I’m passionate about love and marriage and even more passionate about helping other wives to discover their passions and chase their dreams while maintaining happy, healthy marriages. As wives, we are the real MVPs. We juggle so many different things and each and every one of us WERKS in one way or another (whether that be by holding a traditional job outside of the home, managing our own blog, business, or brand, or doing something totally different). I’m a firm believer that this is something that should be celebrated, and that’s why I created LiveLifeWell’s monthly Wives Who WERK segment. Each month, I will be interviewing a wife in order to celebrate her and what she does. I would love to feature you! If you’re a wife who would be interested in being featured or if you want to nominate someone else, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Ivelisse Estes is a Manhattan native who now lives in a small town with her husband of 3 years. Since there are not a lot of jobs in the fashion industry available where she lives, she decided to create her own space. She now shares about her passion for fashion and beauty on her blog, Carnation Dreams. When I first became acquainted with Ivelisse a few months ago online, I automatically knew that she was a wife who WERKS! In addition to her blog, she also has her own makeup business dedicated to mineral based makeup that is cruelty and toxic free. I’m so excited to feature Mrs. Ivelisse Estes as my February wife.
What makes you more than a wifey?
I am more than a wifey because I am not defined by my relationship status. I don’t look to find meaning from other people, instead I am grateful for this role that I have been blessed with by God. I have my own goals, dreams and personality traits that didn’t change even after I got married. People know me for me, my convictions and my soul, not my last name.
How did you determine your passion?
My passion came to me at a young age actually. From the ages of 5-7 I battled cancer 2 times and art was something that was an escape for me. Reading, writing and drawing were a way for me to express myself during those times that I was bedridden all the way to when I was able to go home and was homeschooled for sometime. People would always say “you should be a writer!” or “look at that drawing, you should be a fashion designer or something!” Plus growing up in Manhattan (fashion central) was also pretty influential. I always knew I wanted to do something to help girls with their confidence, especially since I was sometimes teased at school for looking different after my chemo treatments.
Tell us your love story! How did you and your husband meet? How long have you been married?
Oh I love sharing our love story! We actually met at our church when I was 19 and he was 21. I saw Thomas and I was thinking to myself “ooohh he is cuutte!”. Funny thing is he actually thought I was still in High School! Hah! It wasn’t until I told him I was in college that he allowed himself to be attracted and pursue me. He was already at a 4 year university with our mutual friends and I was still at a community college when we actually got to know each other. It was at a super bowl party where he called me a “thief” for finishing a bowl of chips right after the party was over. I thought he meant it too! He was all like “the chips are for the party and the party is over you theif”. Of course he was just saying that to make conversation with me. But even on my birthday that is Feb 7th, he wrote on my wall “Happy Birthday Thief”. I still tell him to this day that it was him who stole my heart from the beginning. Super cheesy I know! But hey, we have been married almost 3 years and I still feel like I am in the honeymoon phase! Lol
How has your husband supported you and your dreams?
Thomas has supported me in so many ways! When it comes to my blog, he has officially been deemed editor. He reads my blogs, shares my posts and even asks me when is the next time I am going to write up a blog post. I especially love how much he supports my beauty business. He not only gives me space whenever I am going to do a live video, he even bought me filming equipment! I am talking backdrops, tri-pods, stands, the whole shebang.
How do you balance your household/marital responsibilities and your blog and brand?
I can honestly say balance is something that I am always striving to achieve. We both work full-time jobs so when we come home we are both beat and don’t really want to do any household chores. BUT we have agreed that when we hold each other accountable things not only get done but we also get to enjoy our times together even more. When it comes to my blog and business I make sure to weave it into my life so that it doesn’t feel like a burden, but something that I actually enjoy. The beauty of having a beauty business is that you never feel like you are “working” because it is so fun!
What is your biggest piece of marital advice for other wives?
I would have to say never forget your friendship. Yes you are married and this man is going to lead you, love you and there may be some bumps in the road along the way. But never forget the friendship that you had first and the little things you would do to make each other feel special. Thomas and I were besties before we started dating and we STILL refer to each other as being each others “bestie”. Don’t ever let your husband feel like you don’t appreciate his friendship.
Where do you see yourself, your family, and your blog and brand in 5 years?
In 5 years I want to at least have 2 kids. A boy and a girl would be awesome, but I will feel grateful with any amount of kids that I am blessed with to be honest. By this point my hubby will have quit his job or will be working part-time because I will have reached the top 1% of my company and will be the primary breadwinner. I don’t want him to have the pressure of going to work if he doesn’t want to. I will continue blogging (of course) and will have already made TONS of blogging buddies along the way as well. 5 years down the line there will be countless amount of girls who have been uplifted, empowered and validated from the words I have shared as well as the legacy that I have built along the way.
Be sure to follow Ivelisse’s journey on Facebook and Instagram, and check out her beauty business, Dreaming Beauty.
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