Hey there,
I’m Nikki Oden.
I’m a happy wife, a mother of two very rascally kids, a total tennis nerd, and a wannabe sommelier. I’m also a lawyer and a novelist. I’ve been a bookworm all my life and wrote my first novel at the age of 11. (So meta, right? A young adult writing YA Fiction!) Although creative writing has always been my thing, I didn’t initially pursue it seriously—even after I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing from Florida State University, where I wrote many a short story. Instead, I did what my parents thought I should do and became a lawyer. It’s been a career I have both hated and loved (but I won’t deny it’s given me plenty of fodder for my writing).
Despite my meandering, the creative writer in me never went away. In 2009, I let her out and began writing what I hope will be my first of many traditionally published novels: a romantic comedy called The Love You Make. It only took me fourteen years . . .
In the meantime, I’ve been writing about battling mom burnout on my blog, Your Ideal Mom Life, and in 2022 published But Definitely Wear Mascara: Hacks to Help You Love Your Mom Life (and Yourself) a Little More.
I’m tickled pink that you’re here. Thanks for reading my stuff.
Much love,
Nikki Oden
“Whether you think you can,
or think you can’t . . . you’re right.”
- Henry Ford
BOOKS
But Definitely Wear Mascara
How often do you say to yourself, “I love my mom life?”
A lot, hopefully! If, on the other hand, you sometimes feel like motherhood is one long ride on the Hot Mess Express, this book is for you.
Being a mom is hard. And being a mom with goals and dreams is even harder. Harmonizing what you want to accomplish as a woman with everything you have to do as a mom is a challenge every mother faces. The good news is that with some intention, planning and a whole lot of grace, you can create what you want to experience in life, love, and motherhood.
In this collection of laugh-out-loud stories, lawyer and mom coach, Nikki Oden, serves up 40 bite-sized chapters filled with raw and easy-to-implement advice for any mom who has ever struggled with nurturing her career and her family at the same time. You’ll walk away entertained, inspired, and equipped with the tools you need to create a mom life you absolutely love.
The Love You Make
COMING SOON!
MEDIA
Nikki on NBC6 with Roxanne Vargas
Nikki on Good Day DC
Featured Contributor for Cafe Mom
As featured in The Boston Globe
Featured Contributor for TODAY Parents