How it all started
It has been about 5 years since I started My Sweet Mess. I started it as a way to capture my creativity; a place to share all the recipes in my head and play around with food photography.
Then I had Luna and it became a place to share a little bit about motherhood. Then I started studying Nutrition, then I had Wilder, then I started a new job, then Wilder went into the hospital. Life became really chaotic.
I always had so much I wanted to put down on paper and share with the world – like literally a HUGE list. But, it all got so overwhelming and came to the point where it seemed like a job (that I didn’t get paid for) and not a hobby which is a little more fun.
The struggles of blogging
I’m a bit of a perfectionist (in weird ways) and I thought that if I didn’t have perfectly curated pictures to go with my post about motherhood that I shouldn’t post it. I also thought if I hadn’t photographed a recipe with my good camera and edited it perfectly, I shouldn’t post that either. It took the fun out of it for me. Trying to force myself to share “Instagram worthy” content instead of my real life. If you know me well, that wouldn’t surprise you at all.
Real life
I am NOT a perfectly curated person. I don’t live in a dusted and sanitized white house. My kids don’t wear matching clothes, and my recipes aren’t out of Martha Stewart magazine (although they could be). My house is small, old and needs lots of work. My kitchen cabinets are glossy red and I hate them. My walls are brightly/dark colored, my style is a mix of boho, modern, antique and I don’t know what the hell I’m doing and can’t make up my damn mind.
My daughter wears two different colored socks and often two different shoes too, she loves rainbows and mixing that with camo and sparkles. My son doesn’t care what he wears – as long as he decides. My recipes are real food that we eat, they aren’t made just for the camera or just for Instagram. They are made for my family and yours to enjoy. Sometimes I don’t have time to photograph them or anything for that matter. Sometimes I just don’t remember to because I’m a full-time working mom of two toddlers. I go to school part-time, I try and get my kids into activities, schedule all their appointments, try and keep up on friendships and playdates, read a book once a year. Every once in awhile I even wash my face and have a bath.
My life is organized chaos. Although there’s a small part of me that wishes I could be one of those perfectly curated Instagram feeds, or beautiful websites that cost thousands of dollars – the rest of me, just wants to be me and share it with the world – knowing I’m not alone.
New beginnings
So, five years after I started My Sweet Mess (it’s like I knew who I was when I started it), I have finally come to a place where I am cool with what I have to give and how I’m able to give it. I’m not for everyone (that I already know), but I hope I am for some. I am a real, flawed person with an insanely creative spirit and a whole lot to give to those that want it.
I’m not perfect, I’m just trying to live this ordinary life of mine in an extraordinary way and I hope you’ll come along for the ride.
Today is a new day, the true start of My Sweet Mess (my life). You’ll also find Nourish + Sprout (nutrition, health and wellness) and Citrus + Spice Creative (food and beverage business consulting).
So welcome to my new website. Look around and let me know what you think. I can’t wait to meet you, get to know you more, maybe work with you, laugh with you, cry with you, enjoy a glass of wine with you – whatever it is you’re here for, I’m so happy you decided to join me.
My Sweet Mess
My Sweet Mess is where you’ll find pretty much all of me. My recipes, my home, our family adventures, and my solo ones too; my fashion, my family, and so much more. It’s the place where I’ll brag about my kids and probably curse them in same post…I curse a lot. It’s the place where I’ll talk about support, and how the lack of it can really make things challenging. It’s the place where I’ll share recipes even if they’re not perfectly styled. It’s the place where I’ll be unapologetically me, here to have you unapologetically too.
Nourish + Sprout
Nourish + Sprout is where you’ll find all the information I have to share on nutrition, health and wellness. I will share healthier recipes, tips and tricks on how to add nutrition to your life, I’ll talk about the bullshit diets and wellness info that is slathered all over the internet and how you can ignore it. But most importantly I’ll be here to help you live a healthier life one bite at a time in a way that is unique to you.
Citrus + Spice
Citrus + Spice is where you’ll find the creative me meet with the business me. You’ll see my education, experience, talent and creativity all working together in action to support other brands and businesses. Working to bring the business and creative worlds together is a little like my sweet spot; it’s where I shine.
Thank you for listening to me go on. I’m super happy to start again and have you here in whatever capacity works for you.
Till the next post,
Kristen xo
