Dress: Banana Republic// Shawl: Zara (old) // Shoes: Guess (old, similar here) // Clutch: Marshall’s (old, similar here)
Below is how to wear this maxi casually since I love to mix it up all the time and purchase versatile pieces.
For today’s post I wanted to show how you wear this black
maxi two different ways because of a previous post, and then I decided I had to
get something off of my chest, so here goes:
maxi two different ways because of a previous post, and then I decided I had to
get something off of my chest, so here goes:
Dear Women Everywhere,
YOU ARE ENOUGH.
Over the past few weeks I’ve seen/heard so many women think
so negatively about themselves. Whether
it be about their self image, their children and how they are raising them,
their love life, if they bought the right house, their financial situation, if
they’re a good/bad mother, etc. You are
not only enough, but you are not alone.
There are plenty of women out there that have the same feelings you do.
so negatively about themselves. Whether
it be about their self image, their children and how they are raising them,
their love life, if they bought the right house, their financial situation, if
they’re a good/bad mother, etc. You are
not only enough, but you are not alone.
There are plenty of women out there that have the same feelings you do.
I’m career driven. I’m not a traditional housewife, and everyone
knows this. I would love to one day be a mother, but I know I can’t do that until I’m ready to put my career second.
knows this. I would love to one day be a mother, but I know I can’t do that until I’m ready to put my career second.
Whether you are a stay at home mom, a career woman, or both,
you are fabulous. There is no job that
is worse than the other, because I think we need to just stop comparing
ourselves to what the ideal is and to each other. Every single situation is different, and everyone’s life is different. I also know from experience that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. First of all this isn’t the 50’s, housewives
don’t normally put on makeup and wear their heels while vacuuming. Women are providers nowadays. It’s still considered traditional to be a
housewife, but it’s not the norm anymore.
Most moms I know besides maybe 2, work full time because they cannot
afford living on a one person income, or they are the only provider for their child. They don’t need people saying “oh
you don’t miss your baby while you’re at work?”
Of course they miss their child!
What kind of a question is that?
I’m sure they love some alone time or “me” time, but I highly doubt
going to work is one of them. Career
women are usually driven to work because that’s just the type of person they
are. Kids, a white picket fence, and a
minivan aren’t usually their thing. Want to know
the best part? That’s ok! It doesn’t mean that they aren’t good enough
because they don’t fit the mold of what a traditional woman “should do.” I personally love being career driven. I’m not ready to settle down. I know I’m almost 30, but kids are not on my
mind right now. You may think I’m
selfish for saying that and well, you’re right.
I want to be baby free for just a few more years because after that is
a lifelong commitment to a living, breathing, human. This is actually thanks to a lot of my
friends who tell me how tired they are all the time, and how hard it is being a
mom. I’m honestly not ready to give up
my sleep just yet. The women that do
both, I honestly don’t know how they do it.
Those women have extremely great time management skills, most likely
have a nanny and housekeeper and if you don’t I will need to ask you what your
secret is because I can barely juggle my current life.
you are fabulous. There is no job that
is worse than the other, because I think we need to just stop comparing
ourselves to what the ideal is and to each other. Every single situation is different, and everyone’s life is different. I also know from experience that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. First of all this isn’t the 50’s, housewives
don’t normally put on makeup and wear their heels while vacuuming. Women are providers nowadays. It’s still considered traditional to be a
housewife, but it’s not the norm anymore.
Most moms I know besides maybe 2, work full time because they cannot
afford living on a one person income, or they are the only provider for their child. They don’t need people saying “oh
you don’t miss your baby while you’re at work?”
Of course they miss their child!
What kind of a question is that?
I’m sure they love some alone time or “me” time, but I highly doubt
going to work is one of them. Career
women are usually driven to work because that’s just the type of person they
are. Kids, a white picket fence, and a
minivan aren’t usually their thing. Want to know
the best part? That’s ok! It doesn’t mean that they aren’t good enough
because they don’t fit the mold of what a traditional woman “should do.” I personally love being career driven. I’m not ready to settle down. I know I’m almost 30, but kids are not on my
mind right now. You may think I’m
selfish for saying that and well, you’re right.
I want to be baby free for just a few more years because after that is
a lifelong commitment to a living, breathing, human. This is actually thanks to a lot of my
friends who tell me how tired they are all the time, and how hard it is being a
mom. I’m honestly not ready to give up
my sleep just yet. The women that do
both, I honestly don’t know how they do it.
Those women have extremely great time management skills, most likely
have a nanny and housekeeper and if you don’t I will need to ask you what your
secret is because I can barely juggle my current life.
To the women who are reading this with a baby in one arm and
the other one playing with the diaper they just pulled off of themselves that
you haven’t noticed yet, you are good enough.
the other one playing with the diaper they just pulled off of themselves that
you haven’t noticed yet, you are good enough.
To the women who have to work to provide for their child,
don’t feel bad that you have no choice but to work, you are good enough.
don’t feel bad that you have no choice but to work, you are good enough.
To the women who don’t want children, some people will judge
you for your choices and this unfortunately, will not go away. However, you are not a bad woman for choosing
this path, you are good enough.
you for your choices and this unfortunately, will not go away. However, you are not a bad woman for choosing
this path, you are good enough.
To the women who are career driven, I understand you. I understand that being traditional is not
your cup of tea, you are good enough.
your cup of tea, you are good enough.
To the women who do both, that is a challenge and I’m sure
you can never make everyone happy. There’s
always someone who is upset but you know what?
You are good enough.
you can never make everyone happy. There’s
always someone who is upset but you know what?
You are good enough.
To the women who don’t see their self worth whether it’s
based off of how you look or for you as a person, you are good enough.
based off of how you look or for you as a person, you are good enough.
We are ALL good enough.
Just because we don’t fit into someone’s idea of the perfect woman, the
perfect wife, or the perfect mom, doesn’t mean that we are any worse than the
woman standing next to us. At the end of the day, we are doing our best.
Just because we don’t fit into someone’s idea of the perfect woman, the
perfect wife, or the perfect mom, doesn’t mean that we are any worse than the
woman standing next to us. At the end of the day, we are doing our best.
Love Always,
A woman who doesn’t fit the ideal.
Style Elixir // The Fashion Canvas // Walking in Memphis in High Heels // I do deClaire //The Pleated Poppy // Pumps and Pushups // Elegantly Dressed & Stylish // Elegance and Mommyhood // Posh Classy Mom // Lady in Violet // Glass of Glam
Monica, this is such a great post! Very well said. And you know what, I was career driven until I was 36! That's when I decided to have children. And now my oldest is 6 and I am embarking a new career in blogging. And I love it! No one way is the right way and no other way is the wrong way. You live your life on your own timeline and every decision has its upsides and it downsides. And we are all enough! By the way, that black maxi dress paired with the leopard looks absolutely stunning!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks so much for inspiring women everywhere! Amazing post and loving how you styled this maxi both ways. Thanks for the link up!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
OMG what a great post and how fantastically-written. I cannot agree more. No two women are the same because their lives, financial situations and whatnot are not the same. It is OK for some to start having babies at 19 or 20 just as it is OK for some to start families in their 30s (like I did in my early 30s when I became a mom) or even 40s. It is OK for some to decide to be single or to get married and never have babies. Society shouldn't judge us and even if they do, we should not feel bad or guilty about it. No one walks in someone else's shoes.
For a few years, I was the main provider for my husband and I (prior to us becoming parents), which was also one of the main reasons we waited for a baby. Once she was a little 2 year old, I definitely wanted to join the work-force again because one income is not enough. I miss her with every ounce of my body whether I live her for one hour or 12 hours (which is the case sometimes). But I do everything I do for her. I want her to be a happy child with no worries. Anyhow, we MUST support other women whether they are in similar situations or otherwise. And I agree the grass isn't always greener.
On a style note, you nailed both outfits. I think the dressy version of the maxi would also be perfect for a Fall Wedding, especially with the leopard stole. I wish you would have joined me and the other bloggers in this latest collaboration but there will be more for the Holiday season, are you interested?!
I LOve your message and your dress, Monica!
It takes a long time to realize this, but it can make life so much more pleasant!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Great post and so true! We live in such a judgmental world that we even judge ourselves. This past week I realized I was letting social media beat me up and took measures to change that. We have to remember that no one can take better of ourselves than ourselves! Happy Wednesday!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
wow! You look absolutely stunning!
Great post & fantastic look!
– http://www.inmyjoi.blogspot.com
Your message is amazing gal. One must not feel alone or less. Cheers.
Vaishali
http://www.vivaciouswish.com/2017/09/26/funky-fall/
Well amen to that! As women we're bombarded about what we should do and look like in a way that men never are. Love your outfit, you look so glamorous!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
You look gorgeous! You do you….it's the best motto ever.