The Moms

February 4, 2015

Heather Vandenberghe

Founder and CEO of Vandenberghe & CoNew York City, New YorkPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

What do you do when a dream job or opportunity comes along and you’re not quite ready for it on paper (maybe the proper experience or perfect credentials don’t exist yet)? If you are Heather Vandenberghe (in her younger years)- you bluff. You go for it with your head held high and make everyone believe that not only are you ready for this gig, but you are ready to offer something more special and more expansive than was ever dreamed of. It is this positive outlook and confident attitude (and of course, Heather packs some mean marketing skills) that led Heather through the most prestigious doors and into the most coveted jobs early in her career. It also led her to a high stress and unbalanced lifestyle where she wasn’t managing her personal time and time for her daughters in the way she wanted. It was at this time, in her most frustrated and anxious moment, Vandenberghe faced the most unimaginable hardship-her daughter’s accident, a moment that changed everything and gave her the will and the strength to live better and find more desirable work.

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December 10, 2014

Chriselle Lim

Founder of The Chriselle FactorLos Angeles, CAStory by Lauri LevenfeldPhotography by Karen Rosalie

Following suit with her team member Lauren Fong and our last mom-to-be, Chriselle Lim of The Chriselle Factor has made pregnancy look chic and amazing. She shares her latest styles today on Style Me Pretty; while we get the juicy behind- the-scenes talk on how Chriselle quickly grew her blogging business to incredible heights and why her positive, authentic spirit and her attention to high quality has led her to become one of the most loved and valued fashion bloggers.

My name is Chriselle Lim. I am a stylist, editor, and the founder of The Chriselle Factor. There were a lot of growing pains and ups and downs as I started to pave my own path as an entrepreneur. I started my blog/ channel four years ago as a creative outlet for me to share my passions around fashion. As things started to take off, I realized quite quickly that I could make a business out of what I was creating. And although I have always felt I was more creative than business oriented, over the past few years this has changed as I continually learn needed skills to grow my business.

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November 26, 2014

Lauren Fong

Founder & Fashion Consultant of Itsola, IncBrooklyn, NYPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

I was lucky enough to stumble upon Lauren when we started working together on another soon-to-be TWP mom-to-be, Chriselle Lim. I immediately fell in love with Lauren’s high spirit and radiant positivity. And when I began to unravel her impressive resume and accomplishments, I knew she needed to be featured. And that’s when I found out not only was she game for a photo shoot while we were in NYC the following week, but game for one at 39 weeks! Lauren still charging at this late in her pregnancy (who would have known!), left us all breathless as she commanded the camera in a transparent leopard maxi looking amazing and effortless on the coldest day to date in New York.

I am an entrepreneur, wife, and soon-to-be mom who recently moved from LA to Brooklyn. I own Itsola, Inc. which includes LF Fashion Consulting, a fashion business consulting firm helping designers and fashion influencers organize and manage their businesses. It also includes, LFFC Productions, a fashion event production company that produces fashion shows, store openings and other fashion related events.

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November 17, 2014

Meg Schackelton

Founder + Designer of Margaret Elizabeth JewelrySan Francisco, CAPhotography by Andrea PosadasStory by Andrea Posadas

Meg Shackleton started off with a simple jewelry trunk show in the college dorms. It was this trunk show that ignited a passion for jewelry and later evolved into the now Margaret Elizabeth Jewelry. Fast forward 4 years, Meg is now adjusting to being a mom, alongside running a successful business. Adjustments are never easy, but it is the challenges that make the journey…

My name is Meg Shackleton and I am a mom to 4-month old Tate, wife to Lane, and founder and designer of Margaret Elizabeth Jewelry. I started designing jewelry while a student at Boston College, hosting my first trunk show in my dorm room. After graduating from BC, I went on to work in Advertising at Google and continued to design jewelry on the side. In 2011 I decided to leave the corporate world so that I could pursue the line full-time. Since our beginnings, we have expanded our website and sell our pieces in over 100 stores worldwide. In 2012 we opened our first flagship studio in San Francisco which has been so much fun!

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November 5, 2014

Danielle Walker

Founder & Author of Against All GrainDanville, CAPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

How ironic that what sometimes brings you the most pain in life, can also ignite your biggest passions, gifts and rewards. For award-winning author Danielle Walker of the successful diet and lifestyle blog Against All Grain, this is exactly what happened after years of disease and suffering. Danielle shares how she changed her life through food, became a hope for others while developing a successful blog along the way, and gives a signed copy of her latest book Meals Made Simple (see contest details below) to TWP readers. Plus, hop over to Style Me Pretty Living for her quick and easy recipes!

I’m Danielle Walker, author of the New York Times Best Selling cookbook (48+ weeks), Against all Grain, and the newly released Meals Made Simple. I’m mom to the love of my life, 4-year-old Asher, my baby in Heaven Aila, and wife to Ryan.

After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease when I was 22 years old, I realized that I needed to make dietary changes in order to get well. I removed grains, lactose, and legumes from my diet, and started my blog in 2009 to help others suffering from similar ailments continue to enjoy food.

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October 29, 2014

Andrea Forhman

Founder & Jewelry Designer of Andrea ForhmanLos Angeles, CAPhotography by Lauri Levenfeld & Andrea PosadasStory by Lauri Levenfeld

We fell in love with Andrea’s current celestial designs (like the rest of the world) via instagram. Each piece in her collection is handmade, casted and showcases a collection of stones and gems Andrea has handpicked from her travels around the world. Andrea’s appreciation for details like filagree and antique settings and her imagination and creativity with bold color, shape, and design are ignited by her grandmother as her muse and by her semester in Florence during college. Both have been magical influences in her life that keep Andrea’s creations playful, romantic, modern and authentic. Her custom line of phases of the moon to commemorate special occasions-the birth of a child, a wedding date- is ingenious. Say goodbye to the nameplate and dog tag, we just love these subtle, yet powerful symbols of love and affection.

In many ways I still feel like a girl. I turned 40 this past year, and have to constantly remind myself that I am woman, raising small children; but in my mind, I feel as though I am in my early 20’s. I feel young. I have vivid memories of that time in my life, as if it happened yesterday.

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October 22, 2014

Amy Moy

VP Public Affairs at California Family Health CouncilSan Francisco, CAPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

I am so glad I met my dear friend Amy. Not only is she an amazing friend with the dearest heart, she is a patient and loving teacher and an advocate with a force- to-be-reckon passion for protecting, honoring and saving women’s rights for all of us. As a mom, Amy has always been a great resource for me when diving into more complicated topics of parenting. And with October marked as Let’s Talk Month-we decided to hone in on all the goodies and create a template that us parents can refer to when approached with “the sex talk” and more…

I think like many women I know and love, I am what I’ve made out of what I’m made of. We are all shaped by our experiences and family backgrounds in some way. I’ve tried my best to honor and respect where I come from while also taking full license to create my own story and journey as a woman, a wife and mother. I also do my best to live an intentional, open and active life that feels true and good and more helpful than harmful.

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October 9, 2014

Maia McDonald Smith

Art Director of Rue MagazineSan Francisco, CAPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

In my line of work I am constantly using Pinterest to create mood boards for shoot ideas and styling inspiration. So when we locked in the creator of the art and design blog Design Conundrum and Art Director of Rue Magazine, Maia MacDonald Smith, I knew I wanted to bring a Fall inspiration story from pins to life. You can see all the magic we created via my post on Style Me Pretty today. And here is the inspirational story of a new mom and one true creative extraordinaire.

I’m a new mom, the Art Director at Rue Magazine and freelance designer who occasionally finds the time to blog at Design Conundrum.

I worked for years as a graphic designer for Shopbop.com and Williams Sonoma. I got tired of the corporate environment, and so, two years ago I took the leap and started my own freelance design business. Now I get to work with great clients like Rue Magazine and I love it! Working for myself from home also allows me more time to spend with my daughter, which is exactly what I wanted.

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September 24, 2014

Meghan Shimek

Founder & Weaver for Native TextileSAN ANSELMO, CAPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

I look back on my pregnancy as one of my most profound and creative moments. And so, I am in awe and love the fact that Meghan Shimek of Native Textile found her life’s work when her little boy was just a toddler. This was only a year and a half ago, and already Meghan has developed a keen eye for her designs, made a name for herself in a community of artisans and with her fans, and has dedicated herself to sourcing and supporting local farmers and producers. Meghan shares her story, a DIY lesson on Style Me Pretty today, and a giveaway of an amazing weaving just for TMP viewers this week. Contest details posted below. Good luck! xo, TMP

I am Meghan Shimek, a weaver living in San Anselmo, CA. I am originally from Flint, Michigan, and have lived in Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA and Tempe, AZ. I am a mother to my wonderful three-year-old son, Grey. I am a bit of a wanderer and am always seeking out adventure while at the same time I consider myself a homebody. I love traveling, but I often love just staying home and working in my studio.

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September 17, 2014

Lois Letzt

Founder & Designer for Les Tout PetitRIDGEFIELD, NJ Photography by Andrea Posadas and Robyne MarcusStory by Andrea Posadas

I first witnessed Lois Letzt and her kids fashion line Les Tout Petit via our TMP Mom Zem Joaquin. I immediately fell in love with the fun, energetic, and glamorous line. And after my 5-year old daughter Harley got wind of it… it was all over. With a closet full of the clothes, we are forever fans and now that I know the story of this amazing entrepreneur, our devotion and love is even bigger.

I love what I do and could not imagine doing anything else. What could be better than designing clothes for adorable little girls who happen to be little fashionistas? Every time I run into someone wearing one my designs or see a new photo in a magazine or on Instagram, my heart melts over the cuteness & confidence I witness in these young girls. It’s so inspiring and gratifying.

“FASHION IS MY WORK LIFE,
BUT MY FAMILY LIFE IS MY PRIORITY,
FOLLOWED BY MY FRIEND LIFE.”

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