
Meet Beth Kirby Of Local Milk
Written by James Kicinski-McCoy
Photography by PHOTOGRAPHED BY LINDSEY WHIDDON
If you’re on Instagram, chances are you’re following new mama Beth Kirby of Local Milk. The popular photographer, food stylist, recipe developer, and blogger has built herself quite a successful brand. Below, we’re taking a peek inside of Kirby’s delicious and equally beautiful world, as part of our Mother’s Day collaboration with Amazon. Here, the hard-working momboss invites us into her newly renovated Chattanooga, Tennessee home and and opens up about her days spent in the kitchen with 7-month-old daughter Eulalie (“Eula” for short), traveling the globe with her family in tow, and writing her first cookbook. Want even more? Be sure to check out Kirby’s curated Amazon picks for Mother’s Day right here!
This post is brought to you by Mother + Amazon
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“I was born and raised in Chattanooga, and my husband, serendipitously, opened up a coffee shop here a few years back. We met in his café and were married a short five months later. It made sense for us to have a home base here, so he moved in with me. I've lived in this house for years, but I'd never bothered to make it my own. So, to turn the house into a home for our family and make it feel truly like ours, we decided to pretty much gut it and renovate the whole thing.”
Beth wears a Lauren Manoogian dress, Fog Linen duster, and necklace by Sea + Pattern. Eula wears a Soor Ploom blouse, a bonnet from Minikin, overalls and shoes from Bien Bien Shop, and a Natursutten pacifier.
- “Wabi-Sabi minimalism with rustic details to balance it. It's a very eclectic space inspired by our travels, so you'll find influences from Japan, Morocco, France, Italy, everywhere.”
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All the essentials, made prettier by glass jars.
Weck jars, $27.99, Amazon.
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“We started the remodel when I was pregnant, and I think it was the nesting instinct that inspired it. So, in a way she changed everything! I knew I wanted our home base to feel like a true oasis, especially given how much we travel. I knew our little family would need a bright, calm, clean space to recharge in, so that's what we created.”
Bosmere Watering Can, $86, Amazon.
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“Less is more, and the devil is in the details. I'm very detail-oriented and more concerned with finding brass light switch plates—we got ours at Rejuvenation and they feel like earrings for our house—than decorating. I like the bones of the house to essentially be the decor with a few pieces of art, memories, or functional items to accent it.”
Bosmere Watering Can, $86, Amazon; Zen Garden Terracotta Planter, $40.80, Amazon.
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“Our bed, Eula's crib, and our dresser are by Kalon Studios and are some of my favorite pieces we own. I also love our Workstead light fixtures, Rejuvenation brass switch plates, the Ay Illuimate pendant in our bedroom, and our collection of hand-painted Japanese paper that we plan to hang throughout the house. Eula's bassinet, too! It's by Nesta's Nest, and one of my favorite things we own. I wish she'd never grow out of it.”
Bosmere Watering Can, $86, Amazon.
- “I keep large Moroccan baskets in any room she chills in. It takes two seconds to throw all of her things in the basket. That said, there are so many beautiful baby things on the market these days, I actually like having her stuff lying around! A knit leek here, a handmade sloth there, what's not to love?”
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“The kitchen, dining room, and living room are open to each other, and that's where all the action happens during the day. I work from home, so the living room is essentially my office. Eula plays on the floor, while I work between my 'desk' (the coffee table) and the kitchen.”
Zen Garden Terracotta Planter, $40.80, Amazon; Bosmere Watering Can, $86, Amazon; Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot, $134.84, Amazon.
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“It was remodeled by my friends Tara and Percy of The Jersey Ice Cream Co. They made my dream kitchen a reality. I told them what I wanted, created mood boards, and they executed it better than I could have myself. They built the cabinets, made a custom range hood, plastered the walls, and even put in a new window. Before we remodeled the whole house, the kitchen was already done. It was the inspiration for the rest. It's my studio, my kitchen, and the heart of our home. Both my husband and I are avid cooks, and not a day goes by that we don't use the kitchen when we're home. I shoot and test most of my recipes here for the blog and other projects, and it was designed with that in mind—to be both a practical workspace, a family kitchen, and a photo studio all in one.”
Zen Garden Terracotta Planter, $40.80, Amazon; Bosmere Watering Can, $86, Amazon.
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“My husband, Matt, jokes that you could fall on a camera in our house and take a good photograph. When your home and your studio are one and the same, it makes life so much easier, especially now that I'm both a mom and working full-time running a business. I'm able to simply cook in my kitchen, take some photos, and have it be organically beautiful. I don't have to hide things or shoot around things or move things to work. All the tools I need for every role—cook, photographer, stylist, mother—are all there. I can feed my family and create content at the same time. It’s the perfect set up.”
Bosmere Watering Can, $86, Amazon; Stone Washed Napkins, $63.61, Amazon.
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“A digital scale, a high quality knife, a Kyocera slicer because I love thin slices of things like fennel or shallot in salads, and a cast iron skillet. I don't usually go in for big appliances, but while large and expensive, a Vitamix is the best thing ever. I wish I could travel with mine. That and my Kitchenaid stand mixer. It's also in constant use.”
Kotobuki Fish Filleting Knife, $77.85, Amazon.
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“So very unconventional. We usually eat at home and together, but that's about the only constant. Because I often spend the day cooking for work, sometimes we eat whatever I'm testing. Sometimes I'm testing recipes, while my husband is making food for us to actually eat. Sometimes he gets take-out from our favorite vegan diner for us to eat while we work. Oftentimes, he makes us all breakfast (he's currently been making this simple Moroccan fava stew, bessara, for breakfast), we'll nibble 'on set' for lunch, and I'll make dinner—usually something simple and plant-forward.”
Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot, $134.84, Amazon; Mepra 5 Piece Place Setting, $149.50, Amazon; Olive Wood Soup Ladle, $18.68, Amazon; Stone Washed Napkins, $63.61, Amazon.
- “I like to keep things on-hand that make throwing dinner together really easy. I'll usually have cooked beans, grain, vinaigrette, and miso broth in the fridge. My favorite simple dinners are either a miso-based soup with noodles or rice or a bean, grain, and green salad. Eggs are a frequent and welcome topping to both of those. Also, soup. Soup is so quick and easy to make. I just throw whatever in a pot—currently loving chickpeas and cauliflower—with water or veggie broth, season it, and Vitamix it. Add bread and a green salad, and you have a lovely dinner.”
- “She just started solids, and so far she hasn't met anything she doesn't like. We've fed her black truffle, sashimi, eggs, and avocado. Everything we eat we let her try, except for sugary things. And, so far she's loved it all.”
- Just look at those beautiful baby blues!
- “If I'm home long enough and have time, I like to keep a sourdough starter going and bake fresh bread. Weekend waffles are another favorite, although they really aren't that time-consuming. Handmade pasta or gnocchi, steamed dumplings, steamed buns, and my ramen with sous vide local pork belly are some of my favorite meals that I would make all the time, if time were no object.”
- “The biggest change in my life since becoming a mother has been having a baby around—getting to see her, smell her, squish her everyday is the most wonderful part of the whole thing. But because babies are babies, life is more unpredictable. Time management becomes critical, and I require a lot more help than I used to in order to run the business, the home, and care for Eula. We missed a flight a few weeks back because she had a blowout and almost missed a train yesterday. Try cleaning in a moving train bathroom, haha! It happens. You roll with it.”
- “Watching her explore the world—showing her the world—that excites me. I've loved introducing her to food, to travel, to different languages and cultures. And, getting to meet her as she continues to develop as a person, the excitement of watching her become her, that's the most exciting part. So far, I've met infant Eula and baby Eula, and I'm looking forward to toddler Eula, little girl Eula, teenage....you get the picture. Okay, maybe not teenage. I've got my fingers crossed.”
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“That she's mortal. My heart is outside of my body, and the thought of anything ever happening to her makes me sick. I don't worry about it actively, but that's the scary part. That I can't control everything and protect her from everything.”
Classic Wool Roving Yarn, $8.89, Amazon.
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“How dirty a baby's neck can get! So many rolls for trapping lint and drool, haha. But honestly, I don't feel very surprised by anything. It's easier than I expected it to be, which doesn't mean it isn't hard. It's just not as hard as I thought it would be. She simply became a part of our life. A lot of the things that were built up by some people as being really difficult, like international travel, haven't been. Sure, jet lag on a 14-hour time difference with a baby sucks. But, that sucked anyway!”
Stone Washed Napkins, $63.61, Amazon.
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It's all in the details.
Stone Washed Napkins, $63.61, Amazon.
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“Intuitive. Completely. I listen to my instincts. I make informed decisions, but when the information seems to be at an impasse, I go with what feels right for our family. I'm a very easygoing mom. I don't worry too much about all the rules. I don't like rules. But, I love my baby, and I do what I feel is best for her without being neurotic about it all. I ignore all the noise out there about parenting. I don't read parenting books. I talk to other moms, to parents. I read research where appropriate. But, I listen to my inner voice and to my baby.”
Stone Washed Napkins, $63.61, Amazon.
- “You and your baby are what matter. Do what makes you feel comfortable because your mental state, both in birth and in parenting, have so much to do with how smoothly things go. Take the first three months off after birth, at least, if you can. You do you. Don't be guilted by anyone. And seriously, enjoy that tiny newborn. The whole thing about it going fast is true. It doesn't last long, so just lean into it.”
- “It just came to me. I had a list, and it wasn't on the list. One day it popped into my head, so I put it on the list. My husband really took to it as well. I was really leaning towards Agnes, and he was leaning towards Soren. And, then we both loved that name. So, I looked it up and it's actually the title of a really beautiful poem by Edgar Allen Poe, whom I loved growing up. It means ‘eloquent’. And, it’s wildly uncommon, so it can really feel like her own. It was perfect.”
- “It hasn't happened yet, but my dream day with Eula is taking her to the beach. We're headed to Okinawa in a week, so it'll happen soon! I have a strong connection to the water and the sea, so an ideal day would be waking up anywhere in the world near the ocean. We'd have a long, slow morning with baths and sharing breakfast with her, and we'd fix up some snacks to take to the beach for lunch. Then the rest of the day would be spent walking to the beach and playing in the sea and sand. I just can't wait to watch her play in the ocean!”
- “Her temperament. She's a very chill baby, as babies go anyway. She travels well, smiles and laughs a lot, likes being worn, and is just generally calm, cuddly, and good-natured. And, her hair! I love her fluffy, chicken feather hair. And, the way she flaps her arms and squeals with delight when she sees dad and me. I could go on—a dangerous question to ask a new mom!”
- “I've become (surprise, surprise) much more like my mother as I've gotten older. No one really would have described me as being like her ten years ago. I've become far more business-minded and mindful about the future. I tend to have a sense of urgency about everything and a huge sense of responsibility. I carry that around, and it's both a strength and a source of anxiety. My mother put her children before herself. Period. Always. I know that wasn't always easy, but I'm very grateful for everything she's done. I want to give that to my daughter, too. I think I'll probably be more laid-back about certain things, but don't we all think that? Only time will tell!”
- “I've only ever read one parenting book. And I do love it. It was given to me by my friend and another awesome mom I look up to, Carolina Ferrer. It's called Kiss Me! by Carlos González. I read it on planes while I was pregnant, and it's very much how I've approached parenting. It's in defense of children who are so often framed as ‘bad’ when they're just being children. The idea is simple, just love them.”
- Such a dreamy space.
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“There are a few, and they're all different. My friend, Emma Rice, has three children, and she's an intrepid traveler. She lives a life a lot of women want to live, but think is impossible with children. She's definitely an inspiration. My sister-in-law, Ruthie Kirby, is also an inspiration. She had my niece two years ago, and I've been so grateful to watch Ruthie go through motherhood before me. If I have questions, I call her. I really enjoy watching Courtney Adamo's tribe from afar on Instagram as well, very inspiring!”
Iwachu Iron Cooking Pot, $59.16, Amazon; KitchenAid Stand Mixer, $299.99, Amazon; Kotobuki Fish Filleting Knife, $77.85, Amazon; Plenty More: Vibrant Vegetable Cooking From London's Ottolenghi, $20.47, Amazon.
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“That there is no shame in asking for and/or hiring help if you are lucky enough to be able to, whether it's ringing up a family member or friend, asking for more help from your partner, using daycare, or hiring an occasional babysitter or a full-time nanny. We weren't meant to do this alone. It takes a village. Feeling free to hire the help I need to run my business, home, and care for Eula, all while traveling the world has made the difference between a happy, thriving baby, mama, and business and total burnout. It's not for everyone, but it works for us, and I used to feel guilty for feeling like I needed help, which was crazy.”
Eula wears a Soor Ploom blouse, pants from Mabo Kids, shoes from Bien Bien Shop, and a bonnet from Minikin.
- “Your relationship is a baby, too. And it needs love, care, and attention, too. And, the baby will reap the benefits of a healthy relationship. My husband and I completely agreed that our marriage is first because it's the foundation of our family. The reason for our family existing is the love we have for one another, so we make a big effort to keep that alive. Again, hiring a babysitter or letting grandma take them for an evening is beyond priceless when it gives you quality alone time with your husband.”
- “Nope! Not unless I accidentally get pregnant! We are very content with one child. She's absolutely everything I always dreamed of, and our family is complete. A lot of people raise an eyebrow when you say you want to have an only child. But for us, we know it's the right choice.”
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“Well, I always says it's Japanese grandma meets Jedi. I wear a lot of flowy linen pieces and knits. They travel well, mix well, and are comfortable. I just don't have it in me to be uncomfortable anymore!”
Beth wears pants and a duster by Elizabeth Suzann, a vintage sweater, and a Sea + Pattern necklace.
- Sweet Eula snuggles.
- “Well, the ease with which I can get my breasts out is a determining factor in buying a new article of clothing, so that's changed things! I really love simple dresses you can throw over your head and be done with, and I can't wear those while breastfeeding. And, pregnancy totally changed my body. I gained a fair amount of weight, and it didn't melt off with breastfeeding like I hoped it magically would. So, I'm dressing for a much different body type than the one I had pre-pregnancy. Like, I still don't know what to do with breasts bigger than an A cup! So confusing. My flowy tunics have turned into tents. It's a puzzle I'm still figuring out.”
- “Linen tunics, hats of all kinds, sunglasses, and clogs or mules. High-waisted pants. And, my Lauren Manoogian Capote Coat and Agnes Badoo bag. I take those almost everywhere.”
- The aforementioned Moroccan baskets for all of Eula's toys, Block Shop pillows, and a baby quilt.
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“Elizabeth Suzann, Lauren Manoogian, Han Starnes, and Fog Linen make up most of my wardrobe.”
Beth wears a tunic and pants from Elizabeth Suzann, a Moroccan hat, and scarf from Merci Paris.
- “For Eula, I love Soor Ploom, Makie, and Bacabuche. Bien Bien Shop is one of my favorite online baby stores. I super want this piece by The Animals Observatory for her! As for me, pretty much anything Elizabeth Suzann makes, I want. And, I'm also currently eyeing these pants, though I might need to cut back on my ramen consumption to make them work."
- A Kalon stump stacked high with baby books.
- “I wanted Eula's room to be a magical little oasis for her when she's old enough to really appreciate it and play there. She has a macrame swing, the aforementioned Kalon crib that will convert to a toddler bed when she's older, a weaving that was a collaboration between two friends, Maryanne Moodie and Rebekka Seale, a modern mobile from Bookhou, and a menagerie of stuffed animals. I also have tons of little toys and books we've collected in our travels. I want it to be a space that inspires her imagination and feels like her own.”
- “Her crib and the weaving my friends made. Oh, and there's a vintage rattan rocking chair I've had forever that I love!”
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“Our bedroom. It's so light-filled and peaceful. It's just a really calm space of white venetian plaster and white-washed oak. I love sleeping and waking up with Matt and Eula there. The bedroom is our nest.”
Sketch Pads, $9.70, Amazon; Moleskin Journal, $5.95, Amazon.
- That beautiful Kalon Studios dresser adorned with soft details.
- His and hers.
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“I'm super simple. I wash and exfoliate my face with Skinceuticals, use Thayer's Rose Water Tonic, and then I apply a seaweed serum by Evan Healy and her moisturizer. After that, I use Chanel CC Cream, waterproof mascara because how am I supposed to know when I might cry? And recently, coral lipgloss. Brow powder, too. I love that stuff. I'm also obsessed with Oribe's Gold Lust Dry Shampoo. That stuff is magic.”
Beth wears a linen tunic and pants from Elizabeth Suzann.
- “As a new mom that's working and traveling full time, minutes for myself are scarce. For me, little moments carved out like my detoxifying hot lemon water and ginger tea in the morning and meditation in the shower or bath are everything. I'm hoping to find an equilibrium with a yoga routine that I can practice anywhere since we're mostly on the go, but I'm not there yet. I try to stay active in my daily life and eat a plant-forward diet to stay healthy. And, I manage the pressure and stress of running a business, being a mom, and living out of a suitcase with lists which keep me from those late-night worry sessions. Google Sheets and Evernote may sound like strange things to name as wellness tools, but organization breeds peace of mind.”
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“I'm a professional photographer, stylist, and recipe developer and I run a food, travel, and lifestyle blog called Local Milk. Alongside that, I also run a travel company called L | M Retreats where we host culinary and photography travel experiences all over the world. I'm also in the process of writing my first cookbook!”
Zen Garden Terracotta Planter, $40.80, Amazon; Bosmere Watering Can, $86, Amazon.
- We spy lots of ILĀ!
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“I studied philosophy and creative writing in college, but mostly did nothing in my twenties other than amass an impressive record collection, one failed marriage, and a lot of bad decisions. When I was 28, I was just shaking off my divorce, and wanted to find something meaningful to do with my life. I knew that through the good times and the hard times, I'd always loved to cook and travel. So, I decided to start a food and travel blog. The rest is history.”
Digital Kitchen Scale, $30.99, Amazon; Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot, $134.84, Amazon.
- “That I'm my own boss. I'm horribly unemployable. I have a mercurial temperament and very much need to do things my own way, on my own time. Working for myself was the only way I could be successful. Well that, and that I get to travel the world. Travel and creating are my lifeblood, and I'm so deeply grateful that my work allows me the luxury of constant travel, great food, and being creative every single day.”
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"I'm making a buttermilk rose and raspberry quickbread. It's one of my favorite things to whip up for unexpected guests because it only take a few minutes, smells amazing while it's baking, and looks as pretty as it is delicious. Really any sort of buttermilk quickbread with rose water, or even better, orange blossom water is my ideal quick and easy side with tea and company. Add fruit, maybe some nuts or other fun add-ins, and done."
Makes one small loaf
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp rosewater
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup raspberriesHeat oven to 350°F. In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the first four ingredients to thoroughly and evenly combine. In a pourable two cup measure combine the buttermilk, rosewater, egg, olive oil, and vanilla. Lightly whisk with a fork to combine. Add this to the dry ingredients. Stir gently to just combine so that there is no dry left. Don't worry about lumps, and be careful to not overmix. Gently fold in the raspberries. Lightly grease your loaf pan, pour the batter in, and bake it on the center rack for about 35-45 minutes or until a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Best served warm with a pat of good, lightly salted butter.
Digital Kitchen Scale, $30.99, Amazon.
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“I've continued on the same trajectory that I was on prior to motherhood with the exception that I now write about motherhood, too, because I write what I know. If anything, she's just inspired me more—given the work more joy, more motivation, more dimensions. I had to make a choice between scaling back or bringing in more help when she was born, and I opted for the latter, and I am so glad I did. Just like marriage is another baby, work is another baby, too. It's the least important of them, but it matters very much to me. I don't think I would be as fulfilled without my business, and I'm just grateful that I live in a world where I can have both.”
Digital Kitchen Scale, $30.99, Amazon.
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“I'm in a unique position to work from home (wherever home for the day is) and have childcare, while I work. That allows me to have a normal workday interspersed with baby cuddles and exclusive breastfeeding, while still being able to get things done. I don't think a lot of women are in this position, and it's a shame that our culture isn't more conducive to women being able to both work and be with their babies. Of course, I'd be more productive if I was off alone, but I'd trade that productivity for baby cuddles and our breastfeeding relationship 100 times over.”
Digital Kitchen Scale, $30.99, Amazon; Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot, $134.84, Amazon.
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“Awesome. It's been an amazing experience, and I'm so glad we made this choice as a family. Travel really isn't so different from being at home, and what I'm learning is that for Eula, ‘home’ is mom and dad. So, long as we're with her, it doesn't matter where.”
Digital Kitchen Scale, $30.99, Amazon; Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot, $134.84, Amazon.
- “Since we are mostly on the road, our family unit is the support system. That and we've had the great fortune to travel with some amazing friends that look after Eula when I have to work. At home we have my parents, brother and sister-in-law, my best friend and his wife, and Matt's parents who are only two hours away. We aren't there much, but when we are it's wonderful to be surrounded by family.”
- “The book, e-courses, and just continuing with the retreats, blog, and freelance work. I dream of designing a line of home goods at some point and getting into real estate, but one thing at a time!”
- “I love the natural beauty and proximity to my family and oldest friends. But at the moment, we spend about eight months out of the year abroad and are looking for an apartment in Paris, so we can split our time. So, I don't actually spend a lot of time in Chattanooga. I love the farmer's markets, the mountains, and my roots. But, I think when you've lived a million lives in one small town, it can also feel a little claustrophobic. But right now, I'm loving the energy of bigger cities like Tokyo and Paris. The best part about Chattanooga is just being quiet there. It’s such a welcome rest from the bustle of the rest of our life. It's a place to recharge, regroup, and work.”
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“Right now, the best part is being close to my family like my brother, sister-in-law, niece, and oldest friends. My best friend and his wife have a son just two months older than Eula! I don't know that we will necessarily raise her here full-time though. We've discussed the possibility of homeschooling her as we travel around the world.”
Beth wears a dress and duster by Fog Linen and a vintage hat. Eula wears a fringe sweater and bloomers from Centre Commercial Kids, and hat from Ellie Funday.
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“I'm hoping to! It's nothing against Chattanooga, but I'm feeling very inspired by bigger cities with more robust food cultures like Paris, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo. It's strange because I always fancied myself a country mouse, but at the moment, our family is craving a more urban environment. It's also helpful, given my line of work, to have access to clients and colleagues in bigger cities as well as the plethora of ingredients and a lot more inspiring creatives and culture. Currently we are set on Paris as a second home base, but Tokyo has been really calling our name, too. That said, we plan to keep our home in Chattanooga and just split our time.”
Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot, $134.84, Amazon; Stone Washed Napkins, $63.61, Amazon.
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“There really is no such thing as a typical day for us. When we're home, we don't get out much as we really like to luxuriate in simply being home. When we're on the road, everyday looks different. Wherever the day takes us, we wear Eula and take her with us. Usually the day involves a morning spell of working, and coffee and tea. Dad will make breakfast, or we'll wait a bit and grab something out. We're always exploring food cultures and like to find where the locals eat. While I'm working, we build a pillow and blanket play space for Eula to hang out in and dad or the babysitter plays with her. After work, we usually put her in a carrier and go out exploring and taking photos and notes. She naps in the carrier on the go, meets new friends all over the world, tries our food, and does everything we do. When she's older I can't wait to take her to parks and museums.”
Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot, $134.84, Amazon; Stone Washed Napkins, $63.61, Amazon.
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“I have no idea! I haven't really spent enough time there since Eula has been a baby. She's only seven months old, and we left when she was four months old and haven't been back much. I look forward to taking her out to the river with my family though.”
Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot, $134.84, Amazon; Stone Washed Napkins, $63.61, Amazon.
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“Dinner alone with my husband in a place we've never been is always wonderful. That and oysters at the Kimball House in Atlanta, that's my favorite date night ever.”
For more on Beth and her family, follow her on Instagram, and be sure to check out her curated Amazon picks for Mother’s Day.
Bosmere Watering Can, $86, Amazon; Cement Ribbed Vase, $27.18, Amazon.
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