Meet Kristina, co-founder and President of a local PR firm, and a mom of three who appreciates honesty, realness and laughter.
Where are you from originally?
Pacific Palisades, CA
How long have you lived in Newport Beach? How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have lived in Newport Beach for 17 years. We have three boys ages 15, 12 & 8.
What are your favorite things to do with your kids in general or in town?
We love to go to the beach with our kids and also take them to the Balboa Bay Club where we are members. If we can get them all on bikes, we love to take a ride to the beach or into town.
Name 3 things in town you can’t live without.
- My workout class with Rachele Marsh
- Fashion Island
- Walks on Balboa Island
What’s your favorite restaurant in town for a family date? A night out with friends? Why?
We love to eat at the Balboa Bay Club with our kids and sometimes we will go to WaSa Sushi for the teppan table. Sushi Roku is also a favorite of our youngest. Quiet Woman actually has a great kids’ menu. Zinc Cafe & Market is a favorite for breakfast with the kids. For a night out with friends we like A Restaurant, Side Door, Sushi Roku, Gulfstream, and any new hot spot like CdM.
What is your favorite kid-friendly recipe?
Unfortunately, plain pasta with butter and olive oil, garlic salt, pink salt and lots of parmesan. Tacos are also a winner. My kids are very picky and not very adventurous eaters.
What is your local go-to store for children’s clothes? Yourself?
For the kids we shop at Jacks or Nordstrom. For me, there are a variety of stores. In Fashion Island I frequent Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bloomies. At South Coast Plaza, I like Saks, Zara, and many more.
What are your favorite events in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach? Our favorite events are the summer concerts all over.
Do you have a favorite destination for family trips? Why?
We love to go to Cabo during Spring Break, Deer Valley in the winter, and Hawaii whenever we can squeeze it in. We have been to Europe a couple times with the kids and have a trip comping up in a few weeks. We try to plan trips that will keep everyone happy and active.
Name a favorite book? What’s it about/brief description?
I am an avid reader so it is very hard to pick one. Within the last year it would have to be The Nightingale. I loved the history and the in-depth story line. It was hard to read because it was very sad but so engrossing and I got so attached to the characters.
What has been the most difficult age with your children to date? What helped you overcome the challenges at that time?
I would have to say when they were toddlers. The physical strain was a lot. I always had help as I am a working mom so it was nice to have that brain switch for part of the day. I also relied on my friends and other moms as I do now. Just to be able to vent is a huge stress relief.
What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other moms?
This too shall pass! It is so true. When you are in a phase, it feels like forever. Nothing is forever and things are always changing. Just take a deep breath and get through it. You will be on to something else in no time!
What do you most value in your friends?
Their realness. I want to surround myself with friends who tell the truth about their lives and how hard and challenging it can be. Of course we celebrate the wins and the joys, but for the most part, it is a juggle and a struggle. Nobody has a perfect life and if you claim to, you probably are not friends with me. And, the biggest thing is that if despite all of the ups and downs, you can laugh and not take anything too seriously, you are my friend for life. Laughter is huge.
What was your career before having children? If it’s the same, how do you balance career & motherhood?
I have had my own boutique PR agency for 25 years, Godfrey Sanders PR. We specialize in maternity, baby, kids, parenting, health & wellness and lifestyle. As for the balancing, I don’t know if you can ever say you are balancing. There are times when I need to focus more on my business and then I feel like a shit mother, and other times my kids need me more and I am neglecting my job. I guess if you look at it as a whole, it all balances out in the end. As I am writing this in the summer, I will tell you that there is absolutely no balance in the summer. Whomever created summer is going to get a huge lashing from me. How is a mother supposed to work in the summer?? My kids don’t care or understand that I have to be on a conference call or go to the office. Sigh.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you.
I think people are surprised that I am a pretty serious knitter. I learned from my grandmother when I was 11 and rely on it now to relax and reduce stress. I am also a huge reader and find time to dive into my book when I get into bed at night (if only for a few minutes).
Guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure is watching a series on Netflix or whatever streaming subscription I am suckered into paying for. Another one (and this is my favorite) is drinking wine with my girlfriends and catching up on life.
Thank you Kristina!