Straight Up Motherhood

Can you believe I'm sitting at my desk, ALL ALONE? Yep, the kids are happily enjoying a snack, and quietly doing so. I decided to get them outside early right after a big breakfast in hopes to wear Kai out. A cheap blow up pool, sandbox, water table, and plasma cars did him in real nice. He's been so great this morning. Praise Jesus, some of y'all are prayer warriors I tell you.

Yesterday's Insta-story was just what I needed. Sometimes I hold it all in for so long, and what really needs to happen is for me to let it out. Truly, I had no idea I would receive the response I did. Totally blew me away! I have so many messages from all of you that I can't scroll down far enough to get to the very beginning. Really, I can't thank all of you enough for reaching out. From the amazing advice I got, to the moms that are going through the same exact thing. It's helpful knowing you're not alone.

I'm not the kind of mom that pretends her children are perfect, flawless and better than everyone else's child. I acknowledge their weakness and strengths. If something is wrong, I'm going to fix it and get help. I may show the sweet photos of them, because truly who wants to see a photo of a child throwing a tantrum? Honestly, I don't think grabbing my phone would be my first reaction to that anyways. Regardless, I'm saying that I'm a real person behind my blog filled with pretty photos. We have a real life with real struggles that a lot of other people go through.

I actually met such a cool, down to earth mom at Madelyn's ballet class last week. We were talking and I mentioned how Madelyn is in the 3:00 class instead of 4:00 pm because her skill level is not like others her age. The look she gave me, like "did you really just say that?" was the kind of look that we perhaps bonded on. If that makes sense? I'm totally cool with being straight up with everything in my life. No judgement here. I mean, truly who has time for that? I sure as hell don't.

I'm blessed beyond belief that I get to pay our bills from this blog, but that doesn't mean what I say or do here is a sham or just a ploy to make money. I have always and will always only share what I truly believe in. Maybe that's why I get so bummed out when I have a sponsored Instagram post that totally flops and my engagement is really low. It's like as soon as someone sees is sponsored, they scroll right past it. When a brands recognizes my hard work and wants to partner with me, thats similar to getting praise or a raise at a "typical" job. Just because I don't work in an office, and instead I create content here for a living, doesn't mean as a blogger I do not deserve opportunities and recognition for hard work.

I guess I wanted you all as my readers, my friends, to understand me a little more. That your support wether I'm asking for parenting advice, just talking and ranting about everyday life, or a sponsored campaign I worked on with a brand, means SO much to me.

T LA top \\ Pilcro denim jacket \\ AG denim c/o \\ Chloe espadrilles, less expensive option here \\ Clare V handbag \\ Celine sunglasses \\ Lisi Lerch earrings c/o

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Stories of A Stay At Home Mom

I originally started working on this post yesterday, but then Kai decided to not only waltz up and knock my coffee over while giving me the evil eye, spilling a fresh cup all over the desk, but he also turned the power cord off and shut down the computer. Ah, the lovely moments of being a stay at home mom, am I right? 

Well, let's talk about those lovely moments, and what my life is really like being a stay at home mom. You see photos, you make an assumption, you judge, you wonder. I get it! It's human nature. 

It started out like any typical day. We go downstairs and I get the kids their breakfast, and then proceed to make coffee and eat whatever I can before they start begging for that too. For the next hour I race around the house jumping from getting myself dressed and ready, to getting both kids ready, packing the diaper bag, turning off lights.. you know, cleaning up the mess from breakfast and what was left behind from the night before. Madelyn can't find her shoes, and Kai can't fit his chubby ass feet into his anymore. I guess we are adding that to the to-do list today. 

I buckle Kai in, and next is Madelyn. Open the garage door and we are finally off. Wait, I left my purse with my wallet inside. Let's try that again. This time we make it to our destination. Pretzels thrown all over the car. I decided Starbucks drive-thru would be a better decision than walking with a hot coffee through Target. I chug my latte like a champ, then notice a creepy van circling the empty parking lot, and a man staring us down. My anxiety could be playing tricks on me, but I won't chance it and we decide to stay in the car until the van leaves.

We're in, and Kai has already houdinied out of the cart seat belt, and is now standing like fucking Mufasa on Pride Rock. Madelyn has decided to stand now, too and keeps flailing over whenever I turn the cart. (Terrible mother!) I have already gone from each side of the store, twice. I can't think straight and have totally forgotten the bread crumbs for dinner. Fuck it, were already in line. It's so quiet and empty, but the employees are half asleep and the line is barely moving. 

Then, out of the darkness comes a red shirted hero coming to save me. The whole store heard us, but it was one woman who decided to do something about it. She waves and directs me over to an empty line she was opening up just for me. I'm turning into the line and Mario Andretti comes flying in to cut me off, I gave the look that I could kill her with my snickers bar, but the lovely employee stepped in to rescue me, yet again. Andretti finally backs off and returns to her motor scooter cart to pace up and down the aisles again. 

At this point, Kai has gotten so loud that my face is bright red, and I'm sweating profusely to the point that you can see the sweat from my fingers on the counter. To which Madelyn replies "Mommy, why are you wet there? Why are your fingers in water?" Cute, Maddy. Real cute. 

I keep telling myself that It's almost over, we'll bolt out that door in just a few seconds. The card reader is taking years off my life, and Kai is now climbing out of the cart. I mean, he's dangling half in, half out... head first. I get my wet ass receipt and crumple it in my purse, and toss Kai back in. 

We made it to the car and Kai is arching his back, refusing to let me strap him into his car seat. I think the whole store has followed us out to watch from the sidelines at this point. They've got fucking snacks and whatnot. I black out and trow all of the groceries into the back seat with the kids, wrestle Kai into his seat and jump in. The next thing I know we've got Chic Fil A and are almost home. Dear Jesus, what just happened? I must have kicked into survival mode at some point.

We're home, and I'm ready for a nap. Except it's only 3:30 and Chris doesn't get home until 7:30. 

You see, the days are long, and exhausting. Sometimes it seems as if time has stopped, but life keeps moving. Watching the clock as the hours drag by, waiting for 7:30 to get here so Chris can be home to save me, heck save us. Then there are days that are the complete opposite and it flies by, and were laughing and having fun. Running errands just the three of us, and everything is finally going smoothly. No tantrums, no nap-resisting. Just happy and peaceful babies. Those are the days that make all of the hard ones worth it. 

Eyelet swing dress \\ Joie sandals (size up one whole size!) \\ Julie Vos necklace, bracelet, Kendra Scott earrings \\ Celine sunglasses \\ Proenza Schouler handbag \\ Maddy's dress, her shoes 

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My Girl

How was your weekend? We finally had a few days without rain, and the sun even decided to make an appearance yesterday. There is nothing I love more than the Florida sunshine. You can be outside for 10 minutes and go back inside with either a tan or a burn.. ha ha! 

Anyways, we finally made it back to West Palm and brought Madelyn with us this time. It was actually the most fun we've had while shooting and plan on bringing her whenever she wants from now on. We always thought it would be best to leave them at home to play, but Madelyn is obsessed with getting dressed up and taking pictures right now.. she even tells me "I have to finish my blog post" when I ask her to do something and she responds with "hold on!! I'm not done!" Her little voice when she says "bwog powst", I die. She is losing a lot of her baby traits, but one thing I can hold onto is her sweet voice. 

If you're wondering about Kai, he's still too wild and free to tag along. That boy has one speed and that's GO. Also, Climb all of the things, and dinosaur scream at the delivery people. ha ha! 

Bhanuni by Jyoti beaded halter dress \\ J.Crew hat, really old!  \\ Lisi Lerch earrings \\ Julie Vos bracelet \\ Hermes sandals, similar style here \\ Clare V handbag \\ Celine sunglasses \\ Lip color in "rubicund"  

Madelyn's dress \\ Madelyn's shoes \\

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Date Night Style : Summer 2017

It's not often that Chris and I get a date night out together, just the two of us. When we do, I'm either dressed super down because I'm exhausted or I feel like finally getting myself together, dressing up and throwing on a cute dress. I've partnered with Banana Republic today to share how I would style this gorgeous summer dress. While I love this dress with my flat sandals, I also really loved the idea of a pair of heels for a more dressed up style. To make a snake-print look fresh and classy, pair with neutrals.

What does your perfect date night look like? I have too many of my favorites to list them all, but I really love when Chris comes home and cooks a good dinner, and then I get super lucky with a back massage and watching PLL after the kids finally go to bed.


Banana Republic is killing it right now - I just ordered this shirtdress in the blue color, and I've got my eye on the snake-print pleated skirt, this pom pom shift dress,  this elegant off the shoulder ruffle dress in a gorgeous Cayenne color, and this embroidered fringe polo dress.


40% off your purchase with code "BRYOURS"

Banana Republic maxi dress c/o \\ Julie Vos necklace, Julie Vos bracelet, Margaret Elizabeth bracelet  \\ Jimmy Choo sunglasses \\ Stuart Weitzman heels \\ 

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Summer Slip Dress

We all know I'm one to layer. I don't care what season it is, I will find a way to efficiently add a layer. Not only do I love the way it looks, and how comfortable it is, but it's also great if you're cold in restaurants and shops. I'm always hot outside, but the minute I step into cold air conditioning, I'm an ice pop, and there's no way I can sit and enjoy a meal or spend time while I'm uncomfortable. This particular knit cardigan is from last summer, but I may or may not have added this cute option into the mix. I also really love this one with fringe detailing.

I feel like this is such an easy, classic look that you can wear all day. Keep in mind, you don't always have to add height to dress things up a bit, just add a metallic sandal like I did. 

PS: I just got this long chain, medallion necklace and I'm quite obsessed. I apologize in advance if I wear it with every outfit this week! 

Sincerely Jules slip dress (old) similar here, and here \\ Joie sandals (size down 1 size!) \\ Gucci belt \\ Proenza Schouler handbag \\ Jimmy Choo sunglasses (wearing without the crystal clip) \\ Julie Vos necklace 

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