Motherhood comes with a lifestyle change, for sure! As a mom of four boys. I’m either at sports or under furniture collecting banana peels, apple cores, candy wrappers, or any other hidden surprises. I’ve had ice cream cones stuck to the wall and empty cartons (with four spoons) in the basement. It’s a step up from sharpie painted walls, and jars of peanut butter or tubes of lipstick spread all over my house and child. Louis Vuitton should have a limited edition bag with M.A.C. makeup, inspired by my four-year-old. What I didn’t want to change was my love for fashion. My solution, a drawer full of wardrobe essentials for my ‘mom life.’

My life is similar to a day at the circus that never ends. There’s no shortage of entertainment! I laugh so hard; I count it as my situps for the day. Like the circus, my day is full of surprises, sticky hands, snacks galore, and fights over who sits next to me or on my lap.

When I’m with my kids, I make sure to dress for the occasion. Morning chaos has become the new norm, but sleepwear can’t become my new norm. This post explains the importance of not loosing your identity in motherhood. 

My Wardrobe Essentials: Sneakers made to run

Imagine spending an entire day at the circus. You do a lot of walking and or running. To prevent breaking an ankle or getting stuck in the mud, I’ve developed a newfound love for sneakers. The good news, they don’t carry the same price tag as some of my heels. The bad news, one sneaker takes the same amount of space as a pair of heels, so my closet has taken a toll. The sneaker industry is a whole new world and had no idea what I was missing out on, so they are well worth it!

My Favorites below

1. Golden Goose Slides
2. Golden Goose Superstar Sneakers
3. Golde Goose Deluxe
4. Nike Blazer
5. Nike Dunk Sky Hi Wedge
6. Philippe Model Paris Paris L’Eclair Metal Pop 

Wardrobe Essentials: Bottoms that stay up

Throughout the day, I am either standing up, sitting down, bending over or getting on all fours—kind of like, being at the circus. Many trips to the bathroom, spilled snacks, and fistfights that end with someone on the ground. So, my pants need to stay in place, and not consume my thoughts with “Am I showing inappropriate skin?”

Through experience, I’ve learned to wear high waisted denim stretchy material. Shorts, I always size up, and my go-to brand is One Teaspoon, for my cut off denim shorts. Most of their shorts are shorter in the front but longer in the back—kind of perfect, especially when they hide your trouble areas.

My favorites below 

1. AG-Legging Ankle Skinny 
2. Mother Denim-The Cruiser
3. One Teaspoon-Bandits 
4. David Lerner-Half Ripped Legging
5. Alo-Motto Joggers
6. One Teaspoon-Bonitas

Wardrobe Essentials: Tops that cover 

Tops can become tricky, especially when you have little ones or breastfeeding. Using my circus comparison, I pick my tops based on their ability to handle many stains. Sticky hands are the reason I always carry baby wipes, and always will. I use them for everything! Including to clean my baseboards and floor. They are a household staple, with or without kids.

What about all the other surprises that go on? Like, the time your boys decide to slide down a mound of dirt head first. Or when they wipe ketchup all over your shirt or spill an entire bottle of water on you. To prevent those college day memories, make sure your tops don’t become see-through with a drop of water.

Speaking of possible cleavage, tops with loose straps could cause accidental flashing. Younger kids who get tired and want to love on you tend to pull your tops down

My favorite tees:

1. Madeworn
2. Daydreamer
3. Lauren Moshi
4. Spiritual Gangster
5. x Karla The Crew Tee
6. Marc Jacobs 

Wardrobe Essentials :Accessorize your freedom!

Big sigh of relief! When it comes to accessories, you’re free! (except necklaces, which could break) I’ve never been the type to accessorize. Having four kids in five years, I couldn’t justify shopping for new clothes. Instead of kicking my shopping addiction, I decided to venture into the accessories department.

Sunglasses do more than shade

Four kids later, and a drawer dedicated to just sunglasses, I’m a sunglass addict. They can transform your entire look! We all know the saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” What about sunglasses? Instead of judge, let’s use, guess their personality? I think so.

Some of my favorites 

1. Chloe
2. Miu Miu
3. Karen Walker
4. Saint Laurent
5. Retro Super Future
6. Quay

Bracelets ‘being’ reminders

Woven bracelets have become my thing. When Pinterest first came out, I found a picture of a stack of friendship bracelets. The brand, Kim and Zozi, wasn’t easy to find. Shopbop and Revolve carried the brand at one point, but I have only seen them on Poshmark. A boutique in West Palm Beach, Florida, sold this brand, which didn’t surprise me. They give off a beachy, boho-chic vibe.

Since then, I have gravitated towards this look, so most of my other bracelets are very similar. Some brands I love are Pura Vida, Roxanne Assouline, Maison Irem, and Venessa Arizaga. Most of these brands are reminders to help become the best version of myself.

Even though I love that boho-chic vibe, I also love an edgy, rock n roll vibe. I have a girlfriend who makes jewelry, and I keep telling her she’s going to become famous off her “Bones Bracelet.” It’s so badass. I can’t even explain in words. When I wear this bracelet, it gives me an edge and balances out my style. I get more compliments and questions about this bracelet than I do being with my four boys in a lobby or elevator! YES, I HAVE FOUR BOYS, I DON’T KNOW HOW I DO IT EITHER, AND YES THEY ARE ALL MINE

Current Favorites

1. Noelle Munoz Jewelry
2. Roxanne Assoulin
3. Kim and Zozi
4. Maison Irem
5. Shashi
6. CHARGED

Fashion Is An Accessory To Life:

The Collins dictionary defines accessory as items of equipment that are not usually essential, but can be used with or added to something else to make it more efficient, useful, or decorative.

Fashion doesn’t define you. It accentuates you. As life can change, so can your personal style. Knowing my mood reflects my style and vice versa, I like having a plan when it comes to selecting my outfits. If my mood dictated my outfit every morning, I would end up wearing pajamas all day. Every Sunday, I would choose my outfits for the week in a perfect world based on my schedule. One day I’ll get organized. For now, I’ll stick to my rotation of trusted items the mornings I don’t have time to try on my entire wardrobe. 

Fashion icon Iris Apfel says it best in an interview written by Kathryn Kattalia for The Zoe Report. The question was, “In a few words, could you define your personal style? Is that possible?” Her response, “No, absolutely impossible. I always say that my style is for other people to describe. My style is something to me. It may be something completely different to you. My style is me. It’s the way I feel at that particular moment. Sometimes it’s one way, sometimes it’s another. I can’t define it.”  Check out the Full Interview Here

Comment below with who your fashion icon crush is in the media. And then tag someone you admire in your personal life, and let them know why you admire them. insert heart

XOXO ♥

Sketched by a HAUTEmess