Meet Daniela | Newport Mesa Moms

Daniela is a local hairstylist and mom of two.  Find out what she has to say about mom life!

Where are you from originally?

I grew up in Chino, CA. Not too far from here, but far enough from that summer heat!

How long have you lived in Costa Mesa? How many kids do you have and what are their ages?

This upcoming August I will have lived in Costa Mesa for 10 years!! We have 2 boys, ages 3 and 3 1/2 months.

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

We love going to all the awesome parks around the area.  Mariners Park is one of our favorites but with so much rain this season we’ve been going to a different library each time. The Newport Beach Library off Avocado (Central Library Branch) is one of our favs though.

Name 3 things in town you can’t live without.

I absolutely love Mariners Church Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, and the farmers market at the fairground, and I just love everything on 17th street!  It is so convenient and easy! And you gotta love the beach; the best playground for our kids!

What’s your favorite restaurant in town for a family date? A night out with friends? Why?

As a family we tend to go to Pit Fire Pizza a lot because there are always families in there, good pizza, and you get to feel like somewhat of an adult and not like you are at Chuck E. Cheese.  For a date night, since we don’t get much of those, we are always on the lookout for the newest restaurants.  We like to change it up.  We last went to VACA which was such a fun and yummy place!

What is your favorite kid-friendly recipe?

I like making cauliflower fried rice. It’s easy and you get a little bit of each food group.

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

My new favorite store for babies has been Lil’ Posh Consignment and The Red Balloon Outlet store.  I love the deals you get and everything is very well taken care of.  As far as clothes for myself, I kinda shop everywhere, but I like No Rest for Bridget, Costa Cabana, and I love love ZARA for myself and the kids!  For gifts, I like Fleur de Lys.  You can always find something for anyone!

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

I can’t think of any specific events, I just love spring and summer time out here; not too cold and not too hot.  You can wake up and go on a hike in the Back Bay, or get a Duffy in the marina, or go to the fairgrounds.  I feel like there is always something going on!

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

Our favorite family destination has to be Cabo San Lucas.  The reason I love it is the airport is so close to us first of all, then the plane ride is so quick you are there in 2 hours, and just like that you are in this little paradise!

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

I think so far the most difficult ages would have to be the first stages of life with a newborn.  There’s nothing like sleep deprivation and trying to function and figure out what is going on with your baby.  I don’t think there is much you can do besides count down the days!  And also, the Terrible 3’s.  This was such a challenge for us, but I think the key to this was lots of patience and trying to understand why your 3-year-old is acting up – trying to see it from their little heads! I think there’s a lot going on for them and it’s just hard for them to explain things! But it’s a tough one!

What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other moms? What was the best advice your mom gave you?

My advice would be that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel on those sleepless, hard, challenging days no matter what age.  My mom’s advice that I try to follow, and I always hear her in my head, is to be patient and that this is the easy part, she always says the teenage years are the most challenging! Haha!

What do you most value in your friends?

The thing I value most in my friends, especially now that we are parents, is always being supportive and being there for one another! We need our tribe and support system and someone letting you know it will be okay and you are not the only one going thru this.

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

I’m currently a hairstylist at Kenneth Brown in Newport Beach so if you’re looking for a new hairstylist, come see me.  I take great care of all my mommy clients!  I only work 3 days a week and the rest of those days I’m with my kids so it’s a good balance because I get to have adult time and then kid time.  I think the balance for me is just planning the week ahead, my husband and I being a team, and having the kids on a good routine! And wine helps too!

IF and when you get time to yourself, what’s your favorite thing to do?

When I do get time, I love pampering myself whether it’s just getting my nails done, or a massage or a facial. There is nothing like that hour just to yourself in SILENCE, but I always find myself talking about my kids anyways and then it makes me miss them! Haha!

Kenneth Brown Salon
2700 West Coast Hwy, Suite 115
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Follow Daniela on Instagram @hairxdaniela

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