d.RA shirt (I could wear this shirt every day!) | J.Crew Factory jeans (they have some super cute new arrivals - 20% off $100!) | Julie Vos jewelry (my fav of late if you hadn't noticed)
Make up:
I've been reflecting a lot over the last 5 months. After turning 40 in February (did I really just say that??), I've been thinking a lot about where I am in life, what I'm doing, what I want to do. The last year in general has been both exciting and a struggle. Raising 2 preschoolers, juggling my corporate job (a part-time HR recruiter), managing our house (a fancy way of saying keeping up with laundry, cleaning up, organizing), and blogging (which I love), it's been a challenge and very overwhelming at times.
Thank you my dear wonderful readers for coming by and reading my babblings, and hopefully getting a little inspiration. Like most of my life, the blog has been an adventure. It's gone through some growing pains, different ideas and looks, both good and bad! There have been many days when I ask myself why I publish the blog, what do I want to portray, what do I want to offer my readers. In all honestly I am still struggling with this each week. So over the summer I plan to carefully consider these questions and develop a strategy for the fall to come. I also plan to spend some much needed time relaxing, destressing, and having fun with my nuggets. This is the last summer I will have with them as "pre-schoolers". They will officially be in all day school starting in September and I really want to enjoy the little sweet people they have become (tearing up a bit writing this). So this summer you will see a little less posts from me, but I will still be around :)
I have to say I was a bit nervous writing this post and sharing my thoughts with you. I would love to hear from you: why you enjoy reading Simply Lulu, what you'd like to see more of, and thoughts in general!
Thank you again for reading my little space on the immensely huge blogosphere! I love reading all your thoughts and comments. Though I may not be able to respond to each one, they are dearly read over and mean so much to me.
Don't forget Beauty Buzz is today! Kristin from Momtrends is hosting, so stop by, link up, and enter to win a Misikko flat iron!
Have a wonderful day!
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You certainly have a lot on your plate! It is so hard to find balance as a mom. I am a firm believer that every mom just has to figure that out on her own, what works for her and her children. Good luck finding that balance. I mean that sincerely (no sarcasm here). I feel like I am always looking for it myself.
ReplyDeleteErica
www.thedecorina.com
Loving that top! So cute and your hair looks fantastic bytheway!
ReplyDeleteNightchayde
Since finding your blog it's the first one I click on each morning....no kidding! We're about the same size so I love seeing what a fellow petite is wearing and how they're styling things. And, you have great style. I totally understand cutting back....you have a lot on your plate....but I'd love to still see the occasional post from you.
ReplyDeleteRegarding growing kids.....enjoy every moment but don't sweat about them growing up. Every stage is fantastic but different. I'm 10 years older than you and my kids are 27 and 23. Seeing them as fully developed people and interacting with them as adults is super cool. :)
I totally know what you mean Lulu. I struggle with why I do my blog a lot. I've come to terms with the fact that working part time as a nurse, raising a 5 yr old, maintaining a house and marriage comes before my blog and if my numbers suffer then so be it. I'm tired of stressing myself out over numbers. This is also my last summer with my son before he starts kindergarten. I love your blog and your fashion.
ReplyDeleteAgi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
Beautiful post and pics :) I always enjoy your outfits and find inspiration on dressing in some of my favorite trends/styles while being age appropriate.
ReplyDeleteIm 32, have a toddler that just turned 3, and last year went back to work as a full time lawyer, while also keeping up my blog (musings of a mom). I agree it can be hard, and sometimes ask what am I really doing? Great to hear i am not alone, thank you for sharing and enjoy your summer!
xo
Christina, Esq.
I completely understand where you are coming from! I am also a fashion blogger (I found your blog through a teacher I am friends with at your kids preschool!) I struggle every day with the same thing! My oldest is in full day K this year and in the summer I just want to be with her since I have seen her less and less this year while being in school. I really like your blog, even though our styles are slightly different I enjoy it so very much! You are not alone! Enjoy your summer and maybe some day we will bump into one another.
ReplyDeleteP.S. What do you use as under eye concealer? Your skin looks great!!!!
Donna
(www.bellaperfectionista.com)
Hi Donna. I use Two-Faced concealer. You can buy it at Ulta! Thanks for your comments :)
DeleteI adore that top! I have a weakness for white tops, and have FAR too many. Good for you for enjoying the last pre-school summer with your kiddos. Being a mama is the most important job :)
ReplyDeleteYou look stunning, cant believe your 40, you dont look it. Its hard to explain what I really love about your blog, there is just something about you. I love reading your blog, and seeing you photos. I guess its because your posts and outfits are always so refreshing.I hope this helped.
ReplyDeletehttp://princessaudu.blogspot.com/
Thanks for your honesty and for your blog! I'll just blurt out here that I'm about 15 years older than you, with 2 adult kids, and very busy working my full time job from my house, plus caring for my 91 y.o. mom who moved in with us a year ago, and also taking college classes part time. My life is so frantic, but pretty isolated too. I spend a great deal of time in front of my computer screen and I take little breaks to read blogs such as yours. I like to get a really quick look at what is current and fresh in fashion, & not that your gorgeous outfits would necessarily look great on me, but I am able to grasp ideas here and there and incorporate them into my style. I also love your easy links for shopping info and suggestions & just overall enjoy the layout and look of your blog and your FB posts. It is easy for me to read! Thank you & I hope you have a great summer!
ReplyDeleteThat top is gorgeous on you! I really do hope that you enjoy your summer! I plan on blogging less as well...besides that's what the summer is all about...spending more time with family and loved one's and enjoying the beautiful weather!
ReplyDeleteWow! I had no idea you were so busy! Having discovered your blog fairly recently, I have come to know just a fraction of your life. I love your style. It is very classic and feminine. I wish I could just take a nap in your shoe closet!! I am bummed that you are cutting back, but I will still definitely be a loyal follower.
ReplyDeletexo, Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
hello,my dear beauty friend,you are so nice and love your white top so much
ReplyDeletecasual life needs chic match like this,both comfortable and beautiful
thank you for sharing this
your lovely Poppy
http://me-poppy.blogspot.com/
I absolutely love your blog. I'm originally from Philadelphia as well and have a boy and a girl like you. Mine are a little older (well a lot older than yours). I love your style and it's the first blog I pull up whenever I go shopping, we are about the same size and age. I love your style because it's very stylish and classy and age appropriate. (hope I don't sound old) I'm 42 and have a 22 and 20 year old, so sometimes it's tough dressing appropriately. I never want to look like I'm competing with my 20 yr old daughter, but I don't want to look frumpy. Thank you so much for taking the time to post your outfits, it has helped me a great deal. Have a great summer relaxing and spending time with your children.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. Don't change a thing! So nice to read and get inspiration from another woman my age. Have a great Summer.
ReplyDeleteLulu, I love your style and love coming to your blog to see what you're wearing and buying. But I can completely relate to your life balance struggles. I was a blogger and working mom, and my blog, Up With Moms, was actually about the crazy balancing act that moms try to manage each and every day. Bottom line is that we cannot do everything -- at least not all at the same time. I got so harried that I ended up depressed with my marriage hanging by a thread. While it's good to know what your readers like or want to see, you should focus on what you want and need. I ended up eliminating all volunteer activities, pulled back on blogging, and committed to some regular much-needed "me" time. And while I loved blogging, I don't miss it as much as I thought I would. I feel SO much better. You should never feel bad about telling your truth -- as women we often do ourselves a disservice by not admitting how hard it is to work and care for a family. We ALL are struggling with it. And we should not feel bad about caring for ourselves as much as we care for our family. Wishing you the best of luck in finding what is going to work best for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being so open! I think we all struggle with this at some point and you are definitely not alone! Enjoy your summer and get that time in with your kiddos! And no matter what, I'll still be here reading!
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog since I started my own last year and I especially enjoy your personal style. I have pinned a lot of your looks for inspiration on my "Favourite Blogger Looks" board.
ReplyDeleteLulu, you are always true to yourself and I admire how you always seem to manage your life, job, family and blog in a perfect way. Oh yes, I know it is not always as easy as it may seem...!!
My children are both at university but I have a full time job - therefore my evenings and weekends are dedicated to the blog. I love my job and the blog is growing which means I have to balance out my time very well.
My children are grown up, I am extremely close with both of them and this is most important in life! I therefore understand very well that you want to spend as much time as possible with them and you will deeply regret if you missed this precious time.
All the best for you!
xo
Annette | Lady of Style