The Fabulous Giver -

12
Jul
2017

Metallic Flats: A Summer Style Staple

When I bought my first pair of metallic flats last year, I had no idea that they would become a wardrobe staple for me. But, five pairs later, here I am. That little pop of bling can make even the most boring outfit seem a little more interesting.

Currently, I have five pairs of metallic flats. That may soon become six because I think these Topshop loafers are the cutest. The pointed toe makes them look so official but the color keeps them from feeling too serious. Besides, you can’t beat the price!

Topshop, $35

As I plot out the rest of my Summer Wish List, I’m definitely checking for some more sparkly sandals for my collection. They might be a little too casual for work but they would be really cute with either shorts or cuffed jeans. Brunch, perhaps?

ASOS.com, $35

Steve Madden, $60

While not 100% shiny, I love these flats from TOMS because blush pink is a fav color right now and the gold accent gives the shoes just enough flair. Plus, since TOMS will donate a pair of shoes to match your purchase, it feels like these are a no-brainer. If you’d like your do-good footwear to have a little more bling, these silver TOMS sneakers are right up your alley.

TOMS.com, $89

Speaking of silver sneakers, this roundup would be incomplete without these Nikes. I’m debating if I’d want my first pair of Air Max shoes to be silver or if I should go with a more practical black. I imagine wearing these on a museum or festival day – anyplace that might involve a lot of walking.

Foot Locker, $80 (sale alert!)

As I have been figuring out my “mom style,” it’s important that items are both cute and practical. Whether it’s daycare drop off or running around the park after work, I have to always be prepared with shoes that are low to the ground.

Which of these styles would you pick?

27
Jun
2017

Prioritizing Self-Care in the Summer

With summer brings endless invitations to cookouts, festivals, weddings, happy hours, and more. That’s not to mention your own personal plans to take the kids on field trips, complete projects around the house, and whatever other plans are on your agenda. Even though summer is the perfect time to slow down, it can be so hard to actually do that because who wants to waste a beautiful sunny day?

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19
Jun
2017

How to Build Your Tribe of Creative Women Who Do Good

Photo: Yellow

Last year, a friend introduced me to the Yellow Conference, an event for creative women who want to do good. Both inspired and intrigued, I logged on to their site and the rest has been history. I haven’t been able to make it to the conference yet but I get to enjoy the next best thing: membership with the Yellow Collective community.

The Yellow Collective is a membership-based platform that includes access to monthly webcasts, weekly chats on Slack, a vault of video resources, and a quarterly Empowerment Box delivered to your home. The Empowerment Box typically contains a book to read along with the other members, a do-good product, and two encouragement postcards – one for you and one to send to another member. Past books have included “War of Art” by Steven Pressfield and “Rising Strong” by Brene Brown.

Even though getting that bright yellow box in the mail is a real highlight for me, there are four other reasons why I love being a part of the Yellow Collective.

Meeting other women who are creating businesses/organizations/spaces to make a difference

I am so inspired by the regular updates that other members regularly share in the Facebook group. I connected with one gal within the group, Alison, and we have started meeting regularly via phone to talk about goals and challenges within our respective projects. Finding her was completely unexpected but our conversations are so valuable.

Ongoing motivation and tips

Whether it is a new product launch or a recently published post, I get so inspired by hearing what the other members are up to. As someone who plans to launch a do-good business in the future, I love hearing first-hand about others’ processes. It gives me the opportunity to take notes as I plan out my endeavors and also ask for advice. Can you imagine having access to 100+ women sharing and encouraging each other to make a difference? It’s powerful stuff, y’all.

Learning about new products that are good for the world

You guys should know by now that I am all about products that make a difference. It is awesome to find out about new brands within our Facebook group and inside of each Empowerment Box. My favorite product from the Box has been the memobottle. It’s a slim reusable water bottle that I love because of the rectangular shape. Beyond aesthetics, the company donates $1 from each online purchase to Water.org.

Connecting to a community with purpose

I have been spending a lot of time praying for God to help me connect with others in ways that will enhance my life and the vision that He has for me. This membership community has been able to offer me that. From the weekly Slack chats about topics like decision-making tactics to conversations on Facebook, it is exciting to be in community with others who share your same passion.

If this sounds like the community that you have been looking for, then I would encourage you to sign up! The cost is $99/quarter and you will get access to some incredible resources. You can actually sign up now as the membership process for next quarter just opened up this week.

As with any tools, you have to put in the work to see any results. Regardless of whether you become a member, check out the Yellow Room blog for an ongoing dose of encouragement and inspiration across posts like “Unleashing Your Talents and Creativity to Give Back” and “Finding Purpose When You Feel Unproductive.”

Have you heard about The Yellow Conference or Yellow Collective? What do you think?

14
Jun
2017

How Gratitude Can Help Fight Mom Guilt

Can we talk about “mom guilt?” Why is it a thing? Like a crippling, debilitating AWFUL thing? A thing that we as moms *whispers* sometimes do to ourselves?”

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06
Jun
2017

Donating Baby Clothes in Chicago

Motherhood has taught me many lessons. Among them is the fact that kids will outgrow clothes in the blink of an eye. I count it a true blessing that Caleb has more clothes than he needs and doesn’t want for a thing (besides this shirt). When he can no longer wear something, I decide if I want to save it or donate it.

When I have adult clothes to give away, I usually take them to the Goodwill. However, I feel differently about baby clothes. If a mom needs baby items, I want to make sure that she can find them for free.

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01
Jun
2017

My June Powersheets Goals

Welcome to June aka summer time! Well, at least if you are in Chicago. Last month, I didn’t set any official goals in my Powersheets, but I did commit to some things so May wasn’t a total wash. That being said, I set some intentional goals for June related to parenting, fitness, faith and relationships. While May ended on an incredible note, the middle weeks were a little all over the place. Without having a clear sense of what I needed to accomplish, I was flying by the seat of my pants as far as what I was and wasn’t doing. That is not what intentional living looks like!

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30
May
2017

Finding Peace and Sun in Biloxi

Last week, our family left rainy Chicago in search of sunnier skies on the Gulf Coast. My oldest stepson graduated from high school down there so our trip was the perfect excuse to celebrate his accomplishments, catch up with my husband’s family, and honestly just whoosah.

Leading up to the trip, I was burnt out to the max from work and some other tasks on my plate. I have been saying “Yes” to too many things, people, and projects. And, it finally took a toll on me. Honestly, I’m still in “generosity recovery,” but that’s another post for another day.

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24
May
2017

How One Bra Is Helping Restore my Body Confidence

Last week, I was showered with love and fuzzy feelings as I celebrated my second Mother’s Day. Motherhood has brought me so many incredible moments but I have to admit that I am still struggling with some of the physical aftereffects of carrying Caleb.

Thanks to Whole 30, I’m below my pre-baby weight, however parts of my body just aren’t the same as before. One of the biggest insecurities had to do my how poorly my bras fit post-baby. After breastfeeding, my girls just weren’t themselves anymore.

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22
May
2017

Being Okay with Being Enough

All of my life, I have held myself to incredible performance standards which propel me far but not as far as I know that I can truly go.

I cut myself off at the knees and think things like, “Well, those things worked because you were fortunate. Don’t go any further or people will see you for who you really are.” That last part… That fear of being “exposed” has haunted me my whole life. It has affected everything from personal relationships to passion projects. Remember Real Women Give?

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09
Apr
2017

6 TED Talks to Help You Change the World

I love a good TED Talk. Whether it’s checking them out on the website or catching snippets during the TED Radio Hour on NPR, I look to these engaging videos to inspire me, educate me on a new topic, and introduce me to new perspectives from some of the smartest folks on the planet.

Whether you volunteer at a community center or are leading a non-profit organization, it’s important that we stay motivated and reminded of the beauty that comes along with making a difference. As such, I’ve rounded up 6 inspirational TED Talks to give us the right amount of motivation as we pursue purposeful living and seek to change the world.

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