Date Night

There comes a point when you have children that you just need a date. The past couples months have been reeeallyy busy for us, and generally our babysitting hours have been spent being social, so this was a past-due date night. There is nothing like taking a moment to breathe, enjoy the fresh air, and look up and not down chasing cute little kiddos and keeping them from trouble.... and eat without bibs and spills. ;) 

I benefitted from Brian turning 30 last year, and we got to use a gift card from his birthday to La Mar this weekend. If you're going to San Francisco and need a REALLY good date for dinner, it's definitely a great option (there are a lot of great options here though... I want to make a giant list of favorites soon)! I could have eaten the "cebiche nikei" all night. SO GOOD.

We were able to chat about anything and everything and really just take our time with it all. I definitely didn't appreciate dates before children like I do these days.

How often do you get on dates? I'm always curious if once in a month- like we've had lately- is a lot or a little as compared to other couples. I really admire the people who can date weekly. It sounds so ideal.  

HERE is my little Vine video from our date (love this guy!).

xo, 

Kate

 (also, there are always simple cheap date ideas here)

Emma Style: 05

A look for the fancy days.

Emma Style Posts: 01 . 02 . 03. 04.  

Dress: Gap || Purse: J.Crew || Heart: Ban.do 

Photography by Silvana di Franco .

Thanks to Pocket Stylist for pics of E.

Summer!

In San Francisco, some summer days we'll spend in solidarity with the out-of-towners, together wearing our shorts and tanks as it should be... others we will cuddle in hoodies and sip cocoa. The bottom line, though, is that it's official: it's SUMMER! 

(AND it's Friday!) 

Let's do this. Also:

Follow StyleSmaller on Bloglovin' !

(Google reader is about to RIP, so you'll want to be sure to follow with Bloglovin') 

Reality

I used to write aimlessly on a blog about things like the ineffectiveness of sending husbands to grocery stores and the recap of American Idol based on wardrobes (hey, it was like 2008 and still in its prime). I got a comment from a random stranger one day, got creeped out, and bam! Shut that blog down to private. 

My how times have changed. Now there are seminars on getting strangers to start reading our blogs.

I still adore the randomness of the grassroots blogs. I enjoy just getting behind-the-scenes looks at real life... but it's harder these days to put it out there. I mean, blogs are really legit these days. Pretty pictures, lovely DIYS, and perfect grammar. I adore beauty in design and photos and creative things, and lovely words, BUT I also love reality. The challenge is that if you write unfiltered, messy stuff and in a perfectly candid way, chances are, you'll start getting unsolicited critiques and negative comments. Transparency is a tricky thing. 

I'm trying to find the balance between fancy and reality, and so I feel like it's time for less fancy and more real...

SO, here's my reality this week: 

• I spent about 25 hours matching socks recently (not literally). Socks from the past 8 years of marriage that were singles. Matching socks is the worst!
• The remaining single socks were in a small bin that Maggie tossed over the staircase. I left them there for a full day because- well- out of sight, out of mind. 
• I'm a chronic indoor plant purchaser and they chronically die. With all the love I've given them, they still die.
• I haven't had a haircut in more than six months. I know.
• Most days I put gel in the front of Maggie's hair to keep it out of her eyes because her hair is so wispy and barrettes don't stand a chance without the gel. Every time I apply it, I feel like one of those pageant moms. Please tell me I'm not alone on this one.
• My fireplace mantle is chronically full of things I want out of reach of my children, as opposed to any display of loveliness. 
• I freak out a little bit when I see bugs, even if they're outside. This isn't ideal for my very real goal to get hardcore-domestic and plant flowers in the backyard (like how "hardcore," "domestic," and "flowers ended up in the same sentence?), but it's the truth. 
• I crave burritos and tacos at least once per day (if you're like me, that sentence made you re-think your lunch plans, riiiight?)

So, there you have it. 

xo, 

Kate

Ballerina

Loveliest little ballerina I've ever seen.  

xo. 

Getting to Know: Kelli & Lauren of basq Skincare

Kelli Kenny and Lauren Parisier are co-founders of an amazing mom luxury skincare company basq {the line has received countless recognition and awards, and have collaborated with Disney!}, and they are also down-to-earth moms with lovely families! These moms do it all, and they are here to share a glimpse into their lives with us behind the scenes. 

Find basq on: twitter || facebook 

How did the concept of basq skincare come about? 

LP: During pregnancy, I was working in skin care and began to learn all the things women should avoid.  As an expert, I found it surprising how little I knew and how little information is provided during pregnancy.  We all worry about stretch marks and deal with skin changes but there wasn’t much out there for pregnancy that was built well both in terms of ingredients and beauty.

What motivated you ladies to start your own business? 

LP: I have always wanted to start a business – there is a unique challenge to staring with an idea and bringing it all the way to see if it really works.  I wanted to create something I could truly call my own and give it my best without any edits that naturally come when you work in a large company with a lot of layers of management.

KK: We both had a strong entrepreneurial spirits and individually always wanted to start a business. I think knowing each other so well, and having worked together already in a business environment, gave us each the push to take that leap.  

How have you managed to be friends and working together? What are some of the benefits and challenges to starting a business as a team?  

LP: We have been lucky!  When you start a business you have no idea what it will bring.  Kelli and I bring different strengths but we have a shared vision. We work a lot because we like to achieve, we are never satisfied and we laugh all the time to keep sane.

KK: Working together it is one of the easiest and best aspects of the business.  We have very similar views regarding the business and rarely disagree on an approach to an issue.  When we do disagree, we are never really far apart – so whoever has the strongest viewpoint is fine.  

The benefits are numerous.  Having someone else as vested in the business, who can temper the negatives and really understand the successes – small and large.  Having coverage around the clock is really important and having a partner makes that possible.  I tell people never try to do it alone – especially if you have a family – the amount of work, time and commitment is so great – a partner enables balance when you need it.   

The biggest challenge is division of work.  We are both very Type A, love basq and like to be involved in all aspects of the business.  Having overlap is a formula that has worked for us from the beginning but there is always so much to do – we really need to divide up more.

What are your personal favorite products from your lines? What do you use daily in this stage of your life? 

LP: The Face Cleanser and the Resilient Oil.  I am an oil addict – it is so good for the skin and is the fastest way to get a great glow.  The Face Cleanser is my fix all – I try lots of ingredients to see what’s new but I have very sensitive skin and it often reacts.  The Face Cleanser puts everything back to right no matter what problems I cause.

KK: I use the face cleanser, eye gel and body oils.

Tell us a little bit about your children.

LP: My children {Jason, 13 and Kaitlin 10} are funny, athletic, and kind.

KK: All three of my kids {Ava 15; Gavin 10; Sienna 6} are great conversationalists and a have strong sense of self.

What is your favorite part of the day or the week? 

LP: Saturdays – no matter how busy we are with sports or friends – it’s a time to enjoy the family with no stress about what happened last week or what’s coming next week

KK: Sleeping in on weekend mornings.

How do you manage your time between work and your home life?

LP: I find that it’s all a blend – I think of the day in terms of 24 hours – some times I’m up really late or really early to fit it all in.  The best part of owning my own business is flexibility.  I can attend something important during the day and work late into the night to get everything done.  It also helps that my husband is very supportive and pitches in whenever I need help.

KK: Make quality time for each and stay focused during that time.  For example, if I’m at a sporting event for one of my kids, I keep the blackberry off. 

How does an ideal date night look for you?

LP: Sitting on the couch with a glass of wine and watching a funny movie or catching up on HBO favorites.

KK: Dinner and listening to live music. 

Where would you like to be in your business in five years?

LP: I’m all about new products and ideas – the more I can find fun new ideas the better.

KK: Bigger!!

What has been the best opportunity or collaboration you've had from starting basq?

LP: Disney It’s a Small World – we loved their recognizing us as the best in maternity and allowing us to participate in a brand that is about helping kids around the world.

KK: Disney was a remarkable experience – what an amazing company.

What is your style "uniform?"

LP: I love black – I tend to go with black pants or black dresses all the time – it always looks good and fits any occasion.

KK: For business I am pretty conservative, usually suit pants and shirt. For evening style I totally mix up but usually dressy pant suits.  My go to color is black – of course – but I wear a lot of bolds too.

What are your favorite shops for yourselves and your kids?

LP: We are all about cooking - funny enough – it would be foodie markets or cooking stores. For clothing we are all over the map from department stores to boutiques in NYC.

KK: I tend to really mix it up and pick up things more on a whim when I see something that strikes me.  It could be in a major department store or a really tiny boutique. I like the diversity of shopping neighborhoods in NYC. 

Do you read any blogs regularly? If so, what are your favorites? 

LP: I jump around from cooking blogs to mom blogs all the time – we are big fans of all the blogs that offer great advice and product ideas for those expecting and that are new moms. A few of my favorites include Apartment Therapy’s ‘The Kitchn’, The Wednesday Chef, Cool Mom Picks, PopSugar Moms and of course Style Smaller.

KK:  A-List Mom, Babble.com, BabyZone, Celebrity Baby Blog, Daily Candy, Design Mom… the list goes on.

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Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous products and lovely families with us, Kelli and Lauren!! xoxo. 

To shop basq, click here!