There are some great options right now for wearing lightweight leather in the spring & summer. Opt for shorts or skirts as I find it more breathable than a leather top. With our weather in Chicago creeping up to the 80’s, the last thing I need is a sweaty top :).
Click through to read/see more – needing some helpful advice!
Love Leather (camel, orange, turquoise)
t+j Designs Mint Enamel Link Bracelet (special price!)
Last week was a stressful one with my work load increasing, a new intern starting, and guests at our house. I’m feeling guilty as I know I need more help with my little one in order to keep up with my growing business. It is a choice every woman makes if you have children, to stay at home or go back to work and I’ve been very lucky to do both. Owning your own business gives you some freedom to manage your schedule but it also means working all the time. The balance of costs, career, being a great mother and wife, it has me stressed, worried and feeling overwhelmed. How to find balance is a question I constantly ask myself. And the step of maybe having full time care for my little one has me questioning myself as a mom. Any advice and tips would be much appreciated.
This blog has enabled me to meet many wonderful people, grow my business and share my shopping tips as well as a bit of myself. It is easy to show the fashion and styling part however a bit harder to share the meltdowns and stresses of life. I want to be a fantastic mom, wife and friend and double my sales in t+j Designs and I’m doing it all the best I can however it was just one of those weeks where I felt I couldn’t manage it all. Things are great overall, I think I just need a vacation!
I can’t thank you enough for reading, sharing and supporting me.
I love this. Such a pretty combination! The balance between life and other things is forever a struggle I think for everyone!
LOVE this!!http://sprinklessequins.blogspot.com
No need to stress Jen you are doing great. Your son will be proud one day to have a mum who is succesful and accomplished women at work. It is hard sometimes to juggle it all, but you are strong and I believe in you. Give yourself a little break sometimes to take a deep breath and know that you do enouhg in every field of your life. Really, you are an inspiration. If you have a second please visit my blog to have a look at my new post, I would love to hear your thoughts xoxowww.kameliaandpearls.blogspot.com
You are awesome Jen, and I can only imagine it is tough to juggle it all. I will be having the same struggles when I become a mom. I definitely think a vacation is in order. 😉 You look amazing in this outfit. I love that top!Meredithcreatethatoutfit.com
Hire a maid to do the stuff that doesn't really bring you joy (laundry, dishes, etc.) so you can focus on work and baby! Make it as easy on yourself as possible. And at the end of the day, just know you are doing your absolute best and not to be too hard on yourself because… the problem you are having, is a great problem to have. 🙂
Jen, this is a great post and a great outfit! You always look good. My suggestions are to take many mini breaks, get pamper (full body massage) and write as much as you can. I also think it's very important to be grateful for all the things you have. If you like, stop by my blog today. I think today's post might help you. All in all, you're doing an amazing job! You should be proud of yourself.xo Johttp://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com/
Those shoes and accessories really make the outfit! Love it. Never give up on your careers! Take baby steps if you have to.-Franciwww.TheFashionPalate.com
I know exactly how you feel…well for me it's more about managing my full time job with my full time hobby turned business and making sure you have time for family as well. I don't have a little one, and I'm sure that's extra pressure in being an amazing mom as well as a business woman. Therefore – much, much props to you for doing both and being successful at them! xoxoKTR
Beautiful print on that top! Yeah- a vacation can be so therapeutic and helpful to recharge! (speaking as a therapist, I recommend you go on vacation hehehe)http://asequinloveafair.com
Hey Jen! Wish I could share some words of wisdom, but I have a long way to go. I still live at home, my dog is the closest thing I have to a baby, and I'm married to my blog haha;)! Hope that made you smile! You're an amazing woman and I know you will figure it all out! It takes people years to find that balance, but I know you will. And it's okay to ask for help:)! P.S. You look STUNNING!!!!!
I love the flirty white skirt oh so much!www.fashiontruffles.com
Oh my gosh – I SOOoooo hear you on this one Jen. You do such a gorgeous job of balancing what would be overwhelming to most. Here are my thoughts (for what it's worth!):- Having a break from my sweet baby and trusting a nanny to help out as I go to work has been actually a very good thing for both myself and Cooper. I've noticed that Cooper is always happy to see her and they do all kinds of fun things together. I am always happy to see him again and gosh darn it…I think it has allowed me to be a better mom when we ARE together. I don't feel so overwhelmed and I think Cooper picks up on that.- You said that this issue has made you start to question yourself as a mom. Please don't allow yourself to go there. Take society's image of what a mom should do and restructure it to be "What works best for our family?" Balance is key and sometimes that means introducing another caretaker for your child. As a child psychologist, I can tell you that the more people your lil man can form connections with at this young age, the better! :)Oh, and you look insanely gorgeous in these images. I am pinning that blouse.Big hug from Denver,Marion
I've been following both your sister and your blog for some time now. I find it wonderful that both of you can work together and have a successful business together! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Personally, I think having a work and life balance is difficult, even if you do or do not have children. Maybe I should say – challenging in its own ways. I currently work a lot and decided to go to school part time to get my masters. After being in school for two years and working non-stop, I can see that I really made some changes to fit my current lifestyle. I don't have the same group of friends anymore, but I have come to realize who my close friends are. More than ever, I go to my close friends and family for support. I'm not much of a hugger, but I realized that hugs really help me get through tough days. Its ok to feel overwhelmed and frustrated. It just takes time and it will all be ok. 🙂 Take Care!JennSnappyLemon.com
Hi Jen,I've read your blog for a while now and really enjoy all your posts and your outfit inspirations. I was very glad to see a girl who is invested in her career and her home life; it's making me believe I can get there one day.What you're dealing with now is what's making me apprehensive about having a family in the near future but I tell myself that I owe it to my future husband and children to be a happy, fulfilled person who can share the joys of life with them. And if you can afford getting help at home and work so you can focus on what's important in both to you, I think it's a fantastic idea! Hope you feel better about it 🙂 I try not to think about asking for help as a sign of weakness, both at home and at work.
Balance is something that I strive for on a daily basis. The outside pressures that are put on women is insane , but don't begin to compete with what we put on ourselves. My first bit of advice is to cut yourself some slack and make no apologies for wanting to grow your business. Even part time care might help you strike a better balance for yourself. Also, hire a housekeeper. Just do it-it's the best money you'll spend. I felt immensely guilty for sending peanut to daycare at first (he's part time there part time with my mother), but I think that daycare has helped him so much with skills and development that I never would have thought of if he were home with me. It's been a great experience and certainly has helped is strike a better balance for our family.
I'm so behind posts but I struggle with this all the time but no matter what decision you make that won't change the fact that you are a great mom! Let's get the kids together soon and chat. Talking with friends make me feel better whenever I feel like I'm overwhelmed by life!
You look pretty in this dress. I love your entire selection and match you well. Also I am jealous about your hair. You have a thick black straight hair. Love it
Love your clutch dear! Btw, Thank you for sharing your life. I`m a young girl who graduate soon from university and I have face the real world soon. Many young girls afraid to face it. I really want to start my own business and work at home. You really enlighten me. Thank youxoxo, Putri, graysatchel