My Everyday Featuring ... Kellie Lutito

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story. 
I have a few of the BEST jobs in the world! I get to be a momma to an incredible 19-month-old named Isla Harper, Campaign Manager for the non-profit Blood:Water Mission and wife to an amazing man. Originally born in Louisiana, I am proud to call Nashville home for almost 2 decades! I love this town. My husband and I shared 5 years together on our own before Isla came into our lives and showed us an entirely new way to love. She is the happiest, sweetest little soul we have ever known. We thank God for her each and everyday.

  

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
My favorite part of the day is bath time with Isla! It’s our time to giggle, line up our duckies on the edge of the tub and squirt each other. We often use that time to FaceTime with grandparents and aunties. She loves it! But truly the best part is the “nakie run” from the bathroom to her room. She squeals and runs fast while I chase her down the hall tracing her little wet steps on the hard wood floor, pinching her little bum! I can’t get enough of that time together.

[#3] Name three Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
@jilllouise / @rachelarnold / @lemonademakinmama

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?
Finding the energy at the end of the day to do something creative is always a struggle. Working full time and being a mom is hard enough, but there is a sweet place where I find time just for me to be creative whether its making snow globes for people I love, crocheting a baby blanket for a friend or cooking in my kitchen. I love to do these things and always feel a renewed energy and passion when I do something that stimulates me creatively. I think I am a better mom and have more to give her when I am finding time to be creative.

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?
I am obsessed with my Melissa Trapunto Frye boots I invested in this year. I pretty much wear them everyday with my Pilcro Serif dark gray corduroy leggings. So comfy, warm and go with anything! AND...I wear these Stella & Dot Soiree Studs just about everyday! Love them! They add just the right amount of sparkle to my day. :)

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
I absolutely love Isla’s room. It was so fun to put together, finding unique pieces that tell a story, whether they are framed pages from my nursery rhyme books as a baby or a handmade banner made by my friend Chelsea Petaja of Oh My Deer Handmades. I love how it came together and it feels like a bright and joyful place for us to spend our time playing together.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
This hasn't ended up on Istagram, but it is a snapshot of our normal morning. Man she loves that cat. Can't keep her hands off her and just loves to smoosh her love ALL over her. This is what our everyday looks like...pj's, kitties and pacifiers.

Be sure and follow @klutito on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

My Everyday featuring ... Kristine Neeley

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story. 

I'm from the Mid-Atlantic region, claiming both Maryland and Virginia as my stomping grounds. I've made the Nashville area home for the last ten years, after moving here to pursue studies and a career in music business. The rest of my story here doesn't follow much of a logical progression, but includes: graduating from Belmont (music business), marrying my college sweetheart, graduating with my master's from Vanderbilt (higher education), starting a photography business, working at Belmont, and eventually going full-time with my photography business. I fulfilled a lifelong dream when I became a mother to our sweet girl, Virginia, a little over one year ago. My life as her momma, my marriage, and my faith are at the core of who I am; with what margin is left I spend my time feeding my heart, mind, and body with my writing, my work as a photographer, a little bit of crafting, crossfitting and going on adventures!

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]? 

Mornings with Virginia are, by far, my favorite. When I left my office job to be full-time at home with photography, mornings became so special to me. The routine and quietness of them; the newness of a day with so much potential. Now, with Virginia, they aren't nearly as quiet but by far the most "routine" time of our day. It's rare for us to leave the house until after she wakes up from her morning nap, so it's full of some sweet time at home and around the neighborhood - both of us usually in great moods, too. We stay in our pajamas, nurse, snuggle, read books and play in her nursery, sometimes go for a walk and then eventually get around to sharing breakfast together - which is our favorite meal of the day!

[#3] Name three Instagram MOMS who inspire you. 

@laraacasey - Lara Casey, @kristyjcarlson - Kristy Carlson,  @jennyhaas - Jenny Haas

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?

Finding time to go beyond dreaming into the "doing" has been the hardest. We spent a good portion of Virginia's first year of life struggling with naps. She just didn't love day sleep the way a lot of babies are supposed to and in order to get her to sleep, it required a lot of work/time/energy from me to get her asleep and keep her that way. In hindsight, I am very thankful for the sleep I got at night and all of the time I spent snuggling with her during the day, but at the time, it seemed that all of that work/time/energy during the day was being diverted from what would have normally been spent working and being creative. When it actually came time to work I had nothing left to give but the task-minded "let's just get this done" part of myself, if even that. I was miserable; I almost gave up. A few months ago, Virginia became a dream napper, completely by her own accord, and just in time for my busy season. Now that I'm caught up on work, I'm trying to remember how to put "pen to paper" and dreams into action, while not getting too ahead of myself. I've learned what it looks like to have to make something your priority, no matter the cost, and I know that, Lord willing, future babies will change the landscape of my creativity even more. Finding small ways to implement those dreams is where I'm starting.

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?

I could live in skinny jeans or leggings and boots all year long, if the weather permitted, so I'm having a field day this time of year. Especially being in possibly the best shape of my life! A typical outfit for me on a normal day looks something like this: a comfy and fitted GAP sweatshirt, emerald green LOFT cords, and boots - Hunter's if it is or has been raining! Oh, and of course a baby in an Ergo; they're quite fashionable to wear, these days ;)

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?

I'll share a picture of our master after I finished redecorating it at the beginning of my pregnancy. One of the things I was most determined to do in preparation for a baby was to take a space that should be a haven for my husband and me and make it so. And previous to this, it was so very not. Wrapping this up, I moved on to her nursery, which was a feat in itself and gets all the attention for it. But I just love this space and was grateful, especially in those early days of napping here with Virginia, to have it put together and reflective of our marriage.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.

There's not a lot I won't share on Instagram, honestly, probably to a fault. That said, this one was hard for me! But I was determined to find something I haven't shared already in some version. I'm quite flash-a-phobic (unless it's a picture of her sleeping in her crib!) so this one was never much of a favorite until this "assignment". Add to the whole flash issue her red eyes (yay for b&w), my sweaty armpits from this particularly eventful/stressful/crazy bathtime, my nursing bra showing, and my bangs that needed cutting like yesterday... and it was a "no-go" at the time. This time around, though, all I can see is that gorgeous smile of hers wrapped up in my arms and I wonder why I didn't share it in the first place.  

Be sure and follow @kristineneeley on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

My Everyday featuring ... Medea Peabody

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I'm from a small town in Indiana, married a Texan, and currently living abroad in London, UK- a city with 12 million people! [warning: lots of British spelling words ahead] I am hostess & cook at chez Peabody, and am a graphic designer in my professional life (whatever that means); the hubs is a visionary, dreamer, starter, and all around incredible guy, family man, team player. He runs a non-profit where he produces music and writes curriculum. Together, we're planting a church in north east London and raising two small boys.

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
My children bring out the most extreme emotions in me, sometimes within minutes of each other. Can I get an amen? To answer this question fairly, my favourite part of the day when I'm really miffed at them is 8 pm: when they go to bed. What I absolutely love is when daddy comes home and their sheer excitement to see him almost bursts out of them. Makes me love him and them all the more. There are so many parts of the day when I look at them and cannot believe they're mine and the God of the earth would entrust me with their care! They're amazing and all of the moments I get to share with them [good and bad] are moments I cherish.

[#3] Name three Instagram MOMS who inspire you. 
@mummyrunning / @laurenlarsen / @jackieb1013. These women are mothers who are running (or have run) very time consuming and creative businesses, and still manage to run a household and produce beautiful work!


[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?
Each day I wake up with a plan to take on the world. Each day my kids wake up with a different plan. Guess who wins? I realised, especially after my second, I must slow down, forget the housework, put my professional life on hold, and be PRESENT. I also remind myself constantly that this is phase in time I will never get back. I have plenty of time when they're grown and gone to spend lots of time 'creating.' What I don't have is plenty of time with them in their individual phases. I want to soak them up! However, when it comes to the day-to-day, there's one thing I've learned: the passion for creativity doesn't overflow unless my mind and my life are organised. I cannot be either of those things unless I leave my house without my kids. It's one of the few ways I can feed my soul and serve my family. Even if it's just for a few hours, I come home feeling refreshed and renewed and ready to tackle motherhood and design work. I’m so grateful to have a husband whose schedule is flexible and understands this is a great need of mine.

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?
Anything that hides the body I used to have! Since I'm living in London and the temps are a bit frigid for my taste, my go-to pieces are my long-johns of course (Flexees by Maidenform)! On a mild, rainy day I throw on my military jacket and duck boots. On a chilly wintery day my down coat from Soia & Kyo paired with my wind-breaking, thigh-high black leather boots from my fave store All Saints Spitalfields. I also cannot live without my warm coloured corduroy trousers from Uniqlo. Because this is a walking outdoor culture, I live in my coat so I don't bother with what's underneath so much. I save time on laundry by wearing the same clothes two days in a row (the washing machines are TINY). I never sweat with these temps and no one's judging me because they never get to see the first layer anyway. It's win-win really!

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
You’d probably see a lot of mismatched IKEA furniture! I love the color teal and one of my favorite pieces is my teal bookshelf from Pier 1. Of course it’s dominated by my children’s toys, but I love that.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
Both of my kids, totally annoyed, for different reasons. Liam wants to go swimming and Tate wants out of the rainbow prison.

Be sure and follow @meddypea on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

My Everyday featuring ... Amber Ulmer

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I married my soul mate at the age of 20. We had our first little 5 years later. Josephine. She is such an incredible little love. An old soul. She's amazing. We are full time wedding photographers. We had our son, Reuben, in December 2011. He is truly a bouncing baby boy. He never stops & is full of laughter! We have an amazing time working from home so we can be with our littles every day.

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?  
Any play time we have with the four of us. When you both work from home, you usually have to work in shifts so it's a treat when we can all just be together & play & have fun.

[#3] Name three Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
@bleubird / @kristinrogers / @joyprouty

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?
Not being too exhausted to be creative. There are so many other things that fight for my attention, like cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, play time...but to continue to be inspired for our business, I have to cut out time somewhere & somehow to be refreshed for our couples. I love my sleep so that has been really hard for me to figure out when & how to do it. It's a constant battle for me that I hope to win someday!

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?
I'm a sucker for another with a vintage floral pattern usually but I've gotten to love just a great vintage wash tank or tee in either solid or a pattern, colored skinny jeans, & a cozy cardigan with a long necklace & boots. It's a simple basic outfit that is easy to change up with other colors & other accessories.

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
This is a little snippet of a part of our wall. We are huge thrifters so this whole lil snippet is from either Goodwill or a flea market find. Other than the print, that I found online for download for free. We are working on updating our family prints & canvases around the house but this is one print that will be constant.

My Everday featuring ... Kelli Trontel

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story. 

I am a Southern California girl, who spent two years in Phoenix, Arizona [yes, to sing full time in a honky tonk bar & wait tables at my uncles restaurant that he owned with rocker Alice Cooper!] after graduating from Azusa Pacific University. In 2003 I moved to Nashville, Tennessee where I pursued music, but ultimately ended up falling in love with photography. I met my husband, while living in Music City USA, who just so happened to be from Montana. As we seriously considered starting our own family, we felt that being near family was important. In 2010, we moved across country to Whitefish, Montana where we now own and operate a Frozen Yogurt + Coffee cafe, The Red Caboose. More of our story can be seen on HGTV House Hunters....seriously! On July 6, 2012 we welcomed our sweet baby boy, Ezra into our world....our lives have been forever changed. Our hearts are full. 

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]? 

There's nothing sweeter than sharing a nap with Ezra in the middle of the day. In order to do this- I must turn away from the iPhone, computer and any other distraction....these are the moments I live for. Our babies aren't babies forever so I want to soak these pieces of the day in, whenever I can.

[#3] Name three Instagram MOMS who inspire you. 

@smileandwave / @herwelshness / @enjoycupcakes

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?

Quieting the voices in my head that tell me that I will be missing out if I don't keep up. What I try and balance most is being 100% all in for my family, while pursuing those creative things that I am passionate about. I want Ezra to see his momma being obedient to what the Lord has called me to do. My number one priority is family- being a wife and a mom. I want him to see me passionately pursuing things, but in excellence and the secret to doing things in excellence is balance. I don't want my family to get the short end of the stick. Time management, which has never been a strength of mine MUST be now. No excuses. When you get that right- everything falls into place. My sweet friends handmade a collection of arrows for Ezra's nursery at my baby shower- I think of the huge responsibility we have has mothers each time I glance over to that wall.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth." Psalm 127:3

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?

Sorel Boots....gotta keep my feet warm this winter!
[left to right:: Caribou, Joan of Arctic & Cate the Great]

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?

Our Living Room. I love the big widows that display the beauty that is Montana. It's almost impossible to sit on the couch and not stop and notice the beauty outdoors. What a blessing it is to sit in this room and nurse Ezra- so peaceful. Whether the trees are changing colors or covered in snow- it's a magnificent site! Very inspiring.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
This photo ended up on Instagram afterall, but not right away. The reason? Well, Im not wearing make-up, my hair is a hot mess, dirty burp rag and there's people in the background who I don't even know. However, I love this moment...this look...between Ezra and I. This was taken by a friend at our cafe.....and this really depicts my life. It's a blessing to be able to bring my baby to work with me and raise him up in such a fun & creative environment. When I posted this on Instagram, Vanessa sent me a text and said this was by far her favorite photo that she had seen of Ezra and I. As I continued to look at this photo....I realized that Ezra's love for me doesn't depend on my appearance or what I perceive to be perfection. He just needs his momma....and that's me!

Be sure and follow @kellitrontel on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

My Everyday featuring ... Vanessa Warren

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I am one of those proud Texans who was born & raised in Dallas. After graduating at SMU, I moved to Nashville, Tennessee where I worked in the music industry for a decade. When my husband Mark & I had our first child, Noah, we decided it was time to head back home to Dallas. Back to our roots to raise Noah & our now 7 month old baby girl, Stella Love. Between naps, feedings & trips to pre-k, I manage to run a creative business where I style photo shoots, consult fellow entrepreneurs on all things social media & throw in some graphic design for good measure. I adore my family, my faith in the Lord is what sustains me & little life moments with my kids brings joy to my soul!

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
With Stella, hands down, I love bath time. The moment she hears the water start to run, her little feet start flapping & giddiness ensues. A good belly tickle is something she expects & her little mouth is sitting there wide open which means the hard giggles are soon to begin. It's the sweetest, most precious time.

With Noah, I love the greeting he gives me every morning. He has a huge smile on his face, gives me a hug & says "I love you. I'm hungry." The boy eats a lot & that makes me happy. We spend the morning reviewing the day over breakfast & enjoy making sister giggle in the process. His tender heart towards Stella melts me. He claims to be her super hero ... & I truly believe he is. 

[#3] Name three Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
@joyprouty /@jess_cudzilo / @kenziepoo

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?
Deciding what takes priority at any given moment is my challenge. I am one of those that has an endless to-do list but I enjoy staying busy at the same time. And now that I have two little ones to care for, my home/work time is at full capacity. Typically, my days end in exhaustion & I sit at my desk questioning my creative drive. Do I have anything left to give? And honestly, most days I barely accomplish a whole lot of "things" because my goal is to work hard to ensure my kids have the best day possible. However, if I'm being completely transparent, there are moments my patience runs thin, my desire to sit & play legos isn't there, I stare in the mirror thinking why the heck am I still in my pajamas & rocking my teething baby to sleep for the sixth time can all make this girl feel a little crazy. But being a mother is the greatest reward because at the end of the day I accomplished something & that something was something G R A N D ... it was shaping the lives of my kids. Day in & day out that's my "job" & what an honor that is ... it's the highest honor, really. So, as of late, my creative passion has become capturing our daily lives ... it's what brings me the most joy!

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?
I am ALL about comfort & a huge fan of JCrew ... head-to-toe all day, everyday : vintage cotton v-neck tee, sweater or cardigan, ballet flats + JCrew signature leggings.

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
I love to decorate my home & I love the pieces we've been able to collect. Sometimes the messes I stumble upon throughout the house can drive me crazy, but then again most days I enjoy it. Seeing the fun that's being had makes me smile. I always want my children to feel at home in their home. Play away ... !

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
I would never post this but it pretty much sums up what happens when I try to take a photo of either of my kids. Noah photo bombs EVERYTHING & Stella is a little spit fire. Real life right there in that photo ... & I love it.

Be sure and follow @butterflysparks on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

Introducing ... My Everyday

HELLO friends!

Vanessa and I are super excited to FINALLY launch a new series that has been in the making since the beginning of summer.

As you know, we are moms, creative types and huge fans of Instagram. We love having a place online to post and share some of our most precious images of the little things that happen through out our day or our week. We also love the online community that is found inside that app. We are more about friends...than fans. And friendships, encouragement, inspiration ect...can all be found on IG and we are here to help you find it!

Introducing ...

We have found some pretty inspiring moms, who do their job so well. Some are well known and many are under the radar, but equally inspiring and deserving of a little spotlight.

Our inspiration behind this project is finding the beautiful mess among the styled perfection, which seems to surround us everywhere we look these days. Life has begun to look all too perfect, which can make us feel inadequate at times.

We see this series as a hub of INSPIRATION for MOM's.....there is SO much distraction out there and we want this to be an easy place for women to find- to be encouraged and inspired by everyday moms, who just happen to be creative and entrepreneurial.

The vision is to be REAL, RAW and AUTHENTIC. To document our real life- just the way it is- and not how we think others want to see it. Photos that show the love we have for our children and our passion for being great moms.

Be sure and follow @kelliandvanessa on Instagram to keep up with this series. You can also see the series by following #myeverydaymoms

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CUTE HELP.

While I work today, I have a special little helper keeping me company. LOVE her!