Do you remember Jon & Kate Plus 8?

When they started and they were both chunky* and exhausted and living in that too small house in that basically regular neighborhood?

And everyone loved watching them because they were inspiring and relatable and generally regular people even if Kate was sort of snappy and anal all the time?? (Which, duh, was because SHE HAD 8 BABIES!)

You “got” her and you liked her (and Jon was OK, too) and her wiggly pre-tummy-tuck baby belly. And, you would sit at home with your one baby and your one toddler and think, sheesh, if Kate can, then so can I.

But then they got all rich and hired help and moved and went nuts and the kids got naughty and their marriage imploded and you got sick of running into Jon at your local bar and grill (he has a family member in my hood), and it got ugly and you hated them, especially that one time that they were on the Today Show making America feel awkward.

I am sort of like the chunky Kate of fashion blogging.

Although, check it TLC, if you’re reading, and you want The Dudes and I to be on a reality show about, ummmmm, reality, we are in, totally.

I used to be really envious of all of these cool fashion blogs featuring glamorous type chicks rocking their haute clothing in front of these awesome backgrounds, or at these cool locations, or in Manolos. Clearly photographed by a professional. Organized and executed probably weeks before the post went live.

So much pretty. Really freaking cool.

I wanted to have a professional photographer. And a distressed brick wall right by my house.

And Manolos.

And then I came to my senses.

I am not a fashion blogger.

I am a mom.

I shower, and get dressed in real clothing, and put on enough make-up to look human, basically everyday, and then I blog about that and functional fashion because I like it.

I don’t give you info on the latest trends because I don’t wear all of the latest trends.

I don’t spend countless hours scouring shops looking for finds. I do most of my shopping online, because I live in the suburbs of the suburbs so all of my favorite stores are like an hour away and, say it with me: AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT.

I don’t have a professional photographer to take my photos. I have a ladder and a camera with a timer. Sometimes I have DudeDad. The ladder is generally better.

I don’t have a brick wall. I have a green garage with really dirty windows and a lawn that’s technically more weeds than grass.

My handbag I’ve had since last season. My shoes are seriously cute, but also comfortable and functional. I don’t shop every week and I never pay more than $50 for any one item. Because, for me, $50 is sort of a lot for something I might not like or fit in next year.

And, if I’m honest, I usually plan my Monday fashion posts super early Monday morning Sunday afternoon, while I’m sitting by my parents’ pool where my kids are entertained and well supervised by someone other than me.

I am not a fashion blogger.

I’m a mom.

A real life, everyday, kinda broke, mom with dirty, slightly unruly kids, and a husband that looks at me sideways if I ask him to take a photo of me.

And, that’s why you like me (right? RIGHT?!).

Because you can relate to me. Which means you can be me.

You can feel good and look good even with your really sad bank account, zero time, dirty kids, and the simple desire to not look like you got run over by bus every day.

Here’s how I do it (and did it back when my kid was still a toddler and two of them were home every day still).

5 Best Fashion Tips for Busy Moms

1. GET A UNIFORM

Jeans, a white tee, a pair of flats. It can be simple. You can jazz it up with a scarf or a bracelet if you want. Just make it clean and in your size.

2. CUT YOUR HAIR

Not so it’s short (unless you like that), just so that it’s healthy and manageable.

3. GET UP EARLY

I know, this is asking a lot when your kid is screaming at you for half the night. And, if that’s you, try reading this: Bedtime Routines for Dictators. But, if you can figure a way to get up before your dictators children, you can have your coffee, center yourself, shower, and comb your hair out before your kids start tugging and pulling on your everything.

4. PAIR DOWN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE

No one needs cat eyes every day. Find out what you do need though and just rock that. Personally I use a BB cream, colored lip gloss, mascara, and blush every day of life, without fail.

5. FORGET FEELING GUILTY

Insert the swear word there because that’s how strongly I feel about this one. You don’t need to feel like a sap for demanding time for yourself. I’m not saying you have to have time to hit happy hour every Thursday, I’m saying it is cool for you to put the baby in his crib, put the toddler in his room with your iPad, and take a shower. It’s okay to go in your garage when people get nutty and jam a Kit Kat down your throat deep breathe. It’s even okay to make your kid skip gymnastics this session so you can use the money to buy yourself some summer shorts because all of the ones from last year are too big (GO YOU!). Your kid is 2; she won’t care.

*Note on chnuky Kate so y’all don’t think I’m hating on post-baby bodies. I didn’t think she was chunky, she was just heavier than she is now. Carry on.