June 5, 2024 • 35 mins
Hey everyone! It's Jessica from She's Got It Together. In this episode, my sister and co-host Samantha and I have a special guest, Blaire Brown, joining us to talk about the joys and adventures of being an aunt. As Blaire shares her experiences with her niece and nephew, we dive into the special bond between aunts and their siblings' kids. From impromptu hangouts and sleepovers to being the trusted confidant for those silly (and sometimes not-so-silly) questions, we explore what makes the aunt-niece/nephew relationship so unique and heartwarming.
We also touch on how being an aunt can give you a glimpse into motherhood and how it might influence your decision to have kids of your own. Blaire opens up about her own journey and how she's embracing her role as an aunt while focusing on her career and waiting for the right person to come along.
This episode is a fun, chatty celebration of the special role aunts play in the lives of their nieces and nephews. So, whether you're a proud aunt, an expecting aunt-to-be, or simply curious about this beautiful family dynamic, join us for a delightful conversation that'll make you laugh, reminisce, and appreciate the incredible aunts in your life!
Connect with Blaire on IG @heyitsblairebrown or at https://blairebrown.com/
Hope you enjoyed this episode!
Remember we'll be back twice a month with more fun shananagins. Be sure to follow us so you don't miss a beat!
We'd sure appreciate a review too. This helps us reach more women just like you trying to make it through the sometimes chaotic, sometimes fun, and sometimes cry-worth days of motherhood.
Can't wait to hear more from us or want to leave us a comment?
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Blog: shesgotittogether.com
Here's to Getting it Together one day at a time,
Jessica & Samantha
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
I have like a role now Like I have things that I
can do with this kid.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Like I have a title.
Yeah, it's almost like you justlike graduated from being like
just the sister.
Now you're like Ooh, I'm theaunt.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's a different level, Right Cause now I'm like
I have a responsibility to buythis child cute clothes.
I need to be the person yeah, Igotta be the fun mom Like they
need to tell me all the secretsand I might tell their parents
later you know, like what'sgoing to come out.
It's, it's a lot of fun, but itjust it adds something new to
(00:33):
your life and it's something Ididn't expect, I think whenever
I became an aunt, I was justlike you know, you're excited
about the baby to come.
But then it's there and it'sreal and it's emotional.
It's like, oh my gosh, mysibling created a human and this
human loves me.
Whoa, yeah, say out loud, butit's a real thing and so, um for
(00:54):
me.
I take a lot of pride in it.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
I just love them so much.
Yeah, I love that.
Hi everyone, and welcome to abrand new episode of she's Got
it Together.
I'm your host, jessica.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
And I'm Samantha.
Each week we peel back thecurtain on what it really looks
like to have it together.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
From the messy moments to the milestones.
We're here to share it all.
So grab your favorite drink,get comfy and let's dive into
today's topic.
Hi everyone, jessica here from.
She's Got it it together, and Iam here with my sister and
(01:32):
co-host, samantha hello.
Yes, and we also have a specialguest today.
Blair brown is going to bejoining us and she is going to
be talking to us about being anaunt, which I think is such a
cool twist on what we normallydo, because it takes a village
right.
I mean, it's not just about themom.
So, blair, welcome.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Thank you so much for having me today.
I'm really excited.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yes, we're thrilled to have you here.
Do you want to start by kind ofjust telling a little bit about
yourself and your background?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Sure, so I.
I own a business called theVisionary Advantages Brand Lab
and I own a course called theBusiness Launch Lab.
And essentially what I am andwell, who I am and what I've
been doing for the past severalyears is I've just always been
an entrepreneur.
I'm obsessed withentrepreneurship.
Um, I love helping peoplelaunch their own businesses, but
(02:23):
also those who've already takenthat step.
I love helping them with allthings marketing and branding,
from A to Z.
So that's essentially what I doin a nutshell.
And then, as you already said,I'm an aunt.
That is my role in my family.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
And um, it's a lot of fun.
I love it.
I love that.
So how many nieces and nephewsdo you have?
Speaker 2 (02:47):
So I have one niece and one nephew.
My niece is eight years old and, as she wrote in parentheses in
her coloring book this weekendalmost nine yeah, I was.
I sent it to my brother and mysister-in-law and I said, oh,
we're saving this page forever.
It's so cute.
And then my nephew is six, andthen my little sister has a
nephew on the way and he's duein July, and so I am beyond
(03:10):
excited for him to join thefamily too.
So it's a lot of fun.
I love it.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah, no, I think it's fun.
I mean, sam, like you, probablyhave more experience um having
the aunt years longer than I did.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Yeah, because we're nine years apart.
So I was definitely an auntbefore you.
So it was.
It was fun because, like I was,I think, 18, 19 at the time
when I became an aunt.
And it's like at that age where, like you're, I don't want to
say you have like baby fever,but you just are, like you know,
in that age where you're justkind of like you're just like
(03:43):
dreaming of like the future andlike the husband you might need
and your family you might haveand things like that.
So then when I'm like, oh, I'man aunt I have, like, I have
like a role now, like I havethings that I can do with this
kid Like I have a title.
Yeah, it's almost like you justlike graduated from being like
just the sister.
Now you're like Ooh, I'm in theant.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
It's a different level.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Cause now I'm like I have a responsibility to buy
this child cute clothes.
I need to be the person yeah, Igotta be the fun mom Like they
need to tell me all the secretsand I might tell their parents
later you know, like what'sgoing to come out.
It's a lot of fun, but it justit adds something new to your
life and it's something I didn'texpect.
(04:27):
I think whenever I became anaunt, I was just like you know
you're excited about the baby tocome.
But then it's there and it'sreal and it's emotional.
It's like, oh my gosh, mysibling created a human and this
human loves me Whoa, just tosay out loud, but it's a real
thing and so, um, for me.
I take a lot of pride in it.
I just love them.
(04:48):
So much.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Yeah, I love that.
So how close are they to you?
Are you in the same town or areyou ready for this?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
They?
Are five minutes away I love it.
I'm so lucky, oh my gosh.
I mean this is for my, mycurrent niece and nephew, who
are here.
My the nephew is on the way.
He's in Maryland.
I'm in Florida, so, um, he'llbe a little bit far, but I'll
make, I'll make sure I make alot of trips up there, which is
nice, um, but with Annabelle andEaston they're five minutes
(05:17):
away we make a little impromptuhangouts and so that's been
really nice and that's kind ofnew.
I've only lived here for twoand a half years, so I've been a
part of their life, like reallyactively for the past two and a
half years and it's been great.
Because I think four, betweenfour and six is kind of the best
years Cause whenever they comein and love on you and like hug
(05:38):
you, the love is pure you knowyou don't have to bribe them yet
, yeah.
It's just like when they hug you.
It's like comes from their souland you're like, oh, yes, I'm
going to go and they're just sohonest and like blunt and they
just like are just so open withtheir emotions and their
feelings and they're just like Ilove you so much.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
You're like you're so pretty today.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I love your dress.
You know, it's just like,you're just like yeah, yeah,
it's so much You're like, you'reso pretty today.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I love your dress, you know, it's just like you're
just like.
Yeah, yeah, it's a little hypegirl.
Yeah, totally, that's awesome.
What do you enjoy most aboutbeing an aunt?
I mean really what?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
where does?
Where are the warm fuzzies foryou with this?
Uh, I, just being a part oftheir life is really special to
me, cause I get to hang out withthem anytime I want.
Really, I mean just pickingthem up from school and their
little tiny requests that theythink is so cool Cause their mom
and dad aren't there.
So I'm like, all right, I'llget, I'll swing in and do that
with you.
So like this weekend, um, my,my niece goes.
I'm Blair and I don't knowwhere aunt came in with them
(06:43):
because we grew up in Oklahomaand Texas.
So me and my brother and sisterdon't use aunt.
We would say aunt.
And so we're like I was likewell, did you send them to like
a British school?
Speaker 1 (06:55):
or something, Brandon Cause, like they're calling me
auntie Blair and I'm like whatare?
Speaker 2 (06:57):
they British.
We're in South Florida so Idon't know where they pick that
up, probably Probably at school.
But we've been kind of laughingabout that.
But I think their littlerequest for fun things has been
really funny to see, because Ihave a convertible, so they're
like can we drive with the topdown?
And I made a playlist for themon Spotify so that way it
(07:18):
doesn't mess up my playlist.
Right, right, exactly.
But also it's kid approved,right.
So you know like we'll listento Taylor Swift and Harry Styles
.
You know like some of thethings to like, um, and I also
like selfishly, so we'll becruising.
They'll be like, can we listento our playlist?
I'll be like sure, and thenthey'll get new things We'll add
onto it.
Like the little requests arepretty fun, um, we do lots of
(07:41):
sleep overs and so that's beenmy favorite.
So they'll come over and youknow we'll get all the living
room all set up for them andwe'll watch, you know, whatever
Disney movies they want to watch.
We'll go to the pool andbecause it's not their house,
they kind of like act like it'sa theme park or something, cause
my apartment building happensto have like fun little things
(08:01):
for them, and so we'll do that.
We'll do special breakfaststogether, like we'll have, like
you know, um, crepes where theyget to fix it themselves with
all the fruits and Nutella andthings, and so they get a kick
out of that Like anything, likethey don't have at their house.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
They find it, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
And so I don't know.
Things like that are just fun,just to make it different for
them and, like you know, they'relittle, so they like like I
don't know they just get a kickout of things.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
They get it and then like the littlest things you
know, small things that are easyfor you to do but like so
memorable for them.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
It's so great and they have your undivided
attention.
I think that's a big thing.
I feel like that's like one ofthe roles of an aunt.
It's like moms whether there'sone or two or more, you know,
kids you still just don't havethat real focus on them.
I mean, there's so many otherthings.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
All the time Right.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
And I think that that's a really cool piece to
being an aunt, you know, beingable to still be that kind of
mom figure, but a fun mom figure.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Giving all the attention and you know they do
open up to you more.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
They do.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yeah, it's, it's a whole thing.
It's just another like I don'tknow.
I just never put so muchemphasis on the aunt piece until
I guess I saw how much likeHayden my oldest, you know did
with you Sam and of courseSydney, and it was just that
connection was so neat to see.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Yeah because we were like five minutes away from you
too, because, like we were still, like we were going to like
school, like back home.
We've moved like two and a halfhours away now, so we don't see
them as often, but, like withHayden, we were in town when she
was born, up until gosh, shewas like what, five, five?
Speaker 3 (09:47):
because you left when Taylor was born.
Yeah, yeah, because we wentyeah, we went to.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
We moved to Grand Rapids, yeah, when Taylor was
born, which was like so hard too, because I'm like we had all
this like one-on-one time withHayden and then now Taylor's
born and then we're leaving, sowe're not going to be home as
much to see her, and I rememberlike it was like such like a, a
pull like you, like we're like Idon't want to leave because
like I'm leaving Hayden and nowwe have another baby and then
it's like I'm gonna miss out onthat time.
(10:15):
So like I know, that was likehard when we moved, like Sid and
I moved, so we we had thatone-on-one time with Hayden and
it was so fun.
We would pick her up fromschool, surprise her picking her
up from school.
If we came home from college orsomething, we would pick her up
and she'd be so excited.
They're just like, oh my god,my aunt's here, my aunt's here,
that's my Aunt Sam.
They get so excited.
(10:39):
We go take her to get ice creamand you get little gifts and
stuff.
And it's just like so much funto have that time.
And I think I don't know ifthis has happened to you, but
like we were out with, like Iwas out with Hayden at the mall,
like just watching her and Iwas walking with her around I
think I was with you and DJ butI had taken her like outside of
(11:02):
the store to just like walkaround and then this woman
approached me and is like youhave such a beautiful daughter
and I'm like, oh, thank you,it's like have you ever like
been like?
you're just like.
I'll take credit for this cutechild.
And then, like at the time, Iwas just like I was probably
like 19 at the time.
So it's like it wouldn't havebeen like unheard of that I had
(11:23):
a child.
But then you also have like theother side of it where you're
kind of getting like peoplestaring at you because they
think like they're your kid,you're so young.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
I was really young yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
And.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
I looked really young for my age too, because I'm
like almost 34 now and I was,you know, back that I just like
have like a young face.
So they thought I was probablylike 17, 16.
And they're like there's likeoh, the looks like, oh, she's
got it, she's a teen mom.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Like not that there's anything wrong with it, but
it's like they're just like yeah, that way.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
Or they're like we got to have such a beautiful
daughter and I'm like, thank you, she's blonde hair and blue
eyes and looks nothing like me,but thank you so much, she looks
like her father.
You know, like it's just like Iremember those moments of being
like mistaken as the mom andI'm just like I'll take credit
for it.
And with Taylor she looked likeme.
Dj is a little more like darker,complected like me, and so then
(12:13):
I would get credit for her too,and it's like I remember DJ and
I were together waiting for youor something on vacation
somewhere and they came up to uslike oh, you guys have such a
beautiful family and DJ are likethank you so much.
You know.
It's just like I'm not going togo down this rabbit hole and
correct you.
But it's like Blair, have youever taken credit for being the
(12:36):
mom?
Like?
Has that ever happened yet?
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Well, not actually.
Yeah, it's happened a few timesCause like I'll be out with
them and actually they look alot like me.
And what's weird is that, um,Annabelle, my niece, she
actually picked up.
She is so much like me it iswild, Like she actually had my
mannerisms and every in traitsfor me before I even moved down
(13:01):
here, so it wasn't even like andI lived in New York before, so
it's not like she could pick upon it.
Um, she just it's genetics man,it's crazy.
And yeah, like she.
Um, actually funny story isthat when she was really little,
so she's always been just supergirly.
I've always been super girly.
I mean my background right nowis a flower wall, so she's, um,
(13:23):
she has always been that waysince birth.
And my sister-in-law isn't asgirly like that.
She is, but like not in thatlevel.
And um, annabelle would getlike creeped out by you know, I
don't know bugs and stuff and um, so, as she has like all these
really extra girly mannerismsand likes and dislikes, um, my
(13:49):
dad, I would, I realized, fastforward a few years later after
she was born.
Um, growing up, my brother ormy dad would be like, all right,
the rule with fishing if we goout fishing is you got to bait
the hook yourself and I'd be soskeeved out by putting the worm
on the hook.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
I just wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
I'd be like crying over in the corner because I
couldn't do it and fast forward.
I'm fishing with my dad andhe's like I'll bait the hook for
you.
I'm like what?
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Really, I'm in my 30s .
He goes, it's okay.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Excuse me, he goes, it's okay, it's who you are.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
They realize it's a genetic thing.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
It's like how I'm built because of Annabelle and I
was like, wow, this is likechanging my life.
It's like it's like a smallthing that's hilarious because
he saw it on Annabelle.
He's like it's serious genetics, like how you guys are built
like this.
You are the same way.
Annabelle's not even there tolearn it from you, but that's
how she is.
And so even now, like mybrother will, will crack up.
(14:40):
He'll be like call me if, likemaybe she's not doing the most
athletic thing in the world, andhe'd be like she runs fast, but
she's like you but other things.
You know, maybe not the mostathletic, and we'll be laughing.
Yeah, she'll be like you know,do something extra glittery or
pink and this, and that mysister-in-law will be like look
(15:00):
at me.
She'll be like you sure youdidn't have the kid?
I was like pretty sure I didn'tgo through that.
Thanks for doing it for me.
You know my own little mini mewho even looks like me.
If you compare photos, it'ssuper weird, like childhood
photos, same and um, it's justweird, you know, but I love it.
Speaker 1 (15:18):
Um, but how it's almost like, if I had a daughter
, would she be just like thatLook like me my mannerisms,
everything that's so cool.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
It's fun.
But so sometimes people domistake them as mine and I
haven't taken ownership.
I'm like no, but I'm the aunt.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
So they're like oh okay, You're more honest, yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
I should just start taking it.
You should.
You should A couple times hereand there, and I don't know if
it was like, if it happened tome now, like I probably would be
like oh no, I'm just like theamp of being like younger.
I was just kind of like yeah,thank you.
Like I was like so caught offguard.
Like they, like, they'd evenlike think that, like she was
mine, I'm like oh, uh-huh,thanks, what you're just like,
(16:04):
um, okay uncomfortable yeah,yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Well, speaking of the fish, though, that's funny
because we're gonna do a smallrabbit hole here up north, like
that was.
We had to be able to bait ours,but we use hot dogs and cheese
that's what the fish liked upthere, right there.
They didn't want the worms andwe'd have to take it off the
hook.
We'd get a bag and put our handin that.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
And then I yeah, so you can do the ones either.
No way, no, I was like I can'tdo it, but I mean, literally I'm
in my thirties.
My dad's like it's okay, it'show you, it's who you are.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
It's just well.
And it's like why didn't youmake these allowances for me?
Then You're doing it forAnnabelle, Like if you you know
the realization.
It's like do I get an apologyfor you making me like?
Speaker 2 (16:55):
yeah, it's so funny.
She just literally I mean she'sjust perfect.
I mean her confidence level,her how she is about being all
glitter.
She wore some spark.
She got some boots from Amazonin the mail that are full
glitter and they're like she'sobsessed with Taylor Swift.
So she gets these sparkly bootsand she always will like wear
gown.
Brooke, uh, annabelle, wearlike these sparkly dresses.
(17:19):
To like going out to eat at abarbecue place.
So she just came in the mailfor some reason smelling like
barbecue and we're like that'skind of weird.
Why did they arrive smellinglike barbecue?
Maybe something with a leather?
And so we had plans to go to abarbecue place one night.
She goes, I wear my sparklyboots.
They'll smell like the placeand we're like, oh my God, she
(17:39):
planned it, it's so good.
Oh my God, she planned it.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
It's so good Little fashionista already.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Oh, she is Big time, big time.
My background and my collegebackground is in the fashion
industry, so that's why it'sespecially kind of yeah, I went
to the fashion Institute oftechnology in New York and then
my whole corporate background isin the fashion industry before
I launched my business.
So it's just kind of funny thatshe's so into it and nobody
else in my family is.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
So it's just like kind of a weird thing.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Yeah, and my grandmother she was um and she's
not around anymore, but shealso was really into that kind
of thing, so it's like I'm mygrandmother she also is really
into that kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
So it's like I'm my grandmother and then now
Annabelle's got it.
So it's funny how fun, likewhen she gets older, if she's
still like into that, like thethings that you guys could do
together, like the conversationsyou'd have like oh yeah.
I think that would be so muchfun Like to have, like something
like the two of you share, likethat, and it's kind of like
just the two of you like what aspecial little bond that you
guys are going to have.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Oh, I know I'm already teaching her how to sew,
and so that's been my kind ofthing is like I started sewing
in the second grade and actuallymy first business was a handbag
company and I like designed andsewed my own handbags, sold
them for eight years, and so forme I'm like all right, we're
going to get her started withthis now.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Let's get her going.
Yeah, that's something.
Well, you know it's funnybecause Taylor is a lot like you
, sam.
Speaker 1 (19:12):
you know even the way she looks and her attitude
right now we've, we've decided Ihad a bit of a toad.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
She's a mini Sam at the moment.
Sorry about that.
Yeah, she's very strong-willed.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Nothing wrong with that.
It helps you later.
It does.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
It's not so fun for your parents, yeah Right now
it's a struggle, but yeah, shelooks a lot like you, even in
the baby pictures.
Yeah, we were looking at thosenot too long ago and the
similarities.
It's hilarious.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
It's just interesting like how genetics like play
such a role and it like makesyou like wonder too, like you
know, if you do like look somuch like your niece or nephew
even, and you have like thosesimilarities in like your
hobbies and stuff like that likehow much closer that like makes
you maybe with like one of yournieces or nephews versus like
(20:00):
the other.
Like it's like of course youlove them all, but sometimes
like you just have that likespecial bond with one which is
like so fun.
I remember like growing up too,like our aunt jill like was
always so, like she still is,but so fun like she was.
I was never like super girlyand into stuff, but like they
had my nana and my aunt had thislike huge like barbie
(20:24):
collection and are super intobarbies and stuff.
So like I was really intobarbies but um, that was like
from them and like we they wouldlike you got the collector
barbies with them and like theyhad like would get us all this
stuff and come over and I justremember her coming over and us
playing barbies and they bringus all this cool, cool stuff and
we'd go and do fun things andI'm like my gosh, it was so fun
(20:45):
because when you get older youmight not spend as much time
with them necessarily, like wemoved out of town, so your
relationship changes, but youstill have those fun memories
from when you were younger ofthem just being there and
playing with you, because whenyou're a kid, that's's all you
like want to do, is like go playwith stuff and do cool stuff,
and so you have those funmemories, which is great,
(21:06):
because I just think like now,being a mom, I like think back
on those things and I think oflike you being an aunt and then
my other sister, sydney, beingan aunt to Bo, and like I'm
having a girl that we can all dolike girly fun things with.
Yeah.
So it's just exciting to knowthat like you have that family
support and like you have, likeyou know, a sister that's going
(21:30):
to be there for your child andlike be able to do fun things
with them and teach them things.
And it's just nice that,because I feel like not
everybody has that, if they'rean only child or something, or
like they just don't have as asupportive family that has like
those close relationships, likeI definitely feel like so.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
So blessed that we have like this, this close
support group for our kids.
Yeah, it's crazy.
I mean, I remember my dad'ssister.
Yeah, so we have different dads.
Yeah, We'll throw it out there,so this doesn't get confusing
here.
Yeah, so we have different dads.
Yeah.
We'll throw it out there, sothis doesn't get confusing here.
So my dad's sister, you knowshe was like the aunt that was
always around for me and shestill is, like, she's still
around all the time with my kids.
She's the great aunt.
(22:11):
She's, you know, whether weneed something, whether it's fun
, you know, whatever she's thereand it's just a very important
piece of the family really.
I mean, yeah, she's, she's ahas a vital role and we rely on
that, you know.
(22:31):
I mean, if we didn't have that,I can't imagine not having it.
I guess is the thing.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
yeah, that's the thing you can't imagine like not
having them there to like bewith you through those memories
that like you're making withyour kids, just like showing up
at, like your kids concert withyou and things like that or they
just like get all shy andthey're like.
You know, they're like righthere they're like like, oh my
(22:55):
god, my aunt's waving at me likeit's like one or the other oh
my gosh, yeah, it was.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
I picked up them both up from school the other day
and my nephew, like he wasacting all cool Like I wasn't
actually there.
Like they were finishing itafter school program playing
basketball or something.
So I just stood there in thegym on the corner just waiting
for them to finish up and theydidn't know I was picking him up
that day.
I just surprised him.
So I came in and then I watchedEaston just walk over like very
(23:22):
serious, like the six year oldgoes.
We're going now.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
It's like my aunt's here.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
We're going now and I was like I just watched it, he
said nothing to me and she goes,you still got to put away your
stuff.
But he's like okay, and thenhe's walking.
But it was just like so funnyhow stealthy he was.
And then like right, coolcollected, and then they get in
the car like can we listen tooompa loompa song?
Speaker 1 (23:48):
I was like okay, you know, gotta play it cool in
front of the friends and theteachers.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
You know like yes, we're leaving, we're going my
rides here, see ya yeah, I tellmy brother and my sister-in-law
I said you have one job andthat's to not let them grow up.
Okay, Thanks.
So anytime they get a haircutor something I'm like when did
they become a teenager?
When did they start parallelparking?
You know, I'm like, I'm overthis.
Oh my gosh, you have one job, Iknow.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
That's the thing I noticed with like, especially
like Hayden Cause, because wewere there since she was born.
We were there with her when shewas a baby and then now she's
in high school.
I'm like, how is she in highschool?
She's driving almost.
It's like she's like the cutestthing.
She is way better at fashionthan me.
(24:36):
I'm like she is like the coolgirl at school that I was like
oh my god, you're so cute.
Like look at your outfits andlike you're just like she is,
like she's in like the gun cluband like shoots skates and all
this stuff, and she runs trackand I'm just like, oh my god,
like that's my niece.
I'm like when did you becomelike this, this, this old kid?
(24:59):
I'm like you were like thislittle two year old running
around like with your diaper onlike forever.
Yeah, two weeks ago it seemslike I'm like my gosh.
I was like how is she so old?
Speaker 3 (25:11):
Yeah, we still have the video of you two you
babysitting oh, yes, and she'srunning around the table.
She just, I think, just startedwalking and, yeah, we have
sydney's reaction to oh my god,is she's ready to fall?
Because sydney is very muchit's like a super warrior, a
warrior yes and I'm like she'sfine.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
It's hilarious the reactions between the two of you
well, and it's funny too,because, like being an aunt,
it's kind of like a glimpse intobeing a mom you know in a way,
and so it's a little practicerun and you can kind of see like
your comfortability around kidsand like how you like react to
certain situations and I'm justI feel like for me I was just
(25:52):
already naturally much morecomfortable around kids than
like sid was.
Sid wasn't sure she even wantedto have kids at one point and
now like she, she has her sonBennett but it's just funny
she's much more like cautiousand a worrier.
I'm just much more.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Oh, he's fine, like she's fine like it's okay,
they'll be okay, like it's justpart of it's just part of it.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
It's how they learn and so then, I was already.
I like, yeah, like I want tohave kids, kind of thing, and it
is different when you have yourown kids.
But yeah, that's like being anaunt like one way or the other,
just like it sway you to like ohyeah, I know I want to have
kids.
Or it's like you know what Ilike being the aunt.
I don't know if I want to havekids, you know?
Does it like sway you eitherway?
Speaker 2 (26:33):
I'm still on the fence.
I'm not sure Like I mean Iwould love, I think, if I met.
I just has all comes down toyou.
I mean he's the right person.
I'm not rushing it just to havea kid.
So I'm like you know what, ifit happens, it happens Cool.
I think if I met the rightperson then I'd be super open to
it because I love my niece andnephew so much.
If I can love them that much,then like, oh my gosh, imagine
(26:56):
if it was my own.
Um but at the same time, like Ilove just being in that role.
So it's like I think it justdepends if I made the right
person.
Yeah, probably, but since fornow it's not there, I'm like I'm
just going to, you know,embrace this and just try to be
like the best aunt possible.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
And also enjoy the fact that whenever they are
getting to that meltdown, youknow countdown.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I can be like, hey, brandon, come uh, pick up
annabelle and easton, or I'mbringing them home exactly.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
It's like I can have you as much as I want to have
you.
We can have fun, and when I'mready for you to go, it's like
you get to go home and I get torelax by myself with like a
glass of wine and watch my show.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Well, a couple of weekends ago they spent the
night at my house to get boththe kids and they.
We were by the pool and likespent the afternoon together,
like the day after the sleepover, and they were just tired.
You know, like exciting newatmosphere and you know, mom and
dad aren't here, kind of thing.
And one story that's funny iswe found out that my local
(27:57):
grocery store sells sparklers.
I was like whoa didn't knowthat.
But Easton found them and he'slike and we buy these?
I'm like, obviously.
So he bent some cause he'strying to open up the package.
He's six.
You know, it didn't happen.
I messed him up and I was like,oh, that's okay, we'll still
try them.
We tried lighting them outside.
They would light up for liketwo seconds and it was funny.
(28:19):
As he threw it on the ground hegoes oh Blair, this is a bust.
We were dying.
It was so funny.
We did other things too tocompensate, but it was just like
so funny.
But the next day they wereexhausted.
My brother goes hey, I'm comingto pick them up, is that cool?
I'm like, yeah, no problem, hecomes up and they pack up their
stuff, they're walking out andhe goes.
(28:39):
I said excellent timing and hegoes are they about to have a
meltdown?
I said, oh yeah.
And he goes.
He just looks up and he goes,it's okay, he's just laughing
about it.
It's like literally thequintessential aunt move is like
, but yeah, there's so much fun,there's such a joy and you know
(29:02):
, um, it definitely makes me seelike, wow, how special is it to
have kids.
I think it's so amazing.
Um, I feel so fortunate to liveso close, like that's a benefit
of the pandemic, I'd say.
The silver lining is I used tolive in New York.
I moved to Florida because NewYork.
I moved to Florida because NewYork is in a really great place
right now.
Um, for me at least, I was likeyou know what Florida has?
(29:23):
Family and sunshine.
Those are great things.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
Um.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
I really just embraced hanging out with them
all the time, cause wheneverthose things happen, like the
pandemic, you really see what'simportant and family is so
important.
So, um, you know, for me to beclose by it's just such a
blessing.
And, um, you know, just to getto see them grow up at this
stage, cause that time islimited and so I'm just soaking
up all the sleepovers that I canwhile they want to hang out
(29:48):
with me.
And, um, you know all thosehilarious questions they ask
whenever their parents aren'taround.
I can call Brandon and Tracyand be like, guess what they
asked me this time, like myapartment door closes and
they're like so, aunt Blair youknow, it's like what is going on
in there.
(30:09):
Like the things that they justthey're sponges.
It's amazing.
Speaker 3 (30:12):
They are.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Mine's always going.
It blows my mind, like thethings that they pick up on that
you know their parents aren'ttalking about, like I know I'm
so close with my brother andsister-in-law like so close and
my mom and dad too, so even ifthey're with Nana and Papa, you
know, like I know that they'renot saying these things and I'm
just like they're just spongesand soaking up everything.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
It's like they hear something at the store at at,
you know, and they're like whatis this?
I heard this, what is that?
You know?
Speaker 3 (30:39):
And you're just like oh, but they know not to ask mom
and dad.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
They know to ask the infant aunt, you know like,
because they're like she's notgoing to get mad at me if I ask
her about this.
You know She'll be real.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
Yeah, and then, and I'm like, you know you got to
navigate it the right way, butthen also you want to let the
parents know, like I mean it'snever anything crazy, but it's
always more funny things, youknow.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
Yeah, well, and it's like as they get older, like it
might be like one of thosethings, yeah, like they're going
to come to you with something,yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Oh, I'm already thinking.
If they were to ask me aboutsome of these topics, how do I
hand that off to their parents,right, because I don't worry,
it's like you know.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
I'm sure they would trust you enough to, like you
know, give them like a versionof it and then you let them know
, like.
Oh, by the way, so-and-so askedme about this and so you might
want to address that.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
But then it's like don't tell them.
Speaker 1 (31:33):
I told you, or you can't, I don't know.
You know it's like.
However, you want to handle it.
But it's nice that they willfeel comfortable coming to you
to like ask questions and talkabout things, and then it can
almost like open up aconversation that they can have
with their parents if they wantto.
Speaker 3 (31:48):
Well, that helps to those things that they can just
keep from their parents, youknow at least it's coming out
somewhere.
You know, yeah, oh yeah, I'venever been asked me any day over
some parent who's gone rogue.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
That's their friend's parent.
You know what I mean, right?
You don't know.
Actually, their parents saidthat in the car the other day.
All of us and the kids were inthe car and they're like you
know, if you need to ask any ofthese questions, always ask us.
We can also trust everybody inthis car.
Ask Aunt Blair or Nana and Papa, and I think that's always a
good thing.
So I'm like, yeah, ask me, andthen you know if I need to call
(32:21):
them, I'll call them.
Speaker 1 (32:22):
Right, it's nice that they have a safe place to go
with questions, funny or moreserious, you know it's so nice
and that's like being like anaunt or an uncle, like it's just
like you have that safe spacethat you can go to when you're
young, old, whatever, like it'snice that you have that, that
they have that you know,confidant, they can go to
(32:43):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
So it's nice.
I love being an aunt.
It's my favorite, and then thenew one's coming on the way, I
know you're going to have mysisters my sisters first.
Yeah, so exciting.
Yeah, we're really pumped Likethis kid.
Oh my God, the amount of lovehe's being born into is wild.
It's great, that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
Well, this conversation was awesome, I'm
thank you so much for coming andjumping on and just talking
about this with us because, likeI said, it's it's an important
topic that I think getsneglected, and the role of an
aunt is something special.
Speaker 2 (33:18):
So well, thanks for having me.
I've had a lot of fun talkingabout it and, um, I was excited,
especially post sleepover withAnnabelle this weekend, you know
like I get to have a little antdiscussion on Monday, so thank
you for having me.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
This has been a lot of fun.
Yeah, yeah, do you want to telleveryone where they can find
you too?
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Sure, I mean, if you guys are interested in what I do
for a living.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
Yeah, well, there's lots of mompreneurs around.
So yeah, yeah, any mompreneur.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
I work with quite a few mompreneurs.
Visit me at.
You can just look up my name,blair browncom It'll bring you
to the same website.
Or look up hey, it's BlairBrown on Instagram and I'm there
too, um, for anything marketing, branding, or if you're
thinking about launching abusiness too, um, I'd love to
hop on a call and just chit chatwith you and hear about your
(34:08):
cool ideas.
So, be a lot of fun and we cantalk about how cute.
Speaker 1 (34:15):
your kids are too.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
I love that, I love looking at everybody's kid
photos and hearing about it.
It's so much fun for me so Ican just you know, live through
everybody else on that for now,and then one day I'll return the
favor.
Speaker 3 (34:25):
Yeah Well, this was great.
So again, thanks for joining usand we will be back next week
for another new episode.
Thanks for joining us today onshe's Got it Together.
It's been a real journey,sharing and laughing with you
all.
Speaker 1 (34:40):
We hope you're walking away with a smile on
your face and a bit moreconfidence in your step.
Speaker 3 (34:45):
Remember, you're not alone in this crazy ride called
life.
We're all in this together, oneday at a time.
Speaker 1 (34:51):
Don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review and
, of course, share this podcastwith all the incredible women in
your life.
Join, leave us a review and, ofcourse, share this podcast with
all the incredible women inyour life.
Join us next week for morestories, more laughs and more
real talk.
Until then, keep embracing yourunique journey and remember
you've got it together more thanyou think.
I have like a role now Like I have things that I
can do with this kid.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Like I have a title.
Yeah, it's almost like you justlike graduated from being like
just the sister.
Now you're like Ooh, I'm theaunt.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's a different level, Right Cause now I'm like
I have a responsibility to buythis child cute clothes.
I need to be the person yeah, Igotta be the fun mom Like they
need to tell me all the secretsand I might tell their parents
later you know, like what'sgoing to come out.
It's, it's a lot of fun, but itjust it adds something new to
(00:33):
your life and it's something Ididn't expect, I think whenever
I became an aunt, I was justlike you know, you're excited
about the baby to come.
But then it's there and it'sreal and it's emotional.
It's like, oh my gosh, mysibling created a human and this
human loves me.
Whoa, yeah, say out loud, butit's a real thing and so, um for
(00:54):
me.
I take a lot of pride in it.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
I just love them so much.
Yeah, I love that.
Hi everyone, and welcome to abrand new episode of she's Got
it Together.
I'm your host, jessica.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
And I'm Samantha.
Each week we peel back thecurtain on what it really looks
like to have it together.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
From the messy moments to the milestones.
We're here to share it all.
So grab your favorite drink,get comfy and let's dive into
today's topic.
Hi everyone, jessica here from.
She's Got it it together, and Iam here with my sister and
(01:32):
co-host, samantha hello.
Yes, and we also have a specialguest today.
Blair brown is going to bejoining us and she is going to
be talking to us about being anaunt, which I think is such a
cool twist on what we normallydo, because it takes a village
right.
I mean, it's not just about themom.
So, blair, welcome.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Thank you so much for having me today.
I'm really excited.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yes, we're thrilled to have you here.
Do you want to start by kind ofjust telling a little bit about
yourself and your background?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Sure, so I.
I own a business called theVisionary Advantages Brand Lab
and I own a course called theBusiness Launch Lab.
And essentially what I am andwell, who I am and what I've
been doing for the past severalyears is I've just always been
an entrepreneur.
I'm obsessed withentrepreneurship.
Um, I love helping peoplelaunch their own businesses, but
(02:23):
also those who've already takenthat step.
I love helping them with allthings marketing and branding,
from A to Z.
So that's essentially what I doin a nutshell.
And then, as you already said,I'm an aunt.
That is my role in my family.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
And um, it's a lot of fun.
I love it.
I love that.
So how many nieces and nephewsdo you have?
Speaker 2 (02:47):
So I have one niece and one nephew.
My niece is eight years old and, as she wrote in parentheses in
her coloring book this weekendalmost nine yeah, I was.
I sent it to my brother and mysister-in-law and I said, oh,
we're saving this page forever.
It's so cute.
And then my nephew is six, andthen my little sister has a
nephew on the way and he's duein July, and so I am beyond
(03:10):
excited for him to join thefamily too.
So it's a lot of fun.
I love it.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah, no, I think it's fun.
I mean, sam, like you, probablyhave more experience um having
the aunt years longer than I did.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Yeah, because we're nine years apart.
So I was definitely an auntbefore you.
So it was.
It was fun because, like I was,I think, 18, 19 at the time
when I became an aunt.
And it's like at that age where, like you're, I don't want to
say you have like baby fever,but you just are, like you know,
in that age where you're justkind of like you're just like
(03:43):
dreaming of like the future andlike the husband you might need
and your family you might haveand things like that.
So then when I'm like, oh, I'man aunt I have, like, I have
like a role now, like I havethings that I can do with this
kid Like I have a title.
Yeah, it's almost like you justlike graduated from being like
just the sister.
Now you're like Ooh, I'm in theant.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
It's a different level.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Cause now I'm like I have a responsibility to buy
this child cute clothes.
I need to be the person yeah, Igotta be the fun mom Like they
need to tell me all the secretsand I might tell their parents
later you know, like what'sgoing to come out.
It's a lot of fun, but it justit adds something new to your
life and it's something I didn'texpect.
(04:27):
I think whenever I became anaunt, I was just like you know
you're excited about the baby tocome.
But then it's there and it'sreal and it's emotional.
It's like, oh my gosh, mysibling created a human and this
human loves me Whoa, just tosay out loud, but it's a real
thing and so, um, for me.
I take a lot of pride in it.
I just love them.
(04:48):
So much.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Yeah, I love that.
So how close are they to you?
Are you in the same town or areyou ready for this?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
They?
Are five minutes away I love it.
I'm so lucky, oh my gosh.
I mean this is for my, mycurrent niece and nephew, who
are here.
My the nephew is on the way.
He's in Maryland.
I'm in Florida, so, um, he'llbe a little bit far, but I'll
make, I'll make sure I make alot of trips up there, which is
nice, um, but with Annabelle andEaston they're five minutes
(05:17):
away we make a little impromptuhangouts and so that's been
really nice and that's kind ofnew.
I've only lived here for twoand a half years, so I've been a
part of their life, like reallyactively for the past two and a
half years and it's been great.
Because I think four, betweenfour and six is kind of the best
years Cause whenever they comein and love on you and like hug
(05:38):
you, the love is pure you knowyou don't have to bribe them yet
, yeah.
It's just like when they hug you.
It's like comes from their souland you're like, oh, yes, I'm
going to go and they're just sohonest and like blunt and they
just like are just so open withtheir emotions and their
feelings and they're just like Ilove you so much.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
You're like you're so pretty today.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I love your dress.
You know, it's just like,you're just like yeah, yeah,
it's so much You're like, you'reso pretty today.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I love your dress, you know, it's just like you're
just like.
Yeah, yeah, it's a little hypegirl.
Yeah, totally, that's awesome.
What do you enjoy most aboutbeing an aunt?
I mean really what?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
where does?
Where are the warm fuzzies foryou with this?
Uh, I, just being a part oftheir life is really special to
me, cause I get to hang out withthem anytime I want.
Really, I mean just pickingthem up from school and their
little tiny requests that theythink is so cool Cause their mom
and dad aren't there.
So I'm like, all right, I'llget, I'll swing in and do that
with you.
So like this weekend, um, my,my niece goes.
I'm Blair and I don't knowwhere aunt came in with them
(06:43):
because we grew up in Oklahomaand Texas.
So me and my brother and sisterdon't use aunt.
We would say aunt.
And so we're like I was likewell, did you send them to like
a British school?
Speaker 1 (06:55):
or something, Brandon Cause, like they're calling me
auntie Blair and I'm like whatare?
Speaker 2 (06:57):
they British.
We're in South Florida so Idon't know where they pick that
up, probably Probably at school.
But we've been kind of laughingabout that.
But I think their littlerequest for fun things has been
really funny to see, because Ihave a convertible, so they're
like can we drive with the topdown?
And I made a playlist for themon Spotify so that way it
(07:18):
doesn't mess up my playlist.
Right, right, exactly.
But also it's kid approved,right.
So you know like we'll listento Taylor Swift and Harry Styles
.
You know like some of thethings to like, um, and I also
like selfishly, so we'll becruising.
They'll be like, can we listento our playlist?
I'll be like sure, and thenthey'll get new things We'll add
onto it.
Like the little requests arepretty fun, um, we do lots of
(07:41):
sleep overs and so that's beenmy favorite.
So they'll come over and youknow we'll get all the living
room all set up for them andwe'll watch, you know, whatever
Disney movies they want to watch.
We'll go to the pool andbecause it's not their house,
they kind of like act like it'sa theme park or something, cause
my apartment building happensto have like fun little things
(08:01):
for them, and so we'll do that.
We'll do special breakfaststogether, like we'll have, like
you know, um, crepes where theyget to fix it themselves with
all the fruits and Nutella andthings, and so they get a kick
out of that Like anything, likethey don't have at their house.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
They find it, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
And so I don't know.
Things like that are just fun,just to make it different for
them and, like you know, they'relittle, so they like like I
don't know they just get a kickout of things.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
They get it and then like the littlest things you
know, small things that are easyfor you to do but like so
memorable for them.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
It's so great and they have your undivided
attention.
I think that's a big thing.
I feel like that's like one ofthe roles of an aunt.
It's like moms whether there'sone or two or more, you know,
kids you still just don't havethat real focus on them.
I mean, there's so many otherthings.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
All the time Right.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
And I think that that's a really cool piece to
being an aunt, you know, beingable to still be that kind of
mom figure, but a fun mom figure.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Giving all the attention and you know they do
open up to you more.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
They do.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yeah, it's, it's a whole thing.
It's just another like I don'tknow.
I just never put so muchemphasis on the aunt piece until
I guess I saw how much likeHayden my oldest, you know did
with you Sam and of courseSydney, and it was just that
connection was so neat to see.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Yeah because we were like five minutes away from you
too, because, like we were still, like we were going to like
school, like back home.
We've moved like two and a halfhours away now, so we don't see
them as often, but, like withHayden, we were in town when she
was born, up until gosh, shewas like what, five, five?
Speaker 3 (09:47):
because you left when Taylor was born.
Yeah, yeah, because we wentyeah, we went to.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
We moved to Grand Rapids, yeah, when Taylor was
born, which was like so hard too, because I'm like we had all
this like one-on-one time withHayden and then now Taylor's
born and then we're leaving, sowe're not going to be home as
much to see her, and I rememberlike it was like such like a, a
pull like you, like we're like Idon't want to leave because
like I'm leaving Hayden and nowwe have another baby and then
it's like I'm gonna miss out onthat time.
(10:15):
So like I know, that was likehard when we moved, like Sid and
I moved, so we we had thatone-on-one time with Hayden and
it was so fun.
We would pick her up fromschool, surprise her picking her
up from school.
If we came home from college orsomething, we would pick her up
and she'd be so excited.
They're just like, oh my god,my aunt's here, my aunt's here,
that's my Aunt Sam.
They get so excited.
(10:39):
We go take her to get ice creamand you get little gifts and
stuff.
And it's just like so much funto have that time.
And I think I don't know ifthis has happened to you, but
like we were out with, like Iwas out with Hayden at the mall,
like just watching her and Iwas walking with her around I
think I was with you and DJ butI had taken her like outside of
(11:02):
the store to just like walkaround and then this woman
approached me and is like youhave such a beautiful daughter
and I'm like, oh, thank you,it's like have you ever like
been like?
you're just like.
I'll take credit for this cutechild.
And then, like at the time, Iwas just like I was probably
like 19 at the time.
So it's like it wouldn't havebeen like unheard of that I had
(11:23):
a child.
But then you also have like theother side of it where you're
kind of getting like peoplestaring at you because they
think like they're your kid,you're so young.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
I was really young yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
And.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
I looked really young for my age too, because I'm
like almost 34 now and I was,you know, back that I just like
have like a young face.
So they thought I was probablylike 17, 16.
And they're like there's likeoh, the looks like, oh, she's
got it, she's a teen mom.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Like not that there's anything wrong with it, but
it's like they're just like yeah, that way.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
Or they're like we got to have such a beautiful
daughter and I'm like, thank you, she's blonde hair and blue
eyes and looks nothing like me,but thank you so much, she looks
like her father.
You know, like it's just like Iremember those moments of being
like mistaken as the mom andI'm just like I'll take credit
for it.
And with Taylor she looked likeme.
Dj is a little more like darker,complected like me, and so then
(12:13):
I would get credit for her too,and it's like I remember DJ and
I were together waiting for youor something on vacation
somewhere and they came up to uslike oh, you guys have such a
beautiful family and DJ are likethank you so much.
You know.
It's just like I'm not going togo down this rabbit hole and
correct you.
But it's like Blair, have youever taken credit for being the
(12:36):
mom?
Like?
Has that ever happened yet?
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Well, not actually.
Yeah, it's happened a few timesCause like I'll be out with
them and actually they look alot like me.
And what's weird is that, um,Annabelle, my niece, she
actually picked up.
She is so much like me it iswild, Like she actually had my
mannerisms and every in traitsfor me before I even moved down
(13:01):
here, so it wasn't even like andI lived in New York before, so
it's not like she could pick upon it.
Um, she just it's genetics man,it's crazy.
And yeah, like she.
Um, actually funny story isthat when she was really little,
so she's always been just supergirly.
I've always been super girly.
I mean my background right nowis a flower wall, so she's, um,
(13:23):
she has always been that waysince birth.
And my sister-in-law isn't asgirly like that.
She is, but like not in thatlevel.
And um, annabelle would getlike creeped out by you know, I
don't know bugs and stuff and um, so, as she has like all these
really extra girly mannerismsand likes and dislikes, um, my
(13:49):
dad, I would, I realized, fastforward a few years later after
she was born.
Um, growing up, my brother ormy dad would be like, all right,
the rule with fishing if we goout fishing is you got to bait
the hook yourself and I'd be soskeeved out by putting the worm
on the hook.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
I just wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
I'd be like crying over in the corner because I
couldn't do it and fast forward.
I'm fishing with my dad andhe's like I'll bait the hook for
you.
I'm like what?
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Really, I'm in my 30s .
He goes, it's okay.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Excuse me, he goes, it's okay, it's who you are.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
They realize it's a genetic thing.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
It's like how I'm built because of Annabelle and I
was like, wow, this is likechanging my life.
It's like it's like a smallthing that's hilarious because
he saw it on Annabelle.
He's like it's serious genetics, like how you guys are built
like this.
You are the same way.
Annabelle's not even there tolearn it from you, but that's
how she is.
And so even now, like mybrother will, will crack up.
(14:40):
He'll be like call me if, likemaybe she's not doing the most
athletic thing in the world, andhe'd be like she runs fast, but
she's like you but other things.
You know, maybe not the mostathletic, and we'll be laughing.
Yeah, she'll be like you know,do something extra glittery or
pink and this, and that mysister-in-law will be like look
(15:00):
at me.
She'll be like you sure youdidn't have the kid?
I was like pretty sure I didn'tgo through that.
Thanks for doing it for me.
You know my own little mini mewho even looks like me.
If you compare photos, it'ssuper weird, like childhood
photos, same and um, it's justweird, you know, but I love it.
Speaker 1 (15:18):
Um, but how it's almost like, if I had a daughter
, would she be just like thatLook like me my mannerisms,
everything that's so cool.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
It's fun.
But so sometimes people domistake them as mine and I
haven't taken ownership.
I'm like no, but I'm the aunt.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
So they're like oh okay, You're more honest, yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
I should just start taking it.
You should.
You should A couple times hereand there, and I don't know if
it was like, if it happened tome now, like I probably would be
like oh no, I'm just like theamp of being like younger.
I was just kind of like yeah,thank you.
Like I was like so caught offguard.
Like they, like, they'd evenlike think that, like she was
mine, I'm like oh, uh-huh,thanks, what you're just like,
(16:04):
um, okay uncomfortable yeah,yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Well, speaking of the fish, though, that's funny
because we're gonna do a smallrabbit hole here up north, like
that was.
We had to be able to bait ours,but we use hot dogs and cheese
that's what the fish liked upthere, right there.
They didn't want the worms andwe'd have to take it off the
hook.
We'd get a bag and put our handin that.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
And then I yeah, so you can do the ones either.
No way, no, I was like I can'tdo it, but I mean, literally I'm
in my thirties.
My dad's like it's okay, it'show you, it's who you are.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
It's just well.
And it's like why didn't youmake these allowances for me?
Then You're doing it forAnnabelle, Like if you you know
the realization.
It's like do I get an apologyfor you making me like?
Speaker 2 (16:55):
yeah, it's so funny.
She just literally I mean she'sjust perfect.
I mean her confidence level,her how she is about being all
glitter.
She wore some spark.
She got some boots from Amazonin the mail that are full
glitter and they're like she'sobsessed with Taylor Swift.
So she gets these sparkly bootsand she always will like wear
gown.
Brooke, uh, annabelle, wearlike these sparkly dresses.
(17:19):
To like going out to eat at abarbecue place.
So she just came in the mailfor some reason smelling like
barbecue and we're like that'skind of weird.
Why did they arrive smellinglike barbecue?
Maybe something with a leather?
And so we had plans to go to abarbecue place one night.
She goes, I wear my sparklyboots.
They'll smell like the placeand we're like, oh my God, she
(17:39):
planned it, it's so good.
Oh my God, she planned it.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
It's so good Little fashionista already.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Oh, she is Big time, big time.
My background and my collegebackground is in the fashion
industry, so that's why it'sespecially kind of yeah, I went
to the fashion Institute oftechnology in New York and then
my whole corporate background isin the fashion industry before
I launched my business.
So it's just kind of funny thatshe's so into it and nobody
else in my family is.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
So it's just like kind of a weird thing.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Yeah, and my grandmother she was um and she's
not around anymore, but shealso was really into that kind
of thing, so it's like I'm mygrandmother she also is really
into that kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
So it's like I'm my grandmother and then now
Annabelle's got it.
So it's funny how fun, likewhen she gets older, if she's
still like into that, like thethings that you guys could do
together, like the conversationsyou'd have like oh yeah.
I think that would be so muchfun Like to have, like something
like the two of you share, likethat, and it's kind of like
just the two of you like what aspecial little bond that you
guys are going to have.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Oh, I know I'm already teaching her how to sew,
and so that's been my kind ofthing is like I started sewing
in the second grade and actuallymy first business was a handbag
company and I like designed andsewed my own handbags, sold
them for eight years, and so forme I'm like all right, we're
going to get her started withthis now.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Let's get her going.
Yeah, that's something.
Well, you know it's funnybecause Taylor is a lot like you
, sam.
Speaker 1 (19:12):
you know even the way she looks and her attitude
right now we've, we've decided Ihad a bit of a toad.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
She's a mini Sam at the moment.
Sorry about that.
Yeah, she's very strong-willed.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Nothing wrong with that.
It helps you later.
It does.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
It's not so fun for your parents, yeah Right now
it's a struggle, but yeah, shelooks a lot like you, even in
the baby pictures.
Yeah, we were looking at thosenot too long ago and the
similarities.
It's hilarious.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
It's just interesting like how genetics like play
such a role and it like makesyou like wonder too, like you
know, if you do like look somuch like your niece or nephew
even, and you have like thosesimilarities in like your
hobbies and stuff like that likehow much closer that like makes
you maybe with like one of yournieces or nephews versus like
(20:00):
the other.
Like it's like of course youlove them all, but sometimes
like you just have that likespecial bond with one which is
like so fun.
I remember like growing up too,like our aunt jill like was
always so, like she still is,but so fun like she was.
I was never like super girlyand into stuff, but like they
had my nana and my aunt had thislike huge like barbie
(20:24):
collection and are super intobarbies and stuff.
So like I was really intobarbies but um, that was like
from them and like we they wouldlike you got the collector
barbies with them and like theyhad like would get us all this
stuff and come over and I justremember her coming over and us
playing barbies and they bringus all this cool, cool stuff and
we'd go and do fun things andI'm like my gosh, it was so fun
(20:45):
because when you get older youmight not spend as much time
with them necessarily, like wemoved out of town, so your
relationship changes, but youstill have those fun memories
from when you were younger ofthem just being there and
playing with you, because whenyou're a kid, that's's all you
like want to do, is like go playwith stuff and do cool stuff,
and so you have those funmemories, which is great,
(21:06):
because I just think like now,being a mom, I like think back
on those things and I think oflike you being an aunt and then
my other sister, sydney, beingan aunt to Bo, and like I'm
having a girl that we can all dolike girly fun things with.
Yeah.
So it's just exciting to knowthat like you have that family
support and like you have, likeyou know, a sister that's going
(21:30):
to be there for your child andlike be able to do fun things
with them and teach them things.
And it's just nice that,because I feel like not
everybody has that, if they'rean only child or something, or
like they just don't have as asupportive family that has like
those close relationships, likeI definitely feel like so.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
So blessed that we have like this, this close
support group for our kids.
Yeah, it's crazy.
I mean, I remember my dad'ssister.
Yeah, so we have different dads.
Yeah, We'll throw it out there,so this doesn't get confusing
here.
Yeah, so we have different dads.
Yeah.
We'll throw it out there, sothis doesn't get confusing here.
So my dad's sister, you knowshe was like the aunt that was
always around for me and shestill is, like, she's still
around all the time with my kids.
She's the great aunt.
(22:11):
She's, you know, whether weneed something, whether it's fun
, you know, whatever she's thereand it's just a very important
piece of the family really.
I mean, yeah, she's, she's ahas a vital role and we rely on
that, you know.
(22:31):
I mean, if we didn't have that,I can't imagine not having it.
I guess is the thing.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
yeah, that's the thing you can't imagine like not
having them there to like bewith you through those memories
that like you're making withyour kids, just like showing up
at, like your kids concert withyou and things like that or they
just like get all shy andthey're like.
You know, they're like righthere they're like like, oh my
(22:55):
god, my aunt's waving at me likeit's like one or the other oh
my gosh, yeah, it was.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
I picked up them both up from school the other day
and my nephew, like he wasacting all cool Like I wasn't
actually there.
Like they were finishing itafter school program playing
basketball or something.
So I just stood there in thegym on the corner just waiting
for them to finish up and theydidn't know I was picking him up
that day.
I just surprised him.
So I came in and then I watchedEaston just walk over like very
(23:22):
serious, like the six year oldgoes.
We're going now.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
It's like my aunt's here.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
We're going now and I was like I just watched it, he
said nothing to me and she goes,you still got to put away your
stuff.
But he's like okay, and thenhe's walking.
But it was just like so funnyhow stealthy he was.
And then like right, coolcollected, and then they get in
the car like can we listen tooompa loompa song?
Speaker 1 (23:48):
I was like okay, you know, gotta play it cool in
front of the friends and theteachers.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
You know like yes, we're leaving, we're going my
rides here, see ya yeah, I tellmy brother and my sister-in-law
I said you have one job andthat's to not let them grow up.
Okay, Thanks.
So anytime they get a haircutor something I'm like when did
they become a teenager?
When did they start parallelparking?
You know, I'm like, I'm overthis.
Oh my gosh, you have one job, Iknow.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
That's the thing I noticed with like, especially
like Hayden Cause, because wewere there since she was born.
We were there with her when shewas a baby and then now she's
in high school.
I'm like, how is she in highschool?
She's driving almost.
It's like she's like the cutestthing.
She is way better at fashionthan me.
(24:36):
I'm like she is like the coolgirl at school that I was like
oh my god, you're so cute.
Like look at your outfits andlike you're just like she is,
like she's in like the gun cluband like shoots skates and all
this stuff, and she runs trackand I'm just like, oh my god,
like that's my niece.
I'm like when did you becomelike this, this, this old kid?
(24:59):
I'm like you were like thislittle two year old running
around like with your diaper onlike forever.
Yeah, two weeks ago it seemslike I'm like my gosh.
I was like how is she so old?
Speaker 3 (25:11):
Yeah, we still have the video of you two you
babysitting oh, yes, and she'srunning around the table.
She just, I think, just startedwalking and, yeah, we have
sydney's reaction to oh my god,is she's ready to fall?
Because sydney is very muchit's like a super warrior, a
warrior yes and I'm like she'sfine.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
It's hilarious the reactions between the two of you
well, and it's funny too,because, like being an aunt,
it's kind of like a glimpse intobeing a mom you know in a way,
and so it's a little practicerun and you can kind of see like
your comfortability around kidsand like how you like react to
certain situations and I'm justI feel like for me I was just
(25:52):
already naturally much morecomfortable around kids than
like sid was.
Sid wasn't sure she even wantedto have kids at one point and
now like she, she has her sonBennett but it's just funny
she's much more like cautiousand a worrier.
I'm just much more.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Oh, he's fine, like she's fine like it's okay,
they'll be okay, like it's justpart of it's just part of it.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
It's how they learn and so then, I was already.
I like, yeah, like I want tohave kids, kind of thing, and it
is different when you have yourown kids.
But yeah, that's like being anaunt like one way or the other,
just like it sway you to like ohyeah, I know I want to have
kids.
Or it's like you know what Ilike being the aunt.
I don't know if I want to havekids, you know?
Does it like sway you eitherway?
Speaker 2 (26:33):
I'm still on the fence.
I'm not sure Like I mean Iwould love, I think, if I met.
I just has all comes down toyou.
I mean he's the right person.
I'm not rushing it just to havea kid.
So I'm like you know what, ifit happens, it happens Cool.
I think if I met the rightperson then I'd be super open to
it because I love my niece andnephew so much.
If I can love them that much,then like, oh my gosh, imagine
(26:56):
if it was my own.
Um but at the same time, like Ilove just being in that role.
So it's like I think it justdepends if I made the right
person.
Yeah, probably, but since fornow it's not there, I'm like I'm
just going to, you know,embrace this and just try to be
like the best aunt possible.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
And also enjoy the fact that whenever they are
getting to that meltdown, youknow countdown.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I can be like, hey, brandon, come uh, pick up
annabelle and easton, or I'mbringing them home exactly.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
It's like I can have you as much as I want to have
you.
We can have fun, and when I'mready for you to go, it's like
you get to go home and I get torelax by myself with like a
glass of wine and watch my show.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Well, a couple of weekends ago they spent the
night at my house to get boththe kids and they.
We were by the pool and likespent the afternoon together,
like the day after the sleepover, and they were just tired.
You know, like exciting newatmosphere and you know, mom and
dad aren't here, kind of thing.
And one story that's funny iswe found out that my local
(27:57):
grocery store sells sparklers.
I was like whoa didn't knowthat.
But Easton found them and he'slike and we buy these?
I'm like, obviously.
So he bent some cause he'strying to open up the package.
He's six.
You know, it didn't happen.
I messed him up and I was like,oh, that's okay, we'll still
try them.
We tried lighting them outside.
They would light up for liketwo seconds and it was funny.
(28:19):
As he threw it on the ground hegoes oh Blair, this is a bust.
We were dying.
It was so funny.
We did other things too tocompensate, but it was just like
so funny.
But the next day they wereexhausted.
My brother goes hey, I'm comingto pick them up, is that cool?
I'm like, yeah, no problem, hecomes up and they pack up their
stuff, they're walking out andhe goes.
(28:39):
I said excellent timing and hegoes are they about to have a
meltdown?
I said, oh yeah.
And he goes.
He just looks up and he goes,it's okay, he's just laughing
about it.
It's like literally thequintessential aunt move is like
, but yeah, there's so much fun,there's such a joy and you know
(29:02):
, um, it definitely makes me seelike, wow, how special is it to
have kids.
I think it's so amazing.
Um, I feel so fortunate to liveso close, like that's a benefit
of the pandemic, I'd say.
The silver lining is I used tolive in New York.
I moved to Florida because NewYork.
I moved to Florida because NewYork is in a really great place
right now.
Um, for me at least, I was likeyou know what Florida has?
(29:23):
Family and sunshine.
Those are great things.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
Um.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
I really just embraced hanging out with them
all the time, cause wheneverthose things happen, like the
pandemic, you really see what'simportant and family is so
important.
So, um, you know, for me to beclose by it's just such a
blessing.
And, um, you know, just to getto see them grow up at this
stage, cause that time islimited and so I'm just soaking
up all the sleepovers that I canwhile they want to hang out
(29:48):
with me.
And, um, you know all thosehilarious questions they ask
whenever their parents aren'taround.
I can call Brandon and Tracyand be like, guess what they
asked me this time, like myapartment door closes and
they're like so, aunt Blair youknow, it's like what is going on
in there.
(30:09):
Like the things that they justthey're sponges.
It's amazing.
Speaker 3 (30:12):
They are.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Mine's always going.
It blows my mind, like thethings that they pick up on that
you know their parents aren'ttalking about, like I know I'm
so close with my brother andsister-in-law like so close and
my mom and dad too, so even ifthey're with Nana and Papa, you
know, like I know that they'renot saying these things and I'm
just like they're just spongesand soaking up everything.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
It's like they hear something at the store at at,
you know, and they're like whatis this?
I heard this, what is that?
You know?
Speaker 3 (30:39):
And you're just like oh, but they know not to ask mom
and dad.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
They know to ask the infant aunt, you know like,
because they're like she's notgoing to get mad at me if I ask
her about this.
You know She'll be real.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
Yeah, and then, and I'm like, you know you got to
navigate it the right way, butthen also you want to let the
parents know, like I mean it'snever anything crazy, but it's
always more funny things, youknow.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
Yeah, well, and it's like as they get older, like it
might be like one of thosethings, yeah, like they're going
to come to you with something,yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Oh, I'm already thinking.
If they were to ask me aboutsome of these topics, how do I
hand that off to their parents,right, because I don't worry,
it's like you know.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
I'm sure they would trust you enough to, like you
know, give them like a versionof it and then you let them know
, like.
Oh, by the way, so-and-so askedme about this and so you might
want to address that.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
But then it's like don't tell them.
Speaker 1 (31:33):
I told you, or you can't, I don't know.
You know it's like.
However, you want to handle it.
But it's nice that they willfeel comfortable coming to you
to like ask questions and talkabout things, and then it can
almost like open up aconversation that they can have
with their parents if they wantto.
Speaker 3 (31:48):
Well, that helps to those things that they can just
keep from their parents, youknow at least it's coming out
somewhere.
You know, yeah, oh yeah, I'venever been asked me any day over
some parent who's gone rogue.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
That's their friend's parent.
You know what I mean, right?
You don't know.
Actually, their parents saidthat in the car the other day.
All of us and the kids were inthe car and they're like you
know, if you need to ask any ofthese questions, always ask us.
We can also trust everybody inthis car.
Ask Aunt Blair or Nana and Papa, and I think that's always a
good thing.
So I'm like, yeah, ask me, andthen you know if I need to call
(32:21):
them, I'll call them.
Speaker 1 (32:22):
Right, it's nice that they have a safe place to go
with questions, funny or moreserious, you know it's so nice
and that's like being like anaunt or an uncle, like it's just
like you have that safe spacethat you can go to when you're
young, old, whatever, like it'snice that you have that, that
they have that you know,confidant, they can go to
(32:43):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
So it's nice.
I love being an aunt.
It's my favorite, and then thenew one's coming on the way, I
know you're going to have mysisters my sisters first.
Yeah, so exciting.
Yeah, we're really pumped Likethis kid.
Oh my God, the amount of lovehe's being born into is wild.
It's great, that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
Well, this conversation was awesome, I'm
thank you so much for coming andjumping on and just talking
about this with us because, likeI said, it's it's an important
topic that I think getsneglected, and the role of an
aunt is something special.
Speaker 2 (33:18):
So well, thanks for having me.
I've had a lot of fun talkingabout it and, um, I was excited,
especially post sleepover withAnnabelle this weekend, you know
like I get to have a little antdiscussion on Monday, so thank
you for having me.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
This has been a lot of fun.
Yeah, yeah, do you want to telleveryone where they can find
you too?
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Sure, I mean, if you guys are interested in what I do
for a living.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
Yeah, well, there's lots of mompreneurs around.
So yeah, yeah, any mompreneur.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
I work with quite a few mompreneurs.
Visit me at.
You can just look up my name,blair browncom It'll bring you
to the same website.
Or look up hey, it's BlairBrown on Instagram and I'm there
too, um, for anything marketing, branding, or if you're
thinking about launching abusiness too, um, I'd love to
hop on a call and just chit chatwith you and hear about your
(34:08):
cool ideas.
So, be a lot of fun and we cantalk about how cute.
Speaker 1 (34:15):
your kids are too.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
I love that, I love looking at everybody's kid
photos and hearing about it.
It's so much fun for me so Ican just you know, live through
everybody else on that for now,and then one day I'll return the
favor.
Speaker 3 (34:25):
Yeah Well, this was great.
So again, thanks for joining usand we will be back next week
for another new episode.
Thanks for joining us today onshe's Got it Together.
It's been a real journey,sharing and laughing with you
all.
Speaker 1 (34:40):
We hope you're walking away with a smile on
your face and a bit moreconfidence in your step.
Speaker 3 (34:45):
Remember, you're not alone in this crazy ride called
life.
We're all in this together, oneday at a time.
Speaker 1 (34:51):
Don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review and
, of course, share this podcastwith all the incredible women in
your life.
Join, leave us a review and, ofcourse, share this podcast with
all the incredible women inyour life.
Join us next week for morestories, more laughs and more
real talk.
Until then, keep embracing yourunique journey and remember
you've got it together more thanyou think.
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