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 A Life From Scratch: Everyday Moms. These are moms I know, moms who have been recommended to me, moms who inspire and are beautiful inside and out. Let’s peek into their lives just a bit, shall we?
Location: Inverness, IL
Job: Vice President, Weber Shandwick
Kids: Kaleigh (3), Declan (17 months), and pregnant with number three due in November.
You’re in your closet – what do you reach for first? Anything that is black…I need extra help in the slimming department these days!
Hands down the one beauty product you can’t live without. Only one! Smashbox Color Correcting Primer
Your daily moisturizer. Are you happy with it? Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – yes – have used for years and love.
Your nightly moisturizer. Are you happy with it? Simple Replenishing Rich Facial Moisturizer. I do like it but want more PUNCH (AKA retinol) now that I’ve hit 35 but can’t do that during the pregnancy.
Something in your shopping cart online right now that you want to buy – budget is no limit. A Henri Bendel Jetsetter Crossbody.
How do you feel your beauty routine changed when you became a mom? I realized how much time I DON’T have and often slap some moisturizer and primer on and then end up putting my makeup on in the car or on the train to work. I had previously told myself I’d never leave the house without my makeup on but in reality, it’s makeup or an extra 15 of sleep – and I choose sleep (for now, at least).
Biggest indulgence you allow yourself. My biggest indulgence is heading to the nearby TJMaxx/HomeGoods every other Saturday (during afternoon naptime) and stocking up stretchy clothes for my growing belly and tons of home décor…whether I need it or not!
Tell us about your kid(s). I have a sweet, but most of the time sassy little ginger named Kaleigh Grace (aka the Red Tornado). She just turned 3 and wow – are we dealing with a three-nager these days. She’s the stereotypical strong willed red-head who isn’t afraid to push the limits with mommy and daddy. What makes it tough is she is smart – and she knows what she’s doing – so it makes for daily time outs and “learning moments” which can be tough to navigate at the end of a busy work day. Kaleigh’s little brother Declan Robert (aka Chaos) is about as sweet as they come. At 17 months, he’s just a ball of energy with a smile that will warm your heart. He adores his big sister and takes hits from her all day long – but always comes back for more. He loves basketball, cars and trucks and dive bombing into any surface (including concrete which he is slowly learning isn’t very forgiving). I hope one day the two of them will be best friends! I am also pregnant with BL3 (baby Lainio 3) who is due November 28. Like with our first two pregnancies, we are going to be surprised – so we are just praying for a healthy baby to join our family right around the holidays!
What is your biggest struggle as a mom day to day. The biggest struggle is balance and handling the “mommy guilt.” It’s real – whether you try to ignore it or not, it is tough not to feel guilty about leaving your littles each day. And then sometimes you feel guilty about having to make sacrifices at work to tend to mommy duties. But I make it a point to make sure my kiddos know that mommy is LUCKY to go to work so she can help provide them with the home they have and support the “fun stuff” they get to do. I feel blessed to work for a company that truly values both women and working moms and I do not take that for granted. I feel it’s really important to be an example for my daughter and show her that being a mommy and having a career is very much possible…but I credit having a terrific husband and partner in this thing called parenting that allows me find that daily balance and sleep well at night.
What is your biggest happiness as a mom day to day. My biggest happiness is seeing my children learn and grow – together. Books are a big deal in our family and I love how obsessed Kaleigh is with reading and learning and I hope she instills that in her brother. He loves to follow in her footsteps and catching those special moments of her teaching him and (gently) playing with him really breaks my heart – in a good way, of course! It makes those moments of chaos all worth the while.
Snap your fingers – you could have a magic fairy help you with one thing around the home every day. What is it? I actually feel like I already have that fairy. We are fortunate enough to have my mom serve as our “granny nanny.” In addition to caring for Kaleigh and Declan, she does an incredible amount of work around the home and it helps tremendously to come home to things straightened, cleaned, organized, washed, etc. I know – I am very blessed – plus my kiddos are being raised by the best in the biz!
Because you are oh so pretty, tell us about your favorite feature! Haha – I would have to say my lips? My husband loves them and I love lipstick – so I guess that’s why I am always trying to amp-them-up.
Love it, Caroline. Thanks so much for hanging with A Life From Scratch and sharing your darling family with us! 
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Courtney
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What great series! Loved Carline and couldn’t agree more on the mommy guilt.
Thanks ALFS
Great idea Court! I love seeing a CEO as your first pick! Sometimes I can’t tell if our community is okay or still in the dark-ages with working moms. She is pulling it off flawlessly!
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What a great idea for a series! I love reading things like this. Caroline’s input on explaining to her kids ‘why I work’ was terrific – it’s something I really struggle with.
I’m so glad you like it and can relate!