Top 3 Looks for Moms On The Go + Meet Sheila!

While at the beach in late summer, I finally got up the nerve to text Elizabeth Todd to see if she wanted to grab coffee and talk to me about possibly coming to work in her great stores. Her immediate response was, “You’re joking, right?” I do not know if it was the fact I had not worked in four years, that she had been following my IG stories of our summer spent hiking and climbing waterfalls in North Georgia and was worried about my new crunchy aesthetic – I even bought a hiking skirt and a pair of Keens this summer, y’all – or the fact we have been friends for years, but she truly was most skeptical. After a couple of weeks of texting back and forth, I convinced her I was serious, and we finally met up for that coffee at Misha’s one morning. This time, before we had even sat down, Elizabeth said, “When do you want to start?” Yes!! I had nailed the interview.

While I have little retail experience, I have been an avid consumer at The Hive and The Shoe Hive for years, so surely that counts for something, right? My love of all things clothing began in the 80s with Esprit clothes, Guess jeans, Swatch watches and Tretorn tennis shoes. Just for fun, I have been helping friends and family edit their closets and shop since I was in college. Over the decades, my style has evolved as my lifestyle has changed, and while I have certainly made plenty of fashion mistakes, I have always been a discerning shopper, prizing quality over quantity.

These days my life as a mom of three is a busy one and certainly keeps me on the go, but I have learned that does not mean I have to compromise on style. I have chosen my top three go-to looks to share with you.

1. Date Night

The Ulla Johnson Shaina Dress can take me anywhere from church to a wedding to a special date night with my husband. It’s lightweight and silky material also means it will pack and travel well and not wrinkle easily with wriggling kids on my lap.

2. Meetings and Special Events

The Veronica Beard blazer is not just for the office professional. I have paired the Steele Dickey Jacket with a Birds of Paradis pleated cotton blouse, a comfortable and movable fabric, yet also structured and dressy with the high collar. I love wearing Mother denim as it is essentially the lululemon of jeans, lifting and supporting in just the right spots while also being stretchy and forgiving in others. The Mother Weekender has a long, lean leg with the perfectly frayed boot cut bottom which will easily carry me from a PTA Executive Board meeting by day to a book signing or new art exhibit opening in the Athenaeum Gallery by night.

3. Playground Chic

I can go for days without driving my car as I walk, walk, walk all over this town. Trying to remember where one of our cars is parked has become one of our favorite family games. I squeeze in exercise on the daily by walking to meet a friend for coffee or lunch, run errands, pick up the bigs from school followed by hours spent at the park or playground or rolling around on the ground coaching our baby girl through tummy time. Comfort is key and dressing in layers is essential. These red Mother pants are fun and bright, wear like a chino and look great with a pair of comfortable Golden Goose sneakers. I am also wearing the Birds of Paradis cotton blouse again reducing my cost per wear. Adding the Plush Hoodie by Vince allows me to wear this look far into fall and early winter.

I’ll be working at The Hive every Wednesday. Come in and see me!

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Sheila Kennett Johnson

The Hive

http://www.theshoehive.com

703.548.7110

Sheila, a transplant from the Mississippi Delta, accidentally became a resident of Old Town 22 years ago when her marketing internship turned into a real job. Since most everyone assumed Sheila was actually working on Capitol Hill, she decided not to disappoint them and found a job there spending the next ten years scheduling for two U.S. Senators followed by a short stint at one of D.C.’s top lobbying firms. Seeking a change of pace, Sheila traded in her suits for athleisure wear to better focus on rearing her two bigs, Joe and Crosby. Sheila and her husband, Clete, also welcomed a new baby girl, Lady Eugenia, to their family earlier this year. In order to escape the chaos and have the perfect excuse to get dressed up again, she recently joined Elizabeth and Co. at The Hive. When not working at The Hive, Sheila can usually be found running late, pushing a baby stroller, driving carpool or volunteering at the school.

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Heard the buzz? The Shoe Hive & The Hive are a pair of luxury boutiques in Old Town Alexandria. Featuring both big name designers like Rag & Bone and Stuart Weitzman and smaller brands like AGL and L'Agence, our unique selection and impeccable service are what set us apart.

www.theshoehive.com

The Shoe Hive                         The Hive
127 S. Fairfax Street               301 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314              Alexandria, VA 22314