Mother Stories
At Home With Artist Carissa Potter & Pottery Barn Kids
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Maria Del Rio
Oct 19, 2022
For mixed-media artist Carissa Potter, her Oakland home serves as an additional blank canvas. In this case, a collaborative creation with her architect husband, Josh, and 3-year-old daughter, Margaret, shaping the process and final outcome. A nature-lover at heart (“If I were to have a religion,” says Carissa, “it would be centered around the earth.”), Carissa and her crew were the perfect family to partner with Pottery Barn Kids to revamp their space using the brand’s eco-friendly, consciously made furnishings.
From a rainbow-hued display of wall-mounted bookshelves to the ultimate arts and crafts table (which is Greenguard Gold Certified), their brand-new selections for their playroom and “big kid” bedroom hit the mark they were going for. “We value art and creativity,” says Carissa. “So the space has room to play and get messy.”
In addition to showing us their fresh spaces, Carissa also opens up about her art practice, how motherhood has changed her creative habits, and the challenges and life lessons in parenting a child with Cystic fibrosis.
Get to know Carissa Potter and peep her Pottery Barn Kids play space in our slideshow!
This post is brought to you by Mother x Pottery Barn Kids.
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Carissa and her 3-year-old daughter, Margaret, in their newly revamped Pottery Barn Kids playroom!
The colorful space is filled with eco-friendly furnishings by PBK, mingled with Carissa's own art and accessories from her brand, People I've Loved.
"Both myself and my husband Josh really wanted a space for Margaret to play and feel like she could be inspired," says Carissa. "We also wanted containment for all the stuff we have accumulated since becoming parents. We both have a hard time letting go of things."
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"We value art and creativity. So the space has room to play and get messy. Space for Margaret to move her body and dance. I don’t know if there will be any way that she won’t be an artist. I keep thinking about what she will do with her life, and I want her so badly to feel like she belongs. Wherever that is."
Neutral Ultimate Art Easel, $229, Pottery Barn Kids.
Sloan Storage Bookcase, $549, Pottery Barn Kids.
Merced Glider, $899, Pottery Barn Kids.
Paxton Ottoman, $449, Pottery Barn Kids.
Naturalist Floor Lamp, $329, Pottery Barn Kids.
Pop Color Photo Ledge, $69-$79, Pottery Barn Kids.
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The Pop Color Photo Ledges by Pottery Barn Kids are made of solid poplar wood and finished with acrylic latex paint in a variety of 12 vibrant colors (each sold separately). The ledges are BPA-, phthalate- and lead-free, making them extra-safe for kid-centric spaces.
Carissa chose a handful of playful colors (Red, Light Blue, Orange, Aqua, and Yellow) to create a fun, visual, and colorful anchor for the playroom.
Pop Color Photo Ledge, $69-$79, Pottery Barn Kids.
Last Stop on Market Street, $18.99, Pottery Barn Kids.
Dragons Love Tacos (from the Modern Classics 8-book bundle), $144.92, Pottery Barn Kids.
Peter Rabbit Heirloom Book, $90, Pottery Barn Kids.
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Some of the titles that fill the vibrant Pop Color Photo Ledges are from Pottery Barn Kids' curated selection of books, including Heirloom Books like Eloise and new Modern Classics book bundles.
"We love books," says Carissa. "During the pandemic we started a collection of favorites for children. Margaret’s tube feedings used to each take an hour per feed and we had to keep her entertained. And now it is just kinda an obsession. I love having a colorful place to look at all the books that bring us joy."
Pop Color Photo Ledge, $69-$79, Pottery Barn Kids.
Eloise Heirloom Book, $82, Pottery Barn Kids.
Last Stop on Market Street, $18.99, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"We get so much pleasure in sitting in the Merced Glider reading. I am sitting in it right now because it is my favorite spot in the house."
"And the Carolina Craft Table has this really amazing spot for a Paper Roll, so you can basically endlessly paint and draw without running out of space. I am toying with the idea of getting a large adult version for myself at my studio, because I love it so much!"
Carolina Craft Table, $279, Pottery Barn Kids.
Play Table Paper Roll, $19, Pottery Barn Kids.
Carolina Play Chairs (Set of 2), $99, Pottery Barn Kids.
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The Greenguard Gold certified Carolina Craft Table gives aspiring artists (and their parents!) plenty of room to create their masterpieces.
It's made of durable hardwood with a smooth, fine grain that makes it durable and easy to clean. All wood is kiln-dried, a process that ensures that the furniture will never split, warp, crack, or mildew.
It's also finished in child-safe, water-based paint which provides durability, depth of color, and richness.
Carolina Craft Table, $279, Pottery Barn Kids.
Play Table Paper Roll, $19, Pottery Barn Kids.
Carolina Play Chairs (Set of 2), $99, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"For me, I want a better future for Margaret, and I also want things to last. I think that with valuing those things, I have to think about how things are produced and I do care about the ethics of making in a world that has so much stuff. I'm also cheap. If I buy a few nice things that last, I feel good about that."
Carolina Craft Table, $279, Pottery Barn Kids.
Play Table Paper Roll, $19, Pottery Barn Kids.
Carolina Play Chairs (Set of 2), $99, Pottery Barn Kids.
Neutral Ultimate Art Easel, $229, Pottery Barn Kids.
Sloan Storage Bookcase, $549, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I only wish this table was my size!" says Carissa of the Carolina Craft Table. "We really value expression and creativity in our home, so this work table was a must for us. It's super functional and well made and has storage drawers to contain all of the colors in the world!"
"Both Josh and I live to work, which is sad in a way, and joyous in the fact that we both really love what we do," she says. "We know that having a good work table makes the creative process that much more enjoyable."
Carolina Craft Table, $279, Pottery Barn Kids.
Play Table Paper Roll, $19, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"Cats. She is into everything cat-related. A stray cat adopted us during the pandemic and she is crazy about him. His name is Orange White. It was between that and Two Eyes."
"She also loves what she calls 'Sticky Stuff' (candy) and 'Messy Paint' (acrylic). She loves Dancing On My Own by Robyn. Putting on her shoes. She learned that last week. She also tells me what she dreams about. Mostly about cats."
Carolina Craft Table, $279, Pottery Barn Kids.
Play Table Paper Roll, $19, Pottery Barn Kids.
Carolina Play Chairs (Set of 2), $99, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I had no idea how much stuff we would get when we had a kid—we definitely need a way to keep it all organized when it is not on the floor," says Carissa. "I love the Sloan Storage Bookcase because we can store books and toys and also hook up the record player, store records, and then just dance!"
The mid-century-inspired Sloan Storage Bookcase features two sturdy shelves, two cubbies, and a drawer to hold favorite stories and trinkets.
It's Greenguard Gold Certified to contribute to healthier indoor air. And it's made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory, supporting fair and safe labor practices and empowering workers to invest in their communities.
Sloan Storage Bookcase, $549, Pottery Barn Kids.
Naturalist Floor Lamp, $329, Pottery Barn Kids.
Art by People I've Loved.
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"I really liked how solid our new light is," says Carissa of the best-selling Naturalist Floor Lamp. "I am really drawn to classic, well-made things that I feel comfortable investing in. I am planning on having this lamp for the rest of my life and I want it to function well in all of our spaces. As our family's needs change, the lamp will be able to adapt along with us."
Naturalist Floor Lamp, $329, Pottery Barn Kids.
Sloan Storage Bookcase, $549, Pottery Barn Kids.
Art & Blanket by People I've Loved.
Merced Glider, $899, Pottery Barn Kids.
Paxton Ottoman, $449, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"We have been living in Oakland for about ten years. Time is a funny thing these days. It feels like it is both neverending and so fast. I have been thinking about how being a mom, I want the time to both stop and fast forward in every moment. I am just so tired and at the same time want to cherish every moment with Margaret. It has been a lesson in holding several truths at the same time."
Merced Glider, $899, Pottery Barn Kids.
Paxton Ottoman, $449, Pottery Barn Kids.
Naturalist Floor Lamp, $329, Pottery Barn Kids.
Blanket by People I've Loved.
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"Not really. I was not opposed to it, but mostly just scared about the whole thing. I have an anxious disposition and was scared that if we had kids I would not be able to be an artist. It was like a time thing. I was scared I would lose the company."
"Oddly enough, the company has been so stable during this time and Margaret’s health has not. I never worried before she came that I would lose her. I remember having this irrational sense that everything would be ok. When I remember it, I chuckle."
"In some ways I feel like you have to have a sort of delusion that things will work out when doing anything. And having children is a total mindfuck. We tried to have kids for like 2 years and then one day it just happened. And then there was no going back."
Sloan Storage Bookcase, $549, Pottery Barn Kids.
Merced Glider, $899, Pottery Barn Kids.
Paxton Ottoman, $449, Pottery Barn Kids.
Naturalist Floor Lamp, $329, Pottery Barn Kids.
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Carissa and Margaret wear absolutely adorable Utility Suits by Noble.
Merced Glider, $899, Pottery Barn Kids.
Paxton Ottoman, $449, Pottery Barn Kids.
Naturalist Floor Lamp, $329, Pottery Barn Kids.
Pop Color Photo Ledge, $69-$79, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"Margaret is my mom’s name and my dad’s mother’s name. My name is Carissa Potter Carlson—the Potter being from my mom and Carlson from my father. When I first started dating Josh, it was really important to him that he carry on the Keller last name. He wanted it to survive in his bloodline. I said ok. I had rose-colored glasses on and thought I didn't really care at the time. Fast forward 12 years, and we are about to have a baby and I change my mind. I want Margaret to have my last name because I am also the last Carlson in my family. So, we settled on Margaret Carlson Keller."
Sloan Storage Bookcase, $549, Pottery Barn Kids.
Art by People I've Loved.
Merced Glider, $899, Pottery Barn Kids.
Paxton Ottoman, $449, Pottery Barn Kids.
Naturalist Floor Lamp, $329, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I am not really someone who prays. I am agnostic. I am constantly in search for meaning and rituals that reflect my values. After getting the diagnosis, every night for weeks I prayed to God. I told them that I would do anything for this not to be true. That if I had ever asked for anything, this would be the one thing. I would stare at Margaret while she slept, hold her close, and whisper in her ear that everything would be ok."
"I started seeing a psychiatrist, and upped my meds. Emotionally, I was just going through the motions. I was jealous of everyone who had a healthy baby. I was scared that I would hurt Margaret. But at the same time, I had never loved anyone as deeply and madly as her before. And the fear of that being taken away kept me up at night."
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"I think that I have had a lucky life. Some might say blessed. I thought hard things happened to other people. That bad things, like violence and death, were statistically not likely for me. I believed I would die from old age, surrounded by plants with a lake view. Odd, but there ya go. Margaret is the exception. That you can prepare and do everything right, but still control is limited at best."
"I think having Margaret has made me think that we have WAY less control than I thought. Also it has really highlighted the fragile nature of life. It’s so sacred, I try my best to enjoy it when I can. And not let it get me down."
"I am also more empathetic and selfish. I say this without judgement, but I was fighting with our nurse coordinator the other day about the time that Margaret sees her pulmonologist. She wanted her later in the day. But for people with CF, the earlier in the day, the better. They schedule the sicker kids later so they don’t, in theory, infect the well kids. I understand this rationally, but in my mind, I was pissed. I wanted Margaret to be seen first thing. I had to push back my instincts that Margaret should be first and rationalize that this was better for the good of everyone. It was this weird balancing act of wills; wanting to save Margaret the possibility of getting infected with something with not waiting to infect other children with her MSSA. I took the later appointment, but I didn’t like doing it."
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"The last time my mom was here, she said there is no space that is comfortable in our house. And she was right. Now there is," says Carissa of the Merced Glider and Paxton Ottoman, which are both Greenguard Gold certified and meet strict chemical emissions limits to contribute to cleaner indoor air.
"I love the super-simple, functional, timeless design. There is something about having a cozy spot to read that just makes everything better."
Merced Glider, $899, Pottery Barn Kids.
Paxton Ottoman, $449, Pottery Barn Kids.
Naturalist Floor Lamp, $329, Pottery Barn Kids.
Pop Color Photo Ledge, $69-$79, Pottery Barn Kids.
Sloan Storage Bookcase, $549, Pottery Barn Kids.
Art by People I've Loved.
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"I mean, we were really lucky, my mother-in-law got stuck with us for 8 months and then my dad moved in with us. Without their help, one of us would have had to stop working."
"It is hard. I feel like in this moment everyone else has moved on from COVID-19, and for good reason. They want to enjoy life again. To be with people. To feel alive. But we are still very much in lockdown. Less so than we were, as we see people from time-to-time and Margaret has just started school. However, we are waiting on a drug to be approved for Margaret that would make us feel safer with illness. Until then, every time she gets sick, there is a chance her lung function will be permanently damaged and she will build up tolerance to antibiotics with time. So if we can keep her well, that is ideal."
"The other thing I should mention is that her treatments go from 2 hours a day to 4 hours a day when she is sick. And the reality is that 4 hours a day of breathing treatments is a lot."
Foamnasium Blocksy Kids Couch, $259, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"Sharing everything with Margaret. I mean, not everything, but the idea that we can chat and support each other in real ways is awesome. With every stage, it has been interesting. New brain developments, new likes, dislikes. Understanding personhood and its formation is endlessly interesting."
Carolina Craft Table, $279, Pottery Barn Kids.
Play Table Paper Roll, $19, Pottery Barn Kids.
Neutral Ultimate Art Easel, $229, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"EVERYTHING. I don't know anyone who—wait, actually my sister sometimes—doesn't have extreme anxiety about parenting. With Margaret, I worry about her fitting in and feeling accepted as she is. I want her to have meaningful relationships, but getting close to humans is dangerous business when you have CF (or anytime really). I want to protect her heart. And at the same time I want it to be loved and being in love means experiencing loss. It is beautiful and painful and I guess I just want her to experience a full life. Whatever that means to her."
Neutral Ultimate Art Easel, $229, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"Our new Foamnasium Blocksy Couch is rad!" says Carissa. "I have a lot of anxiety as a parent that Margaret will fall and get hurt. And we both agree that this is the best in the west. I use it for stretching in the morning and then Margaret jumps on it all day long."
"I love that it is made in the USA, you can easily clean it, and I feel safe to rough-house on it. I can also build super awesome forts in like two seconds. We use it for puppet shows, long jumps, and somersaults. Fun + safe = relaxing."
The supremely versatile Foamnasium Blocksy Couch is made out of strong, lead-free and phthalate-free vinyl that is antimicrobial, easy to clean, and flame retardant without the use of harmful FR chemicals.
It comes in 6 soothing hues and contains 4 parts that can be used in a multitude of ways when creating forts, playspaces, and more!
Foamnasium Blocksy Kids Couch, $259, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I think at the time I thought it was normal. But looking back on everything, I think my family was really progressive. In that my parents lived together but were divorced. My grandfather who is 95 still identifies as a feminist."
"I was really lucky to be born into a family that valued expression. And was not super concerned with conforming to societal expectations. They took really good care of us. I always felt loved. That they had our backs. They remembered to pick us up from school. At the time I thought that all families were like that."
"I was always labeled the sensitive child and I think at a young age, it was unspoken that I was an artist. They didn’t expressly say it, but the writing was on the wall. My mother had wanted to be an artist. My father longed to be a musician. They gave both myself and my sister Casey the gift of supporting us in doing what we loved."
Foamnasium Blocksy Kids Couch, $259, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"The first thing that comes to mind is an ever evolving approach to understanding parenting. My father is really curious and has so much fun just playing with Margaret. He lets her be messy. He follows her lead. Margaret told me today that she wanted to live with Grandpa. And she missed him (he is visiting my sister at the moment)."
"My mother, on the other hand, has the skills to understand where Margaret is in her development (she has her doctorate in early childhood education). If ever I am having a problem, she is up-to-date on the research and parenting trends. She is gentle and kind and helps me brainstorm ways to move through life's transitions with ease."
Foamnasium Blocksy Kids Couch, $259, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"The first thing that comes to mind for things I don’t incorporate is that my mother has some issues with enmeshment. That is, I catch her doing things like saying, 'Margaret, it makes me feel bad when you don’t want to eat next to me.' I don’t want Margaret to be guilt-tripped into doing things. I want us to just trust her, that if she wants to sit next to kittens at the table, that is that. She is two. There is the rest of her life to reconcile her needs with the needs of others."
"I feel like right now, I want her to have a firm understanding and feeling of agency in her life. There is so much she just wont have control over and hard medical stuff, that when I can do things her way, I try my best to do so."
Pop Color Photo Ledge, $69-$79, Pottery Barn Kids.
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Margaret and Carissa in their refreshed Pottery Barn Kids "big girl" bedroom, which is anchored by the Avalon Daybed (with fun mix-and-match bedding) and the chic Nash Extra-Wide Dresser.
Avalon Day Bed, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
Woven Prayer Hamper, $129, Pottery Barn Kids.
Spotlight Floor Lamp, $229, Pottery Barn Kids.
Nash Extra-Wide Dresser, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"We have a small space with lots of hard edges," explains Carissa, "so the Black Metal Frame Mirror helps soften the space and also makes it feel a little bigger."
Black Metal Frame Mirror, $199, Pottery Barn Kids.
Nash Extra-Wide Dresser, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
Harvest Moon Glow Light, $129, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"We transitioned Margaret to a twin bed super early. She never really slept in a crib," explains Carissa. "We switched to a twin bed so one of us could sleep with her, so that the other could sleep at all, if they were lucky."
"The Avalon Daybed felt like it was super safe, but could also grow with her. It is like one super big pillow, the type of bed that you can just slide into and you feel yourself let go and be present. It can also stay with us through all stages of her youth and also function as a guest bed."
Avalon Day Bed, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I wanted to go loud with the bedding and I felt like Margaret would like this combo best," says Carissa. "She is really into unicorns and horses and cats. Margaret loves playing with the 3D elements of the Sasha’s Garden Quilt and I like the idea of having a secret garden, a magic place to retreat to. And that feels like the right sentiment when going to sleep."
"And the Organic Sheet Set & Pillowcases are unbelievably comfortable—they are the right kind of soft that you want for sheets."
Sasha’s Garden Quilt & Sham Set, $241.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
Check Organic Sheet Set & Pillowcases, $69, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"The Harvest Moon Glow Light is our favorite thing! We take it with us from room to room," says Carissa. "I kinda feel like every room should have one of these. It is endless hours of whole family entertainment, just watching the lights change color or reading with it before sleep comes."
Harvest Moon Glow Light, $129, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"This is a tricky one. Before Margaret, I would have said yes. That we would do things everyday to give thanks and relish all the gifts the earth has given us. But keeping Margaret alive is not sustainable. We go through so many medical supplies that it hurts my heart to think about them in the landfill—and yet I do it."
"I do, however, really feel like if I were to have a religion, it would be centered around the earth. The seasons, the cosmic power of the planets, the life-giving soothing that just being in nature brings. That watching the sun rise with all other living beings, being 'reset' together as one massive life force is really cool. Nature heals."
Harvest Moon Glow Light, $129, Pottery Barn Kids.
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Carissa and Margaret wear cozy clothing by a fellow mom-owned brand, First Rite and First Rite Kids.
Harvest Moon Glow Light, $129, Pottery Barn Kids.
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The Woven Prayer Hamper is made using eco-friendly, fast-growing natural reeds to create an extra large, extra sturdy hamper with a fitted top. It's perfect for laundry, but also useful for storing stuffed animals, linens...or playing hide-and-seek with other favorite objects.
Meanwhile, the Harvest Moon Glow Light brings a soothing glow to any space and features 16 color options and five light modes. With a remote, you can control the settings from anywhere in your room.
Woven Prayer Hamper, $129, Pottery Barn Kids.
Harvest Moon Glow Light, $129, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I think I am a curious visual person. I love relationships. I love interacting. I love day dreaming. I went to school to study art at a liberal arts collage and the chair of the art/art history department said that I was not smart enough to study art history and not talented enough to study studio art (my senior year he asked why I was not an art major, but that is a different story)."
"I knew I wanted to go to grad school because I wanted to keep going and that seemed like the way to sustain making art at the time. It also got me out of Minneapolis—it was a built-in community and environment that fostered exploration."
Harvest Moon Glow Light, $129, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"The Spotlight Floor Lamp feels like a classic, modern lamp that gives off lots of light," says Carissa. "I was just attracted to it. And as I get older, I am picky about lighting."
Spotlight Floor Lamp, $229, Pottery Barn Kids.
Nash Extra-Wide Dresser, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
Black Metal Frame Mirror, $199, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"The Nash Extra-Wide Dresser is sleek and can go with most anything while Margaret grows," says Carissa. "It feels in line with the simplicity of the room and has thoughtful details, like the leather pulls. I love it. I want one for my room!"
Nash Extra-Wide Dresser, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"The story I have been telling myself recently is that I am basically just a translator."
"I was always drawn to social interactions. I would revisit them over and over (have you watched The Rehearsal on HBO? Kinda like that…). Early on, I thought about stationery as this way to help people say the things that they were longing to but couldn't actually do it for some reason. I loved being able to be invited into people’s interactions, exploring intimacy with strangers."
Black Metal Frame Mirror, $199, Pottery Barn Kids.
Nash Extra-Wide Dresser, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
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The colorful artwork in Margaret's room is by friends of the family, as well as Carissa's own work.
Sasha’s Garden Quilt & Sham Set, $241.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
Avalon Day Bed, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I didn’t have any big breaks. I would say, I have had more of a slow burn. I show up and do what I can and mainly I just got lucky."
"Maybe this is my big break? I always think that any show I have or project might be the last time I ever get to do anything, so I treat it with extreme care and fear that this might be all there is, and I need to be ok with that."
Sasha’s Garden Quilt & Sham Set, $241.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
Avalon Day Bed, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
Check Organic Sheet Set & Pillowcases, $69, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"100%. When I was pregnant, somehow I felt like everything we were doing together was a collaboration. Which it was. And with Margaret I feel like I can do anything. I think it was the hormones? Or IDK really, but during that time, I felt like this extreme creativity. I took delight in everything and I was delusional that the world would turn out good in the end. That we would all be safe and relatively happy and live long good lives."
"When I was pregnant, I also didn't think much, I just made, and the work was all about the experience of becoming a mother. I feel like I make art from experience and motherhood has added so much to my understanding of life. How could it not have a huge effect on everything? One thing, I have gained more efficiency."
Sasha’s Garden Quilt & Sham Set, $241.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
Avalon Day Bed, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
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Hmmmm...where did Margaret go?
Sasha’s Garden Quilt & Sham Set, $241.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
Avalon Day Bed, $1699, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"Margaret was born with an opinion on everything. Maybe I’m projecting or maybe she did have an instinctual preference the moment she left my body."
"I love letting her pick out her clothes, sometimes. Sometimes she’s really excited about putting on clothes, sometimes it’s a struggle. I think the thing that I’m surprised about is how much I don’t actively try to put us in the same clothes but somehow we always end up wearing similar outfits."
"Also, I recently went to New York for four days, and when I got back she was able to put on her own pants and shoes. I’m not sure how this happened."
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"I don’t really think I have a style. Or maybe I should say whatever I am wearing is a reflection of the culture around me and what I have access to. That being said, I do gravitate towards functional comfortable clothing."
"With choice overload these days, I feel pretty burned out on making decisions, so I kind of just wear the same thing most days. I tell my coworkers that I am both lazy and it’s better for the environment for me to just wear one thing a week. I change my socks though."
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- "During the pandemic, I started losing all my hair. I don’t really have a skin care routine, but I started using this brand called Harklinikken to try to save my hair. And—this is both fortunate and unfortunate—it works! When I don’t use it for a few days, I can notice the difference. But I’m also really lucky to have any hair. I don’t know why hair is something I feel some amount as vanity about."
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"I like drinking Clevr's Matcha Latte. I try to think of three things I’m thankful for every night before bed. And I try to do 10 minutes of morning stretches."
"If anyone can help me figure out a way to actually exercise, I’d really like to do that again. Oh and I also really like self-help books."
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"Naps. If I’m really stuck, and I can take a nap, a solution will come. I’ll often keep a notebook next to my bed and force myself to get up and make notes. If I fall asleep, I’ll lose it. This is slightly tricky because sometimes you can think an idea is really good in your head while you’re about to fall into a deep rest, and then when you wake up and read what you wrote it's not always that great. But either way, going to sleep after coming up with a really good idea feels nice."
"I also keep a sketchbook and I write notes in there and then when I’m stuck I just look through it like a cheat sheet."
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"I would be hard pressed to find something that I am not excited about—I need more time in the day. But I am excited about this newsletter I started 1.5 years ago. I have gotten to meet so many amazing people and just follow whatever is inspiring me at the moment, which is a real gift."
"This is going to sound insane, but I really like writing. I would love to be able to do more of it. I am also excited to get offline. I am also excited about How To Heal From Heartbreak, a book that I did with my best friend, Vera, coming out this month."
"I am also excited about possibly visiting France next year for an art retreat that I am hosting. I am excited about finding something that Josh loves doing. I am excited about seeing Margaret grow and thrive. I want a second child. But that might not be in the cards."
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Keep following along with Carissa (and Margaret) at peopleiveloved.com and at @peopleiveloved on Instagram.
To shop the eco-friendly furnishings and decor featured in this article, head over to Pottery Barn Kids.
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