Living in the Vail valley, it's easy to go with the laid back flow. In fact, I'm sure that's why most people call our little piece of paradise home. Traffic is at a mini
mum, the air is clean and life revolves around nature's beauty...not what kind of car you drive. Would I have chosen to be surrounded by the mountains instead of the hustle and bustle of big city life 15 years ago? Honestly, no. I loved the culture and convenience of all things accessible in the city...or even the suburbs. But once I met the man I wanted to share my life with, I was happy to follow him anywhere and I can't imagine us living anywhere else.
I had lived in big cities my whole life: Indianapolis, St. Louis, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles. Of course they each have their own version of a small town, far from the organized chaos of the city, but overall, they have more commonalities than not: stoplights, nightlife, shopping, and at least for women, the need to "put on your face" before you stepped foot outside. Some women are blessed with natural beauty, but I learned early on that hairspray and mascara were a girl's best friend.
When I was given the opportunity to join the world of reality television, I became even more involved in my appearance and I do have to admit, it was actually kind offabulous. I had professionals working (hard!) to make me camera ready on a constant basis, a gym membership that rarely went a day without use, hair extensions, a new wardrobe, and nails that I could never grow on my own. I was a slimmer, more attractive version of myself and it was nice to feel pretty and pampered.
Then, reality TV turned into reality and life became less about keeping up with trends and more about keeping up with my toddlers...and I wouldn't change it for the world. I soon realized that motherhood meant a whole lot less showers, a whole lot more days in my pj's, a change to a hair color that I could actually keep maintained in the comfort of my bathroom, and nails that got the short end of the priority stick. I became frumpy...or so Howard Stern thinks.
On his radio show January 10th, he said that Ryan should sue me for false advertising. I "used to be a hot blonde" and now am a frumpy mom. Most days, I wouldn't argue with the frumpy part, but after being on the cover of In Touch this past week next to Ali and Ashley, I think I can still hold my own. Would I love to get a little work done after nursing two children for a year each and turning 39...of course! Do I drool at the sight of sparkly Louboutins? Most definitely! But, what matters most to me now is the fact that my kids are confident and happy, we live a low-stress mountain life where makeup isn't a necessity, and my husband thinks I've never looked better. Howard...I'm honored that you remember my name, but I'd rather be frumpy and happy than grumpy and superficially critical of someone with the most important job out there...mom.
-- Trista Sutter (@TristaSutter on Twitter)