Shastin is a local mom with many talents who admires her own mom for being an “endless bucket of love.”
Where are you from originally?
I was born at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and grew up in Costa Mesa. At age 8 I moved to a small town in Colorado and returned back to Costa Mesa my sophomore year of high school.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have two children, Oliver and Ruby. My son is 7 and my daughter is 4.
What are your favorite things to do with your kids in general or in town?
During the holidays we love simply just driving around at night and looking at all of the lights. We love going down to Balboa to walk around and see the lights too! Outside of the holiday season we love having friends over and entertaining. The more the merrier!
Name 3 things in town you can’t live without.
Burn Bootcamp in Costa Mesa is an amazing gym I’ve been going to for 3 years. It’s a gym for moms and definitely a necessity! I also love Body Juice in Costa Mesa! Hands down the best juices and bowls in Orange County. Last would be obvious….Target. I’ve definitely dove into the online shopping but having Target so close is really nice.
What’s your favorite restaurant in town for a family date? A night out with friends? Why?
We cook at home a ton so we honestly don’t go out that much at night as a family. If we go out somewhere together it’s typically for lunch and we love The OC Mart Mix. We will have lunch at Greenleaf and pop over to Susie Cakes for a little treat. And for me, I sneak over to the French Bakery next-door for something a little more decadent. It’s a nice place for kids because there is so much space for them to run around and play while I eat. Haha.
When I go out with friends we typically like to grab a glass of wine somewhere and Pacific City has great places to eat.
What is your local go-to store for children’s clothes? Yourself? Furniture?
Target is definitely a stop for kids clothes. I also like Nordstrom Rack for the kids and myself. I think my all time favorite store is Nordstrom, and VICI is great too. For furniture I like TJ Maxx and there are some great spots at the OC Mart Mix.
What are your favorite events in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach?
My favorite event is the 4th of July celebration in my neighborhood. It’s so fun to have all the neighbors get together and friends and family come out to celebrate all day long.
Do you have a favorite destination for family trips? Why?
The last trip we took was to The Big Island and it was amazing! Palm Springs is an easier family get away that is always fun. The kids love the pool and you can’t beat the weather.
Name a favorite book or podcast?
My favorite podcast is Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations. She has different guests on all the time to talk about all the different realms of life. It really gets you thinking and helps set your head straight when needed most. 🙂
What has been the most difficult age with your children to date? What helped you overcome 
the challenges at that time?
I think the most challenging time is the time you’re presently in. Haha. Every age poses challenges and for me it’s been my friends and family to help me through whatever it is at the time. My daughter is 4 now and she is in the “do it myself” phase which can be frustrating when you are trying to get out the door, and with my son being 7, it is battling homework and finding the right schedule that allows him the energy to focus on school work.
What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other moms? What was the best advice your mom gave you?
I would tell every other mom that they are doing a GREAT job! Be proud of yourself and know that you are doing the best that you can. My mom has given me lots of advice but the most important thing I’ve learned from her is through watching her. To me she is what the perfect mom looks like. An endless bucket of love.
What do you most value in your friends?
I value my friends’ confidence in themselves and the way they set goals and work tirelessly to achieve them. I value their loyalty and honestly also. I can go to them and share absolutely anything with them and there is no judgment passed. I take great pride in the women I surround myself with. They are family.
What was your career before having children? If it’s the same, how do you balance career & motherhood?
I was a graphic designer before I had kids then transitioned into being a stay-at-home-mom. After my divorce I took my hobby of photography and kicked it into high gear. Balancing that and the kids is definitely a HUGE challenge. But I’ve learned to manage my time pretty well and even added on another job, Aeroponic Gardening! But that doesn’t mean I still don’t get overwhelmed here and there.
IF and when you get time to yourself, what’s your favorite thing to do? Guilty pleasure?
I always carve time away for myself during the day and that is typically gym time. It’s my therapy. Haha. Guilty pleasure would definitely be Vitaly’s gelato. It’s the best in OC for sure if your a gelato fan and I can’t get enough.
Anything else you want to add?
Sounds funny but I am an aeroponic gardener and a fruit and veggie dealer. My partner and I are in the process of getting aeroponic gardening systems into the local schools to help kids learn about growing their own food and where it comes from. They are also able to go inside your home or outside if you have the space. Go to @growingbeyondorganic for more information.
Aside from that I have had my own photography business for 8 years and still am in love with taking pictures. I do family, social media content, maternity, high fashion and other stuff. My insta is @shastindiazphoto and @shastindiaz.
