How would you describe yourself? In 3 words.
Friendly, easy going, trusting.
What do you do besides motherhood?
Interior design! I’ve been a designer for almost 25 years, I still love learning new things from colleagues or clients and finding new inspiration.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Just out of college an employer told me “we are all born with different gifts, celebrate and build on the ones you have.” I had always tried to fit the mold of what I thought I was supposed to be good at, (and a very poor fit it was!) when I finally acknowledged my gifts I was able to see them as something of value. I try to remember that while raising my son; we are not all meant to excel in the same way, some of us are meant to be designers or artists, and others to be physicians or financiers. We all contribute to a healthy society in our unique way.
What’s your beauty routine?
I like to think I’m low maintenance, but that may not be 100% true, I’ve always loved beauty products and pre-motherhood I could spend hours in a Sephora! Nowadays, I keep things pretty simple, I love Revive skin care products and my clarisonic which I use every day. For makeup I like Armani luminous silk foundation, Guerlain Les Meteorites powder, Dior Nude bronzer, and Blinc mascara, it’s the only one that doesn’t flake off on me. I’m addicted to pale nude/clear lipgloss, I try to branch out into bolder lip color occasionally but always go back to my old standby.
What’s your signature scent?
Bond, the scent of peace. I love the fragrance & the cool purple bottle. I keep a bottle of YSL Paris, I don’t wear it but I like to smell it - it transports me back to the 80’s.
What can’t you live without?
Of course my entire family – other than that my wonderful friends, my pets, my ipad for reading books, and tons of coffee.
How do you balance your life?
I have a few ways I try to keep balance: I try to take time for myself or with friends at least a few times a month. My monthly book club is one way I stay connected to my friends when the days get away from me – I’m so thankful for that group! My strategy for getting exercise in is to put on my workout clothes as soon as I get up. I don’t look pulled together for school drop off but I manage to get a walk or something in before I get dressed for the day. The last way I try to create balance between work & family life is to limit work calls & email to between 9 and 3 every weekday. Sometimes it’s not do-able, but it’s something I try to keep in check so I don’t let work stress seep into family time.
Who is your biggest role model?
I don’t think I’ve ever had a singular role model, though I’m constantly amazed by all the successful, accomplished & well rounded women I know – they inspire me to stretch myself to see what I can achieve. My friend and design colleague Tarni is my style guru – when I’m pretty sure I’m dressed like a dweeb I think “would Tarni be caught dead in this?” and then I know I need to change.
Do you have a family tradition?
For thanksgiving we make a gratitude tree, we collect leaves & write who or what we’re grateful for. We also eat dinner together almost every night & chat about what happened that day, in between reminding our son to sit down, eat, and use his manners - it’s a balance!
What makes a mom like that?
Every mom that’s making an effort to be the best she can be for herself and her family is a mom like that!
5 quick questions:
Favorite restaurant: In Napa I love Morimoto.
Favorite recipe: My step dad’s paella.
Favorite dessert: Peanut butter and chocolate ice cream, but I love all dessert.
Favorite drink: Tito’s with lime and Pellegrino.
Favorite book: Too many to choose just one! I recently read the Signature of all Things and loved it. I also just finished Loving Learning (from a MomLikeThat blog suggestion!) and I'm very inspired by the ideals of progressive education.
