#southforthewinter

[beachsidelivin]

Birds in their happy place! (at Paradise Beach Indiatlantic) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFZ0VV_JRpY/?igshid=vp6f2f77ixhh

[mattdeford]

Inktober 16. Compass FOR SALE! $45 ($100 framed) free shipping US and Canada. Comment or message if interested. - - - - #southforthewinter #bird #birds #compass #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #illustrationartists #comicstrip #drawing #watercolor #ink #comics #fountainpen #cartoon #word #wordofthedaybymattbook #wordofthedaybymatt #wordoftheday #instaart #buyart #collectart #dailyart #inktober #inktober2021 … https://www.instagram.com/p/CVGlHzDlpGd/?utm_medium=tumblr

[jpweidemoyer]

Sometimes I wish I could fly with the geese pictured mid-left here. #southforthewinter #geese #fallfoliage (at Cornwall, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp7Yd2bA4L6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dz6jl2xm3jzo

[faschiony-photography]

Phylicia🔥in @ofuure and CityRepublik SS2018 Collection Check-out the entire Öfuurë Collection at öfuurë.com #grandsolmar #cabo #cabosanlucas #resort #resortwear #SS2018 #pacificocean #sunset #southforthewinter #bajacalifornia #beach #model #travel #travelblogger #blacktraveljourney #blackgirlsrock #blackgirlstraveltoo #travelnoire #blackgirlmagic #darkskingirls #melanin #style #fashion #canonphotography #canon7d #canonphotographer (at Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur)

[weichertmp-blog]

December is off to a #greatstart #tistheseason #southbound #southforthewinter #relocation call us! #staywarm #sunnydays

[jenova83]

A easier way to migrate #sparrow #theyreeverywhere #southforthewinter (at JetBlue)

[paul-chasingeverest]

Been working on something fun for @chasingeverestofficial 🖥📽🎞🔊 #chasingeverestontour #southforthewinter #takemeback #video #editing

[9mthslater]

HAPPY WIFE.  HAPPY LIFE.

Hey Momshells,

It’s been way too long since my last post, hasn’t it?  Many of you have been emailing me asking if I’m still publishing, and the short answer is YES! I’ve been M.I.A. because, after having Munchkin #2, I really needed to take a break, decompress, find myself and find my new rhythm.

I’m not ashamed to admit, the transition from Mommy of 1 pretty little one to Mommy of 2 pretty little ones semi-rocked my world.  Between being home with the girls, building two businesses, overseeing home renos (the list goes on), I was running on fumes.  So, the hubs and I decided that I needed a break (READ: Happy Wife.  Happy Life.) and we all headed to my Parents’ house in the dirty south (a.k.a. sunny Florida).  

Mom offered to help out with the girls while I relaxed and Hubs told me to stay as long as I needed and not to worry about anything else.  I have to admit, as a New Yorker, I felt a little guilty about escaping and not toughing out the brutal winter, but I wasn’t crazy - well, I kind of was at that point - but I wasn’t crazy enough to turn down the offer to go south for the winter.

When we all arrived in Florida, the only thing I had planned, was to sleep the entire time.  However as the days went on, I found a few things to lighten the mood, help re-build my confidence and  bring me out of my zombie-like state.  I’m not talking reading a stack of self-help books all day by the pool, I mean these were simple, fun, random things like...

THE WELCOME TO MIAMI SIGN...

No other sign can impart both fear and joy in anyone like this one can.  Joy, because you know that Miami (even in the wintertime) will always make you feel like you’re on someone’s Riviera.  Fear, because that sign, can make the best hard body see Homer Simpson when they look in the mirror.  In the end, I chose Joy over fear, because, let’s face it...I actually did look like Homer Simpson and probably wouldn’t be bikini ready until my little Sissy Boo was headed to college.

GROCERY STORE WINE & JUNK FOOD...

Honestly, it doesn’t get much better than walking into a Publix to buy sun block and randomly finding cheap wine and Chester’s Hot Fries in the same aisle... It had instantly become the Best. Trip. Ever.

PALM TREE LINED WALKS AND ZUMBA...

I would rather have every eyebrow hair plucked out one by one and then have my eyebrows tattooed back on, than exert myself by working out in any way, shape or form.  However, I really wanted to get my body back to something, I’d vaguely recognize when naked.  So, between early morning strolls with the girls and attending the best Zumba classes ever at my mom’s gym, I started to feel very Momshell-ish again.

DISCOUNT DRUG STORE MAKEUP...

This one is self explanatory.  Fave mascara 50% off = WINNING!

GIRL TIME....

Every Momshell needs to spend some time with her girls and being able to spend time with my bestie “L” who lives in Florida with her beautiful and fabulous family was AMAZEBALLS!  We kept it fun and civilized (most nights).  Spending time with her really lifted my mood and reminded me how laughing with a bestie until your stomach hurts can help make everything else seem doable.

As if hanging out with one BFF didn’t already make it feel like Christmas every day, there was the surprise visit from my girlfriend “S” who called as soon as she landed in Miami and told me to pack up the Munchkins and get down to her hotel stat for some 5-Star weekend dress up and poolside fun!  

By the time the girls and I were ready to leave Florida 3 months later, I felt brand new, relaxed, clear and focused.  I don’t know if anyone can ever be fully mentally and physically prepared for motherhood the first, second or even third time around but in the end, I was very blessed to have a hubby that understood what I needed and parents that let us invade their home, dirty diapers and all.  

So, here’s my humble advice to any of you Momshells that might be struggling to find yourselves in the midst of the chaos... Even if it’s not a 3-month stay in Miami, inhaling ridiculous amounts of cheap Chianti and hot fries, or applying your $2.99 mascara score in your mom’s bathroom with your best girlfriend, try to find the small things that make you happy.  If you do, you may just wake up one day and realize how beautiful, utterly amazing and capable you’ve been all along!

xo,

K