Wonder Mom #7: Maggie Lord
A self-confessed wedding junkie from a young age, Maggie Lord has always loved the romance and beauty of weddings. While planning her own wedding, Maggie created RusticWeddingChic.com, which turned into a widely loved blog with millions of readers monthly. Maggie is a sought after wedding expert who shares her planning tips and ideas on TV and in a variety of print publications. She is the author of three wedding books: The Rustic Wedding Handbook, Barn Weddings and Rustic Wedding Chic and a forthcoming new book. Maggie is also the founder of two other very popular sites: RusticWeddingGuide.com and RusticBabyChic.com. Somehow Maggie finds time to raise her two adorable boys, Jack and Charlie, while flawlessly maintaining her status as a wedding guru.
How did RusticWeddingChic.com come into being and how did you know it was something to run with?
I knew while planning my own rustic style wedding in 2008 that there was a serious lack of elegant wedding ideas for the rustic or country style bride, and I had the idea to create a blog that would inspire and guide the rustic chic bride. I knew that if I was looking for these ideas other brides were too! RusticWeddingChic.com grew out of a very organic place since I was looking for something in the market and was bummed it did not exist.
How has having children transformed your lifestyle?
Once you have a child your life and your time is no longer just your own. Before having my first son, Jack, I could work as much as I needed and at the times that I wanted to. After becoming a mom I had to quickly find a way to balance a work schedule and a baby schedule.
5 words to describe your personal sense of style?
Chic, Relaxed, Casual Classic and Rustic.
How do you find time to get ready and maintain your style?
Getting ready now with two kids is not what it used to be. I tend to just go with what I know looks good, is comfortable and will work for both work and home life. I do like to spend time shopping alone every once in a while.
Where do you get your energy?
Honestly I would love to say that I work out or that I get the proper amount of sleep but those things don't fit my current lifestyle with a 1 year old in the house. I get most of my energy from my boys - I know that they are nonstop balls of energy so just trying to keep up with them gives me an energy boost. I love walking my older son to school, which gets everyone a little fresh air.
What is your spirit animal or dream super power?
I would love to be able to transport myself. My day is pretty chopped up between getting to my office, getting to school to pickup my son and every other errand I have to run so it would be great if I could just magically be where I needed to be and not have to take the time to drive there.
What inspires you? (other than your children)
I am always inspired by the sheer volume of readers we have and the emails and social comments I get about how we're helping them plan their weddings!
Any words that you live by?
"Life is meant to be enjoyed" - I try to pass this on to my kids as much as possible... my mother always made those words a part of my childhood.
What is your favorite thing to do with your children?
Summer vacations with my kids at this little lake town where my mom spent all of her summers, where I have spent every summer of my life and now my sons get to spend their summers there as well. After all, it was this wonderful town that inspired RusticWeddingChic.com
What would you do with more time?
I would love to volunteer. I want to show my sons by example that when you give back to your community you are helping not only those in need but you are making your own life richer as well.
How do you balance family and work?
I work well with schedules and to do list - I always have since I was a child - so I try to make sure that I know what I need to be doing for work and when and then the I know my home life can be relaxing knowing work is squared away.
What time do you get up and go to bed on a typical day?
I am up between 6 and 6:30 and I am asleep by 10.
What do you typically eat for breakfast?
I don't - it is totally unhealthy but I don't eat in the morning, I just grab coffee. Maybe something I can change in the next year!
Coffee, tea, wine, tequila, or other?
Coffee at 6 am and wine at 6pm
What is something that you struggle with fitting in to your lifestyle and how do you deal with it? i.e. Do you make time for ALL of your yearly medical maintenance check-ups and dental cleanings? Or are you running on a 3 year old contact prescription and can't even find time to floss let alone go to the dentist?
I find myself wanting to be everywhere and do everything all the time. I would love to fit time in where in to my life where I was not trying accomplish something. My life is very busy at this stage of the game so I would love to work towards slowing it down and making time for more fun and relaxing adventures.
Any advice for new moms, or moms who are struggling to make it all work?
My advice to any mom trying to make it all work is that you have to be flexible. What works one day will not always work the next. I honestly, feel that the best thing you can do is work when you are working and when you are with your children try to do nothing but be with them and enjoy them.
From Sheryl Sandberg to Marissa Mayer, women are not sacrificing themselves for their kids like they used to. Why? If you ask me, a confident and happy woman makes a better mother and role model. And whatever it takes to get her feeling that way should be done. But as a mother myself, I know how hard it is to maintain a sense of style, run a successful business and to feel like an okay parent all at the same time.
Women who are flawlessly manifesting this enchanting trifecta are the new wonder women of our times and they are my idols. So I got to wondering how they actually do it all and have it all. Is it really possible? Are they hiding something? Do they secretly never floss? I hope to answer these questions and to give the rest of us moms motivation to stay true to ourselves, live fulfilling lives and love our families as much as ever through interviews with moms who are already doing it. These are the Wonder Moms.
If you know a woman who fits this mold, please share her info with me on Twitter @metromomclub