It's a delight to introduce my next Mama Bear in the MAMA BEAR SPOTLIGHT SERIES, Audrey Woollen! This lady is the creative powerhouse behind the Venice-based paper boutique, Urbanic, and is without a doubt one of L.A.'s finest! When I lived near Abbot Kinney I loved walking to Urbanic whenever I needed a blast of paper goods inspiration.
Audrey takes the same talent used to curate and style Urbanic and applies it to making family life magical -- there's always something fun happening at the Woollen household. This is one loving, adventurous mama who truly puts family first even amidst crazy schedules. And her boys are the cutest! I mean, look at those little helpers...
Here's what Audrey has to say about being a Mama Bear...
IN A SENTENCE OR TWO, WHAT DOES BEING A MAMA BEAR LOOK LIKE TO YOU?
Doing the best for my little ones by working hard and making myself a place of comfort for them. Working hard at remembering to engage with them at every different stage they are in, working hard at my job to help provide for them, and working on myself to continually learn how to be better for them. Intentionally offering myself as place of comfort for them with un-conditional love, endless hugs and kisses, and making sure they know how wonderful they are every day.
MOTHERHOOD IS STRANGELY POLARIZING IN OUR CULTURE. HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET SUCKED INTO COMPARISON AND NEGATIVITY?
I just remember that my relationship with my boys is our very own and does not resemble anyone else. I love our time together and our journey as a family. I love who we are and how much we not only love each other, but also really like being around each other. There is no such thing as a perfect mother, or perfect children. Forgiveness of our shortcomings and excitement for they ways we are growing together far exceeds anything negative.
WHEN LIFE GETS CRAZY, WHAT TRUTH OR MANTRA DO YOU ALWAYS COME BACK TO?
Family first.
WHAT ARE THE PIECES YOU HOLD ONTO TIGHTEST IN MOTHERHOOD? THOSE NON-NEGOTIABLES YOU PRIORITIZE NO MATTER HOW WILD THE LAUNDRY PILE GETS?
Traditions. Making *all* holidays special, and hugging each other with excitement each morning when we wake up as if we haven’t seen each other for weeks. This is how we welcome each new day together.
NAME A GREAT MAMA BEAR EXAMPLE.
My older sister Elisabeth. This snapshot of a dry board note she wrote to her boys is just one perfect example of why.
