A Secret to Success as a Working Mom: Turn Burn Out Into Bliss and Embrace Joy

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Last weekend my youngest was committed to going to the "Water Steps" a man-made water fall in Pittsburgh by the rivers. (Fun Fact: Three rivers converge in Pittsburgh--The Ohio River, The Monongahela River, and the Allegheny River.)  He kept asking. I knew he was serious when he said, "If you won't take me, I'll ask  daddy!" Given that it was highly unlikely that would happen on an unscheduled day, I relented. So, we went. It wasn’t planned in the way most things in my life are. No calendar block. No checklist. No “productive” purpose attached. And, so in some respects it was uncomfortable. And yet, it seemed necessary. It was the idea of my 8-year-old—offered with the kind of urgency only children possess when something is profoundly important to them.
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Fashion Lessons Learned from Seeing Michelle Obama

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Me and Sabrina Saunders waiting to hear Michelle Obama.

“Don’t try so hard.” --Queen

The event was held at the River’s Club, a private club in town. I am not a member, but apparently someone on the organizing committee arranged for the River’s Club to host the event. I was excited about attending. Just the possibility of meeting the First Lady made me really serious about my outfit. I chose a navy Nicole Miller dress, camel colored, patent leather Pour La Victoire pumps, Mikimoto pearl earrings and my ever present David Yurman birthstone necklace and bangles.  I also wore my new peach Michele watch that matches my pumps perfectly. I thought I looked good and I was ready for my potential close up.

Sometimes the best made plans could still use more thought.

Some Stilettos Have a Two Hour Limit


 The Pour La Victoire shoes were gorgeous. However after two hours on my feet they became uncomfortable. Also, I had worn them the day before too. My friend Ruby Cooper once told me that certain shoes have a shelf life. I learned that lesson first hand!
Finally our First Lady arrived. She was simply elegant in an A-line dress with a simple pattern in sunflower blue and black. With the exception of her wedding ring, she wore no jewelry—no visible earrings, no necklace, no bracelet. Her only accessory was a black belt with multi-colored jewels. She looked absolutely perfect-- her hair was shiny and bouncy and her makeup was flawless.
During her speech she was confident, assured and inspiring. She was effective in motivating the crowd to be more thoughtful about issues affecting this country.  She was also effortlessly beautiful and she was wearing a shoe with a very low heel. In contrast, I tried super hard and earned hurt feet in the process. There may be a lesson here…
I won’t give up my stilettos. Michelle Obama is model tall. At 5’2” I need a little help from my shoes.  However, I will plan a little better. I will also remember that on that day last month, the most beautiful woman in the room was the one who at least appeared to have exerted the least effort. Perhaps there is something to that “natural beauty” things.  Then again, she may just have a great stylist!

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