Mom-Boss & Homeschooling Mother-Of-Four Ceren Lee

“In 2015, we came to Texas from California to give our family the opportunity to live on some land, and to slow down life a bit with our kids. We wanted to take a step back from the hustle of L.A., and see what a different version of living could be like. We found a ranch-style home on some acreage that needed a little TLC that the boys spent months renovating, all during a ridiculously hot and humid Texas summer. It was a labor of love. I entered the picture when it came time to nest. My role was the interior design and furnishing.”

“Part case study, part cozy cabin, with a little Turkish flair.”

Turkish textile love!

“No, it just got messier!”

Ceren wears a WhoWhatWear nightgown slip from Target and Banana Republic shoes.

Good music in the making.

“Open spaces, warm nooks and crannies that feel like their own universe, layering of textiles and patterns, salon-style displays of art, books everywhere and accessible at every seat in the house. In a home we need: art, glass, metal, wood, textiles, ceramics, plants, and macramé. We always want our home to feel warm and inviting—inspiring, yet accessible.”

“The music room.”

The aforementioned salon-style (and impeccable) display of art.

“My rope chair. It’s my favorite piece. I’m not sure why, but I've already made it known that should the place catch fire, it's every man for himself because I’m carrying that chair out on my back. When I saw it, I immediately connected with it, and it's been with us through everything. I think the art is hands-down the most beautiful part of the home. I love watching people come over, and their eyes wander. But, I think it's the combination of everything working together as one. There's an overall feeling there, using many and varied pieces to create an overall feel.”

What's spinning?

“We encourage our children to use the space that we all share, but it’s, of course, important that they pick up after themselves. They can bring their stuff into common areas, but as soon as they are done playing, we have a pretty strict policy of packing up a space before moving on to the next. Some days are harder than others, and we certainly aren't perfect, but we do our best to try to stay on top of it for our collective sanity. Being homeschoolers, we need to do what we can to maintain those disciplines because we are almost always occupying the house. Cleanliness and order begets clearer thinking and better application to study. And, it's important that everybody pitches in.”

What hallway dreams are made of.

“Up until this house, they shared one massive room, which was fun for their respective ages at the time. Now, everyone has their own room. That way, Casper can close her door and study, or journal or make her YouTube videos, while Sonny is smashing his Transformers together and battling his Avengers—which isn’t always the easiest noise to endure for his sister! Our eldest, Pilot, has his own room and bathroom in the front of the house, so he can be 13 all by himself, should he want, and not deal with the littles running amok. I think based on their age, they have the setup they need. We co-sleep with Birdy, so she is camping in our room right now.”

“I love Casper's Room & Board bed and macramé hooks lined up along the wall. Seeing her sit there and make her pieces is always so rewarding for me. She got the macramé bug like her mama! I love Sonny’s rug from Lawson Fenning, which is bright and modern, and his baskets for his toys. They were the ideal purchase to introduce him to keeping an organized space. He won't clean his room for all the candy in the world if it seems overwhelming. The baskets allow him to put things away in the appropriate area without much effort. It bolsters his self-esteem to be able to be responsible for his space all by himself.”

Casper wears a Brandy Melville top and Cat & Jack jeans. Sonny wears head-to-toe Old Navy.

Toys in all of their appropriate baskets.

“I think our screened-in porch gets a ton of use with our little area for the kids and the old wood stove and the art table. It’s truly a magical little spot in all the seasons. In the summer, the fans are going, and it’s sticky and hot, but for some reason it still feels good to me. Humidity feels like a warm hug on the porch. In the winter, the stove is burning and you’re bundled up. Its always a nice break from the indoors without being in the elements.”

Alberta wears an Old Navy dress.

Sweet sibling time.

“In Australia, my parents owned a Turkish restaurant for most of my life. I was raised in that restaurant, and we used to call my mom the 30-minute chef. She could whip up something ridiculous in 30 minutes flat. I hope I have half her talent. But, similarly, we are a 30-minute-flat kind of family, unless we are cooking a sauce or a stew. Cooking is my love language. We like to go all out most of the time. But, in a pinch, our favorite easy meal right now is quiche. It’s an 'every meal' type of dish, so everyone is always happy to reheat it throughout the day. And, the kids love to make it.”

Casper wears a handmade poncho from Rachel Nichelson, Old Navy shorts, and Target shoes.

“I need to learn how to relax more, I think. I'm terrible at sitting still.”

Lee's go-to quiche recipe.

“Turkish Meze-style breakfast. Two hours of school work. Ride a lap around the park, while I power walk with them wearing Birdy in the Baby Bjorn. Maybe a lunch at the park with friends. Grab ice cream if the kids have been good. Head home, pour a glass of wine, and prep dinner, while the kids have some TV or art or craft or play time. Bathtime for Birdy and the biggies. Daddy comes home from his office, and after his playtime with the kids, we eat dinner. I get to do some macramé with Casper, while we all watch a family movie in the movie room. Snuggle and read. Pass out, and Birdy sleeps eight hours straight. It doesn't always go according to plan of course, but this is ideal!”

Bon appétit!

“Honestly, my 'style' changes every day. That's a part of the journey. But, I like myself better as a mother when I'm patient and softer, and most importantly, present with them. I believe that all children should be communicated to as though they are a friend. So, we try to explain everything and give them information to make better decisions. We reinforce independent thinking and learning. We don't allow much laziness with our kiddos. We have a saying in our house that 'only boring people get bored’, and encourage them to find fun and productive activities. We allow TV, but in a balanced way. The core emphasis in our home is on creativity and filling time as productively as we can. And, on play, too. It's important to mix it up, but with focus ultimately on purposeful living. The standard we check ourselves against: Are we doing that enough ourselves amidst the hubbub of everyday living? Are we setting that example for our kids? It's important.”

“That I see them grow into these incredible people—real people just like you and I—with opinions and perspectives, with emotions, interests, and passions all their own. It excites me to no end that my children will one day fall in love, and their hearts will explode with joy, and we get to be the first people they run to tell.”

“Whether or not I'm doing a good job. You can't predict the future, but doing your best to be attentive, loving, and in the moment while they're young certainly helps in at least guiding that future. Life can be tricky and stressful, but I look at these things as challenges.”

“Over the last ten years, my children and this journey through motherhood has definitely given my pride a real kick in the ass. It's humbled me in profound ways. I still have a ways to go, but I have had to really strip myself of so many selfish desires that I thought were important and look at what is actually important. I've understood priorities, and the importance of slowing down and being present. I've had to learn to be flexible—to be patient—not only with my children, but with myself. I have had to learn that 'sacrifice' is not a dirty word. It's a word of love. It rounds your sharp edges, and it makes you a better person. I have had to learn to trust in God's plan. I've realized that life is full of lessons and blessings, and ironically, both end up being the same thing even when they don't always feel like it in the moment.”

“My dear friend, Raechel Hayley, who is not only an incredibly inspiring homeschooler, but also a mom of five kids (under five!), has a system that I see work pretty beautifully. Every week, they have a ‘rain or shine’ date night, a night to reconnect. And, they make it a point to take a 'parent vacation' once a year without the kids, in addition to their family vacations. I think those things that reset the parents, so to speak, and give you both something to look forward to amidst the daily grind are invaluable.”

“I own an ethically-made lifestyle brand called OddBird Co. We focus on providing traditional, handwoven textiles from my homeland of Turkey that are multi-functional and consciously-made. Oddbird has been my way of exposing a new generation to the beauty of Turkish textiles and design, a way for me to find my voice through accessing my roots. What makes it so special to me isn't just its aesthetic, but its ethical platform. It was, and still is, important for me that it only ever be ethically-made and ethically-priced, so it can be widely accessible, and a viable alternative to 'fast fashion'. We believe that a thoughtfully-created product will be thoughtfully purchased and used for a lifetime. These are the products we desire to create.”

“I am the daughter of Turkish immigrants who were fortunate enough to be granted entry into Australia in the '80s. I was raised in the Hunter Valley, outside of Sydney, and have been living in the United States since I met my husband in 2007. We have four incredible kids, five if you count OddBird Co. as a surrogate child, and are Californians currently living in the great state of Texas.”

Ceren wears the Mavis wrap dress and leather prayer slippers from an upcoming Oddbird Co. collection.

Talk about a dreamy workspace!

“The creative outlet it offers me personally; being able to work from home with my family, while creating a consciously-made product that supports other families back in my homeland; and the personal relationships I am fortunate enough forge with our customers daily. I love conversation and feedback from our OB family. Instagram is such a fantastic platform for that kind of interaction, and I am grateful for it!”

Gorgeous inventory.

“Before kids, I was instinctively concerned with only myself and my own personal career goals. Once you have kids, you naturally start weighing out the needs and wants of more people than just yourself. So, your priorities start to change, and you try to find ways of pursuing a career that is conducive to a lifestyle you want to create for your family. For that reason, I think the platform that social media has created for the mother who wants to have both a career and be a homemaker is so incredible. In the last seven or so years, we have seen this trend turn into a viable alternative for families that need two working parents, but want to maintain a certain quality of life with their children. I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to create something that inspires me and allows me to feel fulfilled as a person, while also being available for my kids.”

Future Oddbird Co. collections in the making.

And, a lovely corner for inspiration.

“There is no 'I' in team! It is definitely not a one-man show. We do our best as a unit to adhere to a daily plan. There are so many moving parts, being that we have two working parents and four kids, that order and battle plans are so important. We just try our best. And, at the end of a day that didn't go so well, we go back to the drawing board and see what we can do better tomorrow.”

“Our community was a big inspiration for us to homeschool. In Texas, we are so fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing community of mothers who make homeschooling look so accessible, and an organic extension of their lives. I never thought I could homeschool. It was something I thought was too challenging or too much of a responsibility. But, honestly, it’s been a truly rewarding experience. This has only been our first year, and even if we don’t do it forever, the time we’ve had to really get to know our kids has been immeasurable. It is definitely challenging at times to adhere to the schedule, and you naturally second-guess yourself, whether you are doing a good enough job as their teacher or not, but I think that the most important thing about homeschooling is finding your routine and creating an environment of creativity, curiosity, and independence. The logistical things are easy to find help with through online resources, forums, and curriculum. There is so much out there that is right at your fingertips as parents schooling from home.”

Ceren wears a jumpsuit and leather prayer slippers from an upcoming Oddbird Co. collection, and a Stetson hat. Casper wears a Cat & Jack dress. Sonny wears an Old Navy hoodie and pants. Alberta wears an Old Navy set.

“We have a curriculum that keeps us on track academically. Ideally, we try to do three days of curriculum work and two days of arts/music every week. We are so fortunate that our work is flexible, and we get to play it by ear a lot. Some days, schooling from home means our days get slower starts, but overall we have daily battle plans we try to adhere to, and the kids know what is expected of them. If we don't do our work, we can't have our fun. Period. So, we all pitch in—with all the chores, with everything.”

“That’s the most rewarding part about being in Denton, the community and the friendships we have forged. We are surrounded by so many creative people. It’s been such a rewarding experience being able to collaborate, not only professionally, but also as parents. Most of our friends have more than two kids and most homeschool, so we have a large group of kids and parents in the same boat helping, guiding, and relating to each other.”

“With OddBird Co., we are currently designing our first full clothing line of what we call ‘staple shapes’ that are handmade made using handwoven textiles. By 'staple', we mean 'fixed and essential’. We hope that our items will become fixtures in our customers lives, where they won't find the need to chase trends to be hip, but feel beautiful and current in our items in every season for years to come. We are hoping to perfectly represent our platform of ethical and conscious consumerism as best we can.The clothing will be handmade from textile to garment and not only consciously-made, but consciously-priced, so it can be a viable alternative to purchasing fast fashion. We are also excited to be moving into wholesale this year, and bringing our robes and towels into hotels and boutiques. We can't wait for our textiles to be within reach to touch and feel for more of our customers!”

Looks like a job well done!

“Japanese western meets modern ethnic with a little 70s California, punctuated by crisp lines à la A.P.C. I love textiles, and always have something draped over my shoulders. I love how it makes me feel. I feel more womanly with a wrap instead of a sweater.”

“Absolutely—It’s matured into something earthy that doesn't necessarily show off my body the way I wanted to do when I was younger. I don’t wear short skirts anymore. I flash some collarbone or shoulder instead of a leg if I'm wanting to feel feminine. I wear Oddbird Co. towels with everything, as they are so multifunctional. As a mother, I have realized that I need easy breastfeeding access and pockets at all times. I also wear a leather fanny pack as much as humanly possible. Having Oddbird Co. as my creative outlet, I have seen the importance of designing clothing with mothers and women of all shapes in mind. I cannot wait to release our debut fashion line this fall. I have applied all the things that I need and want as a mother to our clothing.”

Ceren wears a linen fall jacket, high-waisted woven pants, and leather prayer slippers from an upcoming Oddbird Co. collection, and a vintage necklace. Casper wears a Cat & Jack dress.

“A.P.C., Lee Mathews, dRA, YARGICI Turkey, and Ace&Jig.”

“A good, lightweight linen jacket like the one we designed for the new collection, or a linen robe like the one that I’m wearing in the bath time shots. A long, linen dress like FLAX. Vintage Seafarer high-waisted jeans, or some Jesse Kamm pants. A Stetson hat, always. A handmade pair of boots like Cobra Rock or Standard Handmade, and a romper you feel like a badass in from designers such as Ace&Jig. Finally, a beautiful, flowing silk dress from designer Lee Mathews.”

“Everything linen. Hats all the time. Oversized dresses and jackets. Japanese-western denim. Quilted kimono jackets with a strong jean, hat, and boot. Leather prayer slippers worn as shoes—that's an Oddbird trend we are about to start!”

“Mainly online—vintage or consignment through Instagram. I buy a lot from local designers through Instagram, actually. It's a great, easy way to shop for me. I love Christy Dawn, Jesse Kamm, Steven Alan, Individual Medley, Ilana Kohn, and Ace&Jig. I absolutely love the Lithuanian designers I find through Etsy, and basics from A.P.C. and Madewell.”

“Casper has had a ‘crop top’ on her want list for sometime! Lately, I've been doing a lot of reflecting, as I've been designing the debut full clothing collection for OddBird Co., and came to the realization that for the money we all spend on disposable fashion that inevitably ends up in the landfill, or random filler clothing in our wardrobes we can't remember the last time we actually wore, we could have a seamstress sew a private collection of timeless pieces that fit our body exactly, and that we could wear forever. One day, that is exactly what I want to do. And, that's the approach with how I'm designing this collection. A series of staple pieces that feel like they were made for you in handwoven fabrics that you will wear for the life of the garment. They will be items you feel a million dollars in every time you wear them, but be as comfortable as pajamas.”

“I only use BeautyCounter, which I get through Beth Riesgraf. Beth is a director of Beauty Counter, and has personally introduced me to the line. It’s changed my skin! Their face oils and the shimmer body oil, tint skin foundation, cream blush, and lip sheers are my entire routine. I am wearing those things in these pictures, actually!”

“I follow a strict gluten-free diet, which has been instrumental in my physical and mental health. I definitely believe that 'grain eats the brain’. We love Dr. Bo Wagner, and take his supplements. We try to do his five-week total body cleanse once every couple of years. I can’t live without his Colon Magic and enzymes. I also swear by B1 for good sleep, and CoQ10 and saffron for my morning kickstart. Aside from supplements, I am working on drinking more water. My husband drinks my bodyweight in water every day, and always has so much energy. We also do our best to include one physical activity a day, whatever that may be. I wear ankle weights as much as possible, and my friends get a real kick out of seeing me in them! I just wear them around in my day-to-day activities to help get the baby weight off, and keep my legs and core toned. I swear by it! When I'm back in L.A., I love doing reformer pilates at Pilates Plus.”

“How long the days; how short the years.”

“Pilot is into editing little videos using his cameras, playing guitar, and skateboarding day and night. Casper is into macramé, writing little movie scripts, making Youtube videos, and (inevitably) Nickelodeon heartthrobs. Sonny is into playing the drums. He loves The Beatles, anything Imaginext-related, and smashing said toys together. Alberta likes baths, a lot, and she is really into her toes.”

Sonny wears an Oddbird Co. linen kids robe.

“Casper and Sonny just came to us, and we knew straight away that's who they were. Alberta ‘Birdy’ Lee came from my favorite song of all time—60s Australian Folk singer, Glenn Tomasetti’s, version of the song 'Alberta’. One day, I want to release an EP called ‘Alberta’ that is just a selection of covers of songs titled ‘Alberta’.

Casper wears an Oddbird Co. linen kids robe.

“I have the same work ethic as my mom. We are a ‘get it done’ kind of tribe, task-based creatures. We don’t often know how to relax unless we have a coffee or a glass of wine in hand. We are fantastic multitaskers. We both don’t drink enough water. I take more vitamins, though. We have a good time. We laugh really loud. We have a similar sense of humor. She, too, was a young mom, and is one of my best friends and great inspirations.”

“In addition to my amazing mother and mother-in-law who are such inspiring, strong women, my other mother icon would have to be Gay Ribisi, who is Jason’s long-time manager and second mama since he was in his early 20s. Since meeting Gay, I have said that when I grow up, I want to be ‘Gayser’. She not only is an incredible artist (painter and photographer), but she raised three insanely talented human beings, and is probably the most upbeat and sweet human I know. She also has the best style ever, and is the original Annie Hall. She is in her 70s, but going on 25, forever young. I want to always have that kind of spirit."

“‘Don’t judge your insides by someone else's outsides.’ - A good friend.”

Ceren wears the Flounce top and skirt from an upcoming Oddbird Co. collection. Alberta wears an Old Navy dress.

“The first one is a challenge of learning everything for the first time. Your nipples will hurt like heck, so see a lactation consultant. You won’t get any sleep. Find a group of women who are at the same place as you in life. Communicate your feelings, even the weird ones you don't know why you are feeling. It's normal. Your body is overcoming trauma and going through big changes. You may not lose the weight as quickly as another mom. Don’t label yourself, or compare. Don’t give up on breastfeeding, unless you’ve tried everything. Save some breastmilk for ear infections and pink eye when they are sick! It will clear it right up. Stay hydrated. Eat well. Take walks. Don’t take everything so seriously. Let him eat dirt.”

“One to two was the hardest for me. A lot of my friends say the same. Two to three has been such an intense joy. It's been a real blessing to get to do it again! For mamas moving on from a single kid to multiple, have someone to talk to. Its not easy. Don't compare yourself to other people! And, pick up a hobby! I picked up my guitar and asked my husband to teach me three chords, and it was incredible. It awakened something in me I had let go dormant. I also took up macramé, and that with a glass of wine at night, was exactly what I needed! In other words, stay busy and serve yourself, too. Take some classes at Makers Mess. Brandy, who owns it, has four kids and is the most badass mama bear. They even do kid camps and date nights there! Join a mom group that has a couple ladies with multiple kids that you get along with. If I hadn’t met my best friends, Zeliha and Kristen, around that time, I wouldn’t have been half the woman I am today. Ask for help when you need it. Try your best to set a date night every week. It may not always happen, but making it a ritual will be so rewarding. Exercise and take vitamins like CoQ10 and B1!”

“Despite what the political climate may be at any given time, I think it's always important to be a good example as best you can—maintain a good work ethic, be of service, set a high standard morally, intellectually, creatively, and maternally.”

“I opted to not read parenting books. I don’t know if that was a good or bad decision, but it allowed us to figure it out as a duo.”

“God willing, we are done.”

Ceren wears an Oddbird Co. towel as a shawl, a Madewell tee, and pants from an upcoming Oddbird Co. collection.

“We love the community, our amazing group of friends, the land we have, and our home. We love Texas people and all that this great place has to offer, but we definitely get homesick for California. We are fortunate enough to be able to bounce around. We are in Turkey often, in California, and in Texas.”

“The freedom and slower pace, and the space. The price of living is so much lower that you get to enjoy life a little more. You don’t need to hustle as much as you do in the city.”

Ceren wears the Oddbird Co. Alem robe as a duster, Madewell jeans, and Cobra Rock boots.

“Being that I'm from Turkey and Australia myself, and my husband from California, I love that we can experience such different cultures and environments regularly. But, I think no matter what, California will always be home for our family. Texas, however, has been incredibly special. It's taught us a lot and has been a place of growth for me. And, there are some amazing people out here that have become like family to us. I feel so fortunate to be able to call so many places home."

“We are homebodies. We like to wake up late in the morning and have brunch. We like to make art and play. We eat sushi way too many times a week. We go to parks and pools and have ice cream at Beth Marie's. We like to watch live music or movies on the downtown square when they happen. We meet up with friends (other homeschoolers) often, and have picnics or swim. We ride motorcycles on our property. We like to barbecue at night. There is always something going on when the spring and summer arrive!”

“The Perot Museum, Kimball Museum, Arboretum, Ft. Worth Zoo, Dallas Museum of Art, and Bicentennial Park.”

“This year has been a little nuts with Jason's recent photography project and exhibitions, with Oddbird growing so beautifully, and with our first year of homeschooling, that we haven't been sans-kids often enough. But, when we are, I love grabbing a bottle of wine and going down to Jason's office. He always has the best jazz spinning, and I like to hang out and chat, while he works on his photography projects. People stop by usually. There's always an energy there.”

For more on Ceren and her family, visit Oddbird Co. and follow her on Instagram.

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Biz Owner, Homeschool Teacher, & Mama-Of-Four Ceren Lee

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