Their Travels Became Our Treasure

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  I've always toyed w the idea of taking a year off to travel the world, hit the most remote villages in Africa to crystal blue beaches in the Caribbean.   In theory it sounds remarkable.  In practice, nearly imossible with with a 10-month old in tow.  In step Jenna Jackson. She beat me to the punch, literally making her way around the world with hubby, Charlie Jackson BC (before child) AND they managed to pull every bit of inspiration from their travels to create a killer line of handbags and accessories for the rest of us to indulge in.  They call it August, plain and simply because August is the most-traveled month of the year.  

It was not long after their journey that I met Jenna and previewed the line. The materials are plush, styles- effortlessly chic, inspired by beauty from around the world but hand crafted right here in California.  And with that, Hollywood has caught on...in a real way.  Supermodel Lily Aldridge is a fan, and girl-of-the-moment, Dakota Johnson is seen here rocking one of the line's most-popular bags, the Marais Tote, generously priced at $398 for leather, $498 for exotics.  

Now, as new new Haute Mommy, I scoured every last corner of every last boutique for a good diaper bag.  My only rule, it couldn't actually be a diaper bag.  I mean, at best, diaper bags are only ehhhh and those ones are overpriced.  Like many Haute moms, I wanted something I could use even after my tots no longer need tushy tending to.  August offers just that.  

 

Marais is the un-diaper bag/diaper bag made for us, haute mommies.  It has interior pockets (2 slip pockets for phone / keys / glasses) and a zippered pocket for whatever you want to keep secure. It's large enough and light weight enough for all the things you'll need for the bb but made of gorgeous Italian or Spanish leather.  Now, ready for icing on this already deelish cake??  Mommies you'll love this, August has a program called Bag for a Bag...They've partnered with Operation School Bell to provide a backpack for every bag they sell.  Their goal to combat homelessness, poverty, illiteracy, drug abuse and crime for the children of Los Angeles.  Sign me up!  And for more check out  www.augustca.com xx

Bagel On A String = Genius!

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  Haute Mommies, I learned something life-changing today; Beverly Hills Deli, Nate 'N Al doesn't just have the world's best Matzo Ball Soup, they've got the world's BEST bagels...on a string!  Here's the scoop...Years ago, one of their beloved waitresses decided to thread a string though the center of a bagel and present it to every baby who comes through the door as a sort of right of passage.  We experienced it first hand yesterday.  

My girlfriend, Joey and I sat with our delicious little guys for a delicious big meal.  Our waitress, Tina, walked over, a big smile on her face enthusiastic to share "what's in the dough" with our bbs.  At first, I thought hmmmm, a bagel...with a string attached, ummmm am I missing something???  Seconds later after Gibson launched across the table to clobber it, the whole thing made PERFECT sense!  Mommy holds the string while teething-tot explores the bagel in all its glory  Here's the genius in it, there's no chance for the bagel to fall on the floor, the string offers an added element of surprise and interest for the baby...oh yea, it's totally complimentary AND moms can eat in peace and quite, sorta.  Anyway, being the interrogator investigator I am, I had to uncover the story behind this bright idea.  Found out the  Nate 'N Al waitress who came up with the cool concept had sadly passed away BUT her legacy certainly lives on.  

If you know anything about Nate 'N Als, you know it's a serious institution in LA, arguably one of the best delis in the world and a serious celeb hangout.  When it comes to the A-list and Nate N' Als staff, they're like PBJ: smushed together in this beautiful symbiotic relationship  Legend has it, Larry King (who you'l find at the deli every morning, same table without fail) was just one of the celebs to show at up at the waitress' funeral.  Many others attended as well donning a very unique accessory, a bagel strung around their necks.  If that's not love well...The waitress' memory will live on with this incredibly simple but smart invention :) And I'm happy to share it with you.  Try it at home, could make dinner time a lot less messy and more enjoyable. 

 

 

10 Instagram Accounts For Every Haute Mom To Follow

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I have serious FOMO when it comes to social media.  Let's get real...I can't tell you how many times I see pix of celebs jet-setting from this tropical destination to that glamorous ski resort, friends posting pix of their Michelin-Rated meals and supermodels in itsy-bitsy bikinis...weeks after giving birth.  And I think....holy shit am I missing out?!  The truth is, uh no.  As most of you know,  the grass is almost never greener on their side.  That said, after devoting waaaaay too much time to social media, namely Instagram, we can certainly tell you there are a handful of accounts that enhance our lives as haute mommies, without leaving us feeling envious or deflated.  For that you need to 1. Make us laugh  2. Make us cry  3. Make us drool  4. Inspire me  5. Teach us something new.  So, here are the Top 10 Instagram accounts that cover those criteria and more, for every Haute Mommy to follow :)

National Grographic, Natgeo

 

Travel And Leisure, TravelAndLeisure

Kids Outfit Of The Day, KidzOOTD 

Girl With No Job, GirlWithNoJob

Foodz My Thing, FoodzMyThing

Trader Joes List, TraderJoesList

Modern Mom, ModernMom

Mi Belle Photographers, MiBellePhotographers

Kate Hudson, KateHudson

Yoga Girl, Yoga_Girl 

 

 

Hauttie Of The Week: The Ultimate Hollywood Mama

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Our Hauttie of the week, Courtney Lopez, doesn't just have it all, she genuinely does it all.  The stunning mom-of-2 (Gia and Dominic) and wife of Mario Lopez juggles shuttling her kiddies from ballet to piano, maintaining her own career as a TV/Radio personality, walking red-carpets, keeping the house together, and she still finds time for date-night.  If there's any Haute Mommy who's found the balance we all strive for, it's Courtney.  Here are some philosophies, tips, tricks and trends she swears by.

AC: You really are the ultimate haute mommy...how do you achieve that?

CL: Wow! What an honor! I think it’s so important to take time for myself. Whether it’s getting your nails done, or just a simple walk alone.

AC: It’s the age-old question but have you managed to find the balance between being a present mommy and still finding time for yourself/career? If so how?

CL: I take one day at a time. My work schedule is so inconsistent so there is no way I can ever “plan” ahead. I know my childrens school/ after school activities schedule and I go from there.

AC: I know in our house it’s like the 95% / 5% rule…the mommy does 95% the daddy, 5% what’s it like in your house?

CL: Ha! Yes, I can relate. Mario works so hard to provide for us but when he comes home he is so present. We are so blessed to have him.

AC: What products do you swear by both for you and your kiddies?

CL: For my kids, I’m a huge fan of Aden & Anais, Node Frida, Mabels Labels and Zoli products. And I can’t live without my Shiseido Bio Performance Face cream and tinted moisturizer.

AC: How do you keep your relationship fresh with two little ones running around?

CL: Mario and I always make time for date nights. We think it’s extremely important to not let our relationship fall to the way side. The kids love when we are affectionate to eachother.

AC: You mentioned that you have help only a couple times a week. That’s seriously impressive. Why is it important for you to be home with the kiddies?

CL: I have help when I work. I never want to miss a dance class, piano/singing lesson, Spanish class, etc. My kids are growing before my eyes and I don’t want to miss a minute of them learning and seeing something for the first time. It’s so refreshing.

AC: What’s your impression of the Hollywood mommies? I think the perception often is that they’ve got like 25 nannies and helpers around at all time…sorta joking but you get that pic…is that a misconception?

CL: I can only speak for myself and I know I do not have that! I have the bags under my eyes to prove it! HA!

AC: Do you want any more kids? If so, what’s the magic number?

CL: Mario and I would love to add one more to our family.

AC: You’ve managed to get your body back not once but twice…how did you do it? And women say it’s so much harder the second time around…did you notice that?

CL: I was so lucky the first time around. I did nothing. The second time around has been very challenging. I’m busier and way more tired so I don’t have much time to think about myself. I try my best to eat healthy and work out but its so hard!!!!!!!

AC: Lastly, do you think they’ll want to get into the biz? How do you feel about that?

CL: Gia has definitely been bitten by the performing bug. As long as she’s happy, we will support her all the way. Dominic is still a little young to but he definitely has a smile that lights up a room!