Meet Claudia | Newport Mesa Moms

Meet Claudia, a mama who just moved to Orange County and opened her own fitness and wellness studio for moms and moms to be in the heart of Corona del Mar.

Where are you from originally?

I’m from Old Town Orange, but grew up in Sacramento and didn’t move back to So Cal until after high school. We moved to Orange County over the summer after living in West Hollywood for the past 15 years.  Let me tell you, it’s night and day and we LOVE it!

How many kids do you have?

We have one, a very lovable little girl named Lily Rose, who will be turning 5 in March!

What are your favorite things to do with your kids in general or in town?

The BEACH! We love it all year long, during the cold months she loves exploring all the tide pools in Laguna Beach. We often visit the local library, they have crafts every Saturday, plus just outside there’s a cute little fairy garden that my daughter loves to visit. We love a good Farmers Market. On Saturdays we visit the Laguna Beach market, and on Wednesdays the one at Lido Marina Village. And last but not least, our most favorite thing to do is visiting Disneyland! We’re probably there at least 2-3 times a month!

What’s your favorite restaurant for a family date?

We love South of Nick’s, my daughter is a foodie just like us, and her favorite food is Mexican hands down.

What is your favorite kid-friendly recipe?

One of my daughter’s favorites is a dish called Picadillo, a traditional Spanish dish that I’ve been making for years.  Also, Albondigas, which is a meatball and veggie soup, kids love it! We also love to make ants on a log (celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins on top).

What is your local go-to store for children’s clothes? Yourself? Furniture?

Little Bohemian and Hanna Andersson for kids, Anthropologie and Nordstrom are my favs, and for furniture I go to Home Goods, Flea Markets, and Crate and Barrel!

What are your favorite events in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach?

We’re still new to the area, but so far my daughter loved the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport during the holidays.

Do you have a favorite destination for family trips? Why?

We love New York. Being in the city is magical, my daughter loves it there. Central Park has so much to offer. Our favorite time to visit is during the FALL or SPRING. We love the Plaza Hotel. I’ve been reading the Eloise books to her for years now, and they have the cutest room and store with all things Eloise, and the High Tea is like no other.

Name a favorite book or podcast? What’s it about/brief description?

I love THE POWER OF NOW. It’s a book that I can read over and over and it never gets old. It’s positive and helps you overcome anything that’s going on in your life. I cannot live without this book. As a mom and entrepreneur I’m often stressed about the future or I focus on things that may have happened in the past that I cannot change; this book helps you see that it’s best to live in the NOW for true happiness.

I love a good podcast.  One of my clients has a show called Reality Checked on Sirius radio. She speaks about all things BRAVO, like the Real Housewives, and her impersonations are hilarious. It helps me get out of my head for 1 hour.  Listening to her show is like my form of meditation. LOL

What has been the most difficult age with your child to date? What helped you overcome the challenges at that time?

Probably when she was 18 months old, that’s when I decided it was time to stop breast feeding. It was a difficult time, no one tells you how emotional it can be between a mother and child. I had to stop cold turkey, and went out of town for the weekend. My hubby stayed home with her, and as soon as I came home she was asking for her milky. At first I felt really bad, but as the day passed it got easier, then the next day she didn’t ask for it at all.  We survived, we had made it and I believe that we were both happy with that decision.

What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other moms?

I would say don’t sweat the small stuff. Stop trying to be that perfect mom, it doesn’t exist no matter what you see on social media.  Your kids just need LOVE, everything else will follow naturally.  Be who you are, and shut off all the outside voices, you GOT THIS MAMA!

What was the best advice your mom gave you? 

Just be you!

What do you value most in your friends?

Honesty, it helps when your friends can be themselves around you and have no judgement. Sometimes we just need to vent, so it helps to have friends that listen and can be your support system outside of family. Also, friends who love Happy Hour!

What was your career before having children? If it’s the same, how do you balance career & motherhood?

My daughter breastfed on demand for 18 months, and the one good thing about owning your own business is being able to bring your child to work! There were days when I would breastfeed her during class, she would be in the Ergo baby wrap, and I’d be walking around teaching Pilates!

How do you relax and unwind?

At the end of my days I like to unwind by watching TV, anything on BRAVO network. I like to put on a Hydrating Mask while watching Housewives and pouring myself a glass of wine. I also love a good Happy Hour with friends.

Tell us a little more about being an entrepreneur.

I recently opened a new studio in Corona del Mar, called Mama Be Studio. It’s a fitness and wellness space for Moms, from preconception and beyond. I’m truly excited about getting Mamas in here to workout,  build new friendships, and create a wonderful community because we are stronger together. My motto is Mama Be Active, Baby Be Healthy! Hope to see you all here soon!!!

Thank you Claudia!

2737 E. Coast Highway, Suite A
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
310.430.8592

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