TheMomInStyle

Translating Trends for Real Life

Why I Started my Blog and What I Knew Nothing About

Hi Friends!

I always wonder what makes people do what they do. Blogging is no different, and I love hearing about back stories from ladies on how they got their start and also what led them to that decision. I get asked a LOT on behind the scenes, and why I decided to begin blogging.

I have had  to take some time to think about my answer, mainly because once I DID decide- I was ALL IN. Shortly after I decided on “TheMomInStyle”, I just head first in figuring out a website and ALL THE THINGS. Essentially, when I began this journey, my blog was the “side gig” to my Styling Business. It was the extra puzzle piece where I could share whatever I wanted whether it be beauty, hair or style– a creative outlet for me. When I don’t have styling jobs, I work on the blog. I have to say that when I started, I was really pretty nervous about it. This is a totally new and “out there” leap of faith for me. Was anyone even going to look at it? How do I create a Blog? What am I going to say? I didn’t have all the answers to those questions, but what I did do is start. I jumped right in and just Googled my way through it.

I have to say, I LOVE it. I have NEVER done something so challenging. I never really had an outlet where I could dictate what to say, how it looks and every detail about this space. The sense of accomplishment it brings truly is like something I never expected. Kind of like when you lose weight, or run a half marathon. NOBODY can do it for you. It’s YOU that put the effort in each day and its you that ultimately makes the choices that brings you success. Creating a blog is SO similar to that, for example nobody gets up early for me and writes my blog posts. Nobody puts the effort in each DAY to share my tips and tricks, my nighttime routine or how to curl my hair. It’s me, all me. Nobody can make a claim towards success or demise.. except me.

Perfect Example here of why if I had waited to “know everything before I start”… Then I would STILL would not have launched my Blog. Everyday I learn something new, make mistakes and have success. Even though I knew NOTHING… I’m so glad I started when I did! I just learned along the way!

Anyway, I’m rambling… So, why I started doing this begin with: So my friend Rebecca, she dragged me out one evening to a workshop listen to a panel of people who all were working on “side hustles”, their passions they believed would allow them to quit their corporate jobs and work solely for what they loved. I left the discussion that evening with a renewed sense of possibility for myself. I was SO inspired to see ideas and hope in the room, it had sparked something inside me I could not ignore. I could not stand back and let others enjoy such fulfillment in their lives, and not attempt something for myself! I reflected HARD on what all this meant for me. This “spark” inside me was telling me that I was meant for more. I was meant to do more, say more, and and hopefully…impact more.  The Blog was born.

As a woman who has struggled with weight, self esteem, confidence blah blah blah… I have been on a personal journey over the past few years to regain and teach those things to myself. This was not just a nudge but a HUGE push in a direction that once again, I am out of my comfort zone. The Blog pushes me to go outside what I feel is comfortable and pushes me to do more. No, I don’t like taking pictures of myself, some have said that it seems pretty self absorbed to constantly do so. What do I write about? Is anyone going to read it? Then there’s the whole separate challenge of managing the social media accounts!

While there have been so many challenges that I continue work try to overcome, the reward has been overwhelming. The thought that ANYONE would follow me, or want to know more about me is hugely humbling. I truly have a passion for Styling and helping women feel their best! I LOVE receiving your feedback and  it’s that community and it’s what keeps me showing up everyday.

So there’ s a little back story and some snippets of how I got started and why. As Always, Thank you so much for stopping by and reading a little bit of my story. I invite you continue on this Journey with me as TheMomInStyle continues to evolve just as I do.

| Photos By Natasha Anne Photography |

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Outfit of the Day: Rust Jacket and Denim

Photos By Natasha Anne Photography

Hi Friends!

Today’s outfit includes one of my favorite purchases for the upcoming season and I know you have seen it a lot. I’ve worn it in several other outfits just to show you the versatility of a great jacket but also because it’s just so darn comfortable! My rust jacket has been one of my favorites, and hopefully you too can see why. I love how versatile it is, a this point you have seen me style it 3+ ways.  This whole look is great for a day of shopping, or a casual office look. I added a few more Casual Moto Style Jackets below as well.

My black denim is a staple for me in the fall and winter, you can pair it with so many tops and make your outfit look sleek and stylish. I paired my outfit with wedge booties, and theses have a special little detail to it that I think makes it look so fierce and a little sassy. I love adding a little leopard print to my outfits!

Thanks so much for checking out my outfit of the day, I would love to see you style your own OOTD! I appreciate you stopping by and I hope to hear from you soon!

 

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Family Date Night Ideas

Hi Friends!

Changing it up today, recently I have really learned in my own life to sit back and enjoy what matters the most. Spending time with and making memories with my family has been on the TOP of my list lately. Our family has been taught some hard lessons on life, and how fragile it really is. We don’t know what the future holds and TRULY, all we have is today. My husband and I have focused more than ever on spending that precious time with each other but also to love on Hayden and Presley more. I know there is laundry, dishes and homework– but for just a little while those things can wait.

I know its so hard to walk away from a sink full of dishes… No, I don’t like doing dishes at all, but for my own self, I need order. I can EASILY get consumed in chores for an ENTIRE day, and totally forget that well, its Saturday and my kids have been on the iPad all day. Personally,  I have to seek out to be intentional about my actions and words.  As a result we went looking out for some new ideas, and I thought why not share what has worked for us!?

Here’s my Top 10 Family Date Night Ideas:

  1. Go Bowling
  2. Family Dinner at IKEA
  3. Movie Night at home
  4. Evening walk and make S’mores
  5. Make our own Pizza Night
  6. Ice Cream after school
  7. Go eat at a Hibachi restaurant
  8. Trampoline Park
  9. Go to a construction site and drive Remote Control Cars
  10. Make a Fort

Thank you so much for stopping by, I really do try to make my posts valuable and it is always my goal to have you leave with something positive to think about. I hope I have done so today. I can’t wait to hear your ideas for Family Date Night!- xo

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Outfit of the Day: Pink, Neutral and Cozy

 

| Photos by Natasha Anne Photography |

Hi Friends!

You know cozy wear totally speaks to me and this outfit is no different. Several of these pieces you have seen before but styled in different ways. I have combined them all to make the most gorgeous color palette the most everyday chic!  The color palette here is one of my new favorites. I find myself grabbing these, it keeps my look soft and feminine. I love this outfit for crisp, seasonally transitional days. You can use the scar for warmth, and put it away when the sun comes out. The tunic top you can pair with leggings when needed And this denim color is great for a day when you want to dress it up too! This look I would take to the grocery, family gatherings and easy days at home. So much versatility here, you’re going to get a lot of mileage out of this look for sure.

Thanks so much for stopping by friends! I hope to see you again soon!

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My Grocery Must Haves Lately

Hi Friends!

Even though I show you on stories the items on my Clicklist or the latest Trader Joe’s Run, I have had a few requests to actually put in writing. I know its hard to catch it all when I put it on video, so I made a quick list of the items I’m typically ordering.

Just so you know, I also added in my preferred proteins that I use, and also seasonings that I have on quick rotation.

RECIPES LATELY: Our favorites for dinner are: Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup, Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos, Egg Roll in a Bowl and Turkey Chili. The items I have on my shopping list are basically to keep on hand so that I can make any of these on demand.

 My PINTEREST BOARDS also has a bunch of meal ideas saved too!

Trader Joe’s:

Chicken sausage

Steak Tips

Chicken Breast

Ground Turkey

Frozen Red Shrimp

Guilt Free Chunky Guacamole

Avocado

Eggs

Purple Cabbage Cole Slaw

Broccoli Florets

Mashed Cauliflower

Cauliflower Stir Fry

Mixed Stir Fry Vegetables

Spaghetti Squash

Bagged Salad

Arugula

Proscuitto

Mozzarella

Goat Cheese

Tomato

Salsa Verde

Oatmeal

 Preferred Proteins:

Devotion Nutrition Protein found here

Premier Protein Pre-mixed drinks

Premier Protein Bars

Quest Bars

Seasonings:

Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel

Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute

Trader Joe’s Pink Himalayan Salt

Trader Joe’s Chili Lime

Avocado Oil

Sriracha Ranch

Soyaki

Drinks:

Lacroix

Kumbucha

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

Round Bag: FOUNT | Scarf and Tank THREAD | DENIM  | FLIP FLOPS

Stripe Dress with Moto Jacket

Hi Friends!

As promised this FAB stripe dress is on the blog this week. It was apart of my Target Fall Roundup last week! I styled it last week in the try on session at home a bit more dressed up, and this week this is more “street style”! Its the second way I would wear this dress which is perfect for travel and I am loving the length! There’s two sizing options for it, and under $26! Total steal!

This jacket I have worn several times, I love the moto style and also the material is so so comfortable! Its like wearing a sweatshirt! I paired it all in this outfit with our ever popular wedge sneakers and a neutral and trendy backpack!

This whole look was inspired to just show how you can mix around your favorites and create a totally different and fun look!

You can shop this entire post below, I hope you enjoy these comfy and versatile pieces to take into fall!

Cheers and Happy Friday Friends! – xo

| Photos by Natasha Anne Photography |

 

Fall Roundup: Back to School and a Target Run

Hey Friends!

Um yeah, so I thought today was Wednesday but it’s really Tuesday! Still living that “last day of summer” though, so we will just finish off the day with Starbucks and a Target run! Duh!

I am excited to finally have my Roundup for the new items at Target! There are really some great pieces, some are still coming in the mail to me, but I will DEFINITELY show you when they come in! There are SO many great pieces to help you update and will definitely be easy on your wallet! Stay watching stories, I will be sure to do more tryons for you!

My outfit here in particular has a couple pieces that I am LOVING!  My jacket has the MOST fun details and my dark denim is high waisted and super stretchy!

 

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Unique Gift: Personalized Wood Watch PLUS Giveaway!

Boy time sure has flown this Summer! I know we are all getting ready to prepare for back to school and savoring up the last few bit of summer days with o ur families. Our family has certainly has our share of exciting and fun days at the pool. As move through this season of life, many things are changing for us. Our kids are moving on to new grades at school, new sports will begin. We will have many things to celebrate, JORD WoodWatches have a creative and fun design for any gifting reason. Their unique watches are crafted from wood and can even be engraved with a special message! The watch I am wearing I have received so many compliments on and I absolutely love the rose gold detail on the face as well as the strap. You can see more about it here.

I encourage you to check out all the range of wood watches that are offered on their site, they really are so unique and a terrific gifting option!

| Women’s Watches | Men’s Watches |

 

| GIVEAWAY TIME! |

In addition, you can enter a giveaway here, to enter to win a $100 credit towards your own purchase!







Wooden Wrist Watch






My Back to School Shopping


 




Back to school shopping has begun! Here’s my roundup of what we have purchased!


 



                
                

                    
                    
                

            


Fitness and Friends Part 2




Hello Friends! The girls and I are back again for more fun tips on how being a busy mom doesn’t mean sacrificing our own health and fitness. So when we last chatted, Stephanie and Jen gave us tips on eating right to help us reach our goals. The ladies both said without a doubt they are most successful when they have prepped their meals out and have quick food available for them to grab and go! Our recipe for Cilantro Lime Tacos is on my previous post that you can see here.  I have been loving this recipe and tweaking it more each time!


So now, we decided that my Egg Roll in A Bowl recipe will be next! If you have followed me for any amount of time you know this is actually already one of my favorite weekday recipes. I can make it in less than 30minutes and I feel like it’s a bit of a cheat meal but its not! In our recipe we use turkey sausage which keeps the meal lean and high in protein. I’m telling you friends its SO GOOD!


Stephanie and Jen gave us some great advice on our last post, mostly about how they balance their meals. Now I think by now you might know that all three of us are die hard OTF. And we would love if you join us in this workout. You can take it with you anywhere, member one location and you can take your membership anywhere worldwide.


But we all know there are days where the kids are sick, you are snowed in and you just don’t have an option to leave the house! That’s life! But another both Stephanie and Jen gave me is that in order to stay on track, think of your back up plan and execute it. If life gets in the way, have the 20 minute in home workout ready to go and get to it. More than the physical changes that the exercise brings, there will be so much more to be proud of in sticking to your goals.  Jen suggests “taking the dog for a walk, or go for a bike ride.” Stephanie says it really helps her to have an accountability partner– If she can’t make it to a class, she always has that person to meet up with for an hour. Being committed to another person always helps!


 


We all leave you with this friends: If you mess up, don’t beat yourself up about it. Move on and then get back at it the very next day!  Just like my mama told me, “Tomorrow is a new day”. Its a new chance friends to get out and crush it!


 


As always thank you for stopping by! I so hope you have enjoyed this series of fitness tips and you get to see a more in depth window into my everyday life. I do hope you join us for a workout Wednesday August 1, 2018- You can find all the details below.


 












| SPECIAL THANKS|


Thank you to Sarah San Pedro for bringing Orange to Ohio, my life is forever changed.


Thank you to Stephanie Woodrow and Jennifer Bulugaris for your helpfulness and collaboration tips!


Orangetheory Dublin Sawmill Location


Orangetheory Dublin Avery Square Location


| PHOTOGRAPHY|


Natasha Anne Photography




MARK YOUR CALENDAR! : Now I know your DYING to try this workout, and I would love to have you come! Orangetheory Dublin Avery Square Location has  so kindly opened up a class JUST FOR US! Whether you are a member with a friend who you are dying to bring in, or you just haven’t tried it and you would like to — this is your chance! I am hosting a class on Wednesday August 1, at 8pm!


Whether you are a member, or just want to try, this class is open to everyone! Come workout with me! Register through the front desk VIA Email: studiomanager0709@orangetheoryfitness.com or phone 614-852-4222. You can check out their website and location information here.


If you are a member and you want to come to the class, you cannot register for the class on the App– You will need to tell the front desk you are registering.