FO R T H E M O D E R N PA R E N T
P LU S O V E R 80 GIFTS FOR E V E R YO N E O N YO U R L I S T !
THE JUNO VA L E N T I N E AU T H O R W I T H D AU G H T E R R E N A N D S O N TAO
H O L I D AY CHEER AU T H O R E VA C H E N D I S H E S U P S E R I O U S H O L I D AY ST YLE WITH AN EXCITING NEW LAUNCH
Experience the YOYO+ stroller and our full suite of accessories at B l o o m i n g d a l e ’s 5 9 t h S t r e e t i n N Y C a n d a t b l o o m i n g d a l e s . c o m .
RADAR
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MINI
T H E L A R G E ST S N OW F L A K E S W E R E R E P O RT E D I N 1 8 8 7 AT A W H O P P I N G 1 5 I N C H E S W I D E . ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
The latest Juno Valentine collection from Janie and Jack celebrates author Eva Chen’s magical book with festive winter pieces like this Bandana Puffer Jacket, tiered dresses and skirts, and even satin ballet flats perfect for any holiday soiree (or when your littles are feeling fancy!). Each item is inspired by iconic women from Chen’s modern fashion fairytale and we can’t get enough! —janieandjack.com
THIS JUST IN
BITE BITS
The first and only all-natural, plastic-free toothpaste for kids doesn’t come in a gel or tube— in fact, it’s no bigger than a coin! This flouride-free toothpaste “bit” is a much cleaner way of brushing Mini teeth and with a fun flavor like Berry Twist, your sinkside rituals will no longer be a struggle! Simply bite down on the bit, brush with a wet toothbrush, and watch it foam up like magic! —bitetoothpastebits.com
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT
Stokke comes the ultimate travel gadget for kids, the JetKids BedBox! If you’re headed over the river and through the woods this holiday season (or on upcoming spring break trips!), this BedBox will be your best friend, acting as your child’s hand luggage, ride-on suitcase, and bed/leg-rest, all in the very same box! Ideal for ages 3 to 7, the BedBox comes complete with a hand washable mattress with side cushions and 360 degree swivel wheels! —stokke.com
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
Cal
SPECIAL EVENTS TO AT T E N D T H I S SEASON
C A N DY C A N E L A N E S LO O M O O I N S T I T U T E T E A W I T H S A N TA
MINI MUST-HAVE ▶
You’ll want to build a snowman in these Disney x SOREL Frozen 2 boots!
If your kids are slime lovers, make a trip to the Sloomoo Institute pop-up in NYC’s SoHo— a sensory haven centered all around slime!
Candy Cane Lane, LA’s over-thetop neighborhood of holiday lights, turns on December 14th and runs through the 23rd!
CAMP, the family retail store where kids can play for FREE, now has five locations—NYC’s 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, Dallas, Hudson Yards, and South Norwalk!
Have Tea with Santa Tuesdays through Saturdays now through Christmas in the Eloise Shop inside the iconic Plaza Hotel!
ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
FROZEN 2 ▶
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
Anna and Elsa are back in the sequel to Disney’s hit kids flick, Frozen! All of your favorite characters, including Olaf, are now in theaters in Frozen 2 as the crew sets out to find the origin of Elsa’s powers and save their kingdom!
I carry you with me always
SURPRISE ALL THE MOTHER’S IN YOUR LIFE WITH A CUSTOM-DESIGNED TINY TAGS. (Available in 14k, sterling silver & gold vermeil)
Last day to ship in time for the holidays is, 12/3 for international orders & 12/17 for domestic.
INFO@TINYTAGS.COM |WWW.TINYTAGS.COM | @TINYTAGS | MADE IN USA
mini-magazine.com
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with parents around the world, style, and more
LIVING
BABY+KIDS
THE MAGAZINE
THE MINI BODEN HARRY POTTER COLLECTION IS ABSOLUTE MAGIC Browse the Wizarding World inspired collection of kids clothes. THE SIX UNSAFE ITEMS IN YOUR BABY GEAR AND CLEANING PRODUCTS These are what to watch for in toxic home items. 4 COMMON PREGNANCY SKIN CHANGES AND HOW TO FIX THEM Skin issues arise during pregnancy and we asked the experts what to do about them!
THE POSTPARTUM HELPER LIVING IN YOUR SPICE DRAWER This spice is known as the world’s most expensive, but can be a postpartum life saver!
minisclusives LOG ON TO
MINI Find all of this and more on our website!
introducing
®
a pacifier for time-strapped parents with taste. www.doddleandco.com
@doddleandcom pany
#becausebabies
contents 02
04
0 8 10 06
12 16
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3 2 38
44
21 | THE STYLE SPOT A chic selection of cozy and warm winter staples for the Minis
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5 0 56
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6 8 70
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14 | MEET THE TEAM The team that makes all the Mini magic possible
27 | MOM It’s the style spot
34 | BOOK CLUB Snow days have never been more fun than with these new reads
for all of you chic Mini moms from bump to beyond
18 | EDITOR’S LIST
30 | TECH KIDS The latest
36 | SCOOP Discover the postpartum pals that nourish new moms and deliver food directly to your door
A carefully-curated list of Kate’s favorites this season
and greatest from the Mini tech sphere 32 | IN THE BAG Fine jewelry designer Stephanie Gottlieb shows us what’s inside her Chanel tote
45 | ON THE SCENE These modern high chairs easily convert from table-side diner to toddler seat
You’ll lovebeing beingasked, asked, You’ll love
“How’s the baby “How’s You’ll love being asked, sleeping?” the baby “How’s sleeping?” the baby sleeping?”
contents
52 54 5 6 62 64 70 7 8 80 82 86 2 6 90 94 96 90 9 8 100 102 1 8 92 | HAPPILY BABY Blogger Mary Lawless Lee gives us the grand tour of daughter Navy’s neutral nursery 100 | SWEET LIFE Melissa
Ben-Ishay of Baked by Melissa spills the scenario in which she started her cupcake biz
54 | PARENTING A PARIS Meet the French husband and wife duo behind luxury baby brand Atelier Choux
66 | EARTHY IN THE CITY Spring Cafe founder Sabrina Rudin shows us around her bold NYC home
60 | AUTHOR BY DESIGN
82 | GLOW UP Mini chats
Holiday cover mom Eva Chen talks festive outfits and her new Juno Valentine book
with the Napa-born mom of two behind hit beauty brand Vintner’s Daughter
108 | BILLION DOLLAR BABY RewardStyle founder Amber Venz Box on her new projects and getting involved in her community 118 | HERE COMES THE SON
Actress and designer Lulu Brud opens up about pregnancy after loss
MINI-MAGAZINE .com Discover daily content, interviews, and more in between issues.
Exclusive interviews, Mini fashion, Mom hacks—
All in one place.
MINI Founder and Editor in Chief K aitlyn K irby Cover Photo graphy Janie and Jack Editorial Team Contributing Photo grapher Ana G ambuto Contributing Photo grapher Charlie Juliet Photography Contributing Photo grapher Jen J Photography Contributing Photo grapher Jessica Steddom Contributing Photo grapher M organ Pansing Contributing Photo grapher Paige Rumore
M ini O ffices M ini M agazine Email | hello@mini-magazine.com Web | w w w.mini-magazine.com M ini M agazine is a digital lifest yle publication 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, recording, 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 © 2019 M ini M agazine.
Introducing elegant Grey Melange. A classic, versatile neutral. Stokke® Xplory®
stokke.com
Editor
INSIDE LOOK: (On Right) A peek at our fall cover shoot with Allison Holker and Stephen “tWitch” Boss— the two talk about each other as parents and it’s the sweetest! (Below) I’m trying my best to document this pregnancy as much as I did my first, but it’s so much harder with a toddler!
16
I’m getting a jump on my new year’s resolutions this season and if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll notice I’ve been sharing some of my steps toward a cleaner, more plant-based lifestyle. On that note, you can imagine how excited I was to get to chat with Spring Cafe founder and wellness guru Sabrina Rudin in this issue! Moms, if you’re wondering how to stay on the healthy train with littles in tow, you will love her interview! We are also thrilled to welcome author Eva Chen to our holiday cover along with her adorable Minis Ren and Tao, Me-
A LETTER FROM MINI’S FOUNDER K AT E K I R BY
lissa Ben-Ishay of Baked by Melissa whose tiny little treats I have forever loved, April Gargiulo of Vintner’s Daughter whose facial serums have swept the beauty world, plus more inspiring moms like Stephanie Gottlieb, Mary Lee, Amber Venz Box, Lulu Brud, Courtney Klein, and more! I can’t believe another year is over and this particular magazine marks Mini’s NINTH holiday issue! I hope you’ll all continue to read along as we head into celebrating Year Ten!
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 h o l i d a y ‘19
in t r oc u d ing
®
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
MINI ◀
I love the prints and patterns of kids bedding and pjs from Lewis! —lewisishome.com
LOUNGE AROUND
◀
GET COZY
EDITOR’S LIST
I’m building my maternity and postpartum wardrobe and these 3-piece lounge sets are a must! —storq.com
◀ CHECK MATE
This Lele Sadoughi x J.Crew tartan headband is perfect for the holidays! —jcrew.com
◀ FUN FOOD
This easy-to-wash silicone placemat features the whimsical work of artist Brady Smith! —zoli-inc.com
◀
GO BANANAS
I have a thing for super soft, printed pajamas— probably because they’re all I wear myself ! —dodobanana.com
◀ SUIT YOURSELF
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
LA-based buttery soft sweatsuit label Entireworld just launched kids! —theentireworld.com
T H E S P OT TO SHOP FOR THEIR M I N I WA R D R O B E
Style
R AC H E L ZO E X J A N I E & J AC K S H E R PA S O F T N E S S S N O W PAT R O L
◀ RACHEL ZOE COLLAB
CLICK HERE TO S H O P T H E R AC H E L ZO E CO L L A B !
Who better to design a chic party collection than stylist extraordinaire Rachel Zoe? Available now for the holiday season and beyond, the Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Party Collection features 38 pieces, including children’s fashion and accessories in sizes 12-18 months to 12 years. Plus, 100% of net proceeds from the party collection will go to Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization that provides children living in poverty with the basic necessities every child deserves. —janieandjack.com
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
S H E R PA S O F T
Oh, the weather outside is frightful! Pick up these soft and cozy sherpa goodies to keep your Minis warm all winter long!
PUT A HAT ON IT
Keep your ears warm with these sherpa trapper hats! Above: $16; Sherpa-Trim Trapper Hat; oldnavy. com Below: $36; Sherpa Lined Trapper Hat; hannaandersson.com
SHERPA SHOES
ZIP ME UP
No chilly toes in sight with these warm sherpa-lined boots. $75; freshlypicked.com
This sherpa zip hoodie will be a favorite well into spring. $22; oldnavy.com.
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WEEKEND WARDROBE
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
Snuggle up in these cactus-colored sherpa joggers. $24; gap.com.
BUY RIGHT MEOW
This leopard print sherpa pullover is both trendy and cozy. $89.50; jcrew.com.
sway on Sway left. Then right. Then left again. Relaxing—right? That same calming motion can now be a continuous one, thanks to the newest member of our Nuna family the LEAF wind. Creating a soft, steady breeze as it connects with just a click to your LEAF or LEAF curv*, with 6 speed settings sure to soothe your little one straight on into newborn dreamland. Here’s to swaying on...and on. *compatible with models SE-10-xxx & SE-30-xxx
learn all about it at nuna.eu
S N O W PAT R O L
Before your Minis head outside to build a snowman, sled, or ski, lace up a pair of these warm (and waterproof!) winter boots!
1
2
3
4
5
6
1. LET IT SNOW
3. QUACK QUACK
5. SOFT AND FUZZY
$75; Disney x SOREL Whitney Short Frozen 2 Boots, sorel.com
$64.95; Sperry Kids Saltwater Duck Boot, norstrom.com
$29.99; Cat & Jack Valmai Winter Boots, target.com
2. FLY AWAY
4. CLEAN AND CLASSIC
6. SNOW-MG
$304; Sophia Webster Nevah Nylon Snow Boots, luisaviaroma.com
$32.99; Cat & Jack Ivan Winter Boots, target.com
$59; Toddlers Ultralight Waterproof Snow Boots, llbean.com M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
hatchcollection.com
J U S T F O R YO U MAMA, FROM B U M P TO B E YO N D
MEET THE E A S I E R WAY TO TA K E YO U R D A I LY F I S H O I L !
Mom
NEEDED OMEGA-3’S L A L I G N E X H ATC H A N O O K AT H L E T I C S
◀ THE NEW OMEGA-3
Our needs change dramatically during pregnancy— and we’re not just talking about your newfound desire for pickles! Your body will require additional nutrients— like DHA and EPA—to fuel both yourself and your developing baby, and new brand, Needed, is making it easy to ensure you’re getting the right stuff ! With a vegan Omega-3 powder sourced from sustainably harvested microalgae, the marine source that fish get their DHA and EPA from, Needed’s supplement is clinically proven to be 5x better absorbed than standard fish oil pills. And even better? Needed’s powder comes without the potential exposure to heavy metals often found in Omega-3 sourced from fish! Mamas can opt into a subscription that includes 30 daily packets, delivered right to your door, so you’ll never have a miss a day of nourishment again! —thisisneeded.com
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
THIS JUST IN
LA LIGNE x HATCH
When two uber chic fashion brands backed by powerhouse moms come together, you get a stunning collection like the new La Ligne x HATCH collab. Maternity retailer HATCH, known for their fashionable options for before, during, and after pregnancy, and sportswear brand La Ligne, known for their affinity for stripes, launched a four-piece resort capsule collection with pieces running the gamut from flowy dresses to casual boyfriend shirts and bathing suits. The collab marks the first move into resortwear for HATCH and the first step into maternity wear for La Ligne. —hatchcollection.com
RIGHT NOW WE’RE LOVING
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
New maternity activewear line, Anook Athletics, founded by prenatal yoga teacher Allie Lindenmuth. Anook Athletics offers a complete collection of shorts, leggings, bras, joggers, and tanks for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. But no need to pack these pieces away once your littles are through the toddler years! Anook’s activewear basics can be worn well beyond, making them a great investment in both a new mom’s wardrobe and comfort. —anookathletics.com
T H E L AT E S T F R O M THE MINI TECH SPHERE
Tech
B O D I LY K I T S PICTURE GENETICS TESTING
MINI MUST HAVE
B O D I LY KITS
Founded by new parent Tovah Haim, standout brand Bodily provides educational content and modern products backed by clinical research, all designed to make new parents feel supported. Offering five curated kits developed to aid postpartum women with vaginal and c-section recovery, breastfeeding, and nipple care, Bodily products are all thoughtfully designed in partnership with medical professionals and lactation consultants and paired with helpful content to guide parents along in their journey. —itsbodily.com
RIGHT NOW IN TECH KIDS
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
Maybe you’ve considered genetic testing while pregnant, maybe you’re curious about health conditions your newborn could be facing— either way, Picture Genetics is genetic testing for the next generation. These gentle, at-home test kits require no doctor’s visit, no insurance, no hassle, and yet, provide a more in-depth snapshot of genetic variations than standard carrier screenings and state-standard newborn screenings. —picturegenetics.com
SIRONA M WITH
The only smart-tech convertible car seat that provides essential alerts to keep baby safe while you drive and when you arrive.
LEARN MORE AT WWW.CYBEX-ONLINE.COM/US
BLACK BOW HAIR ELASTIC
$9.50, madewell.com
PURELL HAND SANITIZER
$5, amazon.com
ZIPPER POUCH
“My nails and jewels are an essential part of who I am, so I like to make sure I’m prepared with my cuticle serum, and a jewelry baggie or pouch in case I need to remove my rings.” Clarity Clutch Mini, $40; truffleco.com. W H AT ’ S I N T H E B A G
OLIVE AND JUNE CUTICLE SERUM
Cuticle Serum Duo, $30; oliveandjune.com.
Stephanie Gottlieb The fine jewelry designer and mom of one spills the contents of her Chanel Deauville tote.
CHANEL DEAUVILLE TOTE
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
“I like to change my bag to match my outfit, so I basically keep all of my “essentials” in each bag so that I never have to worry that I’ll be without something I need!”
APPLE AIRPODS
$159, apple.com
Bugaboo Ant
Your Greatest Travel Companion
Book Club
Winter weather can mean no outside play for days, so why not pick up a stack of these new children’s books to keep your Minis entertained?
FOR VALENTINES
LOVE FROM THE CRAYONS
FOR HOLIDAY EDITOR’S PICK
THE COOL BEAN
by Jory John A sweet story about a school-aged bean trying to fit in, what it means to be “cool,” and how it’s always better to be kind. FOR LEARNING
34
KINDNESS MAKES US STRONG
by Sophie Beer
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
FOR TRAVELERS
RIO DE JANEIRO
by Ashley Evanson The latest book in the Hello, World series shows your Minis around Rio de Janeiro, detailing the art, architecture, culture, and food of the city!
PICK A PINE TREE
by Patricia Toht A festive tale celebrating the excitement of the holidays, starting with picking a tree!
by Drew Daywalt If you love Oliver Jeffers’ crayon illustrations, you’ll want to snag this love-centric Valentine’s book!
THIS JUST IN IN THE MINI WORLD
Scoop
M E T H O D O LO G Y M OT H E R B E E S MILK AND SEED TEJARI
◀ POSTPARTUM PALS
There is nothing more helpful to a new mom than a special food delivery to her doorstep. On the next few pages, we’re sharing some of our favorite postpartum helpers for nourishing a new parent that allow you to spend as much time bonding with your new babe and less stressing about what to feed yourself during this chaotic time. First up is boutique West Coast delivery service Methodology which focuses on ready-to-eat, clean food in reusable glass jars. The brand prepares seasonal menus with ten different meals each week, all free of refined sugar, gluten, canola oil, processed ingredients, hormones or antibiotics. With items like Cherry Chia Jam Overnight Oats and Pastured Chicken Chili, you know you’re getting whole, replenishing superfoods, without lifting a finger. —gomethodology.com
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
MOTHERBEES Hailing from a long line of traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, Heng Ou birthed this healing food delivery service to better serve new Los Angeles moms.
◀ NEW MOM 911
Perhaps one of the best, no strings attached meal delivery services dedicated to nourishing the new mother is MotherBees. Brought to you by the co-author of the modern postpartum bible, The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother, MotherBees offers a chef-designed menu with no membership fees and an easy change, skip, or cancel policy. Choose from wholesome staples like Shiitake Ginger Lemon Broth and Millet Porridge (a postpartum and digestive healer), then sit back, snuggle your babe, and wait for your special delivery. —motherbees.com
C L I C K TO G R A B A CO P Y O F T H E FIRST FORTY D AYS B O O K !
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
PHOTO COURTESY OF @MOTHERBEES @WYLDEPHOTO
MILK AND SEED Calling itself a Medicinal Kitchen for Mothers, this Southern California based postpartum food delivery service focuses on modernized comfort foods.
◀
MEDICINAL KITCHEN
On a mission to mother the mother, Milk + Seed specializes in medicinal comfort foods during the postpartum period: raw chocolate bonbons decorated with edible flowers, paleo Birth Day Cake frosted with chocolate reishi gheenache, saffron infused custard, and pink rose water protein shakes, to name a few. This food delivery service’s goods are never packaged in any type of plastic and in fact, they pride themselves on shopping locally and supporting responsible community agriculture, fairly traded and ethically sourced ingredients. New moms can expect a postpartum menu that has been carefully designed with Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine principles in mind, so they can enjoy the best start to their motherhood journey. —milkandseed.com
40
PHOTO BY SAM STENSON
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
MEET TEJARI This breakthrough brand offers an all organic blend of pea protein, superfoods, and fruit— complete with 8 grams of protein, no added sugar, or artificial sweeteners!
◀ PLANT POWER CLICK HERE TO S H O P T H E THREE TEJARI BLENDS!
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
When busy mom of two Roma Patel noticed a need for quick, healthy food options for her growing family, Tejari, her brand of clean, organic protein powder with no added sugar or preservatives was born. The brand worked with both food scientists and nutritionists to develop three flavors—Golden Banana, Blueberry and Spinach, and Strawberry—which can easily be mixed into yogurt, added to smoothies, or even baked in goodies like Banana Bread! Tejari is a breath of fresh air for on-the-go parents with little time for self-care— simply sprinkle the powder and reap the rewards! —tejariandco.com
learn more meetlalo.com follow us @lalo
B A BY G E A R E V E R Y PA R E N T
Scene
S TO K K E C L I K K L A LO T H E C H A I R MICUNA OVO
◀
NEEDS NOW
on the
THE STOKKE CLIKK
Stokke, the baby gear go-to that brought you the Tripp Trapp chair and popular Xplory stroller, now has a brand-new high chair that can be used from six months up to three years! The Stokke Clikk comes complete with the high chair, dishwasher safe tray, and harness, plus it’s easy to wipe clean and take on the go, making it a parent’s best friend! Clikk boasts tool-free assembly in only one minute and allows your littles to get closer to the table so families can focus on bonding at mealtimes. And when they begin to grow, simply remove the tray and continue to use as a toddler chair! This one is a win win! —stokke.com
MEET THE HIGH CHAIR T H AT G R O W S W I T H YO U R MINIS!
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
T H E C HA I R
The hottest new high chair on the market, The Chair by Lalo is a solid choice, given design and function, when starting solids with your Minis. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LALO
T H E H OT T E S T NEW HIGH CHAIR CO M E S I N 4 CO LO R S !
2-IN-1 USE
The Chair is a first of its kind 2-in-1 high chair and play chair combo!
EASY CLEAN Wash away
Dishwasher safe tray and smooth surfaces make The Chair extremely easy to clean.
BABY FIRST No stain seat
Stain-proof infant cushion gives your little one a boost while the reversible footrest keeps them grounded.
STYLE WISE 4 color ways
The Chair fits in effortlessly with any style, available in 4 colors like Coconut, Licorice, Grapefruit, and Blueberry!
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
DURABILITY Grows along
Done with the high chair phase? Convert The Chair to an adorable play chair with the extra set of legs that come included in the full kit.
Meet the all-new Bugaboo Lynx our lightest full-size stroller
T H E OVO
The Ovo high chair from Micuna features one of the most innovative and modern designs the high chair world has ever seen! PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MICUNA EASY CLEAN No hassle tray
Comes with a removable and washable tray in black or white!
CUSTOM LOOK Be creative
Customize your Ovo chair with a selection of six different color pads!
MODERN DESIGN For any style
Made of solid beechwood and PE plastic, the Ovo high chair is nearly a work of art! DOUBLE DUTY Grows up
As your child grows, Ovo easily converts to a Toddler Chair. Even its box can be used as home décor!
CAN BE USED FROM SIX M O N T H S U P TO THREE YEARS!
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
ON MY NIGHTSTAND
Siblings Without Rivalry. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Read more
books.
FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT
C OURTNEY KLEIN
Heirloom Cafe. IN MY FRIDGE YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND Sparkling
water.
MINI SPENT TEN MINUTES WITH
the San Francisco based mom of two and founder of popular maternity fashion label Storq, covering every base from childhood memories to her favorite local restaurant (hint: this one has a stellar wine cellar!) to the soundtrack she’s currently blasting and the apps she uses most!
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY
Picking raspberries from my grandparent’s garden.
relax, parenthood just got 3x easier
Good news: now there’s Nuna for every age. Our well-loved PIPA infant seat, new RAVA convertible, and new AACE booster are sleek, simple and exceed American safety standards. So you can relax and enjoy every magical, messy, covered-with-crumbs moment. Take a test ride at nuna.eu
ON THE CLOCK WINTER WARDROBE MUST-HAVE James Street Funnel Sweater. GUILTY PLEASURE Haribo. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK
Charlotte’s Web. LAST BOOK I READ My Friend
Anna by Rachel DeLoache Williams.
APPS I USE MOST Libby,
Epic Kids, NYTimes Cooking, Done.
CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO
FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE The
Muppet Movie.
SHOWS I’M WATCHING RIGHT NOW Chef ’s Table.
PREGNANCY CRAVINGS
Watermelon.
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Baggu. GROWING UP, I
The Last Black Man in San Francisco Soundtrack. SIGNATURE SCENT Maison
Louis Marie No. 04.
WANTED TO BE A
Lawyer.
MY COFFEE ORDER I don’t drink coffee,
so it’s Earl Grey tea with steamed milk.
IDEAL DATE NIGHT A night at
Ruby Wine.
The
Convertible Stroller
Bugaboo Donkey
Designed specifically to grow and flow with your family.
Parenting à
Paris
54
Founders of luxury French baby brand Atelier Choux, Daniella Gelman and husband Nicolas live and work in the City of Lights with their two small children, Aidan (4-and-a-half years old) and Chloé (two-and-a-half years old). We asked the chic duo all about parenting in Paris and they gave us the grand rundown, from what makes French families tick to the challenges of raising kids in the city.
M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
MINI | What do you think are some of the challeng-
es of living in Paris with kids?
MINI | What do you love most about living
in Paris with kids?
DANIELLA GELMAN | We love taking in the
beauty of Paris every day with our children; every walk is an adventure and a “visual feast” for both parents and kids. We try not to take this beauty for granted and point out the sculptural elements on buildings, bridges, and ordinary objects like water fountains and public benches to our children. We are sure this develops their appreciation for art and design early on! Paris is also quite a baby and kid-friendly city, with big parks full of attractions like carousels, old-style puppet shows (called “guignol” in French), and elaborate playgrounds. Children are immersed in cultural activities from a very young age, from school excursions to Monet’s Garden in Giverny, and even the Louvre.
DANIELLA GELMAN | Not many, but if you are walk-
ing on a narrow sidewalk with a stroller or child, you will unfortunately have to dodge many unapologetic smokers.
MINI | Where are your favorite places to take kids
in Paris?
DANIELLA GELMAN | In good weather, we love going
to the Jardin d’Acclimatation (the oldest leisure park in France, inaugurated in 1860) and it’s even better in August when the city isn’t crowded. It’s a “fancy” amusement park with charismatic rides for very young children, a handful of rollercoasters, and free-roaming peacocks. The park underwent a major renovation by LVMH in 2018 when they built the Fondation Louis Vuitton on the same grounds. It’s a truly historic place and an absolute must-do with kids! We also love Parc Monceau in the 8th arrondisement which was one of the inspirations behind Atelier Choux. It was the site of the first parachute jump from a hot air balloon in 1797 (marked with a nice plaque) and has elaborate
mansions around it. There is a lovely carousel, a modern playground, pony rides, cotton candy, fresh crêpes, and good quality coffee. On Wednesdays and during the weekends, treat yourself to an old-style puppet show (“guignol”). In spring and into summer, groups of friends and families settle on the park’s big lawns to have long picnic lunches and dinners, accompanied by guitar, games, and singing. The Palais-Royal garden, a lesser known spot behind the Louvre, is wonderful to stroll in, bordered by beautiful arcade shops and restaurants. Next door, through the columns, kids can run around and jump off the modern, black and white striped Colonnes de Buren, for a perfect picture opportunity. Check out #palaisroyal to see examples. The Luxembourg and Tuileries gardens also have great playgrounds and attractions (e.g. trampoline mats) for kids. The Grande Galerie de l’Évolution at the Jardin de Plantes is educational and also an absolute must-see. There is honestly so much for kids in Paris. Here are a few more examples for older children: ice skating in front of the Hôtel de Ville in winter, climbing the Arc de Triomphe or Eiffel Tower, visiting the stables of the “Police Montée” (policemen and women on horses), visiting the Musée de la Magie (Museum of magic) on Rue Saint Paul, and amazing science experiments for all ages at La Villette. MINI | As small business owners, how do you nav-
igate raising children and growing a business?
DANIELLA GELMAN | Our children inspire our
products and we test everything together. For example, we are working on gold-foil temporary tattoos which were inspired by our three-yearold daughter’s fascination with “maquillage” (make-up) and face painting.
Our children love coming to our boutique on the occasional weekend and we try to pass our entrepreneurial spirit to them organically. This is all a juggling act. It can be really difficult to “turn off ” so we try to limit our screen time during the weekend and be present, for our children and for each other. MINI | What is your advice for families want-
ing to visit Paris with their children?
DANIELLA GELMAN | Plan your list of destina-
tions in advance but keep your plans flexible with the weather. Identify the parks in each neighborhood so if the kids get cranky you will know where to take them for a crêpe or some fun. It’s also worth typing “jour férié” and the year you are visiting into Google to double check if your visit falls on a public holiday, in which case things will be closed. Resist the urge to jam-pack your day with sights and take time to stroll around.
MINI | What aspects of Parisian life do you
hope your children continue to follow or maintain as they grow up?
DANIELLA GELMAN | French families can spend
up to five hours lingering “à table” on the weekend— a long lunch that extends into coffee and couch time. Limited shopping on the weekends (in accordance with store closures on Sunday) in favor of slow personal and family time follows the same theme. We hope our children will view the weekend as a sacred moment “en famille.”
MINI | How do you think French parenting
differs from other styles of parenting?
DANIELLA GELMAN | Since we are one Amer-
ican parent and one French, we feel that French parenting is generally a bit stricter with a greater emphasis on discipline and respect. French children definitely seem to have more respect for adults. Hearing a three-year-old say “Bonjour Madame, Bonjour Monsieur” is too adorable.
MINI | Let’s talk French style. What is your
idea of the perfect French children’s ensemble?
DANIELLA GELMAN | Frilly socks and beau-
tiful (yet comfortable) shoes on young children can give an ensemble an instant “French” look. A lovely outfit on a child is adorable, but then a bib is a must! Especially if they are feeding themselves per French standards. We personally enjoy a bit of rule breaking when it comes to the typical “French style,” favoring bold prints and unique cuts.
MINI | You’ve just opened your first boutique.
Where do you plan to take Atelier Choux in the future?
DANIELLA GELMAN | We would love to open
our second boutique in New York, in an “atelier” or workshop style space where we can fully articulate our brand’s links to art and illustration. Ideally, it would be a lifestyle space with 3D and digital printers for on-the-spot personalization. We are dreamers and are hoping to build France’s next luxury “Maison” in accordance with the new values of millennial families— whimsy, play, transparency and a sense of humor!
Mom of two Eva C hen on her new kids bo ok and festive holiday collection .
Autho r BY DESIGN
P H OTO G R A P H Y BY J A N I E A N D J AC K | K I D S WA R D R O B E BY J A N I E A N D J AC K I N T E R V I E W BY K A I T LY N K I R BY
“I wanted to write a book that combined fashion with feminism and fairy tales.” MINI | You just released a new Juno Valentine
collection with Janie and Jack! Tell us about some of your favorite pieces in this collection.
children’s book character, Juno Valentine. Did you always want to write a children’s book?
EVA CHEN | I’m super excited about the Finn
EVA CHEN | Always, yes! I wanted to write a
MINI | Which Janie and Jack pieces are must-
MINI | How would you describe your person-
Valentine’s overalls and the updated classic Juno shirt in red! Perfect layering piece.
haves for the holiday season?
EVA CHEN | The Marie Antoinette tiered tulle
dress is a favorite of mine as is the black and white Audrey dress!
MINI | The collection is of course based on your
book that combined fashion with feminism and fairy tales.
al style? Has it changed since becoming a mom?
EVA CHEN | Evolving. Trying to try harder in
2020, and not just revert to mom jeans, dad sneakers, and grandpa sweaters. [Since becoming a mom], it’s much less #Fashion.
MINI | Let’s dive into your life as a mom. What
does your morning routine look like?
EVA CHEN | It’s usually pretty harried. No matter
what time I wake up, it’s always a mad rush to get out the door. But typically I’m up by 7 a.m., have a cup of green tea while getting kids dressed, (attempt to) feed them breakfast, then out the door to school. I’m at work by 9:30 typically.
MINI | What helps you to juggle motherhood and
career?
EVA CHEN | The help of my parents, who live close-
by, and a supportive husband, and fantastic nanny. It takes a village, truly, and I know I couldn’t do what I do without them.
MINI | What do you think is the greatest challenge
of motherhood?
EVA CHEN | Remembering to save a little piece of
yourself to take care of yourself!
MINI | How has motherhood changed you? EVA CHEN | In an infinite amount of ways. My
heart and soul are full of love, worry, and hope for my kids, at all times.
MINI | What advice would you give to moms
about to transition from one to two kids?
EVA CHEN | I had a lot of friends tell me it wasn’t
a huge difference to go from one to two, but I actually thought it was exponential work (more than double, more like ten times!)! I think it’s juggling all the appointments, playdates, etc... So my main advice is to talk to as many moms as you can and prepare. Whether that means asking family for help in advance, friends to play with
FA S T FA C T S FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR KIDS Janie and Jack, of course! Especially for outerwear! SHOWS I’M WATCHING Octonauts, haha! Sigh. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Besides Juno Valentine? I love all the Sandra Boynton books. MY ADVICE FOR MY KIDS Be kind, be yourself, be brave. BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Do the classic mom move of licking my finger and wiping my child’s face with the finger. FAVORITE KID-FRIENDLY NYC LOCALE Central Park!
your other kids, or finding ways to carve out some time for yourself. Start planning now! MINI | Can you tell us how you decided on
your kids’ names?
MINI | Since it’s the holiday issue, let’s talk
about gifts! What is on your holiday wish list this year? How about Tom, and Ren and Tao?
EVA CHEN | I’ve very randomly gotten into
raising your kids?
fountain pens, so I suppose a nice fountain pen is on my list. And a spa appointment or two! Tom is getting granola making supplies as a gift, and Ren and Tao get spoiled rotten by my parents and in-laws. We have a new rule these days that for every toy we get, we have to give one away to another child.
EVA CHEN | More than anything else, my
MINI | Do you have any family holiday tradi-
EVA CHEN | We actually landed on Ren and
Tao very early and always loved those two names. I also like Freddy and Juno... but the name Juno is now taken.
MINI | What is most important to you in
goal is to raise kind, thoughtful, inquisitive children.
tions?
EVA CHEN | Not yet, beyond getting a Santa
photo where one child always looks terrified. MINI | What are you looking forward to
most about raising your kids in NYC?
EVA CHEN | You grow up with a sense of
the larger world and see all different people from all walks of life. That awareness of the bigness of the world is a gift, I think.
MINI | We all experience mom guilt!
When do you find you experience it most and how do you get past it?
EVA CHEN | I always have a baseline of
guilt, but I remind myself that everything I do is for them!
MINI | How many kids did you see your-
self with growing up? Do you think there are more kids in your future?
EVA CHEN | I always wanted a family of
three kids but I’m at the “just survive the day” point with my two kids... so maybe in the future? Never say never!
MINI | What do you think is the one thing
no one really warns you about, parenting or motherhood wise?
EVA CHEN | You’re always one ear infection
away from chaos!
FA S T FA C T S CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Mozart. I pretty much only listen to Disney or classical. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Rubirosa pizza, almost every weekend! FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Moana, no doubt! Gets me every time! MY TEA ORDER Genmaicha tea! It’s delicious and grainy. GUILTY PLEASURE My husband Tom’s homemade granola!
EARTHY CITY IN
THE
As the founder of organic, plant-based Aspen eatery, Spring Cafe, Sabrina Rudin lives and breathes wellness. The NYC mom of two (to sons Lukas, 4, and Dylan, 13 months) was raised in a holistic, vegetarian lifestyle and now continues the same practices with her own family, right down to their daily smoothie routine and triedand-true homeopathic remedies for common maladies like earaches and sniffles. We caught up with Rudin in her stunning Manhattan home to get the rundown on how she manages clean eating on playdates, personal food philosophies, and even the postpartum woes that can come with transitioning to two children.
photography by CHARLIE JULIET PHOTOGRAPHY
warm, grounding energy that I always visualized. Our home is very much our sanctuary in the otherwise bustling city! MINI | How would you describe
your home?
SABRINA RUDIN | When I was design-
MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your home!
Tell us about the place!
SABRINA RUDIN | We built our home four years ago,
just before our first son Lukas was born. I had a vision of Lukas coming home from the hospital to the apartment that he would grow up in. It took us a few years to find but we were fortunate enough to settle on a space in a new building that we could get creative with and customize, and that could accommodate our growing family. Now with two little boys and our pup running around, it feels like we finally grew into the apartment and have the
ing our home, my dream was to create a space that felt very bright and joyful. I was born in NYC and I couldn’t imagine raising our family anywhere else, but I was also very lucky to grow up in Katonah where we lived on a farm with plenty of outdoor space and light and fresh air. I wanted our home to feel very open, where the kids could run around. My husband’s uncle Alex Papachristidis is a wonderful decorator and we worked together to create a very relaxed but elegant space. Each room is more colorful than the next. At first, I was nervous but Alex encouraged me to be daring and bold and really helped my vision come to life. I am also committed to sustainable design and non-toxic décor; our whole apartment is furnished in eco-friendly furniture, organic fabrics, plant-based wallpapers, and solid wood. We used VOC free paint and non-toxic, water-based finishes.
MINI | Do you have a favorite room
in your home?
SABRINA RUDIN | When we were searching
for an apartment, my husband and I both had outdoor space high on our wish list. We were very fortunate to find a space with a roof deck. Our roof is definitely my favorite part of our home. In the summer, I grow eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers, and greens and in the fall, we have kale and espalier apple trees. I spend a lot of time up there with the boys just playing and getting fresh air and whenever I feel that I need a moment to reflect or recharg, I’ll take a few moments up on the roof which always helps me get some perspective. I love that my older son has learned to garden with me and helps me pick vegetables. I think getting them involved in the growing process really helps them become adventurous eaters.
MINI | What are some of your favorite ele-
ments in your home and where did they come from?
SABRINA RUDIN | My favorite thing in our
home is a photograph hanging just outside our kitchen. It’s a picture of young boys on horseback in the Darhat Valley in Mongolia. I found the photograph years ago in National Geographic when I was a junior in High school. I was going through a confusing time in my life and the picture brought me such inspiration and hope. I cut it out and saved it and whenever I felt lost or off track, I would look at the picture and try to return to my inner compass. Years later, when I met my now husband, I showed him the picture. He tracked down the photogra-
pher and ordered a large print and had it framed for me. It was the best gift I’ve ever received and a reminder to always stay the course and follow what we know in our hearts to be true. I also love things that we’ve collected on our travels around the world together: pink crystal candle sticks and a coffee table from the flea market in Paris, a vase from Istanbul, and a little plaque from Capri that says Brini’s (my nickname) Kitchen that we had made on our honeymoon are some of my favorites. MINI | Let’s talk motherhood! What has surprised
you most about motherhood?
SABRINA RUDIN | Before I became a mom, I had
such a clear vision of who I would be. Earth mama, with my hair down to my waist, and my babe on a boob while I ate avocados barefoot in my kitchen. It never occurred to me that there might be a learning curve or that it would take me some time to find my rhythm. Then my first son was born and my life turned upside down. Instead of clarity, I was faced with debilitating anxiety and I was terrified when the reality didn’t mirror what I had envisioned. I had to give myself time and permission to go through the tremendous metamorphosis that was required of me and of any woman, as she becomes a mother. We spend a lot of time preparing women with hospital packing lists and baby shower registries, but very little attention is paid to the spiritual and metaphysical shift that occurs when you become a mom. It took time, but I realized that while there are one thousand ways to approach any parenting dilemma, all that mattered was that I find the one that made sense to me, in my heart. Perhaps that’s what surprised me most about motherhood; the more wholly and totally myself I became, the closer I got to being the mother I wanted to be.
MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry
or fear?
SABRINA RUDIN | After Lukas was born, I had
so many fears, most of my thoughts started with “what if ” and the worry consumed me. What I realized was that I had actually been living in that mind frame for a long time and didn’t even know it, so in a way my son came to heal me from that way of thinking. I did cognitive behavioral therapy which is brilliant for post-partum anxiety, and anxiety in general, and it really changed my relationship to anxiety and fear. Now I try to parent, and to live, from a much different place. My greatest fear is probably the same as every mother’s fear about things happening to her child that are beyond her control, but I’ve learned that you can either let your mind feed that worry or put one foot in front of the other and realize that most things we fear happening are well beyond our control, the most we can do is breathe and surrender. That’s how I try to
parent and the lesson I hope to instill in my children. MINI | What is most important to you in
raising your kids?
SABRINA RUDIN | I want my children to feel
heard, loved, and supported. Most important is that their curiosity and wonder is allowed to flourish in our family and in our home. I never want my children to feel shame or to feel like they can’t come to me and their dad with anything. The world can be a very volatile place right now and it’s very important to me that my children see kindness, love, compassion, and joy mirrored in our home. That, and raising them in a healthy, holistic, and natural-leaning home! MINI | How did your tran-
sition go from one to two kids?
SABRINA RUDIN | When I had
my second son, Dylan, I experienced a very euphoric post-partum period, which was so different than my experience after Lukas. In a way, going from zero to one was so much harder for me than going from one to two. However, the transition was very hard on my older son. He was used to being attached to me and with me at all times. I felt so much guilt and I was so worried that I had really wrecked things for him even though I knew giving him a sibling was such a gift. On our second visit to the pedi-
atrician, I was clearly distraught at having left my older son at home. My doctor told me that all thoughtful parents mourn the loss of their only child and that I should allow myself to grieve that loss without any judgement. It was the best advice I could have gotten and it really allowed me to be gentle on myself. Now when friends are expecting their second child, I share that advice with them. I think it’s really important to give yourself permission to miss being a mom to your only child without feeling like that means you aren’t deeply grateful for, and madly in love with your second child. MINI | Tell us how you decided on your chil-
dren’s names.
SABRINA RUDIN | Lukas Sidney is named after
his great grandfathers, Lewis and Sidney, and Dylan Jack is named after his great uncles, David and Jack. My husband and I wanted to follow the Jewish tradition of naming our sons after relatives who had passed away, but we also wanted names that were unique and that we felt connected to.
MINI | As the founder of Spring Cafe, what
helps you to juggle motherhood and career?
SABRINA RUDIN | I was fortunate enough to
open Spring Café three years before I became a mom. For those three years, the café was my life. I spent most of my time in Aspen working in the restaurant, and building a strong team. It was a huge learning curve for me, as it was my first restaurant and my first business! It was thrilling and humbling and I’m grateful that I had that time to focus on my career and my brand. When I had Lukas, I knew that I wanted to be at home with him. Breastfeeding was
FAV O R I T E K I D S MOVIES...
Frozen and Finding Nemo.
very important to me and I wanted to dedicate my time to my baby and to growing into my new role. I was able to step back a bit from the café and travel to Aspen only during peak times. I wouldn’t be able to operate Spring without my amazing chef Blanca Salas, who runs it when I’m not there. I’ve known her since I was young and she is the heart and soul of our restaurant. I have a very strong team led by my manager and my chef; without them, we wouldn’t function the way that we do. I’ve also always been very clear about timing in my life and prioritizing what I know needs my attention and that’s been my greatest tool juggling work and motherhood. Spring Café will turn seven in July. I took the last four years to really focus on my kids, to be home with them, and dedicate myself to them. I was working parttime and traveling back and forth to Aspen, but my brand wasn’t my main priority. Now Lukas is turning four and Dylan is thirteen months and I feel ready for the next chapter of my career. Spring Café NYC, here we come! MINI | Tell us how Spring Cafe came to be. SABRINA RUDIN | I grew up visiting Aspen with
my parents and it was a very significant place for me. I felt at peace in the mountains and they were a respite for my otherwise anxious self. I knew that I wanted to build a part of my life there, but I wasn’t sure what that would look like or how I would make it happen. I had an unofficial deal with my parents that if I did well in college, I could move there after graduation to teach snowboarding before going to grad school. I worked really hard in school with that goal in mind and I moved to Aspen with their blessing. My husband was also moving to Aspen after college and mutual friends introduced us. He was working in real estate
and found the space that now houses Spring Café. We wound up moving back for a second season so that he could fulfill his vision and develop the Spring Building. We both went to graduate school back in NYC but continued to travel back and forth. The concept for Spring kept coming back to me because I knew that it would do well in Aspen and support the activity-driven lifestyle there. I was pursuing a Masters in International Affairs and working with refugees being resettled in NYC but I knew that I wanted to start my own business so I pitched the idea to our families. They thought I had lost my mind but I was lucky that they were very supportive and encouraged me to go for it. Nearly seven years later, here we are. MINI | What has been your proudest career
moment thus far?
MINI | When do you find mom guilt
creeps in for you and how do you deal with it?
SABRINA RUDIN | Mom guilt hits me
SABRINA RUDIN | I’m exceptionally proud of the busi-
ness that Spring Café has become and the community that we’ve helped build in Aspen. Aspen is a small town and people there have a lot of opinions. No one thought I would make it past our first season, and certainly not past our first year. I was told the off-season would kill us and that there was no market for plant-based fare. Two years ago, on our fifth anniversary, I hosted a celebratory dinner for our family, friends, and loyal customers. It was a very proud moment for me. I’ll never forget what it felt like to wake up that morning and know that we had beat the odds and surpassed everyone’s expectations of what a little vegetarian café and juice bar in the mountains could become.
the hardest when I have to leave one of my boys to be with the other. It was challenging for me to find a balance. My older son struggled with the transition so I always wanted to be with him to guide him through it and then I had my baby who needed me in such a physical way with breastfeeding and skin to skin. It has been over a year and I still get a pang of guilt when I can’t put Dylan down for his nap because I’m with Lukey at the park or when I have to leave Lukey in the afternoons to take Dylan to a baby class. Since becoming a mom, I’ve really learned to prioritize peace in my life so I actually made myself a mantra and when I feel guilty, I just say, “they are safe, loved, and protected” and “what I am doing, I am doing with love.” I really find that helps both me and them. I think children feed off of our emotions and often mirror back our own uncertainties and doubts. When I can feel confident in my choice, they pick up on that and it helps ease the transition for them and the guilt for me.
MINI | We love following along with
your Instagram Stories, talking all things clean eating, wellness, and cooking! Can you tell us about your lifestyle as a family and when this started for you?
hold cleaning, and personal care products. It sounds daunting, but I don’t know any differently. I’ve been using many of the same products since I was a kid and I feel very fortunate that my mom had the knowledge to raise me that way. MINI | What is your food philosophy
when it comes to feeding the kids? Are there certain foods you stick to and others you shy away from?
SABRINA RUDIN | My food philoso-
SABRINA RUDIN | It was a big decision to make my-
self and my family more visible on Instagram, so it means a lot to hear that you are enjoying! This lifestyle really began with my parents, who raised me mostly vegetarian, all organic, and without chemicals or processed foods. My mom was well ahead of her time and prioritized self-care, wellness, and clean living. My home and my kitchen are extensions of hers and I try to live by the principles she taught me. We eat whole, organic, plant-based foods with some sustainable seafood and ethically raised eggs and turkey. We avoid all processed or artificial foods; I cook the majority of our meals and we use only non-toxic and clean beauty, house-
phy is actually pretty simple and I do the same for me, my husband, and my kids. We eat 100% organic or no spray foods, mostly plants and whole fruits and vegetables. I listen to my body and try to listen to my children’s cues and if we are craving more animal protein, I stick to organic pastured eggs, some sustainable fish from Vital Choice Seafood, and a little bit of pastured turkey and bone broth. On a more philosophical level, I avoid food battles at all costs; everything in our pantry, fridge, and kitchen is open to my children. If they want raisins at 6 a.m., they get raisins; if they have a sweet tooth and want a cookie or some vegan ice cream after dinner, I happily oblige and encourage them. I find that children are very self-regulatory and if we support them, they make wise food choices. Since all of the food in my home is whole, organic, thoughtfully sourced and
made, I allow them full access and encourage them to select what they are craving. I don’t like the delineation between “real” food and “healthy” foods. When my kids want pizza, we have delicious pizza that I make at home or order in with gluten-free crust and vegan cheese and my kids devour it. We don’t live by an 80/20 rule or any other label. We eat delicious, nourishing, healthy, and satisfying food 100% of the time and that includes dessert! The only thing I will never give my children is processed, artificial food. They will never get that from me and honestly, I don’t think they crave it or even know that they are missing something. That’s the beauty of emphasizing the bounty over the lack. MINI | How do you handle sticking to a
vegan/vegetarian lifestyle when attending playdates or birthday parties?
SABRINA RUDIN | It’s all about getting creative
and honoring your values without getting too rigid. This summer, we went to a birthday and all the kids were having watermelon snow cones. Lukey really wanted one, but I was not comfortable giving him the red dye. I noticed that they had plain watermelon juice at the bar so I asked the bartender if he could make a snow cone with that instead of syrup. He was happy to and Lukey was thrilled. For playdates, I don’t worry so much because we always have snacks with us and most of our playdates are with kids whose parents understand and respect our lifestyle and they always have options that I’m comfortable with. For birthdays and other group activ-
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ities, I follow some simple guidelines. I ask the parent what they are serving and try to bring our version. I find out exactly what the cake and dessert is and I bring something similar or identical. I try to mimic it as closely as possible and so far, that method works for us. I always pick the most benign thing at the party and let my kids go to town so that they feel included, whether that’s bagels or juice boxes or other snacks. As long as it’s not processed or artificial, I encourage them to participate, but I bring a major stash to cover all my bases. MINI | It’s cold and flu season! What is your
approach to remedying a cold or sickness with kids?
SABRINA RUDIN | We take a holistic approach
to cold and flu season. I was raised on homeopathic remedies and I find that they work best for our family. I work with the same homeopath that I’ve had since I was a kid and I also refer to Dana Ullman’s book, Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicine. Homeopathy is safe, gentle, and effective and really helps combat colds and viruses. We also rely on some supplements: Larax, Humic Acid, Vitamin C and D, and a great fish oil. My mom is a student of the Hippocrates Institute, so at the end of the day, we follow the mantra, “Let Food Be Thy Medicine,” and we work to build our immunity from the inside out.
MINI | What tips do you have for moms
wanting to get into a more clean, holistic lifestyle? Where should they start?
SABRINA RUDIN | The health and wellness
space can be very overwhelming if you are just beginning on this journey. There are so many opinions, beliefs, and diets and it can be hard to know where to begin. I encourage moms to start with one area and focus on that for a few weeks before moving on. If it’s your kitchen, make the switch to organic produce and try starting with meatless Monday or one plant-based meal per week. You can order a cookbook or follow a great plant-based cooking Instagram account and try just swapping in a few meals per week. On my Instagram, I have a lot of quick IGTV videos with snack ideas and healthy products. After you feel more comfortable, you can move on to your bathroom: start swapping out your products and your family’s products for clean beauty, and then you move on to the home care products, cleaner detergents, etc. Each Sunday, I post an episode of my IGTV series, The Spring, which offers simple, easy-to-implement tips on cleaning up your kitchen and home. I think they are a great place to start!
FA S T FA C T S ON MY NIGHTSTAND On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, which I’m currently reading, a glass water bottle, and photos of my family. BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Be so comfortable with being uncomfortable. My kids really taught me to surrender. I also never thought I’d be so desperate for a nap at any given moment. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Greens, sauerkraut, homemade nut milk, apples, almond butter, avocados, and a great gluten-free bread! FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Bar Piti, Carbone, Toloache, Bonberi, and ABCV, but soon I’ll be able to say Spring Café! GUILTY PLEASURE TV shows, anything involving Law and Order, the CIA or FBI. I can’t get enough! FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Grandfather Twilight, The Polar Express, When the Sun Rose. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Podcasts! I currently love the Open Ears Project and Mom Brain, I’m also very into classical music playlists on Spotify right now. I think they are calming for me and the kids and I’ve gotten back into playing them at bath time.
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G L OW UP Sought-after skincare brand Vintner’s Daughter may only have two products in their lineup—the cult favorite Active Botanical Serum and Active Treatment Essence—but that doesn’t mean they are making fewer waves in the beauty industry. Led by Napa-raised founder April Gargiulo, who set out to create a true luxury skincare company that would answer the skin issues she struggled with all her life, Vintner’s Daughter draws on the principles of Gargiulo’s family’s fine winemaking to further its purpose. Here the wine country bred mom of two shows us around her modern San Francisco domicile and even details her own skincare routine.
photography by
JEN J PHOTOGRAPHY
MINI | We’re excited to be here in your beautiful
home! How would you describe the place?
APRIL GARGIULO | This is a hard one. Northern
Californian by way of Belgium. Modern, natural textures, eclectic, minimal-ish.
MINI | Do you have a favorite room? APRIL GARGIULO | I love our pantry. It has all of my
favorite things in it and the light is always good in there.
MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in
your home?
APRIL GARGIULO | I love the craftsmanship that
went into building our home. The architect, William Wurster, was a true artist who loved the details of construction.
MINI | Let’s talk motherhood! What has surprised
you most about motherhood?
APRIL GARGIULO | How tired I can be, but some-
how still find reserves of energy.
MINI | What is most important to you in raising
your kids?
APRIL GARGIULO | I want my kids to find true con-
tentment, gratitude and a feeling of belonging in the world.
MINI | What have you found to be the hardest
aspect of motherhood thus far??
APRIL GARGIULO | The juggle. MINI | Let’s dive into Vintner’s Daughter. How did
the brand come to be?
What you may not know about me is that I do not come from the world of beauty, but rather I come from the world of fine winemaking in Napa Valley. My family still makes wine there today and I consider myself incredibly lucky to have grown up in a community that places such a high value on craftsmanship and quality. What you also may not know about me is that I struggled with my skin my entire life. I had acne, discoloration, and all the fun things that come along with getting older. I was using what I thought were the very best “luxury” products. They were the most expensive and were written about often in glossy magazines. One day, pregnant with my first daughter, I started looking at the ingredients. I was shocked to realize that
they were .01% active ingredients, the rest was low quality filler that was also, in many cases, toxic. Coming from where I was coming from, none of that sat right with me. Remember I come from Napa Valley, a community dedicated to making the finest wines in the world. Shortcuts are not allowed and practically every grain of dirt is considered for its quality. That to me is the true definition of luxury; beginning with the finest raw materials and honoring them through the most thoughtful formulation practices to achieve something even greater than the parts. These products I was using were anything but. This was the genesis of Vintner’s Daughter. I wanted to build a true luxury skincare company that made products from the finest ingredients in the
world, using time-honored techniques in order to bring about profound and lasting balance and health in the skin. It sounds lofty, but I wanted to build a skincare company on the very same philosophical foundations and principles as fine winemaking. MINI | Do you
ever experience self doubt with running such a successful brand? How do you get past it?
APRIL GARGIULO |
All the time! I talk to my incredible group of fellow women entrepreneurs and my husband is an amazing sounding board as well. MINI | We have to ask about your skincare routine. What does
your daily routine look like?
APRIL GARGIULO | I am super simple. I cleanse, apply Active
Treatment Essence, and then Active Botanical Serum. That is it. In those two steps, I know my skin is receiving everything it needs to be its most balanced, healthy and youthful. I like NuFace and red light too.
MINI | How would you describe your personal style? Has your
style changed at all since becoming a mom?
APRIL GARGIULO | My personal style is fairly eclectic but al-
ways comfortable. Dries Van Noten is my fashion kryptonite. When my kids were super little and I was on the floor a lot with them, I dressed a bit differently out of necessity. I used to think I needed pants with extra padding at the knees. Now, I’m back to grown up clothes.
MINI | Where are your favorite places to shop for
yourself and your kids?
APRIL GARGIULO | The Real Real, vintage shops,
1stdibs, Chairish, and for kids, J. Crew.
MINI | Favorite places to visit in San Francisco
with kids, GO!
APRIL GARGIULO | There are so many amazing
places for kids: Exploratorium, Creativity Museum, Baker Beach, the Presidio, DeYoung Academy of Science.
MINI | If you could give your kids one piece of
advice, what would it be?
APRIL GARGIULO | Be kind and true to yourself. MINI | Since you’re such a boss lady, we have to
know! What helps you make it all happen?
APRIL GARGIULO | Meditation.
FA S T FA C T S TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Green tea. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Apples. ON MY NIGHTSTAND Books, magazines, iPad, and half full tea cup. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Hike with friends every day. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Audio Dharma. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP March or Metier. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT The Progress. IDEAL DATE NIGHT The bar at The Progress. SHOWS I’M WATCHING RIGHT NOW How to Be a God in Central Florida. Kirsten Dunst is so good in it. BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Have kids. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Rosie the Riveter.
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
H A P P I LY BABY Nashville blogger turned serial entrepreneur Mary Lawless Lee has more than just a growing readership and Instagram following under the name, Happily Grey. The new mom (to daughter, Navy James) opens up about her growing family and business repertoire (Lee recently opened home decor shop Happily Grey Home and the brand’s charitable arm, HG Heart ), her motherhood journey thus far, and even gives us a peek at her bright, art-filled, neutral nursery.
photography by JESSICA STEDDOM AND PA I G E R U M O R E
of an organic and earthy feel than what I had originally planned. I love how all the neutrals complement one another rather than compete. I also wanted this room to easily transition for a second child. Can never start planning too early! MINI | What are some of your favor-
ite elements in the nursery?
MARY LAWLESS LEE | Navy’s mobile!
I worked with Andy Gray who is a local woodworker in Tennessee. I couldn’t find a mobile that I liked to fit the space and wanted something with an old school feel. I ended up giving him a rough sketch of a design I made using blocked geometric shapes. The mobile is made of cedar so it’s super lightweight and good for movement. It’s one of my favorite things about Navy’s room and it was really special to do something unique for her.
MINI | What are your favorite ways MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your daughter’s
nursery! Tell us about the space! What inspired you in creating it or what was most important to you in the design?
MARY LAWLESS LEE | Originally, I had thought I
would go with something very modern for the space, but after playing around with inspiration and color I ultimately realized this was a space that I wanted to feel warm and bright so my design completely changed. I started to pull in a lot of natural woods and whites with pops of tobacco— still love this color! The nursery definitely has more
to spend time together in the nursery?
MARY LAWLESS LEE | Some of my
favorite times with Navy right now are feeding— Navy loves the gallery wall! I chose each of these pieces myself and Minted helped design the layout. She is completely mesmerized when we’re feeding and during playtime. It’s so rewarding as I spent many a late-night obsessing over which pieces to hang! Love the “Open Crazy Late”
because all mamas out there know how true this is!
humble and most of all, feel really loved.
MINI | What has surprised you most about
daughter’s name.
motherhood thus far?
MARY LAWLESS LEE | Right when you think
MINI | Tell us how you decided on your
MARY LAWLESS LEE | When Madison and I
you’ve got a routine… you don’t! They grow and change so fast! I feel like I’ve also learned that maternal instincts are real. It’s really crazy and amazing.
think of Navy, we think of strength. My grandfather, who I never met, actually fought in the Navy so, in a way, it also honored him. James was a family name on both sides.
MINI | What is most important to you in
MINI | Let’s switch gears! Tell us how the
raising your daughter?
MARY LAWLESS LEE | I think at the end of the
day, just being happy and not taking things too seriously. I want Navy to be kind and
Happily Grey brand has grown since its beginnings.
MARY LAWLESS LEE | Originally, Happily Grey
was just something I did on the side as a
creative release from my full-time gig— nursing. It grew into something sustainable enough that I eventually quit nursing to give it my full attention. It’s now its own business. There is, of course, the blog, but we have Happily Grey Home, HG Heart—the charity arm of the business—we’re opening up our headquarters in Nashville this January, I am designing, working alongside my full team, and hopefully it’s all just the beginning. I’ve never been more excited for Happily Grey. MINI | We are so inspired by new venture—
Happily Grey Home! Can you tell us how you decided to open this shop?
MARY LAWLESS LEE | Throughout designing my
home with friend and amazingly talented designer April Tomlin, I realized how much I enjoyed the whole process. It’s everything I love about fashion—layers, texture, pops of color, expression, movement—but adding in the home element makes it feel really personal. I love thinking of a space with family and friends in mind. It was something my readers were really interested in too, so Happily Grey Home felt like a natural overflow.
MINI | What do you think is the greatest challenge
of being a working mom?
MARY LAWLESS LEE | I will never be able to fully
shut off my mind from thinking about Navy. Once I had her, it’s like a part of me is always with her. But being a mom is all I have ever wanted, so having her has truly been one of my greatest joys. I know that I am lucky to get to do both and don’t take it for granted, even when days are hard. I’m learning to give myself grace.
important. It’s just learning to appreciate each other and the time we have together. We feel so grateful. MINI | What are you looking forward to
about raising your daughter in Nashville?
MARY LAWLESS LEE | Lots of green space! I MINI | What do you think about the idea of
“having it all?”
MARY LAWLESS LEE | For me, it means appre-
ciating what you have. It’s so easy to never be satisfied and think that there is more out there you need to “get” to make you happy. But since Mad and I had Navy this past year, we are learning the things we used to think had value are less and less
love the values embraced here, but it’s still a forward-thinking city and so warm and welcoming!
MINI | If you could give your daughter one
piece of advice, what would it be?
MARY LAWLESS LEE | Boobs are overrated. It’s
not that serious and you are more loved than you know.
FA S T FA C T S BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Talk about my boobs so much... breastfeeding. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Run! It’s my time to meditate and there’s never enough time in the day! FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE The Parent Trap. ON MY NIGHTSTAND One book, two phones, lip balm, and water. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Henrietta Red. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Where the Red Fern Grows. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Wilder Woods. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Hummus. IDEAL DATE NIGHT Sweats on our couch, a fire, and our dogs. TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Plain latte.
THE
Swe et LIFE photography by
ANA GAMBUTO
When Melissa Ben-Ishay was fired from her job a decade ago, it was tie-dye cupcakes that literally turned her life back around— and paved the way for her massive Baked by Melissa empire, now with 14 retail locations, a thriving e-commerce business, and over 100 million cupcakes sold.
MINI | Thank you for having us over! What can
you tell us about your home?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | Our home’s vibe is comfort-
able, lived-in, and clean. We have two small children and that’s apparent when you walk in, as half of our living room is dedicated to their stuff. We live in our kitchen. My husband and I love to cook, so it was super important to find a place with an open floor plan that allows us to be in the kitchen but also with everyone in our apartment; we love to entertain. I cook for my whole family almost every day and spend close to an entire weekend day each week prepping food for everyone. It makes me feel incredibly fulfilled to create delicious food with the best ingredients for the people I love most.
MINI | What about your kids’ spaces? What are
some of your favorite elements there?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | I love the small framed art-
work. One of my best mommy friends got me the one with Lennie’s name on it and then I purchased the cute little hippie RV one. The colorful dots and the Beatles lyrics posters are also from Etsy. Etsy is a great place to buy custom, reasonably priced things to express your personality and aesthetic. It’s also a great way to find very talented artists and creators and support their work.
MINI | Let’s talk motherhood! What has surprised
you most about motherhood thus far?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | Everything. There is no way
to verbally communicate the difficulty and the immeasurable love that comes with becoming a parent. It’s f-ing hard and even more incredible. Becoming a mother is the single most empow-
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | My husband and I work on
ering thing that ever happened to me. It has taught me patience and humility and given me a special sense of confidence I didn’t have before. MINI | What is your greatest parenting
worry or fear?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | I don’t believe in worry
and fear. Of course, we all worry about our kids, but I try not to focus on that stuff because I like to be productive with my thoughts (we only have so much space in our minds). I choose to focus on doing everything I can to respond to both of my children in the most positive and encouraging way I can. Our kids absorb everything we do and say and I believe that kids feel energy more than anyone. I work on being present for my children when we are together. I know this time is fleeting.
MINI | What is most important to you in
raising your kids?
building self-confidence, kindness, and independence in our children. At the ripe old ages of 1.5 and 3.5, we make sure they know they’re amazing and capable of doing anything they set their mind to. We hope they’ll embody that spirit in everything they do.
MINI | What have you found to be the hardest as-
pect of motherhood thus far?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | Since becoming a mother,
I’ve found it impossible to make everyone I love happy. I’m a mother, wife, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, colleague, boss, friend, etc. I didn’t anticipate this challenge, but I understand why it exists. Before children, I had more time to put towards my other relationships. Now my children and my husband are my priority and that’s a big change. I am doing the best I can and always working on being a better person. And I know how lucky I am to have so many people in my life who I love.
MINI | Where have you seen the biggest changes in
your life since becoming a mom?
IF I HAD MORE T I M E , I W O U L D. . .
Do yoga every morning.
the name for her and an “L” name allowed us to name her after my husband’s grandfather. MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | I think the biggest
change I’ve seen since becoming a mom is in my self confidence (hello, I birthed two children— that’s pretty spectacular!) and also I am never not doing something. Between work, home, getting kids ready for school and daycare, cooking, cleaning, kids activities, there is little time for anything else. Oh, and self care! I do yoga twice a week. That is my “me time.” I took up yoga after becoming a mom and it is the best thing I could have done for myself.
MINI | Tell us how you decided on your
kids’ names.
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | For our first, Scottie,
we got the idea from watching Suits on USA. There was a female character with the nickname Scottie and we loved it. An “S” name also allowed us to name her after my grandmother. For Lennie, we went back and forth for awhile but both loved
MINI | Let’s switch gears and talk business! Can you
tell us how Baked by Melissa came to be?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | In June 2008, I was working as
an assistant media planner at an ad agency. I was not passionate about the work I was doing and it showed. So I was fired. I went right to my brother’s office crying and he said, “Don’t worry, it’s the best thing that ever happened to you. Go home and bake your cupcakes.” At the time, I was baking my tie-dye cupcakes for everyone and anyone. If it was your birthday and I loved you, I baked you tie-dye cupcakes. So it wasn’t completely crazy that he told me to do this. I also love to bake and it makes me happy, so it was a no-brainer to go home and do something that made me happy after being fired. I went home from his office and baked four batches of cupcakes: tie-dye, cookie dough, s’mores, and peanut butter cup (all my faves). I sent the cupcakes into work with my best friend’s little sister the next day. She was interning at Alison Brod PR. I was hoping Alison would try them. She did, and put me in touch with her caterer. The caterer called me in for a tasting THE DAY AF-
FA S T FA C T S FAVORITE KIDS MOVIES Frozen and Moana. ON MY NIGHTSTAND Lord Jones Royal Oil CBD Tincture. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE MaraNatha Peanut Butter (yep, I keep it in the fridge). IDEAL DATE NIGHT Omakase at Sushi of Gari or Sushi Seki. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP The Roost Outpost Coffee Shop in Hoboken. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO The Legendary Playlist on Spotify. FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Princesses Wear Pants.
TER I WAS FIRED. And from that moment on, I did everything I possibly could to achieve my goal of baking cupcakes for a living. Two weeks after being fired, I did my first event with Alison’s caterer, Ben, as Melissa of Baked by Melissa. Eleven years later, we have 14 retail locations and a thriving e-commerce business. We’ve sold over 100 million cupcakes and ship to all 50 states! And the best is yet to come. MINI | How do you get your kids involved in the
kitchen?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | My 3.5 year old loves to help
me any time I’m in the kitchen. She pulls up a chair and mixes and adds ingredients. I know that this is essential to her loving to cook and bake because that’s what I did with my parents and I believe it to be a big part of where my creativity and love for baking and cooking comes from. Of course, at times her involvement makes it take longer and a bit more messy but who cares. I also put my l.5 year old in a little booster seat on the kitchen counter so she can be with us and feel included.
MINI | Do you ever experience self doubt running
such a successful brand? How do you get past it?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | Of course. Everyone experi-
ences self doubt whether they admit it or not. The best thing to do is surround yourself with people who love you and support you, who can build you up and give you confidence when you need it.
MINI | What helps you to juggle motherhood and
career?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | Yoga and CBD. And great
mommy friends who are in the same boat.
MINI | What holiday traditions (especially
baking traditions!) do you have with your family that you’re looking forward to this year?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | We go to Buddakan
every Christmas; I love this tradition (date night!). We also bake as a family and have all of our kids’ friends over with their families for a big festive meal before everyone leaves town to spend time with family.
MINI | Favorite places to visit in NYC/NJ
with kids, GO!
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | The Catskills, Color Fac-
tory, Slime Institute, Disney on Ice, Sesame Street Live, Jump on In, Kidville, Urban
Jungle, Color Me Mine, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture. MINI | If you could give your kids one piece
of advice, what would it be?
MELISSA BEN-ISHAY | You can do anything.
FAV O R I T E LO C A L R E S TAU R A N T. . .
Augustinos in Hoboken.
BILLION Dollar BA BY
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
Founder of affiliate marketing platform RewardStyle, Amber Venz Box has revolutionized the blogging industry by allowing content creators a simple way to collect commissions from retailers. The Dallas-based tech trailblazer and her thriving portfolio of brands—including RewardStyle’s Instagram-monetizing extension, LikeToKnow.it—have driven over one billion dollars in retail sales and with three littles in tow, she’s not stopping there.
MY ADVICE FOR MY KIDS...
Rejection is only redirection.
MINI | Let’s talk rewardStyle. How did the
brand come to be?
AMBER VENZ BOX | In April of 2010, I
launched a website—or what I thought was a website but was actually my blog— Venzedits.com. It was initially developed as a marketing tool for my offline business, personal shopping. I would post three times per day, usually a trend story, a ‘get the look’ story, and an outfit of the day, all with the hopes of attracting more offline customers. I quickly learned that my audience preferred to use my recommendations to shop online at their convenience, instead of booking and paying for time with me. I needed to be compensated for the sales I drove online and that was the impetus for
rewardStyle. We began to think about a solution to monetize my blog in the fall of 2010, just months after I launched my blog. By early 2011, we had a working platform and I began to invite my blogger friends to use rewardStyle. Back then, it was me and a handful of my blogger friends, and a couple of retailers who were willing to honor the traditional model of commission on sales, but in a new digital capacity. rewardStyle has pioneered a new industry. Today, 50K influencers around the world use rewardStyle as their business platform to monetize their creative and community-building skills. I am proud to report that we have 80 rewardStyle millionaires [or] influencers who have earned more
than a million USD through the rewardStyle platform. Most recently, we launched the LIKEtoKNOW.it shopping app— a place for consumers to go shopping, all in the context of real, influential people’s lives. Every image in the app is 100% shoppable and you can search for products and get 100% shoppable image results where you can see who used the products, what they had to say, and quickly click to buy. Five million people use the LIKEtoKNOW.it app to go shopping and this year, they will purchase $450,000,000 worth of products through the app! We are revolutionizing retail and earning our seat at the table of the largest marketing channels in the world. MINI | You’ve also launched a new ven-
ture, the Cherry app. What do our readers need to know about this app?
AMBER VENZ BOX | Over the last couple of
years, I have been seeking opportunities to use my unique skill set, network, and resources to serve my city and through that research, I discovered that Dallas is third in the nation for childhood poverty. How can that happen? Their parents are living in poverty. More than half of households living in poverty are female-headed so I wanted to apply my resources to increase the earning potential for women in my community, especially those with dependents. I got together with other technology and beauty founders and leaders to
found Cherry, an on demand mobile nail services app that is modernizing the nail industry and engineered for social impact. Through the efficiencies gained by technology, Cherry is able to pass the majority of the service fee to the technician, and offers a default tip. We have been in a market trial in Dallas and during that time, Cherry has more than doubled the wages of our technicians compared to the national average. We have proven that Cherry is a path to moving our communities forward, starting with the women who run them. We just closed a seed round, welcoming the United Way as a financial investor and strategic partner, and are now expanding to new cities!
MINI | What is the most important busi-
ness lesson you’ve learned?
AMBER VENZ BOX | Hire the people who can
move boulders, not the ones that can rake pebbles.
MINI | You’re a serious boss lady! What
helps you to juggle motherhood and career?
AMBER VENZ BOX | Set boundaries! It took
years, but [my husband] Baxter and I have set boundaries around our work time and family time. Once we get home, we stop working (and talking about working) and we focus our energy and attention on the kids. If we need to talk about work, we email each other or set up a time during office hours to talk about it. We also limit our evenings away from home. Internal and partner events, plus company travel add up quickly and we are more intentional than ever about time away. I have
to leave the office by 5:30 to get home in time for dinner and bedtime routines so any unaccomplished work or special projects are done after the kids go to bed. MINI | What have you found to be the hardest as-
pect of motherhood thus far?
AMBER VENZ BOX | I was just thinking about this and
now, after four years of motherhood, the hardest part for me has been having enough time to do the three things I love: see my family, achieve professionally, and work on new creative projects. I wish there were more hours in the day for all three of those things; I crave more of each of them.
MINI | What has surprised you most about mother-
hood?
AMBER VENZ BOX | I’ve become a more calm and
more patient person. I know that probably sounds like the opposite of what having three babies under the age of four should do to a mother, but it’s made me realize what I can’t control and become hyper-focused on what I can accomplish in a day. I am forced to prioritize, delegate, and let go, and I am confident that I am a better owner, manager
and worker now that I have had children. MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry or fear? AMBER VENZ BOX |
My greatest concern is that I will do something out of love that will ultimately cause harm to our relationship or to their future selves. For example, am I disciplining them too much? Am I giving them too much? I am modeling life for them and I think about the impact my life and decisions will have on them in the future. MINI | Tell us how you decided on your children’s names AMBER VENZ BOX | Baxter’s family created a tradition of allitera-
tion several generations ago and it was important to him that he bring that tradition to our family. With Birdie Lee, the name reminds me of love (“love bird”) and I liked that it had an upbeat, friendly feel. I also found out that I have two great aunts named Birdie! Both Baxter and I have grandmothers with middle names “Lee” so it was an easy choice. Boyce O’Neal was named after his great-grandfather, Boyce, a well-loved man on the Box side. On my side, all of the men have “O’Neal” as their middle names, so he got the best of both sides. Bizzy Jean is a blend of her maternal and paternal grandmothers middle names, Elizabeth and Jean. My mom’s middle name is Jean, after her uncle Eugene who died at Pearl Harbor in the war.
MINI | What is most important to you in
raising your kids?
AMBER VENZ BOX | Being present. They say
you only really have the first eight years of a child’s life to shape the person they are going to be and that time is moving fast!
MINI | Since our readers are seeing a sneak
wallpaper from Cole & Son and high-contrast custom closet and bathroom doors. Birdie’s big girl room was most recently completed and it has two queen canopy beds and a full wall of built-in closets and powder pink wallpaper. It is mature, but girly, and like all of the rooms, is minimal and organized.
peek of your kids rooms, can you give us the rundown of the spaces?
MINI | Favorite places to visit in Dallas with
AMBER VENZ BOX | The baby nursery takes
AMBER VENZ BOX | We have a tradition of go-
a modern, clean twist on traditional and French styles, with creams and blues and specialty lighting, like library sconces and a sputnik chandelier. My son’s room is more whimsical, with black-and-white Fornasetti
kids, GO!
ing to The State Fair of Texas and Southern Methodist University (Baxter and I’s alma mater) football games every fall. These only get more fun as the kids get older and are able to enjoy and do more!
FA S T FA C T S TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Venti skinny vanilla latte. ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Topo Chico and Diet Dr. Pepper. ON MY NIGHTSTAND Beauty creams, microneedler, iced drink, and my charging phone. On the floor: a pile of magazines that I act like I’m going to read, but never get to. IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Go on family activity dates every single day. CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Podcasts! Check mine out— LIKEtoKNOW.it Influencer Radio. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Forty Five Ten. IDEAL DATE NIGHT The kids would be off with family, doing something fun overnight (so I wouldn’t have mom guilt), and we would have a full date day and night. FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Javier’s.
here comes the
Son
Actress and designer Lulu Brud endured the unimaginable last year when she and husband Justin Zsebe learned their daughter no longer had a heartbeat at a routine seven month ultrasound. The LA lady has since welcomed son Wilder Rhodes and graciously shared openly with Mini about her journey through pregnancy loss, healing, and moving beyond fear. photography by M O R G A N PA N S I N G
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘19
MINI | Let’s dive right into your life as a
new mom. What has surprised you most about motherhood thus far?
LULU BRUD | I’m really surprised at how
little sleep on which one can function! I was the nappiest during my pregnancy, keeping my eyes open was difficult, so I’m glad that I allowed myself that time to rest. I wish that I could have bankrolled those hours for now, but somehow it is working out! I’m up every two to three hours at night, but then I wake up in the morning and see his smiling face and the exhaustion and lack of sleep gets erased. MINI | What do you think is the greatest
challenge of motherhood?
LULU BRUD | Things that used to come
easily just don’t anymore. Things like taking a shower or leaving the house to do a simple task such as getting a cup of coffee or running to the market for a quick forgotten thing require family meetings. Do I have his diaper bag? Does it have enough diapers and a change of clothes? Has he been fed before I leave the house so he doesn’t get famished while I’m behind the wheel? If my husband is home and staying with him, is there enough milk in the fridge for a bottle? Do I need to pump? Am I going to wake him up and put him in his wrap or should I just pop him in his stroller and hope he doesn’t stir? Does this place even allow strollers? Oftentimes, the errand just gets forgotten because it feels like too
much. In a way, it’s wonderful because it’s forcing my husband and I to communicate our days and expectations of one another in an entirely new way. I know it will change in time as the rhythm of motherhood becomes more intuitive, but currently there’s a little mourning of the spontaneity of life before baby. MINI | What were your first thoughts when you
learned you were expecting a baby boy?
LULU BRUD | It definitely came as a bit of a surprise
as I’d always seen myself as the mama of a little girl. My husband and I both grew up with two
sisters and our first was a girl, so when we found out we were having a boy, it took me a second to wrap my head around it. But there was something really nice about being able to separate the two pregnancies in that way. It allowed us to draw a clear line in the sand and really hold to our mantra of “This time is different.” And now that he’s here, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
loves, and protects those sacred parts of our world. Rhodes means a “clearing in the woods” or a “place where the roses grow.” After the loss of our daughter and our journey to our son, it just felt appropriate that his name represent the Wild Roads that life can take to get to the clearing in the forest where the roses grow.
MINI | Tell us how you decided on your son’s
raising your children?
name.
LULU BRUD | My son’s name is Wilder
Rhodes. When we came up with it, my husband and I just knew that was it. Nature and the wilderness are a big part of our lives and we want to raise someone who respects,
MINI | What is most important to you in
LULU BRUD | I think it’s a really important
time for parents to be raising good men in the world, so I do feel a real responsibility and an excitement in that challenge. I hope to raise a sensitive being who expresses his emotions in a healthy way, one who moves
big “do-er,” it was so incredible to not do anything but focus on nourishing myself and my babe and discovering our new rhythms as a family. He’s changing so fast and doing new things every day and I don’t want to miss a moment of it. MINI | What is your greatest parent-
ing worry or fear?
LULU BRUD | I think my greatest
through the world with empathy, a man who respects and sees women as equals and who works to protect the voiceless. MINI | What is your greatest joy of motherhood
right now?
LULU BRUD | When Wilder was born he came out
screaming, but the minute they brought him over to me, he wrapped his tiny hand around my finger and immediately stopped crying. It’s like he knew exactly who I was and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my days learning who he is. I like how motherhood is demanding me to slow down and be present. We observed the First 40 Days, and as a
fear is that there isn’t going to be a world for our children, that their childhood is going to be drowned out by the rising of the seas and the shifting of the liveability of this planet. The reports from scientists around the globe are alarming and those in charge aren’t doing a thing about it. In fact, our current administration continues to not only ignore the warnings, but they’re passing legislation that spits in the face of the findings— rolling back environmental protections left and right, putting the lives of the most innocent among us at risk. It’s criminal. We try to do everything in our power at home to minimize our footprint on this planet. MINI | How did you move past the
fear of loss again, especially while pregnant with Wilder?
LULU BRUD | It’s not easy and I
wouldn’t say that the fear ever really went away until the moment he was finally in my arms. For me, being able to get pregnant
again felt like one of the first big steps back to healing. And then almost immediately the fear kicked in. The excitement of the “firsts” during my first pregnancy were muted by the holding of my breath through this second one. I wish I could say that it was easy and time flew by, but it took a few mind tricks to pass the months. My mantra through this pregnancy was “This time is different,” and I came back to it every time I felt the fear beginning to take hold. I took the apps off my phone that marked every day during the first pregnancy; I found that not knowing what day I was on, or what size fruit my baby was that day helped the days move faster. I would look at my calendar and be at three months and then six months and not feel like I was counting
every single day that passed. I stopped reading books on pregnancy and started focusing on books that related to our baby once he was in the world. I found a new medical team that knew my history and was very sensitive to my fears. I was able to call them whenever I was having a moment or a doubt or a fear that would creep in and they would let me come in and listen to his heart. MINI | What advice do you have for others
who have experienced loss?
LULU BRUD | Give yourself the time. Time to
grieve and allow all of the feelings. For me, writing was extremely healing. It allowed me to sit with all of my grief and process it
in a visceral way. Allow your grief to take whatever form it needs that day— be it tears, anger, or even being okay. It’s okay to have days where you are okay too. Talk about the loss, acknowledge that it happened, that your baby happened, don’t try to sweep it under the rug to make other people comfortable around you. Allow yourself to be helped by friends who reach out. My husband and I also took a trip on her due date that we lovingly called our “Due Date Escape” because we couldn’t stand the thought of sitting around our house knowing that it was the day she was supposed to be here. We went to Hawaii and cried on the beaches, and let the salt water absorb our tears. We laughed under the stars and let ourselves be heartbroken together. I recommend this to everyone that I talk to— be it just a simple drive out of town for a weekend or a longer get away. It was truly healing for us and allowed us to honor her life in a magical way. I know it feels like you won’t feel joy again, but I promise the sun will rise again. That’s not to say that I don’t still grieve for my daughter, but it takes new forms and shapes as time marches on. MINI | How can others best support those
who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss?
LULU BRUD | When we lost our daughter,
our friends took us into their home for five days and a team of my chosen family came into our home and scrubbed it from top to bottom. They broke down her nursery and put things into a storage unit for us so that we wouldn’t have to sort through all of that on our own. I truly think that
had they not done that, I would have just shut off the room forever. They stocked our fridge with food and left us love notes in places that we found for the following months. Don’t ask them what you can do, just do it. The last thing people who are grieving need to do, is also manage the ways you can help them. Asking for help can be difficult, so if you feel an instinct to help them in a certain way, follow it. Text them, let them know you’re thinking about them and that you don’t need a response back, but you’re here when they are ready. Allow them the space to talk about it, should they so desire. The most basic things get forgotten when one is grieving. Eating becomes an after-thought so meal trains are helpful, gift cards for food delivery are great. Offer to send someone to clean their house. If you have a cab-
in or the means to help them go away for a weekend, offer up your space. If they have a child already, offer to keep them for a weekend so they can have the space to grieve and cry without worrying about holding it in for their existing child. If you’re dropping flowers or groceries or anything on their doorstep, just drop it and go. Don’t knock, you never know what kind of a day they are having and the last thing they need is to perform for guests. If you know someone that has been through a similar loss and you feel comfortable connecting them when the time is right, I recommend this. It is important to not feel alone in this kind of grief. There are many people waiting in the shadows to help them through this kind of loss. MINI | You’ve been very open on social media
about abortion access. Can you give us your thoughts on that?
LULU BRUD | I know that it can be difficult for
people to understand how someone who has
experienced pregnancy loss can also advocate for abortion access. For me, abortion is healthcare so I see access to safe abortions in the same way that I see access to safe prenatal care— they should be readily available to all who require them. Neither of these forms of healthcare should have to exist in the shadows. Because I respect the incredibly profound work that it is to be a mother and the incredible toll that pregnancy can take on a person, I respect when a woman says she is not ready (due to financial burden, birth control failure, age, relationship status, life situation, health reasons, what have you) and does not want to continue with an unwanted pregnancy. It is her body and her choice and it belongs to no one but her. In my situation, which was a very wanted pregnancy, I chose to pass my daughter through a procedure called a D & E (Dilation & Evacuation) or an abortion. I was extremely late-term (28 weeks) but because she was small, we were able to qualify for this procedure. I will be forever grateful that we live in a state where this medical option was available to me during an extremely difficult time. MINI | What do you think needs to change
for women in this country in terms of healthcare?
LULU BRUD | I think the healthcare system for
women needs a complete overhaul. Women’s healthcare, as it stands, is an inherently racist system. Women of color are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. That needs to change. The healthcare system could use a lot more empathy and listening and a lot less shame. I hear so often of women going to their doctors with a list of symptoms and being turned away and told that it’s nothing. Years later, they finally get to the bottom of it on their own or they’ve had to spend thousands of dollars just trying to find a doctor who will listen to them. There must be dignity and equitable access to healthcare, not one limited by financial means or the color of one’s skin. I’m so sick of men passing legislation against women’s bodies, bodies that they know nothing about. We deserve autonomy over our bodies and in our healthcare. That’s to say nothing of the broken health insurance system in America. That’s another entirely separate issue that has to change. MINI | If you could give your children one
piece of advice, what would it be?
LULU BRUD | Kindness and empathy have the
power to change this world.
MINI
2019 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
MOM
MOMTOBE
FORBABY
TODDLERS
FOR FRIENDS THE SARA BOW KIT
“Anyone who knows me knows how strongly I feel about hair. And particularly, hair accessories. Bows are EXTREMELY important to me and we spent an aggressive amount of time creating this bow. It is the bow of my dreams; not too big, not too small, the most beautiful quality ribbon. We sell it in a kit so you get one bow with an elastic, for ponytails, and another with a barrette, for a half-up look. My dream look? Both the barrette AND the elastic for a double-bow dream.” hillhousehome.com
W H AT I ’ M G I F T I N G
NELL DIAMOND The Hill House Home founder and mom of one tells us what she’s excited to give this holiday season.
FOR MY MOM NOEL PLACEMATS
FOR COWORKERS LA LIGNE SWEATER
“We have a whole rack of what we call “office sweaters” near our desks at work. We all love getting dressed, and don’t always wear the most seasonally appropriate attire, so it’s nice to have some layering options on hand. La Ligne is famous for their amazing knitwear, and I love the design of this brand new Scots Sweater.”
“My friend Cece has the most impeccable taste in everything, so it’s no surprise her foray into table linens is magical. I love these circular placemats with glittery gold embroidery. I know my Mom will be so excited to have these for her holiday table.” cecebarfieldinc.com
FOR MY HUSBAND TOMBOLO SHIRTS
“Two friends of mine from college started Tombolo, specializing in unisex Hawaiian shirts. I think they have such a great eye; the patterns are fun, fresh and happy. I love them with white pants for a modern vacation look.” tombolocompany.com FOR STOCKING STUFFERS DIVVYUP SOCKS
“Ok, I can’t tell if I’m the last person in the world to discover these… but they are genius. I uploaded a picture of my son, Henry, and bought basically everyone I’m related to a pair of socks with his face on them. They are SO fun.” divvyupsocks.com
FOR MYSELF OF RARE ORIGIN EARRINGS
“Words cannot express how actively I dream about these earrings. They are so delicate and beautiful and just… perfect! I have the birdcage version in green and now I’ve got my eye on the “Flower Whirl” in Lapis.” ofrareorigin.com
FOR MOM FRIENDS MAMA’S HERE KIT
“This kit includes our famous nap dress—the ultimate chic, comfortable nightgown—plus a silk eye mask and silk pillowcase. I’m obsessed with silk pillowcases because of how smooth they leave my hair, and I love the embroidery on the eye mask; it says, “Mama’s Sleeping!”
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