FO R T H E M O D E R N PA R E N T
T H E O N LY W O R KO U T P R O V E N TO R E S O LV E D I A S TA S I S RECTI
OVER THE RAINBOW M O M -TO - B E C L A I R E H O LT O N PREGNANCY AFTER LOSS
SLEEP TRAINING 101— FROM THE CREATOR OF THE SNOO
THE NEW B A BY G E A R BRAND ON T H E B LO C K
P LU S T H E U LT I M AT E S I C K D AY M U S T- H AV E S !
AC T R E S S C L A I R E H O LT I S E X P E C T I N G A B A BY B OY T H I S SPRING
57
MINI
RADAR
T H E e a r l i e st k n ow n u s e o f t h e t e r m s p r i n g cl e a n i n g wa s i n 1 8 5 7.
ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
Easy to hold, hard to spill— The new Baby Bjorn Kitchen essentials like this spoon, fork, plate, cup, and bib make mealtimes a breeze! We love everything from the soft colorways and modern design, to the BPA-free materials used in this feeding set’s construction! —babybjorn.com
THIS JUST IN
MEET LALO
Founded by a creative team including a Warby Parker alum and mom of 2, Lalo provides a better way to shop for baby with an intuitive online experience and well-made essentials, including their first product, The Daily, a simple, safe, and sleek stroller thoughtfully designed for everyday use. “The Daily is the new kid on the block, but this innovative bundle has it all!” says Mini’s editor Kate Kirby. —meetlalo.com
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT
Almost Makes Perfect comes the cutest Baby on Board car magnet you’ve ever seen! No more tacky window shades with primary colored lettering— this chic, neutral magnet is easily applied and removed to your vehicle to let all cars on the road know you’ve got Minis inside! —almostmakesperfect.com
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
SPECIAL EVENTS TO AT T E N D T H I S SEASON
Cal
LA SPRING FLING EASTER EGG HUNT T H E CO LO R FAC TO R Y
MINI MUST-HAVE ▶
LoveShackFancy has the prettiest printed Easter dresses for little girls!
Through April 28, visit the LA Zoo for spring activities like butterfly crafts, chalk art, honey tasting, animal feedings, and seed giveaways!
Experience color and fun like never before as interactive art pop-up The Color Factory will be in NYC through mid May!
Enjoy an egg hunt with the Easter Bunny, face painting, art projects, and games at the Malibu Hoppening on April 5 from 3-5:30 in Malibu Bluffs Park.
Twinkle Playspace in Brooklyn offers 4500 sq. ft. where kids can climb a life-size tree with bridge, explore the stars, and pet dragons!
ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
DUMBO ▶
4
M I N I s p r i n g ‘18
The latest live-action classic to hit the big screen in 2019 is Dumbo! Grab the kids and the popcorn and dive into this Disney favorite where differences are celebrated and dreams take flight!
mini-magazine.com
Head to Mini for more interviews F E AT U R E S
FOLLOW MINI WE’RE ON INSTAGRAM!
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, and much more! Find us on Instagram: @minimagazine or visit www.instagram.com/ minimagazine.
with parents around the world, style, and more
LIVING
BABY+KIDS
THE MAGAZINE
MEET THE BRAND THAT’S CHANGING THE NURSERY FURNITURE GAME Practical nursery furniture that’s also chic? This is it. EVERYTHING MEGHAN MARKLE WORE FOR HER BABY SHOWER Dress like the Duchess with her exact curated fashion picks. FITNESS RULES TO FOLLOW FOR WORKING OUT WHILE PREGNANT Wellness guru Amanda Kloots weighs in on breaking a sweat with a bump.
CBD FOR BABIES? THE FIRST BABY SKINCARE LINE WITH HEMP IS HERE Gentle enough for newborns and packed with benefits for mom too!
minisclusives LOG ON TO
MINI Find all of this and more on our website!
contents 02
04
06
08
10
12 16
20
24
26
28
32
38
44 48
5 0 56
58
62
68
70
72
21 | THE STYLE SPOT The best of Disney collabs and rain boots for splashing 14 | MEET THE TEAM The team that makes all the Mini magic possible
for all of you chic Mini moms from bump to beyond
18 | EDITOR’S LIST
30 | TECH KIDS The latest
A carefully-curated list of Kate’s favorites this season
27 | MOM It’s the style spot
and greatest from the Mini tech sphere 32 | BOOK CLUB A selection of spring kids books that celebrate the season and tell inspiring tales
34 | SCOOP New (sleepy!) parents rejoice— SNOO is now available for rent 36 | GOODBYE, CRY The creator of SNOO shares how to avoid the Cry It Out sleep training method 40 | MOM BOD Introducing the only workout scientifically proven to resolve diastasis recti
76
in t r oc u d ing
ÂŽ
a paci fie r f o r t ime - s t r a p pe d par e n t s w it h t a s t e. ww w.doddleandco.com @doddleandcom pany #becausebabies
contents
52 54
56
62 64 70
78
80 82 86
26
90 94 96 90
98
100 102
52 | CLEK LIING The popular
kids gear brand just released their first-ever infant car seat with features galore 54 | OVER THE RAINBOW Cover mom Claire Holt talks pregnancy after loss and how she’s preparing for baby
44 | RECOVERY MODE The
Culinistas roll out a postnatal menu to nourish your body after baby 46 | SICK DAY SAVERS Spring
can bring a sniffle or two— you’ll want to have these on hand
49 | ON THE SCENE The
newest baby gear collab from CYBEX and supermodel Karolina Kurkova
50 | LALO DAILY The hot new baby brand introduces their everyday stroller that’s thought of everything
66 | SWEET HOME OG blogger Emily Schuman shows us around her California cool home
18
Introducing elegant Grey Melange. A classic, versatile neutral. StokkeÂŽ XploryÂŽ
stokke.com
contents
54 56
66
72 74 78 82 84 86
74 | GROWING UP Designer
88
96 98 102 106
94 | MAMA MUSE Supermod-
Rachel Pally has never been more proud of her evolving label or her family
el and supermom Karolina Kurkova shows us around her bright, modern Miami home
82 | MAMA AND ME NYC mompreneur Candice Miller broke into blogging and now she’s leaving her mark on fashion with a new line
102 | FULL BLOOM Actress and Maed founder Denise Vasi talks growing a business along with baby number two
110
115 118 120
The
Convertible Stroller
Bugaboo Donkey
Designed specifically to grow and flow with your family.
MINI Founder and Editor in Chief K aitlyn K irby Cover Photo graphy K imberly G enevieve Editorial Team Contributing Photo grapher Ana G ambuto Contributing Photo grapher Brandi Welles Contributing Photo grapher Vanessa Tierney Contributing Photo grapher Tami Jill Photography Contributing Photo grapher Julie Shuford Photography
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 2019 M ini M agazine.
Editor
INSIDE LOOK: (On Right) A peek at our spring cover shoot with mom-to-be Claire Holt. (From Top) Holt is expecting a baby boy this spring— but she didn’t always think she’d be seeing blue! (Below) My secret weapon to combat dry lips lately— HATCH Mama’s Nippe + Lip Rescue Balm!
16
Spring always feels like an opportunity to hit the reset button. With my home (thanks Marie Kondo!), my goals, my wellness routine, and of course, here with Mini! We’ve been making a few changes over the past several months—from a website relaunch to a new cover design— and it feels so good to start fresh! This first issue of the new year is always so exciting to put together and I’m thrilled to introduce you to (or at least provide a closer look into the lives of) truly inspiring women like cover mom Claire Holt who’s on a mission to break the stigmas
A LETTER FROM MINI’S FOUNDER K AT E K I R BY
surrounding women’s health and fertility, Emily Schuman of Cupcakes & Cashmere whose blog (and now shop!) I’ve followed for years, Rachel Pally whose clothes I would love to fill my closet, as well as other endlessly chic moms like Denise Vasi, Candice Miller, and Karolina Kurkova! I hope you all feel like this spring issue is a breath of fresh air as much as I do and get to enjoy a moment to yourself to really indulge in everything that’s inside. Happy resetting!
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
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
EDITOR’S LIST
BLACK IRIS
◀
MINI
The new Black Iris collection includes beautifully feminine pieces like this bralette and skirt. —shopblackiris.com
◀ HOP HOP
This bunny hoodie can be worn long after Easter! —oeufnyc.com
◀ MAMA CLUTCH
Day or night, this Mama clutch is a bold accessory for your essentials! —jemandbea.com
◀ ROLL AWAY
This rose quartz roller is so refreshing in the morning. Tip: Stick it in the fridge! —beautybio.com
Hatch Baby Rest; $59.99 —shop.hatchbaby.com
◀ SUNSHINE DAY
18
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
Warm weather is on its way! I love all of the new spring suits from Minnow! —minnowswim.com
◀
PAJAMA CHARM
These are the only pajamas I ever want to wear and I love that now I can match my daughter! —lakepajamas.com
From Diaper Rash to Relief, FAST. e
Touch-Fre
Spray
The brand moms and pediatricians trust to gently help treat irritated baby bottoms, fast. Find out why moms love Dr. Smith’s®
@DoctorSmiths
Visit DoctorSmiths.com for retail locations near you. Copyright ©2015 Mission Pharmacal Company. All Rights Reserved. DSO-P156003-2
T H E S P OT TO SHOP FOR THEIR M I N I WA R D R O B E
Style
DISNEY FEVER M O V I E M AG I C FA S H I O N WEE WELLIES
◀ DISNEY FEVER
It seems everything is coming up Disney as of late and we are not complaining! After all, what Minis wouldn’t want to rock their favorite movie characters like Elsa from Frozen, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Moana, and of course, Cinderella and Rapunzel too! Dozens of brands have debuted their own Disney collabs and Hanna Andersson is one of them! Your littles can fill their wardrobes with Ariel swimwear, Mickey Mouse dresses, Aurora pajamas, and even Winnie the Pooh sweatshirts! —hannaandersson.com
R O C K YO U R FAV O R I T E DISNEY C H A R AC T E R S !
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
DISNEY FEVER
Add these magical movie-inspired pieces (from pajamas to swimsuits!) to your Mini’s wardrobe this spring!
MICKEY MOUSE CLUB
The mouse that started it all is everywhere! Above: $179; Axis Backpack in Sketchbook Mickey; $79; Minnie Me Boxy Backpack; petunia. com Below: $64.95; Ultragirl Disney Twins Waterproof Mary Jane; nordstrom.com
22
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
HAPPY FEET
Show your Disney love with these everyday moccs. $60; freshlypicked.com
BEARY CUTE
A soft terry sweatshirt for your honey loving bear. $44; hannaandersson.com.
MINNIE ME
BELLE OF THE BALL
Add that signature Minnie bow and your Minis are set for spring! $34.99; hm.com.
This Belle skirt will make your Mini feel like a princess. $80; hannaandersson.com.
The VISTA’s intuitive design allows for multiple configurations, making transporting a second and third child a breeze – all while strolling like a single.
SAME RIDE. NEW TAILOR. Whether you always roll with neutrals or prefer a pop of color, there’s a VISTA to fit your style. Choose from a wide range of colors, including new innovative textile options with stylish 100% premium leather accents.
uppababy.com
SAFE KIDS, HAPPY HOME
See our full line of baby gates at munchkin.com
WEE WELLIES
April showers do indeed bring May flowers and that means lots of puddle jumping is in your Mini’s future! Grab a pair of these and get splashing!
1
2
3
4
5
6
1. CHECK MATE
3. SPLASH BUDDY
5. POP OF COLOR
$55; Gingham Waterproof Rain Boot, nordstrom.com
$70; Hunter Davison Rain Boot, nordstrom.com
$44.95; Rainbow Waterproof Rain Boot, joulesusa.com
2. SHORT AND SWEET
4. EASY ON
6. PUDDLE PAL
$27.99; Totes Cirrus Chelsea Ankle Rain Boots, target.com
$34.95; Handle It Waterproof Rain Boot, crocs.com
$22.99; Crocs Bump It Rain Boot, amazon.com
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
J U S T F O R YO U MAMA, FROM B U M P TO B E YO N D
Mom
S TO R Q B R A R I T UA L V I TA M I N S B E AU T Y B I O
◀ STORQ EVERYDAY BRA
T H E O N LY B R A YO U ’ L L E V E R WA N T TO WEAR!
We’ve finally found it— a soft cup nursing bra that’s actually pretty and soft! The Everyday Bra from Storq is free from clips, bows, and lace, not to mention it pulls aside for quick and easy access when feeding baby on the go! But this one is much more than a nursing bra and can be worn long after the baby days. “This is the only bra I want to wear,” says Mini’s Editor-in-Chief Kate Kirby. “Out of all of them, it’s the one I reach for most often.” —storq.com
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
THIS JUST IN
RITUAL PRENATAL Ritual—the women’s once-daily vitamin company championing simplicity, traceability, and education—launched their Essential Prenatal, a completely reimagined prenatal vitamin that encases the 12 most critical, health-vital nutrients for mom and baby in the cleanest and most effective forms available. Free of unwanted excipients, GMOs, and anything artificial, Essential Prenatal requires just two, once-daily lemon-essence capsules (since citrus is commonly craved during pregnancy!) for an easier, more pleasant experience. —ritual.com
RIGHT NOW WE’RE LOVING
The life-changing skincare line by BeautyBio, including their innovative Microneedling Regeneration Tool ($199) that triggers skin’s natural response to create bouncy new cells. Our favorite products right now? The Plump Volumizing Repair Cream ($85) and the Bright Eyes Illuminating Patches ($40) that will instantly make any tired mama look more awake and refreshed!
28
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
—beautybio.com
chic, timeless & comfortable clothes for before, during and after.
T H E L AT E S T F R O M THE MINI TECH SPHERE
Tech
E LV I E P U M P NANIT SMART B A BY M O N I TO R
MINI MUST HAVE
E LV I E PUMP
It’s time you meet Elvie— a new brand dominating the smart technology space of women’s health. Leading the charge for new moms with their Elvie Trainer, an award-winning Kegel trainer for a stronger pelvic floor, the brand has also just released the Elvie Pump, a silent wearable breast pump that fits in your bra with no tubes, no wires, and no noise. —elvie.com
RIGHT NOW IN TECH KIDS
30
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
We’re all about the latest in smart baby gear and this monitor does it all. Nanit ($299) offers a sleek, overhead camera for the best view of baby day or night, complete with temperature and humidity sensors as well as sleep tracking with nightly recaps to help you understand baby’s sleeping patterns. The best part? Nanit works over Wi-Fi even when the internet is down so you can rest assured that you’ll always have a close eye on your littles! —nanit.com
sway on Sway left. Then right. Then left again. Relaxing—right? That same calming motion can now be a continuous one, thanks to the newest member of our Nuna family the LEAF wind. Creating a soft, steady breeze as it connects with just a click to your LEAF or LEAF curv*, with 6 speed settings sure to soothe your little one straight on into newborn dreamland. Here’s to swaying on...and on. *compatible with models SE-10-xxx & SE-30-xxx
learn all about it at nuna.eu
Book Club
Be sure to pick up one of these new spring books for your Minis and celebrate the season of flowers, rain puddles, and Mr. Sun!
FOR LEARNING
STEPHEN HAWKING
by Isabel Sanchez Vegara
EDITOR’S PICK
THE GOOD EGG
by Jory John Balance, self-care, and accepting those we love are major themes in this egg-cellent book! FOR HISTORY
32
A IS FOR AWESOME! 23 ICONIC WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD
by Eva Chen
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
FOR HISTORY FOR SPRING
WE ARE THE GARDENERS
by Joanna Gaines and Kids The Fixer Upper queen and all five of her Minis teamed up on this spring perfect tale of failing and flourishing!
I AM BILLIE JEAN KING
by Brad Meltzer The story of one of the greatest champions of both tennis and women’s rights!
Follow the physicist from his days as a space-loving boy to his first major scientific discovery!
THIS JUST IN IN THE MINI WORLD
Scoop
S N O O R E N TA L SLEEP TRAINING 101 D I A S TA S I S R E C T I HEALING
◀ RENT-A-SNOO
34
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
Big news is here from our friends at Happiest Baby, the creators of the SNOO Smart Sleeper! The brand is on a mission to help make SNOO available and affordable to everyone and is now offering rentals! Parents can now rent the responsive infant bed for about $4.90/day ($148.95/month). —happiestbaby.com
Joolz Tailor collection customize your ride
find out more and customize your stroller at joolz.com
GOODBYE, CRY
Sleep training does not have to include the infamous cry-it-out method. We asked Dr. Harvey Karp, renowned pediatrician and creator of the Happiest Baby SNOO, how to avoid it and here’s what he had to say.
CLICK HERE TO L E A R N MORE ABOUT SNOO!
36
When parents say they’re dreading sleep training, they’re usually talking about the classic cry-it-out method that desperate parents commonly advised to try if their 4-6 month old baby isn’t sleeping through the night. Sleep training gives parents angst because it never feels right to ignore your baby’s cries. Your entire nervous system
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
is tuned to hear those cries and respond with loving care. The good news is that the cry-it-out method can work—after 2-4 days of tough nights—but it can also backfire if you don’t do it correctly. Thankfully, there are effective and gentler ways to train our little ones to be champion sleepers. By embracing these strategies, most babies sleep through the
night much earlier— and with many fewer tears. FEED FOR BETTER SLEEP
Feeding and good sleep go hand in hand. That’s because hunger is the #1 reason babies wake at night! Of course, newborn need feedings every few hours. But, within 1-2 weeks most babies are steadily gaining weight and it is perfectly fine to start shifting more of calories to the daytime, which helps them sleep longer at night. Sounds dreamy, right? To do so, you’ll want to feed your baby every 1.5-2 hours while the sun is up. You should even wake her up from naps that stretch longer than 2 hours to offer a nosh. If
you’re nursing, I find it works best to alternate breasts— around 7 minutes on each side. That is usually a more efficient schedule than keeping babies on one breast or doing 15 minutes per side. Switching back and forth let’s babies get plenty of foremilk plus the benefit of the calorie-rich hindmilk. Later, around 11 PM, offer a dream feed (rouse your baby even if she is sleeping). The idea is to “top off the tank,” so your baby heads into the overnight hours with sufficient “fuel” for the long journey ahead! BE THE WOMB
Our world is too big and too quiet for tiny infants, who have only known the soothing rumbling, rocking, and snug embrace of the womb for the past 9 months. No wonder babies calm best when we surround them with 5 womblike sensations—Swaddling, Side/ Stomach position, Shushing, Swinging, Sucking—known as the 5 S’s. (Note: the side/stomach position is best for calming babies, but the back is the only safe position for sleeping). A wonderful way to help babies learn to be better sleepers—as early as
the first weeks of life—is by using SNOO. This is a smart bassinet that nurtures babies with 3 of the 5 S’s. SNOO automatically responds to fussing with increases white noise and little jiggly motions. This is much like what experienced Grandma’s and nurses do to soothe crying. And, SNOO help parents sleep better, too, because it is the safest baby bed ever made. In SNOO, the baby is rocked on a flat surface. That’s important because the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents that swings and rockers are not safe for sleep. Plus, SNOO’s unique swaddle secures babies on the back, keeping them is a safe
and comforting womb-like cuddle— all night long. How can a bed sleep train a baby? It’s helpful to understand some basic sleep science for it all to make sense. We all—babies and parents—rouse several times a night during the light sleep part of our sleep cycles. The goal of sleep training is not to prevent all night wakings— that’s actually impossible. The goal is to help babies learn how to self-soothe when they inevitably wake at night. We may enjoy sleeping in silence, but for new babies it’s weird, compared to the constant, strong, rhythms they had 24/7 before birth. So, when a baby pops awake at night, the quiet stillness makes them wake up and cry. That’s why doctors tell parents to take fussy babies for car rides. But in SNOO, babies waking up at night are usually lulled by the bed’s response of increased rocking and louder shushin, unless they’re hungry or uncomfortable! It’s so effective, that most SNOO babies sleep 9+ hours a night by 2-3 months! USE THE WAKE AND SLEEP METHOD
If you’re not using SNOO, the best way to sleep train your baby is a technique called wake and sleep. It’s based on the idea that we need to let babies practice falling asleep on their own. While it’s lovely to rock your
baby to sleep, doing that every night often slows a baby from learning to self-soothe. It also makes her more reliant on your help in the middle of the night. HERE’S HOW TO PREVENT THAT PATTERN
Every evening—before the last feeding— swaddle your baby, play some rumbly white noise and enjoy lulling her to sleep in your arms. Then, after you slide her into bed, wake her up a little. Tickle her feet or give her shoulder a little jiggle. A few seconds later, she will likely close her eyes and slide back into sleep. If she starts to fuss, quickly jiggling the crib for a minute or two should get her back into slumber. I know it sounds counterintuitive to
wake a sleeping baby, but most babies fall back asleep in 10-30 seconds. This experience, repeated over and over again, helps babies begin to learn how to fall to sleep without being in their parent’s arms or at the breast. As babies gain confidence in this new skill, parents can begin to lay their babies down fully awake. Then… it’s your turn to celebrate! Note: The biggest challenge with this approach is that it often takes until 5-6 months for babies outgrow their need for motion when they wake in the middle of the night. Dr. Harvey Karp is one of America’s most-trusted pediatricians and child development experts. He is also the founder and CEO of Happiest Baby, a smart-tech and parenting solutions company.
MOM BOD Many new moms (and seasoned pros!) deal with diastasis recti—or ab separation—but Every Mother is the only workout scientifically proven to resolve it!
C L I C K TO F I N D WHICH PROGRAM IS RIGHT F O R YO U !
40
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
Every Mother founder Leah Keller had her own personal experience with diastasis recti before going on to start her innovative workout program. “Years before I had my children, I actually self-induced diastasis recti, or abdominal separation, from the vigorous classes I taught as a young fitness professional,” Keller tells Mini. “It was a mild case of exercise-induced DR, and I fully resolved it by radically changing how I approached core training, long before my first pregnancy. Through following my own program, I entirely avoided diastasis recti during both of my pregnancies.” HOW DOES EVERY MOTHER RESOLVE DIASTASIS RECTI?
Every Mother’s EMbody Programs help women prevent and resolve diastasis recti through healthy engagement of the deep core muscles: the transverse abdominis (your natural corset), the pelvic floor and the diaphragm, in a synergistic coordination to reduce intra-abdominal pressure and facilitate recovery of strength, elasticity and integrity in the muscles and connective tissue. When correctly engaged, these deep core muscles also trigger a healthy co-contraction of the rectus ab-
dominis (the “6-pack” muscles that have stretched apart if DR is present) and the lumbar multifidus, a tiny muscle along the spine that’s vital for back health. As women resolve diastasis recti with Every Mother’s Core Compression™ exercises and our comprehensive workouts, all of which incorporate a Core Compression into every rep of every exercise, they also report alleviation of back pain, urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. WHAT ARE THE CORE ELEMENTS OF THE EVERY MOTHER WORKOUT?
Our workout libraries include a wide variety of 10-30 minute strength, cardio
strength and restorative workouts, and we’re adding new content all the time. Every single workout incorporates clear, specific coaching on proper core engagement, breathing and alignment to achieve optimal results while safely strengthening the core. Even for an isolated exercise such as a biceps curl, Every Mother’s videos coach you through the subtleties of how to work your core with that curl as much (or more than) it works your biceps. With Every Mother, you learn to generate your power from healthy engagement of the deep core. We coordinate activation of the transverse abdominis, the pelvic floor, and diaphragm into every move to promote and protect core health, strength and function. HOW IS EVERY MOTHER THE ONLY SCIENTIFICALLY
PROVEN WORKOUT FOR WOMEN?
Every Mother is the only exercise program with published medical research that proves it works to resolve diastasis recti postnatally. In 2013, researchers at Weill Cornell conducted a study of 63 women following my exercise program. 100% of those subjects fully resolved diastasis recti. Those subjects also reported dramatically lower rates of back pain and urinary stress incontinence than the general population, suggesting additional health benefits. Currently, Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC is heading up a randomized, controlled trial of our EMbody Reclaim program to further explore the efficacy and benefits of Every Mother’s revolutionary approach to core and total body training.
S TA R T R E S O LVI N G YO U R D I A S TA S I S RECTI HERE!
RECOVERY MODE A full-service, in-home private chef company, The Culinistas have created a Postnatal Package to provide the nutritional support new moms need. ◀
THE FOURTH TRIMESTER
Imagine opening a fridge stocked with healthy options specifically for your postpartum recovery, having a private chef prepare meals from start to finish, and clean up. It’s not a dream, it’s the Culinistas. New moms can choose their own package from three to twelve weeks, with available add-ons like a Lactation Support Session, so you can enjoy your new baby and heal your body —theculinistas.com
C L I C K TO L E A R N MORE ABOUT T H E P O S T N ATA L MENUS!
44
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
5 essentials for your baby, delivered monthly visit bluum.com for more details
F R I D A B A BY I S O U R G O -TO S I C K D AY
S I C K D AY S A V E R S
S AV E R !
Spring is known to bring a sick day or two, for both moms and Minis. You’ll want to have these on hand when the sniffles arrive. 6
1
4
1. R U N N Y N O S E NoseFrida Snot Sucker
($15.99; fridababy. com) The popular snotsucker works like a charm.
5. B R E AT H E E A S Y BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier
2. H E AT W A V E
($49.99; fridababy. com) An A+ humidifier, diffuser, and nightlight combo!
FeverFrida iThermonitor
5
($69.99; fridababy. com) Check on baby every four seconds with a tiny Bluetooth under arm monitor.
6. DOSE-Y-DO MediFrida Accu-Dose Pacifier
3. C H I L L B A B E
($12.99; fridababy. com) Delivers the full dose of meds through a soft, familiar paci.
FeverFrida Cool Pads
3
($5.99; fridababy. com) Cool pads at the ready to bring your Mini’s fever back down. 4. B O O G E R - B - G O N E BreatheFrida Booger Wiper
46
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
2
($6.99; fridababy.com) A chest balm meets tissue mashup, these wipes soothe little snifflers.
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
B A BY G E A R E V E R Y PA R E N T
Scene
K A R O L I N A K U R KO VA X C Y B E X L A LO D A I LY CLEK LIING
◀
NEEDS NOW
on the
KAROLINA X CYBEX
A collaboration that arose from their aligned parenting philosophies, supermodel Karolina Kurkova and CYBEX just released a sustainable and chic line of car seats, strollers, and baby carriers made with REPREVE® certified recycled fibers. The most important factor of the collab? The underlying element of love, signified by a set of red lips on each piece. —cybex-online.com
THIS BOLD B A BY G E A R MAKES A S TAT E M E N T !
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
T H E D A I LY
This debut stroller from Lalo includes every feature a family could need (even a phone charger!) and a warranty that has you covered as long as your family is growing! PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LALO
THE STROLLER E V E R YO N E I S TA L K I N G ABOUT!
EASY GOING Smooth steer and stop
One-hand steering and intuitive brakes help you navigate tight spots. SEAT OPTIONS Recline and reverse
The Daily’s seat faces in and out, and reclines on three levels for snacking and sleeping.
ALL TERRAIN Large durable wheels
SAFE AND SOUND
Long-lasting shock absorbent wheels can take on all terrain and never go flat.
Rigorous testing
The Daily meets and exceeds all ASTM compliance standards. BONUS POINTS Tailored for your life
50
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
Folds and unfolds with ease, has expandable storage, and its own phone charger!
int roducing
ÂŽ
a pacifier for time-strapped parents with taste. www.doddleandco.com
@doddleandcom pany
#becausebabies
THE LIING Award-winning car seat brand Clek has just released their first-ever infant car seat— easy to install and expertly designed with safety features galore! PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CLEK
CARRY ON Lightweight
Liing is just 9 lbs and boasts a convenient one-handed quick-release.
E A S Y I N S TA L L IN EVERY VEHICLE, EVERY TIME!
INNOVATION First of its kind
Liing is the only infant car seat on the market with secure installation for both the vehicle belt and LATCH system.
ON THE GO Take it along
Liing can be installed in a vehicle without a base and is aircraft approved!
EXTRA CARE Metal load leg
FITS THE FAM Fits 3-across
52
Clek car seats fit together, making 3-across seating safe and comfortable for your whole family.
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
Prevents rotation and absorbs energy in a collision to ensure best-inclass safety.
the
mini micro
for children ages 3 to 5 The Mini Micro Kickboard is the quality 3-wheel kick scooter with an award-winning Swiss desig n. Ideal for children ages 3-5, the Mini Micros’s 3 wheels, low-to-the-ground deck, and gentle lean-and-steer handle bar all contribute to the stability that makes the Mini perfect for pre-schoolers and kindergarteners. The lean-and-steer desig n is what makes the mini unique and fun. Using their body weight to curve right and left, kids intuitively learn to ‘surf the sidewalk’, developing balance, coordination and motor skills.
kickboardUSA.com
OVER THE RAINBOW First-time mom-to-be and actress Claire Holt opens up about her miscarriage, pregnancy after loss, and her newfound passion for breaking the stigmas surrounding women’s health and fertility. photography by
K I M B E R LY G E N E V I E V E
hair
JOSEPH CHASE FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS USING ORIBE HAIRCARE
makeup
A L L A N AV E N DA N O U S I N G N Y X C O S M E T I C S AT S TA R W O R K S A R T I S T S
fashion stylist
LU C Y WA R R E N F O R T H E O N L Y. A G E N C Y
We’re thrilled to have you on our spring cover! Let’s dive right into it— Can you tell us about your journey to baby?
MINI |
Our journey certainly hasn’t been an easy one. When we decided that we wanted to try for a baby, we were lucky to conceive fairly quickly. I remember feeling so joyful and excited when two lines appeared on the pregnancy test very early last year. Sadly, we lost the baby late in the first trimester. It was devastating and I felt broken and ashamed. Because I experienced such intense grief, I found it very difficult to process things and move on. Thankfully, we were blessed with another pregnancy around five months later. It was the first month that I felt ready to try again after our loss and it was such a gift when we discovered that we had conceived again. The miscarriage was the most difficult thing I had ever faced, but it brought my husband and I so much closer and we have really grown as a result of it. We are also so much more grateful for the little boy we are about to welcome into our lives.
CLAIRE HOLT |
You’re Ava’s first official long-term brand ambassador. Can you tell us about your partnership and why it was important for your to be a part of the campaign?
MINI |
I’m so excited about this partnership because I truly believe in the brand and everything they stand for. After our pregnancy loss, I became real
CLAIRE HOLT |
ly passionate about breaking the stigmas surrounding women’s health and fertility. I wanted to help to build a community of educated and empowered women; Ava is helping me to achieve that. The technology is really incredible and provides accurate and reliable cycle and overall health information to those who use it. I’ve worn the bracelet throughout my pregnancy and it has given me really valuable insights, which have helped me navigate the anxiety I’ve faced. What were your first thoughts when you learned you were pregnant?
MINI |
Shock. I truly didn’t believe that I would fall pregnant that month. We were both so thrilled and were about to travel home after an incredible vacation together, so it felt like the perfect ending. I do remember feeling a lot of anxiety once the initial excitement wore off. Because of the miscarriage, I didn’t want to get my hopes up. It was quite difficult to connect with the baby and I was on edge for most of the first trimester. After we were told that the baby was genetically healthy, I allowed myself to relax a little, but it was certainly a different experience than the first time.
CLAIRE HOLT |
How have you been preparing yourself and your home for baby?
MINI |
I’m someone who likes to be as informed as possible so my home
CLAIRE HOLT |
is filled to the brim with pregnancy and baby books! I’m sure the best training is on the job, but it’s nice to feel at least somewhat prepared. I’ve also tried to incorporate more meditation and yoga into my life. Pre-pregnancy, I found it very difficult to slow down and stay present, so that’s something I really wanted to work on. As for our home, I was hesitant to start the nursery too early. I guess that simmering anxiety led me to wait until I was much further along and felt more comfortable. Once the nesting instincts kicked in, I was in a mad rush to complete everything! I worked with an incredible concierge service called GuGu Guru and they helped me to navigate the mountain
er, really helped bring our vision to life. The room is a mix of modern and traditional, and incorporates lots of soft blue and grey tones. One of my favorite pieces is the large watercolor world map we hung on the wall. It’s also really important to me to read to the baby, so we have a bookshelf that is overflowing! I spend time in the room whenever I can, and love to visualize what our life will look like when we bring our little boy home. What has surprised you most about pregnancy?
MINI |
Honestly, how difficult it has been. I have so much respect for all the women who have been through it. I was really sick in the first trimester but figured it would be smooth sailing after that. Nope! Then the aches and pains started. I’ve struggled with fairly severe pelvic pain in the last trimester and have been quite limited in what I can do. I’ve also found it challenging emotionally and have suffered from significant anxiety throughout. Sadly, I felt like I was always waiting for something to go wrong. I’m so grateful to be nearing the end and I couldn’t be more excited to hold my baby in my arms. I will miss those beautiful kicks, though. There’s nothing in the world like feeling your baby move in your belly.
CLAIRE HOLT |
of baby products out there. After learning about our personal preferences—organic, modern, minimalist, frequent travelers—they helped me to choose the best items to fit our lifestyle. I honestly don’t know how I would have done it without them. It’s all so overwhelming for a first-time mom! Talk to us about the nursery! What was your inspiration and what can we find inside?
MINI |
I really wanted the nursery to feel like a sanctuary. We made sure to prioritize comfort and practicality. Our interior designer, Suzy Klon-
CLAIRE HOLT |
The second I learned I was pregnant, my gut told me it was a girl. My acupuncturist agreed, and at the 12 week scan, our doctor confirmed (although he did mention that it was early and he was about 80% accurate at that point). All of the old wives tales also pointed to a girl. When we did our gender reveal, I honestly thought that the balloon shop had made a mistake! I called to confirm with my doctor twice before I eventually came to terms with the fact that my instincts were wayyy off.
CLAIRE HOLT |
What was your first thought when you found out you were having a boy?
MINI |
I was so shocked and couldn’t wrap my head around it. How could my motherly instincts have been so wrong?! Now I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome a little boy.
CLAIRE HOLT |
What will be most important to you in raising your son?
MINI |
Tell us how the naming process is going. Are there some names you love that your husband vetoed or vice versa?
MINI |
When we first found out about the pregnancy, we were so certain that it was a girl that we chose a girl’s name almost immediately. It was definitely more of a struggle to choose a name when we learned that she was actually a he! We went back and forth for quite some time but settled on a name that we both love. I still want to wait to meet him before we officially confirm it.
CLAIRE HOLT |
You shared that you were positive you were having a girl! What made you think that?
MINI |
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to raise a son, especially given the current state of affairs. I hope to teach him to be a compassionate, kind, and respectful young man. I also want to encourage sensitivity and foster an environment where he feels comfortable accessing his emotions and communicating freely. I’m truly lucky to be married to such an incredible man who I know will be an amazing example to our son. I also know that it’s very important to my husband that he learns to love the Patriots!
CLAIRE HOLT |
MY ADVICE FOR MY SON... T H E R E I S N O AC T OF KINDNESS T H AT I S TO O SMALL.
We love to talk about dressing the bump! What are you living in right now— style wise?
MINI |
My pregnancy style is actually the complete opposite of my normal style. I’ve been living in stretch, body-con dresses, as I find them so much more comfortable than pants. Since it’s been cooler, I’ve layered with loose duster jackets or cropped sweaters. Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to heels pretty early on, so sneakers are my go-to.
CLAIRE HOLT |
What baby gear or clothing have you purchased thus far?
MINI |
I think I’ve got everything covered, although I’m sure I’ll be scrambling online when he arrives. I love the Silver Cross stroller and the Nuna PIPA car seat. They both look gorgeous and are easy to use and install. The Doona car seat/stroller combo will be great for travel. I also heard that the Dock-A-Tot and the 4moms mamaRoo are life changing, so I can’t wait to try them out. I did a lot of research on baby monitors and the Nanit kept jumping out as the top choice. As for everything else, I want to wait to test it all on our bub before I recommend anything!
CLAIRE HOLT |
Switching gears to labor and delivery— What thoughts or concerns or wishes do you have surrounding your birth? Do you have a birth plan in mind or are you going with the flow?
MINI |
I’m truly excited to give birth. I feel like I’ve been pregnant for 10 years and I’m so desperate to meet the little guy. I’m honestly not afraid of the pain (easy to say when I haven’t experienced childbirth!) and have been working with my amazing doula, Lori Bregman, to prepare for it. I would really love to have an unmedicated vaginal delivery. I’ll be going into the hospital with a birth plan, but I’m totally on board with doing whatever I have to in order to ensure that we are both safe.
CLAIRE HOLT |
FA S T FA C T S FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE The Sandlot and The Lion King. BEFORE I WAS PREGNANT, I NEVER THOUGHT My day would revolve around my next meal. FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR BABY Amazon. GUILTY PLEASURE Sugar and reality TV. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Extra hot, oat milk cappuccino. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Film scores and instrumental playlists on Spotify. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Guess How Much I Love You. SHOWS I’M WATCHING RIGHT NOW Narcos and The Bachelor. FAVORITE COFFEE ORDER Almond milk decaf coffee. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT The Henry. MY GO TO SPRING ENSEMBLE Doen Dresses with Amanu Sandals.
The
Urban Stroller Bugaboo Bee3
Designed specifically for parents who live life on the fly.
SWEET HOME
As the founder of mega-popular lifestyle website Cupcakes and Cashmere, Emily Schuman is one of the original fashion bloggers that turned a hobby into an empire. The LA mom has since penned books and launched product lines (her shoe collection debuted in March!), but there’s no place she’d rather be than home with her four-year-old daughter, Sloan. photography by
VA N E S S A T I E R N E Y
66
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
C L I C K TO S H O P THE NEW CUPCAKES AND CASHMERE SHOE CO L L E C T I O N !
How would you describe your home— the design, the feel?
MINI |
EMILY SCHUMAN |
Relaxed California.
Do you have a favorite room in your home?
MINI |
The kitchen. It’s my favorite space since it’s light and airy and the area that my husband and I changed to our exact liking when we moved in. It’s also where the heart of our house is— where our friends and family gather when we’re entertaining and where we spend a lot of time each week cooking.
EMILY SCHUMAN |
What is your take on kids gear taking over the house? How did you approach this?
MINI |
It’s unrealistic to think that you won’t have any kid stuff out, but I think there’s a way to do it so it doesn’t feel like it’s overflowing into your entire space. Sloan has a miniature chair next to the couch, her play kitchen, and then a chic little basket where we kind of use as a catch-all at the end of the day when we clean up. It strikes a balance of feeling both stylized and intentional, but also kid-friendly.
EMILY SCHUMAN |
How did you decide on your daughter’s name?
MINI |
We went through a bunch of different names and we actually had called her “Baby Grey” all throughout my pregnancy. But towards the end, it just didn’t feel right anymore and as soon as we considered Sloan, we knew it was the one. The funny thing, I still have the notes where I scribbled it spelled out with an ‘e’
EMILY SCHUMAN |
at the end and without and we went without. It looked better with our last name (Fuller) and also felt like a small nod to my mom, whose name is Fay, which is typically spelled with an ‘e,’ but since hers isn’t, we liked the idea of modeling Sloan’s after hers. We know schedules can be hectic— so tell us about yours! What does a typical day look like right now?
MINI |
Sloan acts as our alarm clock and usually gets up between 6 and 6:30 each morning. We get up, make her breakfast— usually it’s reheated homemade pancakes that I make with chia and flax seeds to add a bit more nutritional value and a glass of milk. We then make our coffee. My husband, Geoffrey (aka G) and I each only have one cup per day, so we make sure it’s a really good one and use a pour-over method using Ethiopian beans from Go Get Em Tiger in L.A. I make Sloan’s lunch, have her get ready (one of the nice things is that she can now dress herself), throw on some yoga clothes, and walk her to school. It’s a way for her to get outside for a bit and to spend some extra time together before the day begins— and also assures that I get in an hour, roundtrip walk. At work, it changes from day to day, whether we’re brainstorming ideas for an upcoming e-commerce shoot, designing for our clothing or shoe line, having marketing meetings, or writing blog posts. I get home each day at around 6 PM and while G starts dinner, I give Sloan a bath and put her to bed. Once she’s down, we’ll
EMILY SCHUMAN |
eat—usually in front of the TV—and watch a movie or show before going to bed, where I’ll read and do a crossword puzzle before falling asleep at around 10 PM. How do you keep the plates spinning with your career and motherhood?
MINI |
I remind myself that it’s rarely going to feel like I’m doing everything well. Some days I’m going to do a better job at being a mom and not get to everything on my to-do list from work. Other times, I’ll have a fantastic day at the office and feel like I’m impatient with Sloan once I get home. Somewhere along
EMILY SCHUMAN |
the line, it became this sort of unspoken idea that mothers who have a career should be able to balance it all. That’s just not realistic, but compartmentalizing things—focusing on work when I’m at the office, and being present with my daughter when I’m with her—certainly helps. And being nice to myself. That’s often the hardest thing of all. What do you think is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
Rarely feeling like you’re doing everything well. And not having enough time in a day to get to it all.
EMILY SCHUMAN |
MINI |
What are your thoughts on the
concept of ‘having it all?’ Rhat it’s an unfair expectation that’s only placed on mothers. You don’t hear people asking that question of men that happen to be dads, how they “balance it all” when they’re at work. I think it’s unfortunate that today, mainly due to the influx of social media, that we’re constantly inundated with images of other moms that appear to have it all. But it’s rarely showing the entire story. I might show a cute picture of Sloan and me while we’re outside, lying down watching butterflies, but I didn’t share how that morning, when the toilet had clogged, that I was furiously plunging it, while half-naked and half-asleep.
EMILY SCHUMAN |
ously challenging it is. There are no greater highs that spending time with Sloan and hearing her ideas, watching her play, and seeing her grow. But those fantastic moments can come crashing down so quickly with a tantrum, which is quite humbling. Motherhood keeps you on your toes and it’s the hardest, best role of my life. What is your greatest parenting worry?
MINI |
That Sloan’s anxiety will hold her back. Like I was (and am), Sloan’s shown signs of anxiety since she was an infant and while there are times when I feel a lot of guilt, I now try to think of it differently and how I’m actually the best equipped person to help her navigate life. By giving her tools for understanding those times when she’s worrying about something unnecessary, hopefully it will be something that’s merely a part of her life and not something that overwhelms it.
EMILY SCHUMAN |
What has been your proudest career moment to date?
MINI |
Launching my bag with Coach. Though I’ve had arguably “bigger” moments, like writing best-selling books or launching my own clothing line, it was more or less the pivotal point in my career and will always be the most special.
EMILY SCHUMAN |
What has surprised you most about motherhood?
MINI |
EMILY SCHUMAN |
Just how rewarding and simultane-
What is most important to you in raising your daughter?
MINI |
Giving her a good sense of self, treat people kindly, work hard, and not worry too much.
EMILY SCHUMAN |
MINI |
Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
MINI |
It hasn’t changed all that much! While I certainly will choose more casual pieces and fabrics when I’m with Sloan (since you’ll inevitably end up with paint, food, or juice on you), my day to day is more or less the same. Motherhood is such a huge part of my identity, but not all of it, so I’m glad that I still find joy in dressing up.
SO many things! Each and every holiday, reading her Harry Potter, watching the movies together that I loved as a kid, showing her the world. I suppose it’s not exactly LA-based, but I’d be just as excited to do those things regardless of where we were.
EMILY SCHUMAN |
MINI |
How would you describe your style?
What are you looking forward to about raising your daughter in LA?
EMILY SCHUMAN |
Favorite places to go in LA with kids? We’d love to hear a few of yours!
MINI |
Mercado, Barrone’s, Quality (Sloan and my favorite spot for brunch). EMILY SCHUMAN |
EMILY SCHUMAN |
vintage twist.
Classic, feminine, with a
FA S T FA C T S BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Spend so much time looking through pictures of my child, immediately after putting her to bed. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Dinner at Sushi Park with G. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Flat white. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Cheese. SIGNATURE SCENT Byredo Inflorescence. ADVICE FOR MY DAUGHTER Love and believe in yourself, always. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Jon and Vinny’s or Son of a Gun. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE The Lion King. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO The Hours soundtrack while at work. Avett Brothers when I’m not. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Mohawk General Store. ULTIMATE GETAWAY Mexico. ON MY NIGHTSTAND My iPad, a tray that holds Lanolips 101 Ointment that I put on my lips, a Saje peppermint roll-on stick to alleviate tension, and a scrunchie.
GROWING UP Designer and mom Rachel Pally not only has two growing boys at home, but a growing business that has embarked on a whole new world of making the clothes she wants to wear, not just what the stores are asking her for.
photography by
BRANDI WELLES
Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place! How would you describe your home— the design, the feel?
MINI |
Our home is midcentury but our décor is very eclectic. We have a lot of art (much of it made by family members!) and tons of textiles that we have picked up on our travels. I also collect what my husband calls “ugly pottery,” although he’s now on board!
RACHEL PALLY |
Do you have a favorite room in your home or place where you spend the most time?
MINI |
Our kitchen is open so we spend quite a lot of time there. We can watch the kids play and make dinner at the same time. We also have stools around the island so friends can gather around and sip wine and snack while we cook! RACHEL PALLY |
What do you love most about raising your kids in LA? Would you ever want to live anywhere else?
MINI |
How do you feel about kids toys or gear taking over the house?
MINI |
We definitely try to keep the toys contained to the play area in the living room and also the boys’ bedrooms. We resisted all plastic, noisy toys for a long time, but now our living room is covered in Hot Wheels tracks and we’re OK with it. It makes the boys happy and keeps them busy! We all have to live and play there so we try to get the kids to clean up their toys at the end of the day, but we really aren’t very uptight about it. RACHEL PALLY |
I can’t imagine living anywhere else! My husband and I are both from LA (so are our parents!) and both sets of our parents live here. They are such an important part of our lives and our childrens’ lives— we aren’t moving away from family! That said, last summer we were in Portland and I got all dreamy about it. I also fantasize about living in Kauai, but it won’t happen unless the whole gang joins us! RACHEL PALLY |
Tell us how you decided on your kids names.
MINI |
We had such a hard time with boys names! We loved that both Tao and Luca are strong but soft names— just like how we hope to raise our boys! RACHEL PALLY |
We know schedules can be hectic— so tell us about yours! What does a typical day look like right now?
MINI |
I’m burning it at both ends! I would like to wake up before my boys get up to get in a little meditation or 20 minutes on the Peloton but the little one keeps waking up earlier and earlier! It’s pretty much a guarantee that the second my tush hits the meditation pillow, I hear the pitter patter of footsteps running to my room. So then I set the alarm earlier and the pitter patter inevitably starts earlier; it’s rough. The boys are up by 6-6:30 and then it’s a mad dash to get them fed, pack the lunches, and get them dressed. My husband usually takes our older son to school and our nanny gets there at 8. If I can I hop on the bike for 20 minutes (we just got it—this is a new addition to my routine and it’s been GREAT), jump in the shower, answer some emails, then head downtown. I work with my team and wander from office to office while answering emails on my phone, mostly. That way, I can interact with everyone and don’t end up in my office on my computer unless I have to. I have meetings with my showroom and networking lunches and calls with PR and fabric meetings and photoshoots and production meetings and HR meetings. Every day is different. Once I get home and we quickly make dinner, play with the kids, get them in the bath, and then tag team bedtime. I’m so grateful that my husband is as RACHEL PALLY |
hands-on as he is. After the boys are settled, we clean up from dinner and finish some emails. Then we crash! Sometimes we fit in a few minutes of TV before we fall asleep. I know this time with the boys is especially intense so we do our best to enjoy it all.. But woah. We are such big fans of your clothing! How has your collection evolved since its beginning?
MINI |
I built my business on jersey fabric, which was amazing. I used one fabrication and was able to grow for many years. But then I felt stifled! I wanted to do more, to branch out, to make clothes that I wanted to wear. But the journey to where I am now has been hard. I was known for just one thing so it is sometimes hard to get new eyes on my product. People think they know what they can expect, so they aren’t as open to looking at it again. I’ve been offering linen, twill, chiffon, and other fabrications for years, but they are only now finally starting to be a really large part of my business. I have never loved my collection more than I do right now. I’m taking chances and making the clothes that I want to wear, not the clothes that stores are asking me to make. And it’s 100% more authentic and more beautiful! I’m so proud of where the brand is right now! RACHEL PALLY |
Where do you see the line going in the future? Any changes ahead?
MINI |
I love love love change! It’s scary but it’s also so exhilarating! And creatively, change helps me to do my best work. I’m going to continue to build and grow, to try new fabrications and new styles. My goal is to grow my direct to consumer business. That’s the best part— when I can sell directly to the customer I get to set the narrative, do the styling, the photos, and really keep the brand in alignment with my vision. RACHEL PALLY |
FA S T FA C T S SIGNATURE SCENT Uplift oil from Roseview LA. It smells incredible. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Take better care of myself. Nap, exercise, meditate, read. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Cafe au lait. ADVICE TO MY NEW MOM SELF RELAX. There is no such thing as a perfect parent. Do your best. Give yourself as much love as you give your baby. And put the icy nipple pads in the freezer. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Coco. The great-grandmother reminds me of my grandmother and it makes me so happy and weepy. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Midland, hands down. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Homemade almond milk, feta cheese, a variety of hot sauces, beer. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Rosie Revere, Engineer. I love the messaging about girls being able to be whoever they want to be and how important it is to pick oneself up and try again after failure. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Podcasts! Paul Simon! My teacher Jan Birchfield’s book Silent Leaders.
What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
Trying to be 100% present at work when I’m at work and 100% present at home when I’m home. Switching the gears is so important. RACHEL PALLY |
If you ever deal with mom guilt, how do you handle it?
MINI |
Of course I do! I think it’s the plight of all moms. I read on the internet recently that we are expected to mom like we don’t work and work like we don’t mom. But that’s actually impossible and a ridiculous and unhealthy standard to set. I just try to do my best and that simply has to be good enough. RACHEL PALLY |
What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?
MINI |
RACHEL PALLY |
My husband, my parents,
my mother-in-law, my nanny. Without the extra hands and the extra love for my kids while I’m at work, things would be even more insane! What is most important to you in raising your children?
MINI |
That they grow up to be good people, they are kind and caring, and that they treat people fairly. That they push themselves and take chances, that they explore the world and never stop learning. RACHEL PALLY |
MINI |
ry?
What is your greatest parenting fear or wor-
That anything would happen to my children. I’m sure that’s the top answer. Having children is like having your heart beating outside of your body every minute. It is the most vulnerable and scary feeling in the world. Even typing that raised my blood pressure. RACHEL PALLY |
What do you think is the one thing no one really warns you about?
MINI |
and red lipstick of my past are so far in my past I can’t remember them anymore! I think there is nothing attractive about looking and feeling uncomfortable, but I also try not to dress like a Berkeley Women’s Studies professor every day. Only some days! Other than Levi’s and accessories, I am almost always wearing RP head to toe! I want to LIVE in my clothes, so that means being at work, going to dinner with my husband, playing with my kids, traveling. Yes, my style has evolved since becoming a mom, but my style in general has evolved, so I’m just riding the wave! If you could give your children one piece of advice, what would it be?
MINI |
TO ALWAYS DO WHAT I SAY! But really, I hope to give my boys roots and wings. That’s what my parents always said. You want them to feel safe and secure in your love and always know they have a home to come back to (roots), but also free to be themselves and dare to take risks (wings). RACHEL PALLY |
That you will never be able to watch the news or sad movies or listen to the radio without internalizing every story. Your heart celebrates with every mother but it also mourns with every mother. RACHEL PALLY |
How would you describe your personal style? Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
MINI |
I love easy, versatile, comfortable, wearable clothes and shoes. I love a great fitting pair of vintage Levi’s. I love Martiniano flats, Bryr clogs, linen dresses, and jumpsuits. The stilettos RACHEL PALLY |
How many kids did you see yourself with growing up? Are there more kids in your future?
MINI |
I always knew I wanted two. I come from two, same as my husband. The shop is closed. RACHEL PALLY |
M Y B E AU T Y ROUTINE... TRUE B OTA N I C A L S AND A QUIP TO OT H B R U S H .
MAMA AND ME
Co-founder of both NYC lifestyle website Mama & Tata and highly-coveted new fashion label Black Iris, powerhouse mom Candice Miller is raising her two daughters to follow their dreams just as she has. photography by
82
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
ANA GAMBUTO
Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place.
MINI |
Our home was a true labor of love. My husband is a real estate developer and the two of us found this empty lot in an area we both loved and built the building together. We were so fortunate to be able to carve out the exact layout we envisioned for our family life, and worked on the project for about three years together until we were able to move in. We worked with our dear friend and interior designer, Julie Hillman, whom we love and trust. We wanted it to feel open and airy, but warm and cozy at the same time. Our apartment is filled with light, which makes me very happy, and we live vertically in what we call our townhouse in the sky. We used a neutral palette but added many textures to make the rooms feel interesting. Our one pop of color is in our dining room, where we made eggplant velvet sofas and dining chairs to add some fun.
CANDICE MILLER |
Do you have a favorite room in your home or room where you spend the most time?
MINI |
My favorite room in our home is the living room, however it is definitely not where I spend the most time. It’s a completely white room, white sofa, white Moroccan rug, white books in the shelves, white faux fur covered chairs around the white marble coffee table. As you can imagine, it’s the least kid-friendly room ever made! It is so beautiful to sit in, as long as you aren’t wearing anything that bleeds, and exclusively drinking water. When we watch movies as a family, that is where we snuggle, but other than that I just like looking at it.
CANDICE MILLER |
MINI |
What is most important to you in raising your girls?
your kids in NYC? Would you ever want to live anywhere else?
It’s important to me that I raise girls who are kind, good humans. Girls who are compassionate, sensitive, respectful, reliable, honest, and strong. I want my girls to know that they can follow their biggest dreams and know to never give up. I want them to be confident in everything they do and know that they are SO loved and supported every step of the way. As of right now, they are on the path to being a fashion designer and a supermarket chain owner! At least, that’s what I hear around the house.
CANDICE MILLER |
CANDICE MILLER |
MINI |
What do you love most about raising
I love the convenience of NYC, particularly in fall and spring. The fact that we can get out and walk to any restaurant, museum, park, or play date is definitely a treat. I also love the schools here and find that they really provide a stellar education from both a social and academic perspective. Truthfully, I love the warmth and sunshine, so I do dream about moving to LA and Miami in the winter because the cold weather gets to me. In reality, my entire family—other than my Dad—reside in NYC, so it’s doubtful that will ever actually happen.
As a mom of two, what advice would you give to someone about to welcome their second baby?
MINI |
The best gift you can ever give your child is a sibling— that’s a fact! My girls are best friends and even make secret handshakes about sisterhood with hugs and kisses that make me melt! My best advice is to have your older child be the designated “helper” with all baby tasks, from feeding and burping to bedtime. Let them be involved as much as possible so that they always feel included. We told our oldest daughter that her little sister was a present for her and she came home with me all wrapped up in a bow. She ate that up!
CANDICE MILLER |
Tell us about Mama & Tata. How did the site come to be and what can we find there?
MINI |
Mama & Tata is a web guide for women, particularly mothers in NYC and LA, that I co-founded with my sister. At the time of its conception, nearly three years ago, we had both stopped working and were focused on being Mama. We were eager to spend more time together doing something to help and support our new community. We started by creating a long list of our favorite businesses that we wanted to share with the world. It grew organically into everyone’s go-to for all things beauty, style, family, wellness, and home decor. Its success and fast growth was surprising to me, since I really started it more
CANDICE MILLER |
for fun, but there was clearly a demand for chic, well-curated content for moms and I was able to provide that, in a very honest, reliable way. If you want the best style advice, best beauty maintenance, best doctors, best family friendly activities, kids classes, interior design inspiration, and best travel destinations with kids, Mama & Tata has it all, with direct links to communicate with the business founders. The most beautiful part of building this brand has been the incredible, brilliant female founders I’ve had the opportunity to interview. Being able to help these small businesses grow and flourish, through my online referrals, has been a tremendously rewarding experience.
You’re also a co-founder of a new clothing line, Black Iris! How did you come to be involved and what was the inspiration behind the line?
MINI |
My entire life I dreamt of having my own collection. Anyone who knows me well wondered why it even took me this long! Mama & Tata and all of its success gave me the extra push and confidence I needed to make the dream a reality. Everyone on my Instagram platform seemed to consider me a fashion influencer even though that was not at all what I intended. More and more DM’s and emails would come in daily asking about what I’m wearing and frankly, the majority of my wardrobe is vintage dresses that I altered to look more modern and are unable to be replicated. I realized then that there was a demand for the old fashioned vibe, with a twist of modern sensibility. I had three very bright, talented, close female friends, all previously in the
CANDICE MILLER |
fashion industry in some capacity, whom I trusted, and asked if they were interested in partnering in this new venture. Luckily, they all wanted to get back into the work force with more flexibility, being that we were all mothers and needed to work around our school pick-up and drop-off schedules. Each of us had a different skill set and as a team, we were a force. We work collaboratively, supporting one another every step of the way, and are very open-minded and adapt easily to change— qualities we realized were imperative to creating a successful new business. It’s definitely a modern version of a fashion brand, not adhering to the typical office structure, and working more remotely with a mantra of divide and conquer to get the job done. It’s different, but it works! I contribute to initial design inspiration, cover all of our marketing and events and assist with branding. Aly Gradone is in charge of fit, production and merchandising, and assists with design. Chloe Rosenberg is our head of creative and design officer, and Rachel Wexler is our chief operating officer, handling all business and overseeing daily operations. We will have two collections a year, spring/summer and fall/winter, with special drops in between seasons, all sold direct to consumer on our website (ShopBlackIris.com). Our collec
I like to wear timeless, classic, neutral pieces during the day, whether it be a long flowy dress, or a great pair of high-waisted jeans with a white T-shirt and blazer; daytime is typically casual. When I go out in the evening, I like to take more risks, wearing a lot of bright color, very tailored, structured pieces, bold prints, and fun high heels. Since becoming a mom, I realized comfort is key. I will no longer buy an itchy wool sweater simply because it’s beautiful. I always wear flats to run around during the day and the height of my evening heels has decreased by a couple of inches. White bags, shoes, and jackets are no longer in the cards for me, despite my affinity for the color, and silks can only be worn during adult time!
CANDICE MILLER |
We know schedules can be hectic— so tell us about yours! What does a typical day look like right now?
MINI |
My days have no consistency, as each day has its own set of meetings for both Mama & Tata and Black Iris. I actually don’t mind the constant change; it keeps things interesting. The one part of my day that remains the same is my mornings with the girls before they depart to school, and my Tracy Anderson workout classes that keep me sane and are the main source of energy that fuels my day. After that, I have photoshoots and interviews around the city for Mama & Tata features, combined with Black Iris shoots and meetings with various stores working on collaborations,
CANDICE MILLER |
tion is romantic, feminine and ethereal, made for a customer we call the lady. They are limited edition, timeless, coveted pieces to be worn time and time again. We love our traveling trunk shows where we go to big cities across the country to meet our “lady,” get to know the customer, and build personal relationships with our clientele. It’s been an incredible learning experience, one that is always evolving, and we are looking forward to collaborations that are in the pipeline. How would you describe your style? Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
MINI |
press events, organizing our trunk shows, and maintaining both social media accounts. In between all of this, I could be seen on a school trip, parent conference, taking the kids to after school activities, or attending events to support brands and friends in their endeavors. Lastly, I am very involved in a few philanthropic organizations, and co-chair galas annually for New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital and Youth America Grand Prix. On most days, what I really look forward to is arriving home, and sitting for dinners with my husband and my girls, followed by some very yummy snuggles before bedtime, where we all profess our love for one another over and over again. Literally, we do that! What do you think is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
Keeping the phone away when they get home. My work really revolves around my phone and computer, constant emails and direct messages, and I feel I have a responsibility to respond and interact with all of my followers because they all depend on me for so much important parenting information. Getting back to everyone in a timely manner is very important to me, so it’s like a job that never sleeps. I do not want to model being attached to tech-
CANDICE MILLER |
nology for my girls, so I make a conscious effort to hide the phone in my bathroom until they go to bed (which is at times impossible). I’m just doing the best I can! How do you manage to keep all of the plates spinning?
MINI |
I’ve always been happiest with a challenge. The days I used to spend sitting around at home ended up making me feel anxious and overthinking the daily minutia. I love having a passion and a purpose, something that is forever motivating, where I’m
CANDICE MILLER |
C L I C K TO SHOP THE NEW B L AC K I R I S CO L L E C T I O N !
constantly learning. I have the most supportive husband who encourages me to do whatever I love and always lifts me up. I attribute a lot of my courage and strength to his unconditional love and support, as well as that of my children. Our mutual respect and understanding of one another is what empowers me to push my own limits and leave my comfort zone. I’ll always have home, so taking risks and perhaps falling and failing at times is okay with me. As my dear friend and spiritual leader always tells me, fear is not an option. I find that my work inspires my girls, so I rarely have any parent guilt, my husband has never been more proud of me, and my work has only made our relationship better and stronger. There really is no balance— for me, work and family is very much intertwined, but being present on weekends, vacations, and in the hours after school before bedtime is a main priority. What do you think is the one thing about motherhood no one really warns you about?
MINI |
The aftermath of giving birth. The hormonal fluctuation that can leave you feeling ups and downs so intensely, the loneliness that can be overwhelming at times, the various unexpected medical issues that can arise with the inner organs from the placenta, urethra, and scar tissue. Nobody talks about those things, perhaps because they are private, but we would all feel a lot better if we got a heads up.
CANDICE MILLER |
What is your greatest parenting worry or fear?
MINI |
CANDICE MILLER |
Bullying, I know that with
social media and children having that platform for expression, there has been a rise in childhood bullying. As a mom, you can only do as much as you can on your end to ensure your children are kind, thoughtful, respectful, and confident to defend themselves, but you cannot control the parenting that goes on outside of your own family, so that definitely scares me. If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?
MINI |
You do you! I already know they will be wonderfully loving, compassionate, good humans, but I want them to always be themselves. I want them to be their own unique individuals, strong, independent, and fearless when it comes to voicing their mind.
CANDICE MILLER |
Where do you like to shop? For yourself and your kids.
MINI |
stores are my go-to shopping destinations. My kids wear a ton of Bonpoint, as my mom dressed me in the brand my entire childhood and it was what I knew and loved. We also have a close relationship with the brand which makes it that much more appealing. We love small boutiques like My Little Sunshine, Yoya, Trico Field, Bonton, and Posh Kids, and our friends at Lindsey Berns always send over the sweetest dresses. Favorite places to to visit in NYC with kids, GO!
MINI |
I love small boutique shopping. I find department stores to be overwhelming, with all of the stimulation and I prefer a one-on-one experience with salespeople I know and have relationships with. The Webster, Tenet, Kirna Zabete, Warm, Fivestory, and a few small SoHo
CANDICE MILLER |
The Whitney, the Natural History Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Boathouse in Central Park, Bar Pitti for lunch al fresco, Seaglass Carousel, Broadway shows.
CANDICE MILLER |
FA S T FA C T S BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT Be deathly afraid of flying. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Still be working. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Double matcha tea with a side of steamed oat milk. GUILTY PLEASURE Saltwater taffy, odd but true! Homemade chocolate chip banana bread and the Peking Duck House in Chinatown. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP The Row. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT New Thomas Keller, Tak Room. SIGNATURE SCENT Tea tree and lemongrass essential oils. Lavender at night. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK The Giving Tree and Love You Forever. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Old Dave Matthews and The Rolling Stones. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Organic grapes and a ton of Fiji water.
MAMA MUSE
Supermodel Karolina Kurkova has been a force in the fashion world for decades, but now this supermom is branching out into the world of kids and baby with her children’s wellness line, Gryph & IvyRose, as well as a new collab with baby gear brand CYBEX. photography by
TA M I J I L L P H O T O G R A P H Y
94
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
Thanks for inviting us into your home! Do you have a favorite room?
MINI |
The kitchen is my favorite as that’s where everything happens! It’s where we hang out, create memories, and can be one as a family. We bake, we make smoothies, or chop food, and the boys can play while I prep dinner.
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
Talk to us about your kids’ rooms. What are some of your favorite elements in their rooms?
MINI |
Both of my kids’ rooms are fairly simple and clean! My youngest has the CYBEX pig which is a plastic pig that’s a fun toy but also a beautiful décor piece. Marcel Wanders designs them. They both love to read so we made sure their rooms are full of books. Tobin’s favorite toy is the Playmobil. He has a lot of Playmobil soldiers and ships and a lot of military pieces. He’s my historian. Noah loves animals and has a lot of little figurines.
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
How did you decide on your children’s names?
MINI |
The name Tobin Jack was special to my husband as our son was named after two volunteers from a children’s home that he grew up in part-time in Florida. The two volunteers have since passed away and we wanted to honor them, and also loved the names! Noah’s name came to me while I was breastfeed-
ing. I love the story of Noah’s arc and I felt like it fit. Lee is Noah’s middle name and it’s also my husband’s and his father’s middle name. We know schedules can be hectic— so tell us about yours! What does a typical day look like right now?
MINI |
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
I wake up between 6:45 AM and 7:00 AM when I’m home. I make myself hot water and lemon, and then I make tea for my nine-year-old with a little oat milk and honey, or I make him a smoothie with strawberries, oatmeal, banana, flax seeds, cacao nibs, and a little vegan vanilla protein powder.
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
For breakfast, I make them anything from scrambled eggs to bread and butter, to oatmeal to a yogurt parfait with granola and berries. Once they’re dropped off at school, I try to get some exercise in for an hour, do laundry, make phone calls. I pick up my three-year-old at noon and we go to the playground or swim for a bit. Then we head back and he watches his TV shows and I organize the house and prep for dinner. We pick up his brother around three and bring him a snack. Then we do dinner, bath, games, read, and bedtime. After they’re asleep, I tidy up and finish some work. What do you think about the idea of “having it all?”
MINI |
I think the idea of having it all is possible if you are willing to give in in certain places at certain times, but that obviously varies day to day. Having it all means something different to
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
everyone. For me, I feel fortunate to have a family and be able to do what I love and I never take that for granted. What has surprised you most about motherhood?
MINI |
It’s how much love you can have for a human being. When I had my first, I thought there was no way I would be able to love a second one as much, but I love both so intensely, so deeply, so profoundly. That really surprised me. Women have such a gift— we multi-task, endure, and take on so much.
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
MINI |
How has motherhood changed you?
There is nothing that would replace the happiness and the connection and relationship with my kids. Of course I want to do things— I want to create; it’s just my nature to be creative and proactive and learn and explore. That’s important, but not for a full cost of not having a good relationship with my children. I need to be there for them when it really matters, or when they really need me. I love seeing my kids
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
and all their moments that they have, whether good or bad, sad or happy. It’s beautiful to be there and guide them. MINI |
What is your greatest parenting worry?
My greatest fear would be them getting hurt badly, or sick. The rest you can just kind of figure out and learn from.
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
What is most important to you in raising your children?
MINI |
Their happiness is what’s most important. I also find it so important to teach them to have good manners and values. I want them to be healthy, compassionate, understanding, and loving.
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
Give us the rundown on your CYBEX collab. How did the partnership come to be?
MINI |
I instantly connected with the founder, Martin Pos, because we’re both Czech. We realized there were kids’ mobility products missing from the market that were both stylish and sustainable, along with being safe, so we worked together to collaborate on this line with these factors in mind. We chose a timeless color and used recycled yarns and fabrics. I love that this line is so full of love— we even included a little red lip on the products to symbolize this.
KAROLINA KURKOVA |
Looking back to those first few days as a new mom, what would you tell yourself?
MINI |
In the first few days, I learned that that it will just keep getting better and more fun, but also harder. Being a mother has made me stronger! KAROLINA KURKOVA |
CLICK HERE TO L E A R N MORE ABOUT GRYPH & IVYROSE!
FA S T FA C T S TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Bulletproof coffee. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Read a book, take a singing lesson, or learn to play piano. ON MY NIGHTSTAND A book called The Four Agreements. ULTIMATE GETAWAY A place where you don’t have to wear shoes. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO A Star is Born soundtrack. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Eggs, lemons, oat milk, gluten free bread, butter, coconuts, yogurt, berries. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Coco. SIGNATURE SCENT Carnal Flower Perfume by Frederic Malle. LAST BOOK I READ Fire Child, Water Child by Dr. Cowan. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Casa Tua.
FULL BLOOM As an actress and the founder of lifestyle website Maed, Denise Vasi is reaping the rewards of her entrepreneurial endeavors. But her career is not the only thing in bloom this spring— The LA mom (to daughter Lennox Mae) is expecting Baby Number Two with director husband Anthony Mandler. photography by
JULIE SHUFORD
102
M I N I s p r i n g ‘19
Thank you for inviting us into your home! How would you describe the place?
MINI |
Thank you for coming to visit! That’s a tough one. It’s European and very old world. DENISE VASI |
Where do you spend the most time in your home?
MINI |
My kitchen! It’s my zen den. I spend most of the time there cooking and entertaining. DENISE VASI |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home?
MINI |
All of the marble elements— the floor-to-ceiling backsplash in my kitchen, my master bath, and Roman bathtub. The fact that there’s no drywall in my house; the entire home is lath and plaster. I also really love that all my doors are windows and windows are doors. DENISE VASI |
Talk to us about your daughter’s room. What are your favorite elements in her room?
MINI |
Everything in my daughter’s room is neutral colored and made of natural materials. She has a few small pops of pale pink. My favorite part of her room would probably be her library. DENISE VASI |
MINI |
What about the new baby’s nursery?
That’s still up for discussion. We’re going to have to undergo major construction to make more space for our new baby. It’s funny, my husband and I met late in 2011, and since 2012, between our L.A. home and our NYC apartments, we haven’t had one year where we weren’t in construction. It’s a good thing we love it! DENISE VASI |
How is the naming process going this time around? Have you decided? Are there some that you love that your husband has vetoed?
MINI |
Oh, no! It’s usually me who is vetoing my husband’s romantic name ideas. We won’t decide on a name until we meet and spend time with our baby. We didn’t name Lennox Mae for probably a day and a half or more. Who knows how long it will take this time. Her name is a pretty tough act to follow. I definitely want their names to feel like they go together, but let’s see what this baby’s personality is like. DENISE VASI |
How is this pregnancy similar or different than your first?
MINI |
So different! I wrote a whole post on MAED about this. I’m so much more exhausted. I had terrible pregnancy symptoms for a long time, well into the middle of my second trimester. Nausea, vomiting, constant nose bleeds, low blood pressure, severe back pain… I could go on. But I was four years younger when I was pregnant with my daughter. I also wasn’t running after a toddler all the time or running a business. DENISE VASI |
Talk to us about MAED. What is MAED and what inspired you to create the site?
MINI |
MAED is a curated site for women who balance career, motherhood, and family life without sacrificing self-care and style. The focus is always to create content that inspires women to ask more questions, seek out more natural and holistic answers, and practice more mindfulness. That might all relate to how a woman approaches an issue with their children (like screen time) or what type of non-toxic beauty products they use. My community on social media really inspired me. They kept asking me for a permanent home for content. I didn’t even know I was content creating. I was just sharing information and hoping to inspire people. DENISE VASI |
What has been your proudest career moment to date?
MINI |
Launching MAED. I spent almost two years toying with the idea, talking about what I wanted to do, researching and studying the digital space, but I was scared about making such a huge career pivot. I’m most proud that I actually did it. Starting something is the hardest part. DENISE VASI |
What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?
MINI |
I work hard to prioritize time and schedule everything! I have set days for shoots, set days for interviews, set days for calls and for meetings. I use timers to make DENISE VASI |
sure I don’t spend too much time on small tasks. When I’m really overwhelmed, I call my hubby and he will remind me to stop and breathe. Do you have any concerns about becoming a mom of two?
MINI |
I’m so nervous. I’m not sure how I will do it all. I’m not sure how I will make each of them feel special and loved equally. I’m not sure how I will ever have time for a shower. But what I do know is that I’ll figure it out. I’m [also] most excited about them having each other. DENISE VASI |
How are you preparing your daughter for the new baby?
MINI |
We’re including her in all the decision making. She’s helping pick out clothes and toys. We’re reading lots of big sister books. She’s also involved in my sessions with our midwife, and we are talking to her about the birth process and letting her know she can be involved as much or as little as she wants on the big day. She’s practicing a lot with her pretend babies and has started to help with household errands like feeding the dog and setting the dinner table. DENISE VASI |
As a busy working mom, tell us what a typical work day looks like for you.
MINI |
my office which is right by my daughter’s school. Gotta maximize my time. Ya know? I make sure all my calls and important emails are handled by 2:30 PM because that’s school pick-up time and while I definitely will find moments to get some work done in the later afternoon, I always work to be present for my daughter. On Mondays, we cross town to get her to ballet; that’s why Mondays are always the hardest day for me. It eats like three hours of my day to get there and back home but she adores her ballet teacher, so I do it. We usually shoot content on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I try to wrap shoots right before I head to school for pickup, but sometimes I’ll grab my little girl and bring her back to set. Or I might drop her off at hubby’s office which is also in Venice. We definitely do a lot of juggling. Your favorite places in LA to visit with kids— GO!
MINI |
No day is ever the same, but I usually wake up extremely early to start working for a few hours before my daughter wakes up. Once she’s awake, it’s go time. If hubby is home and not away directing a project, then he will handle school drop-off, which somehow ends up saving close to two hours of my day. Otherwise, I do drop-off and then head to DENISE VASI |
Bicycle riding on the boardwalk. The parks along Venice and Santa Monica beach. Kippy’s for non-dairy superfood ice cream. The farmers’ market and LACMA. Burro Kids for toys. True Food Kitchen for lunch. My Little Dumpling for dinner (but as part owner I’m biased on that one). DENISE VASI |
FA S T FA C T S TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Almond milk flat white. ADVICE TO MY NEW MOM SELF It’s okay to ask for help. IDEAL DATE NIGHT A great meal with no cell phones. LAST BOOK I READ Becoming. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Lady Gaga, my daughter is obsessed with singing “Shallow.” SIGNATURE SCENT Anything with Oud. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Beauty and the Beast. ON MY NIGHTSTAND Books on books on books. GUILTY PLEASURE Kippy’s. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Charlotte’s Web. BIGGEST WORKING MOM CHALLENGE Being present and focused.
dream m ride Designed for daytime dreaming—our fully fabulous,
four mode push chair is feature loaded—flaunting an oh-so-clever all
weather seat that smartly switches with the season (with just a zip!) and a sleek and snooze friendly dream drape™ for on-the-go snoozes. Now little riders and grown up drivers can explore the world in style.
