“In my experience, when a woman’s cruelty is combined with love and devotion, it is almost always without exception an act performed not out of treachery, but as a painful self-sacrifice for the good of her beloved, to obtain for him a future bounty where he would not know how to obtain it for himself, or have the courage, patience, or foresight to obtain it. Womankind always seems to be able to see a dozen steps into the future, far ahead of what men are able to see. And they have strength where we do not.”
― Roman Payne

Eventually this will be a different “About Me” page, but for now I just wanted to share why I’m writing a blog and attaching it to an online store because a lot of people will wonder.   So here goes…I’m writing the blog to help.

First and foremost I’m writing it to help me.   For a long time I have felt like I lost my voice in the midst of the mayhem that our life has become.   It is wonderful mayhem, but it seems like between the pee on the seats, the husband’s “work trips” to the Maldives, stinky boy laundry, and cocktail parties with aquaintences on the diplomatic circuit I have lost a bit of who I am.   My husband tells me I’m pretty awesome, and I think I used to be pretty cool…I just don’t feel it anymore.   I’m hoping that by capturing some of the awesome parts of my life (and it really is pretty awesome when I slow down and look around) I will appreciate it more.   I also hope that by having an outlet that is just me I can give voice to some of the things I have lost sight of in the last few years. Things like my personal fashion sense, hobbies, and passion to create things (other than babies!).   So I hope that finding my voice will help me be a better mom, wife, and person.

Second, I’m writing to help the world.   I am constantly inspired by my friends who sell Rodan & Fields or Noonday; some of Steve’s classmates who sell R+F have built a summer camp for the children of our fallen troops (more about that Here) and Noonday sales are constantly going to help local craftspeople.   Countless “mompreneurs” are doing something positive in the world through their work.   This is why I’m donating 20% of our profits to the charity identified on the website.   This percent may change, but will hopefully only increase.   In addition, I’m hoping that those who read the blog and view the artisans’ works will have a greater understanding of the world in which we live.   In this way I’m hoping my writing, photographing, and shopping (maybe most important) will help not only those who are producing the crafts, but those who buy them as well!  Shop here.

Finally, I really think this will be fun…fun for me and fun for the readers. I am looking forward to going on this journey with you and sharing my life with you…the Wanderlust and the Mayhem.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,

Kathleen Marshall