Show Notes! Oh-kay. So here’s the deal. This is the second episode that I recorded way back when I first started working on my podcast. [YAY to me for finally getting it out there!] I had an awesome conversation with Allison Carter of AllisonCarterCelebrates.com and the host of the Memories in Moments Podcast . She is a super successful Momprenuer who helps busy moms plan amazing parties without all the stress and without going way over budget. Not to mention, she is killing it out there. She has even been featured on Forbes AND Better Homes & Gardens! In this episode, we talk a bit about her business and why party planning is so important to her. Helping busy moms is pretty much her passion. But [just to be a little self-centered here], what I love about this conversation is hearing how much I’ve grown since we recorded back in November of last year. For one: my speaking skills. Oh my. Please excuse all the ‘likes’ and ‘ums’ from me. But more importantly, Allison calls me out right in the beginning. And I love it SO much.   At the time, I was in the midst of planning Xavier’s first birthday party and I was insanely stressed out. I wanted that party to be the most perfect and amazing party ever. I wanted to rent an awesome venue and have Instagram-blogger-worthy photos with super elaborate and unique decorations. It was absolutely ridiculous. I cringe now whenever I look at that Pinterest board I created pre-recording this conversation. But I am so happy I recorded this episode when I did. It was just what I needed at that time: someone to tell me that I was creating so much unnecessary stress for myself. I was building that party up to be way more than it needed. It was my son’s FIRST BIRTHDAY; not the damn Grammy’s. I really don’t know what I was trying to accomplish or trying to prove. But this conversation really helped me put the breaks on my craziness and take the time to not only enjoy the process of planning Xavier’s birthday, but also take time to enjoy the actual party rather than obsession over it being perfect. Even if you aren’t in the process of planning your little one’s party right now, this episode is a great reminder of how us mamas can sometimes be the cause of our own stress and sometimes create unnecessary expectations for ourselves. If there is one thing I learned from Allison, it’s that you should just do you, Mama. The rest will come together. Episode Links!Allison Carter can be found in all these amazing places! Website: https://allisoncartercelebrates.com/ Podcast: https://allisoncartercelebrates.com/memories-in-moments-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisoncartercelebrates/