Deprecated: Function create_function() is deprecated in /home2/momvents/public_html/wp-content/plugins/advanced-recent-posts-widget/advanced-recent-posts-widget.php on line 467

Deprecated: Function create_function() is deprecated in /home2/momvents/public_html/wp-content/plugins/advertising-manager/advertising-manager.php on line 62
New York and Company Made Me Cry | My Mommyvents

New York and Company Made Me Cry

after baby wardrobe

Okay, so I didn’t actually cry, but I was pretty bummed.

Every woman knows that the most wonderful time of the year is when you can redeem your city cash at New York and Company. Thanks to my need to look like an actual person when I leave my house, I managed to rack up $105 in city cash–or, seven $15 off coupons to update my closet with.

I was all set to get the things I had seen in the store window and on the NY &Co website. I visited the three story store on Lexington Avenue, which just happens to be on my route to work (all a part of their evil plot to take all my money!) during my lunch break. Blouses, dresses, and jackets filled my arms as I made my way to the fitting room.

I had visions of being polished and put together. No one would be able to tell that I had a baby a few months ago. I’d arrive in the office, chic and fashionable.

Except  the sweaters I had grabbed hung on me like a wet paper bag. The sassy red dress? Fit really weird. And that fly striped number? Wasn’t happening. It was around that time my eyes started sweating.

It hurt that nothing I had picked out fit me. I had gone through all three levels of New York and Company, from the basement on up, and ended up leaving with nothing but a bad attitude. I seriously considered giving away all my city cash.

After having two babies, my body isn’t what it used to be. Things are arranged a little differently than they used to be. There are stretch marks where there used to be smooth skin. I never knew it was possible to feel fat and skinny at the same time. My belly still looks like there’s a baby somewhere in there, and my skinny legs have remained skinny. It’s hard to shop when you’re feeling more frustrated with your body as an adult than you did as a gangling teenager.

Lucky for me, my supervisor is also a New York and Company fiend (she had more coupons than I did!). She convinced me to go back to the store and make the most of my city cash. As a mother of three herself, she knows a thing or two about after baby bodies and the feelings that come with them. She also knows how to shame you for wasting good coupons.

I returned to the store, setting a budget for my fall fashion. I gathered up another armful of shirts, jackets, jeans, and skirts to try on, resolving to get something I liked. I figured out that everyone’s got some kind of body issue, whether it’s skinny legs or a gap in their teeth or whatever. Tyra Banks had skinny legs. They called Kimora a giraffe. So maybe I’ll never be a supermodel, but I can treat the sidewalk like a runway. Heck, Beyonce wears Spanx, too.

This time, I left New York and Company with an even sassier leather panel dress (thanks to my girls who I texted pics to who told me it was good), blouses, and another cute necklace. I managed to spend each and every single one of my city cash coupons–and then some. Now, it’s my husband’s turn to cry.

Tiffani
Find me here
Latest posts by Tiffani (see all)
Follow:

32 Comments

  1. September 17, 2014 / 12:19 pm

    I can relate! I’m only one baby in but my body is completely different. Worse yet, I’m the biggest problem. I need to work on my eating and get back on my workout kick. Either way,my eyes and body start to sweat when I can’t fit something from one of my favorite stores. Glad you were able to find something.

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 1:18 pm

      Thanks MJ! It’s such a struggle when you see something that looks great on the mannequin, but looks a hot mess on you in the fitting room.

  2. September 17, 2014 / 1:05 pm

    Oh my god. You have hit my heart with this one. I too have the skinny legs and pregnant belly syndrome. And I feel like you cant say anything cuz people will be like oh shut up ur skinny bla bla. NOBODY UNDERSTANDS what a baby does to a small built person!! Nobody gets that you can be skinny and fat. Body conditioning is a mug and it messes with your head. (HUG) Don’t cry. F NY&Co.

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 1:17 pm

      Yasssss, Danielle! I tried to tell a friend that I feel ridiculous wearing leggings, and she tossed me a “Must be nice” and eye roll.

  3. September 17, 2014 / 1:16 pm

    I have been there!! I love love love New York and Co, but what looks cute on the rack doesn’t always fit my big legs with hips and thangs body!! Glad you found something though! I need to go and spend my city cash!

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 2:13 pm

      Yes, LaShawn! Stuff looks one way in the store window, and totally different once you try it on.

  4. lisaalamode1
    September 17, 2014 / 1:25 pm

    My body, post baby, is VERY different. But guess who doesn’t care? ME! I have had to love my wide hips and my fat butt, because, if I don’t who will? Go on with your bad self, girlie. I’m glad you found some clothes that work for your new fabulous frame!
    xo,
    Lisa

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 2:21 pm

      Thanks Lisa!

  5. September 17, 2014 / 1:25 pm

    I totally feel you. I’m scared to see what will happen if we have another baby, but right now I’m just not comfortable in my skin at all.

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 2:10 pm

      Danielle,Sooooooo much changes about our bodies,and no one ever tells you what’s going to happen our how it makes you feel afterwards. I wish someone had told me I’d be wearing a girdle one day!

  6. September 17, 2014 / 1:36 pm

    I am glad you went back and were able to find some nice things.

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 2:16 pm

      So am I! My husband, not so much, lol.

  7. September 17, 2014 / 1:52 pm

    That is my store!! Has always been and will always be. I have been shopping there when it was just Lerner. Yea, telling my age. I’ve expanded over the years and those babies had something to do with it but not everything in that store will fit my sexy body like it used to but I still manage to find something comfortable and beautiful to wear. One bad shopping experience is just that…ONE. Let that go and know that there will be some duds now and again but our bodies have carried loving people who grow and leave you (can you tell I’m having a moment with my oldest leaving and living in the dorm) but it was worth it. Love that body baby and keep it movin!

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 2:20 pm

      You know it still shows up as Lerner on my debit card statement? Congratulations on having one in college!

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 2:15 pm

      So real! Thanks for reading!

  8. September 17, 2014 / 4:02 pm

    I used to their #1 customer for years! lol I don’t shop there as much now, though (too many recycled cuts, prints, and designs). I will forever buy my work pants from them however, because they carry a true “short” length for those of us that have height deficiencies! lol

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 4:41 pm

      They keep trying to get me to sign up for their credit card. Can you imagine how terrible that would be for me, lol?

  9. September 17, 2014 / 5:01 pm

    I’m so glad you went back and left with some fabulous pieces. Great post by the way : )

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 5:24 pm

      Thanks Zadry!

  10. September 17, 2014 / 5:16 pm

    Great post! This is one of the reasons I do most of my shopping online and I love NY&CO! I have 3 little ones my self so I definitely feel your pain. Glad you got to get your new Fall looks together and use that City Cash, can’t be letting them go to waste

    • tiffani
      September 17, 2014 / 5:25 pm

      I should try more online shopping…I could cry in the privacy off my own home, lol.

  11. September 17, 2014 / 6:09 pm

    My baby is 20 months and I’m struggling hard. In my mind I still look pregnant. I don’t have skinny legs so I can’t even put on a waist trainer and call it a day lol. Hang in there mommy, you’re not alone.

  12. September 17, 2014 / 6:43 pm

    Yes, it has become more difficult shopping after baby. My body has definitely changed. Although, I have never been able to shop at NY&Co. For some reason, their clothes always fit me weird. I may have to go back and try again like you did!

  13. September 17, 2014 / 8:50 pm

    Girl, that mama body struggle is real! Once you figure out exactly what works for your body you’ll be good. Believe it or not, there is someone out there wishing they were in your shoes with your body. You just have to play up your assets and strut. Thanks for linking up 🙂 #RattleandRoll

  14. fashnboucou
    September 18, 2014 / 12:18 am

    I can totally relate! My body doesn’t look the same as pre-baby. This is the reason why most of my clothes are oversized lol. Happy to hear you ended up walking out with something.

  15. September 18, 2014 / 12:39 am

    Uhg, post baby body…I have it too! And to top it off…I used to have a great rack – of clothes – and now nothing fits! It’s so frustrating and for me, it was muscle build in my arms so it’s not like I can lose that! The world of mommyhood goes on…

  16. September 18, 2014 / 5:15 am

    Being a mom of three , I can totally relate. I just try to focus on what makes me feel good. No matter the size I must get. If I love it I buy it!

    • tiffani
      September 18, 2014 / 6:32 pm

      Sounds good to me, Marquita!

  17. Robyn
    September 18, 2014 / 5:06 pm

    I’m glad you ended up finding some items that you loved! I look forward to seeing how you rock that leather panel dress!

    Robyn
    http://feelgreatfashion.com/

    • tiffani
      September 18, 2014 / 5:59 pm

      Thanks Robyn! I’m thinking about some black knee boots, but don’t know what accessories to pair it with.

  18. September 25, 2014 / 8:14 pm

    I feel ya. I went to target to get a few cute things for our recent vacation, and of course I took home what I thought would fit (who has the ability to try things on with a three year old and an eleven month old?) and when I went home, I ended up with a new t shirt and long dress and everything else went back. Including the bathing suit 🙁

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.