We have an island girl like myself for this week’s Mom in Heels interview! Mikelah is a busy mom who juggles her role as a mom, blogger Style & Vibes and her marketing career. Trust me, she’s figured this out how to juggle all these roles and I love following along all the snippets of her days on Snapchat. In this interview, she shares with us how she does it all, why she doesn’t multitask and why our motherhood instinct should be our number one parenting guide
Please introduce yourself.
I’m Mikelah Rose, a Caribbean Culture expert, curating the bridge between the Caribbean and its diaspora through my blog Style & Vibes and Caribbean Digital Divas . A CUNY Baruch College graduate with a BBA in Marketing. With previous experience with Caribbean lifestyle brands such as VP Records, Tempo TV and JAMROCK Magazine. Currently serving as a digital marketing maven by day, while continuing to collaborate with Caribbean brands.
How many kids do you have and how old are they?
One princess! She’s is 6 years old.
How do you balance your career and motherhood?
Mommy duties are my priority, but when I’m in work mode, I’m focused. I have learned to focus on each task that I’m doing, whether it’s spending quality time with the family or working. My 9-5 is easier because I don’t have any distractions, but when I’m home and trying to blog or have things to do outside of working hours is when it get’s challenging. I lean on my family a lot to help, honestly, they make it possible for me to pursue my goals and raise the little one at the same time.
[Tweet “I have learned to focus on each task that I’m doing, whether it’s spending quality time with the family or working.”]How would you describe your personal style?
#FlyCaribbeanChic of course! I love getting dressed up or dressed down, but casual chic is definitely my favorite. I could live in denim for the rest of my life and be happy. I don’t like to fuss with my clothes at all, that’s my only non-negotiable. I need to be comfortable in whatever I’m wearing, but that doesn’t mean it has to be frumpy. I love patterns, prints and bold jewelry.
Did your personal style change since you became a mother?
Not too much. I just wear more flats than I used to! I’m always on the go, so I always have a pair of flats handy!
What would be your advice to moms who are struggling to establish their style and make time for self-care?
Self-care is super important, you may not be able to do everything, but have your own non-negotiable parts to your routine and fashion items. For me, I need to exercise at least 2-3 times a week, I will not leave the house without eyeliner or earrings, I must do a mask weekly and my hair must be presentable. If you don’t have something for yourself, you’ll lose yourself. When it comes to fashion wear what’s comfortable and then accessorize, a scarf, necklace, jacket or nice shoes go a long way!
[Tweet “If you don’t have something for yourself, you’ll lose yourself. “]Do you have any tips you would like to share with new mothers?
No handbook or advice replaces your motherly instinct, always follow that first.
[Tweet “No handbook or advice replaces your motherly instinct, always follow that first.”]Tell us about your blog/business and your motivation for starting.
I love my Caribbean heritage, it’s in my blood! Born and raised in the states, but having Jamaican parents proved to be an interesting mix! Style & Vibes is really a highlight of both cultures and how they intersect from a cultural perspective. As I grow and evolve so does the blog. That how I went from just writing and marketing working with Caribbean brands. I have a great relationship with people in the Caribbean entertainment industry, but I wanted to explore beyond that with a more personal twist. Caribbean Digital Divas is a huge part of that evolutions as I saw the need for Caribbean women needing their own platform.
How can we keep up with you?
Blog: http://www.styleandvibes.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlyCaribbeanChic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styleandvibes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StyleandVibes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP7tQBSiEKoh0AIbGvDxolg
Thank you so much Mikelah for sharing all these goodies with us! If you’ve missed past Mom in Heels interviews you can read them here.
Could you relate to Mikelah’s perspective on parenting and personal style?