Relaxed (Fashion Blog Post)

Do you miss Seattle?

A few people have asked. 

Of course I do! The city is raw, and lively, and has layers and layers to peel. It's always moving, ever evolving. You dream so much bigger there.

Look across the Sound. Possibilities are endless. 

 

But I also don't miss the city.

The dreamer inside was taken over by practicality after having Jax, our second.

With one kid, the city was doable. Jo and I often rode the public transportation, and played all over town. Despite having to shield a toddler girl from homeless men whipping "it" out to pee near 3rd and Pike -- and praying from time to time that I never have to explain the distinct odor of marijuana (though it's legal in Washington now) -- Jo and I fared well in Seattle. Even our tiny townhouse was tolerable.

Then came Jax, and pressure was on! Toting a toddler and a baby around crowded streets all day became somewhat theatrical. And after months of drama, you want to get away as far as you can. 

 

"You look so different. You look relaxed."

Noticed a mom friend who came to visit our new place a few weeks ago. (We moved into the suburbs as soon as we could.)

Of course I do! There's no pressure here -- no busy side walks to maneuver a stroller around, getting on and off of the bus with little ones, yuppies looking at you like you don't belong, and most of all suburban homes come in decent sizes without an exorbitant price.
 
Every single neighbor in the new "hood" has young kids, many of them our girls' age; and half of the moms I meet stay at home. It's vanilla here, but us stay-at-home moms make the best of it with impromptu play dates and block "parties." I think we've all stopped fighting the inevitable -- that it doesn't matter what we used to be, we are moms now, so let's do this.

You will like Seattle.

It's truly an amazing place! You might even still like it after having kid(s). But just in case you feel the same pressure I did, know that the suburban lifestyle might be a more suitable choice.

But of course, you must accept the person you've become. 

Today's outfit: a relaxed way to dress up.

 

Solid colors and layers over jeans: very mundane, and very vanilla.

 

But I like feeling relaxed. How about you?