For the Mamas Who Keep It Lively
Introducing the May Lively Lady: Mary-Catherine McAlvany
Meet Mary-Catherine!
Mary-Catherine and her husband were looking for a change of work and life in 2003, and decided to move to Durango to be near family and the mountains. It turned out to be one of the best decisions they ever made. A year after moving here, she was diagnosed and treated for cancer. Mary-Catherine had gone for a second opinion at MD Anderson in Houston, but ended up choosing the best surgeon and cancer team right here in Durango. Seemed like a miracle. But Durango itself was her salve during those first years here. She loves this place! Her husband, David, grew up in Durango, and they have 3 boys and 1 girl—aged 11-19—all born in Durango. Mary-Catherine is the only Colorado transplant in her family.
Mary-Catherine wears a lot of “hats”. She has homeschooled her kiddos since her oldest was 4. It has since morphed into a hybrid homeschool model, and that allows her to spend time working in the arts. Locally, she is involved in community theater. Mary-Catherine is a member of Merely Players, with whom she has choreographed shows, co-directed others, and been on stage. Last spring she got to play her dream role, Velma Kelly, in Chicago the Musical. Mary-Catherine is also a founder and co-Artistic Director of Wildwood Dance Project— a multi-media dance company based here in Durango. In her spare, spare, spare time she is a Global Arts Strategist, which is just a fancy name for someone who helps global partners strategize on how to grow the influence of arts in their region and country.
Mary-Catherine’s favorite lively brands include KUT, Bryant & Co, FRNCH, and PISTOLA. Mary-Catherine loves shopping at lively because, “lively is a true local gem! Johnna has greatly contributed to lifting Durango out of the worst dressed town in America! Her team curates a fun and sassy Durango style that I truly love. AND, I adore the Friday yoga class Lively hosts!”.
You can shop Mary-Catherine’s lively looks in the blog below.
Photos by Niki Bryant Photography.
Motherhood isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s messy, magical, and full of unexpected lessons. For this year’s Mother’s Day blog, we talked with one of our favorite local mamas to talk style, confidence, and the superpower of adaptability (hint: Mrs. Incredible). From trading in stilettos for statement boots to letting her teenage daughter raid her closet, she shares how motherhood has shaped just not her wardrobe, but her worldview. Her message? Show yourself grace, own your style, and never underestimate the power of a great hat!
What’s one thing motherhood has taught you that you didn’t expect?
Great question. Choosing one is difficult...Adaptability. I always think about Mrs. Incredible when she says, “You need to learn to be more flexible.” Being a mom is all about adapting and flexing. You cannot hold on too tightly to mothering ideals because your kids are people too, with their own ideas and lives, and each one individually challenges how you mother. So make adaptability your mom superpower.
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How has your personal style changed since becoming a mom?
Before moving to Durango and becoming a mom, I lived in Houston, Dallas, England, Boston and LA. The amount of dresses and heels I had in my closet would make a Kardashian jealous! But then I moved to Durango and became a mom, and (reluctantly) slimmed down my shoe and dress collection, but I have never lost my flair for dressing up. I’m that girl walking down Main Avenue in heels all dressed up on a Tuesday night to go on a date night with my hubby. Life is short—you do you—dress up! I’d say my style has become a mix of bohemian and tailored. I’m almost always in jeans, boots or sandals, tanks or tees, and a statement coat or jacket. And I LOVE hats! Never daunted by sporting one. I’m really into the statement thing now that I’m over 45.
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What does feeling confident and beautiful as a mom mean to you right now?
Sexy and beautiful are all in the way you carry yourself—it’s a state of mind that affects the way you live in your body. I want my teenage daughter to see that even when bodies change (and let’s be honest, our female bodies are ALWAYS changing!), we are deeper than skin and we can feel at home in our bodies if we stop fighting so hard against change and comparing ourselves to others, and start cultivating our deeper self and spirit. This is what people will remember, more than our body size. And I think our clothes can become an extension of how we feel about ourselves and our inner confidence.
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Do your kids ever influence your fashion choices?
Ha! Yes! My daughter is now taller than me, but like four to five sizes smaller! This does not keep her from shopping my closet. She throws together really fun mixes, and I’ve copied her style a few times. We also follow this great fashion Instagrammer @aysat_officiel. My daughter and I just love her personality and style! She's our inspo at the moment.
What advice would you give to other moms trying to balance it all with grace?
Holy moly! Give yourself grace, ladies. LOTS. OF. GRACE! I live by it in platefuls. I mess up so much. I forget meetings, am late picking someone up, don’t get food on the table till 9pm. I mean, some days I feel like a hot mess. It’s life. It’s messy. Give yourself grace. Give others lots of grace. We all need it and are better for receiving it. We just need to cultivate cultures of grace, girls.