It shouldn’t be downplayed…  American society’s view of women after childbirth isn’t very attractive or alluring.

best friend is moving to NYC in a few hours. I’m going to miss her a lot. She is my partner in fashion and skin care. I really admire her and wish her the best, but I still feel a sting of envy because of the regret I feel from never moving there when I had many chances. Well, I guess we all know what “they” say is right. Hindsight is 20/20. Ain’t that a bitch.

We had some coffee together, and the barista was surprised when I gave him my co-op owner’s number. “Oh, you’re from around here?” I wasn’t sure what he meant. Usually, I just assume people automatically think I’m an immigrant by looking at me even though I was born and raised in the US. But later, when he invited us to a b-boy battle he hosts every Friday night, I realized he meant one of the best possible compliments you could ever pay me.

I don’t look like I’m from this boring-ass town.

I feel like it just snapped in my head one day. I hate Ann Arbor. I have lived here since I started college and I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of my life here. To its credit I have had lots of good times. 2003-2005 and early 2006 was a great social scene. My son was born here. But honestly, it gets old really fast. You can really wear this town out. I created the Ann Arbor hook up tree and it is the most incestuous thing ever.

So, me not looking like I’m from around here makes me incredibly happy, because I am not from here and I certainly don’t want to look I am from here.

What does looking like you’re from Ann Arbor mean? I’m not sure, but I think it has this midwest slop attached to it. I’m probably going to get hated on really hard for saying that, but whatever. Much love to the mid west, but as a whole we can’t dress that well.

Handbags are an obsession of mine. Having the perfect one slung on your arm can sometimes seriously feel a lot better than having a hot date. Good handbags are phenomenal and intricately styled with quality fabric and hardware. They don’t take on a boring “classic” look, but isn’t necessarily so trendy that it will only survive the current season.

Surprisingly, I don’t have as handbags in my collection as one would suspect. With a few vintage clutches here and there and a few designer keepsakes, I haven’t added to my arm accessories as much as I have attended to my shoe closet. That is because of how extremely picky I am. My favorite one is a vintage piece that I bought ten years ago. It has bamboo handles, a gold clasp closure, and looks like a giant gold and clear coin purse. It doesn’t see the light of day as much because now I am toting for two as a new mother! I’m not a big fan of diaper bags. They’re bulky. They have frumpy pockets. It’s ok to be critical because it’s me carrying the bag, after all, not my babe. While I know there are oodles of “designer diaper bags” out there, they still have that boxy diaper bag look — not very flattering or fashionable. Moms, I sincerely believe, still have the right to remain foxy!

The perfect handbag would be large and roomy, but not awkward when you put a lot of stuff in it. The designer who got the style down is Miss Rebecca Minkoff. Rebecca Minkoff is a young designer with a fresh look in her line that’s not only stylish but funky. Check out her “Morning After Bag” if you want a hot alternative to a diaper bag sans the elephants marching all over it (granted, elephants are super-cute, but maybe not so much after your infant has graduated to wearing Superman undies and can carry his own sippy cup). The leather Morning After Bag comes in different shades of leather. Try pewter to go with the Spring 2008 dulled metallic trend, or the vibrant tangerine for a brand new twist on the retro color. Rebecca Minkoff’s bags also have a lot of personality. They come with a play calling card (if you call the number on it, you’ll even get to hear the answering machine of a sexy voice!). Her lines also tell a story, the mark of a very creative and playful designer. She’s won the hearts of Rachel Bilson, Hilary Duff, Bijou Phillips, and lil ol’ me.

I knew that the designer diaper bags weren’t going to cut it when I walked into Kate Spade to eye the coveted momma purses. I was left unimpressed. They still looked like diaper bags! In fact, I found myself preferring the quilted Baby’s R Us tote that my brother got me with the parade of zoo animals marching on its pocket. At least it wasn’t trying to pretend it was something it wasn’t. When my mother got me a roomy creme and black canvas tote, I realized that I can arm myself with baby goods (cloth diapers, diaper covers, booty wipes, cocoa butter, a back up baby ribbed tank top in case the breast milk comes up) and do it in a handbag I love anyway.