manager, Author at Breegan Jane

Aquarium of the Pacific

As a southern California beach girl, I hold dear to my heart the opportunity to introduce my children to the ocean and all of the wonderful creatures in it. I’ve always felt very connected to the ocean, and our visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific allowed me to share that connection with the two most important people in my life.

As a mom, I loved telling my boys the story of the seahorses, that the dad actually carries the babies and not the mom. Watching the boys gaze at the jellyfish was another joy for me. They stood mesmerized at the animal’s graceful movements through the water. The boys also had a blast with the penguins; their habitat is an all-time favorite for the kids and me. We had fun calling out their names and creating personalities for each one. The awe on their faces as the penguins zipped through the water spoke volumes about their inner curiosity, and I let them explore it with each exhibit .

Perhaps the highlight of our trip was petting the sand sharks. I’ve always loved petting animals and getting to know them up close. Being able to expose my boys to those experiences was such a fun moment for me. The sharks seemed to swim around looking for human touch, and Kingsley, though a little jumpy, was happy to oblige them. It’s been so interesting for me as a mom to pay attention to the things that spark various emotions within him. Petting the sharks at the aquarium provided an opportunity to show him he could explore his curiosity in a safe space without fear, and I am very grateful for that.

Then it was mommy’s turn to show no fear. There is something very interesting (but very alarming) about a bird landing on your shoulder or head out of nowhere. It’s not an experience my kids and I have often, and that’s what makes it so special. But I have to admit—it was a challenge to be “fearless mommy” in the lorikeet sanctuary! I had to be a strong mother around the children and smile through my nerves! Ironically, though, the boys weren’t worried at all. Like the jellyfish, they adored the beauty in the birds, and they talked about that openly. Feeding the lorikeets and connecting with them in nature was a lesson in pushing past and overcoming fears—my own!

The boys were spent at the end of the day. It was evident that they had an amazing time at the aquarium. Now, I’m not a mom that typically buys a lot of “stuff” for my kids, but when there’s a special experience or fond memory associated with a souvenir, I can justify and appreciate getting it. I picked up some stuffed sharks for the boys to have as a reminder of the great time we had. They play with them before bed and sleep with them every night. The sharks even have names like the penguins; Kingsley calls them “lovies”. When he snuggles with “lovie” in bed and asks, “remember when we went to the aquarium?” I will always be reminded of what a special time we had at Aquarium of the Pacific. Thank you so much for helping us make family memories that will last a lifetime!

These adorable shots (in a crowded Aquarium) would not have been possible
without the amazing talents of photographer Katee Grace!!!

Minimalism: A Documentary

“Imagine a life with less: less stuff, less clutter, less stress and discontent…Now imagine a life with more: more time, more meaningful relationships, more growth, contribution and contentment…”

I’m not a huge fan of “stuff”. In fact, I can honestly say that I detest “stuff”. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy nice things that have a place and purpose in my life, but to me, things with no purpose turn into stuff. And stuff clutters up space, whether that’s physical, mental, emotional…even virtual space. Stuff can include objects, people, ideas or mindsets. I neither have the time nor patience for useless stuff. I guess that’s why this particular documentary resonated with me so much.

As the title so appropriately states, Minimalism is “a documentary about the important things” in life. It follows Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Millburn, two former corporate types who chased the “American Dream” of money, prestige and stuff—all an illusion of what life is supposed to be about. Ryan’s epiphany regarding his life pursuits happened when his professional responsibilities led him to train co-workers to sell mobile devices to 5-year-old children. Joshua’s unfortunate moment of clarity occurred at the hospice bedside of his dying mother, during the same month he entered divorce proceedings. Life circumstances caused both men to re-evaluate their lives and adopt a lifestyle of pared-down minimalism: keeping only the few possessions that either serve a specific purpose, add value to their lives or bring them joy. Everything else had to go.

I love this documentary because it shines a spotlight on an invisible plague that society refuses to deal with: excessive consumerism. Our consumption has bred an insatiable desire for bigger, better, nicer, trendier stuff for so long that the overall notion is now ingrained in the fabric of our economic existence. People seem to be more attached to and obsessed with material objects than they are the people in their families and communities—and there’s definitely something inherently wrong with that.

Am I a minimalist? Not by Ryan and Joshua’s standards. But that’s the thing: their standard of minimal living doesn’t have to align with what I consider moderate living, and my definition probably wouldn’t fit yours. Listening to music and DJing add value to my life, so I can justify my setup and music collection. Conversely, having gargantuan walk-in closets with a million outfits won’t necessarily make me more valuable based on my personal self-perception and image, so I choose to spend modestly when it comes to clothes.

The goal of this film isn’t to get people to throw away all of their possessions and move into a tiny house with a stool as their only furniture. The goal is merely to ask yourself why you own the things you own, what they add to your life, and can you live and prosper in life without them. I believe that if we were all honest about the “things” and “stuff” that we own right now, we could admit that we would get so much more out of life if we focused on having a lot less. While most of us aren’t going to make drastic changes immediately, I think Ryan and Joshua are onto something. My hope is that we all move towards shifting our attention towards the things that truly matter. It’s the first step on the road to living purposefully, something that benefits us all.

Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things

Motherhood, The Mat and Me

CLICK PAGES TO READ

The Look For Less

Interior design by definition covers an expanse that includes residential, commercial, even nautical spaces – all which I’ve been privileged to work with over the years. As styles and tastes range in preference, each client or partner is unique. They want their home or space to radiate a certain spirit and reflect a particular characteristic. The exact styling is always different; modern will always vary immensely from traditional or art deco. Though the explicit details are specific to the client, the one thing I can say they all usually share is a desire to use funds wisely and effectively.

Anyone who has ever embarked on a design journey will tell you that great work takes time, and it won’t often be low-cost. Achieving the opulence and grandeur many hope to display in their finished projects requires a lot from inception to conclusion. You start with beautiful pictures in your mind and stars in your eyes, hoping that the designer will be able to actualize those images and bring them to life. The whole thing can be quite exhilarating – that is, until you receive the bill for services! No one enjoys anxiously awaiting for the plan’s completion, only to be stunned by the amount of money they now have to shovel out to the designer. So, where does that leave us? Does a beautifully designed space automatically equal an exorbitant price tag? I would argue absolutely not!

If there is one specific thing my clients seek in my service to them and their design needs, it’s catching their vision in a way that meets the budget they’ve allotted. Many designers can create masterpieces with a multi-million dollar account, but what about the clients whose budgets fall significantly below that? I believe the brilliance of artistry to which I aspire lies in the accessibility of luxury. Everyone deserves to have an exquisitely designed space, regardless of the financial factor.

Attaining a million dollar feel isn’t always contingent upon your bankroll. I use a plethora of tips and tricks to achieve an elevated look without breaking the bank. One of the best pieces of advice to start with is understanding the huge difference between inexpensive and being cheap. “Cheap” suggests an inadequacy of quality, and quality is something we never want to compromise! When designing, everything should be done in excellence. I want to walk away knowing that the pieces in the space are of value; that value doesn’t always correspond to a dollar amount. Finding inexpensive items that either resemble more pricey ones or complement the architecture is not only helpful; it’s wise! I mix and match low-end items with higher-end ones to construct a creation that is seamless – so much so that brand names and price tags are a non-factor to the beholder.

One of the ways I do this involves window treatments. Whether it’s blinds, shades, curtains, or some other type, they are by nature terribly expensive. I have found that reasonably priced curtains placed on more exclusive hardware lends itself to a rather ritzy look. Of course, this doesn’t always happen without a great deal of effort. The curtains should be long and heavy with a beautiful draping; those attributes are frequently featured on pricier window treatments. With a bit of retail sleuth work and a lot of luck, finding the right ones are definitely possible.

(Another quick tip? Spring for expensive wallpaper and utilize it an area of your home with less expensive chairs. The detail and splendor of the wallpaper will add such impact to the space, making the entire area feel more upscale.

Creating lavish design is feasible when expertise and experience meet head-on with vision and art. Everyone should be entitled to beauty and dimension in their spaces. As a designer, I love the challenge of helping them acquire it.

Eat-Poop-Sleep

Eat-Poop-Sleep: One mother’s guide to successfully getting out the door in the morning

Sometimes the victory is in the small things.

You’ll perhaps never know just how triumphant you could really feel until you’ve maneuvered through the tangled obstacle course that is your living room and nursery on an early morning. Add that you maybe slept three hours the night before, and you’ve almost qualified for a season of CBS Survivor! I’m being humorous of course, but the truth is, it’s hard to get going in the mornings when you have appointments and places to be, along with little ones tugging at your leg and begging for attention. You try and try as you might to remember all the necessary items to pack for the outing and inevitably end up on one end of the spectrum or the other. You overpack, or you forget something. Here is my answer to this common mommy dilemma:

Eat.
Poop.
Sleep.

As a novice to motherhood life, you feel like you have to remember everything: the swaddler, the special lotions, etc. There’s a long list to sift through. I’ve always been a bit of a minimalist, so the idea of carrying around a luggage full of items has never appealed to me. Instead, I developed a system that begins with asking myself, “What do the kids actually need?” If I stick to that, I don’t have to remember all the excess stuff. It just occurred to me: what do babies do? They eat, they poop, they sleep. Kids are not as complex as we make them out to be. They are baby humans with basic requirements.

What will the kids need to eat?
If we’re out and they get hungry, do I have what I need? There’s no need to fuss in the morning with all the special bowls and spoons and various kid-friendly culinary devices. If I know my kid is happy with kale, mango and a pouch, I ensure I have it in the bag. If the baby drinks from a bottle, I pack the bottles. It’s as simple as that.

What will the kids need if they poop?
This is an easy one. I have mastered the art of the easy cleanup, and I’ll talk more about what’s needed for that in another blog. The long story short? I make sure I have a changing pad, wipes, and any other simple thing to make bathroom time stress-free. I have never found the need for a bag full of unnecessary stuff for diaper changes!

What will the kids need if they fall asleep?
I have true Venice Beach kids! We spend a lot of time outside, visiting neighbors, on the beach. We go out to eat a lot, and the boys are always with me. Anyone with kids knows that even as you attempt to adhere to a schedule, children often fall asleep…anywhere. So, I always make sure I have the necessities: do we need pj’s? do we need binkies? And so on.

The really great part of this is that as the kids age or go through phases, their preferences will change; however, the fundamental needs will not. Right now your toddler might need a pacifier to sleep; next year, he might require his favorite stuffed animal. You might have a baby who is drinking milk from a bottle, and eventually that will change to a sippy cup.

Though the specifics will change, the Eat, Sleep, Poop part will not. You don’t have to keep changing the mindset or the list. Asking yourself what your kid needs as you’re preparing to leave will always trigger the right items with which to travel, ensuring you’ll be primed for great day.

Simplify where possible, mama!

Conversations Live

I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to speak with Cyrus Webb on his Conversations Live radio show. For those that don’t know, Cyrus is a nationally-recognized entertainment talk-show host, and it was an honor to sit and talk with him about the things that really make me who I am.

Want to know more about what drives me as a professional and mom, what it takes for me to give my heart and soul in my endeavors, and why Mom Life Yo is near and dear to my heart? Take a listen as I sit on the other side of the microphone and chat on Conversations Live.

Breegan – On Designing

I recently had lunch with a professional acquaintance who, during the conversation, asked me some pretty interesting questions about myself. I thought I was simply answering questions, but I found out my lunch companion was receiving a serious “Breegan education”. It dawned on me that there may be some friends and readers who also may be curious about some parts of the real Breegan. The questions and answers below are a result of that lunch conversation. Check it out, and get to know Breegan a little better!

When did you first know you wanted to be an interior designer?

I always knew I wanted to do something creative in design, but I didn’t necessarily think it would be interior design. It wasn’t until I worked for someone with a real budget for furniture and renovations that I realized I was good at interior design. But before that official responsibility, I used to move around my friends’ furniture in their apartments. My close girlfriends were my first interior design guinea pigs. I would look at their spaces and had the uncanny intuition to look at a room and think, ‘Putting this piece of furniture here and that piece there will open up the room and give it a new feel.’

What’s your favorite part of designing a space?

I love the challenge! Each design space presents one challenge or another. I love finding the perfect mix between the math and creativity that makes a space unique to the client. There are measurements and reasoning that help justify and explain why things work, and I really get into solving that equation artistically.

From where do you draw inspiration?

It hits me at random times. My kids are an inspiration to functional designs that I might not have considered before I had kids. Soft spaces are a great example of that. I’ve really been getting into kaftans and Indian clothing lately; the medallions and intricacies are inspiring to me. It could be anything: chandeliers, dinnerware, plateware, etc. I am fascinated by the simple but ornate aspects of them. It could even be something interesting that I see in a documentary or while biking on the beach. If it hits the right chord within me, I will at least try my hand at incorporating it into a creative project.

What’s your signature style? What do you bring to design spaces that no one else will?

I’m not sure how to describe it myself, but I’ve had product designers tell me that my style could be classified as a modern Baroque style. I love combining dark woods and gold accents with sleek, simple designs. That style naturally comes to me and typically finds it way into the spaces I create.

If you could choose only one way to transform a space, what would you focus on?

I would definitely focus on resurfacing. If the space was a bathroom, I’d think about installing new counters and painting the cabinets. I’d do the same for a kitchen space. Counters, paint and new hardware can change the look and feel of a room instantly! But that could also be done with new slip covers for chairs. A room doesn’t necessarily need new things. If a couch is outdated, new slipcovers can make a world of difference. I really enjoy working with the profile of furniture to do something different. It’s almost more fun to do than shop for new things, especially if a piece of furniture has sentimental value but can be updated without getting rid of it. The value of something like that is beyond a price tag.

(photo credit: Davida Williams)

Is there a space in your home that you love but would love to spice up a bit? I’d love to know your thoughts about what could be done, and perhaps give you some ideas! Tell me what you’d like to see in the comments below!

Splurge or Save? Wallpaper

Splurge or Save?

Who doesn’t love a bargain? Perfection would be living in a world where you could name your price for the artful innovations and creations you select to complete your space. Unfortunately, that utopian concept doesn’t yet exist. Design, particularly good design, is usually delivered at a premium, but a skilled designer knows when to splurge and when to save!

Wallpaper
Perhaps the most unmistakable attention grabbers in a space are the walls. Leave them bare, paint with bold colors, keep a clean palette, or use wallpaper; whatever your choice, visitors are sure to notice. Wallpaper can liven up a room or call attention to specific areas. Clients opt for wallpaper when they want to make an impression, or when they want it to serve as an easy decoration around which to structure the rest of the space. It does an excellent job of all of those things. So is it worth the splurge, or is it something to save on?

Splurge!
This may come as a surprise, but when designing a space I’ve decided needs wallpaper, I don’t hesitate to go the extra mile when I locate one I’m enamoured with. With some design features you truly do get what you pay for. Wallpaper makes such a statement; I’d never want to compromise on that purchase if I’m certain it will be worth it in the end. This one is definitely a splurge.

From Extras to Essentials – The Stroller Edition

How is anyone supposed to distinguish between all the fads swirling around motherhood and narrow down the most important items to buy? Hopefully you have mommy friends who have been there and done that. My mom bosses have been an incredible resource for all things mom and baby, and I’m hoping to help our my mom readers as well!

Do you really need them? ALL of them?

Multiple Strollers

Absolutely essential! Trust me on this: you need them. Before you’re a mom, hearing that some families buy several different (and sometimes verrrry expensive) strollers can seem excessive. I found that multiple strollers were necessities for both different ages and functions. We probably purchased between five and six strollers. While I won’t attempt to list them all here, I’ll give you a quick synopsis of my experience.

You’ll want the stroller with the car seat that clicks into both the stroller and the car. It’s genius because you don’t have to transfer the kid, only the car seat. If you’ve ever dreaded waking a sleeping baby to get them in and out of a car, this will come in handy!

Next, you’ll find that you need a stroller that folds, completely. We traveled a lot with our kid, and I remember swiftly and effortlessly folding his stroller in the airport in Hawaii. Others were amazed; I was relieved. Do yourself a favor and buy one that folds. It will save you a lot of time and hassle when you’re out doing the “mom boss” thing you do so well. (I even bought a double stroller version upon having my second kid!)

Lastly, a jogging (double) stroller was my saving grace. This one is specific to my locale; because we live on a beach, this wonderful (and expensive – brace yourself!) stroller was the equivalent to gym equipment. It had huge wheels that co

uld tackle almost any terrain and was perfect for brisk walks or jogs on the beach. A word of caution: this stroller is huge! It won’t fit into the average car. That wasn’t so much a concern for us because we spent a lot of time visiting neighbors; taking the kids out for a walk was a breeze.

Bonus: If you travel a lot and have two kids, a double travel stroller is an awesome purchase. I found it awfully convenient when I took both of my boys on a trip to Mexico. What the brochure won’t tell you: It is only good for traveling. I found it way too heavy to maneuver for daily use when we returned home.

Multiple strollers are expensive, but they’re necessary. You’ll have to find the ones that feel good to you and work seamlessly with your lifestyle. If you have to splurge somewhere, this is the place to do it. I found them worth their weight in gold!

SaveSave