Photography by Dane Wallace

I’m so excited about our new series: Model Mom Style. I wanted to feature real women to show you how they dress for their busy, everyday lives and still manage to look stylish.

I think a lot of women don’t take enough time to look their best. They think they are too busy, or always prioritize their kids (or careers or family) over themselves. I hope the Model Mom Style feature will show busy women they can find time to look their best.

I’m a busy working mom of a toddler and an infant, but I (almost) always make the time to do my my makeup and hair and pick out a nice outfit. Believe me, it can be a challenge some days, managing this blog, my professional career, and my family — but I force myself to find the time to take care of myself. Looking my best makes me feel confident.  It’s a lot easier to get past the difficult days if you look and feel good about yourself, and how you dress and look impacts your confidence.

Our first contributor is Jill. Thanks so much for agreeing to pose for our Model Mom Style series!

Jill, how do you describe your personal style? 

I try to find the right balance of trendy with traditional.  It’s tough staying on top of the latest fashions, plus dressing head-to-toe in trendy pieces may not be work-appropriate…or age-appropriate either, for those of us who have turned 29 many, many times… Wearing a great pair of boots with a work outfit, or a chic jacket with jeans makes me feel stylish without overdoing it.

What are your go-to pieces in your wardrobe? 

I love skirts that can be worn on the weekends as well as to the office.  I have several skirts that pair nicely with work blouses and can be dressed down with a tank top and flip flops.  Wearing a skirt creates a look that’s a little more pulled together, even if you’re just running the kids around.  Plus skirts are “forgiving”: they hide the current circumference of your thighs!

What is your favorite ‘me time’ activity? 

Like all busy moms, I don’t have a lot of time to myself. I feel better when I’m exercising, so I’m intentional about scheduling time to go for a run or to the gym. I think reading is the only hobby I have left… I  have to coerce my kids to read, while I just wish someone would send me to my room alone to read!

How do you find balance with working full-time and being a mom to 2 of your own and 3 step children? 

I think that we have to give up the notion of balance occurring on a daily basis and look more towards a weekly equilibrium.  Those of us girls who grew up in the 70s and 80s were told to believe that we could have it all, career and motherhood.  The reality is, many of us can’t.  At least not every day!  Some days the kids are sacrificed, and other days, work gets delayed.  Once you come to terms with that, you can try to find a balance over the course of a week, and that makes getting through hectic days a lot easier.

Beauty products you can’t live without? 

Getting a good night’s sleep and drinking lots of water are the best beauty products around.  But aside from that, a good foundation with sunscreen is a must-have, and my current fave is Clinique Even Better Makeup. Also, I can’t live without my Burt’s Bees lip balm!

Jill’s Outfit

Top – INC (similar)
Jeans – White House Black Market (similar)
Shoes – IMPO
Bag – MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar)
Sunglasses – Furla (similar)
Ring – Swarovski (similar)
Necklace – NY & Co (similar)
Watch – Citizen Eco Drive (similar)