Blueprints for the Future.
meet sarah and audrey.
This is my dear friend, Sarah. Her daughter was born the same day as our son. While I was slubbing around in my husbands old college T's those first few months of infancy, Sarah would manage to throw a cute top and skirt on. She helped me realize that the way I care for myself is a life lesson of self-care for my child. So, I threw away that old T (the husband was thankful) and am slowly making time to dress myself in something other than workout gear. Some days are more challenging than others though.
Where were you born? Proud to be born and raised in Louisville, KY.
How do you define your style? I have to laugh at this question because...I’m rather undefined. I’m drawn to clothing that looks timeless but offers something unique - like unusual lines or interesting details. My bohemian comes out in peasant blouses and sack dresses; all light and loose! I also adore ballet-inspired looks like a boatneck top with a low scoop back or a floaty tulle skirt. But, every-now-and-then I’ll be a little edgy, too. You know, sometimes a feminine dress just needs a leather jacket on top. What has influenced your style? I'm a long-time fan of Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn. Not only were they fashion icons, but incredible human beings! I might love their style (or love it all the more) because I admire them so as women.
How has your style evolved since becoming a mother? My style has simplified significantly since I became a mom. And I think that's a positive! You'll understand when I say, I have about a sixth of the time I used to have to "put myself together" each morning. And that's on a good day! So, I'm usually dressing for ease, comfort, and simplicity. Not to mention, quick access for breastfeeding. Oh, the practical life! An article of clothing you would pass to your daughter. I have a pair of 1950s vintage silk pumps that I bought a decade ago while studying abroad in Oxford, England. They amaze me because the silk was handmade and you can tell that human craftsmanship went into these shoes. To me, they represent a different era -- a time before mass-produced clothing led to the throw-away mentality of today. These shoes were probably someone's absolute treasure! I've worn them on a handful of special occasions and would love for Audrey to wear them, too. That is, if the shoe fits! I also have a ring containing small diamonds that were originally part of a great grandmother's ring. My mom wore the last iteration of the ring as her wedding band. When my mom passed away last year, my sisters and I had the stones set into three new rings...one for each of us to wear. I cannot describe how much it means to have something on my hand that she used to wear daily. I feel close to my mom when I'm wearing it. Audrey will have dibs on it, one day, too. A word of advice to mothers with daughters. Since I'm only 7 months into this great adventure, I'm still learning every day! I think the biggest lesson so far has been that nothing stays the same for long. If something isn't working - be it sleep schedules or bottle training, etc. - it can start to feel like a crisis very quickly. Because it impacts your life in a big way! But, this too shall pass. Babies change constantly and the struggles fade fast, too. Another conviction recently struck me about how I appreciate and care for myself. It seems that mothers of daughters, especially, set the tone for their female offspring in terms of what it means to be a woman. If I have extreme expectations of myself - for keeping the house a certain way or my body a certain way - that's the blueprint of womanhood that I'm passing on to Audrey. This has given me valuable perspective during a challenging time in my life! When I'm tempted to be negative towards myself, I'll stop and think about how I'd want Audrey to treat herself in a similar situation. Let's be more forgiving and compassionate to ourselves! Isn't that what we'd hope for our daughters?
SHOP THE LOOK
Top: Madewell - Anthem scoop neck Skirt: Anthropologie - Origami linen skirt by Maeve Necklace:Wooden bead teething necklace (that Audrey loves) from “GoBabe” Etsy store. Shoes: Lucky Brand (via TJ Maxx)