Let’s get the basics out of the way: where you live, how many kids, etc.: I live in Newark, OH, which is just east of the capital city, Columbus. I’m married with a daughter and son. I have been at the same company for 12 years and have spent the last five writing in Public Affairs department. I actually met my husband on my first day!
Three words to describe your personal style. Go.: Chill, Sleek and Sexy
Who are your style icons? How do you integrate those tastes into your own wardrobe if at all?: My daughter: She always owns her outfits. She gets dressed and she’s just so cool. She definitely makes me own my look. Then, she and my son always compliment me. They’re seriously the sweetest!
Michelle Obama: She has a way of making everything look polished and effortless, at the same time. I’m all about that! I’m pretty sure she made me love flats.
Zendaya: I love the fashion risks she takes. And it’s not just the clothing. She’ll do something completely different with her hair to complement the look. She’s my reminder to just have fun with my style.
How has your personal style changed since becoming a mom? My style has become much more casual since two little humans started calling me “mama.” Before them, I always wore heels – no flats or sneakers – literally everywhere. Oh, and everything was fitted…there’s no way I’d be caught in a shift dress back then! It’s silly to think about it now that I own eleventy million sweatshirt dresses, (pointy-toe) flats, and fashion sneakers. I still love heels now, but not nearly as much…I feel just as powerful and sexy in statement flats and crispy Adidas sneakers. Ultimately, I need to be able to run down the Kroger aisle after my kids, comfortably, and look good doing it.
What’s your most-worn piece? (If it’s sweatpants…we won’t tell.): My beloved camo jacket: I’ve dressed that thing up and down; worn it to playdates and church. I had grand plans for this jacket when I bought it, and it has totally lived up to my expectations. So much so that, when I misplaced it a few months ago, I called into question the loyalty of my husband and mother. In my defense, the hubs is known to move my stuff and my mom is known to take it! Anyway, I just really feel like me when I wear it. And well, I always want to be me.
Sometimes it’s hard to gauge height from an Instagram or blog post – SO…how tall are you?: I’m 5’3”
Your top three beauty products?: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r foundation (shade 410), ColourPop’s Lippie Stix in “Bossy” and Becca Luminous Blush in Dahlia
What drew you to blogging and when did you start?: I’ve always loved to write. I majored in communications in college and have made a career of it. Still, it probably wasn’t until my daughter was born extremely premature (23 weeks) in 2012 that I started blogging. I documented our eight-month NICU journey to keep our loved ones informed, but it also kept me sane during the most difficult time of our lives. It didn’t keep up with it when she finally came home, but I missed it. I finally started writing again in the fall of 2017 when I applied, and was selected, as a contributor for the Columbus Moms Blog. It’s given me the motivation I needed to be a contributor at The Mom Edit, as well as publish on my personal blog soon. I hope you follow along on Instagram @beingtiarra!
What does a typical day look like? Like many mamas, I don’t find time for everything, but my husband is my not-so-secret weapon. He does virtually all the cleaning and home maintenance while I take the lead on cooking and getting the kids ready. We play to our strengths, but are good about backing each other up: He does a mean ponytail and I am down to sweep and mop so the kids can continue eating off the floor with only a little mom guilt.
During the week, we wake up by 7:00 and my husband leaves to drop off the kids by 8:30. It’s intense, but prepping our meals and the kids’ clothes over the weekend makes it happen. I leave after them and have a few minutes to decompress, and sometimes, fit in a quick run/workout. I don’t do that often enough, but it’s really nice since I spend all day sitting at my desk.
Our evenings are pretty hectic, so my husband starts dinner while I pick up the kids. We’ve been better about slowing down to eat more dinners together at the table, which I love. When it happens, it’s my favorite part of my day.
The hour-ish between baths and bedtime is a black hole of time that I don’t have much explanation for. It’s a 60%/40% split of laughing and yelling before we read, pray, and tuck them in (multiple times, some nights).
It takes everything in my power to stay awake after our exhausting evening routine, but it’s my time to write, exercise, or do my hair. I’m really trying to get better about reading in bed instead of scrolling social media, but that’s definitely a work in progress!
We do all of that so we can live it up on the weekend. We start on Friday nights with pizza and a movie for the kids and let them stay up an extra half hour or so. It’s not much, but it seriously makes their day! We sleep in a little on Saturdays, but I like to start early so we can pack everything in…it takes us forever to get anywhere! This month we’re looking forward to checking out a new arcade, visiting a fashion exhibit (with a free craft!), and attending a family jazz concert.
Sundays are for church, playing outside, and prepping meals/outfits for the week. Then we do it all over again!
After the craziest, worst days we all find salvation in seeing in our kids. What’s your favorite thing to do with them to decompress?: We have dance parties in the kitchen before dinner. That turns my day around every time. We’ve also been getting better about eating dinner together at the table. Between that and the pre-dinner dance-off, it’s absolutely my favorite part of the day.
If you could give only piece piece of advice to a timid new mom (we’ve been there), what would it be? Give yourself some grace! Whatever you did is fine. Also, whatever you didn’t do is fine. It’s not. that. serious. I know it’s easier said than done; I still beat myself up about the most random motherhood moments…then, I give myself the grace I deserve, and I keep it moving!
What did you dream of being when you were young?: A chemist. I was always mixing and creating, but I guess there’s a little more to it than that!
What’s one fashion risk you love to see on others but would NEVER take yourself?: I love those sheer skirts or dresses with the bodysuit underneath. I know, it’s a bit much, but I kinda dig it! If I ever try to make that work, you all will be the first to know!