Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
I am a Houston native. I have lived here my whole life. I attended the University of Houston, Go COOGS!, so I didn’t leave for college as well, though I thought about it many times. There was a time before I had kids that I really wanted to move to Austin because I was just bored with Houston. I am glad I didn’t because a few years later I met my husband Adam who is originally from Minnesota.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
I am a boy mom all the way. Braeden 5, Liam 3, Sawyer 2. There is never a dull moment with these 3 little nuggets.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you...
I am an introverted extrovert. I love meeting new people but I can be quite shy as well. I am definitely not the loudest one in the group but I like to add my two cents here and there.
Favorite local activities to do in Houston?
We love going to Discovery Green. They always have so many events going on throughout the year, we love it. We also love going to the beach. Renting the multi-person bikes and riding them down the seawall is so much fun.
Do you have a favorite family-friendly restaurant in the area?
Is Chick-fil-a considered a restaurant? I am totally kidding, but it is a great place for play dates. We like to go to Gringos. It’s a really loud tex-mex restaurant that If the kids do start crying or yelling for whatever reason nobody can hear them because it’s already so loud. Plus they have the BEST fajitas. We also love going to 888. Something about Chinese food gets my kids so quiet and sitting still. They love the egg rolls.
What local places do you go to for pampering and/or mom’s night out?
Like most women, I love getting manicures and pedicures when I can. I also really love going to events around Houston. Whether that be a blogger event or an opening of some kind. I love dressing up in anything that’s not leggings and a tee shirt (my daily uniform) and meeting new people and getting to catch up with some other bloggers and friends. It is my mommy time and I feel like it helps me keep my sanity, you know having an adult conversation with real adults. It’s so much fun! You can usually spot me at one of these events and if you do don’t hesitate to come and say hi!
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I am the owner of a website called The Fashionable Maven. I started this blog as an outlet for myself. Once I became a mom for the 3rd time, I found myself overwhelmed and I felt like I was losing who I once was. I have always been the kind of person who would dress up and look forward to it. I found myself overwhelmed with babies and I didn’t feel like me anymore. I wanted a place where I could express myself through Fashion and Beauty.
I decided to create a place where other women and moms could come for tips, tricks, and advice pertaining to all things fashion and beauty. At www.thefashionablemaven.com you will find Fashion tips and inspiration, beauty hacks and the best products, and lifestyle post. Some of my most popular posts are the ones centered on juggling motherhood and work life as well as tips on Disney with toddlers.
I believe that we are all in this motherhood journey together and that we can look and feel our best as we raise our tribes. Fashion is for you. Right now, where you are in your life it is for you.
How has the Houston community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
As a blogger, I have met so many kind and helpful women in Houston! I love how everyone shares information with each other as well as advice for women who are starting out their blogs. I have been able to learn so much about blogging by putting myself out there and going to events or reaching out to other bloggers on Instagram. Most of the women I have reached out to are so friendly and it really feels like community over competition. Which I love so much!
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?
The best advice I have is: go easy on yourself. It is hard balancing mom life and work life. Throw in home life and it all can seem overwhelming, but you got this. If the dishes are dirty but you get to spend that time cuddling or playing with your child instead that is so worth it and those dishes will be waiting for you darling, trust me they will.
I try not to let too much guilt take over my life and waste my time and thoughts. We all know how it can be. There’s guilt about not spending enough time with the kids, then there is guilt that you could be doing more in the home or with your business. When you realize you can only do so much each day and plan each day with the most important task prioritized you can rest some in knowing you got the most important stuff done for the day and tomorrow is another day.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
I would say girl don’t judge those other mamas because kids really do have a mind of their own.
Also, do it now. That dream you have, that idea in your mind. Do it now. Now is the time when you have all of the free time in the world and all the time to accomplish your desires.
I would also say someday you are going to experience a love like no other. A love that knows no bounds and it will be so strong that you would move heaven and earth to protect it. You are going to love someone so fiercely more than you even love yourself and you are going to love how that little person loves you back. It will truly be the absolute best thing that has ever happened to you.
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
Turn everything into a game. ‘Lets see who can race to the bathtub.’ Show me how many bites of that (food) you can eat.’ ‘ Who can pick up the toys the fastest.’ It really works getting them to do things they don’t want to do.