MINI FO R T H E M O D E R N PA R E N T
HOW TO SURVIVE SUMMER ROAD TRIPS WITH KIDS # M U S T H AV E
MEET THE ONLY CAR SEAT YOU’LL EVER NEED
STROLLER OF THE SUMMER MOMS ON A MISSION
MOM OF THREE DAPHNE OZ ( A N D B A BY N I C A ) ON KEEPING IT H E A LT H Y AT H O M E
WHY THE IDEA OF HAVING IT ALL IS OVER #MUSTMAKE
Bringing Up Baby
COOL TREATS FOR TOTS
P LU S ! FA M I LY H O M E S TO B O O K INSTEAD OF H OT E L S
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
RADAR
6
MINI
T H E E I F F E L TOWE R G ROW S S I X I N C H ES E V E RY S UM M E R AS I RO N E X PAN D S I N T H E H E AT.
ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
This sunshine-y buddy with textured rays for gum relief will brighten those gloomy teething days! “I love that you can stick it in the fridge or freezer, it’s dishwasher-safe, and has poppable bubbles to keep baby entertained!” says Mini’s Editor in Chief Kate Kirby. —doddleandco.com
THIS JUST IN
R E - P L AY WA R E
“A F F O R D A B L E A N D E CO - F R I E N D LY ! ” - K AT E K I R BY
Founded by a husband and wife duo in the ‘80s, Re-Think It, Inc set out with the goal to produce high quality, durable, and sustainable goods using recycled materials. Their Re-Play line of infant and toddler dishware features a handful of color ways, with each plate, bowl, cup, and utensil manufactured out of recycled, FDA approved, food safe plastic. —re-play.com
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT
Charlie Crane comes the highly-coveted Levo Baby Rocker! Spied in celebrity nurseries (we see you, Joanna Gaines!), this guy will suit your style and soothe your baby from birth through seven months! Simply choose your frame color and then dive into the dozens of available cushion covers. —charliecrane.fr
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
SPECIAL EVENTS TO AT T E N D T H I S SEASON
Cal
OUTDOOR MOVIE H A L L O F B R E A K FA S T APPLE CAMP
MINI MUST-HAVE ▶
These Minnow swimsuits are a must on hot beach days!
Visit the latest interactive art pop-up experience, Hall of Breakfast, in Salt Lake City open now through the end of July!
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers a FREE day for the public on the second Tuesday of the month— great for Mini artists!
Pack up the kids and take in a FREE outdoor movie in Brooklyn Bridge Park every Thursday from 6 PM to 9 PM! Got a Mini Techie? Check apple. com/today/camp for Apple Camp programs in your area. Kids 8-12 can enroll in a 90-minute 3-day program of their choice!
ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN ▶
4
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
Our favorite furry friends from the Hundred Acre Wood are back! Christopher Robin is now an adult and meets his old pals once again in this August 3rd debut.
Go Places, Big and Small. Designed for your daily adventures and exciting excursions, the MINU offers modern conveniences in a portable, lightweight stroller. Go where you want, how you want – there’s nothing extra holding you back.
mini-magazine.com
Head to Mini for more interviews F E AT U R E S
FOLLOW M I N I 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, our #minisays series and much more! Find us on Instagram: @minimagazine or visit www.instagram.com/ minimagazine.
with parents around the world, style and more
LIVING
B A BY + K I D S
THE MAGAZINE
4 ALLERGY-FRIENDLY SNACKS FOR THE KIDS Little prep, big taste. minimagazine.com/allergy-friendly-snacks-sunbutter-kids THE BEST DRY SHAMPOO UNDER $10 Add all of these to your cart for a hair pickme-up. mini-magazine.com/ dry-shampoo-under-10 20 ROYAL BABY NAMES FIT FOR A MINI QUEEN (OR KING!) A nod to the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex. mini-magazine.com/royalbaby-names
6 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HOME BIRTH FROM A MIDWIFE Educate yourself and explore your options. minimagazine.com/home-birthaccording-to-a-midwife
minisclusives LOG ON TO
MINI Find all of this and more on our website!
SH
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 swimsuits, summer sandals, and fruity frocks
36 | SCOOP A Gucci kids pop-up debuting this month for the first time
15 | MEET THE TEAM The team that makes all the Mini magic possible
28 | MOMMY CHIC It’s the style spot for our chic Mini moms
38 | WRAP IT UP We found the most fashionable baby carriers on the planet from this new brand
18 | EDITOR’S LIST A carefully-curated list of Kate’s favorites this season
32 | TECH KIDS The latest and greatest from the Mini tech sphere 34 | BOOK CLUB A collection of new books to tote to the beach this summer
40 | SUMMER STROLL The
best stroller of the summer has everything you need for family travel
76
contents
52 54
56
62 64 70
78
80 82 86
26
90 94 96 90
98
100 102
68 | LINE LEADER Jewelry
designer Shelley Sanders shows us around her playful LA home 78 | MOM OF ALL TRADES This UK mom has many irons in the fire— from cookbooks to podcasts
42 | TOOTH FAIRY These
52 | ICE, ICE BABY Bookmark
teething toys will satisfy baby’s gums and creativity
this dark chocolate raspberry popcicle recipe for your tiny tots
45 | ON THE SCENE The newest baby gear models including the only car seat you’ll ever need
54 | BALANCING ACT Cover mom Daphne Oz talks the give and take in wellness and motherhood
86 | MODERN MOM The co-founder of Who What Wear opens up about mom life, fitness, and the myth of having it all
18
contents
54 56
66
72 74 78 82 84 86
94 | PLUS ONE The co-found-
88
96 98 102 106
120 | UPTOWN GIRL Vera
er of Show Me Your Mumu on maternity style and first baby prep
Wang exec Priya Shukla talks raising kids in the city and creating a home
104 | KEY PLAYER The Giving Keys founder Caitlin Crosby gives us a tour of her simple yet edgy LA home
130 | COLOR STORY This monochromatic editorial will inspire you to make colorful choices this summer
112 | LOLLIPOP GUILD We
take you along for an inside peek at the new Loulou Lollipop office in Vancouver
110
115 118 120
SAFE KIDS, HAPPY HOME
See our full line of baby gates at munchkin.com
Founder and Editor in Chief K aitlyn K irby Cover Photo graphy Christina Craddock Editorial Team Contributing Photo grapher G retchen Easton Contributing Photo grapher Emma Feil Contributing Photo grapher C J Isaac Contributing Photo grapher M argarita K arenko Contributing Photo grapher M organ Pansing Contributing Photo grapher Jenna Peffley Contributing Photo grapher Julie Shuford Contributing Photo grapher Emmy Lou Virginia
M ini O ffices M ini M agazine Email | hello@mini-magazine.com Web | w w w.mini-magazine.com
Premium Threads for Contemporary Motherhood.
M ini M agazine is a digital lifest yle pub lication 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, re cording, 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 2018 M ini M agazine.
L E G O E H E R I TA G E . C O M
@ L E G O E H E R I TA G E
int roducing
ÂŽ
a pacifier for time-strapped parents with taste. www.doddleandco.com
@doddleandcom pany
#becausebabies
Editor
INSIDE LOOK: (On Right) A peek at our summer cover shoot with Daphne Oz. (From Top) My daughter Penelope’s first sand adventure (and Minnow swimsuit!)— she could have played all day! Our first family beach vacation was a success! Penelope loved feeling the water on her toes!
16
Those hot summer days are back and I am not complaining! This season has already been packed with dozens of sunny strolls, fun family vacations to the beach, endless ice cream cones, and matching swimsuits! We’re so thrilled to welcome new mom of three Daphne Oz to our cover, talking all things balance in motherhood and wellness. The chef and author shares how to raise adventurous eaters, the baby food company she’s jazzed about, and the best tip for getting back into shape after baby. We’re also taking you inside the homes of inspiring moms
A LETTER FROM MINI’S FOUNDER K AT E K I R BY
like Caitlin Crosby of the Giving Keys, Shelley Sanders of The Last Line, Hillary Kerr of Who What Wear, and many more! Oh, and did I mention there’s a delicious dark chocolate raspberry popcicle recipe you have to try? It’s easy to make and the kids will love it! There are still plenty of those dog days of summer left ahead, so grab your tablet or computer and a tall glass of something cold and enjoy this issue, 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
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
NI NE I NTH E M I R R O R .CO M
MINI
EDITOR’S LIST ◀ SUMMER SCENT
My Mini takes a Tubby Todd bath every night and we always lather her up with this after! —tubbytodd.com
◀
THE BASICS
Storq has the best essentials for moms (I’m still wearing my pieces after baby!) and this campaign is stunning. —storq.com
◀
BELLY MASKS
These belly masks are genius and reduce stretch marks. —hatchcollection.com
This Fawn Design bag is so beautiful in the blush shade! —fawndesign.com
◀ CUTE COLLAB
18
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
I’m obsessed with Minnow swimsuits and this Maisonette collab is adorable. —minnowswim.com
◀
◀
MINI BACKPACK
TRAVEL MONITOR
This portable, cordless monitor is perfect for taking on a summer trip. —totokan.com
THE CHIL DR EN ’ S CO L LECTIO N 699
madison avenue, new york
( 21 2) 838- 3775
saks fifth avenue, ninth floor, new york www.mrsstrong.com
( 21 2) 940- 4463
T H E S P OT TO SHOP FOR THEIR M I N I WA R D R O B E
Style
SPLASHING SWIMWEAR SUMMER SANDALS FRUIT BOWL FROCKS
◀ YOU SAID IT
Luxury cashmere sweater label Lingua Franca has been bold from the very beginning. With handstitched sentiments like “I Miss Barack” and “Outlaw” as the centerpiece of their products, likeminded wearers of the world are united by literally, a common thread. It was only a matter of time before the sassy sweater purveyors sized down for the juice box crew and at a fraction of the price of their adult counterparts, the brand’s Young LF line offers sayings like “Bad Hombre” and “The Future is Female” to empower the next generation. —linguafranca.nyc
THE SASSY S W E AT E R S N O W CO M E I N M I N I SIZES!
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
SU I T YOU R SE L F
Whether you’re headed to the pool, the beach, or your backyard for a sprinkler sesh, your best swimsuit is required!
AMERICANA
Nothing says summer like these red, white, and star-spangled suits! Above: $52; Red Stripe Rashguard; minnowswim.com Below: $62; Girls Navy Star Tie Back Bikini; minnowswim.com
22
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
WHALE OF A TIME
GREEN MACHINE
Show off your sea friends with these cute swim trunks. $14; carters.com
Everyone loves an avocado— why not wear them? $44; maisonette.com.
CHECK ME OUT
POLKA QUEEN
Monogrammed and gingham? It doesn’t get more classic. $72; maisonette.com
Itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny, and complete with yellow polka dots! $64; oliviaandocean.com.
DESIGN ALL AROUND YOU
Josephine Ald 3042 Lincoln W ay San Francisco , Califnia 94 115
“Zoo Menagerie” by Moglea (Audubon, IA)
Party dreams brought to life.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
INVITATIONS
NURSERY ART
PARTY DECOR
Sourced from a community of independent designers. Available at www.minted.com
SANDY TOES
Grab a pair of these sweet sandals before you step out onto the scorching sand this summer— or hit the playground with your pals!
1
2
3
4
5
6
1. ISLAND STYLE
3. SOLID GOLD, BABY
5. FLOWER POWER
$44.95; Wes Sandal in Aloha Blue, plae.co
$34.99; Suede Sandals in Rose Gold, hm.com
$35.95; Hibiscus Canvas Viv Sandals, toms.com
2. GONE FISHING
4. FAUX REAL
6. BLUSHING BABE
$42; Bixby Water Resistant Fisherman Sandal, freshly-picked.com
$19.99; Boys Imitation Leather Sandals in Dark Green, hm.com
$40; Malibu Water Resistant Sandal in Blush, freshly-picked.com M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
F RU I T B OW L
Show off your favorite fruits this season with these adorable frocks decked with pineapples, lemons, and cherries galore!
BANANA GRAM
Your Mini will be the top banana with these healthy picks. Above: $46; Bobo Choses Baby Banana Sweatshirt; maisonette.com; Below: $17; Kidsform Baby Banana Romper; amazon.com
26
APPLE OF MY EYE
LEMON TELL YOU
Animals Observatory’s apple overalls are knit to perfection. $80; maisonette.com
This lemon print is our main summer squeeze. $29; bodenusa.com.
SWEET AND SOUR
CHERRY-O CHAP
This Crewcuts frock adds a little flair with the fluttered sleeve. $59.50; nordstrom.com.
This Milly Minis dress is a spoon full of sugar. $102; neimanmarcus.com.
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
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
J U S T F O R YO U MAMA, FROM B U M P TO B E YO N D
Mom
M AT E R N I T Y E S S E N T I A L S MOMS ON A MISSION A + AT H L E I S U R E
◀ MAMA AND MINI
It’s time to get matchy matchy with your Minis this summer! Chic swimwear label Summersalt has teamed up with kids brand Mac & Mia for a colorful, confettitrimmed suit collab! The assymetrical one-piece ($95) for Mom is heralded as one of the most widely-flattering one shoulder styles while the tiny two-piece ($55) is the perfect companion for fun in the sun! —macandmia.summersalt.com MAMA AND MINI SWIMSUITS? YES PLEASE!
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
RIGHT NOW WE’RE LOVING
The nursing-friendly Chari-Tee from Boob Design that donates five percent of proceeds to Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere.—boobdesign.com
THIS JUST IN
NOT SO BASIC When the time comes to add basic maternity staples to your bump-friendly wardrobe, there’s only one place to look— Storq. The mom-centric brand offers a variety of essentials from nursing tanks, bras, and briefs, to not-so-basic pieces like the Supima Jumpsuit, comfy chic caftan, easy pull-on pants, mini dress, pencil skirt, and even a delivery robe! They’ve quickly become our go-to and there’s no turning back. —storq.com
MINI MUST-HAVE
“ These colorblock leggings in bright summer
shades like Flamingo make a serious statement whether you’re out and about or at the gym,” says Mini’s Editor in Chief Kate Kirby. “ Everyone should add these to their workout wardrobe.” —outdoorvoices.com
30
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
GO AHEAD, FLAUNT YOUR BUMP. LET THE BELLABAND HOLD YOUR PANTS UP.
mid pregnancy Wear pulled up or folded over to hold up and smooth out too-loose maternity wear
late pregnancy Use folded over once or twice to hold up your pants when your belly pushes them down
post partum Helps the transition with tooloose maternity pants or too-tight pre-pregnancy jeans
e a r ly p r e g n a n c y Wear folded over to hold up unbuttoned pre-pregnancy jeans
IngridandIsabel.com Š 2012 Ingrid & Isabel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
T H E L AT E S T F R O M THE MINI TECH SPHERE
Tech
MINI MUST HAVE
STITCH FIX KIDS
Your favorite personal stylist delivery service has gone Mini! Stitch Fix Kids made its big debut this summer, sending a box of 8-12 hand-picked items straight to your door personalized to your kid’s style, size, and of course, your budget. And just like the original (grown-up) service, you only pay for what you like and can quickly return the rest in a free envelope direct from your mailbox. It couldn’t be easier (or cuter!) —stitchfix.com/kids
RIGHT NOW IN TECH KIDS
32
Meet Dash, your Mini’s first robot friend. A real robot that responds to voice, dances, sings, and navigates objects, your Mini can also download the latest apps from parent company Wonder Workshop to create new behaviors for Dash using code! Teaching them both creativity and coding skills, this is one toy they’ll never get bored with! —makewonder.com
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
MINI PERSONAL STYLIST THE BEST NEW KIDS CO D I N G TOY
I grew up with a tree fort in my backyard, and blossoming apple trees, and neighbours around us who thought our family was crazy. I had seven brothers and one sister. We were all tall and skinny with blue eyes and long arms, and my blue eyes were always looking for beauty in the details of life. They were the lenses through which I drifted into photography capturing beautiful things to share with others. Years have passed, but I still feel that fumbling excitement every time I pick up my camera. I still have that breathlessness in my throat as I photograph life-filled mothers and sunlight-filled children. My favourite thing is still that I can give the beauty I see as a gift to others. And I want to know - what's your story? What wonderful, exciting thing makes that breathlessness grow in your throat? And do you have any beautiful things you’ve created, beautiful things you want me to capture so you can share them with others?
emmylouvirginia.com
B O OK C LU B
What better time to dive into a new stack of books than summer vacation? Pick up these titles from your local library (or tablet!) and read the day away!
FOR LEARNING
BABY CODE!
by Sandra Horning
EDITOR’S PICK
HOW TO CODE A SANDCASTLE
by Josh Funk Join Pearl and her robot friend Pascal as they use code to build the perfect sandcastle! FOR BIG KIDS
I SLEEP IN A BIG BED
34
by Maria van Lieshout Helpful for kids ready for this big change.
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
FOR GIGGLES FOR PATIENCE
LOST IN THE LIBRARY: A STORY OF PATIENCE AND FORTITUDE
by Josh Funk The first picture book about Patience and Fortitude, the two lion statues that guard the New York Public Library!
EDIE IS EVER SO HELPFUL
by Sophy Henn Helping is one of the things Edie does best— but some may even say she’s too good!
It’s never too early to introduce your little ones to code! This book explains how music is all around and how to take part!
Scoop
THIS JUST IN IN THE MINI WORLD
G U CC I X N E T- A - P O R T E R FA S H I O N A B L E B A BY CARRIERS STROLLER OF THE SUMMER
THE POP UP SHOP BEGINS J U LY 1 6 O N N E T- A - P O R T E R !
◀ MINI VENTURE
For the first time ever, Net-a-Porter has collaborated with Gucci on a kidswear pop-up shop that will last for six weeks this summer. The brand’s first foray into the Mini space includes sizes from baby to age 12, with a variety of animal prints, hoodies, playsuits, track pants, jeans, backpacks, and even mini loafers! —net-a-porter.com
36
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
Joolz Tailor collection customize your ride
find out more and customize your stroller at joolz.com
WRAP IT UP Makers of the most fashionable baby carriers, slings, and wraps on Earth, Artipoppe offers moms a way to stay mobile, feel beautiful, and show the world they care.
THE BRAND EVEN OFFERS A C A R R I E R S PA SERVICE!
◀ EVERYDAY STYLE
Artipoppe offers the most fashionable assortment of babywearing products we’ve seen— fitting every need from birth through toddlerhood. Their traditional woven baby wraps are famous for versatility, the ring slings popular for ease of use and style, as well as the Zeitgeist baby carrier for built-in support. —artipoppe.com
38
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
W W W. N I N E I N TH E M I RRO R. CO M 3 .1 P HILLIP LIM • AL E XAN D E R WAN G • L AN VI N • M I SSO N I • VAL E N TI N O • AN D M ANY MOR E
SUMMER STROLL Meet the must-have stroller of the summer! The MINU stroller from UPPAbaby has everything you need in one compact package.
THE MINU STROLLER WEIGHS UNDER 15 POUNDS!
◀
TRAVEL BUDDY
The latest addition to UPPAbaby’s line of top-notch baby gear, the MINU stroller is designed for everyday excursions and those exciting adventures you have planned this summer! This compact, lightweight stroller is also infant and car seat compatible with a From Birth Kit and MESA infant car seat adapters! —uppababy.com
40
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
So what exactly makes the MINU the stroller of the summer? Allow us to fill you in! Below are the features you need in a travel companion this season and the MINU checks all of the boxes: EASY RIDE
You will encounter a variety of terrains on your summer vacation. The MINU’s all-wheel suspension and lightweight design (the stroller weighs under 15 pounds!) ensure a smooth ride no matter where you go! QUICK FOLD
Parents on the go need a stroller that can quickly fold when they’re in a pinch! MINU has a one-hand action fold and easily transforms into a compact package with minimal work! EXTRA SPACE
Summer travels call for being prepared at all times— which may require a bit more gear than your typical day. MINU comes complete with a large, easy access basket to store your essentials and your vacation treasures! ADAPTABLE
No need to worry about bringing more than necessary on your summer trips! MINU is infant and car seat compatible with accessories like the From Birth Kit and MESA and Maxi-Cosi infant car seat adapters.
EXPRESS YOURSELF
Show off your style with a variety of color combinations for your MINU including: Black Mélange, Charcoal Mélange, Red Mélange, and Teal Mélange, with accents like Carbon, Silver, Black Leather, and Saddle Leather.
T O O T H FA I R Y Cutting your first chompers can be tough, but these sweet teethers make the process a little easier on Mini gums.
1. V E G G I E TA L E 4
6
Little Toader Broccoli Bites Teether
($6.99; amazon. com) Fun to chew even if they don’t like the real thing!
5. S A LT L I C K LexyPexy Pretzel Wooden Teether
2. B U N N Y E A R S
($26; lexypexy. com) You don’t have to be a city kid to love these!
Jenni Kayne Organic Maple Bunny Teether
5
($35; jennikayne. com) Made from organic maple wood and flaxcolored linen.
6. M E L O N T I M E Wally the Watermelon
($17.99; oliandcarol.us) Easy to hold and textured for teething gums!
3. F U R F R I E N D Texas Baby Teether 1
($14; louloulollipop.com) This adorable teether will be baby’s fave! 4. J U I C E B A R LexyPexy Green Juice
42
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
($26; lexypexy. com) Baby’s first green juice made from non-toxic maple wood! 2
3
B A BY G E A R E V E R Y PA R E N T NEEDS NOW
on the
Scene
JOOLZ HUB M AX I CO S I M AG E L L A N CYBEX EEZY S T WIST
A D D A COT O R CO CO O N F O R YO U R L I T T L E ONE!
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
JOOLZ HUB
Compact, comfortable and packed with premium features, the Hub from award-winning Dutch stroller brand Joolz is the urban stroller you’ve been looking for. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JOOLZ
RAY SAFE UPF 50+ sun hood
Keep baby safe with the extra large sunhood with UPF 50+ protection.
RELAXING 6 ergonomic positions
COMPACT FOLD Easy fold with carry strap and transport lock
The Hub is a cinch to take on the go with its built-in carry strap.
Find a comfortable spot with six ergonomic positions, including lying flat.
SMOOTH RIDE Large rear wheels
Large rear wheels guarantee a smooth ride, wherever you go.
46
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
N AV I G AT E S M A L L S PAC E S WITH ONE HAND!
the ultimate shopping
destination for kid’s fashion
Sent straight from Paris and delivered to your doorstep in 72 hours: Armani Junior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Kenzo, Little Marc Jacobs, Monnalisa, Oscar de la Renta, Petit Bateau, Rykiel Enfant, Scotch & Soda‌ and many more
MAGELLAN
The new Maxi-Cosi Magellan™ 5-in-1 car seat is the only premium convertible car seat that fits your child from birth to 10 years. WEIGHT Use from birth
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MAXI-COSI
Magellan is made for kids from 5 to 120 pounds. COMFORTABLE Self-wicking seat
The self-wicking fabrics keep your little one cool and dry in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter. SAFETY FIRST Exceeds standards
Magellan exceeds all federal standards and its patented Air Protect™ is built into the headrest to cushion impact.
ADAPTABLE THIS IS THE O N LY C A R S E AT YO U ’ L L E V E R NEED!
48
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
Varied positions
Magellan has a 7-position recline, 3 adjustable torso height positions and 14 headrest heights.
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
EEZY S TWIST
The new Eezy S Twist stroller from CYBEX is ideal for urban parents, suitable from birth, and allows you to swivel the seat with just one hand! PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CYBEX
SHADY BABY Large canopy
Extendable XXL sun canopy features a UPF50+ rating and peekaboo window.
THE EEZY S TWIST GOES ON SALE AU G U S T 1 !
EEZY TWIST One hand rotating seat
This smart function allows quick and simple rotation of the seat unit with one hand. TRAVEL FRIENDLY Ultra compact fold
Small enough to fit in a plane’s overhead compartment.
QUICK FOLD One-hand action fold
Compacts into a self-standing package in seconds with just one hand.
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
ICE ICE, BABY These dairy-free and refined sugar-free dark chocolate raspberry popcicles are both healthy and kid-friendly! recipe and photography KARLA SALINARI
CLICK FOR MORE RECIPES ON OURFLIP S I D E L I F E . CO M
52
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
YOU NEED ½ can full fat coconut milk 1 cup frozen raspberries
MINI HOT TIP YOU C A N SU B ANY O F YO U R FAVORI TE FRU I TS IN TH ESE I C E P O P S!
½ banana 3 tablespoons coconut palm sugar Dairy-free chocolate chips
DO THIS Add coconut milk, raspberries, banana and coconut palm sugar into a blender and blend on high until smooth. Evenly distribute chocolate chips into the bottom of each popsicle mold. Pour raspberry mixture into each mold, filling it to the top. Insert popsicle sticks and freeze, 4 hours or until solid. Gently remove frozen popsicles from mold, serve and enjoy!
New mom of three Daphne Oz can juggle motherhood and a busy career with the best of them— but the chef, author, and Chief Innovation Officer of Pure Spoon has also learned to apply the art of balance to her wellness routine, keeping it healthy at home with real, whole foods for her little ones and achievable workouts for herself.
photography by
CHRISTINA CRADDOCK
interview by
ABBY JOHNSON
BALANCING ACT
We’re thrilled to have you on our summer cover! Let’s dive right into your life as a mom. What does your morning routine look like?
MINI |
It changes day to day. Each of my kids wakes up at different times, so it depends on who’s up first. We go downstairs, hang out, I make coffee, which is my most urgent need first thing. We play, we’ll decide what we’re making for breakfast. On school days, it’ll be something quick like eggs or whole grain toast with butter or coconut oil, but sometimes all they want are chocolate chip pancakes. I have my healthier version of those too with pulverized oatmeal, but still plenty of chocolate chips! Then it’s absolute chaos of trying to get lunches together, getting them out the door, dropping my older two off at school, and then if my husband is there, trying to get my workout in. I love getting my workout in in the morning, otherwise the rest of the day gets in the way.
DAPHNE OZ |
What does your fitness routine look like right now?
MINI |
I am a big fan of keeping it simple. I had those days where if I didn’t work out for a full hour, it wasn’t a workout. But it just wasn’t realistic to try to budget that much time at this point, with this many kids. When I’m somewhere nice, I like going for a run outside, which is a good way to clear
DAPHNE OZ |
your head. We forget as humans how much time we should be spending outside, how much we benefit from breathing fresh air, and seeing the sun. Getting it done first thing in the morning makes me feel like I’ve already accomplished something. Just that little brain shift makes you feel that much more productive about your day. I love my Our Body Electric workouts, which are top instructors from across the country, streamed right onto your mobile device, targeting any part of the body you want. For me, that’s always core strength and arms, but of course, I love a little extra butt lift. I have a sequence of 8 minute or 28 minute workouts that I’ll do. When I’m on vacation, I’ll do a yoga routine. I’m so not a gym rat, but I can’t speak highly enough of how much better I feel when I get the workout in. You never want to do it, the hardest part is always getting dressed for it, and then as soon as you get going, you feel so good. I started listening to podcasts while I run and I feel so hyper-efficient while I’m doing it because my brain is being fed and I’m thinking about things. Having something to focus on helps it go that much faster. What do you think is a great rule of thumb for moms looking to get back into shape after baby?
MINI |
After college, I would do a quick 10-minute routine, first
DAPHNE OZ |
where I feel healthy in my skin. If you tell yourself you’re not going to eat bread, or sugar, or dairy ever again, chances are you’re going to fall off that bandwagon, you’re never going to stick with it, and you’re always going to feel like a failure. The biggest hurdle to conquer is your own negative self talk. It’s always hard to get started again. Give yourself 10 minutes. That’s not selfish, that’s a great thing, and you deserve it. That success builds on itself. What do you think is the greatest challenge of motherhood?
MINI |
The feeling that no matter how much you give and no matter what you do, it’s never enough. The better you are, and the more you give them, the more they want. That’s how you raise happy, well adjusted, resilient kids, but as someone who wants to do well, it’s really devastating to feel like it’s never enough. Something to come to terms with too is reckoning with this idea that you don’t control them. They are their own people. They’re not little mini yous, they’re not going to be motivated by the same things that motivate you. You can read all the books in the world and be the expert that the books tell you to be and still mess it up.
DAPHNE OZ |
thing out of bed in the morning. Now, my youngest is 7 months, and I’m going to start doing it again. It’s such an efficient way to start your day. I would do a 5-minute jump rope, then push-ups, and jumping squats. It’s basically a 10-minute HIIT routine. You can find 10 minutes; that’s a reasonable commitment for anyone, no matter how busy. You’ll start to see those results so quickly. You don’t need big, fancy equipment. You need 2 or 3 pound free weights and a jump rope and you have a killer workout. Start slow, don’t kill yourself. You just lost all of your core strength over the course of the last 10 months. Don’t make it painful or you won’t repeat it. Give yourself bite-sized ways to feel successful. That’s always been my piece of advice to myself as I get back to a place
58
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
It’s stressful in the moment, but actually, it’s the most exciting and fun thing as a parent. It’s seeing little people develop, seeing them become themselves, seeing them take the ingredients that you’ve given them, and make them totally their own. What is your greatest parenting fear or worry?
MINI |
You want to protect your kids from anything, from any moment of upset, and that’s inevitably going to happen. My fear is that in my effort to protect them, I won’t give them the tools to protect themselves. It’s going to be so weird raising kids in the era of social media when as they’re coming of age, they’re forced to contend with this behemoth of other people’s feedback. Raising kids through that is tricky to me.
DAPHNE OZ |
You’ve just welcomed a new little one, baby Nica! Where have you seen the biggest changes going from 2 to 3 kids?
MINI |
I found one to two way harder. With your first one, your whole world is rocked. You thought you had a lot to juggle before, but you didn’t. Our first two are 20 months apart so I was pregnant throughout the big transitions—getting into things, walking, talking. I felt like that pregnancy, I was exhausted.Then we welcomed our son, and juggling that toddler and newborn age gap was really hard because you finally get this rhythm down with the first and feel like maybe you’re starting to get some expertise and then the second one throws you for a total loop. Now you have two people on totally different schedules. After adding a third into the mix, you still only have 24 hours in a day. For us, it could DAPHNE OZ |
FAV O R I T E KIDS MOVIE... SHREK!
IF I HAD MORE T I M E I W O U L D. . . SLEEP! AND R E A D.
FA S T FA C T S BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Relish a night on the couch with takeout and a movie as much as I do. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Extra hot, whole milk cappuccino on weekends, iced americano on weekdays. SHOWS I’M WATCHING I just finished McMafia and am starting the Night Manager. It usually takes me about a week to make it through an episode. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Podcasts! I’m obsessed with Hidden Brain, The Daily, More Perfect, and RadioLab. GUILTY PLEASURE Cookie dough. Perfect New Jersey bagels. Eating the sweet core of a watermelon and leaving the rest behind. SIGNATURE SCENT I blend essential oils, usually vanilla or coconut with musk. Anything to remind me of the beach.
FA S T FA C T S ON MY NIGHTSTAND A vintage dish for jewelry, water and tea, aromatherapy, my phone, a book of short stories that is collecting dust. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Hot sauce, cheese, and pickled vegetables of some kind or another. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Fresh seafood near the water and under the stars, lots of wine, an espresso to wake me up, then dancing to live music and never checking the time. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Any Harry Potter. To read to my toddlers: Lion Practice, How to Catch A Star, Madeleine, Pete the Cat, and Bread and Jam for Frances. FAVORITE FAMILY MEAL Roast chicken, sweet potato fries, baby lettuces with shallot vinaigrette, and ice cream cones for dessert.
62
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
just be that Nica is the happiest baby on the face of the planet. My daughter, Philomena, called Nica “Sugar” when she was in utero, and she came out literally sweet as sugar. She is always laughing, always happy, she’s my little Sagittarius baby, makes herself heard but is never complaining. That has definitely contributed to this transition being so far, pretty simple. How did the process of naming your daughter go this time around?
MINI |
I don’t know how we became these people. My husband is an over-planner, I’m not at all, but he normally keeps me on track. We got to the delivery room and did not have a name. Her middle name is one that we thought about for Philomena, [but] we loved the initials PBJ so much that we went with a different name for her. With Domenica, I went into labor on Sunday of a Supermoon. It was my third and everyone promised me it would be a quick, easy labor. I thought, she’ll be born on this amazing Sunday— [the moon] was a huge, glowing orb outside of my hospital room window. We loved her name, it was one that stood out to us, and then of course, she took forever to come out and so she was actually born on Monday. But her name means “blessed” and we loved the nickname Nica also. Domenica Celine felt very celestial, serene, and happy, and it went well with our other kids’ names. DAPHNE OZ |
What baby products are you using most for Nica right now?
MINI |
She’s seven months now, so we just got to start her on solid foods within the last month, which has been so exciting. If there was ever a baby born who wanted to eat solid foods! She would literally reach out and try to claw things out of my other children’s hands. I recently joined as the Chief Innovation Officer at an organic, fresh baby food delivery company called Pure Spoon, so her being able to actually eat the foods that I’ve been part of creating has been so exciting. She loves it! And it makes my life so easy. As a chef, I of course want to make my kids food from scratch, but sometimes life gets in the way and I end up needing baby food to have on hand. This is the only baby food I’ve found that makes me feel like she’s getting homemade. We make it the same way, it retains all of the nutritional value, and it’s delivered to me fresh. It’s not older than my baby like most shelf-stable baby food. I’m enjoying two different baby skincare products—Earth Mama Angel Baby and Evereden—and we don’t go anywhere without our Aden + Anais dream blankets. My kids could be sleeping in the forest and sleep great if I had my dream blankets. DAPHNE OZ |
Are there certain things you stick to or stay away from when feeding your kids?
MINI |
I grew up in a very health-focused family and one that loves to eat. That for me is so much a part of how I want to educate my kids and get my kids to enjoy their food. I want my kids to love to eat vegetables and fruits, different flavors and combinations. I don’t want it to ever feel like a penalty to eat healthy things. Eating healthy and being healthy should be an indulgence, not deprivation. They get in the kitchen with me and we make a mess. I don’t care about perfection and I certainly don’t care about it being neat and tidy. My kids see what my husband and I like to eat and they’ll try things. I don’t expect my 4-year-old to love broccoli at this point, but if I chop the broccoli up and put it in with her chicken meatballs, she loves it. I’m trying to avoid them feeling like “I have to eat this,” or “If I eat this, then I get to eat what I want.” We eat a lot of sweet potato fries, chicken, and my kids actually love salmon which I’m thrilled about. Salmon is one of the places where I experiment with different flavors. We do a soy miso glaze or orange garlic glaze or even just basic, roasted with garlic, salt and pepper—they love that. They love cucumbers and whole Greek yogurt with salt and olive oil. They like to dip! I try to avoid artificial colors and as many preservatives and sodium as I can. For the most part, I do buy organic and try to show them the variety of foods, and for me, eating well is what makes life so fun and exciting and I want to share that with my kids. But I also don’t want to give them complexes if they go to a friend’s birthday party and want to eat delivery pizza and store-bought cake— that’s part of the spice of life too. I tell Philomena, “big girls try everything once.” I don’t force her to have more than one bite, but whenever I put things on her plate, she has to try it once. People forget that it takes kids DAPHNE OZ |
up to 20 times for their taste buds to adjust and recognize something that they like. Even if they reject something the first time, don’t be afraid to put it in front of them again and again. I incorporate new flavors on foods I know they already love. They love chicken meatballs and salmon, so I’ll try different vegetables added in there or different glazes. I also believe it started early. That’s part of why I love Pure Spoon, it has great flavor combos. And when I make my own baby food, I add different flavor combos in there so that their palettes are being exposed. I think a lot of our initial foods for kids are very sugary and it makes it hard for them to come back from that and learn to enjoy savory foods or foods that don’t taste like candy. If you want your kid to be an adventurous eater, I think the sooner you start, and the more you can model it yourself, the better. What were your first thoughts when you found out you were pregnant with Baby #3?
MINI |
It was one of the first times I got to experience the joy of my other kids anticipating a new sibling. Philomena was 10 months old when I got pregnant [with John], and I don’t know that she was all that thrilled. Now, they are literally inseparable best friends. I’m so happy that we get to have kids close together, although it was really challenging in the beginning. This time around, they were both DAPHNE OZ |
so excited about the baby and it was really fun getting to experience pregnancy through their eyes. I’ve always joked that we want 7 kids—I don’t know that we’ll actually get to 7—but I’ve always wanted a big family and I felt very grateful and blessed that we were going to be able to continue doing that. How do you manage to keep all of the plates spinning?
MINI |
When I had my first, I had the typical mom guilt and so much of it. When I was at work, I wanted to be at home and felt like I was missing all of these critical moments with my baby. When I was at home, I felt like I was missing work opportunities. This time around, I recognize that whatever I’ve chosen to do, it’s because it makes me happy and I’m allowed to do that. As long as I can be 100% on when I’m on, then I can be 100% mom when I’m not. That to me is a much healthier balance. I feel like happy kids have happy parents who model that for them. If you’re taking an hour to get something done for yourself, I want to lead the charge to say, not only are you allowed to do that, but it’s good for you and it’s good for them to see you feel like you’re living up to whatever aspirations you have for yourself. It’s not all rainbows, but so much of what you’ll remember about this time is how you feel going through it. If you feel good about yourself and the DAPHNE OZ |
I’m all about summer dresses. Long, short. I love to show off leg, I love to show off neck, and décolleté. With the kids, I’m in jean shorts and a variety of vintage tees most of the time. But I think it’s important to dress up sometimes and for your own psyche to feel that. People say, you dress up and you show up. I’ll do it whenever I need to give myself a little boost of power. I’m also a caftan connoisseur. I have a crazy collection of caftans that I love and live in. So if you see me in my kitchen, it’s usually in an oversized vintage tee shirt or a caftan and barefoot; that’s my preferred look. DAPHNE OZ |
You’ve got a full house right now, but do you see more babies in your future?
MINI |
choices that you’re making and they’re feeding your ultimate happiness and your kids’ ultimate happiness, that’s a really good thing. I’ve had to get so much better about organization. I’ve had to really hone in on my goals and what I want from this time and if there’s something that doesn’t line up with that, as much as I’d love to do it, I have to say no. Also, giving myself a break. I can’t think of a single day in the last year that I’ve gotten done with my to-do list. What can we find you wearing most often in the summer?
MINI |
Oh yeah, for sure. I love it. I think that there’s a part of me that worries that I will just miss any version [of my children]. These kids are all so different. They come out with these little personalities totally intact, and there are all these iterations of what you can create, so I want to see some more versions. But I’m also not in a rush. I want to enjoy it. I want my kids to enjoy their little moment in the sun too. DAPHNE OZ |
Founder and Creative Director of The Last Line, a Los Angeles based jewelry brand, Shelley Sanders is leading the charge on rewriting the rules of the industry. The signature, juxtaposed style that has come to define her work—that mix of high and low, vintage and modern, playful and sophisticated—can also be spotted throughout her home, so come along as the mom of three invites us inside for a tour.
e n i L Leader
68
photography by
JULIE SHUFORD
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place! How would you describe your home?
MINI |
We bought our house and it was a true, 1940’s, cut-and-paste remodel, in full transparency we hated the house (as it was) but loved the land. Cue the remodeling process. We remodeled everything from the inside out, added in a lot of light to a super dark space. In retrospect, it was challenging working within the existing structure and we really should have knocked it down and started fresh, but lesson learned. In our hearts, we are into modern pieces, clean lines, and lots of texture, but somehow our home sort of feels like a SHELLEY SANDERS |
mountain oasis, especially with the natural light. Designing the house was very similar to how I design jewelry— I focused on the details, from the marble to the fixtures and brass hardware. MINI |
Do you have a favorite room?
Selfishly, I would say my daughter Goldie’s room because it’s so cute and I wish it was mine. I have an awesome great room designed for genuinely hanging out. It’s the kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room all in one; I love it. I can relax, entertain, or play seamlessly without fuss. The mom in me is also thrilled because I can see the kids from all angles. SHELLEY SANDERS |
Talk to us about your kids’ rooms. What are your favorite elements in their rooms?
MINI |
Ironically, the kid’s bathroom because of the stone. My sons (Arrow and Howl) share a room and their beds are attached, so they’re always close which makes me happy. It’s very sweet and I like that they can feel close and talk to each other before bed. In my daughter’s room, I love everything. It feels so feminine and sweet. Her room has all these fun elements from a dreamcatcher and then a neon sign with her name (what better way to practice letters?) and this really great black Moroccan rug for some edge.
Since you’ve recently welcomed a new little girl, let’s talk about pregnancy! How was this pregnancy similar or different from your others?
MINI |
SHELLEY SANDERS |
I think Goldie was easier simply because I had gone through it twice before. Arrow is my easiest child, but was the most brutal pregnancy. It’s interesting to have a girl after two boys. SHELLEY SANDERS |
What were your first thoughts when you found out you were pregnant?
MINI |
When we decided to have a third, I was fully prepared to be a mom of three boys (you have to!). After we found SHELLEY SANDERS |
out we were having a girl, we were so excited, but I had a little bit of an “I’ll believe it when I see it” feeling. Now that she’s here, what do you hope to instill into your daughter?
MINI |
In Goldie, it’s the same for my sons, teach them to strong and confident in who they are. I hope they always have the courage to be themselves, whatever that turns out to be! SHELLEY SANDERS |
was on our bookshelf and both Teddy and I liked it. Additionally, my husband Teddy is a Howlin’ Wolf fan so that may have helped confirm our name choice. Arrow— I met a little girl named Arrow and I thought it was very cute and it paired well with Howl. Goldie just had to be Goldie. In fact, her full name is Goldie Darling. When I was imagining her before she was born, I imagined her to be a Goldie, bright and sweet. I also like that it was kind of nostalgic name.
MINI |
How did you prepare your boys for the new baby’s arrival?
Howl is part named after the Allen Ginsberg poem, Howl. The book
They were begging to have a sister so when we found out we pregnant they were so excited. The only rule in the
MINI |
How did you decide on your children’s names?
SHELLEY SANDERS |
SHELLEY SANDERS |
house is “Don’t make Goldie cry.” They call her the Queen, so I think she’s definitely a winner in their book. What do you love most about raising your kids in LA?
MINI |
The weather doesn’t hurt and both of our parents are here, so that’s a bonus. I love the fact that we can take them to the beach or skiing without having to leave the state. I also think bigger picture, there is a lot of opportunity in LA and when they grow big, they’ll have lots to explore and selfishly, maybe never leave me. SHELLEY SANDERS |
Tell us about your work at Last Line LA. How did the brand come to be and how have you seen it evolve?
MINI |
We’re coming up on our first anniversary, so it’s been quite the year! Before starting The Last Line, I had the rare opportunity of being on both the design and production sides of the process, which was so helpful when designing the collections. The core of the brand is quality. I wanted to create pieces that can be worn, but not worried about. The inspiration behind the name of The Last Line is it is the last place you’ll have to look for fine jewelry and so far, we’ve been holding to that! The brand is two-fold: the Heart and the Soul, and everything is designed in Los Angeles. The Heart pieces are the core of the brand and your jewelry box, the staples that you never want to take off. The Soul pieces are the hand-crafted, special pieces you want to treat yourself to that make you feel special. It goes without saying, but I love jewelry, truly. I love design of all types and I love to create. I can’t stop! It is an obsession, so stay tuned, there is much more to come! SHELLEY SANDERS |
What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?
Where have you seen the biggest changes in your life since becoming a mom of three?
MINI |
MINI |
Coffee in the morning, wine at night; plain and simple. The most relaxing moments of my day are that first cup of coffee and that first glass of wine.
Balancing it all fairly, including time with my husband.
SHELLEY SANDERS |
SHELLEY SANDERS |
What is your greatest parenting worry or fear?
MINI |
What do you think is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
I worry about them most when I’m not there, especially at these ages. I want to protect them from the unnecessary garbage in the world or just the mean kid at the playground. SHELLEY SANDERS |
Time splitting. If I had four extra, uninterrupted hours, I would be perfect. It’s a give and take and not always a beautiful one. One day you spend less time on the business and one day you have to spend less time with your babies. SHELLEY SANDERS |
Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
MINI |
The one thing is maybe it’s become a bit more utilitarian— less dresses when I’m digging in dirt with the little ones. SHELLEY SANDERS |
MINI |
Tell us about your beauty routine.
For my skin, I go to the best esthetician, Biba De Sousa. She has her own product line that I exclusively use on my skin to combat the insane fatigue that gloriously goes with having three children and a new business. SHELLEY SANDERS |
I also rely heavily on YSL lip gloss. The number is a little faded from pure love, but (I think) my go-to is 09 “Great No Rules Rust Red” which in actuality, is the perfect bright red. If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?
MINI |
Know that you’re fine and don’t sweat the small stuff, which is impossible as a kid. SHELLEY SANDERS |
T Y P I C A L CO F F E E ORDER... A L M O N D L AT T E .
FA S T FA C T S BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Stay home at night. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Goodnight Moon. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT E Baldi. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Literally everything. I think my last played on Spotify was Willie Nelson but right before that was Beyonce. My kids are way into Michael Jackson and Guns n Roses so we listen to those often. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Pizza and wine. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP The internet. With that, it’s all local to me. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE String cheese. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Despicable Me 2. SIGNATURE SCENT Samsara.
CLICK FOR CAROLINE’S N E W YO U T U B E CHANNEL!
photography by
M A R G A R I TA K A R E N K O
Mom of three, author, model, entrepreneur, and podcast host (the list goes on!), Caroline Fleming gets real about her home life, motherhood, and her evergrowing string of titles.
MOM OF ALL TRADES 78
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
Thank you for inviting us to your home! Tell us about the place! How would you describe your home— the design, the feel?
MINI |
or a piece of furniture or a small Art Deco piece. It’s my nest and the place I feel safe and secure. You’re always on the go, even with the kids! What are your tricks to making traveling with kids a little easier?
MINI |
My home is really my life for the past 25 years. Pieces I have from my childhood home and others I have collected over the years and whilst travelling. It’s very warm and cozy and rich in color and textures.
CAROLINE FLEMING |
Do you have a favorite room in your home or one where you spend the most time? Tell us why you love it.
MINI |
My kitchen is where I spend most of my time. We meet there first thing every morning for breakfast before I take my children to school and again when they get back from school. It’s where my kids do their homework and where I do all of my recipes for my books and my cooking for my YouTube show, “Cooking with Caroline Fleming.” I love this room and find deep comfort and relaxation in cooking. It’s very nourishing for my soul and another expression of love, served daily to my children friends and family.
CAROLINE FLEMING |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?
MINI |
I love the fact that everything I have is in one place. I love that everything has been chosen because I really like them, and have a story in their own right, whether it be a frame or a painting
CAROLINE FLEMING |
Organizing everything in advance [and] making mental lists so you don’t forget anything. I travel a lot with my kids, so I have much experience and have learned from previous mistakes. My children are super easy and very helpful too. They know what they want when they are away and ensure they pack these priorities. Practice makes perfect!
CAROLINE FLEMING |
On a career note, tell us about your cookbook! What types of recipes can we find inside?
MINI |
My most recent and fourth cookbook is a real taste of classic Danish cuisine. It has a Swedish twist as I am half Swedish and will introduce you to all the most loved dishes we eat in Denmark and Sweden. I am very conscious around nutrition, so my recipes are perhaps more healthy in their preparation than previous generations. I believe in cooking less to restore nutrients, and maintaining amazing flavors. The recipes are all super simple and great dishes for whoever you are cooking for, whether they love meat, only eat fish, are vegetarian, or fussy.
CAROLINE FLEMING |
MINI |
What is one of your favorite recipes?
I adore all the salad, especially the kale and quinoa salad, the fish balls
CAROLINE FLEMING |
are amazing, and the rhubarb soup for dessert. The flavors are mind blowing and each person I have made this for is speechless. You also have a new YouTube channel! What types of videos can we expect to see?
MINI |
Yes, very exciting. The recipes on this channel are varied and all family friendly. They are three minutes long, and there is something for everyone, from l’Êtais to nut butters, from Italian to Mediterranean to Danish to Thai, healthy breakfasts, smoothies, summer meals and winter warmers. There is a new episode every Monday and Friday all year round!
CAROLINE FLEMING |
We know schedules can be hectic— so tell us about yours! What does a typical day look like right now? What time do you get up?
MINI |
And to boot, you have a podcast with your girlfriend, Sophie Stanbury! What topics do you cover on the podcast?
MINI |
The podcast is all about talking about the things many people find difficult to talk about, bringing into the open subjects that are so important but difficult, from illness to marriage problems, making the most important decisions in your life to ensure your utmost happiness. And only you know what deep down makes you happy and what makes you sad, only you can bring this to the surface. We talk about health and beauty, fitness and friendships, food and lifestyle, dating and kids, building a business and leaving the job you no longer adore.
CAROLINE FLEMING |
My friends say I do In a day what they do in a week. My day normally starts around 7 AM when I wake my children gently. We then have breakfast and I take them to school. My day is then—from around 8 AM to 4 PM—a combination of working, emails, writing recipes, designing my homeware, and stockings. I often have meetings during this time and occasionally a lunch with a friend or work colleague. Then I collect my children, help them with their homework, cook, we all have dinner together, I bathe them and we spend some gorgeous cozy time before I put them to bed. A few times per week I will have a din-
CAROLINE FLEMING |
ner with friends or business dinners. How do you manage to keep all of the plates spinning? What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?
MINI |
It’s all about getting the balance right. My motherhood fills the space it needs to fill and is my number one priority, then comes my work and I will not commit to anything I cannot give 100% to. Again, these choices come with years of experience and I know what I can give. I take time when something new is offered to me and really make sure I can commit to this at the level I want to. I have a lot of energy to use so I can get lots done in a day, and I make sure that I fill my body with really good food consistently to maintain this energy.
CAROLINE FLEMING |
Let’s talk wellness. What does your skincare routine look like?
MINI |
My skincare and beauty routine is very simple and keeps myself as natural as possible, very Scandinavian really. I often just clean my face with water, at most a cleanser and exfoliate from Lancer or MZ Skincare or Natura Bisse is another favorite. I adore Estee Lauder Night Repair and use it [in the] morning and evening. I love Sisley SPF with Natura Bisse “The Cure” and makeup once or twice a week in the form of minerals from Youngblood, bronzer, mascara, and sun cream from Tromborg.
CAROLINE FLEMING |
How about your fitness routine and diet? Are there certain foods you stick to and others you stay away from?
MINI |
I am not a gym person, never have been. I do yoga once or twice a week for ten to fifteen minutes only; this preserves my core strength. I eat varied food of all kinds, from different cultures, and 50% of my diet is fruits and vegetables. I eat everything and I have a very sweet tooth. I am equally satisfied by a great smoothie as I am by a fantastic homemade cake. I don’t deny myself anything and eat dessert after every meal every day. I also don’t really drink during meals
CAROLINE FLEMING |
which makes a world of difference to my digestion. Every day I will eat cucumber and avocado and drink at least two double cappuccinos. I love foods that are freshly prepared. I don’t enjoy processed food at all; it doesn’t make me feel good. I try to breathe well and ensure that I don’t waste my time doing anything I don’t want to do or spend my time with people I don’t want to be around.
MODERN MOM photography by
JENNA PEFFLEY
86
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
makeup by
JOEY MAALOUF
When you’re the co-founder of Clique—parent company to uber popular lifestyle sites WhoWhatWear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie—as well as an author and host behind the careercentric Second Life podcast, business is your M.O. New mom Hillary Kerr dishes her secret to staying on top of it all with a baby in tow, as well as a sneak peek into her nursery, and how the jig is up on “having it all.”
Thank you for inviting us into your nursery! Tell us all about it!
MINI |
It’s a pretty serene space with a few whimsical touches. It was important to us to create a room that didn’t feel heavily gendered or babyish, and we wanted it to work with the rest of our home, and I think we accomplished that mission, with the help of our amazing designer, Deborah Gleiberman of DL Rhein.
HILLARY KERR |
MINI |
What was your inspiration for the nursery?
We started with the color palette and knew we wanted to include a fair amount of green from the start. My husband and I both love stripes, so there had to be a stripe moment, as
HILLARY KERR |
well. And we wanted to design a space that had loads of space for books, as we are both big readers and hope Clark will be too! What are some of your favorite elements in the space? Where did they come from?
MINI |
The wallpaper is definitely at the top of my list; it feels a bit Where The Wild Things Are and Clark really loves looking at it. Finding the right wallpaper was the biggest part of this project; we looked for months until we found the right one. I also really love the big giraffe in his room, too. I’d seen it in the Pottery Barn corporate offices on a work trip years ago, and always had it in the back of my head.
HILLARY KERR |
FA S T FA C T S TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Almond milk flat white. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE The NeverEnding Story. SIGNATURE SCENT Rose 31 by Le Labo. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Pod Save America and whatever’s on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Pickled jalapenos. Califia Farms Black & White Cold Brew Coffee, baby spinach, spicy chicken sausage, sriracha, and a hunk of good Parmesan-Reggiano cheese. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Tell us how you decided on his name. Were there other names that got a veto vote from either you or your husband?
MINI |
There’s not much of a backstory to his name besides the fact that we both liked it and how it sounded with my husband’s last name, Leahy. It’s such a melodic name, so we knew we wanted something that would compliment it, and Clark seemed like the right fit. Luckily we were on the same page about names, though it’s a good thing Clark was a boy, as we’d never decided on a girl’s name.
HILLARY KERR |
We know schedules can be hectic— so tell us about yours! What does a typical day look like right now with a baby?
At the risk of jinxing our schedule, things are working pretty well right now. Clark gets up around 6:30 a.m. every morning; you can practically set a watch by his wakeup time. We hang out as a family until his breakfast at 7 a.m., and then I pack up for the day and leave for my 8 a.m. workout class, and my husband does the handoff with our amazing nanny. My first
HILLARY KERR |
MyDomaine
MINI |
call is usually at 9:30 a.m. while I’m driving to the office, and then I typically have back-toback meetings all day. I try to leave the office by 5:45 p.m. so that I’m home around 6:15 p.m. to do bath, bottle, and bedtime with Clark. He goes down around 7 p.m., and then I usually am back on emails and Slack while making (or ordering) dinner. My husband often doesn’t get home until 8 or 8:30 p.m. or
later, so that post-Clark bedtime, pre-dinner window is a good time for me to catch up on any outstanding work that I didn’t get to during the day. My husband and I always eat dinner together, and catch up on the day; that time together is important to us. On a good night, I’m showered and in bed reading by 10 p.m., with lights out around 10:30 p.m., but that’s the goal, not always the norm. How are you staying on top of everything with a new baby?
MINI |
I’m a firm believer in scheduling everything. So whether it’s work or workouts or shopping for a friend’s birthday, everything is in my calendar. I am also
HILLARY KERR |
make tons of lists—for everything from grocery shopping to bigger work projects— to help me keep track of everything. Without iCal and Evernote, I’d be toast! What do you think about the idea of “having it all?”
MINI |
Sounds like a lot of pressure! I don’t love that phrase “having it all,” because I think it’s a bit sexist. No one ever says that to men, or asks men about “having it all” or the struggle of being a working dad, you know? I’m just doing the best I can, and taking it one day at a time.
HILLARY KERR |
What has surprised you most about pregnancy or motherhood?
MINI |
FA S T FA C T S BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Exercise in the morning. LAST BOOK I READ Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Helen’s for wine, McCall’s for meat, butter, and the best bread, and the Reckless Unicorn for baby gifts. ULTIMATE GETAWAY Renting a house on Kauai’s North Shore is my happy place. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Botanica for the fattoush-y salad with lamb, Trois Familia for the potato tacos, and Homestate for queso and brisket tacos. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Any date night is ideal, these days. ON MY NIGHTSTAND A million baby books, Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek, Yes We (Still) Can by Dan Pfeiffer, and I’m re-reading Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.
mation. She has a truly science-based approach to nutrition, and I love that it’s really more about a lifestyle than a diet, per se. I try and follow her plan as much as possible because it makes me feel great and has done wonders for my skin. As for fitness, I’m pretty devoted to Lauren Kleban’s LEKfit bounce classes. It’s a dance-inspired combination of cardio on a mini trampoline (yes, you read that correctly) and sculpting, and I try to do four classes a week, minimum. What baby gear are you using most right now?
MINI |
We recently got a Beaba baby food maker, which I am obsessed with. My husband and I love to cook, so making Clark’s food is a fun new project for us. I’m also a huge fan of our Hatch changing pad and scale, which is sleek and connects with an app on your iPhone. I use the app to track Clark’s meals, weight, height, everything. It’s really user friendly and I appreciate having all that data in one place.
HILLARY KERR |
I think I’m most surprised by how much I like my kid. Don’t get me wrong; I knew I’d love him, but I didn’t realize that I would like who is as a person so much. He’s young, but he has such a distinct personality, and it’s one I adore tremendously. I don’t think I realized he’d be such a person so early, if that makes sense? HILLARY KERR |
We love following your fitness posts on Instagram! What is your current fitness routine and diet?
MINI |
I’m really quite a big fan of Kelly Leveque’s book Body Love and her @bewellbykelly Instagram account, which is just a font of helpful infor-
HILLARY KERR |
If you could give Clark one piece of advice, what would it be?
MINI |
Register to vote. I wish he could vote in midterms. But seriously, I didn’t pay attention to our political system until very late in the game, and I hope that we are going to raise a kid who understands the importance of voting and activism much earlier than I did.
HILLARY KERR |
Cologne Trude is the cofounder and designer of boho chic brand, Show Me Your Mumu, along with long-time pal and new mom Cammy Hebert Miller. But now it won’t be long before this first-time mom-to-be adds one more into the mix and she’s opening up to Mini about baby prep, birth plans, and the unexpected twists and turns of pregnancy. photography by
M O R G A N PA N S I N G
94
Plus One
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
Thank you for inviting us into your home! How would you describe the place?
MINI |
Our house is Spanish style, built in the 1920’s, so we updated and brightened the look a little to make it feel more Venice Beach. My husband, Sam, is from Sydney, Australia, and I am from Newport Beach, so we both love clean, beach, boho vibes. We did some remodeling and added a lot of white paint when we moved in two years ago and feel like we created a little European beach house in LA that is comfortable and feels very California.
COLOGNE TRUDE |
Do you have a favorite room in your home?
MINI |
It used to be my front yard, but now it is my nursery! It is still a work in progress, but she definitely has the best room in the house! It is this tiny room that used to be the office, but it has so many little windows and sits in a treetop, so it feels like a little indoor treehouse. We added white shiplap walls, a Bird of Paradise palm, white and rattan furniture, and hung a bunch of shell chandeliers that I got in Kauai— a little paradise for her!
COLOGNE TRUDE |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?
MINI |
I love our tile staircase. It is fun to keep some of the authentic Span-
COLOGNE TRUDE |
ish elements alive. I love my vintage rattan furniture. I have collected a lot of fun indoor and outdoor pieces over the years from flea markets and sites like Etsy. Palms indoor and outdoor are a must for me; it instantly changes the look and makes me feel at home. I like to mix up where I get things. Some pieces I splurge on from Restoration Hardware or Serena and Lily, and then I mix them with vintage flea market finds, and inexpensive stores like Home Goods. Talk to us about the nursery! What are some of your favorite pieces in the baby’s room?
MINI |
think we have to meet her first to decide. With a name like Cologne, I guess I have to think of something special! I love the nursery! I love the handmade shell hanging chandeliers I got in Kauai, where Sam and I got engaged, and married. We hung a big picture of La Fontelina Beach Club in Capri above her crib— it’s a magical place with blue and white umbrellas and my husband and I love it there. It has a touch of nautical with the shiplap, and rope details. We wanted it to feel like a little boat in paradise. And of course, a palm. Basically everything that makes us happy— beach, boats, Kauai, Capri, palm trees. We hope she feels the same way as us!
MINI |
COLOGNE TRUDE |
MINI |
How is the baby naming process going?
We have a few but don’t know “the one” yet! It is such a big decision and so hard! We
COLOGNE TRUDE |
Do you have a birth plan in mind?
My birth plan is to go with whatever happens! I don’t think you can plan how your labor is going to go, and so many unknowns can happen. I don’t want to plan anything because I don’t want any expectations or let downs. It is just going to happen and at the end there is going to be a baby! I only can hope for a healthy baby at the end no matter how she gets here.
COLOGNE TRUDE |
How has your pregnancy gone thus far? Is it easier or harder than you expected?
MINI |
COLOGNE TRUDE |
My pregnancy has been
so great! I was pretty scared and intimidated before, but it honestly has been so easy and has gone by so fast! I had, of course, my ups and downs. In the beginning, I felt sick, I hated keeping it a secret, but was filled with excitement. The middle felt like I almost wasn’t pregnant, besides just being really hungry and growing. The end gets tougher physically, but by then you can see the light and you get excited about the baby! It is really phenomenal what our bodies are capable of, and the feeling of having a baby inside of you! You definitely have to change your style a little bit though— you only fit into things for a few weeks at a time! What do you think is the one thing no one really warns you about pregnancy?
MINI |
I was surprised at how much of your pregnancy goes by where you don’t even really look very pregnant. I, for some reason, pictured myself with a huge belly for nine months, but your tummy doesn’t really pop big until about five or six months. It was different than I expected— much better I think! All the other stuff, I think I knew was coming: swollen ankles, sore, big boobs, inability to put on your shoes, morning sickness, pregnancy brain. It’s all real.
COLOGNE TRUDE |
Has your personal style changed at all since you’ve been pregnant?
MINI |
My style is very California. I like prints, nautical stirpes, lots of white, and denim. I usually live in high-waisted, rigid jean shorts or jeans, so I definitely had to change my style! Thank God for overalls and Mumu jumpsuits; short or long, I live in these now. I also love our maternity jean shorts. They are super comfortable, and great with a big button up or t-shirt. I have to be comfortable, so the Mumu Muternity line saved my life! It was lucky we were able to create clothes based on exactly what we wanted to wear while pregnant, and what we couldn’t find in the market.
COLOGNE TRUDE |
What baby gear do you have ready for your little one?
MINI |
I am trying to get only what I need for a newborn since we don’t have a lot of storage in our house. There are so many options out there, it was hard to pick! I have been told to get the Nuna Pipa car seat, and we are going with the Bugaboo Fox stroller for Venice, and the Yoyo for traveling. We got the Lovevery Baby Playmat that is meant to help the baby’s developing brain. We got a lot of onesies from Kickee Pants and Spearmint Love. The Peanut diaper changer, Dock-A-Tot, and Comotomo baby bottles are apparently must-haves! And a whole lot of cute clothes from Zara Baby.
COLOGNE TRUDE |
MINI |
What is your greatest parenting worry?
Balancing everything and having enough time for my husband and baby. I will make it a priority, but I know it will be challenging with the job that I have and my busy lifestyle.
COLOGNE TRUDE |
What does a typical day look like right now?
MINI |
I get up about 7 or 7:30 and usually go for a run with my Boxer, Navy. I had to stop running later in my pregnancy, so currently I walk or do a couple of chores before heading to downtown LA to the Mumu offices. I’ve worked full-time through my pregnancy so I think maternity leave is going to be a little bit of a shock for me! Once I get into the office, it’s back-toback meetings and time with my Mumu girls until 7:30 p.m. Then I race home to be with my husband and puppy for a couple of hours before pregnant lady has to go to bed! I love working, but I am also excited to spend some more time at home with my new baby and family.
COLOGNE TRUDE |
How are you anticipating your schedule to change once you have your little one?
MINI |
My schedule will change a lot! Right now, I’m gone for work for about ten hours a day. I’ll have to
COLOGNE TRUDE |
cut back and try to move some meetings to Venice. It will be a good change for me, and allow a lot of the girls at work to step into their roles. I also will be juggling a newborn, so you never know what surprises that is going to bring!
Since Cammy also just welcomed a baby, how has she supported you through your pregnancy thus far?
MINI |
Oh my gosh, she’s been SO helpful! Her baby was due three months before me, so I got really lucky with my timing. From pregnancy, to birth, to baby products, she has guided me through it all! It was really fun to be pregnant together and go through this phase of our life at the same time. It has been very special. Can’t wait for our little girls to meet and grow up together!
COLOGNE TRUDE |
What is most important to you in raising your children?
MINI |
Taking the time to be in their lives and help steer them in the right direction. I want to teach them good manners from the beginning so they are a pleasure to be around (or at least as much of a pleasure as kids can be!), mutual respect, and a lot of love. And, of course, having so much fun as family!
COLOGNE TRUDE |
If you could give your children one piece of advice, what would it be?
MINI |
Work hard and enjoy life. Being happy is the most important thing and relationships with your friends and family is a big part of that. The world will give back to you what you put out, so be a good person.
COLOGNE TRUDE |
MINI |
How many kids do you see yourself with?
I was the middle of three, and I have always wanted a big family so three feels right. We’ll see what I say after two though!
COLOGNE TRUDE |
FAV O R I T E KIDS MOVIE... THE LITTLE MERMAID!
FAV E LO C A L R E S TAU R A N T. . . G R E AT W H I T E I N VENICE!
FA S T FA C T S TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Venti iced coffee with almond milk. Right now, it’s a venti iced decaf Americano with almond milk. SIGNATURE SCENT Kai. It smells like vacation! FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Show Me Your Mumu on Abbot Kinney! CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Feel good classics like Fleetwood Mac. GUILTY PLEASURE Frozen yogurt with sprinkles, every night. ON MY NIGHTSTAND For the first time, baby books! Currently, Bringing Up Bebe and Happiest Baby on the Block. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE White wine, before I was pregnant. Now sparkling water and a lot of sauces and salad dressings. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Where the Wild Things Are, Madeline, Eloise.
An actress, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and mom, Caitlin Crosby gives her all to her personal life and career— and now, to the community. Crosby is the founder of The Giving Keys, which employs those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of repurposed keys and encourages wearers to give theirs away when they encounter someone who needs each engraved key’s uplifting message.
K E Y P L AY E R 104
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
photography by EMMA FEIL
Thank you for inviting us into your home! How would you describe the feel?
MINI |
Tons of my parents vintage furniture hand-me-downs, mixed with some Moroccan flairs and boho accents. CAITLIN CROSBY |
Do you have a favorite room in your home?
MINI |
The living room because you have a great view of the Moroccan light fixtures I had added to the kitchen, mixed with the coziest couch and pillows from my favorite interior store, The Joneses. I love laying there after a long day watching shows. CAITLIN CROSBY |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?
MINI |
Also in the living room, the coolest handmade macramé piece from The Crystal Oak. I love my husband’s and my antique Gibson guitars hanging in our dining room. CAITLIN CROSBY |
MINI |
Where do you spend the most time?
Playing in the backyard with [my son] Brave. CAITLIN CROSBY |
Talk to us about your son’s room! What inspired you when designing his space?
MINI |
I wanted as much white as possible. I don’t love classic, bright, primary color baby toys and decor, so wanted to try and keep it feeling peaceful and cozy. CAITLIN CROSBY |
What are your favorite elements in his room?
MINI |
Definitely his Brave sparkle sign and teepee. His teepee is our secret hiding place together, where we share all our special hopes and dreams with each other. CAITLIN CROSBY |
MINI |
How did you decide on your son’s name?
S I G N AT U R E S C E N T. . . D I O R H Y P N OT I C POISON.
I wanted to name him after one of the words on our key products and my husband mentioned that one, and we were both like, “YES!� CAITLIN CROSBY |
As a working mom, tell us what a typical work day looks like for you.
MINI |
I wake up and feed Brave breakfast, read to him, try to teach him some new words, get ready for work, work a full day at the CAITLIN CROSBY |
office, drive back home to build Legos with Brave, try to have some quality time with him, make him dinner and a bath, then after putting him down to sleep, I crash and have nothing left! Tell us a little about the Giving Keys. How did the brand come to be?
MINI |
I started it on music tour and sold them at the merchandise tables along with my CDs. I met a young homeless couple and had the idea to start paying them to engrave the positive words onto CAITLIN CROSBY |
the products. We have now employed over 100 people that are trying to transition out of homelessness. We are working on new apparel designs to expand into a full fashion and lifestyle brand to hopefully end homelessness with our business. What has been your proudest career moment to date?
MINI |
CAITLIN CROSBY |
100.
Being in Oprah’s Super Soul
motherhood and keeping the business running smoothly. Constantly fighting feeling like I’m failing at both. What helps you to juggle motherhood and career? CAITLIN CROSBY | 10 minute meditations from the Calm app and other working moms to relate to so I know I’m not alone in the struggle. MINI |
Where have you seen the biggest changes in your life since becoming a mom?
MINI |
What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
CAITLIN CROSBY |
Not enough time for both
Realizing how intentional I need to be about trying to make time for myself to get recharged. I haven’t mastered that one yet. It’s also changed me because CAITLIN CROSBY |
I’ve never felt so much love for anything in my life. It made everything else pale in comparison.
Definitely. I used to spend more time shopping, but now I just throw on whatever is the easiest thing I can find.
What do you think is the one thing no one really warns you about?
Where do you like to shop? CAITLIN CROSBY | Nordstrom, Fred Segal, Ron Robinson, and Urban Outfitters.
MINI |
The level of exhaustion from not really being able to rest. Your life doesn’t represent yours anymore unless you work hard on trying to recharge.
CAITLIN CROSBY |
MINI |
CAITLIN CROSBY |
MINI |
What is your greatest parenting worry?
That when I’m at work, that time away from Brave will negatively effect him. CAITLIN CROSBY |
Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
MINI |
How about your wellness routine? In terms of diet, are there certain things you stick to or stay away from?
MINI |
I try to do yoga once a week. I try to have one salad a day, stay away from candy and desserts, but I let myself enjoy tons of chips and salsa. I also just started taking adrenal supplements. CAITLIN CROSBY |
What is most important to you in raising your son?
MINI |
To teach him respect, care, and empathy of other humans. CAITLIN CROSBY |
Looking back to your first days as a mom, what advice would you give yourself?
MINI |
Don’t worry about responding to all those text messages. CAITLIN CROSBY |
What are your favorite places to take kids in LA? What are a few of your must-do’s or must-visits?
MINI |
Strollering down Tujunga Village, Woodbridge Park, the Grove, and the beach. CAITLIN CROSBY |
If you could give your children one piece of advice, what would it be?
MINI |
CAITLIN CROSBY |
this life.
Enjoy every moment of
FAV E LO C A L R E S TAU R A N T. . . M E R C A D O.
IF I HAD MORE TIME... I WOULD JOURNAL AND R E A D.
FA S T FA C T S TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Almond milk latte. SKINCARE MUST-HAVES Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, Dr Hauschka’s Daily Moisturizer. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE The new sing-along Peter Rabbit. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Hillsong Spotify. BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Enjoy playing with Legos. ON MY NIGHTSTAND Candles and crystals. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Milk and La Croix. IDEAL DATE NIGHT New foodie restaurant and deep conversation with my hubby. LAST BOOK I READ The Happiest Toddler on the Block.
LOLLIPOP GUILD 112
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
photography by
EMMY LOU VIRGINIA
The connection that comes along with being twins, not only spans finishing each other’s sentences, but extends into business for this dynamic duo. Eleanor and Angel, the founders of Vancouver-based baby goods company Loulou Lollipop, set up shop in 2015 and are making a serious name for themselves in the world of teething jewelry, pacifier clips, and now blankets. We are thrilled to spend the afternoon with two powerhouse moms— and twin sisters! Tell us about your idea to start Loulou Lollipop.
MINI |
The idea of Loulou Lollipop started when Eleanor was at one of her lowest times. When Eleanor was six month pregnant, the interior design company that she worked for went bankrupt and left her jobless. While she was on maternity leave, she was looking for ways to help with her family’s financial needs. The idea came when her then seven-month-old broke a couple of her beloved necklaces. Her frustration led her to seek out a solution and this was how Loulou Lollipop came about.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
MINI |
What makes you two a great team?
We finish each other’s sentences! It’s a joke, but it’s close to being true. Not sure if it’s because we are twins, but we often have very similar ideas on various aspects of business, so we don’t need to explain to each other in detail what we are trying to say. However, since we came from different education and work backgrounds, we play different roles in our company. Eleanor leads the creative direction of the company, while Angel handles the systems and marketing side of the business.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
MINI |
two?
What is a typical work day like for you
Every day is new, with new challenges, and new things to learn. However, our day usually starts after dropping off our kids at daycare or school. We start with an extra large coffee, [then] shuffle between the front office and the back warehouse. We help out wherever and whenever our team needs us. Priority is the key, and we prioritize our day according what’s the most urgent.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
Loulou Lollipop is a life style brand with a focus on designing fun, functional, and eco-friendly silicone teething products and muslin baby goods. As moms ourselves, we understand how hard the first couple years of your baby’s life can be: the lack of sleep, the loneliness, and the constant battle of mom guilt. So we set out to create products to put a smile on your face, to help you appreciate the smallest wins, and to look at the silver linings of every hardship and to make lasting memories.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
How have you seen the brand evolve or grow since it began?
MINI |
Introduce our readers to the brand. What does Loulou Lollipop make?
MINI |
Our brand originally started as a home-based, handmade busi-
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
ness making and selling silicone necklaces on Etsy to now a lifestyle brand offering 200+ original and unique styles of silicone toys, accessories, and muslin blankets for babies at over 800 specialty stores, as well as major shopping destinations like Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn Kids. Show us around the office. How long have you been in this space?
MINI |
We have only been in our current office for seven months, but this office is everything that we dreamed of. It has a huge high ceiling warehouse area where we keep all of our stocks. The front office is where the creativity and magic happen. We love plants, so there are quite a few in the office. It calms us and helps us focus and tackle a day’s work.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
How do you two support each other as moms, as well as in business?
MINI |
We both understand that family is our priority,
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
so when one of us has to take a leave of absence from work for family reasons, we will have no problem stepping in and completing each other’s work. We both know each other’s role and current tasks very well, and we communicate regularly so that we are always on the same page. What advice do you have for moms who are looking to start their own business?
MINI |
Have a support system in place. A new business is like a newborn baby; it takes time to nurture and grow it. Especially in the beginning when there is lots of ground work that needs to be done, it’s important to have someone that can help support you.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
How do you balance career and motherhood?
MINI |
There is no such thing as balance. There are sacrifices that both of us and our family have to make. It’s about compromise. Before we started our business, we cooked more often and our homes were more organized. Now, we eat out more and house work is not always done. However, we have great, supportive husbands that have our backs. They are extremely hands-on and step in to help whether is at home or at work. They are always willing to lend an extra pair of hands.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
How about the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
The greatest challenge is being able to be “present.” It’s hard to separate family life from work. Time management is really important to make sure what matters to us the most gets done first. The challenge is setting priorities and boundaries.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
MINI |
Give us your take on “having it all.”
Having it all is doable for a short period of time, but it won’t last. Something is going to give, whether it be our health, relationships with family, or
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
friends. The importance is not to have it all and be OK with it. We are all imperfect; it’s fine to not be able to have it all. Where do you hope to see the brand go in the future?
MINI |
We have big hopes for our brand. We hope that our brand will one day not only be recognized as an international brand synonymous with quality and trend-setting designs in the baby industry, but a brand that gives back to help provide a better future for our next generations and the less fortunate.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
Looking back to your first days as moms, what would you tell yourselves?
MINI |
Sleep while baby sleeps. This is really easier than said than done. We often found ourselves staying up way too late catching up on our “me” time and it really impacted the well-being of ourselves and our family.
ELEANOR AND ANGEL |
FAV O R I T E R E S TAU R A N T. . . J A PA N E S E RAMEN.
ELEANOR
IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Draw. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Extra large, two cream, two sugar. ON MY NIGHTSTAND Glass of water and family pictures. BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Check someone’s poo. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Louis Armstrong and Kenny G. LAST BOOK I READ Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Chili sauce. GUILTY PLEASURE Eating a half dozen Portuguese egg tarts all at once. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Wings night at a local pub. SIGNATURE SCENT Citrus Bergamot.
FAV O R I T E K I D S MOVIE... CASTLE IN T H E S K Y.
ANGEL
IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Sleep. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Two cream, one sugar. FAV O R I T E K I D S MOVIE... HARRY P OT T E R .
ON MY NIGHTSTAND My wedding picture. FAVORITE RESTAURANT Japanese Ramen. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Nothing. I like my peace and quiet. LAST BOOK I READ Liturgy of the Ordinary. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Lemon. GUILTY PLEASURE Eating a whole bag of gummy bears by myself. SHOWS I’M WATCHING Westworld. SIGNATURE SCENT Green tea with ginger. BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Smell someone’s bum.
UPTOWN GIRL As the Senior Vice President of Global Communications at Vera Wang, Priya Shukla has her finger on the pulse of all things fashion. But it’s not just her own chic style that deserves an award, this NYC mom’s glamorous home (where she raises her Mini fashionista, Belle) will give you all of the heart eyes.
photography by
CHARLIE JULIET PHOTOGRAPHY
120
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
Thank you for inviting us into your beautiful home! Tell us about the place.
MINI |
We have lived here for three years. We moved when I was pregnant (side note: I do not recommend moving while pregnant) as we needed more space. I would describe our home as comfortable, glam, zen. I can’t take all the credit for nailing the design. My friend Nicole Fuller is an amazing interior designer and she helped me with every detail.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
MINI |
Do you have a favorite room?
The nursery. I love the colors, I love the canopy and I love it because it’s Belle’s room. We spend so much play time in there. It just represents togetherness to me.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?
MINI |
I love our bar cart; it houses less liquor and mostly candy. Can you believe I bought it from an antique dealer who was selling things on the side of the road? I also love our chandelier and our mirror wall. We got the chandelier at Restoration Hardware and the mirror was custom.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
Tell us how you decided on your daughter’s name.
MINI |
It actually came to me in a dream. It’s a sad story with a very happy ending. I was really depressed after suffering a miscarriage. I had a dream where I believe I was visited by an angel who told me that I would be having a baby girl soon and her name is Belle. I woke up from that dream feeling positive and uplifted for the first time in ages and I just knew it to be true.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
As a working mom, tell us what a typical work day looks like for you.
MINI |
PRIYA SHUKLA |
My days never look routine or
What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?
MINI |
typical. I think that’s one of the things I enjoy most. I can be working on anything from a runway show to writing strategy, reviewing ad budgets, or working with celebrities or on our company philanthropy. What has been your proudest career moment to date?
MINI |
Two really stand out for me: landing my first internship in LA as it changed the course of my life and then getting hired by Vera. I had always wanted to work for Vera and I will never forget when they called to ask me to interview with her.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MINI |
Figuring out how to balance everything. I think the concept of “having it all” is a false one and that instead we should embrace the notion of doing the best we can and accepting that guilt is part of it. Some days are hard, some are great, some days are “meh.”
PRIYA SHUKLA |
I often drop many of the balls I am juggling; it’s all part of the journey. My husband is a great partner and very supportive. We also
PRIYA SHUKLA |
ally warns you about? How little time you end up having for yourself. And how important it is to carve that out. I feel it is vital to take some time to do things that you feel replenish you whether it be working out, meditating, reading. I believe that kind of self care allows you to be a better mom and you are able to give more of yourself. Don’t get me wrong, some days I am lucky to even get in a five minute shower, but wherever it is possible, I make it a priority to take some time out for me. Sometimes I sit in my closet and meditate for ten minutes, everything counts.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
MINI |
Being pregnant forced me to accessorize more because I felt a bit limited with clothing and I think that has stayed with me.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
have a great nanny who has a wonderful connection with Belle. MINI |
How has motherhood changed you?
Honestly, motherhood has made me more patient. It taught me that life doesn’t revolve around me and my timing and that is a lesson I needed. Kids bring chaos and unpredictability. I can roll with the punches much better than before; I am more tolerant of imperfection. I have also taken my multi tasking skills to expert level.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
MINI |
What do you think is the one thing no one re-
Where do you like to shop? For yourself and your daughter.
MINI |
For myself, I shop anywhere and everywhere, from Bergdorf to vintage stores. For Belle, I am an avid online shopper. I love Maisonette; they have an amazing assortment of clothing and toys.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
Let’s talk beauty. What is your skincare routine like?
MINI |
that they are always watching you.” I am very into Korean skincare products right now and have recently developed an obsession with sheet masks. Cannot live without them!
PRIYA SHUKLA |
What is most important to you in raising your daughter?
MINI |
That she feels safe and loved, that she grows up in a society that recognizes her as an equal and that she feels her opportunities are boundless.
What are you looking forward to about raising your daughter in NYC?
MINI |
I love the diversity of people this city has to offer and also the access to culture. I can’t wait to see what kind of person she grows into and what will interest her. Whatever she likes, it’s all here. New York has the best food, art, music, dance, theatre.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
PRIYA SHUKLA |
What is your greatest parenting worry?
MINI |
When it comes to my child, I fear the things I can’t control, AKA everything. I fear my child being hurt or injured, or feeling unsafe in this world. Or that I am not being the best example for her. I heard this saying once, “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry
PRIYA SHUKLA |
Favorite places to go in NYC with kids? We’d love to hear a few of yours!
MINI |
We love going to Dylan’s Candy Bar, Central Park, and Carl Schurz Park. Jane’s Carousel in DUMBO is also a new favorite.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
Looking back to your first days as a mom, what advice would you give yourself?
MINI |
Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t feel guilty that you have to Google everything.
PRIYA SHUKLA |
FA S T FA C T S BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Resort to bribery. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Cappuccino. LAST BOOK I READ How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 by Joanna Farber and Julie King. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO TED Talks. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK When I was little, I loved The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. ON MY NIGHTSTAND Water, lip balm, book, and a family photo. GUILTY PLEASURE Ice cream. FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Beauty and the Beast and Enchanted. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Dark chocolate, Greek yogurt and a variety of cheese. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Anywhere with good pasta and wine works for us. SIGNATURE SCENT Vera Wang, of course. SHOWS I’M WATCHING Homeland and recently my husband and I have become obsessed with Million Dollar Listing.
photography by
GRETCHEN EASTON
hair and makeup
SAMANTHA FRYLING A R T D E PA R T M E N T
prop stylist
O L I V I A FA B I A N
wardrobe stylist TA I R A S O O
talent
130
M I N I s u m m e r ‘18
S AV Y A N D S T E L L A Z U R I M O D E L A N D TA L E N T
color story
PREVIOUS PAGE Bandana: Madewell Romper: Hugo Loves Tiki, Shan and Toad LEFT Bow: Amour Bows Dress: Bonpoint Socks: Stylist’s own Shoes: Puma
PREVIOUS PAGE Visor: Stylist’s own Romper: Milly Shoes: Elephantito
LEFT Top: Yellow Pelota, Shan and Toad Skirt: Milk and Biscuits, Shan and Toad Socks: Kidcase Shoes: Livie & Luca RIGHT Top: Zara Shots: Zara Shoes: DC
LEFT Robe: Caramel Baby and Child, Shan and Toad Dress: Zara
LEFT Dress: Tuchinda, Shan and Toad
LEFT Dress: Milly Bow: Amour Bows Shoes: Stella McCartney RIGHT Top: Yellow Pelota, Shan and Toad Skirt: Milk and Biscuits, Shan and Toad Sunglasses: Stylist’s own
LEFT Romper: The Animal Observatory, Shan and Toad NEXT PAGE Overalls: Airfish, Shan and Toad Sunglasses: Stylist’s own
chic, timeless & comfortable clothes for before, during and after.