Let's hear it for moms!

In light of my girls being complete jerks the other day, I thought that I would write a little shout out to all the moms out there. Being a mom is tough work! I can't even imagine what it's like for single moms!  I don't remember the last time I had a bath or a shower without being interrupted, or having toys thrown in or constantly being asked, "is dat your bagina?"! It's worse when they double team me when I'm trying to go to the bathroom.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a mom. But some days it's absolutely maddening. The whining, the complaining, the screaming, the crying - those days test me.  They test my patience, they test my temper, and they test my blood pressure. On those days, I turn into Monster Mommy.

So, to all you incredible moms out there, the ones who get up early to make lunches, the ones who stay awake all night keeping an eye on a feverish child, the ones who cross the street while juggling a crying baby and a defiant toddler, the ones who breastfeed while cooking, cleaning or putting on makeup, the ones who always put their kids first above all else - You are doing an AMAZING job!

And remember, it's OK to get frustrated, or angry with your kids. It's normal. I'm not saying that you should scream or yell at will, but it's not necessarily a bad thing for your kids to see you display emotions.  I think it's a sign of strength, not weakness.

What are your thoughts? Have you ever really lost it on your child?

Dress it up!

Easy. Comfortable. Simple. These are usually the 3 things my clients want when it comes to their wardrobe.  Not surprisingly, the majority of my clientele are mothers.  If given the choice between more sleep or more style, sleep would win hands down.

So here is my number one tip to looking put-together without putting in a lot of time or effort. Trust me, it's doable... grab a dress!  It's not as crazy as it sounds. I promise.  Really, there is nothing easier than throwing on a dress in the morning.  It can be worn loose fitting or belted. For a night out with friends or picking up the kids from school.  It can be worn with jeans, leggings or tights. Heels, flats or boots.  Add a necklace or scarf and you are good to go!

     Night Out

Mix it up

Everyday Style

Easy. Comfortable. Simple. Chic!

say yippie!

I am constantly amazed by how many mom bloggers are out there!  All working hard to find balance between family life, work life, the pushes and pulls of being a mom, friend, daughter and wife.  I am also extremely impressed with how creative moms are. Definitely putting my crafting abilities to shame!  But it does inspire me to do more. Try more. Learn more. Create more.

One of these mom blogger extraordinaire happens to be a good friend of mine and the source of inspiration for me to start blogging.  Jillian Murphy is a mom of two, wife, Naturopathic Doctor, artist, foodie, crafter, health enthusiast, DIY'er and business owner.  Yes, she does it all!

I have no doubt that Jill's blog, say yippie, will also inspire you. So what are you waiting for? Go grab a cup of coffee and check it out.

         

Crafts - for crying out loud!

I am always trying to find fun things to do - that entertain my girls for longer than 30 secs, and that don't require a massive clean up afterwards!  Keeping in mind that I have 2 fairly young girls on my hands, I feel my options are limited.  Ok, so what you need to know is that I really love tapping into my creative side, I find it quite therapeutic. BUT...when I attempt to do crafts with my girls, I feel I need therapy when it's all done.  Take yesterday's project for example.  One of my less inspired ideas, necklace making.  I know, what was I thinking, small beads in tiny hands - and mouths - not to mention our old home has a slant to it. [At least the beads all roll to the same spot on the floor]

The plan: The girls would sit happily and make their own necklaces, while I would create personalized aprons for them with iron on transfers. We would laugh, sing songs while we crafted and it would be a great bonding experience.
Reality: Beads on the floor, the girls fighting over beads, and lot's of "MOMMY I MEED[sic] HELP!", "Mommy, MOMmy, MOMMY!!". I promptly looked at the clock.  Sadly it was too early to pour myself a glass of wine.

We all pushed through, picked the beads up off the floor, wiped away the tears (mine included) and finished the necklaces together.  While they were enjoying their new jewelry, I was able to finish making their aprons. Yes it was chaotic, yes it was loud, and yes it was fun (just look at their faces).  

  Here are some pics from our crazy crafts!

"Is it just me, or do these crafts stink?"

"I gave up my nap for THIS?"

The final product!

Before

After

The final product!

The Owl and the Peacock

Welcome to the Owl and the Peacock, a blog about life as a mother & entrepreneur, and the struggle to find balance!  I am a mother of two very busy girls and when time allows, I focus my attention on my business as a wardrobe consultant in Kingston, Ontario.  This blog will cover just about anything and everything that I manage to accomplish from day to day - family wise or work wise.  So stay tuned if you're interested in mediocre crafts, easy recipes, and frugal fashions.

As far as the Owl and the Peacock goes, the owl is a symbol of independence, protection and wisdom, which are all things that I strive for. The peacock is a symbol of integrity and beauty - when we show our true colours.  Both are extremely important when it comes to what we choose to wear in order to present our authentic selves.

Please feel free to leave comments, feedback or suggestions.