Twelve years ago, when MOTHER was just beginning, two of the very first mothers we ever featured were Jenna Wilson and Cary Vaughan—the creative duo behind Ace&Jig. Back then, their Brooklyn and Portland lives were filled with little-kid chaos, creative ambition, and the beautifully messy rhythms of early motherhood. Today, those same kids are in high school, heading to college, borrowing their moms’ clothes, sharing their favorite records, and introducing them to new rituals along the way. Time is wild like that.

In so many ways, Cary and Jenna have always embodied the spirit of what we hoped this space could hold: creativity woven into everyday life, homes filled with beauty and intention, and motherhood evolving alongside identity rather than replacing it. Naturally, their joint Mother Essentials list reflects this spirit.

Bonus for Ace&Jig fans: The brand is currently hosting a special pop-up at Heath Ceramics in San Francisco through May 25, plus its biggest online sale of the year is happening in honor of Memorial Day.

Cary Vaughan, mom to Alice, 18, and Paul, 14

Begin Again and Again and Again. “The latest book by my talented artist, author, and friend Alessandra Olanow. My 18-year old daughter and I both have a copy. A beautiful reminder of human fragility and strength and the importance of radical acceptance. ONE STEP IN FRONT OF THE OTHER!” Begin Again, and Again, and Again, $18.64, Bookshop.

Coleman Compound. “OMG. my holy grail night face treatment. Slather this on before tretinoin for glowy skin! It literally evaporates all my brown sun spots from my ’90s tanning days. I mean, I miss those days—but @mrs.derm, who created this magic potion, does not play.” Coleman Compound, $140, Coleman Cosmetic. 

Ace&Jig Quilted Pouches. “I use these for everything! TWO SIZES. Great for my day-to-day (makeup stash) or travel (packing all my socks & bras). Alice just recently stole my favorite one for her watercolors and so now I need another!” Quilted Pouch, $120, Ace&Jig.

Blank Street Iced Daydream Matcha Lattes. “Paul, Alice, and I are all pretty much obsessed. It is two blocks from our house and whoever goes knows they better bring back three!” BlankStreet.com

Tamar Huberman Ceramics. “A super talented NY-based ceramic artist whose work is all hand-built using coil and pinch techniques. Her organic vessels stuffed with fresh flowers make my house look good! She will be showing in an exhibition called 1000 vases in Paris this September, but locally you can find her at Primary Essentials in Brooklyn.” TamarHuberman.com

Ace&Jig Loulou Dress in Botanical. “I can’t get enough of this dress. It’s my one and done! Bonus that it is reversible, so it’s my travel essential.” Loulou Dress, $418, Ace&Jig.

Fujihoro Japanese Milk Pan. “I use this a few times a day to warm milk for coffee or tea. My fave kitchen staple.” Cook & Serve Saucepan, $25, Spin.

Prospect Park. “Almost every off-leash early morning you can find me walking and talking with my dog and friends in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. Forest bathers! Canine and friend therapy forever!” ProspectPark.org

Everyday Oil. “I love this slathered on after bathing. I have tried many body oils, but this is by far my hands-down fave. I alternate between the Early Morning or Warm Feelings scent. It’s heavenly and is my daily luxury. They also sell refills, which is cool.” Everyday Oil, $52, Credo.

Russo’s. “My neighborhood spot for an easy no-cook dinner that everyone loves of homemade mozzarella, prosciutto bread, olives, and fried artichokes. I lay it all out and voilà, kids! It’s best with a glass of Prosecco.” @russosnyc

Jenna Wilson, mom to James, 17, and Adah, 15

Ace&Jig Napkins. “These are the most indispensable and joyful kitchen things! They have almost entirely eliminated paper towels in our kitchen. We keep a huge stack on hand for cleaning, place settings, lunch boxes, under vases, etc.” Napkin Set, $85, Ace&Jig.

Noto Resurface Scrub. “I LOVE all things Noto. The deep serum is a twice-a-day miracle. My latest obsession is the resurface scrub, which leaves my skin feeling invigorated and smooth.” Noto Botanics Resurface Scrub, $30, Nordstrom.

Parable of the Sower. “I’m currently reading this. It’s not new, but so relevant now. Fast paced and infused with hope.” Parable of the Sower, $20, Powell’s Books.

Passion Fruit Dessert by Papa Haydn. “Yes!” Passion, $14, Papa Hayden.

Ballets Jazz Montreal. “I just saw their performance of ‘Dance Me’ set to the music of Leonard Cohen. It was unbelievably inspiring. Go if you can!” Bjmdanse.ca

Ace&Jig Quilted Amara Cardi. “The most essential little throw-on jacket. It’s super squishy, lightweight, and just warm enough! Plus, since it’s reversible, it goes with everything.” Quilted Amara Cardi, $360, Ace&Jig.

Village Merchants. “My forever favorite thrift in Portland. This was our toy store when the kids were young and now we get everything from a second-hand Coach bag (my 15-year-old daughter) to speakers for his record player (my 17-year-old son) to just-like-new rain boots (me) and on.” Villagemerchants.net

Leach Botanic Garden. “The most tranquil of the Portland parks, filled with local plants, historic landmarks, and really cool trees. Walk through tall firs and cedars. It’s where I got married a couple years ago! They are currently struggling to stay open after the city stopped their annual subsidy and the community is rallying to keep the gates open.” Leachgarden.org

Province of Canada. “I gotta rep the homeland! These are awesome and very nostalgic essentials made in Canada. Plus they are making the Heated Rivalry fleece…(get on the list!)” Provinceofcanada.com

Nike Astrograbbers. “A recently re-released 1974 shoe. I’m currently wearing them on repeat, but I want this version when they come out!” Nike Astrograbbers, $125, Nike.

Music Millennium & Getz Gilberto. “My favourite neighborhood biz and my favourite current vinyl from there. (Getz Gilberto is actually my son’s record, which I can’t stop playing). Music Millennium is an absolute gem of an ‘old Portland’ shop filled to the brim with nooks covered in new and used music and live performances. Founded in 1969, the owner is looking to sell now, so I’m hoping whoever buys it keeps the good vibes.” Getz Gilberto via Music Millennium.

Incense. “My teen daughter is deeply into incense now. So we are all steeped in sandalwood and nag champa whether we like it or not! We have several great Tibetan shops on Hawthorne near us, which are where she loves to go for incense and special jewelry. It’s much better than the mall!” Incense, $8, Tibet Spirt.

Topaz Farm-to-Plate Dinners. “Delicious, local, beautiful, and great conversations with strangers.” Topazfarm.com

For more MOTHER ESSENTIALS, peep our recent features with Our Place co-founder Shiza Shahid, Bumo founder Joan Nguyen, art world multi-hyphenate Dominque Clayton, food star Jing Gao of Fly by Jing, Sarah Fritsch of Studio Tigress, artist Lena Corwin, Hello!Lucky’s sister duo, doula and author Latham Thomas, Carla Wingett of Idlewild Floral, Andrea Faulkner Williams of Tubby Todd, Hana Getachew of Bole Road Textiles, artist & author Carissa Potter Carlson, actress & activist Hilary Swank, the co-founders of Hearth Display, author and organizer Aida Mariam Davis, design consultant Joyce Lee, self-care advocate Rachel Garahan, and DJ and director Va$htie Kola.