YOU CAN DO ANYTHING NOT EVERYTHING

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I just got back from Mom 2.0 Summit where the theme of the conference was "redefining motherhood." The conference was for bloggers and influencers who are moms and often trying to balance the role of mom and business woman. It was an amazing time for me, and it brought about a lot of thoughts about what messages I had growing up and what messages I'm telling my children now. 

My mom and the women of the Baby Boomer generation paved the way for us all when they got their degrees and climbed corporate ladders all while being moms. My mom was a great example. She has her bachelors, masters and doctorate, and was an associate dean of a college science and mathematics. What a legacy she has left for me and other women. She truly showed me you can do anything. 

But in her 30's, the corporate world was still rigid about working 9am to 5pm, so having a choice to flex your hours, work from home, etc. didn't exist yet. I only got to see my mom between the hours of 6pm and 8pm and 6am and 8am during the week. It was really hard for her, but she didn't want to be JUST a mom, and I respect that. 

Now, Millianials moms like me have more choices and flexibility. It's a special time for women and I think it's only getting better. In fact, there's still more that needs to be done in regards to wage equality and gender equality. However, this new movement of mom-preneurs (myself included) trying to work full-time AND be a mom-full time is sending a bad message to our daughters saying, "You can be anything and you can do everything." 

But, we can't! That's a total lie! I do not want my daughter to think she needs to live up to this super-woman expectation because she will fail, and I want to set her up for success. At this point, I feel like I'm failing all of the time - as a business woman and mom - because I find myself half-assing everything. I do NOT want my children to feel this way. 

So, what IS the message that I want to send to my daughter? What is the message that I feel my generation is responsible for reinforcing?

You can be anything, but know your limits and set boundaries. Don't be afraid to say no. Don't try to wear every hat. Just try to wear one at a time. You can wear one hat for half a day and one for the other half, but no one looks good wearing two hats at once.

I'd love to hear what you think Millennial's messages should be to young girls. Please share with me. 

Photos by Keira Grace Photography.

 

PINTEREST LOOK FOR LESS

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There's something just so chic about a white on white outfit. Maybe it's the bravery that it takes to wear it in the first place. I feel like a risk taker even throwing on a white tee most days, envisioning spilling my coffee while running out the door or having grape juice dribbled on it during a sloppy kiss from one of my kiddos. Or maybe it's the fact that this look reminds me of a warm, sunny day. I mean, how could you not feel like you're on vacation toting around that beautiful straw bag? Either way, this white ensemble looks amazing on photographer Sam Riles. 

See how to recreate the whole thing for just $102 below. That even leaves you some cash to have a little fun with some jewelry. This tassel necklace would be perfect. 

Uniqlo Linen Shirt - $35 (Currently on promo for $20)

Boohoo Midi Wrap Skirt - $14

Amazon Straw Tote Bag - $30

Target Strap Sandals - $23

Total: $102

 

SUMMER SHIFT DRESSES

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To keep my wardrobe fresh, each season I add a few truly special pieces to my wardrobe. I've always adored the simplicity of a nice shift dress, but with summer fast approaching I opted for a one with a little more flair. The moment I laid eyes on this Alice + Olivia southwestern shift dress from Neiman Marcus, I knew I had to have it. I love how classic and comfy the shape of this dress is, and the subtle flare of the bell sleeves just elevates the style. The white is perfect for hot summer days, but the bold geometric print adds some intrigue and makes it stand out from any other dress I own. I'm not usually one to wear neon, but there's just the right amount of tasteful lime green on this dress to give it a nice bright pop of color without being overpowering.

 To shop this look for yourself, head to Neiman Marcus or browse the similar dresses below. 

SAFE PLAY

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Levi is at that age where he can sit on his own, he can scoot places and he loves to put everything in his mouth. As much as I enjoy watching him do things for the first time, this stage in development can give you mini panic attacks left and right. I've teamed up with Fisher-Price again to share how I help Levi play safely and happily.

Levi LOVES to be outside, especially when his sister and Wendy, our dog, are running around. However, if I set him in the grass right now he just starts trying to eat it, and then, of course, chokes on it. Fire ants are also in full force, so I have had to find a way to keep him from getting bit but also allow him to enjoy the outdoors. 

My solution is to bring his Fisher-Price Ultra Light Day & Night Play Yard outside and fill it with fun toys. This works perfectly because the mesh allows the air to circulate and makes him visible at all angles. I especially love this play yard because it's a lot lighter than others on the market, so it makes it easy for me to tote it to my friend's house. 

I took Levi to Rennai's house the other day, and brought bright colored balls to fill his play yard. All of the other kids loved it so much they wanted to climb in too! Rennai's little guy, Everett, joined the party and they kept each other company all while staying out of trouble. When multiple kids are around it's easy to get distracted and not always have my eyes on Levi, so it puts my mind at ease having him in the play yard.

This design also comes with the ability to create an inclined sleeping experience and a changing table. It's such a great buy, especially because the compact design makes it so easy to store in your car. I highly recommend!

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

PINTEREST LOOK FOR LESS

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Today we're breaking down this pin, showcasing the cutest spring outfit featured on Luella & June. If you've been keeping up my with recent blog posts, you've seen I'm quite the fan of off-the-shoulder tops. I especially love this one with it's knotted sleeves (another trend I've talked about recently) and blue spring hue. Also, how amazing does this outfit look against that bright orange door? The orangey yellow earrings are the perfect final touch with the blue blouse, as they're contrasting colors. Get this whole look below for just $105. Talk about a deal!