. It does NOT have an overwhelming fruity smell..just a faint clove oil aroma which is extremely gratifying.

2. It does NOT need to be reapplied after every cup of tea, lips still feel smooth and supple and hydrated.

3. Lipstick application over it is smooth. Not patchy, not slippery.You know the feeling of trying to paint a waxy surface.. it DOES NOT do that on your lips.

4. does not feel sticky or heavy on lips at all. has it ever happened to you that you start speaking with exaggerated lip movements because the lipgloss you applied so darn heavy that you have to make a effort to move your lips? No, well, i can give you a dozen of lip glosses to try out then!

5. It is not a tub, not a tube..it's a STICK.. See, i was done with tubs..very inconvenient and always thought the tube retained too much of product to throw away.. quite a miser i am like that! No, i just like to stretch my penny.. like every other middle class educated Indian does!

6. the packaging and product look so dull and fragrance so non inviting that my little one does not consider it a toy..Phew!! That is a BIG PLUS if you have a toddler rummaging through your bag at every given opportunity.

The Bad part:

It is expensive :(

For me, it was totally worth it.. does it's job really well and i don't have to worry that my son would smother it on the walls anytime soon. Did i mention SPF?

Totally Worth it!

BTW: Arden Beauty was my all time favorite perfume.. it was so 'me'..was heartbroken to hear it got discontinued... If anyone at Arden is listening, please get it back..pretty please!

Himalaya baby diapers - DON'T GO THERE!!!!

If you have read any of my previous posts, you would know i had a soft spot for Himalaya baby products. Good Quality, great fragrance.. Indian origin.. what was not to love?

Till they introduced their disposable baby diapers. Being a cloth diapering person, to be excited about a disposable knowing very well of the consequences, i still gave it a try..you know because its 'Himalaya'.

So hard i have tried to find at least ONE good thing about the diapers for old times sake and because mom told me to always look for the goodness in others, i failed....

Below are all the reasons why you need to put in that exact same amount of dough or maybe even less for a pack of pampers or huggies.

1. It looks like a sanitary napkin wrapped in butter paper, cheapest quality EVER!
2. It leaves crystals of solidified urine on my baby's private parts. ( I am sure there is a whole lot of chemicals touching my poor baby right there)
3. It makes the sound of crumpled paper every time my baby moves (Even in sleep)
4. Does NOT fit well at all. it feels frumpy and a little too narrow around the bums.
5. Mentions Anti Rash but gives my baby red marks all around his waist and crotch due to the stupid material it is made of.
6. It does contain the pee and poop (so do the others, including cloth..this is not even a valid point as i type)
7. The emotional turmoil it put me in when i realized that the brand that i once trusted had betrayed me.... excuse me, i need to call my lawyers now..

So, like i said before..Don't go there.. and you guys at Himalaya - I disown you from my baby's and my life.. goodbye!