Mother Stories
DJ and Cake-Maker Justine D. On Motherhood & More
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Kisha Bari
Mar 2, 2016
Having a mother who is a veteran New York City DJ is a pretty lucky thing. Add to that, a mother who is also a cake-making extraordinaire and you’ve pretty much hit the rad-mom lottery. Such is the case of 2.5-year-old Aoife (pronounced EE-fa), the offspring of Justine Delaney, otherwise known as Justine D.. After 17 years of making her name synonymous with NYC nightlife, the new-ish mama is now on the brink of (officially) launching her inventive cake company, which has already produced stunning sugarspun wonders for the kids of Opening Ceremony’s Humberto Leon and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. In other words, Justine is one cool cat. Here, the creative, multi-tasking mama shows us around her dream home (which used to be a school house) and talks motherhood, raising a kid in the city, and so much more.
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- "I’ve lived in Prospect Heights for twelve years and love it. There is a very special schoolhouse building (built in 1895) that was converted into apartments decades ago. I passed by in awe day after day and always said, 'Someday I’ll live in that building.' Now I do! It really is one of my adult dreams come true. We’ve been here for 1.5 years, but I plan on growing old in this apartment." Justine wears a Creatures of Comfort blouse, Phillip Lim shorts, and Eddie Borgo bracelet.
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- "Clean and minimal. Full-on decorating will kick in this year. I’ve been forced to keep it neutral, but can’t wait to add more color, wallpaper, and go crazy with graphic tiling."
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- "I usually let the space dictate decor. My previous apartment was pre-war and had never been renovated, everything was old and somewhat vintage looking. This space is more modern, recently renovated, and with lots of natural light. I also have to force myself to edit and repeat 'less is more.' If not, I tend to be a victim of controlled clutter with all the things I’ve collected over the years."
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- "Two of my favorite pieces are the Bob Gruen David Bowie portrait and an ink drawing an artist/musician named Damon Locks drew for our daughter, Aoife. It isn’t a typical cutesy kid's piece of art, but maybe a tad creepy due to a bat, wombat, and tarsier placed as the focal point."
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- "I make every attempt to contain all toys to her room and living room, but with a toddler, that is...impossible. I don’t mind it, though."
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- "Aoife is the Irish name of an ancient Celtic warrior princess. We want her to be a tough little girl, so we thought the name was a perfect place to start. Julia is my mom’s American name and Aoife’s middle name."
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- "I love watching Aoife grow and form opinions of her own. It really is a rapid progression and I’m trying to absorb all of it. I can’t wait until we can have full-on conversations with one another. I love seeing the wheels turning in her head. Through motherhood I’ve been surprised at the decisions I make, and the mistakes I’ve made. I’m learning day to day how to be the ultimate female role model for Aoife and I’m excited to see what type of woman she evolves into."
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- "Well, the thought of her teenage years and dating, but I had such a wonderful time growing up in the city when I was younger that I’m not so worried."
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- "When I was a little girl I craved a pink room, but shared a bedroom with my older brother. Needless to say, a pink room was not going to happen. So, Aoife gets a pink room. I want her to live in an environment that is simple, happy, and colorful."
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- "I’m obsessed with the Miffy lamp and the mushroom lamp. I also love the disco ball My Little Pony I made for an art show at Milk Studios ten years ago. It didn’t sell and thank god it didn’t. It really is a fun piece in a little kid’s room. There are also a bunch of hand-knit and sewn toys I made for Aoife around the room, like the big strawberry, Liberty-fabric turtle, brown bunny, and sheep. Those are special and I hope she hands them down to her own children someday."
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- "As many experienced moms told me, nothing can prepare you for parenthood. They were completely right. Life has changed pretty drastically for me. I used to be a night owl, now I get tired by 9 p.m. I used to live a very self-involved life, came and went as I pleased, and had all days and some nights free to gallivant around the city. Now, I have a somewhat regimented schedule and my priorities are with my family, while maintaining my career. Personal and professional pursuits have shifted and I’m finally used to that."
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- "Probably how tired I became and stayed for one year after giving birth, but I’m back! I trained and ran the Brooklyn Half Marathon after having Aoife and that helped my energy level shoot back up. Now, 2.5 years after giving birth, my energy level is at an all-time high."
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- "A leisurely home-cooked breakfast while sitting at her mini-table and then heading out to the Museum of Natural History on a weekday. A nice lunch at our favorite Thai place in Hell’s Kitchen, heading home to read a few Richard Scarry books, and ending the day with cooking dinner together and greeting my husband when he gets home from work."
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- "Aoife is not shy, she’s gregarious, like my husband. She’s a real tomboy and a rough-and-tumble kind of kid, not dainty, and somewhat fearless. She has me giggling most days, as she’s pretty animated and silly. She’s very much like me in the stubbornness department. Once we have our minds made up, it’s futile to sway us in a different direction."
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- "I’ll just roast everything. It's amazing what salt, pepper, and olive oil can do to vegetables and chicken."
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- "My in-law’s are inspirational parents and super-grandparents. They managed to raise five intelligent, down-to-earth, morally solid children and I’m grateful to be part of their family."
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- "Accept help from family members, hire help if need be. Breastfeeding is not as easy as they say, and it’s ok if you’re struggling. Don’t beat yourself up if you have to supplement with formula, and the last bit of advice—sleep when the baby sleeps. I neglected to do this and insisted on getting work done while Aoife napped, understandably I went a little insane from lack of sleep."
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- "Well, thank god for full-time daycare! That really is the only way I’ve been able to go back to work in the kitchen. Corporate DJ’ing is much easier since the hours are brief compared to baking. I went back to DJ’ing two weeks after giving birth. It was during Fashion Week, and a high-profile dinner event for Naomi Campbell. These types of evening events are perfect, since my husband and I can do the baby handoff. He holds daytime office hours. Aoife has even been to a couple of my DJ gigs believe it or not! Her first event was when I DJ’ed the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit opening at the Brooklyn Museum. She wore baby headphones and it was so amazing to have her there." Justine wears a Kitsune dress and Wolford tights. Aoife wears a shirt from China and Talc jeans.
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- "It is very easy to neglect your partner once the baby comes, but nurturing the relationship you have is incredibly important. I’d say constant non-baby related communication is a start. Try not talking about your child all the time and yes, make date night a priority."
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- "Classic but modern. I don’t follow trends. Before becoming a mother I only wore dresses and skirts. Now I wear jeans, something I never thought I would do. In my closet you’ll always find my staples—a Saint James two-toned striped shirt, a heavily printed jumpsuit, leather shorts, and a big fur hat."
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- "I’m very loyal to certain brands. Phillip Lim for RTW, Stella McCartney for knits, and Loeffler Randall for an everyday boot. I also like the preppy feel of Kitsune. I mostly shop online and only recently have I started to frequent clothing stores again. I’m a fan of Bird, Saks.com, and for housewares and jewelry, Mociun."
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- "Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, Ling Replenishing Hydrator (toner), Jurlique Rosewater face mist, Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Cream, and Fresh Lotus Face Cream. Also, a Fresh Rose Face Mask once a week and I get facials from Ann at Ling every two months. And I use Nars Tinted Moisturizer with 30 SPF everyday. As far as my wellness, I’ve been working out consistently since I was 23, at least four times a week. Tabata at Equinox is a great group fitness class and once a week I do Soulcycle. Akin Akman is my favorite instructor. I’m not an avid runner, but will run the Brooklyn Half Marathon for the second time this year. High-intensity workouts are my favorite."
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- "To be a better mother and launch my cake company."
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- "I’m a native New Yorker from Chinatown, Manhattan. As a teenager we moved to Kew Gardens, Queens. I went to F.I.T. for Fine Arts and straight out of college my career as a DJ/club promoter began. I was immersed in underground NY nightlife, throwing huge parties in Manhattan and running a large club in Brooklyn. It was the most amazing career! Simultaneously, I began DJ’ing events for lifestyle and fashion clients and have maintained my career ever since. Although I rarely do nightlife anymore, the hours don’t agree with me. Years later I became interested in baking and attended the French Culinary Institute for Classic Pastry Arts. I interned in the South of France after graduating F.C.I., returned home, and worked in the food industry for one year. I took off for a while to focus on my young family and now I have a new project in the works. Life is always exciting!"
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- "Not really, I’m still very career oriented. My values regarding work have always been rooted in hard work and sincerity, always going with your gut instinct, and never compromising. Those values didn’t change after I became a mother."
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- "The transition from DJ to cake-maker was quite seamless and organic. I always had other creative hobbies while being a DJ. I’ve been a knitter, sewer, and baker for years. The baking became an obsession and I realized it should be my second career. I would say cake-making dominates my schedule these days and I love it." Aoife wears a Gap coat, Misha and Puff hat, scarf, and mittens, Zara overalls, and Dr Martens.
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- "We do. My brother-in-law lives close by with his wife and two daughters. We also have cousins in Red Hook and family in New Jersery. The fact that Aoife has so many cousins in her age group close by is magnificent." Justine wears a vintage fur hat, Acne Studios coat, and Loeffler Randall boots.
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- "I love the fact that it never seems like a job. DJ’ing is absolutely fun, I still get butterflies when I spin. Baking is an artistic outlet for me that has caused me to tap back into my painting and sculpting skills since focusing on cakes. I’ve been fortunate to exist in creative industries, and never take it for granted."
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- "I launch my cake company this year. Special-occasion cakes but not your typical fondant-covered wedding cakes. So far it has been all word-of-mouth and I’ve made cakes for some unexpected clients in music, fashion, and film. I can’t wait to see what the response is like when I properly launch!"
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- "I’m a proud New Yorker and yes, I do think this is the best city in the world. Having the opportunity to share my New York with Aoife is exciting. I can’t wait to show her where I grew up, went to school, had my first date, and saw my first concert. Every neighborhood and street has a personal story linked to it and I plan on sharing that with her. My husband and I toy with the idea of moving the family to Africa someday, but for now, just New York."
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- "The Museum of Natural History, Prospect Park Zoo, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. We’ll take her to Eddie’s Sweet Shop this summer, an old-timey soda fountain in Queens, and the Bareburger restaurants are literally from heaven. They’re so kid friendly."
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- To keep following along with Justine and Aoife, check out her Instagram feed.
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