to Be near you - (round three of the Styleathon)

When people speak from their hearts, before our minds have had a chance to reason, the voice is loud...clear, and a statement of initial chemistry. Fireworks.
I like to write from this place, and have a hard time putting guidelines or limitations on the things that come to mind. This is true inspiration, wild thoughts racing through your head, flashing images so quick you can barely write them down fast enough.

The truth is, that I found this Styleathon a bit difficult and outside my norm. The fashion aspect of it was completely foreign to me. I had such a hard time actually putting conscience effort into what I needed to be wearing. Normally, it’s whatever is clean (and sometimes not clean) and comfortable. Posing for the photos was even more taxing, and I found myself to be very unnatural and uncomfortable. Michael even accused me of taking too big of steps as I was walking :) An obvious sign that I was putting too much thought into how everything looked (and trying not to trip in the process).

But like everything else that we come across in life that makes us step outside of our comfort zone, I did learn a thing or two.
Throughout this project, I have been worried about what the people that come here would think.
I know a majority of my friends are not typical Fashionistas. Lots of yoga pants and flowy skirts around these parts. There’s not a lot of my $12, knit Target skirts, flip flops, and denim cut offs on any runways. I don’t read any fashion magazines, and tend to be super lazy when it comes to actually getting ready. This was a reminder that we have a tendency to worry about our appearance entirely too much. Women have a habit of being overly critical of themselves, and others. Sometimes I think our preoccupation with having the perfect hair, makeup, and clothes comes from the assumption that other women will be judging us. In reality, we are so much harder on ourselves than anyone else…our own worst critics. The last couple months have been full of gentle reminders to be confident and kind, and to appreciate myself for who I really am. To capture the real moments with Elodie, as they were happening. Even if they were simple, and not so glamorous in the process. My careful observer, I love that she watches the world through her curious eyes and learns through me being myself, that she will one day be herself, as well.



Wearing Elodie has become an absolute joy and freedom I was searching for, and finding the words to describe that came naturally to me.

With this Styleathon also came a lot of new readers to the blog (we are over 100,000 visitors a month) and also, some unwanted negativity.
It’s not too much of a surprise, because in life, you will always come across people that dislike you. I don’t have an issue accepting criticism from others, but I do have an issue accepting criticism from people who have not bothered to read what I have to say.
I have no space, room, desire, or patience for adults with child-like behavior, and those comments will be deleted and not given second thought.

I’ve said it a thousand times, but apparently words can fall short on deaf ears, closed minds, and covered eyes.

Be kind.
And if not? Then it’s your loss, not mine.

Be you, and speak you.
The ones that matter, don’t mind. And those who mind?
They don’t matter at all.

Finally, I wanted to say how interesting it was to see the stark contrast in personality between the other Mothers and myself. We are all so different, and there is something strikingly apparent about that. I think that after this entire thing, I came out understanding that even more. We are all unique…individual components that make us up into our own true self. Designer high heels, flip flops. Coffee or tea breaks, walks to the park and strolls through a museum. We are women, Mothers, friends, sisters…not competition. We live in our own corners of this world and all see it through different eyes. And the most important thing?

To love our beautiful little babies with everything inside of us.



Thank you to Leigh from Marvelous Kiddo, for thinking of me and bringing me along for the ride.

Lilla P, for showing me what a nice skirt looks and feels like, compared to my $12 one from Target :) Your clothes are both beautiful and versatile for a trip down the runway or a trip to the garden store. I have to admit that it took all of 3 weeks before I got a stain on it, though. Either dry breast milk, hair color, or mystery fluid. I haven’t decided which it is, yet.

Selima Optique- I have never in my life owned a pair of sunglasses that cost more than $18. Hence why the big, cheap, plastic clunkers always made me so hot and sweaty that I ended up not wearing them. Who would have thought that it was easier to be outside and slave over my garden in 110 degree weather if I had spent a few extra dollars on a nice pair :)

Marla Cielo – Her work is so unique. I wanted to cry when I found out that she specifically chose a piece for us based off of our personalities. There is something so wild and romantic, flattering and heart-warming to know that someone can read who you are as a person. For me, she chose her "Purple Heart" bag.
I can’t wait to pass this onto Elodie someday and have a little piece of who I am stained onto the threads.

And Thank you to Sakura Bloom for allowing me to be a part of this. For keeping Elodie close to my heart, just like she was for 39 and a half weeks. To be near me, just like she is supposed to be.


Round Three of the Styleathon Freestyle Video.
After a Summer of Adventure, we knew we would want to spend this one close to home. We can’t wait to show Elodie the world, and it was in fact the first time she would ever get to experience an Oklahoma summertime.
Gardening, Mini road trips to our watering holes, fireflies, Arts Festivals, Summer thunderstorms in the Midwest, concerts in the park, fireworks, and lazy days in the hammock. These are the simple joys of life that we wanted to include her in. Wearing Elodie, I am able to bring her up to my eyes and tell her and show her all the little things she will one day learn to love herself. The things that will make her who she is.




to Be near you.

*song is "Noche Nada" - Givers.