Shopping Prompts, or What to Wear to BlogHer

After several years at home with two energetic boys I’ve learned to dress for a mess. This suits me fine when I’m blogging from the dark corner of my basement or carpooling my kids. When I head out in into the adult world, though, I’m keenly aware of and anxious about my fashion challenges. In fact, I even fretted about what to wear for an appearance on a local radio show.

I'm excited for the BlogHer conference, but the thought of hanging with my fellow bloggers in person is a bit intimidating. As much as I dislike shopping, I realized a trip to the mall was inevitable. I headed to Hot Mama in the Glen Town Center. It’s a small boutique for moms and moms-to-be who love of cool clothes and don’t mind spending money on them. (Not me and not me again, but desperate times call for desperate measures.)

Before I stepped into the store wearing my typically un-hip garb, I stopped at the nearby Ann Taylor Loft, where I purchased a pair of pants--black croppy capri-ish things. I really wanted to dash across the street into the safe haven of the Book Mart afterward, but I dragged myself into Hot Mama with some ill-fated notion of transforming myself.

The salesperson was quite chipper and the dressing rooms were impressively large, plus they were filled with tot toys. But I didn't have a stroller or a tot in tow. And the item I most admired would have required both a tummy tuck and liposuction to turn me into a hot mama, so I left empty-handed.

Unsure of my next move, I brooded over the clothing issue. I wandered aimlessly in shopping purgatory until a fellow blogger mentioned that she uses blog prompts when she’s stuck for a good post idea. I knew I needed a shopping prompt. And I found one…through my blog. Yes, I decided to dress to match my blog!

Just as writing is easier when the writer has a clear focus. Shopping was a breeze once I narrowed the parameters. Rather than getting overwhelmed by rack after rack of clothes, I just headed toward the garishly pink items. Granted, I won’t be among the most fashionable women at the conference, but I may be among the geekiest best branded.

What are you wearing to BlogHer? Are you changing for the nightly parties?

Kim, who is planning a long overdue haircut prior to BlogHer, also blogs (in her ratty old t-shirts) at Scrambled CAKE.