Here’s a little secret: I haven’t always wanted kids. Even in high school when I was busy scribbling hearts around my boyfriend’s name and dreaming of his last name behind my first name, I don’t recall wanting to have children. My daydream then consisted solely of marriage and a good career, and that dream remained steadfast for many years. In college, I started to scoff at the idea of procreating and when I was in my mid-and-late-twenties, I had pretty much decided kids weren’t for me. And Nick was on the same page. We were going to focus on degrees and careers and our house and our dogs and all the other goals we had stashed up our sleeves. Besides, who has time for kids? They’re dream killers, and they’re so. needy, and you have to wipe their butts for them. Gross! 

And then I turned 30.

I turned 30 and realized that I had watched some of my family members and best friends bring these amazing little people into the world and things slowly started to change. First, my brother and his wife had my nephew and he was the coolest thing since sliced bread. Then my colleague-turned-friend had twins. Two of the most freakin’ adorable little babies I’d ever seen. TWO OF THEM! And a few years ago, my best friend had a baby girl and my sister-in-law had my second nephew and both of their little baby heads smelled so good and wouldn’t it be cool if I could have a little being that I could teach to be a good person? and maybe they would be just like me… and OMG, what are these feelings?

I thought about it for a while. I read articles online. I talked to friends about why they decided to have kids. I did everything I could think of to determine if I really did want a kid. Finally I realized that yes, I did in fact want to have a kid. I wanted a part of me out in the world, upholding our values and being a good person. I put the feelers out to Nick to see what he thought. After all, we had been on the same no-kids page for so long that I was afraid he wouldn’t be up for the idea. After almost a year of discussion and thinking about it, and more research (because that’s what we do), we decided we both wanted a kid and we were going to go for it!

Sebastian is only 3 (almost 4) months old so I’m still getting used to the fact that I really truly am a mom now, but so far, I love it. Despite some pregnancy-related health scares and the sleep deprivation (which hasn’t been nearly as bad as I anticipated), I wouldn’t trade this life for anything else in the world. I love my little monkey more than I ever thought was possible to love a little being. Seb actually is the coolest kid in the world (that’s a scientific fact, btw ;-)). He’s adorable, he sleeps well, he has a happy disposition, and did I mention that he’s adorable? I love watching him grow and learn and I can’t wait to see the person he’s going to be. I told Nick the other day that if I knew I could have Sebastian back when I was in my twenties, I wouldn’t have waited so long. But only if it were specifically Sebastian; no other baby would do. The only thing I miss about my old life is being able to go to the movie theater whenever we want to… except, when you really think about it, waiting a few months to watch a movie in the comfort of your pajamas at home is totally worth any sacrifice.

Priorities change, hopes and dreams change, life changes, and that’s all okay! I’m not saying that everyone will change their mind on parenthood but I am saying that I changed mine and I couldn’t be more happy about it!

Now, let’s talk about this outfit!

I like to think of this as my “mom” outfit, with the typical capris and denim jacket, but the truth is I was wearing this outfit long before I become a mother. I even wore it while I was pregnant with the help of my trusty belly band. Purple and green are my favorite colors so how could I resist these pants? Also, this is another one of those outfits that feel quintessentially me because it’s cute and comfortable. And I wear this outfit everywhere: to work, to run errands, out to lunch or dinner, etc., etc. It really is great.

Here’s the fun, “sassy mom” one. I imagine the day will come when I embarrass Sebastian like crazy and it will most likely be with poses like this one in front of his friends. I can’t wait 🙂

Shirt: Banana Republic | Capris and Necklace: Old Navy | Shoes: via Rack Room | Denim Jacket: Gap | Sunnies & Watch: Target

Do you want kids? Did you ever think you would or wouldn’t have kids and then changed your mind? Moms, how much do you love being a mother?

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While everything I wear is a reflection of the style I like, this outfit is one of those that feels so quintessentially me. The cute top, the comfortable pants, mostly neutral with a pop of color in the shoes… these are the things that make me feel happy and confident in an outfit. Of course, happy and confident are the main feelings I try to achieve with any outfit (as well as comfortable!) but this one really hits the mark.

For all of my adult career, I’ve enjoyed dressing business casual. I’ve never really been the jeans and tee kind of girl because that’s just me. Once, in middle school, my gym/health teacher asked me why I was always so dressed up. I think I told him I just liked to look nice. Nothing wrong with that! And this outfit looks really nice. It’s simple yet elegant. The only thing missing in this whole ensemble is some color on my lips!

I mentioned in one of my posts last week that Target is retiring its Mossimo and Merona brands but will continue with its Who What Wear line (along with several new lines). This shirt is from that line and one of the reasons I ain’t mad about Target’s decision. It’s a great shirt! It’s cute and interesting, it can be dressed up (like here, or with a skirt) or down (with jeans), and it can be worn with just about any other color. That’s a win in my book.

Top: Who What Wear via Target | Trousers: Banana Republic | Shoes: Old Navy | Sunnies & Watch: Target

What outfit combinations or qualities make you feel happy and confident?

Linkup: Spread the Kindness Linkup | Confident Twosday | Trend Spin Linkup

When I say that these are the perfect shorts, I mean it. They’re stylish (I can pair them with just about every shirt in my closet), they’re comfortable (not too short), and they don’t look too bad all wrinkled! I used to hate wearing shorts in the summer because they always felt too short so I’m getting a lot of use out of these. I love them so much that I have to make myself not reach for them every time I leave the house in the evenings/on weekends.

How cute is this necklace? It was my very first Mother’s Day gift from Nick and he did a really good job, even though I picked it out 😉 I wish the chain was slightly shorter so I’ve been looking for a new one without much luck. I often have that problem with necklaces: instead of an extender, I need a shortener. Such are the perils of being a short person.

I tied my t-shirt to give the outfit a little more visual interest. I think I like tying my shirts more than doing the half tuck because the tie seems to look better on me, with the short torso and all.

Shorts: Target | Tee: Old Navy | Shoes: via Rack Room | Sunnies: Target | Necklace: Etsy

I think I’m going to start a new series called “A Short Girl Wears… ” because there are a lot of fashion styles and trends that sometimes only work for us shorties when we put in some effort.

Take maxi dresses, for example. When you stand just over 5 feet tall, it’s hard to find a cute maxi dress that doesn’t drag the floor and trip you up every five steps, so they often have to be hemmed. I was delighted to find that the length of this maxi dress was pretty much perfect sans alteration! Well, I did have to have the shoulders hemmed because they were too long, but that’s a common problem I have as someone who has a high waist.

For the majority of my career, I’ve worked for nonprofit organizations. I love the work and I love that I feel good about what I do because I know we’re making a difference in the community. I also appreciate that I’ve never really had a hard dress code. Mostly, it’s always been wear whatever you want as long as you didn’t sleep in it (you know, pajamas). My current office is business casual which roughly translates to “anything but regular blue jeans” except on casual Fridays. And I really like this because it forces me to put some thought into my work wear without having to follow guidelines that are too rigid. Some days I feel like dressing up a little more than others and our business casual allows for that.

In my office, it’s not uncommon to see anything from skirt/pant suits to pretty skirts to chinos and a nice blouse. And I’ve worn them all. This is an outfit I work to work last week and it fit quite nicely. It could easily be a drab gray and white number but all of the little details take it up a notch. The tied belt and pleats add visual interest to the trousers while the sparkle of the shoe adds a little pep in my step 🙂

Who says you can’t look cute and fun even when you sit at a desk, entering data?! Now I just have to do something about that hair.

Top: Belk, I think | Trousers: Banana Republic | Shoes: Fioni via Payless | Necklace: Old Navy | Watch & Sunnies: Target