Dress That Mama

I’ve been reading Lauren’s blog, Crumb Bums, for years now. I appreciate her thoughtful posts about parenting and educating her three young boys (Milo is 8, Oliver is 6, and Emil is 4), and look forward to seeing what she’s working on as a freelance writer (she’s frequently contributes to The Washington Post‘s On Parenting newsletter), as well as what her husband is recommending for new music picks when he occasionally makes an appearance (always good). But lately I’ve also been particularly drawn to her style posts. Lauren has been posting what I’d call “Outfit of the Day” photos in a column she calls “Dress that Mama” for years now, and she always looks fantastic—and very real.

I wrote to Lauren to learn more about what motivates her style posts. First, I admire the confidence it takes to share these: I post so many photos of myself and share personal stories all the time that it’s counterintuitive, but I am still less comfortable with posting the self-aware outfit photos of myself and tend to do so only when prompted by a request. (Which is not to say I don’t get pleasure from sharing photos—especially the flattering ones!—but only that I sometimes still feel self-conscious doing so.) Second, Lauren is not posting these on Instagram or for advertising. In fact, I learned, she has never called them “OOTD” and doesn’t use a smartphone! And third, years! Aron took weekly photos of me when I was pregnant with Hudson and nine months felt like a long time.

I wanted to know more. I wanted to know her sources, of course, and learn more about her evolving style as a mother, but I also wanted to know about the why, and the lessons to be learned. 

By Lauren Knight of Crumb Bums

On starting the Dress That Mama series… 

I started the series four years ago when my youngest son was still an infant. In hindsight, I think the idea occurred to me as a way to preserve my sanity; I was staying at home with three boys under the age of five and my days were anything but calm or glamorous. Style was always something I enjoyed—I notice what others are wearing and find it really interesting to see how people choose to adorn their bodies. Though it may seem like a very superficial, indulgent thing, I can honestly say that getting dressed in something I loved every morning helped me be a more focused, confident person. Expressing my personal style in early motherhood helped me feel like me, like someone creative and with diverse interests and ideas.

Motherhood is a tricky thing—there are times that are so emotionally and physically draining, it’s easy to lose oneself in the daily responsibilities and meeting the basic needs of others. I may not have been able to sit down and enjoy a good book, or peruse an art gallery, or discuss a range of important topics with my friends, but by gosh at least I could dress myself! I guess what I’m trying to say is that coming up with outfits was a great creative outlet for me during a time when I had a limited ability to be creative!

Keep Reading >

Travelogue: Big Sur (& Piedras Blancas)

This past May, after stops in San Diego and at Disneyland, we followed the coast of California north to Big Sur—some of the most beautiful land in the state, if not in the world. Our stay was brief—just two nights—but I’m counting on many return trips in the years to come.

Here are some highlights from our visit…

Keep Reading >

In Season: Hoisin Grilled Eggplant & Avocado Bánh Mì

by Emily Stoffel of The Pig and Quill

There are three camps when it comes to eggplant. There are the Lovers, of course. Those who grew up, quite possibly, sitting down to heavy Pyrex casseroles layered painstakingly with crispy eggplant medallions, homemade red sauce and bronzed, bubbling cheese. There are the Haters. Those burned by the bitter zing of a crotchety aubergine plucked too far past its prime or, sin of sins, hastily prepared without proper salting and care. And then there are those who can see and appreciate the mighty eggplant’s potential,­­ its paramount prowess as a literal sponge of flavor, the divine silkiness that is coaxed forth with just the right application of both fat and time—if only it weren’t for that nagging mouth itch.

That, my friends, was me. Until I met the Japanese eggplant. Slender, tender and quick-­cooking, the Japanese eggplant—or as I like to call it, the less­ shady nightshade—is as friendly to the palate as its chubby cousin, the Globe, is persnickety. With fewer seeds and almost no bitterness, it’s the ideal candidate for stir­-fries, tempura, or my favorite preparation: grilling. I love it halved or sliced thinly, brushed with a little sesame oil and grilled just until marked—only a couple of minutes a side. With shoyu mayo for dipping, this, alone, could be the star of your summer barbeques.

Here, though, that simple concept is taken up one more level with the application of sticky­-sweet hoisin sauce, an Asian quasi­-BBQ sauce, of sorts. And the mayo is mixed right into the marinade, which clings evenly (rather sexily, if I’m being honest. I mean, you slather up some eggplant and then try to argue with that sentiment…) to the eggplant in a way that quickly­-absorbed oil does not. (Believe it or not, it actually allows you to use less fat with richer, more flavorful results.) And while the eggplant, as is, would be most excellent piled high atop a platter all on its own, it’s even more enjoyable tucked between two hunks of toasty French bread along with thick slices of creamy avocado and the whole complement of mostly traditional bánh mì toppings: Pickled veggies, crisp English cucumber and zippy cilantro. A generous smear of even more mayo (heavily accented with sriracha, please!), and you’ve got the sandwich of the summer.

Keep Reading >