Meet A Mom Monday: Meet Brandy with @mybrandnewlife.
She is a LOCAL lifestyle blogger and Momma!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Kingwood?
I grew up in Kingwood most of my life. I moved away for about 10 years after high school. I missed it here so much. When I met my husband I was living in the Spring/Woodlands area and he just happened to live in Kingwood. I remember thinking “Its meant to be, I have been wanting to go back to Kingwood”
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
I have 2 boys and 1 girl
Brandon-18 years old-In college, I can’t believe it.
Zackary-15 years old
Reagan-will be 2, Dec. 14th
I also have 2 beautiful stepdaughters
Jaycey-15 years old
Jaylin-11 years old
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I have always struggled with my weight and still do. However, when I was younger it lead to an eating disorder. I would sneak food because I was ashamed of any weight gain. So, I didn’t want anyone to judge me. I would even hide it from my family. If I had something bad like cookies or a cupcake I would put the wrapper at the bottom of the trash so no-one would see. At 15 years old my mom put me on Jenny Craig, here in Kingwood. It did help me to understand food better and portion control plus the importance of staying active. However, it was an up and down cycle for me. If I did eat something that was unhealthy, sometimes I felt like it had been so long since I had it that I would want to gorge. After the fact, of course, I would tell myself “why did you do that?” Then usually I would end up in the restroom trying to make it come up.
You see we live in a stigma of how we should be or how we should look and compare ourselves to those around us instead of finding the beauty within. I had plenty of friends whom I still cherish to this day but you see most teenage girls that I was around were little stick figures with not much shape at all, but that’s what I wanted. I didn’t understand why I was different. One day I remember, arguing with a girl from school at the park. I couldn’t even tell you why to this day. A few days later I had just stepped off the bus and I saw a Christmas gift outside of my front door addressed to me but it didn’t say who it was from. I was so excited to see what it was. I remember dropping my book bag to open it. Let me tell you, it wasn’t what I expected. It was a tub of Slim Fast powder. Can you imagine how that felt? I was crushed, looking back I knew it was from the girl who I had recently had an argument with at the park because she called me all kinds of fat names that day. Though, in the moment it felt like it came from everyone at school. As if they had all ganged up on me and pitched in to buy this tub of Slim Fast. I can look back and laugh now but it reminds me of how cruel kids really are. There have been so many discussions over bullying these days but I can assure you this isn’t something new. Now as an adult I’m not going to act like gaining weight doesn’t bother me because it does. However, I’ve learned that beauty is from the inside. I make an extra effort to let people know if they look nice today or build up someone’s self-esteem who I’ve heard make a negative comment about themselves. I will spend the rest of my life uplifting others and reminding them that we may not be where we want to be but it doesn’t make us less beautiful. You can still be beautiful where you are, even if you are still working on yourself. We were created in the perfect image of God. We were no mistake and what is more beautiful than that?
What is your go-to activity for yourself for pampering or for fun?
Pampering: Starbucks~ I’m a coffee addict, well okay or prosecco, and ordering in so I don’t have to cook
Fun~ Finding new places to try, rather it’s for the kids, or with my husband or girlfriends. I just love trying new places.
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood? 
Haha, that’s easy… “FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT”. Every now and then even us moms just need to do nothing, right? That’s okay, take a nap when the baby naps or watch Ryan & Kelly on tv., talk to your old girlfriend on the phone for an hour. Whatever it is, we all have days like that where we get NOTHING done. My suggestion, do all these things but by 2 pm. Get up and put on your make-up like you got it all together, then burn some candles, do a 10 minute pick up and wipe down the counters throw on the easiest meal you can think of and pretend like you have been mommin’ all day.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world?
I work full-time for Farouk Systems also known as CHI (yes the flat-iron & hair products), and on the side, I am a local Influencer/Blogger for women. It’s all revolved around finding good deals, fashion, mom-life, wife-life, places to try, things to do, supporting small businesses and supporting one another. Basically, in the blogger world that is called a Lifestyle Blogger. This is my passion and I am so thankful that by the support of my community and friends it is taking off. I hope to one day do this full-time.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now? We have such a great supportive community. I am so thankful for all the people that find me interesting enough to watch on Instagram stories or shop my links. I have had people share my page just because I am from Kingwood and they want to show support. I mean it’s really been amazing to watch. I have had people send me encouraging messages telling me to keep up the good work. I’ve always been super real about my bad mom moments or my grandmother passing and you would be shocked how many people have messaged me just to let me know they are praying for me or are thinking about me on that day. That is such a great feeling. I have made so many wonderful friends from this and I hope to encourage others the way I have been encouraged.
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering,
working, etc)? So remember it’s okay to say no if you are in a time of life where you are feeling overwhelmed. However, if you are being led you should definitely say yes. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
Volunteering: Your children can be involved in the commitments you choose. If you are looking for something to volunteer with but don’t want to spend any more time away from your children maybe volunteer at their school or church. It’s okay to not be the full-time volunteer mom, maybe just sign up for one event a year like a school carnival.
Mom Bosses: Aren’t nap times great? I am writing this right now as we speak while the baby is napping. Utilize your time wisely. Plan out your content or ideas ahead of time on your schedule. Be sure and put your phone down at a certain time each night to get the extra quality time with your family before bedtime. (Not gonna lie, I struggle with this)
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
- Girl, get in shape now while you can.
- Be responsible and plan better
- Get school out of the way
- Save for the future
- Start checking boxes now, of all the things you would love to do
- When you do have kids it is going to be the greatest love you have ever known
What is your proudest mommy moment?
Seeing my 18 year old graduate high school
What is your favorite thing to do in the HKA area?
- Union Kitchen Brunch
- Chachi’s Mexican
- Yoga One-Hot Yoga
- Take Reagan to Gymnastics at Rowland Ballard
- Old McDonalds Farm
- Go to Target of course
- Go to Town Center for local events
- Anything with Girlfriends
- Browse Warrens Garden Center