Do you ever wonder other moms secrets? Like actual real beautiful day to day hard working moms? So often I see a darling one at the park and think wow, she looks so great! I wonder what she is doing so well. With that in mind I thought I’d begin a new series on ALFS – Everyday Moms. These are moms I know, moms that have been recommended to me, moms that inspire and are beautiful inside and out. Let’s peak into their lives just a bit, shall we?

Meet Amy!

Location: Barrington, IL

Job: Stay at home Mom

Kid(s): Brody (9)

You’re in your closet – what do you reach for first? Anything black. Lately I’ve embraced casual dresses (especially from Old Navy) because I enjoy looking semi-put together with minimal effort.  I love being able to throw on a dress with some flip flops and spending five minutes putting my hair up with a swipe of mascara and lip gloss and walking out the door.    

Hands down the one beauty product you can’t live without. Only one! Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Nude. It’s my go-to color and I always have it in my purse or in my pocket. 

Your daily moisturizer. Are you happy with it? I love Mabel+Meg Lumilixir serum.  It gives my skin a healthy looking glow with the added bonus of minimizing the blemishes I’ve recently been getting as my skin is changing with age. 

Your nightly moisturizer. Are you happy with it? I started using Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream about 6 months ago and I’m obsessed.  I’ve noticed a huge difference in the way my skin looks and feels. 

Something in your shopping cart online right now that you want to buy – budget is no limit. New paint and light fixtures for our home.  I’ve been watching way too much HGTV (if that’s actually possible) and I’m desperate to change the paint colors from the yellows and greens that were popular a decade ago to greige, greige, greige. 

How do you feel your beauty routine changed when you became a mom? I’ve always been a hair and make-up girl and still love the experiment with both when I have the time.  Most days, that isn’t reality, so I will throw on some mascara and lip gloss and call it a day.  I promised myself when I turned 40 that I would actually develop a nightly skin care routine and I’ve stuck with it – washing my face, taking off my makeup, and applying a concoction of lotions and potions.  This is a big step in maturity for me since I spent my 20’s and 30’s in slept-in makeup.

Biggest indulgence you allow yourself. At least once a month I have a no-chip manicure on the calendar.  I love having a fun new design each time with lots of color and tons of glitter.  I’ve had everything from Lego to Harry Potter to Unicorns – anything goes and they are always attention getting.

Tell us about your kid(s). My only child Brody is 9 and he is quite the renaissance man.  He absolutely loves playing baseball and hockey, but he is equally as interested in math, chess and art.  He has been taking Tae Kwon Do for years and is currently a first degree black belt.  He stays in constant motion whether it is with sports, video games, or solving a Rubik’s cube.  He definitely keeps me on my toes and constantly makes me laugh.

What is your biggest struggle as a mom day to day. I need to remember to take some time for myself each day.  There are days that go by that I realize the only time I sat down was in the car to be the mom taxi going from activity to activity.  Reminding myself that the dishes will still be there, the laundry will still be there, the floors will still be there, and nothing will implode if I sit down and breathe in the moment when I need a break. 

What is your biggest happiness as a mom day to day. Watching my son celebrate his successes and learn from his failures. 

Snap your fingers – you could have a magic fairy help you with one thing around the home every day. What is it? Absolutely, without a doubt, I need a magic fairy who will cook for me.  As hard as I try, I’m a disaster in the kitchen.  I haven’t found the joy in cooking, and meal planning just stresses me out.  I fly by the seat of my pants and find myself at the grocery store daily trying to throw together something that everyone will eat and I can make in between activities.  The majority of dinners are either tacos or food on the grill because that’s what I can handle.  Magic cooking fairy, call me!

Because you are oh so pretty, tell us about your favorite feature! Being able to make people laugh.  There are so many times when life can feel overwhelming, but I believe laughter is the key to getting through the crazy.

Thank you so much, Amy, for sharing your time and darling family with us. I’m with you on the Old Navy dresses and the Bobbi Brown lip gloss, great picks! Love the reminder that yes, if we take a moment to actually sit down during the day, nothing will implode. Funny we have to remind ourselves of that at times but it is so true. Hope the rest of baseball season goes well for you – go Broncos!