Mother Stories
A Well Traveled Mama Invites Us Onto Her Home Turf
Written by James Kicinski-McCoy
Photography by James Kicinski-McCoy
May 27, 2014
Having wanderlust and having children doesn’t always seem like a winning combo. But Bekah Stewart, of the much-beloved Tumblr blog A Well Traveled Woman, makes the mix appear effortless, scooping up her two sons, hitting the road, and documenting it all the while. Of course, sometimes settling in at home is nice, too, which is where we met the single mom, snapping her and her boys in their Louisville, Kentucky abode. Keep clicking to see the trio in all of their rough-and-tumble glory and read up on Stewart’s take on fashion, family, and her less-is-more ethos.
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"My home is always clean, simple, organized, and minimal. Aside from the normal necessities of children, no, it hasn't changed."
Bekah wears a Club Monaco shirt and Raleigh jeans. Her sons Collin and Tristan wear thrifted shirts and Gap jeans.
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- "I think we use our space pretty evenly. There’s no wasted room in our tiny house. When I’m working in my sewing room they’re usually right there with me, doing crafts or bringing toys in to play with on my table. The kitchen is the same way, they love to be playing wherever I am."
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- "I’m very sentimental and like everything to either be useful or to tell a story. I’m always simplifying and trying to make sure there’s as little excess as possible. I like my space to feel like a clean slate. I think it helps create an environment for imagination and creativity both in myself and my children, like anything is possible here."
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- "My favorite pieces are antiques that I’ve carried with me from house to house. I have a few pieces that belonged to my late father that are dear to me. An antique dresser I found in an old barn when I was a girl and refinished, and the file cabinet that was gifted to me years ago. Also, a giant shearling that covers my favorite reading chair. Everything in my home tells a story, whether it was picked up from a roadside antique dealer, given to me, or handmade."
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- "At the time, I had never known anyone named Tristan. I heard about the name reading something about one of King Arthur's knights. I liked the idea of him being named after a knight. I can’t remember the first place I heard the name Collin, but it just seemed right. I love their names."
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- "Totally selfish, but I love how much I learn from them. Their little imaginations are such a gift. We lose that somewhere in adulthood and I love the constant reminders of that simplicity."
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- "Some of the best advice my mom gave me when I was expecting Collin was to make sure I included Tristan in caring for Collin any way I could, even when it wasn’t necessary. So, I’d have him hand me diapers or wipes, etc., and hold his brother or play with him as much as possible. I think the bonding between siblings is really important so there's no resentment over the baby stealing the show."
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- "We’re the same person, yet totally different. Nothing could contradict itself more than my relationship to my mom. She’s the strongest person and taught me how to be independent, yet our personalities are complete opposites. I see her in so many of my daily tasks and mannerisms."
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"Right now probably my bedroom or the kitchen. My bedroom is such a haven for me, while the kitchen is where I like to spend most of my time."
Bekah wears a long grey sweater from Club Monaco and Citizens of Humanity jeans.
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- "My style is comfortable and classic with a hint of tomboy. It hasn't really changed since becoming a parent. I’ve always been very active, so comfort and practicality have always been priorities."
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- "I use apricot oil to condition the ends of my hair because it’s lighter weight then most other natural oils and a little sea salt spray for some texture. Also, tea tree oil for blemishes because my skin is really sensitive and coconut oil to moisturize my face and body. I like to mix in vetiver or lavender oil for a scent."
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- "I’ve never been much of a shopper. I really look for quality pieces I can hang onto for a long time and like to make do, remaking and mending any chance I can. But I always keep my eye out for good vintage pieces. I’m totally a bargain shopper and love picking up clearance stuff that needs something fixed or altered. Some of my favorite pants I picked up for .99 because the zipper was off track and I fixed it in 2 minutes."
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- "Maybe a little because it’s less convenient to get out with them, but I’ve never been big on shopping. If I need something I go looking, otherwise I don’t."
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- "I do a little of a lot of things, but my main work has always been sewing. I’ve worked for years making custom interiors, curtains, bedding etc. I love taking odd jobs of mending or making. My most recent adventure was to launch an online shop as an outlet for some of my more creative pieces. That’s proved to be really fun and successful! I seem to always have my hands in some sort of development work abroad. I love to travel and do what I can to help others. I’m getting ready to launch one of those projects, a collaboration I did with some friends who work with artists in Haiti. I also doula occasionally, when life allows it, and farm/garden as much as possible."
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- "Flexibility. I feel pretty fortunate to have a job that allows me to work really hard and then take off when I want. Also, to be able to work from home with my boys is such a huge blessing. I can’t imagine life any other way."
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- "I was fortunate to have a mom that taught me her trade. I don’t remember learning how to sew, it’s always just been a part of me. I started taking over her business of custom interiors when I was still in high school and that’s always what I’ve done. I studied midwifery and interior design, as well, and hope some day to go back and get my midwifery degree."
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- "Learning to be balanced and knowing that everything is just a season. That if I have the option, investing in my kids is the best choice right now, while they’re still young. I’ll have the rest of my life to meet my other goals. My kids are priority."
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- "I can’t remember being surprised honestly. I grew up in a really big family and have five younger brothers who I always helped care for. Having children around wasn’t surprising to me. I think the transition from one to two was harder than my first."
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- "Oh yes! I am blessed to know many incredible moms that I look up to and learn from."
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- "When doing the boys room, I tried to incorporate things that are true to them, but also things to stimulate their imagination and keep them dreaming and learning. I try to listen to their hearts and do my best to make things feel right for them."
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- "Collin loves pillows, he’s always loved his bed and all the stuffed anythings. I like that both of them really like their sleeping space and the blankets I’ve made for them. Mostly Tristan is interested in his room because that’s where the Legos are. Collin goes for the box of capes and masks."
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- "It’s hard to remember what life was like before them now, but I felt like the transition to motherhood was really natural for me. I think I always wanted to be a mom, so it didn’t feel uncomfortable to me when the boys came along. Of course, I don’t travel as much as I used to, but I’m completely okay with that and everything motherhood brings in this season."
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- "I brought them home for the boys from Kenya. That was my first trip ever away from them."
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- "My favorite days are the ones we stay home and don’t have to be anywhere. I love my long weekends with them where we can sleep in and cuddle in bed in the morning, get up and make a good breakfast, then just hang. Play outside and go skating, jumping on the trampoline or slack lining. We love having campfires and cooking dinner over it as the sun sets. Bed time usually starts with a bath and ends with us curled up reading a book, scratching backs, and telling stories."
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- "The reality is that it doesn’t happen much especially being a single mom, but yes, I would like to find ways as they get older to incorporate little dates with them one-on-one."
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- "Most of my time is spent at home and there are plenty of days I don’t get out of my lounge clothes. Right now it's my Taylor Stitch sweatshirt and old J.Crew cut-offs, day in and day out. When I get out of the house, it’s usually a pair of dark jeans, some cute flats, and an oxford, a few gold accessories, and some red lipstick."
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- "I’m not typically brand loyal. I value quality over a name and that can vary dramatically within any brand. I’m loving the boom of smaller designers and makers, and the consistency that comes with that."
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- "I don’t subscribe to anything consistently, but I enjoy coming across a blog post here and there that inspires me. Not one specifically."
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- "I’ve been eyeing a pair of APC jeans for awhile now and am always on the lookout for an old pair of black cowgirl boots. I have a pair that belonged to my dad and have been searching for a similar pair in my size. I’ve got my eye out for some cute vintage-inspired board shorts for the boys, but now that summer is here it’s all cut-offs and no shirts for them. Honestly, our needs are met at least for this season and I’m so grateful I can say that."
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"I love watching Tristan's independence and how he fearlessly conquers his little world without wanting help. I love how quietly confident my Collin is. He’s very loving, but also independent in a totally different way. They both seem so strong to me and that gives me a lot of hope for them."
Bekah wears a green jacket from Taylor Stitch and camo pants by Seven For All Mankind. Tristan's aviator jacket is vintage and his shoes are Vans. Collin's shoes are Tretorns.
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- "I live in the country and I wouldn’t want it any other way. There are hard things about living far out of the city, but this is where my heart is most content. Having space for the boys to run and adventure outside is very important to me and to have a garden, chickens, etc."
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"If we go to the city, we’re most likely meeting up with friends at a park or for a trip to the zoo."
Bekah wears a thrifted plaid shirt. Collin's vest and wellies are also thrifted.
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- "Tristan is six and Collin is four. They’re total opposites but inseparable. Tristan is my extroverted adventure lover, while Collin is more introverted and likes things more low key."
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- "Just take it one day at a time. Do your best and go to bed content, even if all your day consisted of was feeding your kids cereal and never getting dressed. Don't beat yourself up. Learn how to ask for help and remember everything is just a season. If you can't read as much as you used to or hit the gym anymore, remember someday the littles will be grown and all the things you're missing will be a reality again. Enjoy every moment of what you have and be grateful. There is always someone who has it harder than you."
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Hmm, Bekah appears to have very pretty feet. It’s nice that she’s barefoot at home like so many of the moms on this site. In picture #7 we can see she has a nice, dark pedicure. Her toes look cute!