Lauren is a local children’s book author with a great sense of humor. She is mom to a 6-year-old girl and enjoys working with organizations like Free Wheelchair Mission. She readily admits that there is a lot of juggling involved when it comes to motherhood.
Where are you from originally?
I was born in Long Beach but raised in Newport Beach.
How long have you lived in Newport Beach? How many kids and their age(s)?
If I tell you how long I have been here I will be giving away my old age . . . haha. I grew up on Lido Island in Newport Beach and the funny thing is twenty something years later I met my husband on the same island. We have one daughter.
What are your favorite things to do with your daughter in general or in town?
We love to climb the rocks in Corona del Mar and have dinner on the beach with a fire pit. We also enjoy taking out our little electric Duffy boat, and like to bring snacks while cruising the bay.
What’s your favorite restaurant in town for a family date? A night out with friends? Why?
I grew up going to Sabatino’s Sausage Company and it is very kid friendly. It is a happy atmosphere with delicious food, so we go there often. The W café is our favorite breakfast place in the Westcliff area. The food is great and the owners are so sweet.
For a night out with friends it would be A Restaurant, Zinqué, Bandera, Farmhouse Restaurant, and Nick’s Laguna Beach.
What is your favorite kid-friendly recipe?
Oh Lord, my daughter is a very picky eater so this one is difficult for me. Does mac and cheese count? She will eat my pasta dishes and I have a few recipes up my sleeve.
What is your local go-to store for children’s clothes? Furniture?
There is an amazing store called Target. I am not sure if a lot of moms know about it but you will find me in the children’s Cat and Jack section every week 🙂 .
I love Restoration Hardware for furniture. I sit in there and pretend that my living room looks like their catalogue. I also really like going to the Long Beach Flea Market to find furniture or other décor pieces.
What are your favorite events in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach?
We really enjoyed Winterfest in Costa Mesa. It is similar to the OC Fair but a much calmer and less cluttered event. It was really fun. Lido Village also has events that go on often.
What has been the most difficult age with your child to date? What helped you overcome the challenges at that time?
I would say age 6 and we are 3 weeks in. I love an independent daughter who voices her mind but does it have to be directed at me?? I have a feeling she will ask for an apartment soon. Having a therapist as a father helps me during these times. We do counseling sessions with him so she can voice her needs that I haven’t met and visa versa.
How do you relax and unwind?
I shop. I really hope my husband doesn’t read this. I also attend sound healing meditation classes. It is so relaxing and no one knows I go haha. Oh and I also go to Chinese massage places and get foot massages. It is heaven and you can find them everywhere.
Your favorite hobbies?
Traveling, writing my books, painting, creating crafts, and looking up homes online.
Guilty pleasure?
Shopping online and eating Nutella in a dark corner of the house.
Inspired by?
Iris Apfel, Giovanna Battista, Donald Robertson, and Nancy Meyers. All of these people are amazing creative icons.
#Momfail?
When my daughter’s binky fell into the toilet in the airplane bathroom.
What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other moms? What was the best advice your mom gave you?
My advice to moms out there: don’t compare yourself to others’ highlight reels. They post their best moments on social media. Not everyone’s lives are like a Pinterest board. Be comfortable in your skin, love yourself, don’t compare your kids, and be content with your life. We only have one go around on this planet so make it count.
My mom’s advice to me: “No one cares.”
What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty and kindness, and if you find out they don’t have those two values, do yourself a favor and distance yourself immediately. Time is precious, so spend it with good people who you value and who value you.
What was your career before having children? If it’s the same, how do you balance career & motherhood?
I have had a few careers. I worked in television and film, and then went into bio tech and pharma. During those career days, I did a lot of philanthropy and writing. I have always wanted to write books. I ended up working for the Better U Foundation and publishing my first children’s book, The Adventures of Aunty Apple, and making it work in my life while being a new mother. I am working on a few other books and still doing philanthropy. I have to say some women are amazing at balancing it all. I can juggle a few things but NOTHING is balanced. I admire women/moms who can balance a clean home, healthy meals, career, and family. I am always dropping the ball on one of those things.
Anything else you want to add?
I am working on a few projects and I have been involved in some really meaningful work with organizations like Free Wheelchair Mission. We have delivered over 1 million free wheelchairs this past year. Please check it out at www.freewheelchairmission.org. I love giving back and if my daughter can understand that maybe her mom is working hard to help others, and she can be inspired to give back as well, then I’ve done my job. I can’t be the best Pinterest-baking, gym-loving, Lululemon-wearing, healthy food on the table mom, but I try. I remind myself everyday to spend time with your little ones, help those who need it, and hide the Amazon boxes before the husband gets home.
Thank you Lauren!
You can find her book The Adventures of Aunty Apple on Amazon or on her website AuntyApple.com.
