Sunny Side
FIRST BITES
Mealtimes just got a lot more fun! Our friends at Lalo have introduced their tableware collection, including this adorable First Bites Starter Kit with all of the essentials for starting solids with your Minis! Both microwave and dishwasher safe, all tableware pieces are made with FDA approved non-toxic and BPA free silicone. Plus, the sturdy suction base secures to high chair trays and table surfaces so you can keep more food with your Minis and less on the walls. —meetlalo.com
ON THE EDITOR’S LIST
Welly is bringing veggies back, to bandages of course! The creators of portable first-aid kits and Bravery Badges in Mini-perfect prints, Welly’s Handy Bandies featuring tiny lemons and cucumbers are perfect for the kitchen, farmers’ market fan, or just the food lover who may be prone to accidents! getwelly.com
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT
MORI comes an organic and sustainable collaboration with the favorited children’s book by Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar! The collection includes eight styles, including tees, pajamas, bodysuits, and a super soft and absorbent hooded towel with a familiar face. Prices range from $26 to $44.50; Available at minimori.com
Cal
Take the kids for a stroll through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to marvel over the cherry blossoms in bloom this April.
This cloud raincoat brings the cheer to the stormy weather in any forecast!
Museums have begun to reopen with strict protocols in place— some even with fun outdoor exhibits! Check your local museums to plan a family outing this spring.
Slime spot SlooMoo Institute is now offering Virtual Slime Classes! In these hour-long classes, your Minis will learn new slime recipes!
Venture out for a drive-in movie or other outdoor flick like those showing through April at the Electric Dusk Drive-In in Glendale.
From Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions comes new food-themed series Waffles + Mochi, an adorable Netflix streamer featuring puppets and a different food topic (corn, rice, potatoes, eggs) in every episode. —netflix.com
MINI MUST-HAVE ▶
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Head to Mini for more interviews with parents around the world, style, and more
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COMMON PREGNANCY SKIN CHANGES AND HOW TO FIX
Two skincare gurus weigh in on these all-too-familiar skin issues and how to remedy.
HOW TO CHOOSE NURSERY WINDOW TREATMENTS
Wovn Home founder Davina Ogilvie shares her tips for designing Mini spaces.
20 QUESTIONS WITH COCOKIND FOUNDER PRISCILLA
TSAI Meet the new mom behind the all natural, clean skincare brand sweeping the beauty industry.
50 BRIDGERTON BABY NAMES ABOUT TO BE HUGE
If you’re a fan of this popular old English Netflix drama, your future Minis could maybe use these.
14 | MEET THE TEAM The team that makes all the Mini magic possible
18 | EDITOR’S LIST
A carefully-curated list of Kate’s favorites this season
21 | THE STYLE SPOT A cool collection of rain boots and gingham ensembles
27 | MOM It’s the style spot for all of you chic Mini moms from bump to beyond
28 | HOUSE DRESSES Amp up your lounging with these gowns for sleep and play
30 | IN THE BAG Designer Marie Flanigan shows us what’s inside her Goyard handbag
32 | TECH KIDS Discover the latest and greatest from the Mini tech sphere
35 | BOOK CLUB Grab this stack of spring reads featuring the Earth and ducks!
36 | SHEA MCGEE The Studio McGee founder and soonto-be mom of three goes on the clock with Mini
Discover daily content, interviews, and more in between issues.
41 | ON THE SCENE Find the hottest new baby gear, from a foldable trike to a jogger/ urban stroller hybrid!
42 | TURTLE ONE Meet the premium car seat by Nuna that fits every Bugaboo stroller model!
45 | ROAM CROSSOVER The jogging stroller that folds up to 50% more compact than standard joggers
46 | SCOOP Learn all about a must-have learning tower, Mother’s Day perfect collab, and bathtime fun
52 | LOOP CARRIER Fans of Solly Baby will love this new carrier that extends the babywearing experience
54 | ON THE CLOCK Mom of three Nina Westbrook goes on the clock, sharing her fave apps and more!
58 | HEALTH The latest from the wellness world—including kids vitamins and the new pregnancy test in town
8
62 | OPEN BOOK Mini cover mom Jade Roper talks birth, postpartum, and parenting with husband Tanner
74 | HATCH AT HOME Mini catches up with the CEO of HATCH Collection at her West Village home
83 | SMALL SPACE, BIG STYLE This NYC couple transformed a bedroom in their apartment into a nursery with zero demo!
92 | UNDERNEATH IT ALL
We spend the day with the co-founders of Kit Undergarments at their LA homes
94 | SIMONE HAROUCHE
The LA-based mom of two shares new mom advice and the balancing game that comes with work
102 | JAMIE MIZRAHI The style guru on how she chose her sons’ names and how her style has changed since becoming a mom
Our most loved travel system just got lighter and sleeker so your family can stroll for longer!
MINI
Founder and Editor in Chief Kaitlyn Kirby
Cover Photography Kimberly Genevieve
Editorial Team
Contributing Photographer Charlie Juliet Photography
Contributing Photographer Vanessa Tierney Photography
Mini Offices
Mini Magazine
Email | hello@mini-magazine.com Web | www.mini-magazine.com
Mini Magazine is a digital lifestyle publication for the modern parent available online at www.mini-magazine.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in digital and print reviews.
Copyright © 2020 Mini Magazine.
Editor
INSIDE LOOK:
(On Right) A peek at our spring cover shoot with mama Jade Roper and her Minis Emmy, Brooks, and Reed! (Below) My baby turned one this month and I just don’t know where the time goes— Happy birthday to my sweet Rosie!
Welcome back! It’s our first issue of 2021— and yet, it feels like an entire century since the new year began. I think we’re all ready to turn over a new leaf and with the return of the sunshine, the green grass, and warmer temperatures, the spring season seems long overdue! This is always one of my favorite issues to put together as everything feels like a fresh start and I’ve been itching to get back into my groove as an editor. Inside this issue, you will find inspiring moms like the co-founders of Kit Undergarments (the best underwear for every size and shape!), Ariane
Goldman, CEO of HATCH Collection (the celeb-loved brand for before, during, and after pregnancy clothing), Shea McGee (of renowned interior design firm Studio McGee!), and Jade Roper (the Bachelor in Paradise alum who talks all about her back to back babies, postpartum journey, and raising kids with husband Tanner)— just to name a few! I’m wishing you all a sweet start to this much anticipated season of new beginnings! Enjoy!
GARDEN PARTY
The spring vibes from Meri Meri are everything for a party in bloom. merimeri.com
SEE LONDON The Kit has high quality underwear essentials for every body type. kitundergarments.com
VEGGIES AHOY My toddler loves these new puffed snacks made with a blend of seven organic veggies—she’ll never know! lesserevil.com
Made to last and pass down, Boden’s new organic cotton baby collection is oh so sweet. bodenusa.com
The Julia Berolzheimer x Lake Pajamas collab is a new favorite this season! —lakepajamas.com
THE SPOT TO SHOP FOR THEIR MINI WARDROBE
Style
ROTHY’S KIDS SNEAKERS PUDDLE PERFECT CHECKMATE
WASH AND WEAR
Sustainably designed and inspired by joy and curiosity, Rothy’s gender-neutral kids offerings this season include new hues and playful patterns on styles like The Kids Loafer ($65) in Rose Double Stitch, The Kids Sneaker ($55) in Dolphin Blue and Cotton Candy. Rothy’s shoes are hand-crafted with 100% recycled materials to stand up to hundreds of washes and wears, making them inherently hand-me-down friendly and ready for whatever your Minis have in store for them (no worries about getting dirty!). rothys.com
Name something more iconic than navy gingham— we’ll wait. Above : $13 ; Gingham Dress; oshkosh.com; Below : $44.95 ; Kids Gingham Print PJ
CHECKMATE
Spring feels like the best time to bust out the gingham, so we’ve rounded up our favorite Mini checked ensembles.
MINI ESSENTIAL
This neutral gingham romper is both comfy and cute. $42; harrods.com
SUNSHINE DAY
This sunshine-colored romper is bound to make you smile. $12; carters.com
KEEN
This ruched gingham dress is the most lovely spring shade. $29; zara.com
This comfy romper will be a staple for warm weather months. $33; janieandjack.com.
PEACHY
BREEZY BABE
Your Greatest Travel Companion
Bugaboo Ant
PUDDLE PERFECT
SPRING SHOES
HATCH, the celeb-loved lifestyle brand for women before, during and after pregnancy, has teamed up with Keds in their first-ever footwear collaboration! Designed to help mamas balance their busy lives in style with a little bit more comfort and ease, the three shoe capsule collection features Keds best-selling silhouettes with special HATCH details, like the Mama lettering, pink accents, and a classic goes-with-everything stripe. Prices start at $65 for this fun collab which is available now on Keds. com and HATCHCollection.com— just in time for Mother’s Day! —keds.com
STIX HOME TESTS
Eliminating the ever-common trip to the drug store, Stix introduces a brand of discreet and effective pregnancy, ovulation, and even UTI tests. Each is easy to use with jargon-free instructions, clinically tested and over 99% accurate, providing clear results with no faint lines. So whether you’re searching for your most fertile window or waiting for life-changing results, Stix offers both one-off and subscription options to meet your specific needs. Available now for pre-order on getstix.com.
RIGHT NOW WE’RE LOVING
The comfy chic house dresses by La Paloma to elevate your sleep and lounging experience. The Parker House Dress ($108) is made of 100% cotton and undergoes a special three-wash process to provide the softest, dreamiest feel Perfect for sleeping, nursing, playing, dancing, and dreaming, these lightweight house dresses are a year-roundhomebody’s essential! shoplapaloma.com
STAY GLOSSY
“I keep my makeup fairly natural, but in the age of the Zoom meeting, I like to swipe on a little gloss before I log on.”
CHANEL Rouge Coco Gloss in Aphrodite, $44; chanel.com
DIAPERS AND WIPES
“My youngest isn’t yet potty trained, so I keep baby wipes and a few diapers tucked away in my bag for emergencies.”
WHAT’S IN THE BAG
MEASURING TAPE
“I’m frequently on site visits for my design firm’s in-progress projects. I always have a measuring tape handy in case I need to double check that a piece of furniture will fit or the height of a window. Exact measurements are key to the success of our designs.”
Marie Flanigan
The award-winning interior designer and mom of three spills the contents of her Goyard St. Louis GM bag.
NOTEBOOK AND PEN
“I’m constantly hopping from meeting to meeting during the week, so I keep a notebook and pen with me to jot down any important thoughts or to create a quick sketch for a client or vendor.” Linen Notebook, $26; shinola.com
“I keep a nice pair of neutral flats or heels in my bag for when I’m transitioning back to the office from construction sites.”
WHITE GOYARD ST. LOUIS GM BAG goyard.com
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
MINI MUST HAVE
SMART SHEETS
No more waiting until your next visit to the pediatrician to see how much baby has grown! Nanit has just introduced Smart Sheets— a crib sheet that gives parents the ability to measure their baby’s height and track their growth in real-time from home. The technology uses the computer vision of the Nanit camera to read the ink pattern on the 100% cotton, wirefree, sensor-free Smart Sheet. Wiggly baby? No problem! Smart Sheets work quickly to measure height and track your Mini’s growth over time! nanit.com
RIGHT NOW IN TECH KIDS
This month, Miku introduces its new Miku Pro— the only contact-free, real-time respiratory monitor on the market using their proprietary algorithm powered by over 30 billion baby breaths. The Miku Pro ($399) is the only monitor in the world designed to track a child’s breathing and sleep with no physical contact from added wearables. —mikucare.com
Book Club
Spring is here! And so is a fresh stack of kids reads telling fun tales about the Earth, a stubborn wood log, a brother duck, and more!
EDITOR’S PICK
BIG FEELINGS
by Alexandra Penfold
From the author of All Are Welcome comes this children’s book helping to navigate daily emotional challenges.
FOR DREAMING
MILO IMAGINES THE WORLD
by Matt de la Peña
Imagination abounds on this long subway ride!
FOR GIGGLES
WOOD COULD
by Tiffany Stone
Wood may rather be sleeping like a log, but ultimately learns to branch out to help an imaginative girl in the forest turn over a new leaf.
FOR NATURE
MY FRIEND EARTH
by Patricia Maclachlan
Teach your Minis all about the wonderful things the Earth does for us!
FOR SIBLINGS
MY BROTHER THE DUCK by
Pat Zietlow Miller
A sweet and silly sibling story perfect for spring! Find out if Stella’s baby brother really is a duck or if further research is required!
SHEA MCGEE
MINI SPENT TEN MINUTES WITH the soon-to-be mom of three, founder of renowned interior design firm Studio McGee, and star of Netflix’s Dream Home Makeover, covering every base from guilty pleasures (you have to try this!) to her favorite kids book to pregnancy cravings (hello, salted cashews!), plus the apps she uses most!
ON MY NIGHTSTAND Glasses, Stanley cup, and a hair tie.
IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Sleep and exercise more.
LAST BOOK I READ Anxious People by Fredrik Backman.
IN MY FRIDGE YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND Spinach.
PREGNANCY CRAVINGS Salted cashews.
CURRENTLY WATCHING
Nothing right now! I wish I had more hours in the day!
GUILTY PLEASURE A spoonful of peanut but ter with chocolate chips sprinkled on top.
ON THE CLOCK
GROWING UP, I WANTED TO BE A Teacher.
FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Mary Poppins Returns.
IDEAL DATE NIGHT Dinner out, no phones.
FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP FOR KIDS Zara for every day and La Coqueta for dresses.
CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO I never tire of ‘70s rock.
FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park.
BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Take my kids to the grocery store in their pajamas with bedhead.
FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT HSL 418 E 200 S, Salt Lake City UT
APPS I USE MOST Instagram, Spotify, Slack, Pinterest.
WARDROBE STAPLES Boyfriend jeans, blazers, and puff sleeve dresses.
COFFEE ORDER I prefer chai tea with almond milk.
FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Koo de Ker. 177 E 900 S, Salt Lake City UT
SIGNATURE SCENT L’ eau de Sézane.
SIRONA M WITH
Theonlysmart-techconvertiblecarseatthat providesessentialalertstokeepbabysafe whileyoudriveandwhenyouarrive.
DOONA LIKI TRIKE
From the creator of the beloved car seat stroller combo (changes in one quick motion!) comes the new Doona Liki Trike, the smallest folding trike on the market! Liki Trike comes fully assembled straight out of the box, and folds and unfolds in seconds. Its innovative design allows for use both indoors and outdoors, perfect for getting your Mini’s wiggles out (we’ve all been there!) when you can’t make it out to play. Liki features five different modes, and is made to grow with your child from ages 10 months to 3 years old. — shopdoona.com
BABY
DOONA LIKI TRIKE
BUGABOO TURTLE ONE GUAVA ROAM CROSSOVER
TURTLE ONE
The first carseat to be compatible with every Bugaboo stroller, the Turtle One by Nuna keeps your baby safe and makes parents’ lives simpler.
THE ONE CAR SEAT TO FIT EVERY BUGABOO STROLLER!
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BUGABOO
IN AND OUT
Smooth Operator
Transition smoothly and seamlessly from car to stroller without waking anyone up.
MY COCOON
Protective Barrier
Classic Bugaboo canopy with mesh peekaboo and UPF 50+ snooze shade make for a comfortable ride in any place!
EASY CARRY
Parent Friendly Ergonomic handle and lightweight outer shell offer top comfort on the go!
SECURE BASE
Easy Install
The Bugaboo Turtle by Nuna car seat base takes just seconds to install and ensures a secure ride all the way!
The Urban Stroller
Bugaboo Bee3
Designed specifically for parents who live life on the fly.
ROAM CROSSOVER
Over four years in the making, the brand-new Guava Roam Crossover Stroller has the performance of a jogger with the ease of a compact, urban stroller.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GUAVA FAMILY
UBER COMPACT
Small Footprint
A more compact folded footprint than leading jogging strollers— fold up 50% smaller!
GUARANTEED
Worry-Free Buy
Take your Roam for a 30-day test drive and if you don’t love it, you can return it, FREE!
Seamless Ride
Swing-arm style suspension and all-terrain, airless bike tires make your ride smoother.
AN ACTIVE STROLLER TO FIT YOUR ACTIVE LIFE!
A+ FEATURES
Best of Both Remote-lock front wheel, handy storage, and unbeatable portability allow you to seamless switch between high-tech jogger and urban stroller.
Scoop
LEARNING TOWER
Encourage your child to get involved in the world around them with the Oslo Learning Tower from Audwell, the new brand designing thoughtful and beautiful children’s furniture. Made from high-quality FSC certified Baltic Birch and non-toxic finishes, Oslo provides the perfect height for your Minis to craft masterpieces at the counter or even move into the bathroom when brushing their teeth! Oslo wisely features furniture-grade felt to protect your floors, an adjustable platform to grow with your little ones, as well as a back bar for safety.
$285; audwell.com
For
life at home.
Babyganics Tots
Designed to help you through the tangles of toddlerhood, the new Babyganics Tots and Kids collections tackle washing and brushing with four clean products.
The Tots by Babyganics and Kids by Babyganics line-ups include four clean products to help make bathtime and brushing a little bit easier— on everyone. Tots 2-in-1 for Straight Hair, as well as Curly Hair, Tots Detangling Spray, and 3-in-1 Body Wash complete the collection, all made without sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicone, artificial fragrances or dyes. Both lines are cruelty-free and not tested on animals, so you can rest assured your growing little ones are in good hands! babyganics.com
Match Made
LA-made BURU’s cult-favorite silhouettes and Brooklyn Decker’s design savvy come together in this perfect collaboration just in time for Mother’s Day.
BURU X BROOKLYN
Just in time for Mother’s Day, the BURU x Brooklyn Decker collab is now available, including many of BURU’s cult-favorite silhouettes and functional details like pockets and machine washable fabrics! Prices range from $158-$398, and Brooklyn will be donating 100% of her portion of sales to the Special Olympics and Andy Roddick Foundation. shopburu.com
Loop Carrier
Music to baby-wearing parents’ ears— Solly Baby launched their second product, the Loop Carrier, to allow for extended wear beyond the beloved wrap.
THE LOOP CARRIER
The next step carrier we’ve all wanted is here! Solly Baby’s new Loop Carrier provides an extended babywearing experience (for babes 15-45 pounds!) with a familiar silhouette in beautiful 100% organic cotton for added support. The Loop features a sewnin ring design for fuss-free use and adjustments, offering the ease of a sling with the support of a wrap. sollybaby.com
NINA WESTBROOK
MINI SPENT TEN MINUTES WITH THE MOM of three (Noah, 3; Jordyn, 2; Skye, 2) and founder of Minibrook and The Little Ark, covering every base from her ideal date night with NBA husband Russell Westbrook, to guilty pleasures (spicy fans, unite!), to her favorite kids movie (Hint: it’s our editor’s favorite too!), even the shows she’s currently watching!
BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Be so happily exhausted.
IN MY FRIDGE YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND Ripple plant-based milk.
LAST BOOK I READ Becoming by Michelle Obama. MY WARDROBE STAPLES Crossbody bag.
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY My dad waking me up for breakfast on the weekends.
ON THE CLOCK
GROWING UP, I WANTED TO BE A Doctor.
FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Madeline.
APPS I USE MOST Gmail and Instagram.
IDEAL DATE NIGHT Dinner and a movie.
CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO H.E.R.
CURRENTLY WATCHING WandaVision and The Queen’s Gambit.
PREGNANCY CRAVINGS Pizza, Taco Bell, and fruit.
FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT South Beverly Grill. 122 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills CA
IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Sleep.
FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Moana.
ON MY NIGHTSTAND Snacks.
COFFEE ORDER Oat milk vanilla latte, extra hot.
FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Pizzana. 460 North Robertston Blvd, West Hollywood CA
SIGNATURE SCENT Anything fresh and fruity.
GUILTY PLEASURE Hot Cheetos.
With best-selling vitamins for men, women, and moms-to-be, it was only natural that the next step for Ritual would be kids. The brand applied their no-nonsense philosophy and traceable supply chain to their new Essential For Kids Multivitamins— all free from sugars, GMOs, major allergens, animal products, and synthetic fillers. Plus, there’s 3 grams of fiber per serving! ritual.com
NEW TEST IN TOWN
Move over, dated pregnancy tests— it’s time you meet Lia. The earth-friendly healthcare company has introduced the first and only FDA cleared, biodegradable, flushable, and plastic-free pregnancy test on the market! Awarded Fast Company’s Innovation By Design Award and TIME’s Best Invention 2018, Lia 100% biodegrades in just 10 weeks, weighs less than 4 squares of 2-ply toilet paper, and is over 99 percent accurate! The future of pregnancy tests is here and the planet is ready! Available now on meetlia.com.
Online meditation course zivaKIDS— a Mini version of the highly-acclaimed and research-proven Ziva Meditation which has helped more than 40,000 individuals to date including pro athletes and celebrities like Lo Bosworth, Cheryl Burke, Jenna Dewan. Designed to help kids navigate stress and anxiety without the use of ongoing apps or screens, zivaKIDS can be used from ages 4 to 14. zivameditation.com/kids
OPEN BOOK
Mom of three JADE ROPER TOLBERT knows just how different each birth—and each subsequent rebirth of the mother—can be and now shares her experiences to help others along the way, from precipitous entrances into the world to the ups and downs of postpartum. The Bachelor in Paradise alum and co-host of podcast Mommies Tell All opens up to Mini on all motherhood has taught her.
photography
by
KIMBERLY GENEVIEVE
#COVERMOM
MINI | We’re thrilled to have you on our spring cover! Let’s dive right into your life as a mom. What does your morning routine look like now with three Minis?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | I’m so excited to be a part of this community and magazine! Some mornings, I try to get up before all three kiddos so I can enjoy my coffee hot and listen to a playlist that slowly warms me up to the day, but most mornings are just chaos. Reed is up with me first, then Brooks, and shortly after, Emmy. We do breakfast and a
morning playlist, then get dressed, and the kids play. Emmy goes to school [three days a week] and Tanner takes her, but honestly, our days pretty much revolve around nap times.
MINI | We love that you’re an open book when it comes to motherhood! How would you say motherhood has changed you?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | I love being a mom and talking about early motherhood and my experiences is a passion of mine because I feel the realities of being a mom should be talked about more often. I’ve welcomed three babies into this world and each time, I feel like I’ve been born again into a new mother. I feel motherhood has made me more forgiving and compassionate towards myself, which has been something I’ve struggled with in my life. Motherhood has challenged me, humbled me, and brought me the greatest joy and unconditional love.
MINI | What do you think is the greatest challenge of motherhood?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | One the biggest challenges I struggle with is wanting to do everything perfectly. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I’m afraid to disappoint my children, but have learned sometimes
it’s okay to disappoint because it helps build their resiliency. I’m also learning how important it is to “put your oxygen mask on first.” When I step back and take care of myself and fill my cup first, it helps me be a more present parent.
MINI | What was your transition to multiple children like? Did you find it harder going from 0-1, 1-2, or 2-3?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | I’ve asked a lot of my friends this question and the answer is always different, which I find so interesting. For me, 1-2 was much harder. A big part of that for me though was because I had a traumatic birth with my son Brooks, and I think it catapulted me into postpartum
depression with PTSD. I really had a hard time coping with my PPD and felt very alone all while trying to be the best mother I could be to my babies. This postpartum, now with my third, has been easier and I feel like a much more confident mom with three, even though there are more needs to be met.
MINI | What advice would you give to moms about to have their second baby?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | That it’s natural to worry about the transition, because for a time, our first child is our whole world and all of that is about to change. But the love isn’t divided in half. It grows exponentially and it’s a really beautiful thing to experience. I also
think I’ve learned it’s so important to advocate for yourself, for when you need a break, or when you need anything else taken off your plate. We aren’t meant to mother alone. It truly does take a village, and asking for help helps the whole family dynamic flourish. And lastly, always trust your intuition, you know your minis best!
MINI | Since Reed is just a few months old, can you tell us a little more about what postpartum has been like this time around?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | It’s been such a great experience. I think I’ve been soaking it in more because Reed may be our last baby. It’s also gone incredibly quick since I don’t get much alone time with him as much as I did with my other two. My physical healing was slower this time, but with the pandemic, I feel I was able to rest more since we all stayed home more than ever over the past year. Although, Reed still doesn’t sleep more than two or three hours at a time, so this mama runs on coffee! But truly, he’s such an easy, sweet, baby. The things I’ve struggled with most are the sleep deprivation and feeling touched out.
MINI | What do you wish more people talked about, postpartum-wise?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | Everything! Pregnancy is talked about so much and people tend to put an emphasis on the care of pregnant mothers, but once a baby is born, we tend to only focus on the baby. Mothers are going through such a transformational period after a baby— our hormones dive, we are fatigued, sleep deprived, we may have experienced a significant amount of blood loss, among a hundred other things we are expe-
riencing. I think there needs to be a better system set up to support new mothers mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, especially in the US.
MINI | You’ve shared the most amazing images from Reed’s birth! How would you describe this birth experience?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | Thank you, my midwife took them! I was hoping for a redemptive, intimate, and safe birth experience this time for both myself and Reed. After Brooks’ unplanned precipitous home birth, I wanted to have a planned home birth with a holistic minded midwife. My labor was still fast and furious, being just two hours long, but we welcomed Reed into a birthing tub and into a very peaceful sacred hour. It was so special; I felt his energy was so relaxed.
MINI | How have your other two children reacted to having a new baby in the house? Did you do anything special to prepare them?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | They’ve done so great adjusting! They both have had little periods where they’ve regressed, but they both love Reed so much. We have to continually remind them to be gentle with Reed, but they’re very affectionate with him. There’s still moments of jealousy, but we try to do one-on-one time with each, and that makes a huge difference,
even if it’s just 15 minutes of undivided attention and love.
We didn’t do anything particularly special, but just talked a lot about the “new baby” during my pregnancy. They have baby dolls, so we played babies too, and we read books about becoming a big brother or big sister.
MINI | Tell us how you decided on your kids’ names. Were there some names that you liked and Tanner didn’t?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | Emerson was on both of our lists and we just knew right away! With the two boys, we played a fun game with a bracket narrowing down the winning name with our Instagram followers. Ironically, the name that won the bracket for both boys was the top contender for us, so we ended up using both names!
MINI | How do you and Tanner work as a parenting team? What would you say are your strengths and his when it comes to raising your Minis?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | He helps out more with Emmy and Brooks so I can take care of Reed easier— this works the best for us right now, for sure. My strengths are my patience and my empathy. He’s good at setting the boundaries and also all the rough and tumble active play.
MINI | What is most important to you about raising your kids?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | That they feel fully loved and accepted to be their truest self. That they have the courage to chase their dreams and have the compassion to love all.
MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry or fear?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | Any harm coming to my children. I’m always worried about their safety and well being.
MINI | If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?
JADE ROPER TOLBERT | tand in your power. Be kind. Make mistakes.
BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD “Suck snot out of tiny noses using something called a Boogie Blaster.”
IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD “Nap!”
Jade on the Clock
JADE ON THE CLOCK
KIDS BOOK
Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave by Jessica Hische ( $9.99 ; amazon.com )
GUILTY PLEASURE
“Tanner and I love to watch documentaries on Netflix.”
NOW PLAYING
“Taylor Swift’s remastered music.”
KIDS SHOPS
“Cotton On Kids and Zara.”
“Dark chocolate. I have to have it every day.” NOW WATCHING
COFFEE ORDER
“Iced latte with oatmilk and honey.”
FAVE RESTAURANT
“Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge.” 30865 Gateway Pl, Mission Viejo
KIDS MOVIE
Coco .”
CLICK FOR JADE’S MOMMIES
TELL ALL PODCAST!
HATCH AT HOME
Maternity clothing has almost become synonymous with HATCH Collection, the label loved by moms-to-be, worn by hoards of celebrities, and touted for its staying power with clothing meant to be worn before, during, and after pregnancy. We caught up with the woman behind it all, NYC mom of two ARIANE GOLDMAN, in her bright and beautiful West Village apartment to talk business, babies, and how she spends her free time at home.
photography by CHARLIE JULIET PHOTOGRAPHY
MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place. Where do you spend the most time in your home?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | I spend most of my time probably in the living room just because the surrounding windows look out onto the West Village. In the springtime, I can see the cherry blossoms on the trees. It’s really where I hang with my family and watch a movie or play.
MINI | How about your kids’ spaces? What inspired you in creating them and what are some of your favorite elements there?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | I like to start off with a white canvas and white walls and inject color through bedding and wall art. Charlie has a house bed with a big canopy that makes her feel like she’s on an island, and it’s become like a little reading nest for our family.
MINI | You are the mother of two girls! Can you tell us what has surprised you most about motherhood thus far?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | What’s so surprising is how it’s possible that the same two parents can have such different kids, and how DNA can split in such different ways. From there, how you can equally love such different souls for different reasons.
MINI | How was your transition from a mom of zero to one, then two kids?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | It was a little harder going from one to two for me. With one child, I was able to take her with me everywhere, both in terms of travel and in building HATCH over the first few years. Having two was more challeng-
ing with one in school and one in diapers. At that point, HATCH was five years underway, and the demands were that much bigger at that point. Having two kids spread me thin in the beginning.
MINI | What advice would you give to moms about to have their second baby?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | Don’t stress. It’s like riding a bike— you know what’s about to happen. Truly absorb every moment, especially if this might be your last child. You got this!
MINI | Tell us how you decided on your daughters’ names.
ARIANE GOLDMAN | I’ve always loved boys
names for girls. Charlie was a Revlon perfume in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and I loved the smell and loved its font. It was the coolest thing. When I first saw her, I was like, you’re Charlie. With Georgie, I was convinced she was a boy, but I also wanted her name to be in the same tribe as Charlie. I’ve always loved the name Georgie. It’s easy and fun. Everyone wants to hang with a girl named Georgie, right?
MINI | We are so inspired by HATCH! Can you tell us how it all came to be?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | Back in 2010, when I was newly pregnant with Charlie, I was so excited to enter this new chapter of my life. But when I went looking for stylish wardrobe
options, I couldn’t find anything I wanted to wear that felt like me and that celebrated my changing body. I realized there was a void in the market for chic, comfortable pieces that women could invest in during pregnancy and continue to wear after the baby was born. So I created HATCH in an effort to provide women with stylish, timeless wardrobe solutions for pregnancy and postpartum.
MINI | What has been your proudest career moment to date?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | That I’m coming out of Covid-19
with a strong, effective, wonderful tea— a team that’s committed to getting to the other side of one of darkest situations we’ve faced so far.
MINI | What do you think about the idea of “having it all?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | I have two perspectives on this. The first is that “having it all” is simple if only a few things matter. For me, that’s love, family, and health. When you check those boxes, you have it all. On the bigger side, there’s always more to have and there are always other playing fields you want to be at the top of. But it gets to a point where you’re chasing tails, when everything you need is actually right in front of you.
MINI | As the CEO of a fashion label, we have to ask! Has your personal style changed at all since becoming a mom?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | Yes! I’m way more at ease and not trying so hard. The height of my heels have certainly gotten shorter. I’ve also never worn sneakers so much, but now you’ll find me in them a lot more.
MINI | What has been the greatest lesson you’ve learned in business thus far?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | Just when you think you’ve seen it all, it’s still just beginning.
MINI | Back to parenting! What is your greatest parenting worry or fear?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | All of it! I’m a control freak, so to let them go and be their own people is very hard. How do you not want to protect your kids at all times?
MINI | What do you look forward to about raising your kids in NYC?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | The culture, the flavor, and their exposure to diversity.
MINI | What is most important to you in
raising your girls?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | That they be raised to be kind, with strong values and have a zest for seeing the world.
MINI | If you could give your daughters one piece of advice, what would it be?
ARIANE GOLDMAN | Do what you love. CLICK TO SHOP THE LATEST FROM HATCH COLLECTION!
BEFORE AND AFTER
Small Space, Big Style
Stylist and fashion designer Brynn Elliott Watkins (Elliott Shop) and her filmmaker husband Aaron Craig show how they transformed one bedroom in their NYC apartment into a calm, yet bold modern space with just a few tweaks and zero demo.
photography
by
SARA KERENS
THE ART
“I really love the art we have incorporated into the space. One piece is by our friend Ethan Cook, who is such an inspiring artist who incorporates woven material into most of his pieces. The two large blue pieces I actually painted myself. Before Winnie was born, I decided I wanted to make something special for her to have in her room. So I created the paintings especially for her.” Blue artwork, personally made; Red and green artwork, Ethan Cook; ethanfieldingcook.com
THE INSPIRATION
“I wanted the limitless sky to be a reference which is why I included so many blue accents in the nursery. I also focused on nature. Living in NYC, you miss the beauty of natural things. I decided to include bold, vibrant wallpaper featuring wildlife and flowers. Winnie loves it! Almost every day when she wakes up, she points out all the birds she sees on the wall. I also added little treasures from our travels around the world. We love to talk to Winnie about these things and we can’t wait to take her with us someday!” Frazier Fanciful Wallpaper; wayfair.com
THE VIBE
“Our nursery is bright, energetic, and, most of all, fun!” said Watkins. “The room can also be quiet and calming, complete with its moonlight orb and natural window coverings which mask the city lights and traffic sounds.” Floor Lamp, Layla Grace; laylagrace.com; Colorful Throw, deKor & Co Ojai; dekorliving.com
“I think many parents might think you have to compromise style for function. Don’t be afraid to echo the style you have in the rest of the house in the nursery. A nursery can be edgy, sophisticated, and fun! You’re going to be spending a lot of time in that space and you want it to be equally inspiring to you as well as to your child. So go with your gut and be bold when it comes to decorating!” Hanging Swans Mobile, $34.75; flensted-mobiles. com; Callum Crib, $1099; rhbabyandchild. com; Gleaming Primrose Mirror, $998; anthropologie.com; Louve Occasional Bench, $847; scoutandnimble.com
THE ACCENTS
“The rug is another aspect of the redesign we love. Since it’s so large, it makes the room feel larger. It’s also nice to have a new rug from The Citizenry on the floor since Winnie spends so much time crawling around on her hands and knees,” Watkins says. “We also love the items we’ve incorporated from our travels. In this room, we added baskets we bought in various markets in Bali and Morocco. We use them as organizers for books and toys underneath the bench. Whenever Winnie wants to play with something, she’ll go to the baskets and find something interesting. Another little design favorite we love is books! We’ve stocked the baskets with some of Winnie’s favorites. You can never lose designing with great books!”
Urvi Braided Jute Rug, $425; the-citizenry. com; Callum Dresser and Topper, $1699; rhbabyandchild.com; Custom Blue Alex Chair; mgbwhome.com; Capiz Honeycomb Chandelier, $998; serenaandlily.com; A & B & Winnie Embroidered Briar Mini Pillowcase, $68; hillhousehome.com
THE CHARM
“I also love the vintage wicker giraffe we found at Old New House in Katonah, NY. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it in my entire life! The giraffe brings a quirky and lively dimension to the space that would be hard to get any other way.”
Wicker Giraffe; oldnewhouse. com; Natural Meditation Pillow, $135; xviaverano.com; Brynn’s Blue Dress; elliottshop. com; Winnie’s Outfit; littlemoony.com
RENTER FRIENDLY DESIGN
“Since we are renting this space, we knew we couldn’t tear down walls or do any huge structural adjustments. We decided to focus our resources on working with the structure of the room exactly as it is, transforming with paint, trim, and wallpaper,” says Watkins. “It’s amazing how much a fresh coat of paint will brighten a space. What’s even more amazing in this nursery was how the wallpaper truly transformed the room. The wallpaper feels like it gives the space new dimensions and we didn’t have to do any demolition work to make it happen. Additionally, the incorporation of the large mirror makes the space feel bigger than the original layout. This mirror is classic and elegant. We added furniture we love and will grow with Winnie. Best of all, if we choose to move, we can take literally every item with us to the next space.”
Kiniza Side Table, $129; onekingslane.com; Arctic Sheepskin, $190; jennikayne.com; Walker “Move It,” $107; small-foot-de; Greek Goddess Head Planters, $34.99; etsy.com
UNDER
NEATH IT ALL
Having spent years styling women of every size and shape, SIMONE HAROUCHE and JAMIE MIZRAHI put their heads together to deliver a brand that empowers women to both look and feel their best, starting underneath it all, with the right bras and underwear. The Kit Undergarments founders (and neighbors!) share the ups and downs of growing their business and with four children between them, how they tackle the daily demands of motherhood and entrepreneurship.
photography by VANESSA TIERNEY
MINI | We are so inspired by Kit! What do you distinctly remember from the brand’s beginnings?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | Thank you so much! That really means a lot. The idea behind starting Kit Undergarments was bringing our experience from years of styling and working with women and their bodies to everyone. We want to help empower women to look and feel their best and one way to achieve that is to start with the right bras and underpants. Jamie and I knew that there was a void in the market for a dependable and affordable brand that paid attention to function as well as fashion. We wanted
to simplify the process of getting dressed. The early days were very stressful, but they still are. Let’s just say that start-up life is very different from being a stylist and I don’t think we were prepared for all the hard work and heavy lifting required to starting a company. I also don’t think we were prepared for post launch and all that is required. I don’t think the work ever ends and we are constantly putting out fires, but it’s super rewarding and awesome to know that we built this together.
MINI | How long have you known Jamie and how did you two decide to team up on this venture?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | I’ve probably known Jaime for about eight or nine years. Fun fact about Jaime and I, when she first moved to LA and was trying to get into styling, she assisted me. Another fun fact is that we live across the street from each other!
MINI | As a mom with two little ones, what do you think is the greatest challenge of running this company?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | I would say the most difficult challenges of running this company and having a family is time management. The business is a third child for me and because the company is still in its
beginning stages, it requires a lot of nurturing and time. Having enough time for the kids and somehow being able to carve out a little time for myself is super important and I’m still working on figuring out how to do it. There are so many things I want to do and never enough time to do it all. Before, I used to say yes to everything, but now as I have less time, I have gotten better about making decisions and actually saying no to things that will be huge time sucks without much upside.
MINI | What do you think about the idea of “having it all?”
SIMONE HAROUCHE | I don’t think “having it all” is actually attainable. And if it is, I imagine it being very different from the In-
stagram image we see when we think someone “has it all”. Personally, I think there is so much pressure on women and people to have it all and it’s extremely dangerous. Ultimately, things can look really nice from the outside, but if what’s going on inside is a mess, at a certain point you have to stop and think, “is this worth it?” and “who am I doing it all for?”
MINI | What has surprised you most about motherhood?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | To be honest, it’s all been surprising. I think there are two really big standout surprises for me and one of those is the ever-present feeling of guilt and the second is how strange and elusive time can be when raising young kids. I remember
when my son was six months old, someone said to me that the days are long and the years are quick and at the time, I didn’t really understand and even now, I probably don’t fully understand, but I do know what that person meant. Some days seem to last a lifetime and you can’t wait for the kids to go to bed and the day to be over and others seem to fly by and one day, you blink your eyes and you’ve got an eight-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl and you have no idea how it all went so fast and you’re terrified that the time you have left remaining with them will go by even faster.
The other surprise is the consistent push and pull of mom guilt that seems to touch every piece of motherhood. I am constantly having conversations on a daily basis, questioning
myself: Am I too involved with my work? Is it important for my kids to have a mom that they see has a career and a life of her own or is it better for them to have a mom who picks them up from every school day and takes them to every game? And you can’t seem to get anything right because when you are spending time with them, you feel like you are falling behind in work or you are working too much. Either way, you feel like you are not being a good mother.
Whether that guilt is coming from external sources or from the pressure that I put on myself, it’s all very overwhelming. My best friend Allison always tries to remind me that we are all just doing the best that we can and for some reason, I think that phrase helps alleviate some of the guilt and pressure I feel. Be-
cause that’s the truth. I am doing the best I can with my set of skills and the circumstances I’m in.
MINI | How was your transition been going from a mom of one to two kids?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | Going from zero to one was way harder than going from one to two. Once you’ve ripped the Band-Aid off and had a kid and learned that life no longer can revolve just around you and you make that room and space for another life to take precedent over yours, adding a second one is pretty easy. The only thing I struggle with is scheduling and making sure that at the end of the day, both kids are
accounted for.
MINI | What advice would you give to moms about to have their second baby?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | That every child is different and they are all born with unique personalities and dispositions. Even to this day, my kids are very different from one another both in their personalities, their interests, and their strengths. I think the best advice is to try and remember that no two people are alike and to embrace your children’s differences and do not compare one to the other. It’s also super important that you don’t lose yourself completely in the identity of just being a mother. You are also a woman and it’s important to maintain not only your relationship with your partner, but your friendships and interests. I believe that if you can do that, you’ll be happier in the long run.
MINI | How did you decide on your kids’ names?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | For my son, it was really hard coming up with a name that could straddle the line between both cool and serious. I loved that Dashiel felt serious and respectable, whereas Dash felt sporty and cool. For my daughter, Azlan, [I was inspired by] the book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The lion’s name was Aslan and I always thought it was beautiful. When I found out I
LOCAL RESTAURANT
SIMONE ON THE CLOCK
“e. baldi Ristorante.”
375 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills
COFFEE ORDER
“I’m addicted to Harney & Sons Cinnamon Tea.”
NOW LISTENING
“Kate Bush.”
KIDS MOVIE
“ Coco, Soul, and Troop Zero. ” ON MY NIGHTSTAND
“2-3 books, Grown Alchemist hand cream, Labello chapstick, Osea Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist.”
ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE
“Mountain Valley Sparkling Water, Sancerre Wine, berries, cucumbers, and Midnight Moon cheese.”
KIDS BOOK
“ Little Tree, The Rag Coat, The Giving Tree, What Do You Do With an Idea?, and Love You Forever .”
was having a girl, I learned that the name Aslan was generally used for men in Middle Eastern countries. I decided I wanted her to have a strong and powerful name, but switched the spelling.
MINI | How would you describe your personal style?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | My personal style is sort of all over the place, to be completely honest. I dress a lot based on my moods. Some days, you’ll see me look like a bohemian in a caftan whereas others, I am in jeans and a vintage T-shirt. I love vintage! Vintage is whimsical, so I pair the vintage with current, well tailored pieces of today; it’s a little bit of a twist. I guess I’d describe myself as
classic with an edge.
MINI | Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | The only thing that has changed is my choice in footwear. Over the years, I’ve definitely traded in heels for Birkenstocks. Having comfortable shoes is way more important to me now than it ever was before.
MINI | If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?
SIMONE HAROUCHE | The world is full of people trying to fit in. Instead, be true to yourself. It will pay off in the end and you will be a happier person for it.
MINI | Since you’ve now started a company together, tell us how you met Simone.
JAMIE MIZRAHI | I met Simone through my husband. I actually worked for her when I first moved to Los Angeles. She was doing a huge OPI campaign with the Kardashians and I assisted her.
MINI | Tell us what makes Kit stand out and what you love most about the brand.
JAMIE MIZRAHI | Everything we put out has a reason to exist. There was a lot of thought put into why we created the product, how we created it, the colors we chose to offer it in. It is a labor of love and we have our hands on every single thing. The love of dressing women and the feeling of feeling good in what you’re wearing is what permeates throughout everything we do. We are just getting started.
MINI | What has been the greatest lesson you’ve learned in business thus far?
JAMIE MIZRAHI | Stay in your own lane, keep your head down and do the work, and stay true to yourself and your values.
MINI | You have two little ones at home— What do you think is the greatest challenge of being a mom and running this company?
JAMIE MIZRAHI | Balancing everything. I am not one to love a schedule but it’s the only way to be productive.
MINI | We love to ask— What do you think about the idea of “having it all?”
JAMIE MIZRAHI | I don’t even know what that means. Who knows what that means! Please tell me!
MINI | How has your transition been going from a mom of one to two kids? Was it easier or harder than going from 0 to 1?
JAMIE MIZRAHI | Because of Covid, it actually has been easier than I had imagined it to be. Being home allows me to be hands on and jump in and out as I can… definitely easier for me than going from 0 to 1. None of these things are super new to me anymore. I just did them all a year and a half ago!
MINI | Tell us how you decided on your kids’ names.
JAMIE MIZRAHI | My husband’s dad passed away and his name was Yale. That was an easy one to decide on. I’ve always loved the name Cy so that was what we chose as my son’s middle name. I never thought I would have two boys, but I did and I couldn’t think of a name I liked more so I basically changed Yale’s middle name and gave it to my second child. I know that sounds insane, but it’s true.
MINI | Let’s talk style. How would you describe your personal style?
JAMIE MIZRAHI | Classic and comfortable.
MINI | Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?
JAMIE MIZRAHI | I have way less time to think about it, hence why I go for what I know works for me.
Ray-Ban Wayfarers, Levis, white T-shirts, black sweater, Birkenstocks, Manolo Blahniks. I have my go-to’s and I’m pretty consistent with that on the day to day.
MINI | If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?
JAMIE MIZRAHI | Stay true to yourself.
ON MY NIGHTSTAND
“Byredo Rose Hand Cream, baby monitor, Lucas’ Papaw Ointment.”
MOM MUST HAVES
KIDS MOVIE
“ Cars .”
NOW PLAYING
“Every night, Etta James.”
FAVE RESTAURANT
“Angelini Osteria.”
FAVE KIDS BOOK
“ Goodnight Moon .”
COFFEE ORDER “Decaf almond latte.”
ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE “Kombucha.”
IDEAL DATE NIGHT
“Sushi, a joint, and a really good TV series.”
From left to right: @diymom.ca, @citysage, @myfavoriteroombykbmdesigns, @lewisishome, @tomboykc, @minimagkate, @lifeontheshadygrove, @ashleyaltenbach
