Life Lately April 9, 2018 | Hi! I’m back! Sharing this darling off the shoulder gingham top and my favorite white jeans, as well as a little of my heart on how our move went and what I wasn’t prepared for. As you’ve probably noticed, I unexpectedly took over two weeks off from the blog and social media. Sure, I posted here and there and shared a few tidbits about what was going on, but I needed to unplug in a major way and felt God asking me to just “be quiet” for a few weeks. I needed to step back and reevaluate things and also refocus on my family. The truth is that while 2018 has been full of exciting and life changing events, it’s also been REALLY hard…which I’m not sure I expected. Here’s why… Off the Shoulder Top | Daisy Stud Earrings | White Jeans | Clutch (this is the $40 knock off!) | Heels | $12 Sunnies (If you’re just here for the outfit, this off the shoulder gingham top is DARLING, but runs small across the bust. Size up for a little more room if you are busty. Also, these white jeans are the best. Worth every single penny.) We got back from our two weeks away at Christmas and I actually felt a peace about being in Charlotte, which I had prayed for for so long. The *want* to move and be closer to home often overwhelmed and consumed me and I rarely let myself just *be* in Charlotte. I asked God to calm my heart and let me feel content with where I was…and when I got back from Christmas, I began to feel that…which was a huge relief. I’d joined two Bible studies, I’d sought out new groups of friends, I’d planned Landry’s Summer camps…I was rolling with the feeling of contentment and was going to try and let my heart settle there. Not even a week later, Dan got the job offer in Dallas. The very next day, our nanny just up and quit (over text message, nonetheless) and I began to feel like things were starting to spiral. Turn on your JavaScript to view content January and February were a blur. Within a week our house was on the market. Within two weeks Dan would move to Dallas ahead of us and leave me behind with the girls (a necessary evil, which I don’t blame him for). Within days our house was under contract. Between moving companies, handymen, contract repair requests, packing a whole house, and trying to maintain a slight sense of normalcy for the girls…all the while trying to keep a very full time business afloat with no childcare…I actually felt like I was drowning. I tried to smile through it, knowing that there would be light at the end of the tunnel, but would often cry myself to sleep. To top it all off Landry got the flu the week of our move and if you know me and my extreme fear of sickness, you can only imagine how that went. Thank God my Mom was there with us that week or I truly don’t know how I would have survived. We moved only 4 short weeks after Dan got the job offer. During those 4 weeks, we did end up finding a house in Dallas and somehow (by the grace of God) were the winning offer out of 6! When we arrived, Dan’s company so graciously provided us with a corporate apartment to tide us over until our house was ready. I was so thankful that there was a kitchen, rooms for the girls and a washer and dryer….it really made things easier. After 10 days in the apartment, we closed on our house and the moving trucks arrived. The boxes were piled up to the ceilings and I felt like everyone else’s world kept spinning and mine was still at a standstill. Dan went back to work (I mean, of course he did. He has a corporate job and doesn’t have the option to take another week off just to help us unpack) and I was in this new town and new house with the girls and a bunch of boxes. Again, I was tasked with being the primary childcare provider, keeping my little business afloat and unpacking and organizing the entire house. Meanwhile I also felt like I was carrying around the emotions of the entire family, but especially Landry who desperately misses her friends and her routine. She compares everything to Charlotte, and so far, our new normal just doesn’t stack up. I kept trying to move forward, but it really all became too much. I couldn’t wake up early like I normally did to work on the blog, I couldn’t make myself stay awake past 9pm and I certainly couldn’t get anything done during the day while caring for the girls. My body was screaming at me to just slow down and quite frankly I didn’t even care about sharing clothes…it all felt so superficial. So I turned it off. I quit looking at the numbers, turned down partnerships, quit giving myself deadlines and really lowered my expectations for what I was able to get done. I slept and observed and I realized that I hadn’t really taken any time to process everything that had just happened. I realized that I hadn’t let myself understand that even though this move was best for our family, that it would still be sad in some ways and that I would still mourn our life in Charlotte. I realized that God was using this time to re-center and ground me for this new phase. A phase of serving my family and getting this house in order, a phase of carrying around the heartaches of my sweet girl and creating a wonderful new normal for her, a phase of newness and change and one in which I needed to be completely focused. On top of our cars getting broken into, last week our house was also hit by the stomach bug (definitely the nail in the coffin of my emotional state), but it forced my mom to come to our rescue. She helped me get so many things in order, organized the nooks and crannies of the house and lent a helping hand with the girls, which was a HUGE blessing. As the boxes began to disappear, so did a lot of my stress. At the end of last week, I finally found myself ready to get back to the blog, get creative again and take on some fun content. Turn on your JavaScript to view content I hope that this post didn’t come off as complaining, because I know full well that things could always be much worse. So many of you have asked how the move went, and this is honestly a cutting the crap, real life version. Moving is hard and emotional (especially with babies in tow), even if it’s the happiest of moves. I didn’t prepare myself well enough for that and it kind of blindsided me. I come to you excited today to take on a new normal. Excited to get back into a routine with the blog (which I did miss immensely). Thank you guys for giving me so much grace in 2018, for sticking with me through this whirlwind of the past few months, for being my cheerleaders and the sweetest virtual friends a girl could ask for. If you feel God pulling at your heart strings to just be quiet (even if you’re like me and it’s not what you want to do), I encourage you to just step back, turn some things off and let him quiet your heart and re-center you…it feels real good 🙂 I have lots of exciting stuff coming this week including a “One Piece Worn 3 Ways” post with Nordstrom tomorrow, a HUGE denim short review (per your request!) and a major sale happening this week…not to mention a few new fun things I’m going to try on Instagram. Other posts that you might like: What’s on My Radar | 5 Spring Must Haves Denim Review for Real Women White Peplum Top + Jeans One Sweater / Worn 3 Ways Photo Credits: Sweet Memory Photography
Robyn Puglia says April 9, 2018 at 8:14 AM Oh I FEEL you in this post. We recently moved, I have a business I run from home with the help of a nanny who needed to take some time off, and dealing with my two toddler girls and their feelings around the move, plus unpacking the house plus cooking and trying to run my business has made me feel like sleeping 24 hours a day from the overwhelm. Good on you for taking the time off to be with your family and focus on that side of things. Sending you lots of love from England.
aubsajober (Aubrey) says April 9, 2018 at 8:37 AM This is the touch of real life that I’ve been searching for in a blog. Moving is so hard. You’re so great and I’m glad you took a break. I look forward to seeing a new point of view while keeping the same “sense” of it. You’re a great mom. Hope the new transition continues to improve for the family.
Crystal says April 9, 2018 at 8:43 AM Love love this! Aren’t moms amazing? Yours came to your rescue and I’m sure your babies feel the same way about you. I didn’t feel your content lag much at all and I’m looking forward to what’s coming up! You strike a great balance on here of being real and present and still relatable and relevant. I always enjoy your content! Way to go for taking some time to process. You have to do that self care!! Hope you find a great nanny and new routine soon!
Tara says April 9, 2018 at 8:52 AM Moves are so difficult on so many levels! Glad you made it through to the other side and am excited to see what you post in Dallas!!
Pat says April 9, 2018 at 8:52 AM Frankly, I think you have done amazingly well with all the challenges. It’s really hard on a mama’s heart to have an unhappy child. They really are resilient overall, but we don’t want them to go through yucky feelings of missing their friends and normal routine that has been their experience. Being sick just tipped the scales I’m sure. God does have a way of putting the brakes on our lives when we just keep pushing forward. My daughter and I went to the Dallas Summer Musicals with friends last Thursday evening. We were going downstairs to the restroom before we had dinner, my right shoe hung on the carpet and I went tumbling down the stairs! I won’t go into details but the Mgmt staff was outstanding and very accommodating. I couldn’t walk so had to just give in and allow them to wheel me around in a wheelchair.???? My right foot is incredibly swollen and turning colors & both knees are terribly swollen. Nothing bends so I try to move about by scooting and holding on to something. I’m so very grateful that nothing is broken! God has really blessed me in that. I will hold you in prayer and try to remember that this too shall pass! ???? ????????
Keisha says April 9, 2018 at 8:57 AM I never post, but today I feel compelled. I’ve been following your blog for a while since Landry was small. We have children around the same age (5 and 18 months two boys). I am also a SAHM though I don’t have a small business I know full well the responsibility that comes with being the primary care giver to littles. We put our home on the market and it sat for two years. We prayed and prayed and when I felt like I was going to burst from discontent the Lord moved. We sold our home and moved into another in 35 days and boy was it hard! My hat goes off to you. I will add you to my prayers because the challenges of moving are only just beginning. Almost a year later this is finally feeling like “home.” In church this past Sunday the pastor reminded us that our hardest days will one day be remembered as our best days because it is in those times that we draw nearer to God and we learn the most. Good luck Mallory!
Lindsay says April 9, 2018 at 9:11 AM I love your honesty!! It is so refreshing! You asked the other day if we read your blog or just shop your Insta…for me, if it’s fashion (which isn’t my thing but I rely on my fav bloggers like you to help me in that area) I just shop your Instagram and don’t read the blog. However, I ALWAYS read when it’s personal. I love the faith you have (I’m a faithful momma myself and rely on God to get me through life) and how you are honest about struggling in life. It’s refreshing and so needed in this superficial world we live in. I don’t know you but weirdly, I consider you a friend. Keep going, God’s got you! XO
Naomi Rodolico says April 9, 2018 at 9:12 AM Sometimes us mommas are too hard on ourselves. In many ways the world of Pinterest and blogs sets an expectation of “ moms are perfect super woman”! In reality , life is raw and messy, and Gods grace covers it all! So happy you were able to give yourself some time to put life in order! God is a God of order isn’t he? Just started following your blog and Instagram in December! It’s fantastic! ????
Nancy says April 9, 2018 at 9:15 AM I love the last sentence above. “This too shall pass”. One of my bestest friends would say that & we would say “Soon Please, Enough Testing”. M, moving is #2 on the stress list. #1 is death. So glad you are on the good side. I’ve been there. Even tho I didn’t have children in tow, it was stressful. But now we are both in homes & places we wanted to be. I miss you girls but I know you. Yourt home will be beautiful in no time, Landry will make new friends love everything just like she did Charlotte. I moved to Atlanta when Kim was 6, knowing only 3 people. But life became great, yes, the new norm. hugs
Judy Clark says April 9, 2018 at 9:28 AM Malory, I have been following your blog since my friend Rhoda(Southern Hospitality) mentioned you to me when Landry was born. You are a special lady! In 2016 we sold two houses, bought another, I retired from my job at the University and we moved from GA to TX. It was tough, but I knew that it was a God thing! So happy to be back in TX!! Isn’t it amazing that when you surrender to your current situation God says okay, I AM going to give you the desires of your heart. You take all of the time that you need to get your home in order and take care of that handsome hubby, and those sweet girls. They are your priority. Family first! I know that your Mom is happy to have you closer to her. God Bless You and your precious family! Judy
Nicole says April 9, 2018 at 9:33 AM We moved when my son was 4 – away from grandparents and preschool and friends. But 12 years later he’s been with the same group of friends since Kindergarten! We’ve stayed in the same neighborhood. We built our new normal and our “framily.” (Friend family) Hard to see in the moment, especially for a little one. But trust your instincts. If she sees your excitement at the possibilities she will be excited. And as a Charlottean who “commutes” to Plano, TX – I can still hold out hope of running into you and your sweet girls at a Starbucks! ????
Brooke Martin says April 9, 2018 at 9:35 AM I absolutely love following you and am glad you took some time off!!! I can’t imagine moving with two small children while running a business and starting a new normal. You are so awesome at what you do and I love your honesty and realness!!!!! Glad you are back❤️
Cameron green says April 9, 2018 at 9:45 AM You are a rockstar on a lot of levels. You didn’t have time to sit back and process what was happening bc you had to absolutely stay afloat for everyone else. God lifts you up so you can do that but he graciously lets your cry and collapse in His perfect Timing doesn’t he? I wish I had met you when you were in Charlotte, you seem like you could be one of my people. A woman who is trying to do her best in everything she can. Keep up the amazing work with everything you are doing. I know that the Lord will show you why you moved in bits and pieces because he always does.
Jessica says April 9, 2018 at 9:55 AM I just found you from Bower Power (she mentioned you one day because you had some haters in the midst of all this!) and as soon as I saw you trying clothes on in a fitting room I thought you were the most adorable and cute person I’ve ever seen! I had nothing to compare these last several weeks to, but I thought you handled all of this so amazingly well and you have been doing so much in the midst of all this, I had no idea it was such a hard time for you! I guess I’m just trying to say, even when you felt like you weren’t doing your best at this job, new people have come along and been in awe of how well you do this! <3
Meghan says April 9, 2018 at 9:55 AM I can relate to all these emotions as we are currently living in Denver but we are missing being close to family in SC. The move scares me as my oldest is very into his routine and his friends at school that I feel so bad if we move back and the change it will. Albeit all short term but way to realize that you needed to step away and be present in your personal and family life. I have said this a few times but you truely are one of the most down to earth and real bloggers that I follow.
Leslie says April 9, 2018 at 10:29 AM Love that you’re keeping it real with us. Please continue to do that. I definitely think it is fine to give yourself a break! I’ve been through times where it felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and you definitely have to prioritize.
Lauren A Kokotan says April 9, 2018 at 11:01 AM Glad to have you back and so happy to hear you’re on the upswing and feeling better! Hope the girls get settled quickly. My son had a hard time moving a few years back asking when we could go back to our old house – now he tells us he never wants to move again… So it does get better! Good Luck, Mama!
Erin says April 9, 2018 at 3:41 PM Oh my. I’ve followed you for a while – but this compelled me to comment. I’ve moved 10 times, in 7 cities, in the last 24 years. This last time, in September 2017, was the absolute hardest. It’s ok – and necessary – to admit when it’s hard. If moving was easy, EVERYONE would do it. You moved for the right reasons and time will help you feel more settled. I’ve always told my relocation clients that it takes 6-12 months – at BEST – to make a new place feel more like home. I’m 8 months into this move and not feeling it yet – and I do relocation for a living! I’ve cried more tears than I ever have before, and I think it’s because I settled into our last location – after several years of fighting it. That, and my teenage son. Enough said. You are not alone – and while we seemingly do not have much in common (I have teen boys and am much older), this kind of personal post is what connects. I’m happy to chat – offline of course – if you just want to talk to someone who sits there with you – right now – in the hard moments.
Jen Melson says April 9, 2018 at 3:47 PM I love that you keep it real sister. And I’m so glad you took some time off! Moms like to think we can do it all, but sometimes it’s just too much. So glad you sat back and rested. I need to learn to say no, and too much, more often! Props to you. I’m one of Alison’s friends and was at her shower this weekend! Just never caught you to introduce myself and say hi! But we’re so glad you are a Dallas girl now! 🙂
Karlee says April 9, 2018 at 4:50 PM I absolutely LOVE your honesty! An out of state move (Lord, ANY move!) is so difficult! Sometimes it’s necessary to take a step back from social media and gather yourself. I oftentimes feel so much pressure to post on social media to make sure I’m getting enough pictures out of my son to our out of state friends and family and that’s nothing! I’m realizing more and more that you have to just be in the PRESENT, put your phone or computer away and just be. Thank you for all the hard work you put into your blog and business. It’s very much appreciated 🙂
susan says April 9, 2018 at 7:25 PM In a world where so many blogs I follow show just the perfect side of life, you have kept it real. It’s ok to refocus, reprioritize and get yourself straight! Your post was refreshing! Thank you for that!
Mary Fields says April 9, 2018 at 7:37 PM Hi sweet girl, moving is one of life’s top 5 most stressful events. Top 5!! And that doesn’t even involve being a mom to small children. I’m not sure where you are in Dallas, but I taught preschool for 8 years in Plano and would love to give you a list of amazing preschools, summer camps and vacation bible schools. Lawson will make friends so quickly, she is a doll. Also, never underestimate the neighborhood park or Chick-fil-a play area. So many young families move here every day, I met some of my best friends at the park or Gymboree. You’ve sooooo got this.
Laura A says April 9, 2018 at 9:00 PM I wish I could just give you the biggest hug right now!!! I can so empathize with that feeling of being completely overwhelmed. . . drowning while you still need to be a rock for your family. I admire you, girl! The fact you listened to God and your body and gave yourself the self care you so needed is amazing. It’s not so easy for us women to actually take care of ourselves. If we’re not at our best how can we possibly care for those who depend on us?! I’m a fairly new follower but I loved you from the moment I came across you on Instagram. Thanks for keeping it real mama!!! P.S. My 14 month old baby girl loooooooves watching videos of your baby! I don’t know what it is but she finds her to be hysterical!!! ????????????
Alissa says April 9, 2018 at 9:47 PM You take care of you girl!! I am in a similar situation without the getting to move back to family like I really want but alas God has a didfeeent plan for the time being. Sometimes it is so hard to just Be asTILL and listen to HIS will. This post is what I love about following you! Continue to keep it real girl. It’s what all us Moms need to hear whether we recognize that or not 🙂
Colby says April 9, 2018 at 10:22 PM You are one of my favorite blogs! I am a mother of two girls (5 & 2) so I can relate so much to you! Moving is so hard. We moved across the city (with a 2 year old and a 3 month old) and thought I was lose it! It’s refreshing to read real emotions. Praying for you and your family! Thank you for the honesty! ????????
Page says April 9, 2018 at 10:29 PM This move seems like more of a major adjustment than you thought it might be. There was no way to keep all the “plates spinning”! I’m glad you decided to be transparent. That make me actually trust you even more on your fashion blog!! I’m so happy you turned to God during this time. God has a way of getting our attention if we are seeking Him. Keep giving yourself Grace. You have small kids, you are a great wife and have a great sense of style. Enjoy life!!!
Marci says April 9, 2018 at 11:41 PM Aww my girl!! You are doing an amazing job!! That’s a lot of crap for 1 mama to go through! Hang in there. I would be tears too!!
Amanda Claire Killough says April 10, 2018 at 1:39 AM A move of that size is amazingly stressful even without having two girls to care for and in such a tight window. I would have been a stressful wreck from the beginning! Women have been taught to manage so many aspects of their lives and the lives of everyone around them – business woman, mother, wife, friend, daughter, sibling, cook, nanny, cleaner, fashionista, travel planner… and do it all with a smile. It’s a juggling act and sometimes we have to let ourselves drop some of the balls. I am so hard on myself when one thing slips, but I have to remind myself that prioritizing is ok and we only have so many hours in the day. You did that and I’m sure Landry’s move was so much better for it. Thank you for sharing!
Rachel says April 10, 2018 at 7:14 AM So glad you are beginning to feel back to normal! Praying for your baby girl that she will feel some peace soon as well! It’s so hard to listen to those prompting from the Lord telling us to do something we DON’T want to do but it’s always worth it in the end!!
Sarah says April 11, 2018 at 2:06 PM We moved from Charleston to Dallas when my son was 7 weeks old (he had severe reflux and colic) . It was the hardest time in my life. I wouldn’t have made it without family support. Thank you for sharing. I hope y’all find your stride soon. xx
Bente M. Radnofsky says April 11, 2018 at 9:36 PM I can relate completely to the stressful move – I’ve had many and I was left holding the baby (literally) as my husband climbed over the boxes, found a clean shirt and left for the office. Now we have lived in the same house for 22 years and nothing could make me move again. You make the best of it while it’s going on and you become stronger in the process, but at this stage of my life, I’m happy to stay here in my English village. I wish you all, and especially Landry and you, all the best. I am sure you will enjoy your new life given a little time! Bente in the U.K.
nedda Salehi maltby says April 13, 2018 at 2:41 AM We have a 2 month old, sold our home after 1 day on the market, scrambled to find a rental to move to, still fighting with the insurance company over an unexpected need for a new roof. I’ve never been so stressed in my life! Thanks for sharing the struggle and i pray God will continue to smooth your path.