Mother Essentials: Amy Richardson-Golia
Written by Erin Feher
This week’s Mother Essentials roundup comes from June & January founder and Austin-based mama of two Amy Richardson-Golia. The color-obsessed kids’ clothing designer launched a line of baby basics and adorable mini headbands on Etsy back in 2010 (she would sew each item by hand in her Brooklyn apartment) and blew up virtually overnight. Today she runs her mini fashion empire from Austin, where her kiddos—Eli, 8, and Juniper, 4—can often be found helping out around the office. The brand’s latest launch is its first-ever backpack. We love the colorful polka dots, and the fact that for every pack purchased, one is given to a child in need. With school shopping creeping up in our brain, we felt it was the perfect time to catch up with the multi-talented creative on her current set of must-haves. Peep ’em below!
Sunny Yellow Mansur Bag. “Do you even SEE the color of this bag? Of course I had to buy it.” Lamb Pleated Bucket Bag, $695, Mansur Gavriel.
Hydroflask. “Anyone who knows me knows I drink an absurd amount of water. It needs to have tons of ice, and be freezing cold. My trusty 32-ounce tumblers are always with me.” Hydro Flask 32 oz. Tumbler Cup, $59.99, Amazon.
Statement Glasses. “I kid you not, I get a compliment on my glasses at least once per day. It started with a pair of hot pink Celine sunglass frames I got from The Real Real and converted into regular glasses. Now I have emerald green, black, and cobalt. I rotate between them all week.” Celine Oversize Cat Eye Sunglasses, $390, Nordstrom.
Austin Eastciders Rose. “This is such a great summer drink, so light and crisp and flowery—and it’s Austin made.” Austin Eastciders Rosé Dry Cider, Austin Eastciders.
Daily Sunscreen. “My skin care guru told me this was the best face sunscreen, and I don’t ever stray from her advice. It’s SPF 50, but goes on like a moisturizer and is pretty much my only daily skin routine aside from washing.” Image Skincare Prevention+ Daily Ultimate Protection SPF 50 Moisturizer, $40, Amazon.
SuperFat. “I’m a straight-up sugar addict, but have been replacing those cravings with more healthy fats. The nut butters from SuperFat are all soooo good, and I love that they were a Kickstarter-backed brand!” SuperFat Nut Butter Keto Snacks, $34.99 (for a 10-pack), Amazon.
Juiceland. “A freaking Austin staple. Once you’ve had Juiceland, no other smoothie place will live up. I get a Peachy Green with hemp protein at least three times a week, and love that they have tiny kids’ sizes—my kids love going with me to grab one because the stores have vintage arcade games inside.” Locations in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Juiceland.
Big Bud Press Circle Bag. “I like to think that Big Bud Press is where all the kids who wear J&J will shop when they’re in their early 20s. I am just head-over-heels in love with everything they do, and everything is made in L.A.! I actually carry this Circle Backpack around more often than that expensive Mansur bag.” Circle Backpack, $50, Big Bud.
Super-Powered Shampoo. “I usually don’t really get involved in MLMs, but our CMO’s sister has been selling this for a few years—I tried it and it was seriously like instant mermaid hair. It’s helped me grow out my super short pixie in record time.” Monet Black Shampoo and Conditioner, $38, Monat.
Hank’s Coffee. “This place is a favorite off-site spot for the J&J team to do coffee and pastries on the patio, on the cafe side. But the restaurant for brunch is a Golia family fave. My kids ask to go every Sunday!” Hank’s Coffee, 5811 Berkman Dr., Austin, Hank’s Coffee.
Summer Slip-Ons. “These are super comfy and can still dress up a look thanks to the pony-hair detail.” Ancient Greek Sandals, $159, Farfetch.
A Backpack That Gives Back. “J&J just launched its first-ever backpack. It comes in standard and mini sizes, and for each one sold, we give one to a student at an underfunded school in Austin.” The Backpack, $27, June & January.
Hanro Undies. “Every couple of years I find the Best Underwear On Earth, throw out whatever is in my drawers and then buy like 10 pairs of the new favorite. Currently it’s these magical high-cut briefs that I discovered completely by accident when I forgot to pack undies on a five-day work trip.” Hanro Invisible Cotton High-Cut Brief, $28, Neiman Marcus.
Cycle Bar. “I tried cycling about six months ago and was hooked on my first ride. I go to the Cycle Bar in Cedar Park, which is a 40-mile round-trip drive, and it’s so worth it. The instructors are so great and it’s almost a relaxing workout.” Cycle Bar.
Cute and Colorful Hair Clips. “I’m growing my hair out and our new clips releasing this fall are coming in really handy for taming my wild flyways. They come in super fun colors!” Hair Clips, $10, June & January.
Silk Phone Case. “I don’t like carrying a wallet or keys with me very often (my house even has keypad locks so I can avoid an extra key), and having my ID and my Amex on my phone 24/7 just makes life easier. I had tried TONS of those sticky wallet add-ons for phone cases before I finally found this on Amazon. It has held up for almost six months, which is at least twice the length of any other one I have tried.” Silk iPhone XR Wallet Case, $14.99, Amazon.
For more on Amy Richardson-Golia, check out her Instagram feed. And for more Mother Essentials, peep our past columns with designers Cynthia Rowley and Taylor Jay, children’s author Serena Minott, clean living expert Kristian Henderson, Oakland retail queen Sherri McMullen, Shahidah Zareef of Bossmom Nation, Joanne Encarnacion, LaTonya Yvette, Morgan Walker of Make.do, Jeanne Chan of Harlow & Grey, and more!
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