LAUREN PHELPS

moms heart moms

MOTHER'S DAY MARCHE

News and EventsLauren Phelps

I have been dreaming of this Mother's Day event since the inception of Moms Heart Moms. The whole idea behind this collaborative community was to come together with like-minded, mom-owned and -founded businesses to give back to our fellow moms. As small businesses, there's only so much we can do alone, but there is power and magic when we unite around a shared goal.

The planning of this event was an evolution. I tend to dream big, and others have to pull me back down to earth—but I will say that this intimate gathering was just perfect. Real moms came together—not to see and be seen, but to do something real and meaningful together.

In many conversations with my co-chair, Sally McBride of The Letter Nest, intention was always top of mind. It wasn’t about having certain people of a particular status or group in the room, but about releasing and allowing wholehearted, generous souls to show up simply because they care about helping their fellow moms. And these moms showed up! Together, we provided critical support for the moms who don’t have a platform, a supportive community, or access to resources.

We provided approximately 85 boxes. That means 85 families have been directly and significantly impacted by your support at this event. That means 85 moms won’t have to choose between clothing or feeding their child. That means at least 85 moms will be able to feel a moment of joy and relief in those early, scary, transitional moments of motherhood.

This is no small thing—but there is still so much work left to be done. The greatest reward of this work is watching beautiful people come together around a common goal. In a generation very focused on self-care, it’s nice to remember why self-care matters: it exists so we can be our best selves for our families and communities. Giving is beautiful, and this was a stunning morning brimming with love and generosity.

Thank you to Elisa Marshall of Maman for hosting us in their King Street space. Thank you to our vendors—HART Jewelry, Goldie Home, Naghedi, Tuck Shop, Lele Sadoughi, Timo and Violet, and The Letter Nest—for donating 20% of the day’s proceeds to Welcome Baby. Thank you to our raffle participants—The Mat with Nicole Katz, Lake Pajamas, Wander Beauty, Kate McLeod, and Riley Sheehey—for donating incredible prizes and encouraging donations. Thank you to our gift bag donors—Riley Sheehey, Peacock Parent, Lake Pajamas, Weezie Towels, Kate McLeod, and Wander Beauty—for providing thoughtful gifts to our generous guests. Thank you to our Virtual Pledge partners—Goldie Home, Naghedi, Fewer Finer, Shop Derm, Peacock Parent, Amour, The Letter Nest, The Mat with Nicole Katz, and Riley Sheehey—for donating a portion of your month’s proceeds to Welcome Baby. And thank you to Michelle Rose Photo for capturing the event so beautifully.

MOMS I HEART: LINDSEY JOHNSON

MusingsLauren Phelps

Hi Friends,

I am proud to bring you a new edition of MOMS I HEART: highlighting the impactful, amazing, and inspiring moms in my life.

For this edition, I am joined by Lindsey Johnson - CEO and co-founder of Weezie Towels. As a mom-owned business, Weezie’s mission is to make everyday essentials feel a little more special. Their luxury line of towels and robes are highly thought out and detailed, with 100% organic cotton sourced from a third-generation family-owned farm in Portugal. With an in-house team in Atlanta, every item is hand-crafted, inspected, and embroidered to perfection. The good-hearted nature of founders Lindsey and Liz is reflected in their product: creating an elevated essential that everyone in the family can feel good about.

As a fellow MOMS heart MOMS contributor, I was excited to learn more about Lindsey’s motherhood story and ask her a few questions. Read on below for a glimpse of our conversation.

MOMS I HEART

LINDSEY JOHNSON

CO-FOUNDER & CEO OF WEEZIE TOWELS

WHO OR WHAT MADE YOU A MOM?

I was a dog mom first to our french bulldog, Moose we got in May of 2018! My first child, a daughter named Miller, was born in March of 2020.

A RECENT BIG LITTLE MOMENT…

My 3 and 4 year old have started to feed our 8 month old her bottle in the mornings and in addition to being extremely helpful, it is just so heartwarming watching them care for her. 

DAILY RITUAL?

Exercise has become an almost daily ritual for me. Specifically, tennis. It keeps me sane! 

THE ADVICE YOU DIDN’T TAKE

So many people told us not to have kids so close together - our first two are 13 months apart. While it has been absolute chaos since our second was born, it is so fun watching them become each others' built in best friends and I would not trade it for a second! 

THE ADVICE YOU NOW GIVE

Do not be afraid to ask for help and do not feel guilty for taking it! Raising children really does take a village so I encourage everyone to find theirs and lean on it when needed. Your children are happier when you are at your best and if that means taking some time for yourself away from the kids then do it! 

YOUR WISH FOR EVERY MOM

At the risk of repeating myself...my wish is that you find your village! Whether that be in the form of hired help or even just a community of other mom friends - co-parenting with friends and their kids is so much more fun - and easier : ) 

MOMS I HEART: NEHA RUCH

MusingsLauren Phelps

Hi Friends,

I am proud to bring you a new edition of MOMS I HEART: highlighting the impactful, amazing, and inspiring moms in my life.

For this edition, I am joined by Neha Ruch - founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power Pause. Following a 10-year career in brand strategy and after receiving an MBA from Standford, Neha gave birth to her second child. After pausing her career, she was confronted with stereotypes of the ‘stay at home mom’. She founded Mother Untitled to redefine what it meant to take a career pause, and empower the modern mother. Mother Untitled is a community of women who realize they can be empowered, proud, and ambitious, regardless of their status as mother.

Her new book, The Power Pause, outlines how mothers can redefine their career pauses as an empowering and enriching chapter of their life: rebranding the ‘stay at home mom’ trope. The book is set to release in early 2025, and pre-orders are available here.

Neha is a fellow MOMS HEART MOMS contributor, and I am so grateful for her generosity and wisdom. To learn more about the initiative, read on here.

To learn more about Neha and Mother Untitled, be sure to support her on socials here:

Learn more about Neha Ruch and Mother Untitled

Follow Mother Untitled on Instagram

Preorder The Power Pause today

MOMS I HEART

Neha ruch

FOUNDER OF mother untitled and author of ‘the power pause’

WHO OR WHAT MADE YOU A MOM?

My first, baby, Bodie, who's not such a baby anymore!

A RECENT BIG LITTLE MOMENT…

My son, yesterday, in the car asking how my husband and I met. 

DAILY RITUAL?

A five minute meditation and bullet gratitude journaling in my Iphone notes.

THE ADVICE YOU DIDN’T TAKE

When everyone advised against my choice to pause my career, I'm glad I bet on this chapter of family life as a powerful part of a long story.

THE ADVICE YOU NOW GIVE

Make the best choice for right now -- you'll get to come back and recalibrate often. 

YOUR WISH FOR EVERY MOM

Support -- emotional and physical, paid or unpaid. Every mother works, every mother deserves support.

MOMS I HEART: Sally King McBride, founder of The Letter Nest

MusingsLauren Phelps

Hi Friends,

I am excited to launch the new series MOMS I HEART, highlighting some of the impactful, amazing, and inspiring moms in my life.

For this first edition, I am interviewing my great friend Sally King McBride, founder of The Letter Nest. As a veteran in the art world, Sally launched The Letter Nest in response to the mothers in her life. On a constant search for the perfect gift, Sally decided to create her own: hand-illustrated alphabet prints.

I am lucky to be partnering with Sally this month in the MOMS HEART MOMS virtual fundraiser. To learn more about the initiative, read on here, and stay tuned on Instagram for a special giveaway featuring a generous contribution from Sally.

Read on to learn more about Sally and The Letter Nest, and be sure to support her website and Instagram.

With love and gratitude,

MOMS I HEART

sally king mcbride

founder of the letter nest

Who or what made you a mom?

“My sons, Matt and Alex!”

A recent big little moment…

“I love that my kids have their own friendship independent of me and my husband. It's their own little world, with secrets, games, occasional hand-holding, and a lot of Pokemon.”

Daily ritual?

“Painting and Peloton.

And I love walking around NYC...”

The advice you didn’t take

“I generally steer clear of professionalized parenting advice—

I don't need more voices in my head than the one already present. :-) “

The advice you now give

“Don't do it all.”

Your wish for every mom

“A manicure.

And that she knows she's loved.”