Tell me a little about yourself.
I’m a mom (Loulou is 5, Carlo is 2) and business owner (Chez Tex, restaurant and organic wine bar), an avid baker, and novice gardener!
How did you get inspired for your nursery design?
I knew I really wanted to incorporate wallpaper, so I started there. I fell in love with a neutral, whimsical elephant print from Serena & Lily, and that became the anchor from which I designed the nursery around.
What are your most-loved items in your nursery?
A vintage, French chair that I found on Etsy, and an illustration of 2 farms by Australian author, Frane Lessac.
If you had to pack a hospital bag again, what top three items would you take?
A small speaker for music, an ultra-soft, midi-length nightgown, my own pillow.
What postpartum products helped you to recover? (Teas, broths, bath products, books…)
Nourishing soups, Floradix Iron + Herbs, the Frida Mom line.
What products for babes work so well that you use on yourself?
Nucifera Balm!!
What are your favorite mama and babe personal care products?
Bath, skincare, haircare, sun care, makeup, grooming… I didn’t bathe my kids for the first week after I brought them home, but when I did – very neutral products like California Baby, and a small, soft hairbrush (both of my kids had a TON of hair – ha).
For me? My favorite bath and skincare products are Salt + Stone Bath Wash, and Act + Acre Hair Care.
Where do you shop for babes? (Skincare, healing, clothing, toys, food, vitamins…)
The Pump Station, Roux, Caro Bambino.
What books and music are on rotation in your house?
We regularly stock up at a local bookstore called Children’s Book World, here in LA (my kid’s favorites are “Goodnight Moon” + “Little Gorilla” + “Quick as a Cricket”). When they were tiny babies, we played the White Album and Pet Sounds a lot.
What is a no-fail activity that your babes love?
Being outside in the garden; playing with the hose and digging in the dirt.
What are trusty at-home activities for your babes?
Puzzles and building blocks; being in the kitchen together and baking something yummy.
Do you have a go-to recipe that your babes devour?
Yes!! It’s the Banana Bread recipe in “Carter’s Cookbook“
What is your favorite part of the day with your babes?
Wind-down time: our bath and bed routine starts around 6PM and is (usually) a relaxing routine for all of us; reading books and snuggling in bed.
What is a recent thing your babes did or said that made you laugh?
Both of my kids like to put on my shoes and walk around the house. My 2 year old will put on my hats, and it’s adorable to see them mimic what you do, and pretend to be “grown-ups”.
The usual questions about how to find work/parenting/life balance feel overwhelming. What are some small ways that you find balance?
Ahhh, balance is a myth (haha). I just try to compartmentalize my day as much as possible. When it’s wind-down time = no phone interruptions. I try to stay present when engaging in activities with my kids, because I know one-day, the roles will be reversed (hopefully a VERY long time from now). I try to include them in things I enjoy doing (baking, gardening) and it becomes something that is fulfilling as a parent, and as an individual.
How do you unwind at the end of the day?
I unwind by going to sleep at 9PM LOL! Seriously, sleep is everything to me. Our wind-down routine starts together, with the kids’ bath time (I usually bathe with them).
Your babes magically disappear for the day. Describe your ideal Me Time day.
Wake up at 6AM and have a big, leisurely breakfast (my favorite meal). Go straight into my garden and spend a solid hour watering, pruning and picking. Have a late morning workout and walk down to the beach. Spend the afternoon baking something fabulous, and go out to dinner with my husband somewhere that serves an excellent martini. Bed by 9PM.
Do you have support resources to recommend to fellow parents? (Books, websites, podcasts, meditations, apps, at-home exercise classes, parent groups…)
I didn’t read a ton of books, but Spiritual Midwifery was excellent to get prepared for birth, and The Happiest Baby on the Block helped a ton with sleep. I think information overload can sometimes do more harm than good, as there are a lot of opinions and there is no formula for “perfect parenting”. I would say to find a local parenting group for sure (music class is a great place to start), and really encourage the growth of those relationships: they’re a sounding board for everything you’re going through, at your child’s age, together.