Motherhood With Chassity Evans Of Look Linger Love

Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Mine was pretty productive and relaxing, I finally got some decorating done around our house (my goal is to have it finished & photographed before our baby arrives in July!) and am feeling ready for another busy week. Tonight we start our birth class and I’m so excited! I’m also excited to be continuing my motherhood series with an interview with Chassity today – one of the most fashionable mamas I know. If you don’t follow her on Instagram or read her blog ‘Look Linger Love‘, start now! Chassity always has the best shopping round-ups and I love the style posts of her adorable daughter Lilly. She also has a great knowledge of art and I always discover new artists on her site. Thanks for sharing your insights on motherhood with me, Chassity! 

Do yo have any tips for surviving the last months of pregnancy and life with a newborn?
Can you believe I didn’t go full term with either of my pregnancies? Lilly came 2 weeks early all on her own, and Fletcher came 5 weeks early due to complications with HELLP syndrome. But I still can relate to the feeling of just wanting to meet your baby and having your body to go back to (a new) “normal”. I found that I was happiest when I balanced my days with enough down time to rest and plenty of activities to keep my mind off of things. While I never really had a strong case of “nesting” I did thoroughly enjoy planning the nurseries and wardrobes :)

 Have you developed or created any “rules” to help balance and juggle your business, relationship with your husband and motherhood?
Well, while I consider myself a laid back go with the flow kind of girl, I have always needed to enforce nap times. As a stay at home mom it’s easy to get talked into lots of playdates with friends, but I quickly learned that if I didn’t get the nap time period that I depended on to work on my blog then the blog post might not get done. Ultimately this not only left me feeling like I was failing, but I would really miss that time, too. I love my work! And sadly, my husband has had to get used to the idea that most evenings I’ll be nose deep in my computer working, as well. Luckily he understands and is supportive. We get out together at least once a week and always have plenty of family time.

You always have the best shopping roundups on your blog! What are your favorite sites and stores for kid/baby?
Thanks Caitlin! My favorite kid/baby shops include Pink Chicken, Roberta Roller Rabbit, Progeny Shoppe, Zara, Old Navy, and Gap.

How has your personal & home style changed or evolved since you’ve been a mom?
Oh I think this could be best described as just letting go. It’s amazing how quickly Lilly (5) and Fletcher (3) can destroy our house. I know we could be tidier around here but i figure there’s a time to be tidy down the road when they’re older.

What’s your favorite way to unwind & relax after the kids have gone to bed?
Laying on the couch with my laptop working on my blog. I really haven’t watched tv in a couple of years b/c my time is better spent getting work done (but I am trying to make a point of watching the new show Younger this season). When I get into bed I read on my Kindle every night. Admitted book worm here. I also love grabbing dinner with girl friends. These nights are invaluable for my sanity.

What’s one piece of advice you can offer to a new mother.
Just one? Why so stingy, Caitlin? ;)  But I’d have to encourage you to get together for playdates with other new moms. At this point the playdates are for really just for you, the moms. It’s good to see that others are having the same sort of new mom struggles, and laughter is just good for the soul.