•My Life•
Greetings, I’m Kelsey Hogan, a Royal Oak mama and one of Detroit Mom Blog’s newest contributors. Basically a native (shh… I was born in Cali), I grew up in Commerce Township and was off to Ann Arbor for college. You’re my boy, Blue!
Post-grad, I ventured to Chicago to live the quintessential 20-something dream as a PR Girlboss for nearly a decade. I worked at Groupon, managed press for Top Chef Master Marcus Samuelsson, and opened Eataly Chicago. Life and work were fast yet fun. Glitzy and glamorous on the outside, but seriously hard work behind the velvet ropes.
Fast forward to 2012, I met my now-husband Ed (who hails from Grand Rapids) through a work friend. Once Ed got over the fact that I had a cat – a secret I kept for a solid six weeks – we quickly fell in love. Our wedding was at The Henry Ford in the fall of 2014 – my favorite season and a magical local space.
In 2015, Ed accepted an incredible position with a top tech company. One of the perks? The ability to live Anywhere, U.S.A. We (read: I) knew this was our ticket back “home,” and quickly packed up our skyline views in exchange for a family-friendly Craftsman on a quiet tree-lined street. Hashtag: Blessed.
•Babies + Beyond•
In addition to a new job and a new city, we were soon to welcome a new baby boy! Reese (now 2.5) joined our family in December 2015. Since then, I have been a SAHM to my cuddly, silly, and truck-obsessed little redhead. While it’s definitely not always fun times and fudgesicles over here, it’s the most rewarding – albeit most challenging – role I’ve ever held.
Moving back to The Mitten, I essentially started from scratch. It’s the people, places, and experiences I’ve encountered over the last three years that have helped me to grow my tribe of local mamas, feel a sense of community, and build my village.
Family is huge for me. I am very open about my ongoing struggle with secondary fertility and hope to promote Reese to big brother in the near future. In addition to fertility issues, I feel strongly about creating awareness and support surrounding pregnancy and child loss, and mental health, for women — both locally and beyond.
•Down with Detroit•
I have to admit, I’m a pretty tried-and-true Detroit girl at heart. Yes, that was me you saw bumping Eminem in my black Pontiac Sunfire, windows down speakers up, in 2001. Detroit Over Everybody.
These days, an average weekday might break down something like this (or, perhaps, not at all…Mom Life!) . After breakfast, Reese and I head off to my zen zone: The Dailey Method barre studio in Birmingham. I leave with a “full cup,” both mentally and physically, and Reese gets in a play date with the Dailey kiddos. Check!
Next, we’re off to The Detroit Zoo or one of Royal Oak’s plentiful parks to burn off even more energy. Mom goals, am I right? Lions Club Park is just a block away from home if you ever want to come say hi!
Come Friday, ideally, we are enjoying one of our favorite parts of Detroit living – the easy-access to our happy place, Northport, MI. It’s serene, quaint, and picturesque. And of course, there’s the wine. L. Mawby is my personal fave: Pop. Clink. Fizz! The air is just different up there, and at just four hours away, we are lucky to call this little slice of Michigan our second home.
That’s all for now! It’s an honor to write for such a mom-positive blog, and I can’t wait to share much more very soon. In the meantime, feel free to follow along with my daily momming antics on Instagram @itskels_life and Facebook!
Introducing Kelsey Hogan, A Royal Oak Mom
Love you Kelsey!!