Project 52:45 | goal-oriented

Metadata: f/2.8, 1/100, ISO 1600

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I’m not quite sure how to describe how I am feeling other than to say it’s a lot like the feeling I had the day before I gave birth: nervous. excited. anxious. ready. accomplished. fulfilled. at peace. All of those things & more.

This is the week before one of my life dreams comes true. I have always wanted my own business. I have always wanted to sell something that I made–something that is useful & unique & helpful & smart & pretty. I wanted to design, market and do it all myself. As much as I enjoyed my life in corporate america, I always yearned for more. I was sad the day I walked away. Bye bye six figure income. Bye bye company car. Bye bye world traveling, fancy high heels & expense account. But somehow–I just knew the best was yet to come. I knew that I had a lot to do in my life. & I still know there is so much more I can accomplish–beyond what I think is the most important job of all–being a mother. A present, involved, loving mother.

I have spent every extra moment working on this project. Hours in photoshop. Hours on the phone talking with vendors and legal experts. & as proud as I am to say this product launch is about to take place as a result of my own efforts, I am even prouder to say that I have still been able to be a full time mom. We don’t have daycare. She does not go to preschool. I have used one babysitter, one time (not for my project). I have been the one teaching & enjoying my daughter daily.

Everything else is icing on the cake.

But what is cake without the icing? While being a mom is most certainly enough, I knew–as a business woman–that I have always needed more. I’ve talked about my struggles with managing it all before and these days…I am seeing the light. Maybe an extra latte here & there after a late night working, and fewer playdates than we’d have otherwise, but it has been manageable. & I need it. I have to have an identity outside the home. Is that too much to ask? I don’t think so.

It’d probably be a different story if we had a regular family life. Most of you know that I am married to a man (a very supportive, encouraging, hard working man) who spends well over 100 hours a week in the hospital as a surgery resident. We don’t have regular family dinners. We don’t spend most weekends together. I am mostly a single parent. So my excess time lies in the time we’d otherwise have as a family. So before you think I do have it all…well…there is my disclaimer. I have a lot of time to myself. A LOT of time. & instead of whining and complaining about him not being around I just find things to keep me busy. Good thing I have a lot of interests. ;)

Sometime over the next few weeks my stylebabyLOG is going to be available for purchase online. I am taking my business slow & steady. Not jumping ahead of myself. You’ll see more details soon (you can see the stylebabyLOG here!)–but I am so excited. More excited about it than I have ever been about anything I’ve accomplished professionally. Even more excited than earning that week long all-expenses-paid Bayer President’s Circle Trip through Germany. (& that says a lot!) I hope my enthusiasm is evident–as I know you can’t see it on my face as I hand you your copy of the stylebabyLOG (or maybe you can on Monday or Tuesday!)…but I cannot tell you how much all of your support means to me. Thank you for helping me reach one of my big goals in my life. :)

Source: centsationalgirl.com via miss shawna on Pinterest

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& if you happen to be new here & want to learn more about why my project 52 looks the way it does, head on over to

my project 52 story.

& here are the links to some of you who are doing this with me! Be sure to let me know if I missed you by adding a comment to this post. I promise to add you, as long as you link me back!

allenaim photographyBrown-Eyed Girl PhotographyBump Meet BabyCapturing MemoriesCapturing My TimeCyan Baby BlissConfessions of a Baby ShopaholicFitoriKatie Clay PhotographyLizzi Loves…McBabyBumpNew Mom AdventurePhreckle Face Photography{rik-see} photographySo Much for My PlansSurviving EndometriosisThe Buckeye HomesteadThe VanDyck FamilyWicked Kate

Hi! Hello! I am Shawna, the founder of Styleberry Blog. This creative corner of the internet has become a learning haven for moms and creatives, offering a warm and encouraging nudge to those who wish to be better and do better, but often don't know where to start. From Decorating to DIY to Diapers and Paleo-ish Dishes, I strive to make the complicated simple and empower women to take action beyond their personal comfort zone. I subscribe to the Shine Theory & so strongly believe that we shine when the women around us shine and mutual support—lifting up instead of tearing down--will always be the culture here. Are you in? I hope so! Beyond the computer, I run Styleberry Creative where I work with clients to create low fuss, high function spaces that are pretty and practical in San Antonio, Texas and beyond. I LOVE making a house a home. My own studs out renovation is now complete and I am now back to working with clients. Please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you'd like to work together! I hope you’ll join me on this fun new adventure! Xo.

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