Meet my mom Louise

I loved playing dress up in my mom's closet when I was a little girl. While she spent almost her entire career teaching Kindergarten, she loved dressing up for work and owned more shoes than she could wear. She is the oldest of 5 siblings and has always been incredibly resourceful when it came to her own wardrobe. She would always remind my sister and I of all the clothes she used to sew herself because shopping was not a priority for my late grandmother who would have been raising 5 children while working as a Registered Nurse in Vancouver, Canada in the 1960s.

I remember the textures of the different clothes my mom had in her closet - suede, tweed, leather, sequins, lace, and silk. She wore suits to work and had pointed high heels in all the colours you could imagine in her closet - reds, pinks, black patten, leopard, polka dots, and metallics. 

As a child, my sister and I always had to get dressed up for family outings, church, birthday parties, and family events. I was always the ‘Tom Boy’ of the family and tantrumed my way through many Sunday mornings when I really did not like the outfit she picked out for me to wear. I never won the battles when I tried to fight her wardrobe choices for me as an 8 year old. I now appreciate her vision for dressing your body in a way that makes you feel proud. 

My mom has always been my inspiration to work hard for the things that are important to you. She also reminds me that life is messy, unpolished, and sometimes full of more setbacks than you feel like you can handle. 

Over the next week, I am going to be sharing some of my favourite gifts you might consider gifting to that 'mom like' figure in your world. Of course we know that gifts aren't the only way to acknowledge our love and appreciation on these types of 'holidays'. A hand written note sharing a special story  / moment is always my favourite give to give (and to receive). 

Xo

A.