Being a Working Mom

Part of the reason why I started this blog was to share my journey in becoming a fashion stylist. And now that it has been three years since  my leap of faith into the fashion industry, this blog has served as a place for me to update you with career news in addition to fashion trends. Thus, I thought I would touch on what it has been like to be a working stylist and a mom at the same time.

Being an emotional person, it has shocked me that I haven't really cried very much throughout the journey of pregnancy and motherhood. I thought I would be a bit of a basket case, but instead, I've become incredibly calm and patient. I credit God for this new found sense of peace. However, this past December I think I spent a whole day teary-eyed and overwhelmed by the thought of possibly having to give up styling. Let's just say the cost of childcare pretty much negates what I earn through styling, and it's very hard to bring a baby with you and work.

Obviously, my family comes before work, but it's also important to spend time doing things that replenish your soul. For me, creating art is part of that process. So, I realized right now that just means doing less styling for a season, but it doesn't have to go completely away. I'll still be doing closet sessions, personal shopping and styling photo shoots, but I just wont be doing as many as I normally do.

You've heard me talk about EMMA Magazine a couple times before. This magazine was started by young moms like myself that completely understand the struggle of balancing motherhood, marriage and our art forms. Working for EMMA is definitely one place I can bring Elle and still do my craft. Here are some photos showing us with our babies on set.

If you're reading this and you are a mom or would love to one day be one, know that the transition in becoming a mom is hard and amazing at the same time. But it doesn't mean you need to completely say good-bye to your passion. It just will take a back seat to a new found joy - loving on a beautiful baby.

Photos by Alejandra Vidal and Michelle Herrick.

Elle's Nursery

Earlier this year I had a list of home improvement goals, and for the first couple of months I was doing great at attacking them. Then along came baby and a baby room became number one priority. I had SOOOO much fun conceptualizing her nursery, pinning things on Pinterest, putting together her inspiration board, and of course, shopping for all of the decor. I even found my inner-DIY girl, and created a rad polka dot wall. WOOT!

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I wish I had been better at taking before photos, but I will say I have some pretty awesome after photos taken by my friend Mike Olbinski.

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I had a lot of help from friends and family in creating this space for Elle. And having the hands of people that I love help create a room for my baby girl makes me love the nursery even more. My friends painted the walls and a cute growth stick.

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My father-in-law repainted my cedar hope chest that I had when I was a little girl.

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My sister-in-law created a mobile, the pennant you see on the crib, and these SUPER cool balls of string.

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The nursery has a couple of second-hand pieces. I found an old rocking chair at a thrift store and had it reupholstered. I also found a colorful oriental rug at a consignment store in Sedona. And my favorite find, was a mid-century modern credenza that I'm using as a changing table for now, but can't wait to put it in my living-room one day. =)

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I was so excited about putting the nursery together I completed it about two months before she was born. And up until I went into labor I would sit in her rocking chair and just dream about what it was going to be like to meet her. Now that she is here, I look forward to spending time with her in this happy room, and I think she is going to love growing up in it.

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My advice to people creating a nursery, make it a special, happy place because you're going to spend MANY hours there.

Motherhood & Elle

Well, hello there! Long time no talk. I wonder why...Maybe because of this little munchkin...

Miss Elle has kept me VERY busy. It may be an understatement, but I can sum up my first month of being a mom in two words - LIFE. CHANGING.

Taking a shower where I actually shave my legs, eating more than a handful of cereal for lunch, wearing something more than concealer, going outside for more than the mail...Those are all rarities right now. I know it's to be expected for the first month, but it's still hard to adjust to such a HUGE change in 30 days.

We're starting to get the hang of things though, and soon enough I'll be back out there with a little sidekick. To see some pictures by Session Nine Photography of our first week home with Elle, click here. To see pictures of her nursery and newborn shoot by Mike Olbinski, click here.

More life updates to come!

*All photos by Mike Olbinski

AVE Styles' Newest Addition

Say hi to the newest addition to AVE Styles, Miss Elle. My husband and I are completely smitten and couldn't be more proud. I plan to share her birth story and all of our fun since we've been home from the hospital. But for now, I'm soaking up precious newborn moments with my little girl and will talk fashion a little later.

I have some friends of mine that will be sharing some awesome stuff in the meantime.

xoxo,

Alex

Baby Shower Peek

This past week has been a whirlwind of sweet time with dear friends and celebration of my baby girl that I'll get to meet in two months.

Of course, that means less blogging last week and this week. But once you see this sweet little video my dear friend Promise made of my baby shower that my talented sisters-in-law and bff's threw for me you'll see why it was easy for me to leave the virtual world for a moment.

More pictures to come, but I hope you enjoy this little peek into my world.