Blog : Girlboss

I feel like every post is the first post because I post so infrequently on IG. Are you starting to think the word ‘post’ sounds funny because of overuse? Anyone? Just me? K.
So, let me get down and dirty real quick, there are things you should about me before we take this to second base… I really don’t have a passion for fashion, I love style. I don’t always care about what’s happening on the runways because I care more about what’s happening in your closet and WHY it’s happening. More importantly, how I can help! I love the psychology of style, why we are drawn to certain colors and styles and what triggers our shopping patterns. Enough about that; I love a good belly laugh, the uglier the better! I’ve started probably 4 books over the last year and never, like ever, finish them – is that because I’m not an adult yet? I freaking love to dance, the truth is if you saw how I got down you might feel confusion & ask yourself, is this totally awesome or is she insane? It’s over the top and the best medicine! I’m an enneagram 4 which makes me want to swim upstream while also being your most loyal friend & a little moody mama at times. Family is top of my list, I’d walk away from life’s greatest opportunities to be a better mom & wife. The beauty of that is that I married a man who would encourage just the opposite. I’m a fresh plant lover and have actual anxiety when I see leaves start to brown. I love great skin care but often forget to wash my face before bed, I know, I know. I’m a quality time person and when I’m alone too much I sink into a bit of a self worth funk, it’s one of my daily battles. When I was in 8th grade our childhood home burned down, (it was even more traumatic than it sounds – I’ll share the story soon) the first thing I got out was my friends backpack and the last thing? My bird. I always hated that bird – chill out, it lived! And for way too long after that fire. ? Here’s what I’m working on: caring less about what others think & really embracing who I am, all quirks included! Walking outside of my comfort zone to pursue personal grow, finishing those freaking books I’ve started & drinking more water! Your turn!

Instagram filter used: Normal

Photo taken at: San Diego, California

View in Instagram ⇒

I’ve turned into a crazy plant lady over the last year, on our aimless date a few days ago took us to Bambi plant store in Carlsbad and I got a string of pearls plant that I can’t stop staring at as if it were a new baby all swaddled up & ready to be snuggled! Anyways, these crazy pants are one of my new favs! I am a tee-shirt gal 90% of the time so having a little extra sumthin on bottom is where I try and add in more flava in wardrobe. Let’s be real I could have worn a solid white or black tee and these pants would have made it look dressed up, so easy! If you’re a tee shirt lover like me think of ways to add color, print or added textures on bottom. Examples: leather skirt, flowy pants like mine, paper bag pants, silk pants or skirt.
Don’t be afraid to play in your own wardrobe, mix things together that feel outside of your comfort zone and see what sparks some excitement! .
.
.
.
#styletips #plants #stringofpearls #tshirt #personalstylist #personalstylistsandiego #sandiego #california #wardrobestylist #grandrapidsmi #personalstyle #polkadots #fall #imageconsultant #womeninbusiness #girlboss #dreamer #plantlady #stylist #fashionstylist

Instagram filter used: Normal

Photo taken at: Carlsbad, California

View in Instagram ⇒

My life has been consumed with painting, scrubbing grout, cleaning door jams, pulling weeds, solo parenting & often feeling like I’m barely keeping my head above water long. This is a gentle reminder to myself that although life is (complete chaos) slightly out of the norm right now, I am the same me. The same hard working, bust-A girl boss, energetic & diligent mom, fun loving wife & adventurous friend. Tough seasons can take a toll while walking through them but we often don’t realize what we are actually learning with each step along the way. We grow, we accept challenges & fight to over come them, we get sharpened & refined if we choose to keep on going believing that we are worth it & that we are more than conquerors. I suppose this isn’t just a reminder to me, but to you too! Your tough seasons don’t define you, they build you. Keep on truckin’ girl, silence the chaos and take a big, deep breath and remember who you are! You’re a conqueror! .
.
.
#realtalk #deepbreath #girlboss #mompreneur #strongwoman #grmichigan #sandiego #fightlikeagirl #mompreneur #personalstylist #personalshopper #mom #womeninbusiness #womenoftheword #dreamer #worthit #wardrobestylist

Instagram filter used: Normal

View in Instagram ⇒

THIS IS A BIG DEAL!! I shared in my stories that this little (very busy, very fruitful, very exciting, very exhausting) business of mine is growing!! I have official added a second stylist to help run things here in GR because, wait for it… I’ll be moving with my family back to San Diego in June! Crazy!! I’ll be launching in a second city and GUYS IT’S BANANAS!! The last few months have been so insane around here, my husband took a great job in Ca & we are prepping for the move in June when my babes are out of school. I’ve had countless moments of emotions changing on a whim, bittersweet realizations, excitement over a growing dream & my fair share of processing. I’m unbelievably full of gratitude for this life, the people I share it with & the things God has trusted me with. Seasons changing is always uncomfortable but that’s where growth comes – when we choose diligence, Faith, trust His leading & choose to reside in His peace even if fear is tapping at the door because that peace, it silences fear. He can do SO much more beyond what we can think, hope or imagine and I am all in for that!
.
.
.
#grandrapids #sandiego #personalstylist #wardrobestylist #wardrobe #girlboss #mompreneur #personalshopper #dreamer #dreambigger #dreamchaser #cantstopwontstop #ican #woman #womeninbusiness

Instagram filter used: Clarendon

Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

View in Instagram ⇒

I lost my wallet last week, but the good news is I found my fishnets so I didn’t need my wallet to buy a new pair. Silver lining! ? Ps. I found my wallet. But I’m still Looking for my energy after a gnarly week. Thank God it’s Saturday and I have no plans.

Instagram filter used: Normal

View in Instagram ⇒

You are enough. You are worth investing in. Your dreams are worth taking the risk for. The things that bring you life are important! As a mom I’ve carried this thought that I’ll be frowned upon for wearing too many hats… that raising my kids and building a career shouldn’t go hand in hand. For so long I fought fear that my kids would feel put on the shelf if I sacrificed even a moment of my time with them to invest in a career. Or that they would turn out to be wretched little humans if I didn’t give up everything and give them ALL of me.
I was wrong. The people who made me feel shame for wanting more than being a stay-at-Home-mom were wrong. I’ve learned that a child who knows they’re loved & feels secure, is there cheering mama on to become a success in her endeavors! Mamas success is theirs to celebrate too!
When Delaney says I’m a great stylist, I feel humbled. When I get to buy the kids something fun with my earned money, I feel proud. When I take a step back and I realize that the dreams in my heart were put there by a God who calls me worthy, deserving & capable, I understand that He also equipped me to walk through motherhood & my career with grace and balance. Moms are bosses.
Photo: @kelseyhettinga

Instagram filter used: Normal

View in Instagram ⇒

The beauty of a new year isn’t that it means I’ll be a new me, it’s the fact that I have a fresh start to becoming a healthier, more intentional me! Goals for the new year shouldn’t simply be ways to fix our current problems, they should be decisions we make intentionally to pursue health where we need it. Because a healthier you means growth, it means an increased capacity & greater sense of self worth, it means motivation and commitment that can’t stop, won’t stop. Imagine what you could accomplish if you were the healthiest version of yourself! You would be a fire so bright that no insecurity, no self doubt, no comparison could squelch it! My dreams are huge, massive, scary big… my goals are small, attainable steps toward achieving them! My goals for 2019 are to grow in self love, to become healthier spiritually so I can’t be shaken & so I can pour out into my business & my family. Healthier mentally so I’m aware & calculated, healthier physically so I’m peaceful & full of energy to chase after those big dreams. Cheers to 2019, I’m so ready for this!
PC: @kelseyhettinga

Instagram filter used: Normal

Photo taken at: Ada, Michigan

View in Instagram ⇒

Ya want real life? There she is! A photo of me working the week before Christmas, blurry from tiny greasy hands on my phone. My 4 year old spontaneously took this picture 🙂 So many jobs are over glamorized and feel untouchable or elite. My job can sometimes fall into that category – like it’s not attainable to have a personal stylist. Do you get your nails done so you feel pampered? Because they last a lot longer and look beautiful? Probably! Even though you could buy cheap polish & paint them yourself just to have them chip that night… there are reasons services like mine exists, to offer quality and expertise where you need it. You don’t have to have it but it could change your life – as I hear from 100% of my clients! WHY I do this job is because every woman deals with insecurity & busyness, clothes should not add to the frustration or chaos. They should empower you & give you confidence! Yes I love fashion! I love trends & style! But I love to help lift burdens that get too heavy for women to carry, style is something we can control when other areas of our lives feel disheveled. I do what I do not because it’s glamorous (although I love me some designer shopping & sparkly everything!), I do it because for so many women it’s a problem that I have the solution to & I’m passionate about it. ❤️

Instagram filter used: Normal

View in Instagram ⇒

It’s cold & all I want is the warm sun so I can stop taking 2 (yes, literally) hot showers a day to kick the chill that goes to my bones. Plus my skin is not happy with me about it either.
I guess I could stop getting iced coffee & wearing pants that are cropped so my ankles stay warm, that might help…
But somedays ya just gotta go with the crop because it rocks with the top, ya feelin’ me!? Welp, cats out of the bag with how smooth that last sentence was… I’m officially switching careers to becoming the new Cardi, I’ll just have (a lot) less cleavage. Happy freezing Wednesday. ? @kaleighdsimmonsphoto

Instagram filter used: Normal

View in Instagram ⇒

Last falls go-to is this falls go-to! This @motherdenim faux fur jacket has been one of my favorite purchases for a number of years in a row! Our closets should be full of both timeless pieces & current trends. This jacket can easily be worn with a T-shirt (I snaked this one from my husbands closet) & jeans, a little black dress or dressed up with added textures like velvet, leather or sequins for the holidays! Good quality statement jackets are always worth investing in. ✨

Instagram filter used: Normal

View in Instagram ⇒