FO R T H E M O D E R N PA R E N T
P LU S T H E CUTEST MINI B O OT S TO S N AG T H I S SEASON!
NEXT LEVEL NESTING
H OW TO P R E P YO U R H O M E F O R B A BY — FROM A CELEB O R GA N I Z E R F O L LOW T H I S R O U T I N E
T H E DAY L I G H T S AV I N G S S L E E P T I P T H AT W I L L S H O C K YO U T H E G O O D D O C TO R
DR. BECKY K E N N E DY W I L L S E E YO U N OW
LAURYN BOSSTICK
The Skinny Confidential Founder on Priorities, Postpar tum, and Pursuing t he Dream
RADAR
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MINI
SAVOR EVERY SIP AT THE ORCHARD THIS YEAR AS IT TAKES 36 APPLES TO MAKE ONE GALLON OF CIDER. ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
Audwell has done it again with the debut of their Summit Step Stool. “Finding a Mini step stool that is both practical and easy on the eyes is not an easy task,” says Mini’s Editor in Chief Kate Kirby. “I love how seamlessly this one fits into every space in our home and the little boost of independence its given my Minis.” —audwell.com
THIS JUST IN
PEPPA PIG & MORI
If your Minis are fans of the muddy puddle loving crew, they will be delighted by this playful new collection. MORI, the award-winning sustainable baby and toddler brand, has teamed up with Hasbro on organic day, sleep, and bath time wear from newborn to six years. The collection includes adorable printed pajamas in the most buttery of fabrics, a soft and cozy reversible jacket, as well as a hooded bath towel that is sure to become an all-time favorite. —babymori.com
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT
Tubby Todd comes a spooky new set of Halloween bathtime goodies. This limited edition collection includes Tubby Todd’s best-selling Hair + Body Wash and Everyday Lotion in a delicious Black Cherry scent and fun, coordinating Scary Cherry Bath Bombs. Available through October 31 at tubbytodd.com.
Cal
FUN AC T I V I T I E S TO T R Y THIS SEASON
MINI APPROVED P L AC E S A N D E V E N T S TO VISIT
MINI MUST-HAVE ▶
Tea Collection serves up a cute, cozy buffalo plaid fleece for the chilly fall weather!
Join Mickey at his Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney World now through November 1. Enjoy the Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, fireworks show, and more! The 97th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held November 23, including balloons of friends like Bluey, Grogu, Spongebob, and Paw Patrol!
All National Parks are open to the public with no admission fee on November 11 to celebrate National Public Lands Day!
Enchanted: Forest of Light is an interactive, nighttime experience throughout Descanso Gardens beginning November 19th!
ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
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TROLLS BAND TOGETHER ▶
M I N I f a l l ‘23
The band is getting back together (hopefully!) in the upcoming Trolls film, Trolls Band Together, out November 17! Join furry-haired friends Branch, Poppy, Tiny Diamond, and more as they embark on a journey to reunite Branch’s siblings— former members of boy band, BroZone.
Good, clean fun bodycare basics
www.tubbytodd.com
mini-magazine.com Head to Mini for more interviews
F E AT U R E S
with parents around the world, style, and more
LIVING
F O L LOW
MIN I Be sure to follow Mini on Instagram and TikTok! We’re sharing behind the scenes peeks at making the magazine, new kids products, nursery tours, and much more! Find us on Instagram: @minimagazine
BABY+KIDS
THE MAGAZINE
50 FALL BABY NAMES INSPIRED BY NATURE If you’re expecting an autumn babe, this list offers name ideas that describe the season perfectly. GET TO KNOW LAIN SNOW FOUNDER BECCA INGLE The swimwear designer shares what’s always in her fridge, and the last book she read! THE BEST GUCCI MULE LOAFER DUPES It’s loafer season and we’ve rounded up the best Gucci Princetown look-a-likes you can buy right now.
10 MINUTES WITH INTERIOR DESIGNER MOM PURVI PADIA Mini asks the NYC-based designer to dish on her favorites, from kids movies to restaurants in the Hamptons.
minisclusives LOG ON TO
MINI Find all of this and more on our website!
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21 | THE STYLE SPOT Farm
stand fresh fits and fall boots ready for leaf jumping! 15 | MEET THE TEAM The team that makes all the Mini magic possible
27 | MOM It’s the style spot for all of you chic Mini moms from bump to beyond
18 | EDITOR’S LIST
30 | IN THE BAG Brie Garcia
A carefully-curated list of Kate’s favorites this season
autumn
shows us what’s inside her everyday crossbody
32 | TECH KIDS Discover the
latest and greatest from the Mini tech sphere
35 | BOOK CLUB This new collection of cozy reads is perfect for curling up 37 | ON THE SCENE Get to know the perfect travel stroller and an easy-to-clean high chair! 42 | ON THE CLOCK Meet the founder of STATE Bags as she shares details like her mostused apps, what’s on her nightstand, and more!
contents 52 54 5 6 62 64 70 7 8 80 82 86 2 6 90 94 96 90 9 8 100 102 1 8 46 | SCOOP Take a closer
58 | GET BABY READY Ce-
54 | ON THE CLOCK The
62 | SAFE SNACKING AHIMSA founder Dr. Manasa Mantravadi tells us how to go plastic-free for lunch
look at the new lunch kits from Little Spoon, a low sugar candy, and ball toy! founder of OZMA California talks pregnancy cravings, and what’s in her fridge!
lebrity organizer Ria Safford lays out steps to prepare your home for baby
64 | TIME TO SLEEP Sleep
expert Brittany Sheehan on what to do during Daylight Savings this year
MINI-MAGAZINE . com Discover daily content, interviews, and more in between issues.
Exclusive interviews, Mini fashion, Mom hacks— All in one place.
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68 | SO YOU WANT TO HIRE
A DOULA Renowned doula and author Lori Bregman shares what to consider
72 | MEET THE GOOD DOCTOR Dr. Becky Kennedy talks setting boundaries and how to repair with your kids
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78 | ON THE CLOCK Writer mama Christene Barberich’s fave NYC restaurants, recent reads, ideal date night, and wardrobe staples 82 | MOM FIDENTIAL Cover
mom and founder of The Skinny Confidential Lauryn Bosstick opens up about postpartum and prioritizing time with her kids
94 | THE FAMILY GHOST Lonely Ghost founder India Blue Severe at home with her son, Seven, offers inspiring words for pursuing both work and parenthood
autumn
M AT E R N I T Y S O YO U C A N K E E P D O I N G YO U
MINI Founder and Editor in Chief K aitlyn K irby Cover Photo graphy Arielle Lev y Cover Hair Paolo Franco Cover Makeup M ackenzie Laine 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 © 2023 M ini M agazine.
Editor
INSIDE LOOK: (On Right) Our fall cover mom Lauryn Bosstick shares a peek inside her busy life with two Minis. (Below) We welcomed Phoebe, our third surprise girl, in August and we’re all living for the baby snuggles right now.
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I can’t believe I’m writing this now as a new mom to three girls! We welcomed Baby Phoebe in August (our third surprise girl!), so I’m back to sleepless nights, but a whole lot of snuggles. This fall issue always feels so fresh, like settling back into a routine with the new school year underway, leaves changing, wardrobes cozy-ing, and the holidays just around the corner. I had the best time putting this issue together with expert tips on helping your baby sleep better and what to do during Daylight Savings (you’ll be shocked!), how to prep your
A LETTER FROM MINI’S FOUNDER K AT E K I R BY
home before welcoming a new little one, a peek inside Brie Garcia’s bag, plus what NYT best-selling author Dr. Becky says about setting boundaries with kids, a new mom podcast you’ll want to save now, and how to be more eco-friendly when packing school lunches. In our cover feature, mom of two and founder of The Skinny Confidential Lauryn Bosstick talks self care and navigating the unpredictable Fourth Trimester. Enjoy, Mini friends!
E M A I L M I N I ’ S F O U N D E R A N D E D I T O R I N C H I E F AT K AT E @ M I N I - M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Paint you can feel good about Zero VOC paint & colorants
No hazardous air pollutants
GREENGUARD Gold certified
No toxic air contaminants
Ultra-low odor
No EPA chemicals of concern
Get everything you need to paint, delivered. | Clare.com Color: Make Waves
CARDI CUTE
Tea Collection cardigans have quickly become a staple in my girls’ wardrobes. The cutest prints! —teacollection.com
◀
LALO PLAY BOXES
EDITOR’S LIST
◀
MINI
Lalo launched play boxes curated by age and I’m loving the wooden toys inside! —meetlalo.com
◀ SAVE THE DATE
What a beautiful way to wear your Mini’s birth date around your neck. —arielgordonjewelry.com
◀
FALL FAUX FUR
It’s getting colder and I have my eye on this long, pink teddy coat for the chilly months ahead! —ugg.com
◀ FAVE JAMMIES
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These zippered footies have become my favorite for baby. They are the absolute softest! —kytebaby.com
A simpler way to design beautiful window treatments.
I N T R O D U C I N G
THE NURSERY COLLECTION
D R A P E R Y • R O M A N
S H A D E S • W O V E N
everhem.com
W O O D S
T H E S P OT TO SHOP FOR THEIR M I N I WA R D R O B E
Style
OSO AND ME FA R M F R E S H LEAF KICKERS
◀ SWEATS SEASON
Fall is officially here, so tis the season— for sweatsuits! Children’s brand Oso and Me just debuted their first ever sweatshirt and jogger in adorable blue, green, and safari animal print colorways. Perfect for play, yet stylish enough to be worn around town, the sweatsuit is complete with contrast piping and drawcord waist for a Growable™ fit. —osoandme.com
C L I C K TO SHOP THE NEW OSO & ME S W E AT S U I T !
FARM FRESH
These adorable Mini fruit and veg ensembles will have you inspired to visit your local farmers’ market.
SWEET DREAMS
Visions of produce will dance in their heads with these fresh pajamas. Above: $19.99; Baby Zip Sleeper, hannaandersson.com; Below: $35; Footed Zip Front Romper, teacollection.com
STAY RAD-ISH
What better to spark a love of veggies than These embroidered apple corduroys are fun a chenille radish? $66; minirodini.com to wear all season long. $49; bodenusa.com
APPLE OF MY EYE
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COOL CORDS
MARKET MADE
This fruit forward sweatshirt is perfect Market fresh radishes and carrots swirl around for cooler nights. $42; maisonette.com this cozy knit dress. $39; teacollection.com
Made for little foodies. high chair that turns into a play chair
non-toxic FDA grade silicone easy for little mouths to sip
easy for little han9s to grip
dishwasher safe
meetlalo.com
LEAF KICKERS
When the temperatures take a turn, it’s time to trade in those summer sandals for cozy fall boots just like these.
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1. MINI EXPLORER
3. TRIED AND TRUE
5. TOASTY TOES
$65; Kensington Treklite Chelsea Boots, nativeshoes.com
$24.99; Toddler Boys Greyson Boots in Brown, target.com
$55; UGG Keelan Boot in Chestnut, ugg.com
2. SPACE CADETS
4. SPARKLE SHOES
6. RAIN READY
$84; Cosy Leather Lace Up Boots in Silver Metallic, bodenusa.com
$39; Toddler Moto Ankle Boots in Glitter Gold, gap.com
$75; Out N About Classic Boot in Camel Brown, sorel.com M I N I f a l l ‘23
The coziest & chicest new addition to your wardrobe
FOR ALL YOUR LADY BUMPS.
BUMPSUIT.CO
J U S T F O R YO U MAMA, FROM B U M P TO B E YO N D
B O D I LY P R E G N A N C Y C A R E K I T S
◀
LEMME TALK BABY
Mom
L E M M E M A M A P R E N ATA L F R I D A C - S E C T I O N R E CO V E R Y
Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s vitamin and supplement brand Lemme is gearing up to launch its third capsule, a prenatal vitamin aptly named Lemme Mama. The gentle prenatal vitamin is specifically formulated to promote healthy fetal development and support a mother’s energy with over 25 key nutrients and science-backed ingredients. Kardashian Barker worked with Lemme’s all-women medical team, along with her personal doctors, to create the multivitamin which will be available for purchase exclusively on lemmelive. com on November 2nd. —lemmelive.com
C L I C K TO READ MORE ABOUT LEMME MAMA OUT ON 11.2!
M I N I f a l l ‘23
THIS JUST IN
C-SECTION RECOVERY
Frida, the preeminent baby and feminine care brand founded by Chelsea Hirschhorn, has really thought of it all. Inside the popular Frida Mom line, you’ll find pregnancy and postpartum essentials like the Upside Down Peri Bottle, Ice Maxi Pads, even a C-Section Recovery Kit. The kit includes disposable C-section postpartum underwear, abdominal support binder, silicone scar patches, and more— the perfect way to ease your transition from hospital to home. Available now at Amazon and Frida.com.
RIGHT NOW WE’RE LOVING
The new Care for Pregnancy Kits from Bodily— complete with acupressure ear seed kit, wrist bands, and water bottle to stay hydrated during those first two trimesters when you might not be feeling your best. The kits are part of Bodily’s new pregnancy category which includes both high-waisted and under-the-belly panties to accompany their best-selling nursing bras. “Bodily’s Care for Pregnancy Kits have everything a new mama needs to give herself extra love and feel more prepared going into birth,” says Mini’s Editor in Chief Kate Kirby. —itsbodily.com
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Meet Belly Oil. Like a prenatal for your skin.
Use code M I N I MAG 1 0 for 10% off your first order
NO COW PROTEIN BAR
“So when I get hungry, I make a smart choice.” nocow.com
photography by C L A I R E P L A N E T A
RAY-BAN MATTE GOLD ROUND FLASH LENSES $196; ray-ban.com
EVERYDAY BAG W H AT ’ S I N T H E B A G
THE ESSENTIALS
“I can stash my Toyota Sienna mini van key, mini Tarte lipstick, and AirPods inside.”
Brie Garcia
The mom of two and host of Amazon Prime’s TWIN LOVE and The Nikki & Brie Show spills her Bandolier Crossbody.
“As a mom, I need a purse that can run with me as I’m chasing my son, Buddy, around, going to the park, and walking my kids to school. [The Logan Crossbody] has become my everyday purse. I even have a fringe one to add a little style to my outfit!” $158; bandolierstyle.com
CRYSTAL KEYS
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“I’ve added my own personal touch with a SugarBoo & Co crystal keychain.” $7; sugarbooandco.com
LOGAN CROSSBODY UTILITY WITH SUNGLASS STRAP bandolierstyle.com
T H E L AT E S T F R O M THE MINI TECH SPHERE
Tech
BIG LITTLE FEELINGS A F T E R B E DT I M E P O D C A S T C U B O A I B A BY M O N I TO R
MINI MUST LISTEN
AFTER BEDTIME
From the founders of Big Little Feelings—mom duo Kristin Gallant and Deena Margolin, LMFT—comes the brand new, real talk podcast, After Bedtime. The podcast, which debuted in September, promises to act as the mom group you wish you had, one you can visit with after a long day of parenting to openly discuss what others keep quiet. After each episode, the BFF hosts leave you feeling less alone and more empowered to be your best mom self. —biglittlefeelings.com C L I C K TO ADD A CUBOAI M O N I TO R TO YO U R C A R T !
RIGHT NOW IN TECH KIDS
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Award-winning baby monitor CuboAi gives parents peace of mind while baby sleeps with features like Roll Over, Covered Face, and Cough Detection. Pair with the Sleep Sensor Pad to monitor breathing and the Smart Temp to keep tabs on baby’s temperature in real time. CuboAi is the first of its kind to apply AI to baby’s saferty and works in tandem with an app so you can stay alert. —us.getcubo.com
Made for little foodies. high chair that turns into a play chair
non-toxic FDA grade silicone easy for little mouths to sip
easy for little han9s to grip
dishwasher safe
meetlalo.com
Book Club
Cozy up with a blanket and a stack of these new Mini reads, including the latest in the Dragons Love Tacos saga and Reese Witherspoon’s Busy Betty!
FOR SELF LOVE
JUST BECAUSE
FOR FOODIES
DRAGONS FIRST TACO EDITOR’S PICK
FOR SURPRISES
THE BIG CHEESE
BUSY BETTY & THE CIRCUS SURPRISE
by Jory John The Big Cheese is used to winning, but what happens when someone else comes out on top? FOR BUILDERS
CONSTRUCTION SITE: TAKING FLIGHT!
by Sherri Duskey Rinker The best-selling Construction Site crew takes on the airport!
by Reese Witherspoon Busy Betty is back! Come along as the precocious characters throws her Mom a surprise circus birthday party— only to realize, her birthday isn’t actually today!
by Adam Rubin Let this funny taco-shaped book introduce your Minis to the magic of both dragons and tacos! This little dragon learns how to make a taco step-by-step— and it will surely not be his last!
by Matthew McConaughey Filled with his trademark humor and wisdom, this collection of life lessons empowers Mini readers to celebrate possibility.
on the
Scene
B A BY G E A R E V E R Y PA R E N T NEEDS NOW
◀
CHIC STROLLING
Award-winning baby gear brand Cybex is paying homage to the greatest French couturiers—Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior— with the launch of their new fashion collection, La Parisienne. Inspired by Parisian femininity, the collection is crafted with luxe fabric and thousands of meticulously hand-attached, lead-free crystals to transform every stroll into a timeless journey. La Parisienne is available exclusively at Bloomingdales.com and in select Bloomingdale’s locations nationwide. —cybex-online.com
THE PRIAM STROLLER I N C LU D E S 3 , 6 3 2 H A N D - AT TAC H E D C R YS TA L S !
C Y B E X L A PA R I S I E N N E G UAVA R O A M S T R O L L E R MOCKINGBIRD HIGH CHAIR
THE ROAM Meet your new favorite travel stroller ready to take on every terrain and fold 50% smaller than traditional jogging strollers. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GUAVA
EFFORTLESS Easy Riding
Roam’s lightweight, durable design comes in at 28.5 pounds!
AGE RANGE Growing Up
SPACE SAVER 3D Nesting Fold
Stroll with baby starting at 6 months up until they reach 60 pounds— or add the car seat adapter and use from Day 1!
Roam’s patented, three-dimensional fold allows for a 50% smaller folded size than other jogging strollers without needing to remove any wheels.
READY, GO! All Terrain Tested
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Independent suspension makes for a smooth ride no matter what terrain you’re taking on.
SIRONA M WITH
The only smart-tech convertible car seat that provides essential alerts to keep baby safe while you drive and when you arrive.
LEARN MORE AT WWW.CYBEX-ONLINE.COM/US
THE HIGH CHAIR
This 2-in-1 easily converts from high chair to child chair (no tools required!) and ditches the mess with easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe straps. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MOCKINGBIRD EASY CLEAN No-Mess Straps
The high chair’s one-of-a-kind, patented, no-mess straps are dishwasher-safe and promise an easy clean-up every time.
NO CRUMBS Smooth Surface
The High Chair includes a dishwasher-safe tray liner and wipeable, smooth surface design with minimal crevices to prevent hidden crumbs.
THE 2-IN-1 Child Chair
Mockingbird’s High Chair is not only easy to assemble, converts quickly to a Child Chair with no tools required.
CUSTOM FIT Just My Size
The High Chair offers an adjustable footrest with four positions, adjustable tray with three positions, and 5-point safety harness.
EASY STORAGE Smart Design
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The Child Chair boasts a unique frame design that tucks perfectly under the dining table.
M I N I f a l l ‘23
TRY THE HIGH C H A I R R I S K- F R E E F O R 3 0 D AYS I N YO U R H O M E A N D AT M E A L S !
C R E ATO R O F T H E L I T T L E N O M A D P L AY M AT
Super-so, hand-illustrated, foam mats reminiscent of an heirloom rug.
THEHOUSEOFNOA.COM
ON MY NIGHTSTAND
Every single STATE Bags catalog or mailer. They remind me to rest my brain knowing we have a stable, beautiful, thriving brand. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY I
JACQUELINE TATELMAN MINI SPENT TEN MINUTES WITH THE
mom of two (to Ayla and Ozzie), CEO, and Creative Director of STATE Bags to get the details on her favorite children’s movie, the apps she uses most (honestly, same!), her favorite local shop, and her new signature scent that we’re adding to our wish lists!
would hang out with my friends just to laugh or listen.
You can Framebridge just about anything. framebridge.com
ON THE CLOCK GROWING UP, I WANTED TO Own a clothing shop.
FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP LONGWAY in San Anselmo. WARDROBE STAPLES
LDMA sports bras as tops. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK All the
Berenstain Bears books. MY COFFEE ORDER Iced
almond milk latte with an extra shot. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Walk-
ing around the West Village with no destination or reservation followed by ice cream.
CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Phish. Always. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Shrek or Toy Story. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Stillwater.
SIGNATURE SCENT I never
used to have one, but now it’s Sol de Janeiro #68.
GUILTY PLEASURE Uber Eats.
LAST BOOK I READ
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight. APPS I USE MOST
Shopify and Instagram. FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL
Mexico.
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BEFORE KIDS I NEVER THOUGHT I would live in ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Edamame,
coconut yogurt, avocado, and eggs.
California— or outside of Brooklyn.
PREGNANCY CRAVINGS
Charleston chews, oranges, bagels and cream cheese.
THIS JUST IN IN THE MINI WORLD
LET’S DO LUNCH
Little Spoon is making lunch easy again with the debut of Lunchers— build-it-yourself kids classics with hidden nutrition and 10+ grams of protein in every meal. Choose from tasty hits like Chicken Dunkers, PB Jammies, Chicken Nacho Dips, Easy Cheesy Pizza, and Brunch Lunch, all made from high-quality, non-GMO ingredients with flavors your littles will love. Pick your plan, make changes with ease, checkout, and watch for your new favorite Lunchers to arrive at your front door. —littlespoon.com
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Scoop
L I T T L E S P O O N LU N C H E R S B E H AV E C A N DY B IS FOR BALL SET
Sugar, Sugar
Meet Behave— the first low sugar, clean label candy that doesn’t spike blood sugar. Oh, and did we mention it’s diabetic, PCOS, and kid-friendly?
CLEAN CANDY
Guilt-free gummies? Sign us up! BEHAVE is the first low sugar, clean label candy that doesn’t spike blood sugar— not to mention, diabetic, PCOS, and kid-friendly! Combining the magic of chefs and food science to create the perfect sweet treats, BEHAVE’s delicious lineup includes Sweet Stars, Sour Stars, Sweet Bears, and Sour Bears in flavors like Watermelon, Lychee, and Mango. “The bright, tropical flavors are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted in a regular gummy bear,” says Mini’s Editor in Chief Kate Kirby. “I didn’t want to put the bag down and with low sugar, I didn’t have to!” —eatbehave.com
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Perfect for gifting, made for play! @SUPER.SMALLS
SUPERSMALLS.COM
B is for Ball
This silicone ball promotes finger dexterity, stacking, balancing, and puzzle skills— even the Montessori-inspired packaging is part of the learning!
OPEN-ENDED PLAY
From sensory development to non-toxic teething and mold-free bathtime fun, b is for ball™ has a multitude of uses for babies to begin enjoying from six months. This well-designed plaything is crafted from 100% foodgrade silicone, similar to baby pacifiers, so you can release the worry as your Minis learn and explore. b is for ball™ offers oodles of open-ended play for baby with finger dexterity training, water play, stacking and balance, even puzzle skills. The multi-use ball is plastic, BPA, and phthalate-free, as well as hypoallergenic, dishwasher and sterilizer safe for peace of mind. —biggestlittlebk.com
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serenaandlily.com
In Training
The transition from bottle to cup isn’t always smooth sailing. Enter the new, award-winning All-Rounder Cup from innovative baby brand, Hegen.
LEVEL UP CUP
Hegen, maker of innovative baby bottles, has just released their brandnew cup for toddlers, the All-Rounder Cup. This Red Dot Design award winner is made from babies 12 months and up and eases the transition from bottle to cup. Ready to support your little one in learning the fine motor skills and coordination they need for such an important milestone, the spoutless All-Rounder Cup allows Minis to sip from anywhere around the rim and regulates the flow of water effectively for easy drinking. —hegen.us
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Capturing the beauty, simplicity and magic of childhood. S H O PP E H R .CO M
ON MY NIGHTSTAND
A book I haven’t touched in months and a burp cloth. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Willie Nelson
Radio on Spotify. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY
HEIDI JOY BAKER MINI SPENT TEN MINUTES WITH THE
new mom (to River, 9 months) and founder of OZMA to get to know her through her favorite children’s book (we need to buy this one!), wardrobe staples, ideal date night (very California!), pregnancy cravings, and what she wanted to be growing up!
I would go to the beach every morning.
Use code XOMINIMAG for 20% off your first Sakara Meal Program or 10-Day Reset.
ON THE CLOCK GROWING UP, I WANTED TO BE A Pediatrician and florist. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Plant Material. WARDROBE STAPLES
OZMA protos and seconds. Right now, I’m living in our Christy Bodysuit, Sloan Cardi, and Field Pants. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK All
MY COFFEE ORDER Drip
the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell.
with oat milk.
IDEAL DATE NIGHT A
sunset surf and relaxing dinner. PREGNANCY CRAVINGS Cold whole milk
yogurt and berries.
FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Big. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Joy on
York.
SIGNATURE SCENT Bodha
Plants No.2.
LAST BOOK I READ
Horse by Geraldine Brooks. APPS I USE MOST
Libby and Spotify. FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL
Costa Rica.
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ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Yogurt.
GUILTY PLEASURE Red wine. BEFORE KIDS I NEVER THOUGHT
I would be so forgetful. photos by A R I A N A L A G O
For life at home.
W H AT ’ S N E W ON THE HOME FRONT
Home
G E T YO U R H O M E B A BY R E A DY W I T H C E L E B ORGANIZER RIA SAFFORD
GET BABY READY
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Celebrity organizer Ria Safford shows overwhelmed parents how to create routine ready spaces for baby’s first years in her debut book, The Organized Home for New Parents.
New babies bring loads of new items, routines, and responsibilities into your home. The more prepared you feel for this new chapter of your life, the more successful you will be in tackling them. We asked celebrity organizer Ria Safford how parents can best prepare their homes for a new baby. “With three children of my own and having helped over 1,500 families create routine-ready spaces in their homes, I have some tried and true tips for organizing your home before your baby.” O R G A N I Z E YO U R R O L E S A N D RESPONSIBILITES
“Getting ready for a baby isn’t only about organizing the stuff, but also the plan! Effective communication with your partner can so often be one of the first things to go— let’s not let that happen. Now is the time to get some conversations started regarding parenting philosophies, expectations around support, and division of labor.” TA K E S T O C K O F B A B Y G I F T S
“This part can be a little overwhelming because a lot of necessary (and unnecessary) items will be flooding your home. Before these gifts arrive, take stock of what you already have so that you can determine what you need. A registry is
the tried and true method to help guide your loved ones on what you need. Once gifts arrive, assess them before bringing them into the baby’s room to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to make more purposeful decisions about whether you need them. Keep track of return and exchange windows. Wash and put away any newborn clothes as you receive them to avoid a big pile of work last minute!” S TA R T N U R S E R Y P R E P
“This is one task we do not want to overcomplicate or overwhelm ourselves with. If timing allows, of course, it is so fun to set up a nursery with new paint colors, furniture, and decor. We want to prioritize nursery prep based on the baby’s needs and save
anything else for the end! These tasks include setting up a changing station, ordering a breast pump, setting up a nursing station, researching and purchasing car seats and strollers, and washing all newborn clothes and linens.” PREP KITCHEN FOR FEEDINGS
“Yes, your new baby will need to eat, but so will you! Here are some ways you can be sure this space is well set up and stocked for the initial weeks with the new baby: Prep the kitchen with supplies you will need for nursing, bottle feeding, or pumping; prep easy meals in the weeks before the baby and pop them in the freezer to heat up later; stock up on snacks, especially if you plan on breastfeeding.” D O N ’ T F O R G E T Y O U R O W N S PA C E S
“We are our best selves when we start the day in a chaos-free environment. If a complete space overhaul isn’t realistic in your timeframe before the baby’s due date, prioritize prepping your personal spaces (closet and bathroom) for this transition. Have any postpartum and nursing clothing easily visible and accessible in your closet or dresser. Create a tote for postpartum bathroom needs for the initial weeks.” Your to-do list may seem miles long, but when you prioritize based on the true needs of you and your baby, it can be done! Remember, tackling these items will ultimately bring you more peace, more rest, and more time with your sweet new bundle of joy.
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S S WA P F O R S T E E L .
Lunchtime is a common culprit for plastic pollution in a student’s school day. If your student brings their lunch to school, there are many ways to keep the plastic out. Replace the typical plastic zip-top bag, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil with portable, sealable, stainless steel food containers and lunchboxes and use reusable steel for after school snacks too. Ahimsa offers both at-school and in-home options for a more sustainable, healthy mealtime! UPGRADE THE BAG.
SAFE SNACKING Founder of Ahimsa, the world’s first colorful stainless steel kids dishes, Dr. Manasa Mantravadi shares five helpful ways to reduce your carbon footprint this school year and go plastic-free for lunch.
A plastic-free lunch bag made from natural materials is always best to last forever. CONSIDER THE BEES.
From simply covering leftover food to folding up into a handy pouch that holds snacks, bees-
SHOP AHIMSAHOME. CO M O R FIND NOW ON A M A ZO N !
wax wraps, such as those made by Abeego and Khala & Co, are a useful item to have on hand during the school year. OPT FOR PLANTS.
Go plant based with fruits and veggies to decrease your carbon footprint instead of meats, a big source of carbon emissions. Get the most out of the food that is harvested seasonally by shopping for local produce. Non-season produce requires artificial environments and technology to grow, resulting in more expensive market prices and higher emission release. Season produce will not only be more affordable, but also more nutritious. You can also go one (or more) days a week without red meat and dairy. Studies
show that consuming solely fish, eggs, poultry, or vegetables once a week may reduce greenhouse gas emissions more effectively than purchasing local food. If possible, set days in a week where you commit to packing only vegetarian lunches. BUY IN BULK.
After you set a lunch calendar and the items you’ll be consuming, buying food in bulk is an easy step. Shop for foods that can be bought in bulk quantities, especially popular lunch snacks like cookies, crackers, and cheese. This will help save money, lessen the packaging waste of small servings, and prevent unnecessary environmental impacts of frequent grocery trips.
T H E L AT E S T I N THE WELLNESS WORLD
Health
TIME
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TO
H E A LT H Y S L E E P S C H E D U L E S P R E PA R I N G F O R B I R T H D R . B E C K Y S AYS
SLEEP
Daylight Savings can throw sleep schedules into a tizzy, so we asked pediatric sleep expert Brittany Sheehan how to ease the transition.
W WHEN IT COMES TO
creating healthy sleep schedules, Brittany Sheehan— founder of LA-based Pediatric Sleep Consulting Agency Brittany Sheehan Sleep— notes it’s all about the environment. “I often tell parents that our long term goal is excellent sleep, but our first goal is just that the [child] is happy in their sleep environment. They’re not hysterical being put down, screaming the minute they wake up, or resisting naps and bedtime routines,” Sheehan tells Mini. “In order to feel confident that a family is going to be successful getting there, it’s important to me that we’re looking at the big picture. It’s about their schedule, their sleep environment, how often (and when!) they’re eating, what we’re doing during their awake time, and for toddlers and kids, how the parents
are communicating with them about sleep. Once I know the family has all of these pieces in place, I’m very confident they’re going to be successful. At that point, it’s just about consistency.” C O M M O N S L E E P C H A L L E N G E S “For
my very youngest clients (2-3 month
olds), it’s all about transitions. From bassinet or SNOO to crib, from their parents room to their own room, and from the swaddle to the sleep sack. For babies in general, naps are almost always an issue when families come to me. One of the most important skills a baby learns is how to put themselves to sleep and connect sleep
cycles. That’s usually a big focus for any baby client. For toddlers, we’re often dealing with nap refusals, bedtime stalling, and early wake ups.” SET UP FOR SLEEP S U C C E S S “An ideal sleep
environment for a baby or toddler is cool (68-72 degrees) and dark, but NOT blacked out. We are not cave people. Creating a cave-like environment is unnecessary and a recipe for travel disaster. I suggest ambient white noise or a fan, but no other noise or stimulation. Music or non-static sounds, which are often found on white noise machines, can be stimulating to a baby’s brain, instead of relaxing them. I recommend an unweighted sleep sack for babies and toddlers in a crib, and once in a bed, having a blanket and pillow. I also suggest spending time in the bedroom during non-sleep hours. It should feel like their happy place, not somewhere they only associate with separation and sleep resistance.”
T H E B E D T I M E R O U T I N E “For babies,
short and sweet is the name of the game. One song or book, some cuddles, and baby is put down wide awake. For toddlers and kids, I always suggest that if a child has specific stall tactics they use to try and keep their parents in the room or extend the routine, we build them in before the routine even starts. That could mean something like a last call for snacks, milk, to hug the dog, whatever it is. Then once the routine starts, it’s all in their room and we’re not leaving again. Those non-bedtime things are no longer on the table. We want to keep it at about 15 minutes max (outside of a bath, if a family does one nightly). I always suggest that parents write down the steps they want to have in the routine (how many books? how many songs?) so they know exactly how to respond when their toddler is pushing back. We offer them autonomy, like which PJs they want to wear, but they cannot change or extend the routine on a whim. Once kids realize it will always be the same, they relax and really start to enjoy the process.
S E T T I N G N A P R O U T I N E S “Schedule,
schedule, schedule. Babies and toddlers thrive on routine and consistency. Every family who works with me moves onto a schedule, and I hear day after day how life changing it is for them! At the same time, it’s important for families not to feel like they’re chained to the house all day for naps.”
D AY L I G H T S A V I N G S A D J U S T M E N T S “At
the risk of oversimplifying things, I
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want parents to do nothing for Daylight Savings. It’s one hour. A one hour time change shouldn’t derail anyone’s sleep. If there are existing sleep issues (like a child who is chronically waking up at 5 a.m.), that’s the problem. We can’t blame it on Daylight Savings. I always tell clients when they ask me what to about Daylight Savings, ‘You’re doing it now. You’re creating an excellent sleep foundation for your child, so when they encounter a one hour time difference, it’s literally a nonevent.’ It will take a day, if that, for a good sleeper to adjust. Absolutely nothing that requires a chart of 10 minute bedtime changes for 10 days or silly things I see out there for parents. We wake up and boom, that’s the new time!” A G E S A N D T I M E C H A N G E S “At any age, a
child with a good sleep foundation will be more adaptable to time changes. If anything beyond that, it’s simply temperament.”
W H E N W O R R I E D A B O U T S L E E P “Follow
your gut. If what you’re doing is working for you, there is no reason to change it, regardless of what your friends or neighbors are doing. Same thing on the other end of the spectrum. If what you’re doing is not working for you, it’s time to try and change it, even if everyone is telling you it’s normal. I get asked all the time, ‘Is this normal?’ and I tell parents the truth. Yes, many things are common and “normal” that really shouldn’t be, and could be so much better. We get them to that better place even if their friends think it’s impossible.”
SO YOU WA N T
TO HIRE A BIRTH DOULA Your birth is one of the biggest moments of your life and you should feel confident, safe, and supported as you welcome baby into the world. Renowned doula, author, and co-founder of Seedlyfe LORI BREGMAN shares how a doula can add to the birth experience.
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Lori Bregman has always been drawn to working with pregnant women. “Many years ago, I was studying all kinds of healing modalities from massage, body and energy work, nutrition, yoga, chakra healing, and more. I kept the focus on how can I gear all this towards pregnancy, birth, and motherhood,” the celebrity doula tells Mini. “When I learned prenatal massage, the teacher talked about a doula training that was coming up. This was over 25 years ago and I had never herd of a doula, but I was intrigued, so I signed up. I specialized in prenatal massage and when I was with [my clients], I would do coaching, mindful exercises, give them holistic remedies for pregnancy ailments, help with nutrition, and prep them for birth, so the transition into their doula was natural.”
your child. What might be right for one, might not be right for another. I am huge on education as I believe if you don’t know your options, you won’t have any. After my clients are aware of their options, I support them in whatever choices they feel are right for them. As a doula, I offer mind, body, and spirit support throughout the pregnancy, birth, and beyond. I educate and empower my clients to use their voice and express their intentions during birth. I advocate, hold space, provide comfort measures such as breath work and massage, and help them connect with a mindset. I love supporting them throughout the entire journey into motherhood. Most people book me as soon as they find out they are pregnant to get the full 9 months of support.”
“I believe if you don’t know your options [for birth], you won’t have any.”
Now with over 20 years of experience and having attended more than 1,000 births, Bregman has literally written the books on prepping for baby: The Doula Deck, Mamaste, and The Mindful Mom To Be. We dove deeper with the birth expert to discover exactly how a doula can assist an expecting mama and what to know before you choose a doula for your birth team. H E R B I R T H P H I L O S O P H Y “My philosophy
is there are many different ways to birth
THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION
“People think that if they are planning on getting an epidural, they don’t need a doula. Many of my clients’ intentions are to go as long as they can before getting an epidural. The reason being if you get one too early, you are stuck in bed and labor tends to slow down or stop, so you need Pitocin to get things going again. We labor for a while, helping our clients with positions and comfort measures. Once the epidural is in, we re-position with peanut balls to help the labor progress,” Bregman tells us. “Interventions can lead to more interventions and some babies don’t tolerate them well.
Having nurses and doctors run into your room because your baby’s heart rate took a dip can be very traumatic. Doulas help calm your emotions and navigate the hospital environment.” C R A F T I N G A B I R T H P L A N “I always say,
birth is not set in stone. We are going to do everything to support your intentions, but I do believe birth is karmic and these babies have their own path and way they choose to come into the world,” Bregman says. “I always set birth intentions with my clients and students. Intentions leave wiggle room where a plan feels more rigid. From the birth intentions, we create a list of their birth preferences. This is a way for me to guide them on all of the different choices and options that they have. I also talk about informed consent. How to ask educated questions and tune into their intuition to decide what feels right for them. I have them start the talks early with their care providers to make sure they practice in alignment with their intentions. I have them read books like Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and watch The Business of Being Born. I have them read studies about antibiotic eye drops and delayed cord cutting, I explain the pros and cons, and then act as a sounding board. A lot of my clients ask, ‘What would you do?,’ but I answer, ‘I am not you.’”
B E F O R E C H O O S I N G A D O U L A “Most impor-
tantly, I would notice how you feel around this person. Do you feel excited and happy or judged or projected upon? I would ask about her philosophy, how many births have they done, how did she get into this, does she have kids, and if so, what was her birth like? Has she worked with your care provider or place of birth, how many births does she take a month, does she have a back up, what is offered in their package? You have to feel safe with and trust the people you surround yourself with during birth in order to let go.”
“I always say, birth is not set in stone. These babies have their own path.”
T H E B I G G E S T R E W A R D “There
is a quote by Plato, ‘the beginning is the most important part of the work.’ If these babies come into this world with a solid foundation, it’s a healthy starting point for the rest of their life. How a woman is cared for, treated, heard, and respected during her pregnancy, birth, and afterwards matters. How these babies come into the world matters. What is done to the mother is, in turn, done to the baby as they are two souls living in one skin. All of this motivates me and is my biggest passion to help create a solid foundation for both mama and baby. What is better then holding space for a life to come into this world and getting to bear witness to it? I love seeing women in all their power in birth. I am forever in awe of what we women are capable of.”
MEET
THE
GOOD DOCTOR
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Mom of three and clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy has built a name for herself focusing on the good inside everyone. Now with over two million Instagram followers, a New York Times best-seller, and must-listen podcast, Kennedy shares her sought-after approach for Mini parents.
M I N I f a l l ‘23
photography by
MELANIE DUNEA
O ON SETTING CLEAR B O U N D A R I E S “I think it’s
widely misunderstood that someone who cares so much about validating feelings could also care as much about holding boundaries. The beauty of Good Inside is it’s the only approach that has equal focus on both. I think the key thing to know about boundaries is [that they] are something you tell someone you will do and they require the other person to do nothing. This is so important because most of the time we think we’re setting a boundary with our kid, [but] we’re not. We’re actually making a request, and then we make the request over and over, and we feel like our kid isn’t respecting our boundaries, but we’re actually not setting a boundary. Here’s an example. My kid is jumping up and down on a couch and it’s
actually dangerous because there’s a glass table nearby. ‘Get off the couch. I said, get off the couch. I said, get off the couch.’ I go back to my definition of a boundary. A boundary is something I tell my kid I will do and it would require my kid to do nothing. Huh? That’s not a
couch. I get it. Jumping is fun. I’m going to walk over there and if by the time I get there, if you haven’t gotten off the couch, I will place my arms around you and just pick you up and put you on the floor and show you somewhere else you could jump. This is a boundary because it’s telling my kid what I will do and it requires my kid to do nothing.” ON MANAGING BIG F E E L I N G S “When a kid is
boundary at all. I’m asking my kid to do something, to get off the couch. Once I see my kid can’t comply with my request—if safety is really an issue—I can’t keep making a request. No wonder I get frustrated. Instead, I’d say this, which is a true boundary. ‘Hey, listen, it looks like it’s hard for you to listen and get off the
in a stage where they’re having a lot of difficult behavior, we actually have to change our mindset from what do I do when my kid has bad behavior to, how can I contain the situation when my kid has bad behavior? But what do I do outside of those moments so I can actually help my kid build the skills they were missing in the first place? That’s a really important mindset shift. It would be like if you’re a basketball coach and you were saying, ‘How do I make sure my players make the final shot of the
game?’ I think we’d say to a coach, do your best you can in that moment, but the better question is, what do you practice outside of the game so they are better equipped in that moment and can rely on the skills they’ve built?” That’s a really big shift in the moment of a difficult or out of control behavior. The two main things to focus on are to keep your kid safe and try to keep yourself calm. This means stop dangerous behavior. It might be, ‘I won’t let you hit, I’m not going to let you throw blocks,’ and then try to keep yourself as calm as possible. When you’re doing this, you’re setting up a boundary to stop any danger. That’s one part of our job is always to stop danger and keep our kids safe. By staying calm, you’re actually setting the stage for your kid to be calm because the way kids learn to regulate—which really means manage emotions—comes from the way we model how to manage our emotions in their difficult times. A child absorbs our calm, they absorb the way we regulate our body, and that’s the foundation for how they become able to regulate their emotions in their body.” O N H O W T O R E PA I R “I always say to
parents, ‘If you’re going to get good at one thing, get good at repair.’ If you think about what that means, it’s so hopeful and so humane because getting good at repair means you have to have a rupture. You can only repair if you mess up. So if you have to get good at repair, you have to mess up in order to practice. Repair is really the act of going back to a moment
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of disconnection, taking responsibility for your behavior, and acknowledging the impact it’s had on another. With repair, you have this amazing opportunity to go back to a moment that didn’t feel good and write a different ending to the story. Here’s an example. For a parent of a young kid, you might go back to a kid and say, ‘Hey, you know what? Yesterday, I yelled at you in the kitchen and I was frustrated. And even when I’m frustrated, it’s not okay to yell at you. I’m sure that felt scary. I love you.’ That’s a repair. Here’s another example. ‘Yesterday, when you were playing with your sister, I accused you of stealing toys from her and I sent you to your room. You know what? I never really gave you an opportunity to explain your side of the story. I’m sure there was something that didn’t feel good and I’m sorry. I’d love to hear that.’ Now all kids, at all ages, understand repair in that they understand our attempt to reconnect. Repair is so important because it takes a moment of disconnection and instead of leaving our kid alone, it actually allows us to reconnect, to provide safety, love, coherence, and understanding. That’s what our kids really need, way more than perfect parenting.” O N E F F E C T I V E C O M M U N I C AT I O N “The
best strategies for effective communication with kids are actually the same with adults. The strategies I teach at Good Inside will help your toddler, your tween, your teen, your partner, your relation-
ships at work. When you’re communicating with your kid, the number one thing to keep in mind is that you’re on the same team. When we’re frustrated with anyone, when there’s conflict, maybe our kid isn’t listening to put their shoes on in the morning. It’s easy to approach them like they’re the enemy. It’s almost like you’re sitting on one side of the table and your kid is on the other and you’re looking at them like they are the problem. The key to effective communication is reframing this and saying, ‘Wait, it’s not me against my kid. It’s me and my kid together on the same side of the table looking together at a problem. My kid is not the problem. We are on the same team against a problem.’
both want them to be more peaceful. Let’s think of something that can make it more fun or easier to remember what to do. Let’s sit down and come up with things together.’ When you treat kids with respect and treat them like they’re on the same team, you’re essentially saying to them, ‘I am looking to you to collaborate.’ And when people approach any of us at any age, like we are worthy of collaboration, we generally respond in a collaborative way.”
“We are not born knowing how to be the parents we want to be.”
Here’s the difference. Looking at a kid as the problem, you’d say, ‘Hey, you never get ready in the morning. I ask you a million times to put on your shoes and you never listen. It’s so rude. And if you keep being so disrespectful, you’re going to lose iPad time.’ Me and my kid against a problem, realizing we’re on the same team, would sound like this, ‘Hey, mornings have been tricky, and I know I end up asking you to put on your shoes a bunch of times. I get frustrated, I yell. It’s not pleasant for any of us. What are some things we could do together to make mornings easier? I know we
O N B E C O M I N G T H E PA R E N T Y O U W A N T T O B E “Parenting is the
hardest, most ongoing, most important job in the world. And it’s the only job we’re given no training or resources for. If I think about advice I’d give someone to be a surgeon, I’d probably say, know that the journey is hard, and invest in training, resources, and ongoing support. That’s the same advice I’d give to parents. Somehow, we’re given the idea that we should know how to do this, that it’s shameful to seek out advice, or to invest in advice. We are not born knowing how to be the parents we want to be, in fact, most of us naturally default to the way we were raised. The only education we’ve had in how to be a parent is how we were parented. If we want to parent differently, we have to learn first, so we can then deliver that new system to our kids. So, to me, the best sign of being a good parent isn’t your behavior. It’s definitely not the behavior of your kids. To me, being a good parent is about being dedicated to reflecting and learning and growing.”
ON MY NIGHTSTAND A
pile of four books I’m reading (Nick Cave and Séan O’Hagan’s new book, Faith, Hope, and Carnage), hand cream, a photograph of George Harrison, and also a tiny vase of flowers from our garden upstate— the last blooms before winter.
IF THERE WERE MORE
CHRISTENE BARBERICH MINI SPENT TEN MINUTES WITH THE
creator of A Tiny Apt. Substack newsletter, co-founder of Refinery29, and mom to Raffi, 5, to talk playlists, fridge staples (anchovy paste, anyone?), and what’s in the pile of books that lives on her nightstand.
HOURS IN THE DAY I
would read, read, read. And thrift.
ON THE CLOCK GROWING UP, I WANTED TO BE AN Editor and writer. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Salter House. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Time
of Wonder and Hello Lighthouse. MY COFFEE ORDER Oat
milk cappuccino.
IDEAL DATE NIGHT A 7
p.m. dinner at Inga’s or Hibino, two of my favorite places in Brooklyn Heights, followed by a meandering walk if the weather is nice and then home for a bath, bed, and book by 9:30. HEAVEN.
FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE It’s a
CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Beach House,
Mutual Benefit, 10cc, Bow Wow Wow, and my newsletter playlists on Spotify.
FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT A tie
between Saint Julivert, Inga’s, and Hibino.
toss-up between Robin Robin, Song of the Sea, and Coraline.
FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL
Paris, Iceland, Marfa, Islands in Maine, the desert, and the home we’re building upstate.
LAST BOOK I READ
Inhabiting the Negative Space by Jenny Odell. BEFORE KIDS I NEVER THOUGHT
APPS I USE MOST
Spotify, Radio Isla Negra, Instagram, eBay, Huji, The New Yorker, and Substack.
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ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Peanut butter,
anchovy paste, cheese, and fresh spinach. And usually a thing or two for an emergency cocktail.
I would enjoy Disney movies and snack plates so much. PREGNANCY CRAVINGS
Classic corner deli potato salad.
Creator of The Skinny Confidential, Lauryn Bosstick is building her dream life on purpose, with a little help from self care and boundaries around what matters to her most.
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photography by
ARIELLE LEVY
M I N I f a l l ‘23
makeup by
MACKENZIE LAINE
hair by
PA O LO F R A N C O
L L A U R Y N B O S S T I C K is an
entrepreneur through and through, a media empress who thrives on routine, yet has a knack for the unknown. The creator of The Skinny Confidential wears many hats, from podcaster (the Him & Her Show), and author (Get the F*ck Out of the Sun), to wife and mother (to kids Zaza and Townes), and it’s boundaries and intentionality that helps each one have their time to shine. “I’ve [become] very aware of my capacity,” Bosstick tells Mini. “I’m aware of the fact that I only have a thermometer of time and energy for each day and I’m very thoughtful about where I deploy that time and energy.” For the mom of two, that means multitasking in order to make each moment count. “It has to be worth being away from my children,” she tells Mini. “I’m cut-throat
and brutal with time. If there’s a way to be doing two things at once, I take it. If I have to walk while I do calls or get hair and makeup done while I answer interviews, I’ll do it. Whatever I’m doing, if I can be purposeful about it, then I will.” And while the Texas-by-way-of-California powerhouse has amassed 1.2 million followers—and a podcast with over 200
million downloads—she keeps it all at a distance in the name of present parenting. “When I’m with them, I don’t want my phone or my career near us,” Bosstick says. “I don’t want to pull out my phone and capture every moment; I just want to be in it and enjoy. In a way, [motherhood] has made me more private and guarded.”
MORNING ROUTINE “I love to wake up about 30 to 40 minutes before my kids, around 6:45 a.m. If my kids aren’t awake, I’m able to squeeze in a meditation which is just a phenomenal way to start the day. So I remove the mouth tape, tongue scrape to get rid of any bacteria, put on my headphones, legs up the wall, perhaps a red light mask, and I will do Joe Dispenza’s morning meditation (about 24 minutes). I’ve been doing this for about two years and I look forward to it every day. For me, meditation is like a strategy session for life and business. It’s a time to sit in silence and envision what I want for my day, week, year, future. Immediately after I open the shades to let sunlight pour into the room, I always make the bed. I have this thing where I am the one who has to do it. It sounds weird, but I feel like the bed absorbs energy, so I like to do it myself. It’s
kind of a ritual. I have it down to a science where the whole production takes like five minutes. Usually, I am listening to an audiobook (currently: The Power of Love by Louise Hay). My morning skincare is simple: ice roll, some facial massage and manipulation, a good hyaluronic acid, creamy face serum, and my favorite colostrum moisturizer. The kids are typically awake at this point and the second their eyes open, they’re READY, you know what I mean? I’ll go downstairs and hydrate right away with water, tons of ice, pink Himalayan salt, Arrae x The Skinny Confidential debloating drops, and lemon juice. Simultaneously, I’m setting the tone of our day with music, incense, and candles. I try to romanticize the morning because it’s a time for me to be really present with my kids, connect with them, and enjoy life. I don’t look at my phone unless it’s to turn on music or a podcast. It’s all about them. Michael always makes me a coffee with raw milk which weirdly is a perfect pre-workout drink. We make the kids breakfast and as soon as my son is finished eating, I take him for a walk. It’s a special time for us to bond and enjoy time in nature— one of my favorite parts of Austin. We get our sunlight in and sometimes I’ll listen to a walking meditation by Melissa Wood and jot down some to-dos for the day on my phone. When we get home, I make my
daughter lunch and Michael and I take her to school. The car ride is a nice time for us to connect as a family. After drop-off, we go to the gym. I prefer to workout in the morning with a trainer. It keeps me accountable to have recurring sessions in the calendar. The space represents an hour to myself, it’s non-negotiable, and allows me to be more effective in the business. I like being told what to do at the gym, HA. When I get home, I’ll have bone broth or poached eggs and sit down with TSC planner to write out the day. Then I get right to work, it’s balls to the walls, and I squeeze as much into my work time as possible. Let’s be f*cking real, does this go perfectly every day? No way in hell. There are tantrums and earlier wake-ups some days. I’m a full-time working mom with two kids under 3 so you have to be malleable, but setting the intention to make this the blueprint for every day is helpful. If I can nail it, great. If I can’t, maybe I get 40% there. I also travel a lot, so knowing that I have this routine at home is comforting.”
“ You don’t feel like you, you don’t look like you. It’s a mind f*ck.”
TRANSITION TO TWO “Transitioning from one to two [kids] was not as complex for me as transitioning from zero to one. After Zaza, I struggled with postpartum depression. What was complex was that I was so grateful and happy to have Zaza, but at the same time, I was not feeling like myself. You don’t feel like you, you don’t look like you (I gained
over 50 pounds), you have a new baby to take care of— it’s a mind f*ck. Now I [know] that it’s okay to feel both grateful and feel off. Eventually, I got my hormones and thyroid levels checked and it changed everything. When I had Townes, I was more prepared for the postpartum situation. I set up my life with all the tools that I needed. It included a lot of weightlifting, tons of protein (I eat a lot of grass-fed meats), cold plunging, sauna, meditation, self-care, books, and research. I didn’t have those tools when Zaza was a newborn, so it was a very different experience. I didn’t realize anything about the importance of taking care of yourself post-birth; I was more focused on the pregnancy. All of it is a major transition, no matter which way you look at it. You truly have to adjust your life to be present for another human being 24/7. I don’t think I really took time to acknowledge the responsibility until the babies were actually here. It’s definitely a juggling act to maintain running a company of 12, showing up as a mother and wife, podcasting, and maintaining a peaceful home environment. I feel like I lay my head down at the end of the night and I’m either going to nail being a business woman or being a mom. A lot of other moms have agreed with this sentiment on the podcast. It’s really hard to nail both. I actively give myself grace and when I’m around my children, I try to be as present as possible. The boundaries that I
have with my phone are unreal now. Being a working mother has its challenges, just as being a stay-at-home mom does. You have to be flexible.” THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF MOTHERHOOD “By far, the greatest challenge has been making sure that I show up in a purposeful way. I have so much going on with the business that I don’t want to bring that distraction into my interactions with my children. What I’ve done every single day is create moments. For instance, every morning I walk for 30 minutes with my son to a walking meditation. We’re outside getting fresh air in daylight and it’s become a really important part of my day to connect and show him the neighborhood. With my daughter, I make sure there’s no distraction when I wake her up and when I put her to bed; I’m all in. Her favorite thing right now is for me to tell her stories of when I was little, so every night we do three stories about when I was little and she picks the plot. Like she designs and creates the plot of MY childhood stories. She’s a little boss. There’s always some element of guilt for me though. I asked my husband if he felt any guilt when it comes to the kids and he said no. That motherf*cker didn’t even flinch! There’s this heavy expectation to show up as Suzy Homemaker and mother
“ I’m either going to nail being a business woman or being a mom.”
and wife of the year, while also maintaining a business. I think the guilt is totally natural, especially as a woman. I try to acknowledge it and reframe it. Instead of letting those feelings of guilt overtake moments, I reframe my thinking to something positive. The book that really helped is called You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay. This book teaches you that the way you talk to yourself in your head is the design of your life. Big believer that you are the creator of your life and too many negative thoughts can detract from the good.” THE NAME GAME “Ever since I met Michael, I’ve been very much into Zsa Zsa Gabor. I read all of her autobiographies and watched all the things. I kept telling Michael how much I loved her attitude. In her time, she was unapologetically herself and a total disruptor. She also had been married like seven times which I thought was amazing because at that time it was so taboo to get a divorce. She didn’t care. I liked that. She lived life on her own terms. I told Michael that I wanted to name our daughter Zsa Zsa, but I kept pronouncing it, ‘Zaza.’ One day he told me that’s not how you pronounce it. I’d been pronouncing it wrong the whole time. Immediately, I was like ‘I need my daughter to be named Zaza.’ So I guess you could say we kind of made up her name? She’s the most Zaza ever too. It’s the ideal name for her.
Townes came to us because, again, we wanted something unique but simple. Townes Van Zandt is one of my and Michael’s favorite musicians. His music has depth. The name has been really fitting. Also like so many moms, I have 180 nicknames for both of my kids. The most random names in the world. Michael thinks I’m nuts.” STARTING A BRAND “When I launched The Skinny Confidential 13 years ago, I built it with the intention of making it a multifaceted brand. Yes, it launched as a blog, but it was always going to be a brand from the get-go. I’ve always tried to make it bigger than myself. I’m interested and curious about other people’s favorite way to moisturize, their habit stacking hack, or how they built their business. To have longevity in the space, you need to be curious and bring other people up and showcase them regularly. As for the product line, The Skinny Confidential community was 100% behind it. Through the blog and social media, reading DM’s and comments, I knew that a line of daily habits was it. We specialize in high quality, aesthetically pleasing tools that are effective and innovative. There was never an ‘aha’ moment. Everything with The Skinny Confidential was steady-paced and strategic. We made sure we were thoughtful about every single product we launched, which is why it took four years to launch the Ice Roller.”
“ I’ve always tried to make the brand bigger than myself. ”
WORKING WITH YOUR SPOUSE “Michael and I have gotten laser focused on the vision for our life and how it’s laid out. Sometimes couples can get disjointed from that vision. We are committed to exactly what we want out of life and building it together. We map out how we want the next two months to look, the next year, and what life looks like when we’re older. It helps that we’re both entrepreneurial, but very different with our approaches. We have the ability to work together on the podcast but then have our separate businesses to run. He owns Dear Media and I own The Skinny Confidential. There’s a mutual respect for each other’s strengths. I know when he is the better person to ask for something, he knows when I am, and we lean into those strengths. Michael is also very quietly confident which is helpful to me and the key to our relationship. If he was trying to push me into a box, I’d feel really stifled. He’s comfortable letting me be me. Whatever that looks like. Michael and I are very aligned in the way we parent and the way we run a business. I’m not sure if that’s because we worked together for so long before we had kids, but we’re aligned in our approach to raising them. We’ve been clear about our values. We spent a lot of time planning and going over our vision for our life, and we’ve done that with our kids too.”
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SELF CARE ROUTINES “To play at the level I want to play at in business, you have to have a really strong self care routine. It’s almost like an athlete. An athlete wouldn’t just go to play a game and I look at my business like that. I have a lot of things in place to help me perform at the level I want to perform. I’ve been in this game for a long time, and now I know that if you just hustle your face off and you don’t take care of yourself, you burn out. There are severe boundaries around my phone and breaks from social media. It looks like scheduling a workout every day and it’s non-negotiable. It looks like a walk in the morning and doing anything to get outside and move my body. For me, absence is just as important as presence, and leaning into the fact that there’s a way to use your absence to your advantage. Everything from supplementation to hydration to movement to meditation to reading is self care. I set an hour in my calendar to read, work out, walk, think, and I don’t beat myself up anymore if I can’t return every text message or email. I’m constantly trying to find pockets of time where I can learn, so while I make my bed, I listen to a podcast. While I walk, I listen to a meditation. While I’m on the treadmill, I’ll listen to an informative book. Purposefully using little pockets of time can really help and I love being creative with time.” PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT “Bringing products to market. It took
us so long to get the products here, and actually having something tangible for my audience to unwrap was exciting. I felt like the audience helped me build the product, so seeing the Ice Roller come to life was emotional. Actually seeing the community engaging with the product after they received it was such a big moment. Entering the body category with Le Spoon Body Sculptor has been surreal too. Seeing my own results when it comes to sculpting and cellulite, and now seeing how much the community loves it for sore muscles. We’re launching another body tool in early December. It’s something I’ve been using for years and I know the audience is going to love it because they’ve asked for it.” RELOCATING TO TEXAS “We moved to Austin because our jobs were so crazy and chaotic. We wanted space to create a sanctuary. Austin was perfect for that. It’s totally surrounded by nature. I feel like we wake up in a treehouse. Ultimately, it’s eliminated a lot of distraction and surface relationships. When we’re here, we’re working and with our kids, then when we go to LA or NYC, we
cram in work but it’s more of a playground, so we get a really nice balance of both. It has been a seamless transition. I think it’s because we were ready for it. We had lived in San Diego then LA for so many years that it just got to the point where we were craving something different. It’s set up to support our self care and wellness. We have a cold plunge and infrared sauna, a barrel sauna, red lights. We eat well here. We don’t drink much in Austin, and we’re in bed so early. The adjustment feels good on my nervous system. I feel regulated and focused on what’s important and cutting out the noise. Peace is key.” RAISING KIDS IN TEXAS “I’m not sure if they’ll be raised in Austin. What I love about my husband is that he’s open to movement in life. We have decided that we don’t want to sit in one place and stay there for the rest of our lives. We want the ability to move. We like the idea that our life might not always be where it is right now. In this moment, our goals and our vision are aligned, but where we live, I don’t know, we have a fluidity around it. Maybe that’s a new city or another country or just another house, we don’t know, and that’s what we like. The unknown is fun.”
LAURYN ON THE CLOCK
The Him& Her Show co-host shares fast facts.
KIDS BOOK
“What Do You Do With an Idea by Kobi Yamada.”
KIDS MOVIE
“Cinderella.”
COFFEE ORDER
“Frothed coffee with an inch of raw milk and cinnamon.” FA V E K I D S SHOP
“Bonpoint in NYC.” LISTENING TO
“Stan Getz on Spotify.”
N O W P L AY I N G
“Curb Your Enthusiasm.” IN MY FRIDGE
“Ground beef. I eat so much meat and my hair growth has been insane from it.”
G U I LT Y P L E A S U R E
“A bougie ranch water. 1.5 inch of blanco tequila, Pellegrino, an inch of lime juice, and a lemon wedge.” FA V E R E S TA U R A N T
“Commodore Perry. Food is insane, drinks are phenomenal, the vibe is immaculate.”
THE FAMILY GHOST After spending years in front of the camera marketing for other brands, India Blue Severe ultimately stepped behind it to launch her own clothing brand, Lonely Ghost.
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photography by
RACHEL SANTOS
Severe at home with husband, Jackson, and son, Seven, 3.
The Origin Story “We launched Lonely Ghost in March of 2019, but the story starts almost a decade ago. Most brands provide a product before building an audience; I accidentally did the opposite. Through videos, blog posts, and traveling the world, I developed a loyal, like-minded community of girls who felt deeply, girls who wanted the most out of their lives. I had a [built-in] audience, ready to support my dreams. After five years of influencer marketing for other brands, I decided to make my own.”
children is one of the most fulfilling experiences life can offer and I feel that way watching my business grow. Everything wonderful, beautiful, and life-changing is always going to be really hard, but the best example we can set for our kids is to live and dream and try, at any age, in any role. Nurture your dreams like you nurture your children. It’s okay to care about both.”
The Creative “ Nurture your Process
The Life Balance
dreams like you nurture your children. It’s okay to care about both.”
“Kids are magic because they pull you into the present moment. That presence is the ultimate equalizer. That’s where I find my balance. I try to remember that when I’m working and he interrupts me wanting to read a book. He reminds me that taking breaks and grounding in what really matters is so crucial to the quality of work I produce in the long run.”
Starting a Business "Lonely Ghost is my other baby. Raising
“At the heart of Lonely Ghost, I think we are at our best when our products or phrases invite a moment of connection. Our first drop was a t-shirt that said, ‘I love you, say it back,’ inspired by a text from my boyfriend after I hung up without saying I love you. It’s universal, relatable, and most of all, it’s interactive. When brainstorming for a new collection, or a new phrase, I try to think of clever, wholesome, yet thought provoking statements. A simple sentence that will make a stranger on the subway read it twice.”
Proudest Moment “We recently went on a college tour, popping up at sorority houses across the country. Every stop had hundreds of people in line, wrapping around the block.
With our brand being so online, it was a huge moment for me to see the manifestation of what we had built. The community. Real people, not just usernames. It’s hard for me to comprehend sometimes, but meeting everyone put things into perspective for me. It was clear that our brand was more than clothes and phrases. It has a real, lasting impact on the people who wear it.”
Business Lesson
thousands of eyes watching me. It was a lot. I had to push through constantly second guessing myself, and settle into this role I was made for. I kept telling myself that I knew what I was doing. I chose to rest in the power and sacredness of motherhood and it led me to feeling really empowered as a mom, and as woman.”
“ Children are The Name magical and Game full of awe and wonder, and it only lasts so long.”
“Nobody actually knows what they’re doing. Seriously. We’re all just winging it! Starting a business so young, I often deferred to the oldest people in the room. I naively assumed that anyone older, or more experienced than me, automatically knew better than I did. Age and experience can be a huge advantage, but I had to learn that being young doesn’t discredit me either. I trust myself more now, and I am getting more comfortable using my voice.”
Becoming Mom “Mothers intuition is so real and that is what carried me through those first hard months. I started my motherhood journey feeling inadequate. Being young, not married, with a new health diagnosis and
“We knew it would be Seven, boy or girl, so that made things really easy! Seven is somewhat of a family name, and we have had a few special little synchronicities regarding the number. Born at 7 months, at 7:21 p.m., he is our little miracle boy and his name is so fitting.”
Bringing Up Baby “Childhood should be fun. I firmly believe that. Children are magical and full of awe and wonder and it only lasts so long. I don’t want my son to feel like being a kid is a job or that he needs to prove himself to earn my love. I love my son so fully, so unconditionally, and that will never change. I just want to keep him little and wild and free for as long as the world will let me. I want to be the one to remind my children of who they really are, if they ever get lost. I want to fill their lives with joy, beauty and laughter.
On Mom Guilt “I think of the big picture. In our narrow view of what’s currently in front of us, the guilt is overwhelming. Guilt for having hobbies and interests outside of raising our kids. Guilt for taking time to ourselves. Taking naps. Weekend trips. Week long trips. Ultimately, it is a gift not only to ourselves, but to our children. They will see their parents as whole, individual people. There will be no guilt to transfer down to them. There is resentment that builds when we sacrifice our lives and dreams for our children, and that is the big picture I am talking about. We are mothers, but we are also more. Our kids need to see that too.”
Greatest Challenge “When you become a parent, you become painfully aware of how important the first few years are. You are creating their worldview, their patterning, the way they see themselves. It’s a lot of pressure, and takes a lot of emotional stability and reflection. That’s the challenge for me. Healing myself so I don’t unconsciously mess up my kid, while also understanding we all inevitably mess up our kids.”
Self Care “I learned to love mornings! I used to be
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such a night owl until I became a mom. Getting a few hours to myself before he wakes up is necessary for me. I have also learned to let him be apart of my routine. Motherhood is mastering ‘go with the flow.’ I love alone time as a form of self care, but I realized I didn’t have to be alone to take care of myself either. Now, I take my time getting ready and doing yoga, letting him wander around me.”
Mom Style “I still love dressing up for a night out or a fun event, but my style is more practical these days. I think I’ve gravitated towards vintage tees and sweatshirts since becoming a mom. Vintage is cool because its not about trends; its timeless. My mom uniform is an oversized crewneck and sweatpants.
Ideal Ensemble “The cozy ghost gown from Lonely Ghost!”
Advice to Her Son “Your heart is your gift. Keep it open, even when it feels like closing. Love is the strongest force in the world, and it will always find you.”
INDY ON THE CLOCK
The Lonely Ghost founder shares fast facts.
KIDS BOOK
“The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.”
KIDS MOVIE
“The Nightmare Before Christmas.” IF I HAD MORE TIME
“I would scrapbook.” COFFEE ORDER
“Iced vanilla latte.”
FA V E S H O P FOR KIDS
“Zara Kids.” G U I LT Y P L E A S U R E
“Dance Moms.” BEFORE KIDS
“I never thought I would cry over a haircut!” LISTENING TO
“Olivia Rodrigo’s new album.” N O W W AT C H I N G
“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.”
FA V E R E S TA U R A N T
“Edna’s Market & Grille.” 380 N 850 E, Lehi, UT