We are big fans of this pretty mama… Kate’s happy Instagram page makes her one to follow as her posts are fun, light hearted and topped off with a double dose of cuteness that are ages 7 years old and 18 months old. Not to mention that we love how she styles her graphic shirts with fun sayings and even her boys have gotten into the act with cute tees like “Sugar Please” and “Let’s Get Stuffed”. So without further introduction… We invite you to get to know Kate and learn whether its massages or blow outs for this mama. Visit her account here @missildinekate.
Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Yellow Springs, Ohio. It's a small, artsy, very eclectic village between Cincinnati and Columbus.
How many kiddos do you have?
I'm a mom to two rowdy boys, Sam (7 yo) and Ben (18 mths). My boys are very different. Sam is extremely precocious and inquisitive. Ben is much more of an observer and laid back. He's my shy one.
At the moment, Sam is into robots and reptiles. He loves all kinds of creepy crawlers and wants to visit Asia to capture a Blue Tree Monitor like one we saw at the Cincinnati Zoo. Ben is a bookworm. His favorites at the moment are 'Dog Wants to Play' and 'Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin'.
What is your favorite activity to do with your little one?
I'm a writer and avid reader so I love to read to my children. My mother was an English teacher who shared her love of books with me and I've tried to pass that on to my sons. It's also a great bonding experience.
SAHM,WAHM or Working mama?
I'm a SAHM and former Montessori Teacher. I support ALL moms though and think we can all be wonderful parents regardless of our different choices.
Do you have any hobbies?
I have many hobbies and consider myself a 'Jill-of-all-trades' and a 'Master-of-none'. I love photography, fashion, jewelry making, and yoga. I write children's books as a hobby but would love to get published.
Do you have any pets?
We have one dog, a West Highland Terrier, named Duncan. He's sweet and very high energy. He loves to run around with the boys and play ball. We also have a menagerie of creepy crawlers, frogs, a turtle, goldfish, and a lizard.
Did you have any cravings while preggie?
I didn't have any unusual cravings when I was pregnant but I was hungry ALL the time. I craved carbs but had gestational diabetes with Benjamin so I had to be very careful of what I ate. It was pretty brutal but I managed and he was born very healthy.
What is one makeup item you can't live without?
I have two makeup items I can't live without - mascara and lipstick. I like a lot of brands, but I’m a fan of Bare Minerals and MAC makeup.
What is your go to mama outfit?
I would say my winter go to mama outfit is black leggings, boots or booties, and a loose fitting sweater or sweatshirt. I also like yoga pants or jeans and graphic tees/sweatshirts with fun sayings. They make me smile and help me laugh at myself on bad days. They're also a wonderful way to connect with other moms who feel your pain. During Summer I love a comfy, cotton dress and strappy sandals or flip flops. Style and comfort are both super important to me.
If you can only choose one... Massage or hair blow out?
I would have to choose a massage. Toting around my boys is brutal on my muscles and Ben is a clinger for sure.
What is your favorite way to unwind at the end of a long day?
I love to unwind by reading a good suspense novel and a glass of wine (some of my fave authors are: Gillian Flynn, Kathy Reichs, J.D. Robb, and Dean Koontz). I'm also an HGTV and Netflix junkie. Mondays are definitely reserved for The Bachelor/Bachelorette.
What is the best advice you can give from one mama to another mama?
I think my best advice to moms is not to be too hard of yourself or take yourself too seriously. We all make mistakes and kids are resilient. With lots of love they'll be fine.
What is your fave Bumble product?
I'm a huge fan of all the Bumble products, but my favorite would have to be the Je T'Aime Sequin Zipper Tote because it pairs with almost anything.