A Jersey Shore Send-Off to Summer

The fact that Fall is on its way in really bums me out. Summer is my all-time favorite time of year - always has been ever since I was a little girl. The beach, the boardwalk, the warm summer nights... the crop tops. I'm going to miss summer especially since it was the first true season I got to spend with my sons.

So, to give summer a send off in our own little way, the Jeffery clan headed down to the boardwalk in Point Pleasant, New Jersey for a last hurrah if you will. We took the drive down the Garden State Parkway and planned to win the boys some stuffed animals from the arcades... And of course, grab a slice of pizza. It was definitely one of the best days of the summer, and I'm really going to miss the chance to take the twins down there again until next year.

And it was only fitting that I squeeze in some photos in my favorite place. Hopefully, we can ride out the heat until late September so I have more time to wear all my summer brights.

Until next time, summer!

Outfit:

Purple Racerback Tank - Madwell / Skirt - Forever 21 / Kate Spade New York Bag / Gladiator Sandals - Target / Maybelline Lipstick 

Blue Hues

Going back to work has given me the chance to dust off all the clothes I couldn't wear while pregnant, and to rip the tags off new ones I bought when I literally couldn't see my feet.

But now that I have a view of what's beneath me, I'm back in my heels and feeling like I'm regaining my pre-pregnancy appearance. It's been 4 months, and for the most part I think I look pretty much the same. Okay... I'm just going to say it: I look like I didn't have two babies. And I know how lucky I am to have good genes in the sense that I was able to bounce back to my pre-baby size. But, I do have some work to do and while it may not be visible to everyone, I know what I want to achieve and that I'm not 100% there yet. It is a struggle to come to terms that your body really isn't your body anymore after you have a baby, let a lone two. Yet, what it all comes down to is any woman who has had a child would probably say they would sacrfice the appearance of their body for the sake of their children. And I'm no exception. 

Dresses have always been a staple for me, and especially for summer. Expanding my color palette, this blue geo print dress in blue is one of my current favs. I've worn it both casual and dressy, as is evident by the heels in today's #ootd. I wore this outfit on a Sunday for lunch in my town with the boys, and for some mommy time getting my hair blown out in the morning. Simple pleasures, people. I'll take free time when I can get it... but I don't mind sacrificing my personal me time for the boys. 

Unless we're shopping (just kidding!).

Outfits:

Dress - Forever 21 / Ankle Strap Metallic Heel Heels - Spring.com (shop a similar shoe style here) / Stitched Leather Camera Bag - Henri Bendel / Bracelets - Alex and Ani / Sunglasses / ZeroUV

Upgraded Minimalist

All this talk of summer being over is reminding me that I need to get in those outfits that I won't be able to enjoy in a few weeks. I'm talking crop tops, sandals and neons. I've always had this weird obsession with unicorns... Okay, I know that sounds incredibly strange and no, I'm not high. I just think there's something funny to be said about this mystical and mythical creature that makes me giggle. When I saw this unicorn crop top, I didn't care how I was going to wear it with anything in my closet... I just had to buy it.

For me, I'm in favor of two kinds of outfits: really minimalist in terms of colors - greys and blacks. And then quirky pieces with a lot of flair - hence, the Kate Spade bag. Combining the two is even better in my book since I'm wearing some of my favorite colors while toning down the bright bag with a simple black tulle skirt. Going back to work has let me wear a lot of the clothes I hadn't dug out in a while, and given me a chance to try out this whole working mom routine in the morning. While the top isn't work appropriate, I managed to save this outfit for a weekend of local fun in my town with the boys and my hubby.

August is flying by too fast! Before we know it, fall will be here. And yes, I've already started stocking up!

Outfit:

Uncorn Crop Top - Forever 21 / Black Tulle Midi Skirt - Boohoo.com /
Coach Shoes / Kate Spade Bag

#momlife: Style for You and Your Little

Even though I am a mother to twins, I am not really a fan of dressing my sons alike. I think it's important for them to have their own personality. And besides, being as obsessed as I am about my own clothes, do you think I would miss an opportunity to style my boys individually?

However, my stance on this does have a loophole. While I wouldn't dress Landon and Nathan alike, I WOULD rock a t-shirt that matches theirs. The #momlife movement is huge right now, and it's made its way into fashion. Moms want to show off their proud mommy pride, and while their children represent that love, some are taking it a step further by opting for slogan tees that put that sentiment in writing. I love that I can dress the boys in something fun that makes me feel a part of their twin vibe. And even if you are a mother to one, it's equally adorable!

I have started to grow my mommy t-shirt collection already. Plus, my kids get to play dress up with me as I dress them in bodysuits that mimic my quirky sense of pride. The best place I've found mom slogan tees - Instagram! Some of my favorite shops include:

lovedbyhannahandeli.com - ADORABLE Mama Bear tees!
slyfoxthreads.com - "We Never Sleep" tee
hellomerch.com - "I'm not tired" and "I'm so tired" tee.
oliveandcheeks.com - Cute slogan tees for littles!
leethreeembroidery on Etsy - A family of bear tees including mom, baby, papa, auntie and more!

#MomLife: Returning to Work is a Mother

Today, I became a working mom. It's a bittersweet day filled with a ton of emotions that I was not looking forward to facing. Until a couple of months ago, I was a pregnant mother-to-be only able to imagine what it felt like for millions of women who stepped into motherhood and returned to work a short time after their babies were born. Fast forward now, and the phrase "Hindsight is always 20/20" is very real.

For the last three months, I've been set in a routine of caring and bonding with the twins. Each day is different - some are adventure filled, some are lazy spent at home completely content in watching the boys in amazement, some are rough and long as one of the babies might be feeling not so well, some are filled with new developments as the boys discover something new... and some are just like any other day. The feelings of looking at your child and having more and more love in your heart for them with each passing day is something that can't ever truly be expressed in words. But as each day turns to night, the lingering reminder that my new routine would become old news pushed me one day closer to the end of my maternity leave.

I'll admit - I was dreading this day, and not for the reasons you might think. Unlike some moms out there, I happen to have a job I truly love. It's the best job I've ever had, actually. But, the idea of spending 12 hours a day, five days a week away from my sons makes me feel like I'm letting them down in a way. Will they feel like I wasn't there for them? Stories of children being resentful toward a parent who worked haunts me. Will the boys lose interest in me and love Daddy more than Mommy because he's home with them more now? I have already packed up 4 picture frames with their photos to turn my cubicle into a Landon and Nathan Mini Museum...

I keep telling myself that I'm not the first woman on the planet to face this day. And I know it will be harder on me than it will on them. But how do you get over knowing that you'll be missing out on many "firsts"? I'm going to lay one of my fears out there: I'm almost nervous to come home and hear that one of them did something new - and because of that, I'll be a little bit jealous of my husband (who will be taking care of them during the day) when he tells me about the cute thing Landon or Nathan did. Babies change so much in the first 3 months, and now with the boys approaching 4 months soon, I know they'll be changing faster than ever. It's inevitable that something monumental in the book of memories they're working on will happen. I just have to face it.

But that doesn't mean I'm prepared for it...

The debate on stay-at-home moms and working moms contributions to the family have been heavily debated, and I won't be another woman who pins one against the other. Both are equally important. And each family is different. The decision a family makes together or a mom decides on her own to return to work or stay home isn't for me to judge. And frankly, no one else should be doing that either. Unless you yourself are ready to take care of a someone's baby 24/7 and pay all of her family's bills, then you really don't have a right to lay societal stereotypes on her capabilities as a mother if she returns to work. I have respect for mothers, period. No matter if your throne is an office chair or a rocking chair - duty calls as the powerful keeper of your domain.

So, as quickly as a became a mom, I proudly take my new title and add a little something extra to it. The first week will surely be an adjustment for me, and I know in time, I'll get used to it. But for now, I'm working through the emotions, and minimal sleep, to write a new chapter in my book of life.