MAIO 7, 2022

meet a muse

MOTHER'S DAY EDITION

Motherly love is one of the most magical, intense and beautiful feelings.
This week, we give the floor to our wonderful mother muses, who share with us their unique experiences with the magic of motherhood.
May we be mindful of honoring and caring every day for those who are our safe place.
Happy Mother's Day my loves ❤️

Khoudia Dionna, Diarra’s Mom

We believe moms are superwomen. What superpowers are you the proudest of?

The feeling when your kids need you and being there for them even from a distance. Even with kids in their 30s I always get this motherly instinct guiding me to them when they are feeling down or just need a little bit more love. I love seeing my kids grow up and have different personalities. Besides all of them being raised in the same household they are flourishing into their own people and it amazes and makes me proud to know that the root of it all is me and home.

What advice do you have for new moms?

Take it one day at a time. Don’t overplan and don’t direct your kid(s) into what you want them to be rather instil good values in them and let them choose their way in life. Remember to also take care of yourself so that you can be the best mom to your little one(s) and feel good about yourself at the same time.

Everything will be alright and you are amazing. The rewards of being a mom may not be as apparent most days but the heart knows how much these beings you call kids love you and care for you and that is priceless. It may be hard at times but love conquers all. Love your kids unconditionally without expecting anything in return and be proud of whatever it is you have accomplished with them.

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Love your kids unconditionally without expecting anything in return and be proud of whatever it is you have accomplished with them.

Did your style change after you became a mom? How?

Initially, I found it tricky to style my curves without being able to accentuate my waist but once I started showing properly, I simply decided to make my bump the star of the show. Instead of holding on to what worked before I simply go with the flow and adjust to my ever-changing body with kindness.

I have yet to discover actual maternity outfits that are particularly flattering for my shape but I find great joy in looking for non-maternity-maternity looks that still fit me. I've always loved more form-fitting ensembles and I still believe they look best for my shape, pregnant or not. I don't have to match anyone's idea of what a pregnant woman should look like or wear. I can embrace my style and appreciate my curves and body no matter how much it changes right now and in my opinion there's nothing about pregnancy that needs to be hidden or concealed.

I've also found that the quality of fabrics matters a lot more to me now - not just to create a flattering look or silhouette but to feel comfortable. Pregnancy is magical but it can be challenging on some days so I want my outfits to make me feel good and at ease. That's why I love my DIARRABLU's Seur Skirts, the material feels so soft on my skin, and the thickness, quality, and slight stretch are so very flattering! No other outfit makes me feel so magical and confident - I feel like I'm glowing.

What advice do you have for your pre-mom self?

Slow down and take one step at a time! I'm a busy body, hard worker, and big planner but my pregnancy journey has taught me patience and the importance of mindfulness and letting go.

First, I had to accept that I simply can't move at the same pace as I did before and that this is actually a blessing for me. More and more each day I see the beauty of living a slower life and that this doesn't mean it can't be equally as joyful, rewarding, or even exciting. Also, I had to learn the hard way that there are so many things outside of my control, and over-planning and stressing about them is only making things worse.

After reading "The Headspace Guide to a Mindful Pregnancy" by Andy Puddicombe, I started practicing focusing on one thing at a time, mentally and physically. Instead of eating my breakfast worrying about the next 5 things on my to-do list, I give myself the grace and time to enjoy my food for the time being, before I move on to my next daily task, no matter how big or small. It sounds like such a simple thing but it has had an immense impact on my stress levels so far! 

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Pregnancy is magical but it can be challenging on some days so I want my outfits to make me feel good and at ease. 

What advice do you have for new moms?

To take it easy. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to do everything perfectly. Society is very quick to judge new moms, and everyone has an opinion (not always welcomed) to share. Follow your mother's instinct, it will never fail you because you know what is best for your child.

Also, it's ok to periodically take time off for yourself, don't feel guilty. Leave your baby with your mom or your partner (they are your best support system) and go out, take a nap or just chill alone in front of the TV. To beat the guilt, because I know it will creep in, tell yourself that you are recharging your batteries to be at your best when you are interacting with your baby.

What is the best part about being a mom?

I am a mom of two adorable little girls of one and four years old. My absolute favorite part of being a mom is the impact I can have in my daughters’ lives. To think that I am helping shape the type of women they will be in the future - confident, strong, kindhearted, genuine and independent – is the honor of a lifetime. I get up every day telling myself I have to be the best version of myself to set a good example for them. I am so proud to see them, already at such a young age, develop strong personalities and evolve daily. Transforming them into amazing and inspiring women will be one of my greatest accomplishments in life.

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Transforming them into amazing and inspiring women will be one of my greatest accomplishments in life.

How do you balance motherhood and everything else?

I had to reframe my thinking around balance and what that looked like in the context of work ad motherhood. Balance implies that I am dividing my time equally; however, I am not “balancing” as much as I am integrating motherhood with the rest of my life. That has saved me a lot of strife thinking that I’m not doing enough to spread my time equally between my daughter, partner, other family and friends, on top of my research career. It is in flux and I must ride the tide or drown in it.

Did your style change after you became a mom? How?

I began wearing kimonos during pregnancy to dress up my outfits for work. I didn’t want to sacrifice style for comfort and ease of maternity wear, so the kimono was an effortless addition to my closet. Little did I know I would become obsessed. I now own 17 kimonos. They are a wardrobe staple to say the least. So I would say pregnancy elevated my personal style . 

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I didn’t want to sacrifice style for comfort and ease of maternity wear, so the kimono was an effortless addition to my closet. Little did I know I would become obsessed.

What is the best part about being a mom?

My mantra in life is to make love my offering instead of my plea. I am a big believer in abundance but it was not until motherhood that I truly understood what abundance means. 

Did your style change after you became a mom? How?

YES! drastically. My new body is something I am still learning how to dress in a way that makes me feel confident and like me. I gained a substantial amount of weight and my proportions shifted. It has been an exercise in being gentle with myself and playing! I have always loved fashion and the creativity that comes with it. I have been trying to return to that as I relearn what style means for me in this phase of my life and with this version of my body. I am continuing to ask myself how my style can support me in building self-love, authentic self-expression and of course getting the job (whichever role I am playing that day) done. I still haven't defined my new style just yet but I am trying to have full-joy on the journey to figuring it out. 

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That has been the best part of being a mom for me, the revelation of a more authentic understanding of what abundant love means and feels like. 

What do you want to share with other moms today?

Be proud of what you do each day. And don't forget to take care of yourself. 

We believe moms are superwomen. What superpowers are you the proudest of?

I'm proudest of being able to Just DO. There are so many times, you just have to make things happen. There are deadlines, travel, meetings etc., happening on one hand, and at the same time the kids need attention and care; I'm learning that overthinking can cause paralysis, and trying to plan can be more overwhelming than just powering through. So my thing a lot of the time is just do.

How has your self-care routine changed as a mother?

I have always been very crazy busy, but I actually prioritize self-care more now. Because mamahood is an incredible marathon, physically and emotionally and I have more reason now to make sure that I am keeping all of myself (mental and physical) in the best shape possible, so I can be the best mom I can be.

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Be proud of what you do each day. And don't forget to take care of yourself. 

What is the best part about being a mom?  

Motherhood is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It is truly a precious gift of unconditional love! There is no love like the one I feel between my son and I. Knowing that I gave air to the lungs that grew inside of me to bring forth life into this world is an unmatched experience.

There are so many amazing parts about being a mom, such as knowing that I will always have someone that looks up to me for love, advice, and guidance to experience the world from a new perspective. With my son, I get the opportunity to tap into my inner child. I have the freedom of finding joy in the little things. While there are so many great things about motherhood that I love and appreciate, I would say the ultimate best part is the unconditional love! This is love without limitations and boundaries. It’s a love that is eternal.  

How do you balance motherhood and everything else?  

As a Mom, Model, Model Coach, and owner of a Modeling Agency, balancing everything is HARD! I’ve learned to manage my time like a pro. This means planning ahead and allocating my time toward things that fill me up. I use planners to help me stay focused. Using a planner also helps me to map out when I am able to carry out time to focus on my tasks.

In addition, the biggest thing that I’ve learned Is that your village means everything! Leaning on my support system has been vital to maintaining a great balance. My mom and dad have been LIFE SAVERS since the birth of my son. I truly don’t know what I would do without their willingness to step in and make my life easier.

As a mom, you have to just make it work- it’s what we do best. I have noticed that in establishing a healthy balance, self-care has become mandatory. This is something that I highly recommend to all moms: make your self-care a priority. It is no longer a “should I?,” but instead, it’s a “When am I?” Because your well-being comes first.

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While there are so many great things about motherhood that I love and appreciate, I would say the ultimate best part is the unconditional love! This is love without limitations and boundaries. It’s a love that is eternal.  

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