Ladies I Love: Jordan Reid, Ramshackle Glam + a Giveaway

When the book Ramshackle Glam: The New Mom's Haphazard Guide to (Almost) Having It All was released in the Spring of 2014, I was knee deep in What to Expect When You're Expecting type books filled with all things pregnancy related. Being that this is my first baby, I was like, totally not prepared for everything that no one tells you once that little bundle of joy (and poop and love) arrives. I think that a lot of what comes with being a new mother is kept on the DL because if we talk about our worries and what we fear are failures, we might be viewed as a bad mother by those judgey types. Or so I would assume... I haven't shied away from expressing anything and everything that is on my mind so when I (belatedly) picked up Jordan Reid's book on being a new mother, "having it all" and lots of the in between, her blunt honesty was/is refreshing and greatly appreciated. Her willingness to share some intimate details and stories of hormonal outbursts were not only humorous but also made me feel like I am not alone in this world where I am now responsible for a human life and keeping my sanity intact at the same time. 

I excitedly reached out to Jordan and tried not to gush too much about how much I liked the book, how I could relate and how pretty I think she is, but you know, I am only human. She was such a doll and agreed to answer some of my most burning questions. Check out what she had to say and after that, you should totally stick around to see how you can score a copy of her sassy book.

Loving the book and being a new Mom appreciated a lot of what you had to say. What motivated you to want to share your experiences with readers outside of Ramshackle Glam online?

Well, writing a book was always the Big Dream, ever since I was a little girl. But beyond that, it was exciting to have the opportunities to explore topics - everything from post-baby relationship anxieties to nursery decorating ideas - in a more in-depth, long-form way than you traditionally find on the internet. There's a lot of good that comes from the immediacy of blogging - writing every single day helps refine your "voice" just because when you're generating that much content on an ongoing basis you don't really have the option to be anything other than yourself - but it also doesn't leave a whole lot of time for...percolation. So it was wonderful having the chance to really think through these very big topics and take my time with them before putting them out into the world.

You talk about finding little luxuries in your life that are just about you. Now that you have a second child are you finding it harder to make this time for yourself? Do you have any tips for the ladies with a kid on each hip?

Strangely enough, I've found that I actually have an easier time making room for those little luxuries with my second child than I did with my first, mostly because when my son (who's now three) was born I was terrified that any time he wasn't being stimulated to the rooftops with educational games and such I was doing something wrong, and with my daughter (who's five months old) I'm finding it easier to let myself relax. Order Chinese food instead of cooking. Watch the Kardashians while the baby naps instead of answering emails. It's important to allow yourself to check out once in awhile. 

Let's talk about putting on a face. What is your absolute MUST beauty item when there is time for nothing else?

Moisturizer, always. And I have eyelash extensions, which are basically a godsend for busy women - they require half an hour or so at the salon once every few weeks, but on a day to day basis they let you get away with putting practially nothing else on your face.

Hey, you always look so pretty in your photos. I know part of that is that you're pretty pretty but who takes your photos for you? Is it your husband and if so, how does one train their husband to have "the eye" for a good shot? I'm asking for a friend.

That's nice of you to say! I used to take the photos myself with a tripod, but found that it's more fun (and presumably more fun for my readers) if I take them "on the go" and structure them around a story or an event...which means calling in a helper. I have a professional photographer I hire for client shoots, but for everyday shoots my husband is usually behind the camera.

What we do to get the shots we want quickly (because with two kids, we don't exactly have hours and hours to spend romping around and experimenting): we start by having a short conversation where I outline what I'd like to highlight in the look and what kind of feel we'd like the shots to have, and then do full-length shots (both vertical and horizontal) followed by detail shots. And we always finish up with a handful of fun shots that sometimes work and sometimes don't. Post-shoot, we usually go through the images and spend a couple of minutes analyzing what worked and what didn't, so we can do better next time.

It's tricky, though - because whenever you involve a friend or relative in your work there's always the potential for problems to arise. You have to get the shots that you need, but you don't want to insult someone who's just trying to help you out, even if he or she has a very different perpsective on what looks "good." So the most important thing to remember is that if you're both having fun, that'll show through in the photos. In short: give guidance, but try to let your significant other participate in the creative process; you'll both enjoy it more that way. 

Where do you see Ramshackle Glam headed in the future? Are there plans for more books, clothing lines, world domination, etc?

My second book, Carrying On: (Mis)Adventures In PregnancyLand, is coming out this fall, so that's exciting (and I think I'm going to try my hand at fiction next, but let's not hold me to that because I am terrified). And we're moving to San Francisco's South Bay in the spring, so I'm looking forward to seeing what opportunities come out of a new life on a new coast. I suspect cowboy boots will be involved.

Well, if I didn't have a girl crush before, it is most certainly one now... So now that you are totally intrigued by what Jordan's got to say, you can enter to win her book, Ramshackle Glam: The New Mom's Haphazard Guide to (Almost) Having It All for you or one of your friends. There are five copies up for grabs so odds are, you're a gonna be a readin' this book.

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Want to get a head start on all things Ramshackle Glam? You can catch Jordan + RG on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube