New Gig: Little Mango Children's Boutique

As some of you know, I took a big step outside of my comfort zone. My work comfort zone.  And I opened Little Mango, an online baby and children's boutique filled with brands and small shop merch that I've found and fell in love with.

For 12 years I worked in the casino industry, in the only big girl job I've had since graduating college. I worked a ton, I traveled a ton. And I loved it. Until I didn't. I was burned out and didn't have the love for my work that I used to. I knew something needed to change.

For the longest time, I had wanted to open my own shop. I loved kids clothes and putting together fun, trendy outfits for Cruz and I loved sharing them with family & friends. And I usually got really great feedback on the items I found.

I found myself daydreaming about my own shop. Seeing others take the leap and loving it. Making themselves happy doing what they loved. And I knew I needed that in my life something fierce.

So in April of this year I put in my resignation at work, while on maternity leave with our second son, Leo.

I was scared shitless.

What was I doing quitting my good paying, stable job to open an online boutique? What did I know about it? Would people buy my stuff? Would they like the stuff I chose to carry in the shop? What if, what if, what if...

And on June 20th, Little Mango opened it's virtual doors and we haven't looked back since.

Sure I don't know what I'm doing most days. And I know there are things I should be doing but I'm not. But I'm loving the challenge of trying to figure it out. Of reaching out to other mamas in the same boat and hearing their advice, their struggles and knowing I'm not in this alone.

If you haven't already, I would LOVE for you to take a look.

Check the site out here

Give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram.....pretty pretty please :)

And let your family & friends know - I would love you forever if you shared the shop with them! <3

Whether you have kiddos of your own. Or maybe grand babies. Or maybe your friends are having babies. Or you need a super cool birthday gift for a niece or nephew. We have so much great stuff - I'm in love with it all and love all of the brands we work with.

And if you have already followed the shop, shared the shop, purchased from the shop, tagged your goods - seriously I can't thank you enough <3 <3

Because I love all of you who have stuck around this blog, especially in my lengthy absence, here is a little code - take 25% off your entire purchase. Everything in the shop using code YELLOWMANGOLIFE at checkout. (This will be valid through September 30, 2016 but you can use it as many times as you like.)

And just check out these cuties in our goods. You might recognize the little blonde boy :)

The Right Decision

If I've learned anything from being a mama and juggling a career, it's that I can do it all. It may not be perfect. It may not be great all the time. And, it for damn sure isn't pretty. But I basically get done what needs to be done.  Life is hectic. Work is busy. But above all else, we are employed, our family is close, we have amazing friends and we are raising the most amazing little man. And he is so, so good to us.

I do find myself wondering if my work/life balance it right. Are my priorities in line? I hate that at times I need to choose my laptop and work emails over playing with my son. I despise having my phone in my hand (or nearby) at all times...just in case. Fortunately, I have a great career which is really flexible, yet demanding enough in that I need (want) to be proactive and on top of things. I don't want to miss anything. I want to be successful.

But there are times that I would love to stay at home with Cruz. See him grow up every day. Teach him things. I get a tad jealous that J gets to spend so much time with him and take him to such great educational and fun places. But then I think, that wouldn't be me. I wouldn't be myself without my career. I love what I do.

So, when I get tagged by a leader in our company regarding a potential regional position that would require travel for a couple weeks a month, but hopefully not relocating, the go-getter in me says, "it's a great opportunity. It would be great for my career. Bring it on!" However, the mom in me says, "how can I spend quality time with my little guy and see him grow up if I'm traveling up to fifteen days out of thirty?" What kind of life is that?

The position would be great for our family...and for our future. It would be a great career move. I would finally get to learn about other markets in the casino industry. We could finally pay off what's left of our debt. On the flip side, it would be traveling fifteen days out of thirty. I would miss out on half of our little guy's life. I wouldn't be home. I would miss out on the things that are important to me - get-togethers with friends and family, girl's night out, seeing my little guy grow up, spending time with Nick.

Fortunately, we don't have to make a decision just yet. The job isn't necessarily going to be there. But it could...so I need to think about these things. And be prepared. And I'm just not sure what would be the best move for us.

Show & Tell: Careers/Your "Job"

Another Link Up covering up a major piece of my life, something I've put a lot of time, effort and hard work into over the past 8 1/2 years.

Next Weeks Questions: Careers/Your "Job"
1. Tell us what you studied in college. Is your job now related to what you studied?
In college I studied Travel & Tourism major and minored in Marketing/Management. My job is actually very much related, BUT I definitely never thought this is where I would end up....but I LOVE it.

2. Tell us what your everyday job looks like.
I'm the Vice President of Marketing for a major casino company. My job is CRAZY. I absolutely love it and I'm fortunate to be doing what I'm doing, but it is a ton of work. In the old days I was able to commit many, many hours of every day to my job and it's what I believe helped me get to where I am today. Last year my life changed tremendously when we had our first child and while I still put 100% into my career, my priorities have shifted and I now have had to learn how to shove those many hours of work into fewer hours of work so I can get done at a reasonable time each day to spend time with our little guy. This girl misses many lunch hours in exchange for shoveling something quick into my mouth while working through.

3. Do you have a picture of you at work? Show us.

Work party years ago at my boss' house.

4. In 10 years, what do you see yourself doing? Same thing? More? Tell us.
To be honest, I was surprised to be able to move up within our company in this market to where I am today, but I have a feeling to climb the ladder any more we would need to relocate. It's tough now because at times I would absolutely move for the right opportunity, but the hard part is we have such a great thing here with a job I love, close to all of our family and friends. It would be hard to relocate. Ideally I will continue in the marketing segment, preferably customer service focused.


5. Tell us what you have learned, and what {if any} recommendations you may have for those looking to go into the field you are in.
This career has definitely helped mold me into the person I am today and I love my job and everything most things that go with it. I can tell you that when I'm interviewing candidates for positions in our department, I look for people who aren't afraid to put in the hours and hard work to accomplish their goals. People need to understand that you have to make certain sacrifices to achieve your ultimate goals and while things may seem hard at the time, you can't always be perfect in your role and you will make mistakes. The important thing is how you rebound from them.

Vegas Bound

I have to say I'm always impressed by technology...and a wee bit intimidated. Maybe that's why I only had a 19in TV and a flip cell phone when I reconnected with the hubs before moving into our apartment together. Maybe it's because I always seem to screw something up when I try to use it. Whatever the case....I was over the top impressed to see my flight to Vegas (for a work trip) had WiFi. Yay! I get to stay connected while 30,000 feet in the air!

I suppose I should be going over my notes for my meetings tomorrow. Or reviewing my employee's bonus packet, but that wouldn't be a fun use of my time..I'm going to catch up with my blog friends instead!

I'm on my way to Vegas right now (literally in the plane! I love this!) for a three day/two night summit. I suppose Vegas isn't the worst of places to go. In the airport I grabbed an issue of Ok! Magazine - generally I prefer US Weekly but since I'm a subscriber and get those delivered to me, this will do. As we were taking off I was flipping through the pages and found coupons for 20% off at Banana Republic factory and Gap outlet...decision made I'm hitting up the outlet malls when I get to town. Plus I've never been to this set of outlet malls and after looking it up realized there are a TON of baby clothes outlets. Note to self: buy another suitcase to lug your loot home.

I will be flying back into Omaha on Friday night where the plan is to pick up little man at my sister's house OR stay the night there since it will be late and head home in the morning to....wait for it....take Cruz on his first flight EVER to visit my bestie in Houston!

Yeah yeah I know...people fly with babies all the time so what's the big deal? Well, the big deal to me is that this will be the first of many flights in little man's life because this mama plans on lots of travel with him in the years to come.

I'm super stoked. Super nervous. Already practicing my apologies to the other passengers. And just praying that he does well. Only time will tell...