Summer2015 by cupcakeMAG

summer 2015

cupcakemag.com

the #momboss issue

INSIDE!

Summer Shopping Guide shop our must-haves! everything on our radar getting down to business with

the tomkat studio’s

kim stoegbauer

Blogger jessica garvin on #momlife

chatting with petunia pickle bottom’s denai jones cupcakeMAG.com

emily schuman ON HER NEW CLOTHING LINE, INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES AND BALANCE

AshleyGabby Designs Creating a space for imagination Ashleygabbydesigns.com

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contents on the cover

emily schuman

cupcakes and cashmere | 16

jessica garvin

meet the blogger | 62

kim stoegbauer

with TomKat Studio | 52

denai jones

with Petunia Pickle Bottom | 70

shopping guide shop our must-haves| 26

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summer 2015 cupcakemag.com

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15 | Bath Time! clean with the best

76 | Living Well summer pasta recipe

16 | Cupcakes and Casmere one on one with Emily Schuman

82 | Pineapple Party with Jenny Cookies

26 | Get Your Shop On with our Shopping Guide 51 | #momboss best women in the biz

94 | Summer Styles fun summer looks with Courtney Fernan

insidethecover

INSIDE THE COVER SHOOT Cover Girl: EMILY Schuman Where: EMILY Schumanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house Photographer: Phoebe Dean

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FIND ON PAGE 9

Casi Densmore-Koon Founder and Editor in Chief

FIND ON PAGE 35

Jessica Peterson Graphic Design Skye McLain Director of Advertising Courtney Boone Editorial Assistant Evan Yamada Cover Photography Phoebe Dean Cover photography FIND ON PAGE 43

Emily Schuman Styling

FIND ON PAGE 29

editor’snote

Hello cupcakes!

It’s hard to believe this is our 7th issue. Can you believe it? I dedicate this issue to the #momboss everywhere. If you are a hard-working mama, running a household, running a business, working at-home, stay-at-home mom -- this issue is for you. MAMAS EVERYWHERE. You all rock, hard.

I want to especially dedicate this issue to my best friend, Samantha Ruiz Smith. A year ago, she passed away from a rare neurological disorder, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. She was my number one fan and the definition of a #momboss. As a teacher, she was always inspiring so many. She taught me to always be positive no matter what and was always reminding me to keep going. I want to thank her for always encouraging me and supporting me. I love you, Sam. With that said, let’s talk about how amazing this issue is! Have you seen our cover girl? The beautiful Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere is gracing the cover. Emily -- thank you so much for being part of the cupcakeMAG family. We are so thrilled to have you! If you haven’t grabbed Emily’s books yet, get on it, please. Don’t forget to check out our Summer Shopping Guide filled with all of our must-have finds, plus what’s on our radar and more. We’ve done the shopping for you with the best of the best shops on the net. As always -- I just want to thank you. Yes, you beautiful! Thank you for reading! Thank you for letting us be part of your day. Thank you for the support and love. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We wouldn’t be here without you. 8

Here’s to lots of days on the beach & pretty drinks with umbrellas in them.

Lots of love, cupcake!

Casi

Casi Densmore-Koon Founder & Editor in Chief

don’t forget to follow us online! Stop by cupcakeMAG.com, tweet us @cupcakemag, follow us on Instagram, pin with us on Pinterest and say hi on Facebook!

Say Hello!

Your ongoing support and emails always make me smile. Have a comment, suggestion, or just want to say hi?

Email me! casi@cupcakemag.com cupcakeMAG.com

editor’sPICKS

Loved by Hannah and Eli Mama Bear Tee, $35

Fly Chicks Floral Clutch, $55

EDITOR’S PICKS

OSEA Ocean Cleanser

EARRINGS ARE MY GO-TO ACCESSORY FOR THE SUMMER

Nickel & Suede Earrings, $25

Wrenn Jewelry Dream Catcher Druzy Tassel Earrings, $58

Jack Rogers Sandals, $148 9

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SUMMER

BEAUTY

Gold Fringe Coaster, House of Mark

Lipsticks, Anthropologie

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beauty

OSEA SEA VITAMIN BOOST refreshing for all hours! Love this in the morning after my shower, before bed or after a day in the sun. The definition of a bang for your buck!

OLIVINE LOVE AND PEACE SPARKLING PINK BUTTER BATH After a long day, this is perfect for an at-home spa day.

BEST BUYS Fashion and Beauty director, Katlyn shares her must-haves this season.

KORRES WILD ROSE VIATMIN C PETAL PEEL 2-STEP BRIGHTENLANCÔME ‘ARTLINER’ PRECISION POINT EYELINER best.eyeliner.hands.down.

ING AND RESURFACING SYSTEM My go-to for an affordable at-home peel.

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NUME LUSTRUM I can’t imagine my life without this! seriously feel like the fairy-hair-mother with this thing! every barrel allows you to achieve a different look.

SANDRA DOWNIE BEAUTY BROW SHAPING KIT Ladies, it can change your life.

LORAC LIP GLOSS MAKEUP I don’t really do lips... I eat and drink too much! But i love this lip gloss, especially in the Peach! Perfect for achieving a simple lip.

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FEKKAI SOLEIL BEACH WAVES

TOUSLING SPRAY a go to in my beach bag, it is there with sunscreen! my hair doesnt look so crazy after all day in and out of the ocean, keeping this mist on when I get out of the water allows my mane to be tamed.

SHEER LUST

PINK PUNCH the HOT color of the season! Loving this new line.

unique clothing + accessories for your littles

www.littlefacesapparel.com @littlefacesapparel cupcakeMAG.com

babyganics moisturizing daily lotion

Shoosha Baby Calm Baby Massage Oil

BATH

TIME! After a long day at the beach and the pool make sure you wash off and get clean with the best.

Tubby Todd Bath Co. Love Lake Lavender Wash

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Wash with Water A Star is Born Massage Cream 15

covergirl

Yellow Dress: Amanda Uprichard Shoes: Jenni Kayne cupcakeMAG.com

Emily Schuman sits down with us to share her clothing line, selling exclusively at Nordstrom and ShopBop, tells us just how she manages it all and how her blogging turned into a full-blown business. It’s been 7 years since you launched your lifestyle site Cupcakes and Cashmere. Since then, you’ve become a style icon, you are the author of not one but two best-selling books, and you have taken on projects, I’m sure you never imagined would happen. When you first started blogging, what did you want from Cupcakes and Cashmere? When did you finally realize, it’s way more than just a little hobby? I created Cupcakes and Cashmere as a way to start writing and photographing the things that I loved. I never set out for it to be a business or anything other than a creative endeavor that would hold me accountable for putting out new content on a daily basis. I felt really uninspired by the work I was doing at my day job, so I wanted to do something that I felt proud of. I realized it was more than just a hobby when I was able to match my income at my current job (all thanks to my background in advertising) and work on it full-time. One of your most recent top-secret projects was designing a clothing line. So exciting! Tell us a little about the process and cupcakeMAG.com

the new clothing line! Is this something you’ve always wanted to do? Thank you! It was always something I’d wanted to do, simply because I felt like I wasn’t finding the exact pieces in stores that I wanted. I loved the idea of creating a collection of stylized clothing that felt current without being too trendy. The ideal striped shirt, a chic, long gray coat and a pair of white pants that channeled something from the ‘70s. And all at a really affordable price point. I’ve been working on it for over a year and a half, so the fact that it’s available in a couple of weeks is so exciting. I was involved in every detail, from sorting through thousands of prints to making sure the length on the fit and flare dresses hit at the most flattering part of the leg. You’ve had some incredible experiences. Do you have a favorite accomplishment? I feel like designing a bag with Coach would be high on my list. What’s been your best career moment? That’s a tough question! I’ve had so many amazing experiences 17

Cropped Jacket: Cupcakes and Cashmere White shirt: James Perse Jeans: Citizens of Humanity Sunglasses: Celine and a lot of them come down to being in the right place at the right time. When I found out my first book had become a national best seller is one of my proudest moments. It felt very surreal, especially after I questioned whether I should have written a book in the first place. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to get to a place where I take time to appreciate what I’ve accomplished instead of only looking at things from a really critical eye. It makes me enjoy the process so much more.

ating and respecting one another and saying thank you. Sounds simple, but it goes a long way!

Your husband left his job to help you manage the site, you have hired employees and you work out of your home. How has it been working together, managing your household and working in the home?

I think the most important piece of advice I have is to start a blog for the right reasons - because you’re passionate about something and want to share it with others. When I got my start, there weren’t really any bloggers who supported themselves, so it wasn’t even on my radar as a possibility. But now that there’s a good amount of people making a living off of their websites, others see it as something they’d like to do. And I encourage anyone to go out there and create something for themselves - carve out their own niche, have a clean site experience, update often, include beautiful pictures and find your own voice. And lastly, be patient. It doesn’t happen overnight, so you really need to love what you’re working on!

Yes, we now are a team of four (with an intern this summer as well). We have a converted garage in the back of the house that we’ve turned into our office, which is a nice separation between being home and at work. But it’s all about balance. Geoffrey and I really try to stay in a business mindset during office hours and not talk about work after 6pm. It’s a hard separation to make when we work and live together, but ultimately it helps us feel like true business partners and husband and wife at the same time. We try to divide the work as much as possible, from simple household chores to taking care of business opportunities, so that everything balances out in the long run and we’re helping each other out as much as possible. And ultimately it’s about appreci18

Everyone wants to be a blogger these days, right? You make it look so effortless but as we all know, it’s hard work and takes time. What advice do you have for others looking to find success in the blogging industry because we know it doesn’t happen overnight.

Take us through a day in the life of Emily Schuman. What does your workday look like in your heels? I get up at 6am to feed Sloan, play with her for a bit and then take cupcakeMAG.com

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White lace dress: Cupcakes and Cashmere

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Buy her new book, Cupakes and Cashmere at Home today!

Coral top: Nanette Lepore a long walk. I put her down for a nap, squeeze in a quick workout (I’m currently doing 15 minutes of circuit training 3x a week), eat breakfast and check my emails. We have a nanny who comes three days a week, so once she arrives at 9am, I start work. What I do each day changes, which is one of the reasons why I love my job so much, but I bounce between writing posts for the next few weeks, having creative brainstorms, taking business meetings/ calls and doing photo shoots. We’re pretty diligent about stopping work at 6, just so that we can find that work/life balance that’s so important to us. I feed Sloan, give her a bath and put her to sleep by 7pm, so G and I can have the rest of our night together. We usually cook something simple - lately it’s been a grilled steak salad with mangoes and then watch a movie and read before going to sleep. How has motherhood changed your life? How do you find that perfect myth we call balance? It’s changed my life in the sense that I didn’t know I was capable of loving something so much that I’d only just met. It’s made cupcakeMAG.com

me even more grateful for our little family and how the support of those around me means the world. And most importantly perhaps, Sloan is a constant reminder of maintaing perspective. When I think I’ve had a “bad day” and I’m feeling frustrated and annoyed, I’ll look at her sweet face and realize none of those mundane things really matter. That it’s all about my health and those around me and the love we have for each other. But that being said, balance is important and not every minute is this magical experience. There are times when I’m sleep deprived and deliriously tired and during those moments, communication is key. G and I let each other know when we need to tap out and have a little time for ourselves and knowing that’s a possibility has been enormously helpful. What are three mommy must-haves you just can’t live without? A good stroller (we love our Bugaboo Cameleon 3), her little Fisherprice jumper (she adores it and it keeps her occupied when I need to run to the restroom) and a comfortable glider since you’ll spend a lot of time in that thing! 21

getting to know

emily schuman breakfast this morning

Grapenuts with raspberries, blueberries and nectarines (I live for summer produce!)

go-to mom uniform

Slouchy t-shirt in a dark color, skinny jeans and black leather Birkenstocks. A swipe of mascara, luminizing tinted moisturizer and some lip gloss.

currently on your nightstand

My iPad that’s been out of juice for approximately two months, a pacifier, Kiehl’s lotion and hair ties.

drink at starbucks Half caf Flat White.

if you weren’t a blogger, you’d be... A composer for music scores.

life motto

Work hard, be nice.

favorite flower Peony

favorite cupcake

Vanilla cake, chocolate buttercream.

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rootavenue.com

photo credit: Kim Flores Photography

GET THE LOOK:

Gentryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closet Canvas Summer Tote

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SUMMER SHOPPING GUIDE cupcakeMAG.com

Sweet Whimsy Designs, $48

Just a Few of Our

FAVORITE THINGS Looking to spruce you your tots bedroom? You’ll be able to in a snap with these must-haves. Stop Growing Up Print, $8

Spearmint Love Flamingo Blanket, $80

Bannor Toys Elephant Push Toy, $26

The Lovebug Collection Numbers Learning Game, $12

Paloma’s Nest Dollhouse Chair, $278

Ashley Gabby Teepee, $125 28

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RubyClaire Boutique Capri Wedge, $40

L Phillips Design Co. Marbeled Clay Jewelry Dish, $14.50

Ashe Couture Tassel Trim Romper, $49

Daylin Skye Designs Lemon Hobo Bag, $92

Wrenn Jewelry Druzy Bangle, $35

currently obsessing Shop It, Because Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hot

FOR YOUR MINI-ME

Ryder and Rhenn Watercolor Blue Stripe Dress, $34 Nickel and Suede aqua earrings, $21 Cherie Bleue Dammit Doll $15.87

shopping

GET THE LOOK:

Bask Designs

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M.E. & You Let It Be Tee, $28

Hello, Grace It Is Well Tee, $27

River Babe Threads ”Be The Change” Tank, $17.99

THE ULTIMATE SUMMER TEE

throw these perfect tees over yours swimsuit

NBT Threads Starry Eyed and Sleep Deprived Tank, $32.99

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Your Texas Is Showing Tee, $29

Delaney and John Life of a Mama Tee, $20

shopping

hand-painted bangle? yes, please!

Stacy Brown Designs, $42.99 A fun-summer necklace Bakery Charms, $22 a gold simple bracelet for every-day Metal Marvels, $14

a pretty hue makes this

necklace major eye-candy

Urban Peach Boutique, $12.95

accessories

must-have essentials we love

the perfect statement necklace The Katz Meow Creations Necklace, $72

Organize the Jewels!

We love this monogram

tray from Silver Gallery

International! Monogram Tray, $29

Baby Mama Sew Shop, Hipster Foldover $75

Simple & silver earrings Emily and Eden, $109 32

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Peggy Li Creations Triple Twist Necklace $105

The Blue Envelope Anchor Tank $22

OSEA Malibu Atmosphere Protection Cream $44

ON OUR

RADAR

She Does Justice Padded Essential Oil Holder $7

Uh Oh Pasghettio Never Stop Exploring Print $33

Calla and Clover Butterfly Velveteen Pillow $65

Jessica N Designs Literally Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Even Coffee Mug $19

Caroline Randall Made Spring Green Tumbler $18

SwimZip Rash Guard Set $29.99

shopping

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

sugar shack tee pees 34

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Bip and Bop, Geographic Coordinates Necklace, $60+ Amy Fine Design Turquoise Slice Necklace, $79 Wrenn Jewelry Gem N’ Druzy Necklace, $55 Think Pink Dream Blue Crystallized Sneakers, $50

Hole In Her Stocking Designs, Denim Dream Boho Wrap Bracelet, $25

THE

LUST LIST

[Gotta be] Something Moore Glitter Coffee Mug, $18

Silver Loft 4-Sided Pendant Necklace, $30

Lapis Beach Ring, $38 Bella Bella Shop Breakfast at Tiffany’s Velveteen Pillow, $65 cupcakeMAG.com

photo credit: Kim Flores Photography

shopping

GET THE LOOK:

Man cub tee Loved by Hannah and Eli

swim bummies Little Adi & Co.

sunglasses Target

Tent Conflicted Pixie

roundie towel SwimZip

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all things

baby

Troy James Boys Blue Checker Bib Set, $20

The Baby Burp Nautical Whale Quilt, $85

Cheekie Charlie Interchangeable Snap-On Bib Set, $44

Izzy and Isla Baby Boy Cardigan Onesie and Bow Tie Set $35

Loved by Sophie & Claire, $13.95

Wynn Ruby’s Exclusive Pajamas from Hello Sunday, $60

Francie and Co Children’s Glam Teepees, $350

Binky Babies Personalized Pacifiers, $13.95

shopping

August Ink Tee, $20

BeMoShe Tee, $28

Coastal Kids Tee, $24

Tink and Key, $20

GET YOUR SHOP ONâ&#x20AC;Ś

Graphic Tees

Introducing the top 12 must-have graphic tees this summer!

Littlest Prince, $16.99

Lavender and Lace, $18

Islands and Castles, $23

Simply Emelia, $22

Sweet Little Nursery, $18

XO Momma, $20

Little Adi & Co, $27

Geo Fox Apparel, $28 cupcakeMAG.com

Wire and Honey Tee, $23

Go Shout Love Tee, $25

Little Pines Tee, $28

Little Faces Shorts, $22

Cute Little Babes Boutique, $25

Little Adi & Co Bummies, $26

Frekuhl Tee, $28

Lot 801 Leggings, $42

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TALK ABOUT THE

Tanks Little Adi & Co Mama Said Tank, $21

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Coastal Kids Tank, $24

Root Avenue Tank, $22

photo credit: Kim Flores Photography

shopping

WE ARE

currently OBSESSING

over this oh-so-cute stroller that makes you want to take a stroll this summer and get outside! Who doesn’t love flamingos?

BUY IT NOW:

COSATTO FLAMINGO FLING Stroller giddy up & Grow hair bow forever 21 dress lulu’s shoes 40

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photo credit: Kim Flores Photography

shopping

SHOP THE TREND: Flamingoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are everything. Madly Wish has the perfect quilt that is on-trend. 42

Flamingo Quilt, $289 cupcakeMAG.com

Arrow and Lace Pink Rhinestone Love Headband, $22

Modern Burlap Swaddle Blanket, $26

Briar Handmade Bonnet, $34

Free Babes Hair Bow, $16

Must-Have Baby

Essentials You NEED them, we promise. Wrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest Creations Color Punch Ballet Flats, $60

Little Giraffe Plush Toy, $45 Piyo Piyo USA Capri, $24

Little Pretties Rose Pink Wrap Bracelet, $9.99 Madly Wish Juniper Crib Blanket, $76 cupcakeMAG.com

shopping

GET THE LOOK:

Beddy’s

Vintage Blush Beddy’s, $259 cupcakeMAG.com

GIRLS

get your shop ON

Classy Mama, $42

Roman + Gemma Dress, $24

Strawberry Revolution, $25

Pudge and Pigtails Apron

Lili Collection Coin Purse, $30

Gifted Lil Ones, $35

Whiskey Ginger Collective, $15 Little O Love Headband, $10

Plaid Buttercup, $45

Fancy Frogz, $22.99 Baby Mama Sew Shop, $25 cupcakeMAG.com

photo credit: Kim Flores Photography

shopping

GET THE LOOK:

wrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nest creations romper madre beads necklace Giddy up and grow bow 46

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SmartGirl Bags Classy and Sassy Bag, $99.49

Comfort Cam, $149 Lulujo Swaddle Blanket, $16.99

HEY MAMA! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to ease into motherhood with these new-mama essentials.

Comotomo Bottle, $15.99

Bellefit Maternity Bellefit Corset, $108.75

Baby Bump Bundle Pregnancy BumpBundle, $30 cupcakeMAG.com

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TEES INSPIRED BY KIDS

FOR

KIDS

SEE MORE ONLINE AT

tbeapparel.com

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MAMAS. BOSSES. KILLIN’ IT. WE SIT DOWN WITH THE BEST WOMEN IN BIZ

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INSIDE THE

tomkat studio Kim is a party planning Goddess serving up your go-to-guide for party inspiration on her blog, in her shop and now -her store front in Arizona. We’ve spent plenty of hours browsing her site, walking away feeling endless inspiration. When it comes to parties, styling and well -- every thing she does, she pretty much has that magic touch and is just incredible. Read on to see just why Kim rocks. Since we last had a sit-down interview with you, so much has changed! You are still a party-playing goddess but now you have a store front. Catch-us up to speed! The last few years have been really incredible for The TomKat Studio. I feel so lucky to have experienced the amazing opportunities that have come my way. I had no idea that when I started my little blog six years ago, that I would end up styling photo shoots for brands like Pottery Barn Kids, HGTV, Coca-Cola and Barbie. I am continuing to partner with brands to product creative content and spend most of my days on set styling shoots, which is my true passion. My business continues to expand and grow. The latest adventure came along last October when the opportunity popped up to expand our online shop to a brick and mortar. It has been incredible to really see the shop come to life in a retail setting! What made you decide to open the store? How do you find time to balance it all, the many hats you wear? You make it look so effortless! I have always wanted to see if TomKat would work in retail. However, in our area, rent is expensive and landlords typically require a long lease. When the owners of Found, Dan and Kristin Alber moved into a new (huge) space here in Chandler, they approached me about sharing a part of the store. It was the perfect opportunity to test TomKat in a retail setting, while helping each other bring traffic in. Found is a furniture and decor store and is absolutely stunning. It is such a great atmosphere and environment for us to be in. Balance is a process! It is not always easy, but I’ve learned to delegate better and give up some control. My team is critical to the success of all aspects of the business, as well as my personal life!

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When it comes to styling your home, your dessert tables, your store — what inspires the amazing creativity? I have always been a very visual person. I think that I have a natural eye for balance and design. Inspiration can be found in so many places, but I am obsessed with magazines and catalogs. I can pick up a Pottery Barn Kids catalog and create a party inspired by any page in the catalog. You will find torn out pages everywhere in my office. What would you say has been the highlight of your career so far? I have had some pretty exciting moments during my TomKat career. However, I would say the highlight has been having my children (Tommy + Kate) watch the business grow and having them know that they inspire everything I do. What advice do you have for women like you, in business, trying to make their dreams come true? To succeed, you have to be passionate about what you are doing. Figure out what you love and work really, really hard at it. No one becomes successful overnight. Just keep at it, set goal and never give up! If you could style one party for a celebrity, who would it be and why? I would love to style a party for Tom Brady + Gisele. One of their cupcakeMAG.com

“FIGURE OUT

what you love AND WORK really, really

HARD AT IT.” children’s birthday parties, perhaps? I am a huge Patriots fan, and Tom has been my fantasy football quarterback since I started my own team, three years ago! What’s up next for you and the TomKat Studio? I am working on something really exciting that would be a big step in a new direction to expand The TomKat Studio! Stay tuned... 55

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MEET

kim PET PEEVE? copycats

FAVORITE CANDY? whatchamacallit FAVORITE PARTY THEME? pink flamingo COKE OR PEPSI? cherry coke DINNER LAST NIGHT? fettuccine alfredo DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN DESSERT TERMS?

chocolate cupcake with whipped cream frosting

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lilicollection.com facebook.com/lilicollectionshoes instagram.com/lilicollectionshoes twitter.com/toosweetfeet

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LITTLE

baby garvin Jessica Garvin of Little Baby Garvin is a favorite blogger of thousands. She shares her family life in a sweet way and well, we are big fans. Her Etsy shop is filled with beautiful chalkboard prints that are crazy amazing and she makes being Mom look like the easiest job in the world in her tender way. cupcakeMAG sits down with Jessica to see just how she does it.

Your blog, Little Baby Garvin is a sweet place in the inter-webs and people clearly, LOVE following you. Tell us a little bit about yourself! For those that might not know you as @jlgarvin. Thanks so much!! I am Jessica Garvin, mom of two blue eyed baby girls, Harper & Eloise, & a third on the way. My husband, Brandon, & I met in high school, we were both born & raised in Iowa and are now raising our family just north of Atlanta. I blog, and I do hand lettered chalk art for print & for events, but most importantly, I am a full time mom & professional fun haver! ;) When you first started Little Baby Garvin, did you have any idea it would turn into such a â&#x20AC;&#x153;businessâ&#x20AC;?? I had no idea at all! I blogged for fun for about three years before starting this blog when I found out that I was pregnant, so I was used to writing for no audience. It has been a crazy ride, and a very humbling experience to see where this blog has taken me & to experience so many great opportunities because of it. Not only are you a blogger, but you are a graphic designer as well - with an Etsy shop! How do you find time to manage it all? I do hand lettering on chalkboards, something I have done for years, and never thought I would be able to open an Etsy shop with it. It has been my dream since middle school to make & sell art, so this is really a dream come true. I owe all of my time management success to my husband, who is always encouraging me to

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get out of the house to go work from a coffee shop for a bit, or taking the kids out for a few hours on the weekends so I can catch up with chalkboard projects. I could never do it without him & all of his encouragement! What has been your favorite thing about blogging? Virtually meeting so many amazing, inspiring people & connecting with other moms. Relationships are everything, and the community of people I have gotten to know through blogging means so much to me. Your photos always look just perfect. Take us through a day in your household. Thank you! Although I do love taking a pretty picture, that definitely does not mean everything is picture perfect around here! ;) I used to wake up before the kids to get my day started early, but with my third pregnancy, I am just too exhausted & cling to every last second of sleep that I can get. We make breakfast a production every day, it’s my favorite time of the day with the girls, we love baking muffins or making pancakes & hanging out in the kitchen all morning. We try to do our play dates, errands or other outings after that. Sometimes I would much rather just stay home, and we do sometimes, but it’s good for them to run off energy & get a change of scenery. After lunch, Eloise naps, and sometimes 64

Harper naps as well. A tandem nap is a rare gem, and this is the time that I use to blog or work on my etsy shop. We recently hired a preschool teacher from our church that comes two days a week for two to three hours to watch the girls so I can get some work done or run errands solo, it has been life changing! The girls run wild through the house while I cook dinner as we wait for our six o’clock superhero to come through the door. Once my husband is home, we eat dinner together, play outside a bit if it is nice & then tackle bath & bedtime together. And although we both usually have some work to do after the kids to go bed, we are very diligent about making time to spend together enjoying each others company. Rinse & Repeat! When you’re not blogging, what do you do? Cooking, cleaning, playing with the girls, running errands, chugging coffee & making mental notes in my head about all the other things I need to do before the end of the day. Hashtag mom life! Whats your agenda this summer? Have a baby! We have low expectations for the rest of the summer once baby girl #3 arrives, we just want to take it easy & try to get through each day with a smile on our faces. And probably hit the pool with a tasty margarita once or twice! cupcakeMAG.com

MOMMY

must-haves CAFFEINE. Does that count? MUSLIN SWADDLE BLANKETS. The girls love them for sleeping at home, but we also keep them in the car for naps, use them as picnic blankets, sun shades, burp cloths, you name it! IPHONE. While I do love using my real camera, it just isn’t all that practical. BABY WRAP. I loved my solly wrap for the first sixeight months of Eloise’s life, and can’t wait to use it again when our new addition arrives.

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MEET

jessica I NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE BEFORE PUTTING ONâ&#x20AC;Ś chapstick. I am an addict. WHAT IS YOUR MOMMY MANTRA? Always have fun. BREAKFAST THIS MORNING? Blueberry pancakes. FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES PEACE? Snuggle up in my bed & catch up on texts and social media. FAVORITE BLOG? Lay Baby Lay. I have followed her blog for years, her eye for design is amazing & she is such a sweet, genuine person. Reading her blog always puts a smile on my face! MOST OVERUSED WORD. Obsessed. I guess I am pretty enthusiastic about a lot of things.

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PETUNIA

p ickle bottom DeNai Jones is a humble, hard-working, amazing mama and designer behind the ever-so-stylish diaper bags which quickly became a favorite brand to many. cupcakeMAG is so thrilled to take you inside her beautiful studio and see just why we love her effortless ways. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LESLIE TRESHER It’s been 15 years since you started this amazing brand, as founder of Petunia Pickle Bottom, you have really innovated the category in the diaper bag world. How does it feel? It has been an incredible journey and I feel honored to have influenced the modern diaper bag category. I attribute our success to my husband Braden, our CEO, and Korie, our Co-Owner and CMO, and an amazing mix of innovation, family support, fantastic staff, brand and company values, and obviously hard work. Let’s talk a little bit about the design process. Tell us about it. I find that I’m most inspired to design when I am traveling. There are interesting colors, shapes and textures to be found at any destination, and wonderful innovations to be considered when I am out and about with my children. Once my inspiration has been sparked, I first take to pen and paper to work the idea out. From there, our design team makes digital versions and we play around with a variety of color versions. We always plan a big style meeting where we present our designs to the marketing and sales departments. As a company, we make final decisions on which prints and colors will be available the following season. It’s a fulfilling process of exploration and detail, and I love to see seeds of ideas become final designs with the help of my talented and creative team. Your office is absolutely beautiful! Can we work here too? Takes us through your day. What does a typical day in the office look like? Thank you. I love it here, too! No two days at the office are alike, which I absolutely adore! My husband and I meet at the office at 8:30 am, after cupcakeMAG.com

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one of us drops the boys off at school. Once at my desk, I prioritize my day, then check in with my design and production team and we prioritize our project list for the day. My goal is always to be as efficient as possible at work, because when I am home—I want to be present for my boys. Monday, Wednesday and Friday I leave the office at 2:30 to pick them up from school, and on Tuesday and Thursday I work until 5:30 when we have extra help from grandparents who step in to watch the kids. On those days, we usually pack in more meetings. I work with an outstanding group of talented and like-minded people. That in addition to a beautiful office space—I am very grateful. Being in the biz this long, I’m sure you had some key highs and lows. Tell us about them and how you’ve survived any struggles. Yes, as with anything, there are definitely highs and lows. Ultimately I try to focus on the highs - the new accounts, successful collection launches, and exciting media coverage (like Cupcake Magazine!) - and realize that lows are all part of running a successful business, and will pass. I try to remind myself often of our many blessings, during both the highs and the lows. What’s the best advice you’ve been given? Finding balance. It’s not easy to be a wife, mother and business woman, but it’s really important to find some sort of

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“I TRY TO REMIND

myself often OF OUR many blessings, DURING BOTH THE

highs and the lows." equilibrium within these, while also making a bit of time for myself. While in the office, I work thoughtfully, so my team can count on me when I’m there, and then my family gets my full attention while at home. As a family we try to carve in a little extra quality time together by getting away to the desert or the mountains for camping trips- and I can usually get in a little “me” time there, too! 73

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MEET

DeNai DINNER LAST NIGHT... Last night my family and I ate sushi together. We started off with edamame and miso soup, then enjoyed a selection of our favorite rolls, like the salmon roll and tuna roll. My boys especially love the California roll! CURRENT BAG YOU ARE CARRYING... Lately I’ve been carrying our Tailored Tote in Electric Citrus from our new Mod Collection. I love the bright geometric pattern, and it has the perfect amount of pockets and space inside for anything I might need for myself or for my boys throughout the day. Tucked inside is our matching Pivot Pocketbook, of course. FAVORITE MAGAZINE... My favorite print magazine is W. You can almost always find an issue in my carry-on when I travel. BEFORE KIDS I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD... Be willing to be so selfless. I always put the needs of my children above my own, and am more than happy to do so! MY BEDTIME ROUTINE ALWAYS INCLUDES... Bedtime books with our boys and cuddles. Lots and lots of cuddles. FAVORITE ROOM IN YOUR HOME? Our living room. It has the best morning and afternoon light, and on the weekends, it always seems to beckon for a cat nap. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Saturdays! Even better - a Saturday without plans.

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livingwell

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SUMMER HERB PASTA

WITH TOASTED BREADCRUMBS By Ashton Keefe

One of my favorite “Ah-ha!” moments to see students have is when they realize “salad” doesn’t have to mean, “greens” and “dressing.” Pasta can be an excellent vehicle for veggies, by bumping up the greens. Take copious amount of herbs from your garden (or let’s be real, the grocery store/farmer’s market) and toss with thin asparagus, just barely steaming them in hot pasta water. Breadcrumbs add an unexpected and delightful crunch. Toss with cheese and serve family style with wine. SERVES 4 – 6 1 lb. bucatini (or spaghetti pasta) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 onion, diced 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt 3 gloves garlic, minced 1 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted and roughly chopped 1 bunch thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1” pieces 1 lemon, zested and juiced 1 cup reserved pasta water 2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 cup roughly chopped dill 1/2 cup roughly chopped mint 1/2 cup roughly chopped parsley Bring a large pasta pot to a boil and salt generously. Cook pasta until al dente and reserve 1 cup of pasta water. In a small skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and toast breadcrumbs until golden brown, set aside to cool. In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat and sauté onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and add garlic, cooking until just fragrant, about 1 minute. Add olives, asparagus, lemon zest and juice and cook until heated through. Remove pasta from heat and place hot pasta into the pan, along with pasta water and cheese, toss to coat evenly using tongs. Fold in herbs and drizzle with remaining two tablespoons olive oil. Serve hot or room temperature.

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culinary revelry a modern girls' guide to

Ava ilab le on Ama

zon

www. ashto nkee fe.co @ash tonke efe

ASHTON KEEFE

Ashton Keefe is a chef and culinary instructor in NYC. She currently creates content for publications such as Food52, Whole Foods Market, Cooking Light, People Magazine, Real Simple and Shape Magazine. She recently published her first book, Lemon & Salt: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Culinary Revelry which has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, Glitter Guide and Refinery29.

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where

runway meets the

beach

lifesî&#x20AC;&#x17D;yle www.ashecouture.com

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livingwell

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5 WAYS TO JUMP START A

WITH JENNY COOKIES PHOTOGRAPHY BY KCB PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Always start with the invitation to begin party planning. Harper Gray Designs designed a Party Like a Pineapple invite with black and white stripes, gold, mint green, and of course yellow. They nailed it. 2. Search Etsy and Ebay for unique finds! I began searching high and low for wood pineapple bowls, you know, the kind you get in Hawaii? Thanks to midnight shopping at Ebay and Etsy, I gathered an impressive collection. They were all different sizes, shapes, and different shades of wood finish, so I pulled them all together with a few coats of gold spray paint. 3. For a fun backdrop to my drink station, I ordered yellow paper twirls from Paper White Designs. 4. What’s a party without a great party photo opp? I recently came across this website Drops and Props that had the most perfectly matching black and white striped backdrop. To jazz it up a bit, I ordered a bunch of palm leaves and honeycomb balls from Oriental Trading Company and bought out my local Dollar Tree’s stock in honeycomb pineapples. 5. All about the flowers! The florals were stunning by Bash and Bloom, who arranged the flowers in red solo cups and just shoved them down into the pineapple. Her combination of ferns, white blooms and succulents gave them the perfect mid-century modern look.

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SHOP THE PARTY GOLD PINEAPPLE PILLOWS Fancy it Pretty GOLD GLITTER PINEAPPLE GARLAND TomKat Studio PINEAPPLE CUPS Oriental Trading Company PARTY LIKE A PINEAPPLE CUPS DRINK STIRS & COASTERS custom designed by Oh Goodie Designs PINEAPPLE PRINTS Piece Love Paper

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Trendy clothes for trendy tots

coastal Kids

INFANT&ToODDLER TEES / ROMPERS / HATS FOR SALES AND INFORMATION: HELLO.COASTALKIDS@GMAIL.COM| VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.COASTALKIDS.BIGCARTEL.COM @COASTALKIDS 90

@COASTALKIDSCLOTHING cupcakeMAG.com

Handcrafted Heirloom Teepees for your Sugars sugarshacksteepee.etsy.com @sugarshacksteepees

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www.sweetshotphotography.org 91

APPAREL / GIFTS / HOME GOODS 92

WHISKEYGINGERCOLLECTIVE.COM

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rad threads for urban littles

cupcakeMAG.com http://www.wireandhoney.com

@wireandhoney 93

fashion

styled by Courtney Fernan PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAYLOR COLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Summer months always remind me of colorful flowers, ocean breezes and warm evenings outdoor. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect time of year to freshen up the wardrobe and infuse a little bit of fun. Each of these looks is easy to achieve and can be adapted to fit your own summer style. Inspired by quaint California beach towns, these looks are fresh and relaxed.

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garden party Nothing says summer like a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Paired with a neutral sandal or heel, a floral romper can be dressed up or down and is a simple look to pull together. Keep an eye out for floral prints in skirts and maxi dresses, too. Such a refreshing look for the warmer months. cupcakeMAG.com

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classic shirtdress

Shirtdresses are timeless and can be worn with or without a belt. A summer hat and brightly colored clutch create a relaxed and fun summer vibe. cupcakeMAG.com

boho chic

Crocheted tops, denim and fringe are a great combination for casual summer days. Add a pop of color with a necklace or bracelet and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be comfy and chic all at the same time. 98

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bold prints

Sticking to neturals like black and white work well for summer when you go for a bold print. A patterned blouse paired with summer shorts and sandals works great during the day and can quickly get a flirty touch for evening with a pair of heels. Add a pop of color with your favorite clutch or handbag. cupcakeMAG.com

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white on white:

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t under estimate the power of a simple white t-shirt paired with your favorite white jeans. Adding a denim shirt around the waist and a colorful tote add interest and style for a fresh look. cupcakeMAG.com

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A shop for the little lovebug in your life! www.TheLovebugCollection.com cupcakeMAG.com

TINK

&ke¹

www.tinkandkey.com i @tinkandkey i hello@tinkandkey.com home of the Miracle Baby tee ®

www.etsy.com/shop/babymamasewshop

handmade

instagram.com/babymamasewshop

Hand stamped jewelry designed by you.

www.ClassyMamaDesigns.etsy.com

ClassyMamaDesigns@gmail.com @ClassyMamaDesigns

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your fashion sweet spot

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