Author: Breegan Jane

Financial Literacy For Kids

Conversations about money are often cited as some of the most uncomfortable to have. But they don’t have to be. I don’t want to raise sons who are ignorant of money matters or intimidated by them. I want my boys to have an appreciation for money, a strong work ethic to make it, and the wisdom to grow it. Most of all, I want them to have a life free of financial bondage. I prioritize financial literacy for kids because financial freedom is something everyone deserves, but not everyone has. I’ll tell you more in today’s blog.

It Starts at Home

Most of you know me as an interior designer, but the truth is I’ve been an entrepreneur for far longer than almost anything else. I realized I owe much of my success to my ability to grow money and build wealth. But I wasn’t born with those skills; I was taught them. A great deal of what I know about money came from my father, who was and still is a skilled investor. While my dad’s financial lessons for me as a young girl surpassed what I saw my peers learning, we all look back and believe we could have been doing more. Dad taught me a lot, but I’m very honest about coming from a place of privilege where I didn’t ever want for anything. I did, however, work for the money earned from modeling and auditions. More on that later. Money and its impacts were introduced to me early in life. I’m passing on that wisdom to my boys.

Why Money Matters

In today’s society we talk a lot about money. The discussions are usually around what you can buy with it, what you can achieve with it, and how it impacts your status. Those things absolutely carry weight, but they weren’t the basis for the financial education for my boys.

My boys come from a divorced household. As many parents in my position understand, that means our kids often receive multiple messages about money habits. They know mom’s approach, and they also know dad’s. I wanted my boys to develop their own relationship with money. I also wanted to be intentional about the lessons. Kids are getting messaging whether you want them to or not. They are inundated with images and themes around “rizz” and cars and bling. They are also absorbing our ideas and habits around money. It’s all there and you can’t avoid it.What we can do, however, is empower them with knowledge and strategy. That’s what financial literacy does.

Financial Freedom as a Goal

Jim Carrey once said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and have everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that that’s not the answer.” 

I think that perfectly encapsulates why I believe financial literacy is so important. Money can absolutely make life easier. It is necessary for so many of our basic needs. But money isn’t the end all be all. Financial freedom is! Right now my kids are at the ages where their innocence and naivety around purchasing power is understandable. Requests like “Mom can we get a boat?” aren’t a result of them being spoiled, rather it’s more about the lack of financial literacy. It’s always been crucial for me that my boys see their mom working hard. Now, I realize they also need to connect the hard work to results.

Kingsley and Kensi might grow up and be in a position to buy a boat, or a nice home. Maybe they’ll be CEOs of major companies, who knows. That isn’t what I’m after. I don’t care if my sons choose to live extravagantly or lead simple, humble lives. I just want them to be able to make the choice, and be comfortable. Financial freedom is about having the ability to make your own choices with how you use and spend your money. That begins with knowing how to make and grow it.

Lessons in Financial Literacy

I have been quite thoughtful and deliberate when it comes to incorporating financial literacy into both life lessons and my sons’ curriculum. I don’t want money to feel intimidating or foreign to them, so we make it practical. One of the first things I did was take my boys to the bank, piggy banks in tow. We set up bank accounts at Chase Bank for each of them. Now, I could have done this without them, but I wanted them to see the process and understand what an actual “bank” is. This is money they save and don’t touch. Of course, being so young still, all of their needs are taken care of, so that part is fairly easy. But the concept of saving is something they can learn even now.

A Financial Advisor

One of the most helpful things I’ve done with the boys is hire a financial advisor who works for and with individual families in investing. I wanted someone willing to have conversations with them about financial literacy as a part of their tutoring schedule. She uses finance games to teach them about banking, stocks and even helps them develop fictitious business plans. If you’re able to take advantage of an advisor in this way, I highly recommend it.

Greenlight

Another tool of ours is the Greenlight app. It’s an all-in-one money app for families that allows kids to have their own debit cards, but in a way that parents can control. They are pre-loaded upfront, so there’s never a worry about running up a bill. My favorite feature is the “earn” element. I can list chores or jobs the kids can do in order to earn money. I get an alert each time something is accomplished, and the money goes into their account! It’s an excellent way to teach the value of work while also incentivizing them to do their chores.

Robinhood

Investing is a skill that even many adults don’t have. Robinhood is an app that makes it easy. Now, this one you have to be 18 to use, so I let my boys use my account and only under my supervision. I gave them each $100 to invest however they wanted, and they have fun logging in to check each day. It’s been interesting to watch them make certain decisions together and others individually. They are learning how stocks work, and how to invest wisely, all before their teenage years!

There are so many tools available to help kids become financially wise. We just have to prioritize it and be willing to help them understand it all. Sometimes simply buying your child a wallet and making him or her responsible for keeping up with the money inside is enough to get the ball rolling. Remember, while we need money for this life, financial freedom is what truly determines the quality of the life you live. That’s the lesson I hope my boys get as they learn more about how money is made. Check out these tools for your family!

Raising Kids to Be Kind

When I think about the people whom I consider heroes, there are three that immediately come to mind: Mother Theresa, Princess Diana and Oprah. What do they have in common? Well, they’re definitely all global change agents. The bigger similarity for me is much simpler: they’re all kind. Kindness is such a virtue and essential part of having values to me. As a mom, I want to instill that in my boys. I hope that other parents are raising kids to be kind in their homes, also. Here’s why it is so important to me.

Why Kindness Matters

There are tons of scientific reasons why being kind matters. For me, they are far less complicated. Being kind just makes the world a better place. It promotes positivity in social interactions and relationships. That’s more important than anything my boys can learn inside a classroom. Kindness resonates beyond what can be attained in a book, in my personal parenting perspective. The women I mentioned above are change agents because of what they’ve done for society. More than that, these ladies all possess the power to impact people’s lives because of how they treat others. 

That kind of influence creates positive paths of opportunity, and I want my children to be surrounded and filled by positivity throughout their lives. Plus, people are so much kinder to themselves when they are kinder to others. As my kids learn more about the world around them, I hope they learn just as much about themselves and how to interact well with people similar and dissimilar to themselves. Ultimately, I hope they learn and show through their actions that they have the power to make themselves and others feel good—and safe.

Everyday Kindness

My family is a testament to the fact that raising kids to be kind isn’t as difficult as society’s actions make it seem to be. I have conversations with my boys regularly about treating each other and strangers nicely. We also discuss scenarios that focus on times when people don’t treat them well. I’ve had my fair share of instances with not-so-nice people, so my conversations with my children flow interdependently. 

Along with regular talks with my sons, I set rules in our home that focus on kindness and generosity. When they go to the playground, I regularly suggest to them to look and see if anyone is being left out of playing. If they notice someone, I suggest one of them go and offer to play with them. If the kid says no, that’s okay. I want my boys to at least make the offer. I also require them to say “please” and “thank you,” both to me and each other. Those words show baseline respect in my opinion, and I want my kids to have that ingrained in their “mental manners” handbook.

To reinforce positivity, I also commit to not rewarding any bad behavior from my children. Having attitudes or tantrums and making general decisions not to be nice to anyone are punishable offenses in the Breegan Jane home. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. That’s one of my primary parenting tenets.

Kindness From Their Perspective

It’s one thing for me to work with my boys on being nice, but I also want them to work out those values between themselves. And they do—most times. One way this happens is through sharing. For instance, they now know they can only take toys and play with them in public if they offer to share them with other kids. Public spaces aren’t our home. However, they know the morals we have at home apply everywhere. I can tell they’ve caught on. I’ve seen them offer pool floats to other kids while they shared one between themselves. It made my heart leap inside. 

Exposing my boys to animals has also helped them become more kind. They recently learned how to ride horses, and that’s helped them learn how to treat living beings well as a whole. It’s been a great way to show them how to value all lives. Now, Kingsley catches spiders around the house, but he doesn’t squash them. Instead, he takes them outside and sets them free. I see that translate to people when we ride through our city. My boys always want to get clothing or blankets for the people around town without homes. We don’t call them “homeless” in our family. They are people who do not have houses. This language doesn’t devalue people because of their circumstances. We help when and how we can, but I love the care and concern they now have for others. These are the roots of kindness I want to grow in my kids’ hearts.

Parental Advice

In an ideal world, raising kids to be kind would be at the top of every parent’s agenda. Unfortunately, it’s not. For those parents who do value this belief, know that it’s not difficult to do. The first step is talking with your children about how they show kindness, or what they can do more to show it to others. Watch how your children react to others when kindness is being shown and not shown. Processing actions, even with other kids, can go a long way in teaching your kids what to do to be respectful of others. It can also alleviate negative interactions in the moment for everyone involved. 

It’s also important to navigate with your children what to do when other people aren’t kind to them. My boys now know how to return kindness for meanness. However, they also know not to play victim to negative interactions, and to make people speak for themselves if others try to hurt them. They appreciate learning how to empower themselves. 

Kindness makes our hearts feel good. It helps us regulate our emotions, and it fosters better interactions in our relationships. We should all want these positives in our lives. I know from experience that our children will be better kids—and adults, as they age—when they prioritize kindness. Raising our kids to be kind will only create a better society for their futures. I see absolutely no downsides to that—and that should make our hearts feel good, too.

“Different” as a Compliment

I don’t think I’ll ever stop talking about the way travel enriches life. Yes, we can all agree that discovering new places is fun. I mean, who doesn’t love a change of scenery from time to time? But traveling for my family is so much more than just recreation. It has the ability to shift and change our perspectives in more ways than most realize. One of the most impactful parts of traveling outside of the States is the expansion of the way we perceive differences. I’ve found myself unusually intuitive regarding this topic, and I’d love to explore it with you in today’s blog.

The Benefits of Traveling

I always wanted to raise kids who would spend summers with me in Europe. Now, seeing as how I am not from Europe, this might strike many as strange. However, I’ve been traveling since I was a kid, and the experiences that I’ve had are invaluable. In fact, so many of my closest friends live all over the globe, and I attribute that to my passion for travel that I’ve had my entire life. I wanted my kids to be able to experience that as well. So they’ve been on airplanes since they were newborns!

 

If you’re able, I’d advise you to travel any and everywhere that piques your interest. Of course by now you know my favorite place in the world is Ibiza, Spain. I’ve talked at length about how it inspires my design aesthetic. My kids and I travel there a few times a year, and we typically spend a couple months on the island in the summer. I love watching Ibiza become their second home.

Different is a Compliment

One of the things I’ve noticed in Ibiza and other countries is the way other cultures use and view the word: “different.” When we’re in another place people often look at my sons’ hair and they say, “Their hair is so different!” I watch as the kind strangers’ eyes widen and light up as they describe the hair texture. I’ve gotten that about my own hair as well. If I’m wearing a unique necklace or pair of earrings, they say: “That’s so different!” and they want to know more about it. So, as maybe back home that would be a cause for suspicion to many, here it was admiration and genuine curiosity.

 

 

People are commenting on something they have never seen before. It’s new and fascinating, and they want to learn about it. Those statements are accompanied by questions, and the intention behind them becomes clear. They are having a novel experience, and they want to embrace it. Sadly, that’s not always the case back at home.

An Intolerance for Differences

The reason all of that stuck out to me in the first place was because of the way differences are viewed and handled in the States. Here, different isn’t a compliment. It’s weird, discouraged and often said as an insult. Don’t believe me? Think about the girl who bullied others in highschool. The first thing people do in those situations is point out differences. Kids exclude others because someone looks different, acts differently, or exists in a different socioeconomic class…and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. But kids aren’t where it ends. 

How many times have you heard someone else or even yourself say things like, “I can’t eat that. It’s too different!” Or maybe you’ve heard it said with a sassy attitude that implied far more than just something being diverse. 

“Their family is just…different.”

We all know the tone there, and we know enough to realize it’s never said or meant as flattery. “Different” in these examples is divisive. It’s a way to put a boundary up or to express disinterest. That’s a far cry from the people in other places who want to know the origin story behind something they’re encountering for the first time. 

Beauty in Diversity

When did we get so far from appreciating the beauty in differences? When my boys and I travel, whether domestically or internationally, we love to point out all the ways each place is similar and different from what we’re accustomed to back home. I want them to welcome the features of each place and develop an appreciation for them.

The beauty of uniqueness is what makes the world go ‘round. Think about our ecosystem and how vast it is. So many elements keep it healthy and thriving. If one part of the system ceases to exist, the entire system is in danger. It’s the differences in the plants and animals that keep the whole of it all healthy. We, as a society, should be functioning much like that.

Different in Design

I have always found an intolerance for differences to be so odd. Maybe it’s because my own origin story is so unique. Or maybe because when you’ve traveled all over you realize no place or people are exactly alike, and that’s the wonderful part of it. In interior design, being different is viewed as a good thing. There’s space for weird and strange in our community. I can put disco balls in my kitchen without people batting an eye. In certain luxury markets (cars, fine leather goods, etc) “different” is even marketed as a selling point. These are the only places I’ve experienced it as a good thing. I think it’s time to change that.

 

Making Different Cool Again

I have a challenge for you. This week I want you to tell someone something they have on, a hairstyle, a fragrance or anything else is “different.” I want you to genuinely mean it as a compliment. Be curious! Ask them about it and be interested in the answer. Wholeheartedly mean it. Let’s see if we can shift the connotation and become a nation of people who appreciate variety, diversity and differences. Chat with me about it on my socials!

Breegan Jane x The Sabrina Soto Show: Fridgescaping

Let’s face it, life is full of big and small inconveniences. They’re pretty inevitable. You catch all the red lights when you’re in a rush, or the baby throws up just as you’re about to go into an important meeting. Sometimes simply making it through the day feels like an Olympic sport, and if you’re a mom? Well you deserve ALL the gold medals! Life? Yeah it can be a lot. Your home design shouldn’t be. The superpower of interior design is its ability to optimize spaces in personalized ways that make our lives more efficient and enjoyable. I visited my friend Sabrina Soto on The Sabrina Soto to talk to her about one of my favorite hacks: fridgescaping. Now I’m sharing those tips with you!

Pretty and Useful Design Details

When I began building my L.A. beach home, I knew I would prioritize my wants and needs over traditional interior design rules. In fact, my new book: California Beach House Luxury, is all about the “why” behind my intricate and sometimes unusual design details. I mean, I put disco balls in my kitchen and included a countertop dancefloor to go right along with it! If that sounds weird, it’s probably because that design choice wouldn’t be ideal for YOUR lifestyle. But we are a family that entertains, and dancing and music are just the rhythm of life around our home. 

My approach to home design involves creating an atmosphere and space that encourages you to be the very best version of yourself, because that’s how you thrive. I believe our homes can be both beautiful and functional. It just takes a bit of innovative thinking. I’ll be honest, I’ve never loved the look of a classic refrigerator. Is it necessary? Absolutely! Attractive? Not so much. So, I clad mine in a stunning stone from Neolith. Now my fridge isn’t just user-friendly, it’s a feature in my kitchen that feels like art. Don’t stop at utility; make your space pretty and useful. That’s where fridgescaping comes in!

What is Fridgescaping?

I visited The Sabrina Soto Show to talk about how we use and interact with the “heart of the home”, our kitchens, in practical ways. I introduced the concept of fridgescaping, which is just a cool way to describe decorating the inside of a refrigerator. Now, we’re not talking about decorating in the most traditional ways. No one is hanging photos inside their kitchen appliances (are they?). Instead, fridgescaping is more about making the inside of the appliance aesthetically pleasing in a way that encourages you to use the contents. Who doesn’t want that?

Benefits of Fridgescaping

I find that we often think of interior design in terms of surface level aspects. However if we dig a little deeper, we will find that the state of our homes has a significant impact on how we feel. It has been said that our homes can sometimes be a direct reflection of our mental state. So if a cluttered home equals a cluttered mind, imagine what we could do with a bit of organization and minimizing.

Design isn’t just about what you see, it’s also what you don’t see. It’s about recognizing what’s in your life that causes chaos, and pinpointing the inefficiencies that can be improved upon. Fridgescaping doesn’t mean achieving perfection, but it does mean giving you peace of mind. 

Fridgescaping 101: The How-To’s

So now we know what fridgescaping is and how it can benefit our lives. How do we actually do it? Remember that the point of it all isn’t to create an insta-worthy fridge. Instead, we want to identify the items that we interact with, and give them a chance to shine! Start with your priorities. I want my kids to have healthy snacks. I’ve found that displaying them in cute vessels within direct eye-sight means they reach for them more often. Find attractive containers and store your fruits in them. Arrange them on a shelf all together, and you’ll notice yourself (and your kids) craving them more. 

I also like to decant juices, milks and other beverages into clear glass containers, because they allow the colors to show. This does two things: it lets me know how much of each is left, and it makes the fridge look uniform and pretty! No more ugly cartons with expired milk!

Fridgescaping is all about giving everything in your fridge a home, so that you always know where to look for things. The result is an appealing space that helps you use the things you have. It’s a simple technique that aims to make your life a little less crazy and a whole lot more beautiful. Is this something you would try? Watch the episode and let me know!

 

 

 

Breeze, by Breegan Jane: Calacatta Gold Marble Fan Tile

I can’t count how many times clients have asked me for recommendations for my favorite products to elevate their home design. It’s why I’m thrilled to have developed this remarkable new tile collection: Breeze, by Breegan Jane, with TileBar! I love being able to offer people exactly what I use in my own designs so they can see real world applications. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to the Breeze Drift Calacatta Gold Marble Fan Tile. Let’s talk about it!

Breeze Drift Calacatta Gold Marble Fan Tile

By now you know that a trademark of the Breegan Jane style is the bespoke quality I aim to saturate every design project with. Somewhere down the line people decided that practical had to mean unappealing or ordinary. My contributions to the world of design are proof that you can achieve functionality and convenience while still creating beautiful, curated spaces. The Drift Calacatta Gold Marble Fan tile embodies this concept.

This gorgeous tile is a micro-mosaic that features a pattern that fans outward, hence the name. Once again, you’ll find my love of stone making its appearance in this luxe collection. Drift Calacatta Gold Marble Fan tile is made from pieces of premium Calacatta Gold marble. This is a tile that works pretty much everywhere due to its neutral coloring, but it’s anything but typical. Drift Calacatta Gold Marble Fan tile has subtle undertones of gold and dramatic gray veining. 

How to Use Drift Calacatta Gold Marble Fan tile

So, where can this beautiful and dimensional tile be used in your home? Well it’s well suited for the kitchen, backsplash or bathroom, so add versatility to the list of reasons why you need this one! I especially love this tile for bathrooms because it checks all the necessary boxes. I find that people don’t often think about grout and the benefits of it when installing tile in wet spaces, but it’s a bigger deal than you think.

I’m a big fan of grout lines when you’re going to be using a tile in rooms with slippery surfaces. They reduce that danger! I took inspiration from old Italian restaurants in Italy. These places have been there for 200 years, so they must be doing something right! I notice that the floors are always white with a mosaic pattern and a border. Those floors are incredibly durable, and nobody slips! Looking for a gorgeous tile to elevate your space without sacrificing safety? Look no further.

Luxe, Breezy Style

Drift Calacatta Gold Marble Fan tile is a natural stone mosaic that challenges traditional design with its unique shape. Every tile in my TileBar collection is thoughtfully made. Tiny pieces are individually cut and selected to ensure your product wows! I especially love this tile for a seamless, non-directional look. If you’re looking to make a big impact, don’t do a medium sized tile. Somehow, that looks worse than doing a penny round, hexagon or mosaic like this one. Drift Calacatta Gold Marble Fan tile brings a balance of elegance and earthiness that beach house living is known for. It is the perfect addition to any space you’re looking to instill an effortless serenity, and I can’t wait to see how you use it! Check out the entire collection today!

 

Breeze, by Breegan Jane: Flower Bianco Dolomite Marble Mosaic Tile

I’m a designer who has invested several years into making spaces (residential and commercial) beautiful and functional. Entering into the product development and licensing spaces has felt destined, because it allows me to bring products directly to consumers that will enhance their everyday lives. It’s a dream! When I began working with TileBar, I knew we would create magic together. I was right. Breeze, by Breegan Jane is my new tile collection inspired by quintessential beach house living, and I cannot wait to reveal every single piece to you! Today’s is especially stunning.

Did you catch the announcement of my collection? If not, this is a perfect time to go check it out. In what we’re calling a “meditative mix” you’ll find authentic terracotta and terracotta-inspired porcelain as well as encaustic-look and decorative mosaics. If a tranquil seaside escape is what you’re after, Breeze has the power to bring it to life!

 

Flower Bianco Dolomite Honed Marble Mosaic Tile

I’ve never been a fan of cookie-cutter design. Instead, I think a home shines its brightest when it incorporates the personalities of those that dwell within those walls. I want my home to feel like me. My tile collection is an artful representation of what I have always loved: the sand and sea and all the beautiful parts of nature that make me feel connected to the earth. If you’ve been around awhile, you know my love of stone. The Flower Bianco Dolomite tile is a mosaic in a floral-inspired pattern crafted from pieces of premium Bianco Dolomite marble. This gorgeous material features a milky white base and gentle veining.

Organic, Modern and Effortless

When clients ask me how to make the biggest impact in their spaces, I often direct them towards the largest surfaces in the home. Your walls, backsplashes, floors—these will all significantly affect the look of any room. An elegant tile can effortlessly enhance a space if you choose wisely. Flower Bianco Dolomite tile is an elevated take on nondirectional design that feels a bit more organic. 

 

I find that many people like the idea of pebble flooring, but they shy away from installing it. It’s usually because the feeling of the surface isn’t appealing to their feet. Flower Bianco Dolomite tile is a luxe mosaic of tiny pieces that have been individually cut, meticulously selected and hand-placed into the floral pattern. It’s even backed with mesh for an easy application! You can throw away those pebbling woes, because this exquisite tile is my perfected take on that classic, but with a more organic and less traditional elements.

 

How to Use Flower Bianco Dolomite Tile in Your Home

So, how would you use Flower Bianco Dolomite tile? Well, the options are pretty endless! This natural stone mosaic lends itself to a variety of spaces in the home. It is an ideal fit as a kitchen backsplash, or for bathroom walls or floors. I have featured many of my own designs with stone slab all the way up to the ceiling, but that’s not possible for every area. If slab installation isn’t for you, go small and nondirectional with a unique shape. Something like Flower Bianco Dolomite tile will allow the eye to take in the entire space and not be distracted by size or grout lines. 

Check out Flower Bianco Dolomite and the rest of the tiles from my Breeze collection with TileBar today! They’re all designed to work solo or in combination with the other offerings in the collection, so you can curate a customized look for your spaces with ease. Which is your favorite so far?

 

Introducing: Breeze, by Breegan Jane x TileBar

Breeze, by Breegan Jane is here! I’m thrilled to introduce to you my thoughtfully curated, designer tile collection with Tile Bar. This elegant selection is my love letter, my homage to beach house living and everything that makes it the amazing experience it is. 

 

Breeze successfully embodies the beautiful dichotomy that is quintessential beach life. The capsule collection is representative of the seemingly impossible harmony of sandy-toed surfers jogging on the shore, mixed with the elegance of Michelin star-worthy dinners enjoyed on white marble table tops. It. is. Inspired.

And now, I’m bringing it straight to you.

 

Eight remarkable tiles, each with their own personality and design, are available now. You’ll find them polished and brilliant, but appropriately durable enough to withstand entertaining and fun with friends and family. Luxury is meant to be enjoyed, and my tiles are all things luxe and liveable.

So, what can you expect from Breeze, by Breegan Jane? You’ll see terracotta and terracotta-inspired porcelain with encaustic-look and decorative mosaics. 

 

 

Handcrafted tiles with a rustic crackled glaze that feel like the enchantment of a shimmering mermaid’s tail.

You’ll experience a unique blend of materials and finishes that organically translate to various spaces while providing a tranquil backdrop. We’re bringing you unique silhouettes that elevate your spaces and infuse them with relaxed sophistication.

 

Breeze delivers artisanal details that capture the heart and rhythm of beach house living. These exceptional tiles present an idyllic backdrop for your everyday life, and I know you’re going to love them as much as I do! Stay tuned for more exclusive details about the collection!

Finding Your Career Path: Lessons From an HGTV Designer

When I look at the life I have and the opportunities I have been afforded, I am reminded of how my life’s story has been a unique one in almost every way since birth. The unexpected twists and turns have not always been happy ones, but I am certain they have directed me exactly to where I was meant to be. The best news is my career path and story? Well those pages are still being written, and I can’t wait to see what’s in my next chapter! In the meantime, I think of all the messages I receive on an almost daily basis asking me about how I started my career as a designer. People ask how I became an interior designer for HGTV, and how they can figure out where to start to reach their own goals. Well buckle up, because today we’re going to talk about finding your career path and making your dreams a reality!

When the (Career) Path is Uncertain

One of the biggest things many of us share is a fear or discomfort around the “unknowns” in our lives. How many moments have you spent wondering about how things will turn out? Ruminating thoughts bounce around in our minds regarding relationships, projects, work and other important life aspects. Each of them is wrapped in a common cloud of mystery. We never quite know how things will progress. However, accepting that navigating uncharted territory is part of the process might just be the first step on the way to finding your career path. 

Potential Prospects Could Be Perfect

Spoiler alert: things don’t turn out exactly as you imagine them. Even bigger spoiler: that’s okay. In fact, it’s perfect. Listen, as much as we often wish we had a crystal ball to answer some of those somersaulting thoughts we just finished identifying, it just isn’t realistic. Life unfolds in its own way. When it does, like your swim instructor taught you, don’t swim against the current. 

When I was younger, I was sure I would grow up to become a neonatal nurse. I loved babies, and I wanted to care for them all the time. As I got older I discovered that the job I wanted involved sometimes caring for sick babies who would pass away. I knew I couldn’t handle that part of the job, so my thoughts about my possible career path changed. Little did I know, that would be one of many surprises life had in store for me.

Pointless to Plan?

When I became pregnant with my first child, I decided almost immediately that I wanted to wait to learn the sex of our baby until the birth. Unexpected complications and necessary extra ultrasounds thwarted my plans. I was convinced I was having a girl with both of my pregnancies. So, imagine my shock when “It’s a BOY!” was blurted out to me on both occasions! Of course, I was thrilled to be having healthy babies of either sex, but like many other moms, hopes of all the girly activities my daughters and I could do together were promptly dashed and replaced with more stereotypical “boy” ones. Once again, life had a perfect plan in store.

My two boys have been the biggest blessings in so many ways. I understand so much more about men after becoming a mom to sons. There are certain innate tendencies and personality traits that just make sense to me now! Additionally, we encourage embracing both masculine AND feminine energy along with comfortable gender expression without societal limits. Because of this, I never “missed out” on anything by having my precious sons. We’re able to enjoy any of the activities they’re interested in, and trust me, those options are endless. I have chronicled my experience of being a boy mom and through that process I’ve been able to help so many moms along their parenting journeys! Being a radio show host and lifestyle expert and blogger was a part of my career path that I could have never predicted. The lesson? Set goals and work towards them, but remember that you often hold only pieces of life’s puzzle. Leave room for the ones you haven’t encountered yet.

Natural Talent: A Hiding Place For a Career Path

I have talked about my start in Hollywood as a child actor and model. I’ve even talked about owning my retail store as a teenager. All of these parts of my upbringing were foreshadowing my future preoccupation with the creative field. But, I can see that even smaller instances were indications of how my career path would develop. I would go visit friends’ homes and rearrange their parents’ furniture in a more aesthetically pleasing configuration while they were away. Friends would ask me to come look at their vacation homes and give suggestions on how to make it appear larger or what modifications to make to the design. Only later would I put those skills to use and open my own interior design firm, Breegan Jane LLC!

My parents knew even before I did that I was comfortable in front of the camera. That, coupled with my desire to help others and aptitude for all things creative, would lead to being asked to be an HGTV interior designer on the network’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I was able to utilize my natural talents in a way that helped deserving families get new homes. When you’re searching for the career that suits you, ask yourself what interests you hold. The areas where you excel might be where your answer is lurking!

Remain Open 

I’ve always had an ability to view a space and see what it could be in ways others couldn’t imagine. I discovered that transforming a blank slate into a work of art was a skill that not everyone possesses and that it could have an incredible effect on my career trajectory. It didn’t happen overnight, and it wasn’t immediately obvious. I didn’t grow up with a plan to be an HGTV interior designer. I leaned into my natural interests, abilities and savvy. Those, along with an openness to what life had for me allowed me to find my career path. If you’re searching for yours, consider following those tips. The journey may mature in ways you would never have expected, but the ride? Well it’s always worth it!

 

Boys in Fur Coats: Motherhood Surprises

What do you want to be when you grow up?  I’m sure all of us can remember sitting in an elementary school classroom and being asked that very question by a teacher. If you caught my feature on Mini Magazine last week, you likely saw that as a kid I wanted to be a neonatal nurse. Once I learned of how many tragic experiences those professionals encounter in that career, I quickly changed my mind. However, the one thing that never quite left my head and heart was motherhood. I have always been maternal, and I could not wait to have my own littles running around! A recent trip to New York City reminded me of the plans I made for my motherhood journey way before I became a mom. I could have never predicted the surprises life had in store for me. I’m happy to share a few of them with you in today’s blog.

Pregnant With Expectation

Like so many expectant mothers, I was ecstatic when I discovered I was pregnant. Several dreams floated around in my mind about what kind of mom I’d be, and what experiences I’d have with my future child(ren). I won’t lie to you. I wanted girls. With both of my pregnancies I predicted I was having girls. 

As you can see from the above photo, I was very wrong, lol. I was blessed with two adorable baby boys. While I was thrilled to have my healthy bouncing babies, I assumed I would have to mourn some of the wishes I previously had when I thought I’d be a girl mom. What life showed me was that motherhood is a journey equally full of anticipation and shock. I was about to get one of the biggest unexpected lessons of my life.

A Fashionable Trip to the Big Apple

In mid April of this year I set out on a work trip that would span the course of several weeks. I headed to the East Coast to participate in an event called Design on a Dime. I brought my boys with me for this trip to New York City, and they had a blast. We traveled to New York, then to High Point, North Carolina, and then back to New York, so you can imagine what our luggage was like! Because I knew it would be chilly both on the plane and at our destination, I had the boys each wear one of my fur coats. This proved to be extremely helpful when it came to saving space in our suitcases! But, it drew my attention to something much bigger than packing efficiency. 

During our time in New York, the boys and I (and even their grandmother!) kept busy with several fun adventures. They visited the Statue of Liberty, saw a few shows, and even took a carriage ride through the city. I watched as they walked down those Manhattan streets, owning them as if they were their own personal catwalk. These kids proudly wore my fur coats without thinking anything of it, and they rocked the look! While the kids got to explore the city with grandma, mommy had to work. I took a few meetings and met with companies I would be partnering with. In one of those meetings I selected a few jewelry pieces that I wore for a photoshoot. Later that night when I arrived back at our hotel, my boys took notice of the accessories and decided they wanted to wear them the next day. 

Tossing Gender Norms

You’re probably wondering what any of these escapades have to do with my motherhood experience. Well, when I was pregnant and wishing for a girl, I pictured matching “mommy-and-me” ensembles, sharing my jewelry, and cute dates to the nail salon. Never in a million years would I have imagined I’d be walking through New York with my sons donning bejeweled tiger and cheetah necklaces and fur coats! 

Last year during a visit to Lake Arrowhead, my sons and I stopped into the cutest little eccentric boutique. It was the kind of store that sold “fabulous grandma chic”, and we were all about it! Kingsley found a cool electric blue jacket that he loved and tried it on. I heard the sales associate tell him to “stop playing around and take it off.” I guess she thought it was inappropriate for a little boy to wear something originally designed for a woman. But, fashion isn’t about gender.

The mama bear in me emerged, ready to protect my innocent Kingsley. I told him he could have it if he liked it. Both of my boys left that store with jackets they liked that day. We had the blue suede jacket and tie-dyed jacket hemmed so they would fit the kids, and both boys proudly wear them each chance they get. Our time in N.Y. made me reminisce on that encounter, and I realized that my little family has never played by the traditional gender rules. We don’t subscribe to that.

Unexpected Adventures in Motherhood

Do your kids shock you with their interests? Mine do, daily. They love trips to the nail salon. I don’t think they’re ever as quiet as they are when they’re getting pampered. I sit between them while we get pedicures. Kingsley gets no polish, but Kensi likes green on his toenails. These were experiences I thought I’d only have with daughters. After all, when I was pregnant no one was talking about sharing necklaces with their sons! Now, we regularly see bold looks on men at red carpet events and parties. No one bats an eye when Steven Tyler wears eyeliner. It wasn’t strange when Prince wore ruffles and heels. We just accepted their avant-garde style. Motherhood, and more specifically being a mom to two boys has taught me lessons about my own preconceived notions and biases around gender. I didn’t expect to have boys who love accessorizing with mommy’s pearls and taking care of their own jewelry collection! But that’s the beauty of it all. Life creates opportunities for you to have the moments you’re supposed to have, even if they don’t occur the way you envisioned them.

Creating Connectedness

Our time in New York was amazing, and it sparked so much internal reflection. When I was dreaming of all these sweet moments I wanted to have with a little girl, I was so focused on those occasions being specific to moms and daughters, that I couldn’t open myself up to the possibility of what I have now. I realize it was never about gender at all! Instead, I was searching for connection points with my kids. I wanted to share passions and interests with them. That’s something I do today, on a regular basis with my seven and nine year old sons. I’m so grateful that life worked out this way. Turns out, I needed exactly what I received. So, if you’re an expectant mom, just be sure to allow things to unfold. Motherhood is full of surprises, and you’re built for every single one of them.

 

Experiences Over Things

I document everything. Like, everything. I think you’ll find that this is a pretty typical occurrence amongst mothers and parents in general. We don’t want to miss a thing! So I’m always taking photos and videos of the things my boys and I do. I like to share bits and pieces of our lives online with my followers and friends who don’t live nearby. So, you’ll see on my social media all of the fun things my family enjoys doing together. I love being able to look through instagram and reminiscence on our adventures. When I think about it, what I love the most has nothing to do with the tangible gifts I’ve bought the boys. It’s always the experiences we’ve had. That’s why I’m a huge advocate of gifting your children experiences over things. Let’s dive into that in today’s blog.

Memories Make the Best Souvenirs

I think it’s natural to want to give your kids the world. That’s why Christmas morning is such an event. Parents always want to see their kids’ faces light up with joy as they tear into all the new toys and gadgets. And, don’t get me wrong, I understand. I like finding cool gift ideas that my sons will love. However, I have come to realize that when I look back on the moments that make me smile and bring me joy, they’ve all been so much more about the experiences we shared than some item I purchased. In fact, my kids hardly even remember some of those expensive gifts they received from last year.

Parents, think about the times you hosted an extravagant party for your kid’s birthday. Maybe you went all out on personalized decorations, balloons and goodie bags for all the guests. You bought the kid a cute outfit, arranged catering from a delicious restaurant and even designed animated invitations to entice all their little friends to attend! But, in the end, all the kids only talked about how much fun they had in the bouncy house. Nobody ate much of the fancy food. Nobody remarked about the invitations. And not a single person seemed to notice how your kid’s new shoes perfectly coordinated with his shirt and socks. But everyone is STILL talking about how much fun the petting zoo was, to this very day. That’s because people might forget the gift you gave, but they always remember how you made them feel. That, my friend, is the power of an experience.

Mom and Me

When I was about 11 years old, my mom and I visited San Francisco for a weekend and we spent time in the neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury. I have written before about how amazing of an experience that was. It was one of the first times I felt like diversity wasn’t the exception, it was the rule. I had such a great time picking out a fancy dress and frolicking around town with my mom. I wouldn’t recognize until much later how impactful that moment in time was and how it would shape me. That trip was one of several experiences I had with my parents that I cherish, and it inspires me to go out of my way to create those types of adventures with my boys.

I like to involve my kids in various parts of my work that interest them. They’ve gone on many work trips with me where we can schedule fun tours and activities. Just this year we traveled to North Carolina and New York City for work projects, and the boys had a blast. We saw a Broadway play, the Statue of Liberty and they even took a carriage ride through the city with their grandma! Recently, I got great tickets to see Beyonce with my boys. Yes. You read that right. I took my sons to see Queen Bey, and we danced and sang until we were exhausted! HIGHLY recommend. The concert and showmanship were superb, but what really mattered was how electric everything felt. My sons are still reliving all the fun we had. I just know they’ll always remember the exciting evening we enjoyed together.

I want my kids to look back at various stages of their lives with fun stories to tell and warm fuzzy feelings. My hope is that I’ve invested my time and money in experiences that made them feel seen, valued and celebrated. Experiences last so much more than any gift I can give. The time we spend together is precious, and that makes it worth it for me. 

Experiences Broaden Horizons

We talk quite a bit about travel here on my little piece of the internet. My wanderlust began when I was a kid, and I think it’s safe to say I’ve passed that onto my boys! We regularly take trips to various parts of our country and beyond. Now, while I love a good staycation when I need to unwind nearby, my heart and soul crave international trips! One of my favorite experiences to have with Kingsley and Kensi are trips to different countries. You already likely know Ibiza is my favorite place on earth. I don’t think there’s a prettier island. But, I love Spain for more than just the teal waters. I love that my boys get to see how other cultures live life. We recently spent a week in Croatia on a yacht, and while most of the time was occupied by fun watersports, we also enjoyed getting out to explore the area and learn more about the country. Our travels are full of educational opportunities.

Now don’t get me wrong. You don’t have to board a plane and fly across the world to have amazing experiences. There is so much to learn by even visiting different states! I’m a California girl through and through. I love living in my state and city because of all the diversity. I can still tell you that going to other states can be eye opening. A few years ago I needed to travel to Austin, Texas to film a TV show, and we were slated to be there for just over a month. Well, that gave my boys time to get signed up for horseback riding lessons and golf lessons. They had such a great time, but they learned more than any of us anticipated. I remember being shocked at the way the instructors used positive but stern reinforcement and discipline. We would soon realize that cultural elements were at play. The South was certainly different, and rich in its own social norms and traditions. Those weeks gave my boys an opportunity to experience the differences in various regions in the U.S.

Finding Fun in France

Right before Mother’s Day my boys and I boarded a plane to Paris, France. We were en route to Spain, and it only made sense to spend a bit of time in one of the most popular tourist locales in the world. We were fortunate enough to get reservations at Madame Brasserie, a restaurant located inside the Eiffel Tower. It was particularly special because it was Mothers Day in the U.S. The boys loved walking around snapping photos and reading about the history of the Parisian landmark. We enjoyed a delicious and decadent meal over stunning views of the city, and I couldn’t help being overwhelmed with gratitude that I get to give my boys these kinds of experiences. They were genuinely fascinated by all the facts they learned about the city, and they also got to put their gentlemanly habits and manners to use!

Listen, we sometimes tend to focus on the really big moments in life. We want to give generously and make people’s day with beautiful gifts. I get it, because I love that too. But, the most important parts of life are about the ways we spend our time and the people we spend it with. Whether we’re learning, traveling, celebrating a momentous occasion or simply hanging out over coffee, the experience is what matters. We’re all looking to feel something. I believe it’s more than worthwhile to put our energy and time into those facets of our lives. I’m becoming more and more intentional with the experiences I want to have with my family and friends and even a few I enjoy solo. We can’t always take things with us into every stage of life, but we will always have the memories.