by Kileah McIlvain
I know. You know. Mother’s Day is almost here. This particular day can come with a mixed bag of emotions for some of us. Whether it’s loss, joy, infertility, longing, expectation, abundance, joy, anticipation or loneliness. Mothering is hard. Being a human can be hard. BEING requires so much of us…sometimes more than we think we have. Days are sometimes met with an exhausted yawn and aching bones after multiple nights feeding a little one or tending the wake of a tummy bug (that ALWAYS shows up at night, it seems). We end up feeling poured out like a pitcher of water over dry sand. Sometimes, all I can think of is how EMPTY I feel. Sacrificing, pouring out, mending, caring, nurturing. I get lost in the foray. Then? I realize that I need to be nurtured. I need to be cared for. I need to be filled. I MUST be nurtured. I need to be kind to myself. We are, each of us, unique. There are things whether they are small or big, that nurture us. Whether it’s a person, a moment, a ritual, a prayer, an object. This week, I want to focus on looks for you that are rooted in simple comfort. In loveliness. In empowerment and loving ourselves and these mama bodies that we are constantly using to nurture those around us. We love you, Leaky! Let us be empowered and nurtured so that we can empower and nurture those around us. <3
Leaky Look #1: Lovely Mama
I wanted this look to center around feeling lovely and strong from within while being texturally soft and versatile. This is the Ready, Set, Vacay Dress from Modcloth. Easy feeding access, comes in a great range of sizes, flattering lines and great bodice detailing. I added the uber-soft Seashell Pink nursing bra from Nursing Bra Express, a structured chambray blazer, and some great leather gladiator sandals. The leather handbag IS actually a diaper bag crafted by Oemibaby-a great wardrobe piece you can transition with from moming to self-caring seamlessly! The accessories are handmade from Etsy. What better than to finish off this look with the gorgeously-soft Ergo Organic baby carrier in “Dandelion.” (Yes. there are sweet dandelions printed all over it!)
Leaky Look #2: Comfy Glam
This look reminded me of one of my favorite magazines (Dwell). This top is the Black Tilla top from Purple Impression (my newest obsession! Seriously. Their mission, brand, ethically-stitched clothing, breastfeeding friendly…and the causes they are involved with in supporting women. Read more HERE.). I paired the top with some simple nursing tanks from Target, comfy harem pants from Gap, Arizona Birkenstocks, and a Storksak bag in “Noa” from Nordstrom.com. A Beautiful brass medallion necklace from Modcloth compliments the hand embroidered sleeves on the top and my FAVORITE Tekhni woven wrap in Delta Gothic makes this gorgeous look chic, functional, extremely comfortable, and versatile for various activities/lifestyles.
Leaky Look #3: Zen Mama
One of the best ways we can nurture ourselves is by challenging/caring for our body! This look is centered around a pink workout top from Belabumbum, a blue bamboo cardigan, and the adjustable “3 reasons support bra” from Title Nine. Yoga is a wonderful way to center yourself and strengthen your body and mind, so I added in this lovely Yoga bag from REI and a colorful Girasol woven wrap from Paxbaby for a local baby and me yoga sesh! Simple things like Earth Mama Angel Baby lip balm and water in a double-insulated ThinkSport water bottle are perfect ways to invest in taking care of yourself and helping you to thrive in a healthy state of being.
I sure hope you like this week’s feature! Let us know what special things help you recharge and inspire you to nurture yourself!
Tag us and use #LeakyLooks #booboutFashion #nurturethenurturer