#LuvSoFab Virtual Gift Exchange: Motherhood Unadorned Blogger Highlight

Momma Told Me: Live everyday with your heart open.

One of the reasons I got into blogging, aside from it being free therapy, was to connect with women, okay individuals, around the world that had an interest in what I wanted to say. Whether they completely disagreed, or they were wholly on board with my point of view, connection with and discovering these new people always seemed to enrich myself as a whole. But this post isn't about me, it's about Cristi Comes, philanthropist, real life woman, and author of Motherhood Unadorned.

As a #SoFab member, I had the chance to participate in a unique gift 'exchange' of content and thoughts. This virtual exchange paired participants with a random blogger, throwing them into their virtual, ans sometimes very real, world through a river of social media handles, and their physical blog. Before I was a blogger, I was a reader, so reading blogs regularly is something I make sure to reciprocate daily, myself. That being said, it can often be hard to get a feel for the genuine person behind the social media facade. With Cristi Comes this is absolutely the furthest from the case. What you see is what you get, a real, honest, woman who has stripped back all the virtual makeup to provide an authentic sounding board for women worldwide. Her blog, Motherhood Unadorned, is a label free zone where noone is judged for the brand of binky they use, or especially for the days where they simply feel like a failure.

Cristi wants her readers to know that their differences make them beautiful, and so do their faults. In fact, those very faults aren't faults at all, but the building blocks to strength we all can learn to use as gifts and inspiration. There is no Wonderwoman, but the closest thing to her is a woman who embraces them-self, even in the darkest of light.

It's easy to see where Cristi draws her tremendous courage, and enthusiasm for life, from; her beautiful family. But even her family has been a challenge that lead to her blog's inspiration. The Motherhood Unadorned author has suffered with mental illness for the majority of her life, including a battle with PPD after the birth of her second child Ellie. Then, in 2010, a close friend, and mother, took their own life; a suicide loss that weighed as heavy as the thousands claimed each year, for Cristi. She vowed she would use her voice on and offline to help empower those who felt overwhelmed to find the light in the coming days, and rise to overcome suicide, and live with mental illness. Her unaltered accounts of her own personal journey through life and motherhood undoubtedly inspire her readers and friends, and stand a vivid example of inspiration through digital media.

While Motherhood Unadorned has plenty of valuable content for building mental health and coping with mental illness, it's also a treasure trove of Parenting advice, insightful reviews, and thought-provoking content. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Cristi's two children, Ellie and Ronin are hopelessly adorable, and well worth subscribing to her Instagram feed. One of my personal favorite recent posts, Little Girl and Doll Style: American Girl Twinkle Party Dress, even touches on style for less life-like family members. It's hard not to smile, I dare you to try, as you peruse the playful pictures of precocious Ellie, who even insisted on wearing her new party dress to school for picture day, priceless! It's great to see such a well rounded blog full of parenting information, charming family photos, and real world discussions.

While I don't know Cristi personally, her biography, and personal journey has certainly touched my heart in just a few short hours virtually bonding through her social media outlets online. After the loss of her friend in 2011, Cristi put together a #StopSuicide #BlueBloggers movement, where she empowered several bloggers to challenge their readers to raise funds for the Foundation of Suicide Prevention. These bloggers committed to dye their locks blue in the name of the cause, should their donation goals be reached. This story personally touches my heart, as it reminds me so very much of something I would do, myself. What a fun way to shed light, and spark discussion about such a serious topic! Cristi is yet again fundraising for this great cause, with her upcoming SFSP 2014 Seatttle Suicide Prevention Overnight walk participation. Swing on by the blog to learn more about this important cause and help her raise funds to stop suicide.

What Daughter Says: Open your heart to a new blog and reap the rewards with Motherhood Unadorned.

Check out the other bloggers, and posts, participating in the 2013 #SoFab Virtual Exchange, below.