MINI A Gentle New Way to Care for Baby’s Skin The Best Strollers for Winter Travel
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GIFT GUIDE FULL OF BRIGHT HOLIDAY IDEAS
THE NOVO BUNCH
The design family takes us inside their new LA digs for a classic Christmas
HO LIDAY SPA RK L E
RADAR
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T H E L ARG EST S N OWF L AK E E VE R FO UN D WAS 1 5 I N CH ES WI D E AN D 8 I N C H ES T H I C K .
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT
Hansel From Basel come these adorable knee high socks in adorable prints like fish, flowers and even lion faces! These socks are the perfect complement to a holiday or winter ensemble— think under a fluffy skirt or sparkly dress! —hanselfrombasel.com
( THIS JUST IN )
COOL CRIB
The classic and contemporary styles of Kalon Studios will have you quickly dreaming of revamping every piece of furniture in your home— especially the nursery! The Caravan Crib is on the top of our list this holiday season with its mod design, high quality, natural materials and ability to convert into a platform-style toddler bed in later years! —kalonstudios.com
ON THE EDITOR’S LIST ◀
BANNOR TOYS
No more plastic or gel-filled teethers! The hand-crafted wooden goodness from Bannor Toys will open a whole new world. “I cannot wait to introduce these sweet little toys to my own Mini this coming year!” says Mini’s Editor in Chief Kate Kirby. —bannortoys.com
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘16
Introducing elegant Grey Melange. A classic, versatile neutral. StokkeÂŽ XploryÂŽ
stokke.com
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T H E M O ST S N OW E VE R R EC O R D E D I N I N C H ES I N S I LVE R L AK E , C O LO R AD O I N 1 9 2 1 .
H O L I D AY Visit Eloise at the Plaza Hotel in New York City for a Rawther Fancy Lunch with Santa on December 18 or Hanukkah with Eloise on the 22nd!
The colder temperatures still call for ice cream! Visit the new McConnell’s in Los Feliz for a scoop of Peppermint Stick or Egg Nog!
Catch one of the many local performances of The Nutcracker happening this month, like this one from the NYC Ballet! Check to see if your local zoo is putting on a Zoo Lights display this holiday season! This dazzling sight at the Los Angeles Zoo is not one to be missed!
ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
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LET’S SING IT, KIDS ▶
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘16
We can’t wait for the release of the highly-anticipated Sing movie! With celebs like Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon and Seth MacFarlane, this musical comedy will make your Minis laugh all season long!
The
Convertible Stroller
Bugaboo Donkey
Designed specifically to grow and flow with your family.
mini-magazine.com
Head to Mini for more interviews F E AT U R E S
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If you’re on Instagram, be sure to follow Mini! We’re sharing behind the scenes peeks at making the magazine, new kids products and collections, our #minisays series and much more! Find us on Instagram: @minimagazine or visit www.instagram.com/ minimagazine.
with parents around the world, style and more
LIVING
B A BY + K I D S
THE MAGAZINE
DO THESE 10 THINGS EVERY TIME YOU FLY WITH KIDS Don’t stress on your holiday trip! mini-magazine.com/ flying-with-kids-tips THE CHICEST WINTER COATS UNDER $200 Stay warm with one of these parkas! mini-magazine.com/ winter-coats-under-200 THE MOST COMFORTABLE PAJAMAS FOR PREGNANCY AND BEYOND You will live in these gems. mini-magazine. com/comfortable-pajamasrecliner
THE NEW BABY CHECKLIST EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO READ The list of gear you’ll actually use with your new Mini. mini-magazine.com/ baby-checklist
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21 | THE STYLE SPOT The best of snow boots, holiday ensembles and faux fur! 15 | MEET THE TEAM The team that makes all the Mini magic possible
28 | MOMMY CHIC It’s the style spot for our chic Mini moms
18 | EDITOR’S LIST
32 | TECH KIDS The latest
A carefully-curated list of Kate’s favorites this season
and greatest from the Mini tech sphere 34 | BOOK CLUB A stack of titles you’ll want to snuggle up and read this winter
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36 | INSIDER SCOOP The best way to winterize and warm up your stroller 38 | BEBE ALL DAY A chic and natural new way to care for baby’s skin from the mom behind Chantecaille 44 | ON THE SCENE Mini
introduces you to the best strollers for all of your holiday travel
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THE CHIL DR EN ’ S CO L LECTIO N 699
m a d i s o n a v en u e, n ew y or k
(212) 838-3775
s a k s f i f t h a v e n u e , nin th f l oor , n ew y or k w ww. mr sstr on g . c om
(212) 940-4463
contents
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84 | LINGUA FRANCA Mom of two Rachelle Hruska has a highly-coveted new line of embroidered cashmere sweaters
44 | HOLIDAY VISION The
Novogratz family shares their California Christmas
58 | WORLD CLASS La Co-
queta founder Celia Munoz opens up her holidaydecked home
68 | FLOWER FAMILY The
FLOWERBX co-founder talks chasing her floral dreams after a career in fashion 76 | WOLFUM WELCOME Textile designer Annabel Inganni on balancing career and motherhood
92 | POP QUIZ Kaftaninspired delivery gowns are the MO of this San Francisco mom raising a bilingual family
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100 | CELEBRATE EVERYTHING Darcy Miller on crafting, parties and holiday traditions 108 | GIFT GUIDE
111 | FOR DAD The coolest
Mini’s favorite gifts of the season for everyone on your list, from Mom to Mini
new tech gadgets, a dapper watch, cocktail carry-on and more
109 | FOR MOM From mules
112 | BABY AND KIDS An ice
to magazines to cookbooks and moses baskets, you’ll want it all
cream truck tent, a cuddly romper, there are no limits for your Minis this year!
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hatchcollection.com
Founder and Editor in Chief K aitlyn K irby Cover Photo grapher and A r t D irec tor K imberly G enevieve A r t D irec tor and Prop St ylist Alex M ichael M ay Editorial Team Editorial Pro duc tion A ssistant M ichael B enters Contributing Photo grapher Bridget B adore Contributing Photo grapher S abrina B ot Contributing Photo grapher Lindsay Brown Contributing Photo grapher I nna Kostukovsk y Contributing Photo grapher I v y R eynolds
M ini O ffices M ini M agazine Email | hello@mini-magazine.com Web | w w w.mini-magazine.com M ini M agazine is a digital lifest yle publication for the moder n parent available online at w w w.mini-magazine.com. All r ights reser ved. No par t of this publication may be reproduced, distr ibuted, or transmitted in any for m or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other elec tronic methods, without the pr ior wr itten per mission of the publisher, except in the case of br ief quotations embodied in digital and pr int reviews. Copyr ight Š 2016 M ini M agazine.
MINI
EDITOR‘S LETTER
DAY IN THE LIFE: Find me on Instagram @ minimagkate for more adventures behind the scenes at Mini.
BABY STEPS: (From top) Baby’s first Marie-Chantal goodies for my little Mini arriving shortly and a few newborn essentials: Natursutten pacifier and glass bottle, Buttermilk Babies swaddles, Zoli nail trimmer, Solly Baby wrap and Nook Sleep change pad.
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I cannot believe how quickly the holidays sneak up on us every year! I started playing Christmas music on November 1, but I still feel like the last few weeks of prepping and decorating and shopping have been a whirlwind of chaos. Not to mention, we’ve been working hard on putting together this beautiful holiday issue and marveling over the fact that this is our sixth year making Mini! Yes, count ‘em: one, two, three, four, five, SIX holiday issues we’ve produced since the idea of creating a parenting magazine popped into my head in 2011. And this year’s anniversary issue is no less amazing than those we’ve released in the past! We are so thrilled to include powerhouse parents like Darcy Miller, Rachelle Hruska, and the Novogratz family (who are so brilliantly gracing our cover!) on these pages— each one opening up their home to share a little slice of their everyday! So here’s to a magical holiday season that lingers just a little longer! Enjoy!
Kaitlyn Kirby
Founder and Editor in Chief
kate@mini-magazine.com
Plenty of things keep you up at night. Shopping for your kids shouldn’t be one of them.
Our Stores
landofnod.com 800.933.9904
Chicago, IL North & Clybourn 312.475.9903 Northbrook, IL Northbrook Court 847.291.9902 Oak Brook, IL Oakbrook Center 630.368.9990
MINI
EDITOR’S LIST ◀ CABLE KNIT SWEATER
I have been living in this cable knit tunic! It’s so cozy and the perfect shade of winter white! —gap.com
◀
SO MANY STRIPES
I have a feeling my Mini on the way is going to own all of the stripes, like this Petit Bateau jumper! —nineinthemirror.com
◀ HILL HOUSE HOME
◀
These monogrammed pillows are my favorite for a personalized gift— or for yourself ! —hillhousehome.com BOHO BOOK
Our cover family’s new book is a must-have for your coffee table and the holiday season! —shopthenovogratz. com
◀ I’M SO SLEEPI
I love the modern shape and style of the Stokke Sleepi Crib— plus it converts into a toddler bed! —stokke.com
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WWW. NI NE I NTH E M I R R O R . CO M 3.1 PHILLIP LI M • A LE X A NDE R WA NG • M A R NI • M I SSO NI • VA LE NTI NO • A ND M A NY MOR E
MAKE PLAY PERSONAL
Pinhole Press helps you share your special moments through photos. Create custom memory games, books, puzzles and flash cards for your family and let the fun begin!
“Pinhole Press has always stood apart for their unique ideas and beautiful designs.�
ST YLE SPOT day fetes these boots
Glitzy and glam ensembles for all of this year’s holi-
ST YLE SPOT ST YLE SPOT
snowy days ahead
Keep this chill off your Mini’s toes with Faux fur and cable knits for those cold,
MOMMY CHIC
Mini’s latest Mommy Must-
PHOTO: KIMBERLY GENEVIEVE
Haves, like baby bags, workout gear and more!
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘16
MINI
STYLE SPOT
HOLI-DAZZLE
Holiday ensembles deserve a dash of glitz and glam! Why not dress your Minis in these festive frocks this year?
ALL THAT GLITTERS
These tiny, sparkling kicks will jazz up your holiday season! Above: $17; Carter’s; Below: $55; Mini Melissa
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SHIMMER, GIRL
BLUSHING BABE
This Kate Spade dress has all of the shimmer you need. bloomingdales.com
Nothing says holiday like a soft shade of velvet. mariechantal.com.
PUT A BOW ON IT
TWIRL-A-PALOOZA
This bow dress is idyllic for all of your holiday gatherings. neimanmarcus.com.
This jacquard dress will keep your Mini twirling for hours. bloomingdales.com.
COZY TOES
Tis the season for cold temperatures, snowstorms and icicles— But that doesn’t mean your toes should be chilly too!
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1. CUDDLY SOFT
3. ANIMAL STYLE
5. SLEEK AND SHINY
$75; Sorel Faux Fur Snow Boots, saksfifthavenue.com
$205; Stella McCartney Leopard Boots, luisaviaroma. com
$35; Coed Snow Plow Boots, landsend.com
2. TUNDRA TWEED
4. QUACK QUACK
6. THINK SPRING
$79; Boys Brown Glacier Snow Boots, landsend.com
$64.95; Sperry Big Kid Saltwater Duck Boot, nordstrom.com
$189; Dolce & Gabbana Tulip Print Snow Boots, melijoe.com M I N I h o l i d a y ‘16
P L U S H PA L O O Z A
Winter is the season for faux fur and the chunkiest knits. Here we’ve pulled the best of both for your Mini wardrobe.
WARM ME UP
Furry ears and cozy sweaters are the best Mini match. Above: $17; Mini Boden Mr. Fox Beanie with Faux Fur Ears; nordstrom.com; Below: $34.95; Aran Cable Knit Sweater; gap.com
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SNOW QUEEN
A winter white vest to last your littles all season long. $20; gymboree.com
POSH PINK
These furry mittens pair perfectly with the coat below. $19; nordstrom.com.
BABY, IT’S COLD
CLOUD NINE
A fur jumpsuit to keep your Minis bundled in the cold. $98; smallable.com.
This dusty pink faux fur coat is every little girl’s dream. $135; melijoe.com.
MINI
MOMMY CHIC
RIGHT NOW WE’RE LOVING
The Libby pajamas (from $128) by Hill House Home are what every mom, both new and seasoned, deserves for the holidays. Made from a crisp, white cotton sateen with navy grosgrain piping, these beauties will give her the gift of blissful sleep this year. —hillhousehome.com
THE IT BAG
JOSEFINA Finding a diaper bag that looks chic enough to carry from day to night is a common new mom dilemma. And with the thousands of bags on the market, the search can get rather overwhelming. Well, look no more! We’re declaring the new it bags can be found with our friends at Josefina. Available in two sizes and three chic colors, there’s no need to look anywhere else for the bag you’ll want to use even pre-baby! —josefina.fr
MINI MUST-HAVE
“ If you’re struggling with pesky postpartum
dry skin, the Goop skincare products like the Enriching Face Oil and Luminous Melting Cleanser will quickly become your BFF,” says Mini’s Editor in Chief Kate Kirby. —shop.goop.com.
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MINI
MOMMY CHIC RIGHT NOW WE’RE LOVING
It’s time to those lipsticks shades darker, mamas! The lipsticks ($30) from Nu Evoltion like Fiesty and Sultry create enchanting stains that you’ll want to rock to every holiday fete. —nuevolutioncosmetics.com
MEET HATCH X
BANDIER Let’s face it, finding the right workout gear during pregnancy can be a serious challenge. Your changing shape will prompt you to invest in a few key pieces that can keep you in your fitness routine as long as possible. So where do you turn? The recent HATCH x BANDIER collab is the answer, with everything from sports bras to cropped and full length leggings to flowy tanks. —hatchcollection.com
RIGHT NOW WE’RE LOVING
The oh-so-comfortable Caftan from our friends at Storq that you will reach for both during your pregnancy and after birth. Easily unbutton the front for nursing, then just close up a button or two and throw on the belt when you’re ready to head out and about. —storq.com
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘16
TECH KIDS
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T H E NUM B E R O F M I NU T ES , R AN G I N G TO 6 0, I N E ACH I N FAN T S L E E P CYCL E .
MINI MUST-BUY
OWLET CARE Every new parent is guilty of waking multiple times per night just to check that their little one is still breathing. Enter your peace of mind. Owlet monitors your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels while they sleep with its revolutionary wireless Smart Sock. This, Mini parents, is the only monitor that uses hospital technology to alert you via smartphone if your baby stops breathing or if his heart rate is too high or too low. What more could a new parent want? —owletcare.com
RIGHT NOW IN TECH KIDS
Did you know there is a subscription box that can teach your kids to code? Bitsbox provides a package each month with dozens of coding projects, ranging from simple to more advanced. Kids then choose which app they want to build, type the app into the website and begin to change it to make it their own. When it’s all said and done, the Bitsbox apps can be used and shared on any mobile device! —bitsbox.com
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B O OK C LU B
Cold, snowy days call for a stack of imaginative books! Our current Mini mustreads will keep your Mini page turners entertained all day (and night!) long.
FOR HOLIDAYS
THE BIGGEST, SMALLEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT
FOR SNOW DAYS
EDITOR’S PICK
BUNNY SLOPES
by Claudia Rueda Tackle the slopes by tilting, shaking and turning bunny to escape obstacles! FOR BEDTIME
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BEDTIME FOR YETI
by Vin Vogel
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘16
FOR PICTURES
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
by Britta Teckentrup Watch as twelve days of gifts appear through clever peek-through holes on each page in this captivating classic!
DREAM SNOW
by Eric Carle Carle’s classic Christmas tale is now available in a board book size!
by Harriet Muncaster Follow Clementine this Christmas, a teeny girl living with her average-sized family!
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INSIDER SCOOP
T H I S YE AR I N WH I CH A S CI E N T I ST FO UN D T WO I D E N T I CAL S N OWF L AK ES .
SNOW BIG DEAL
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your winter strolling with baby has to stop! Our friends at Stokke are making the winterization of your gear easy with this kit featuring a sheepskin canopy rim, handmuff, insulated fabric and storm cover safeguards! PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF STOKKE
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Discover
The all-new, all-terrain Bugaboo Buffalo
B E B E A L L D AY
When pregnant with her first child, daughter Delphina, Olivia Chantecaille was given a wake-up call about clean beauty products. Fast forward just three years and the beauty maven mama has launched a gentle, non-toxic kids line, Chantecaille Bébé. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CHANTECAILLE
Chantecaille Bébé just hit the shelves with packaging as beautiful as the contents inside and a new way to care for your baby. The must-have products are an entirely pure, plant-based line of COSMOS certified organic skincare and bath care products mothers will covet— and perhaps even use themselves. “As a new parent, I was nervous about making mistakes. I wanted products
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that I trusted implicitly— pure, high-quality, safe formulas that were created with integrity,” says Chantecaille. “So I made them!” The calming, soothing organic Chantecaille Bébé line currently features the Wild Moss Rose Body Lotion, Flower Petal Hair and Body Wash, and Orange Blossom Face Cream. This is one slice of baby luxury you need to get your hands on. —chantecaille.com
GO AHEAD, FLAUNT YOUR BUMP. LET THE BELLABAND HOLD YOUR PANTS UP.
mid pregnancy Wear pulled up or folded over to hold up and smooth out too-loose maternity wear
late pregnancy Use folded over once or twice to hold up your pants when your belly pushes them down
post partum Helps the transition with tooloose maternity pants or too-tight pre-pregnancy jeans
e a r ly p r e g n a n c y Wear folded over to hold up unbuttoned pre-pregnancy jeans
I ngr i dandI sabel . c o m Š 2012 Ingrid & Isabel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
ON THE SCENE
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4 .3 I S T H E NUM B E R O F BAB I ES I N T H E WO R L D B O R N E VE RY S EC O N D.
THE AACE
The Nuna® AACE™ is a streamlined, customizable booster seat that grows comfortably with your child and even converts to a no back booster! PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NUNA
EASY CLEAN
Washable knit fabric creates a comfy climate for even the longest of trips.
GROWING UP
The one-hand, 9 position height adjustable headrest grows with you!
GROWING OUT
BACK-B-GONE
The shoulder system works alongside the headrest, growing out while you continue to grow up!
AACE™ converts from a high back to a no back booster in a snap!
GROWING ON SAFETY FIRST
Energy absorbing foam and SIP pods take side impact security to the next level!
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The seat sports 3 depths, giving growing legs plenty of support and space!
relax, parenthood just got 3x easier
Good news: now there’s Nuna for every age. Our well-loved PIPA infant seat, new RAVA convertible, and new AACE booster are sleek, simple and exceed American safety standards. So you can relax and enjoy every magical, messy, covered-with-crumbs moment. Take a test ride at nuna.eu
THE IGO
With its sleek design and incredible versatility, the Mutsy Igo can be folded quickly and compactly for easy travel, while also ideal for every day strolls. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MUTSY EASY FOLD
IGO folds ultra quickly and compactly, plus it’s lightweight at only 19 pounds!
EFFORTLESS
Push bar triggers are light to operate for effortless foldingup.
ROCKY ROAD
Suspension in frame and front wheels guarantee child comfort on rough surfaces.
MULTI-USE
Adjusts to multiple positions, including a flat, ergonomically correct sleeping position.
ANTI WHEEL LIFT
Front wheel suspension ensures that the front wheels stay on the ground when turning.
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photographer and art director K I M B E R L Y G E N E V I E V E
holiday vision
The Novogratz name has become synonymous with bold, fresh, funky design. Now with the holidays here, the New York transplants open their Los Angeles home to show Mini their visions of festive grandeur.
art director and prop stylist A L E X M I C H A E L M A Y cookies L I T T L E S P A R K S C O O K I E S
Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place! How would you describe your home— the design, the feel?
MINI |
Castle casual chic. It’s a Hollywood castle built in the 1920s that had been neglected for many years. Robert and I found it needing some TLC, which is exactly the type of home [we] love renovating. It was a seven bedroom house and we brought it down to a four bedroom house with really big rooms that we could all gather together in. We kept the wacky turrets and the original staircase and tried not to be purists. We wanted to honor the old but make it more loft-like and accommodating for how we live today.
CORTNEY NOVOGRATZ |
We design many boutique hotels and we always try to create a boutique experience as we’re known to rent our houses through places like Airbnb from time to time and take that money to travel the world. We wanted to create a sense of boutique, but still have the house show who we are. A home should be a shared experience at the end of the day.
ROBERT NOVOGRATZ |
How did your kids get involved in the design of this home?
MINI |
The exciting thing for Robert and I is that they’re older now and most of them love design and decorating. Our daughters both took initiative when decorating their side of the room. We CORTNEY |
gave them a budget and one chose wallpaper and the other chose to start an art collection. Our son Five would visit the house a few times a week while it was under construction and saw a perfect spot to add a window with great Los Angeles views. They’re still asking for a zipline which may or may not happen. Do you have a favorite room in your home? Tell us why you love it.
MINI |
I love the outdoor dining area. That’s what makes Los Angeles so special— you can spend that time outside year-round. ROBERT |
How was this home renovation different from the others you’ve done?
MINI |
It was our first big scale project in Los Angeles where we had landscaping and earthquake precautions and rules, so that was interesting. The pleasant surprise was that there are so many gifted craftsman, masonries, bricklayers, [and] architects living in L.A. that we felt an abundance of riches and inspiration in such skilled people. CORTNEY |
My bedroom. We raised the ceilings and added a balcony that has incredible views of not only Los Angeles, but also the hundred-yearold eucalyptus trees outside of the window. It’s peaceful until the kids break the lock. CORTNEY |
The living area. I love watching Netflix with the kids and looking at the beautiful views of Los Angeles.
ROBERT |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?
MINI |
My favorite is the original front door with its little window. CORTNEY |
We put the most money towards the steel windows and the Schotten and Hansen floors. We felt they created an amazing canvas and then we designed everything around them. ROBERT |
Where do you spend the most time in your home?
MINI |
CORTNEY |
The kitchen, for obvious reasons.
You recently relocated from NYC to LA! What have been the biggest adjustments for your family?
MINI |
Walking less, no snow days when school is cancelled and no good New York pizza. CORTNEY |
ROBERT |
Meeting a lot of new friends and not living in an urban environment. Don’t believe anyone who says New York is a lot faster than LA!
What do you love most about now living in LA?
MINI |
All of the citrus, kumquat, and olive trees in our yard and all nine of us have actually gotten invited over to someone’s home— either they have the space for us or they’re braver than our friends in the past. In New York, we were rarely all invited to someone’s apartment at the same time.
catches things. I try to incorporate everything we see and love into our work and life.
CORTNEY |
The Hollywood Bowl, the flea markets, sitting in the bleachers at the Dodgers games, hikes in Runyon Canyon, and breakfast at Chateau Marmont. And the weather, of course!
It has definitely changed. We’ve raised the kids around a lot of interesting, artistic people and a lot of that rubbed off on us. Now as the kids get older, they’re keeping us relevant. ROBERT |
Let’s talk about the holidays! What are your holiday traditions?
MINI |
ROBERT |
What tips or tricks really helped you to manage such a big move with a big family?
MINI |
Jump in, don’t think too much. Use Uber. There are so many positives to a move: declutter, revisit memories [by] looking through old photos [and] books. Whether you want it or not, change is good and allows us to grow deeper and fuller. CORTNEY |
ROBERT |
My wife is Superwoman.
Do you think your style changed at all since becoming parents?
MINI |
I hope to just keep growing and mixing up my style. The more we travel, the more I’m exposed to and my eye CORTNEY |
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We’ve got a long list of traditions. We still take the kids to Santa every year, we all go together to get the Christmas tree, we go to church Christmas Eve, we just shot our 20th Christmas card, our daughter Tallulah reads The Night Before Christmas. You could say we get into the holiday spirit. ROBERT |
This year, we’ll be in the Berkshires with my sister, her daughter and good friends. We’ll ski, eat, drink, and watch a lot of movies sitting by the fire. CORTNEY |
What are some of your favorite ways to decorate for the holidays?
MINI |
This year we’re going to have two trees. One’s in our LA home—fun, frosted, and white—and then when we arrive in the Berkshires, we’ll cut down a real one. In both homes, we’ll have our peace wreath we created for CB2 hanging on the exterior with white lights. CORTNEY |
We’ve collected ornaments for 25 years, ever since we were dating, and a lot of those have dates on them. It’s fun to see those every year. ROBERT |
How do you manage to keep all of the plates spinning?
MINI |
We divide and conquer and lean on each other, [but] we definitely drop the ball from time to time. CORTNEY |
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When you’re crazy enough to have seven kids, you have no choice. Keep them spinning or clean up the mess. ROBERT |
On the flip side, what surprised you most about parenthood?
MINI |
Some people have kids and keep doing what they love and some people totally change their lives to live for their kids. Robert and I have enough sense to know that they’re going to leave us one day. CORTNEY |
How is your business different now that your kids are getting older?
MINI |
They give us tons of ideas. For example, we were designing an app (gratzidesign.com) to help people combine their styles and our teens were helpful in saying to keep the experience simple like a dating app. It’s a quick, fun quiz to find your inner style. CORTNEY |
The kids are having more say and input in the business, yet the business is really still Cortney, me and our employees. ROBERT |
I never say what I know, I say what I’ve learned and I’m learning every day. One thing my parents taught me is to change with the times, grow with the kids, and stay young. I think kids keep you young. ROBERT |
If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?
MINI |
CORTNEY |
What is most important to you in raising your kids?
Hustle hard and be humble.
MINI |
Try to be in the present. Give them confidence to pursue whatever dreams they have to their fullest. CORTNEY |
We want our kids to be happy, successful, self-reliant, and nice. ROBERT |
What is your greatest joy of parenthood?
MINI |
There’s a lot of humor in our lives, which brings us so much joy. Robert and I would rather be at home and be entertained by our children than attend any fancy gala. CORTNEY |
We both understand life goes really fast and we cherish every moment. ROBERT |
Don’t take your successes or your failures so seriously. ROBERT |
FIND THEM INSTAGRAM @thenovogratz FACEBOOK Facebook.com/novogratz WEBSITE www.thenovogratz.com SHOP www.shopthenovogratz.com
world class
photography by I N N A
KOSTUKOVSKY
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Founder and creative director of London based Spanish children’s clothing boutique La Coqueta, mother of five Celia Munoz invites us into her sun-drenched home bursting at the seams with charm and character.
for work and family any time of the day. I work from 9 to 4 every day so that I can wake my children, have breakfast with them and take them to school and after they come back home, I am with them until they go to bed. I try to squeeze in a couple of hours of work in the evenings. Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place.
MINI |
My home is a literal meaning of the word, a portrait of the life my husband and I have created. Anywhere you look you will find an object that actually means something to us, whether it’s a wall full of our children’s artistic creations or a giant shell picked up in the sea in Belize. Every object displayed is cherished because it is part of our memories built as individuals and as a family. CELIA MUNOZ |
We are such big fans of La Coqueta! Tell us how the brand has evolved since it’s beginning.
MINI |
La Coqueta started in March 2013 with the opening of our shop in Hampstead. Two months later, we launched our online shop. I don’t have a fashion background, so the brand has changed quite a lot stylistically, influenced by my own style when I dress my children and the feedback given from my customers which is always so helpful. Our online operation has grown exponentially every year [and] more people get to wear our clothes all over the world. The La Coqueta team is no longer only me, but a very cool team of ten people who are highly motivated and talented. There’s never a dull moment! CELIA MUNOZ |
How do you manage to balance motherhood and your career?
MINI |
Through routine and careful planning of everything we do as a family. I am lucky because the shop [and head office] are located close to my home, so it is fairly easy to separate work and family [while] equally being available CELIA MUNOZ |
MINI |
Do you have a favorite room in your home? CELIA MU-
I love our living room where we spend most winter afternoon weekends. I have this image that NOZ |
I will cherish forever of very chaotic and noisy Saturdays [with] all of us sitting on a humongous white Moroccan rug listening to music and playing games. How about your kids spaces? What are some of your favorite elements in their rooms?
MINI |
We are very lucky to have several spaces for the children. We have turned a little green house in the garden into an arts and crafts space where [they] can get very messy and create anything they want. In the house, we have a playroom that doesn’t have too many toys, but is a space where we can all draw, tell stories [and] play LEGOs. Our children have their bedrooms but they spend little time in them as they generally all play together. CELIA MUNOZ |
Has your style changed since becoming a mom?
MINI |
My style has evolved a lot in the past ten years— thank God! I have always been quite classic in my style but I think since I work in fashion and design clothes I have become a lot more quirky. I don’t think motherhood has changed my style but my exposure to fashion has and I love it. I was never fashion conscious in my twenties or early thirties, in fact I never bought a fashion magazine before starting La Coqueta and now, I know them all by heart and I look forward to CELIA MUNOZ |
thinking about the clothes I am going to be wearing during the day. Where do you like to shop for yourself and your kids?
MINI |
For myself, I like Finery, Massimo Dutti for basics and I can’t hide that I love Matchesfashion.com. For my children, I only shop at La Coqueta apart from underwear and sportswear. CELIA MUNOZ |
Since this is our holiday issue, can you tell us a little bit about your holiday traditions?
MINI |
Our Christmas holiday traditions got richer since I married a Dutch man. We celebrate Christmas in Spain and the Netherlands. Rather than focusing on Father Christmas and the gifts he may bring, we find the spirit of the season is to enjoy gifting our loved ones. Our family tradition is to gift every member of the family with something we think is special to them. It takes around two months for us to do this (we have a very big family!) and it is the best time to see our children picking up stones in the park, making faces with them [and] thousands of personalized drawings. I remember Hugo stealing some of our biscuits from the kitchen cupboard, pretending he had actually baked them. CELIA MUNOZ |
I love gifting my husband beautifully made cufflinks that have a fun and original design. I love gifting accessories in general—shoes, handbags— and LEGOs are always a winner for our younger ones. It gets slightly more complicated as they grow up! CELIA MUNOZ |
On the flip side, what’s on your wish list? How about your kids?
MINI |
I love to be surprised [and] same for my children, however I know the older ones will be thrilled to get a grown up bicycle, dinosaurs figurines for my little Hugo and nice looking books with lots of imagery for Bosco. CELIA MUNOZ |
What is your greatest joy of motherhood?
MINI |
In Spain, it is a tradition to celebrate the arrival of the three kings on January 6th. Lots of Spanish children get their presents then, but we celebrate it the French way (to continue with my mother’s French tradition) with a French Galette des Rois. The youngest member of the family goes under the table at dessert time and blindly names people to get a piece of cake. The person who gets a porcelain figurine in their slice is the king or queen and gets to wear a crown our children have made and choose his respective queen or king. Our children adore this tradition which marks the end of the Christmas season. What are your favorite gifts to give for the holidays?
MINI |
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Watching my children grow into great individuals that are so different to my husband and I. It is so enriching to watch. CELIA MUNOZ |
What surprised you the most about motherhood?
MINI |
I have a huge list, but to name a few: sleepless nights when you just have a baby, ways of calming down a tantrummy toddler, the effort you need to keep cool and engaged when you haven’t slept, how quickly children learn, how logical children are at times and how flexible they can be. CELIA MUNOZ |
Looking back to your very first days as a mom, what advice would you give yourself?
MINI |
Do what you think is right and works for you even if that means it doesn’t for other people. Listen to advice, but in the end, you know what works for you and your family. CELIA MUNOZ |
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FA S T FA C T S IDEAL DATE NIGHT Friday night, candlelit dinner with my husband at home or a newly discovered restaurant in London. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Ed Sheeran and Joan Baez. SIGNATURE SCENT Yvresse from YSL, Tresor de Lancome and Insolence from Guerlain. BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Have to wake up so early! FAVORITE KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT La Collina in Primrose Hill. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Earl Grey with almond milk. LAST BOOK I READ I re-read De Profundis by Oscar Wilde. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Read a lot more. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Spinach, almond milk and cheese. I am a big cheese lover. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE E.T. It still makes me cry when I watch it. GUILTY PLEASURE Cheese, too much of it!
Family Photography London
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flower family After over a decade-long career in fashion working with TOM FORD, mother of three Whitney Bromberg Hawkings left to pursue a dream in the making— the opening of FLOWERBX, an online flower delivery service that sources the freshest blooms and sends them straight to your door. photography by
INNA KOSTUKOVSKY
Thank you for inviting us into your home! How would you describe the place?
MINI |
WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
As we have collected most of our furniture at the markets in France, there is a decided antique French feel, but we have tried to mix it up with different raw elements to keep it from feeling too old fashioned or stuffy. Do you have a favorite room in your home?
MINI |
The living room. It hasn’t changed since my husband and I were first married and luckily, we both still find it warm and elegant. We have many memories together with our friends in that room and any space is only as wonderful as its happy memories. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?
MINI |
I love the Coromandel screen that my husband and I found at the Puces in Paris and bought on the spot. I wanted one since I had first seen pictures of Coco Chanel’s apartment as a teenager while pouring through Vogue. We also have an elegant Jansen WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
desk that always makes me feel inspired when I sit down at it to work. Where do you spend the most time in your home?
MINI |
I spend most of my time at home around the kitchen table. It is where we share family meals, do homework, and all linger and laugh as a family. Or where my husband and I share a glass of wine at the end of a crazy day. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
How do you manage to keep your home stylish yet kid-friendly?
MINI |
We have never adjusted our décor for our children, but rather have raised them with beautiful things in hopes that they would learn to appreciate them. Of course, there have been a few mishaps, but in general, the boys have a great appreciation for precious things. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
On a career note, tell us how you and your cofounder decided to start FLOWERBX (flowerbx.com).
MINI |
Whilst working as the SVP of Communications at TOM FORD, my partner WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
Adam Wilkie and I noticed that most fashionable people we knew sent single-varietal blooms, not the old fashioned, mixed bouquets loaded with filler that one finds at other florists. I also knew, as a working mum, that buying and sending flowers was the one thing that one couldn’t do easily or chicly online. MINI |
Give us the rundown of a typical day.
my look must be versatile, simple and stylish. I can’t get enough Gucci loafers at the moment, which work comfortably with boyfriend jeans and a little TOM FORD blazer and can go easily from warehouse to showroom. Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
MINI |
No! I was never allowed to make style sacrifices for being a mom in my role at TOM FORD and my style still hasn’t changed during the work week. That said, I love my Vans and Vetements sweatshirts on the weekend. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
I get up at 6, breastfeed Wallis and then get ready for work. I only have a quarter of an hour before the boys wake up, so I must be efficient and have my outfit planned the night before. I head to the warehouse early, then usually have a handful of meetings in town at luxury clients like Dior, Bottega Veneta, TOM FORD. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
MINI |
Tell us about your skincare routine.
I don’t have time MINI | How would you describe your personal for an elaborate beauty regime. I wash my face style? with Cetaphil and use Cetaphil moisturizer, both recommended to me by a dermatologist when I was a teenager. My real indulgence is WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS | As my working day usually involves time at the warehouse and monthly facials and red light treatment with Sarah Chapman— a miracle worker! meetings in town with luxury fashion clients, WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
FA S T FA C T S IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Sleep more. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Beyonce’s Lemonade. ON MY NIGHTSTAND My friend Graham Norton’s book HOLDING. Can’t wait to dive in. LAST BOOK I READ The Goldfinch. Late to the party, but what a party! ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Coconut yogurt, flax, almond milk. FAVORITE RESTAURANT Riva in Barnes. BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Explode with love at watching someone sleep. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Matcha. SIGNATURE SCENT Fracas. IDEAL DATE NIGHT River Cafe.
How have you seen your career shift to accommodate motherhood?
MINI |
Where have you seen the biggest changes in your life since becoming a mom?
MINI |
Motherhood has expanded my heart in unfathomable ways. It has taught me what unconditional love is. It has been humbling and heartwarming to love three little people so much more than I love even myself.
Everyone assumes I resigned from TOM FORD after I had my third child to “take things easy.” On the contrary, I have never worked so hard in my life! WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
Finding time for my husband and for myself. My kids always come first. Work usually comes second. I am fortunate to have the most supportive and understanding husband as he is the one who usually suffers. I usually come last, but that is the nature of having small children and something I gladly signed up for. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
MINI |
Tell us how you chose your children’s names.
Barron was a name we had always loved for a little boy and the others were ones that had to fit in with Barron. Snowdon is named after the photographer, Lord Snowdon, and Wallis after Wallis Simpson, a woman who changed the course of history. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
We’re certain you have your pulse on the best locales in London! What are some of your favorite local shops?
MINI |
Rose Uniacke on Pimlico Road is the most beautiful furniture store in the world. I love the Alex Eagle store on Walton Street for chic, curated everything. Summerill and Bishop has the most divine homeware and Andreas, on Chelsea Green, has heavenly fruits and vegetables. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
What do you love most about raising your kids in London?
MINI |
I love that they have exposure to the most amazing culture, from the Natural History Museum (around the corner from our house) to West End Theatre and everything in between. That said, we have a cottage in the country, so they spend weekends outdoors, climbing trees and getting muddy, which is important too! WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
What was the biggest surprise of motherhood?
MINI |
How completely, totally, madly in love I am with my children. It takes my breath away constantly. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
What is your greatest joy of motherhood?
MINI |
The greatest joy is watching three little children develop completely different personalities and become their own little people. Every milestone is a triumph and an absolute joy to witness. WHITNEY BROMBERG HAWKINGS |
wolfum welcome
Founder of tabletop and home goods textile line Wolfum, mother of one (to daughter Birdie) Annabel Inganni opens the doors to her ‘70s mod home, lovingly nicknamed Peacock Ranch, and talks the struggles of balancing motherhood and career.
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photography by
IVY REYNOLDS
Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place.
MINI |
We recently moved into this house, after 13 years in our cozy home around the corner. This place is super 70’s with the wood paneling and all, which is pretty fun (we’ve nicknamed it Peacock Ranch because of the wild peacocks that roam the neighborhood). We were definitely drawn to the open rooms, hardwood floors and big backyard. The flow of the home works well for our family— we have dogs and cats and a six-yearold, so having everything be so open is a blessing when the gang gets going!
ANNABEL INGANNI |
Do you have a favorite room in your home? Tell us why you love it.
MINI |
The living room is wonderful! It is cozy and warm and with the open floor plan to the kitchen, it is very inviting. I know it’s Los Angeles, but I do adore the fireplace.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?
MINI |
Our old home has all built-in cabinetry and furniture by my husband (Brendan Sowersby of 100xbtr) so we had very little to bring with us to the new house. That posed a fun challenge, so pretty much everything in the home was designed by one of us or one of our friends here in LA. There is such a diverse and support-
ANNABEL INGANNI |
ive design community here and we are fortunate to have so much talent adorn the home. I cherish the portrait of my grandmother, Barbara Bird (for whom Birdie is named). I love mixing our vintage art pieces with the clean, contemporary furniture. MINI |
Where do you spend the most time?
We are very happy [in] the kitchen eating area. Birdie can draw or do school work while I cook dinner and it is causal for every day meals. We purposely did not put a TV in the living room, so it helps keep the focus on family time, conversation and creative play.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
Talk to us about your daughter’s room. What inspired you in creating her space?
MINI |
Birdie, like most sixyear-olds, is a very determined little person. She has a distinct taste, focusing mainly on crystals, dinosaurs and Matchbox cars. I didn’t want to push any particular style onto her, as I respect her individuality, so I went fairly neutral with matching black and ivory Wolfum curtains and play tent. The artwork is mostly vintage— a lot from my childhood. I love adding the classic element of whimsy to a child’s room, without it feeling babyish. Her space is her own and I want it to reflect her interests and needs.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
On a career note, tell us how you decided to start Wolfum.
MINI |
I worked in apparel design for ten years and was yearning for a change. I had kicked around the idea of doing table linens for about a year and when I started exploring printed wood in the shop with Brendan, we became excited over the prospect of this unique process. When I found out I was pregnant, I thought— now or never! I launched the collection at NY NOW when Birdie was eight months old.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
How is your personal style reflected in the brand?
MINI |
Most people who know me would say I am bold, outspoken and a bit eccentric. In that way, I think Wol-
ANNABEL INGANNI |
fum speaks with the same voice. The line is quite versatile— there are prints, colors and product for every type of person and I love that mix and match sensibility. My personal style fluctuates on a daily basis, but I try to always remain classic and true to myself. I design Wolfum in the same way— influenced by trends, but never straying from timeless style and functionality. Where can we find Wolfum pieces in your home?
MINI |
I am still working to add a few custom pieces of upholstered furniture and a headboard is in the works, but we love having a revolving arrangement of pillows and our serving trays have so many uses. We tend to bring new samples home to see how they live in the house before manufacturing them. It’s a great way to test the new pieces for both aesthetics and durability.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
Previous Page: SHELF, TABLE, CHAIRS 100xbtr OTTOMAN, DULCIMER Wolfum PLANT STAND Eric Trine Left: CHAIR 100xbtr TABLE Eric Trine
Opposite Page: SHELF 100xbtr BACKGAMMON Wolfum Spring 17 POT Group Partner TOTEM CANDLES Grain Next page: COFFEE TABLE 100xbtr RUG Wolfum x Burritt Bros ACCENT BOX, PILLOW Wolfum
Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
MINI |
Definitely. I had a newborn, a new business and had to get work done. Before I had Birdie, I loved thrift store shopping and vintage and dressing up. Not that I don’t enjoy those things now, but I work in a wood shop and have to get a kid to school on time, so most days it is all about function and speed. I still throw in some flair, of course, but it has to make sense in my daily life.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
MINI |
Where are your favorite places to shop?
work or alter for a more modern fit. Birdie likes a lot of boy’s style clothing, so Crewcuts offers great options and I adore Soor Ploom and Bobo Choses for fancier occasions. Where have you seen the biggest changes in your life since becoming a mom?
MINI |
I have had to learn to say no. Not just to my daughter, but work projects. I have to fiercely prioritize my time so that I can give Bird my attention and focus. It is challenging to set limits, but very rewarding.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
What surprised you most about motherhood?
MINI |
My basics have to be sturdy but still fashion forward so I stick with stores like Madewell for jeans and tees. For a night out, you can’t beat a dress from Warm NY. I still love my vintage and scour the flea markets and thrift stores for anything I can re-
ANNABEL INGANNI |
How hard it is. I grew up in a family of five kids and always assumed raising children was all fun and cooking wonderful meals [which was] how my mom made it
ANNABEL INGANNI |
to know the value of commitment and dedication. I am in a constant struggle to balance these things. feel. But there are so many idiosyncrasies, so many subtle shades we must navigate. I have to uncover layers upon layers of patience and trust that we, as parents, know what is best. Instinct is a strong and powerful guide that must be trusted, but is easily questioned. What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
It is a myth that anyone keeps all the plates spinning! In these days of social media, it is easy to convince people (and yourself) that everything is perfect. The truth is every day is a challenge for me. I have a million threads running through my brain and must force myself to be present so that the days have value and meaning. As a parent, the days are long, but the years are short, and one must realize that no matter how much there is to do, the thing your child will remember the most is the time you were present with them. On the flip side, it is important for your child to see mommy work,
ANNABEL INGANNI |
If you could give your daughter one piece of advice, what would it be?
MINI |
Please, Birdie, stay true to yourself. Believe in yourself. Never let the voices—real or imagined—make you feel any less then a powerful, strong, bold human being.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
What are your go-to gifts to give for the holidays?
MINI |
Our backgammon set is a wonderful go-to gift. It is fun, appropriate for all ages, easy to carry and a beautiful item to add to any home. I also order Wary Meyers soaps in multiples to give to everyone on my list. I adore them.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
MINI |
What’s on your wish list this year? Birdie’s?
I would love a pair of tan Gucci loafers, or maybe just a day to myself. Birdie always invents toys for her wish list. She tells me Santa is magic, so he can just make them! It is too sweet.
ANNABEL INGANNI |
FA S T FA C T S BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Be able to handle so much. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Skim milk, nothing else. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Exercise more. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Solange, A Seat at the Table. ON MY NIGHTSTAND Vintage light, lip balm and hand cream. LAST BOOK I READ Shrill by Lindy West. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Milk and champagne. IDEAL DATE NIGHT A long, leisurely dinner out. FAVORITE RESTAURANT Little Beast in Eagle Rock. SIGNATURE SCENT Bellodgia by Caron.
lingua franca
Already the co-founder and CEO of Guest of a Guest—a popular a site covering events, people, and places—Rachelle Hruska MacPherson is branching out yet again with passion project Lingua Franca, a collection of embroidered textiles featuring hip-hop lyrics like “I Miss Biggie” and “Original Gangsta.” photography by
L I N D S AY B R O W N
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MINI |
Thank you for inviting us into your home! How would you describe the place— the design, the feel?
MINI |
My home was recently described as a retro Moroccan-Americana-English countryside–styled living space which is probably a better description than anything I could come up with! I like living in a space that is beautiful and interesting but not fussy.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
Let’s talk creating a kid-friendly environment without sacrificing style! How did you do it?
MINI |
Since the beginning, we have treated our children as extensions of us. We have tried to make it so that they are the ones that adapt to our world, not the other way around. This goes for traveling around the world and just going down the street to the Whitney. That being said, we gave them the first floor of our home to make theirs and we try to keep at least the more aesthetically challenged toys to that level.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?
[My husband] Sean is really good at discovering the most unique finds. Our bookshelves in the living room are from an old apothecary store in Paris where medicines were stored. Our kitchen island was from an old French fashion store. It was used centuries ago to store and display clothes, and our kitchen table is an old medieval door that he fitted legs onto. It’s thousands of years old! The curves and holes are all still on it, requiring incredible skill at dinner time (and countless glasses of spilled milk and wine!). I love how so many of the pieces of our home have these incredible back stories. And, our home itself used to be an old NYC butcher shop. Talk to us about your sons’ rooms. What inspired you in creating their spaces?
MINI |
I’ve always loved the Scalamandre zebra wallpaper since seeing it on the Royal Tenenbaums. Sean actually used it in the bathrooms at the Waverly Inn as an homage to its original home: Gino’s restaurant in New York. Our shared love for the zebra print seemed a perfect fit for the boys’ baby rooms and something they could grow into. It sort of set the mood for the rest of the space.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
Do you have a favorite room in your home? Tell us why you love it.
MINI |
I love all of the rooms in our home, which were beautifully designed by my husband, but our living room is probably the room I love the most. When I sit on our couch, surrounded by my piano, our art, a grand hearth and our books, I just feel at home.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
What are your favorite elements in their rooms?
MINI |
We hung some of our favorite Peter Beard photos on the wall and each one tells a different story. Peter is a good friend (Sean and I got married at his house in Montauk— the same place artists like the Rolling Stones and Warhol used to hang). The summer after Dash was born, I was dealing with some terrible postpartum anxiety. Peter and his wife Nejma took me under their wings. I spent an afternoon there and Peter let me help personalize Sean’s painting that year: the “Rhino” of Montauk. I will never ever forget it. It’s now hanging in their shared hallway along with two other Peter Beards and a print of Ed Rucsha’s “Brave Men Run In My Family” ship.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
On a career note, tell us how Lingua Franca came to be.
MINI |
Lingua Franca came totally unexpectedly. I learned how to sew and embroider from my Grandma when I was in sixth grade and started picking up the hobby again this winter on my own sweaters (as a stress [and] anxiety reliever). I posted a few to Instagram and I had dozens of friends start asking for them. T Magazine and Vogue wrote about my hobby and Fivestory and the Line picked us up (we were still embroidering on vintage sweaters) and from there, it just snowballed! Net-a-Porter and others were leaving me DM’s on Instagram about buying large quantities, which is when I decided to start learning a lot about the cashmere biz.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
Where do you find inspiration for your products?
MINI |
I’ve had a lot of fun coming up with hip-hop inspired phrases with my
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
During the day, I opt for comfort. I’m usually in high-waisted mom jeans and a soft botton-down or a cashmere sweater. When I go out, I like to play around. I love adding fun elements like Lisa Eisner jewelry or one statement piece (Gucci fur loafers) to an otherwise ordinary outfit.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
friends and Sean (who got his start opening hip-hop clubs in the early ‘90s in LA). Lately, current events and politics have inspired me. I love giving a voice to causes and opinions that are important to me. As for the sweaters themselves, I have always had an obsession with cashmere sweaters. My husband is a MacPherson and his family practically lives in cashmere yearround. His mom, Janet, is my muse for the brand. She is the oldest woman surfer still surfing (!) and she tells amazing tales of surfing in the ‘50s in old Pringles cashmere sweaters. The wet suit wasn’t invented yet. This spring, I’m excited because we will be launching a new batch of sweaters based on our favorite old vintage finds. We copied the style, fit and colors of my favorite old Pringles cashmeres. How would you describe your personal style?
MINI |
Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
MINI |
I think my style has changed a lot over the last five years. As I’ve become more confident in myself, I’m more comfortable taking fashion risks and genuinely having fun. I usually don’t pay attention to trends. My favorite place to shop is 1stdibs.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
MINI |
What does a typical day look like for you?
I get up with my kids around 7 for breakfast. Sean usually does school drop-off. Every day at work is completely different, but I’m very lucky because my office is one block from my home and my son’s school is a five minute walk. I basically never leave my little village. At night, I’m always on bedtime duty. I do books and massages on my sons with one caveat: they have to talk to me while I’m massaging or I stop. I never would get anything out of them about their days and now they won’t stop talking.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
my capabilities. I became a better friend to myself, had a renewed since of spirituality and purpose. Let’s talk motherhood! Where have you seen the biggest changes in your life since becoming a mom
MINI |
Everything changed when I became a mom. I went from black and white into color. It is crazy cool how natural the transition is. One day you are just going about your life and the next day you wake up and are responsible for two incredible little people. I am the same woman, but so much more dynamic now. It’s hard to put into words, but I think there’s a giant transformation that one undergoes when they are given this enormous responsibility of having another human being rely on them completely. Also, just getting through the whole experience of pregnancy, labor and the aftermath and breastfeeding and the whole thing? It left me with a greater respect for myself and
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
Time management. Every day is a battle in my head of where to spend my minutes. At the end of the day, you just get through doing the best you can.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
MINI |
What surprised you most about motherhood?
I knew I would love my kids, but I didn’t quite understand what that would look like. Like, I don’t think twice about staying up all night with a child throwing up all over me. In the middle of these messy weird experiences, I feel grateful that I have someone to love so much that I enjoy cleaning up their puke.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
What do you love most about raising your kids in NYC?
MINI |
Everything. New York is just the coolest. I feel like I’m re-experiencing the city through their eyes on a daily basis. The schools here, the families, everything is so incredibly engaging. I really think it’s the best place in the world to raise a child.
RACHELLE HRUSKA |
What is most important to you in raising your sons?
MINI |
I want my sons to be kind. And I want them to be happy. RACHELLE HRUSKA |
FA S T FA C T S SIGNATURE SCENT Chanel 1932. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO The Hamilton soundtrack and the Hamilton remix. ON MY NIGHTSTAND Vanity Fair, Vogue and Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Marie Rilke. BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Go to the bathroom in front of boys. FAVORITE KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT Gemma. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Black, hot. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Early dinner followed by the theater and a nightcap. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Grove Drugs. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Sancerre. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Mary Poppins and Home Alone. FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION Midnight mass. ON MY WISHLIST Obama for four more years.
pop quiz Founder of James Fox Co, the brilliant purveyor of kaftan inspired delivery gowns, Karla Quiz invites us inside her bright and airy San Francisco abode and shares on juggling life with daughters France and Fair— plus what it’s like to raise a bilingual family. photography by SABRINA BOT
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Thank you for inviting us over! How would you describe your home— the design, the feel?
MINI |
I would say, bohemian and chic. If my home were a girl, she would be quirky, feminine, neat and have a love for life and travel. We purchased our house less than a year ago and it’s exciting to see all that we have accomplished. We still have some space to fill, but I don’t mind that at all. It was a house and now it’s a home.
KARLA QUIZ |
Let’s talk creating a kid-friendly environment without sacrificing style! How did you do it?
MINI |
After my second daughter, my mom suggested that I turn part of the garage into a playroom. It was the best idea! It’s a space where we can make crafts and play. Most of the toys remain in the garage and the relaxing stuff happens in the house. We do puzzles on the dining table and book reading [and] iPad watching on the sofa. It’s a win win for all of us! I limit them to one basket of toys in the house [and] we switch them out as many times as they want. I like having breakables in the house because my girls don’t even think twice about playing with them. I never baby-proofed my house and I’m happy with those results. The kids travel with us and they adjust easily to all environments. I wanted them to be welcomed in any home and make it a stress-free time.
KARLA QUIZ |
Talk to us about your kids’ room. What inspired you in creating their spaces?
MINI |
The bold color of the wallpaper reminds me of France, but the soft design is sweet just like Fair. The room is not too busy and the furniture is all white. I chose furniture that they could grow into. As Fair has gotten bigger, and France has too, I’m thinking of fresh and simple ways for it to reflect who they are becoming. My inspiration is typically found in small objects, like a French doll I found in a shop in Berkeley.
KARLA QUIZ |
Do you have a favorite room in your home? Tell us why you love it.
MINI |
It was the kitchen before the holidays, but the family room has taken the cake currently. It’s pretty tough to beat the Christmas tree, fireplace, fuzzy pillows and comfy throw.
KARLA QUIZ |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?
MINI |
On a career note, tell us about how James Fox Co came to be.
MINI |
It was out of my own personal experience at the hospital that gave me the vision and desire to launch James Fox Co. My girls are the mother’s behind this very company. I’m happy to offer moms an alternative to those itchy, reused hospital gowns.
KARLA QUIZ |
Items we have brought home from our travels. On our coffee table, we have a ceramic bowl filled with seashells that Jason found while snorkeling in Mexico. We got engaged and married there too, so they are a sweet reminder to me daily. Also, the Moroccan rug I brought home from my trip to Istanbul with my parents. I love being able to tell a story about certain items in our home.
KARLA QUIZ |
Can you give us the rundown of a typical day as the founder of James Fox Co?
MINI |
I’m in the office two to three days a week, but I do a lot of my business on my phone. I couldn’t
KARLA QUIZ |
operate James Fox Co without my partnerhusband Jason. We have weekly meetings and he helps me prioritize for the week. I’m managing our household and taking care of our girls. My brain is in so many places at once!
girls to give them one-on-one time with me. No matter what, it’s hard to not let mom guilt take over but I do my very best!
How would you describe your personal style?
KARLA QUIZ |
MINI |
My clothing is more simple and relaxed, but I love to add a chic twist with my shoes. It adds a perfect pop to any outfit! I never wore sneakers in my 20s unless I was headed to the mountains, but time and motherhood have changed me. I love my rose gold metallic sneakers with a black dress for being on the go. Now that combo is what I call winning.
KARLA QUIZ |
Tell us how you chose your kids’ names.
MINI |
My dad actually named both of our girls and my husband and I gave them their middle name. France’s birth name is Francesca and I nicknamed her France. Fair is short for Fernanda which is my middle name. In Spanish, they nickname Fernanda’s “Fer,” so that sounds like Fair in English to me. James is a name we have always loved. It has a great meaning behind it and we thought it flowed nicely with Fernanda. What is most important to you in raising your kids?
MINI | MINI |
How has motherhood changed you?
I think of them first. I have a more meaningful purpose to everything I do. It’s beautiful and messy. I also wouldn’t change a thing. No matter how our day goes, I always go to sleep feeling so blessed and thankful. Everyday I love them more.
KARLA QUIZ |
What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
It’s learning to be OK with what hasn’t been accomplished. It’s understanding that tomorrow is a new day, and you have to give yourself grace. I like to spin so many plates at once and I realized that if one area of my life is thriving, something else was not. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. Also, mom guilt is a beast. I try and do special dates with my
KARLA QUIZ |
I want my girls to love. I want them to see the beauty in everyone and I want them to know their value.
KARLA QUIZ |
FA S T FA C T S BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Love sneakers so much. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Almond milk latte. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Do yoga every morning. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Solange and Christmas music. ON MY NIGHTSTAND My reading glasses and flowers. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Beauty and the Beast. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Coconut water, avocado, eggs and brown rice. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Sushi and a movie in bed. SIGNATURE SCENT Jo Malone: Mimosa & Cardamom. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Atomic Garden.
MINI |
You are raising a bilingual family! Tell us about that.
they know is right, regardless of what anyone says.
Yes! At home, I speak to the girls in Spanish and when dad comes home, I speak in Spanglish. Thankfully, my family lives so close that the girls get to hear it being spoken a lot. Any shows that they enjoy to watch, I try and have them listen to it in Spanish. It’s not always easy, but I really want them to be bilingual and they sound so cute speaking Spanish. I know it will be something they will be grateful for in the future.
MINI |
KARLA QUIZ |
MINI |
fear?
What is your greatest parenting worry or
That they would let fear dictate what they accomplish or who they become. I want them to make their dreams a reality, with hard work and love for whatever it is they are striving for. I want them to be doers of what
KARLA QUIZ |
What is your greatest motherhood joy?
Seeing them live! They are happy, funny, strong, fearless and compassionate. The hugs I get from them are priceless [and] the joy I get from seeing them grow and how much they love each other and us is pretty amazing.
KARLA QUIZ |
What’s on your holiday wish list this year? How about your kids?
MINI |
I had Freda Salvador boots on my list and thank goodness Santa came early for me this year. The girls are currently obsessing over anything American Girl doll. We bought France her first doll last year in New York and she is dreaming about matching pjs. Fair really just wants anything her sister is currently playing with.
KARLA QUIZ |
As a crafter, party expert, illustrator, memory keeper, wife and mother to three girls, Darcy Miller—Editor at Large at Martha Stewart Weddings—is the definition of Renaissance woman with a knack for celebrations. We met the Celebrate Everything author in her craft room to talk what makes a great party tick.
celebrate everything photography by B R I D G E T B A D O R E
You’ve been crafting for years, but now your girls are old enough to join in the fun! What are your favorite things to make together?
MINI |
Thank you for inviting us over! We know schedules can be hectic— so tell us about yours! What does a typical day look like right now?
MINI |
Not sure there is ever a typical day— but it starts early, ends later than I’d like and there’s a lot in between! If I try to squeeze in a workout, I’m up at 5:30 AM, so I can get my kids to school at 6:30 AM. My days vary but a lot of my time involves meetings, crafting, drawing (whether it’s for my book or for a birthday card), Martha Stewart Weddings’ Facebook Lives, promoting my book, and my favorite part: ending the day with my three kids and putting them to sleep, which means bedtime (including a game of backgammon or two). At the very end of the day, my husband and I will have dinner together and I will catch up on emails (or try at least).
DARCY MILLER |
We are usually making something for some celebration— whether it’s holiday decorations, birthday party décor, or gifts we make for people we love. We do a lot of drawing in our house, which are gifts onto themselves. I also love using their artwork to make gifts for family members. There are so many great sites to which you can send artwork to be made into anything from cuff links, to an embroidered handkerchief to a tote bag or even a Rubiks cube.
DARCY MILLER |
You’ve just released a new book, Celebrate Everything, which has gathered a lot of buzz! Tell us what we can find inside the book.
MINI |
It’s really packed with everything you need to know to, well, celebrate everything! The book was designed to be a step-by-step guide to crafting fun, creative and memorable celebrations in life. As a mom, there are so many things to celebrate every day—not just the birthdays, but the fun little moments in life that often pass us by without so much as a photo to celebrate and commemorate them. The book is a download of my brain from a life’s worth
DARCY MILLER |
of throwing parties. It includes some more of the service-y stuff like how to get started and make your parties personal, budget tips and how to write a thank you note. Then it’s filled with zillions of ideas and inspiration ranging from a giant oversized ice cream sandwich cake to confetti mixes. Last but not least, I have shared all of my favorite sources. What ideas inside the book are perfect for the holiday season?
MINI |
There is a whole winter party complete with marshmallow snowmen and icicle-trimmed cake stands. Like a lot of the projects in my book, these are such easy and fun ideas to DIT (Do-It-Together) with your kids. Those marshmallow snowmen kabobs are great in a cup of hot chocolate or topping a cupcake. The book is filled with all kinds of ideas like this that can be translated for any
DARCY MILLER |
kind of party or occasion. MINI |
kids?
How are you instilling creativity in your
My parents are really creative and I was brought up always making things and personalizing details. Fast forward to being a mother myself, it’s the thoughtfulness and creativity that I want to instill— whether it’s making cards for their grandparents, taking sewing lessons, or decorating the birthday breakfast table. I always encourage my daughters to draw with me or contribute. I love their artwork and use it on anything and everything— my phone case, my tote bags and even on their birthday invitations and party favors. It gets them in on the process and makes the whole planning and preparing for the event part of the celebration, too.
DARCY MILLER |
FA S T FA C T S CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Hamilton. FAVORITE KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT Cool Mess. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE SodaStream bottles. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK The Day the Crayons Quit and of course, Celebrate Everything! SIGNATURE SCENT Aerin Beauty. ON MY NIGHTSTAND My Paris Dream by Kate Betts. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Crewcuts. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Anything Peanuts. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD As my daughter, Ella, says, “chill out!” TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Hot chocolate.
How does your home or your kids’ spaces reflect your creative spirit?
MINI |
As you can only imagine, there is always some craft project (or several) going on in my home on any given day. My home office is also my craft room and my children are always in there with me working on fun projects. Our home is also filled with pictures, the bulletin board in my office is wall-to-wall of family photos and the scrapboxes that I made documenting the girls growing up.
DARCY MILLER |
The day after Thanksgiving, my kids ask me when we are going to start decorating for the next holiday. There’s glitter everything— houses, garlands, nutcrackers. There’s a snowy scene that each year we keep on adding to. Let’s talk style! How would you describe your personal style?
MINI |
It’s hard to know what’s your own style— I like to be comfortable, probably wear more black than I should, and always wear my personal accessories, whether it’s my MINI | What do you love about raising your kids bag that has a picture of my kids or my neckin NYC? lace which is a collection of charms or a bracelet we’ve gotten on various trips. DARCY MILLER | I love that there is inspiration and talent everywhere you look in NYC. You MINI | If you get any “me time,” how do you don’t need to take your kids to a museum to wind down or spend it? see great artwork. There’s art and design and creativity on every street in the city. DARCY MILLER | With three kids, having just written a book, and an endless to-do list, I MINI | Tell us about your holiday traditions. don’t have as much down time as I would like, but I do like to draw. I especially like when I’m DARCY MILLER | We love to decorate our house. travelling to bring watercolors and paint, and DARCY MILLER |
5 of your favorite people to follow on Instagram, GO!
MINI |
now it’s something I can do with my kids. Tell us how you decided on your daughters’ names.
MINI |
Daisy, Ella, and Pippa were all named after other generations of family.
DARCY MILLER |
What do you think is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
Getting it all done and being everywhere you’d like to be. If only we had a couple more hours in each day or days in each week!
DARCY MILLER |
Looking back to your first days as a parent, what would you tell yourself?
MINI |
Everybody says it, but it’s true, everything goes by so fast so enjoy it. And don’t sweat the little stuff.
DARCY MILLER |
I could never pick just five! My list goes on, but here’s a solid start of great accounts: @psimadethis for DIY projects; @drawbertson for total inspiration; @bakedideas is super clever what she can do with a cookie cutter; @toryburch for a mix of her company, older photos and travel; @evachen for her take on fashion (and adorable shots of her daughter Ren); @marthastewart48, in addition to @martha_weddings and @marthastewart, this is a glimpse into her whereabouts; @suzymenkes is a close friend [and offers] an insider look at the fashion world; @ drewbarrymore is fun to follow.
DARCY MILLER |
GIFT GUIDE
Our favorite gift picks of the season for everyone on your list— from Mom to Mini! And now fully shoppable— just hover over any image and click the cart symbol!
photography by K I M B E R LY G E N E V I E V E
art director and prop stylist A L E X M I C H A E L M AY
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MOM
Say goodbye to your old baby bag, the Josefina Grey Medium Bag is your new go-to; $339, josefina.fr
MINI Hover over any image and click the car t symbol!
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The warm scent of Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt will whisk you away; $130, nordstrom.com
MORE MAGS
Any issue of the Gentlewoman magazine is a must-have. $20.
◀ MOON JUICE
The Moon Juice cookbook is a sure bet for any mom in your life; $18, amazon.com.
LINGUA FRANCA
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LUXE SCENT
◀ BRAND NEW BAG
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Read our feature with Rachelle Hruska and then snag one of these sassy Lingua Franca sweaters for your collection!
MERRY MULES
These Jenni Kayne mules are about as chic as they come; $395, shopbop.com.
MOMTOBE This Dragon Fruit Moses Basket will keep baby calm and decor chic; $185, plumandsparrow.com
When dressing the bump, there is no essential like this Storq Dress; $88, storq.com.
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THE IT BOOK
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ROCK-A-BYE BABY ◀ STORQ DELIVERY
The First Forty Days book will remind new mamas to nurture themselves; $17.
◀ GOOD HAIR DAY
Give a mama-to-be the gift of a relaxing blowout and good hair day at Drybar; drybar.com ◀
THE GIFT OF REST
The HATCH pajama set is perfect for lounging through pregnancy and beyond; $168, hatchcollection.com.
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DAD
GIFT OF TIME
Watches do not get any more dapper than this Daniel Wellington gem; $199, danielwellington.com
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What Dad doesn’t love the latest in tech gadgets? Google Home; $129, target. com
RESTFUL SLEEP
This Authenticity 50 Duvet Cover makes sleeping a dream; $159, authenticity50.com.
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HOW-TO HERO
The Kaufmann Mercantile Guide is a how-to guide for any modern man in your life; $16, amazon.com.
◀ CLEAN SHAVEN
This Pure Badger Wood Shave Brush gets the job done and looks great on the counter; $106, barneys.com.
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◀ TECH MAGIC COCKTAIL TO GO
The Carry-On Cocktail Kit is ideal for travel; $24, uncommongoods.com.
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No matter the time of year, Freshly Picked moccs are always in order; $60, nordstrom.com
BABY BUNTING
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Keep baby warm this winter with this 7AM Enfant bunting; $150, amazon.com.
SWEET SWADDLES
These cuddly swaddles come in a variety of prints and patterns; $22, buttermilkbabies.com
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◀ SHAKE, RATTLE, ROLL
A classic wooden rattle makes a simple, yet cherished gift for a new little one; $10, bannortoys.com
COUNTING SHEEP
New parents will appreciate the SNOO Smart Sleeper that lulls baby to Dreamland; $1160, happiestbaby.com
WINTER COZIES
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BABY
◀ MOCCS A MILLION
A Winter Water Factory romper makes for the perfect snow day ensemble; $38, noblecarriage.com
BIGKIDS
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SUSHI SAMURAI
If you’re a sushi lover or your little ones enjoy a California roll, they’ll adore this; $26, barneys.com ◀ COLOR ME CRAZY
Keep your Minis busy for hours with these giant coloring posters from OMY; $15, omymaison.com
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ICE CREAM TRUCK
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Every Mini dreams of ice cream, so why not give them their own truck? $149, landofnod.com KIDS KITCHEN
This might be the chicest kitchen we’ve seen. We mean, brass hardware? $499, potterybarnkids.com
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PAJAMA PARTY
Step into these starstudded pajamas this holiday season for an extra dash of magic; $42, barneys.com