Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a New York girl who fell in love with California. I love reading books and magazines, enjoying my coffee, and spending all day by the ocean. I FaceTime my family every day and love getting as much time with them as possible. And most recently, I love being a mom!
I’m a curious person and traveling is my greatest source of inspiration and rejuvenation. I’ve modeled my entire adult career, and am the Creative Director of Canyon Coffee, a company I started with my partner Casey.
What are your most-loved items in your nursery?
A rocking chair from the Rose Bowl market here in Pasadena, a quilt that Casey’s grandmother Norma made before Sonny was born, and a bookshelf with toy storage from Lovevery.
If you had to pack a hospital bag again, what top three items would you take?
Socks, phone charger and bluetooth speaker! It was so nice being able to set the mood with sound.
What postpartum products helped you to recover? (Teas, broths, bath products, books…)
Sitz baths and Frida Mom ice pads were my saving grace! I used “Lucy’s Garden Soothing Afterbirth Sitz Bath” herbal blend.
Erica Chidi’s book Nurture was my guide from day 1 of being pregnant, and was a constant resource those first few weeks. Also my friend Rachel made me the most delicious mushroom broth!
What are your favorite mama and babe personal care products? (Bath, skincare, haircare, sun care, makeup, grooming…)
I always strive to use organic products made by businesses I trust — for their ethics and transparency as much as their quality!
For Sonny, we have been using Ocean’s Dream Body Oil by La Tierra Sagrada (I use this on myself, too!) and Wiley Baby’s body wash and lotion since he was three weeks. Both products are super hydrating and nourishing.
For myself, I’ve been a longtime fan of products by Lesse, OSEA, Everyday Oil, Monastery and Ilia.
What books and music are on rotation in your house?
Mr. Watson’s Chickens was one of the first books we read to Sonny and is still his favorite!
For music, waking up and putting a record on is a part of our morning ritual. We’ve been loving João Gilberto’s record Amoroso lately (Sonny, too).
What is a no-fail activity that your babes love?
Sonny really loves the record player, so putting a record on always gets him excited! Every morning, we also make a little show out of opening the blinds in our room and it’s maybe our favorite part of the day! He also loves his soft books — all the ones we have by Jellycat. And giving him an old New Yorker to tear up is always a fun project for him.
Do you have a go-to recipe that your babe devours?
We’re just starting to introduce food to Sonny, so recipes are still super basic. I think his favorite meal has been caramelized banana and eggs. Like a sweet & savory omelette. He also loves avocados and strawberry juice!
What is your favorite part of the day with your babe?
Morning, when we’re all waking up together and he’s all smiles! And that hour before bath and nighttime routine, he’s always so giggly and playful — as long as he got his afternoon nap in!
The usual questions about how to find work/parenting/life balance feel overwhelming. What are some small ways that you find balance?
Yeah I agree! Finding a balance can be really hard. I think there are definitely times or stretches where you don’t feel in balance, and it’s just important to remember that that’s okay.
Taking walks is a small way I’ve always kept balance — nowadays I usually combine getting walks in with taking Sonny in the Ergobaby for him to get his naps! I used to listen to books or podcasts whenever I walked, and now I usually opt to just enjoy the quiet.
Taking time to start my day right is also important to me. Enjoying a cup of coffee in bed, reading or journaling before starting work. Carving out space to do a yoga class, or getting dinner with a friend have also been ways to help me keep balance.
How do you unwind at the end of the day?
Glass of wine and a favorite show 🙂 or a nice long walk!
Your babe magically disappears for the day. Describe your ideal Me Time day.
A yoga class. A long nap. And locking myself in a room with my stack of books/ magazines I’ve been wanting to get to for months!
Do you have support resources to recommend to fellow parents? (Books, websites, podcasts, meditations, apps, at-home exercise classes, parent groups…)
Solid Starts. For introduction to food
Zaynes Plate on Instagram
Taking Cara Babies. For help with getting your baby to sleep!
Uma Mother In Bloom classes & All of Pattis yoga classes on YogaWorks
Milk to Meals book by Carley Mendes and Luka McCabe
Anything by Emily Oster, I also really like her newsletter.
Nara app for tracking feeding
Dr. Berlins Informed Pregnancy Podcast
Nurture by Erica Chidi Cohen
Moms on Call
Transformed by Birth by Britta Bushnell
Bringing up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
Carla Vidor at Vidor Acupuncture
