Celebrate the holidays with Hayley Bloomingdale | Mums in Style
We are delighted to introduce our latest ‘Mums in Style’ guest and long-term friend of the brand - Hayley Bloomingdale. California born Hayley, lives in London with her husband, two daughters and their adorable puppy – Franklin.
Hayley is the Style Editor of The Times Luxury in addition to being a contributing editor at Collagerie, The Times & American Vogue. It was a pleasure as always to catch up with Hayley – here she shares with us her favourite family activity, her girls’ Autumn Winter wardrobe staples and what a snowy Christmas in Montana with her family looks like.
Celia X
Balance:
C: How do you strike the balance between work and motherhood?
H: I’m lucky enough to mostly work from home, so I try to divide my days into working and being present with my kids when they are home from school.
H: I’m lucky enough to mostly work from home, so I try to divide my days into working and being present with my kids when they are home from school.
C: Favourite way to unwind?
H: A good book and a hot bath.
H: A good book and a hot bath.
C: What’s the one thing about motherhood that no one ever told you?
H: Just how much time I would spend wiping something: noses, bums, tears…mothers are virtually always wiping something.
H: Just how much time I would spend wiping something: noses, bums, tears…mothers are virtually always wiping something.
C: What does your perfect evening in London look like?
H: I love to get dressed up and go out with my husband for cocktails and dinner. Equally I also love having pasta and a glass of wine followed by a hot bath; a nice balance of both of these options sounds perfect to me!
H: I love to get dressed up and go out with my husband for cocktails and dinner. Equally I also love having pasta and a glass of wine followed by a hot bath; a nice balance of both of these options sounds perfect to me!
Family time:
C: Favourite family activity?
H: We spend a lot of time in Hyde Park on the weekend: the girls have football and we walk our puppy, Franklin, to Round Pond to watch the sailboats. We also love going to the Pirate Ship Playground or the Diana Memorial and strolling past Kensington Palace too.
H: We spend a lot of time in Hyde Park on the weekend: the girls have football and we walk our puppy, Franklin, to Round Pond to watch the sailboats. We also love going to the Pirate Ship Playground or the Diana Memorial and strolling past Kensington Palace too.
C: Favourite family day trip?
H: If the weather is nice, we love taking the kids to the River House at Oakley Court: on the weekends they have Sharkey and George entertainment for the children so we can have pizza and drinks by the river while the girls run around and have the best time and then snooze in the car on the way back to London!
H: If the weather is nice, we love taking the kids to the River House at Oakley Court: on the weekends they have Sharkey and George entertainment for the children so we can have pizza and drinks by the river while the girls run around and have the best time and then snooze in the car on the way back to London!
C: Favourite bedtime story?
H: Too many to list! All time favourites include Mouse’s Wood, The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess, Angelina Ballerina, The Worst Princess, Ada Twist Scientist…Our current favourite is ‘Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau!’
H: Too many to list! All time favourites include Mouse’s Wood, The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess, Angelina Ballerina, The Worst Princess, Ada Twist Scientist…Our current favourite is ‘Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau!’
Style:
C: Do you think your approach to dressing has changed since having your girls?
H: I used to wear stilettos to work in the morning and not take them off until after dinner and drinks! These days my stilettos don’t get nearly as much use as my trainers and flats do. I tend to wear jeans most days as I find I can easily dress them up if I’m doing something for work or after being with the kids.
H: I used to wear stilettos to work in the morning and not take them off until after dinner and drinks! These days my stilettos don’t get nearly as much use as my trainers and flats do. I tend to wear jeans most days as I find I can easily dress them up if I’m doing something for work or after being with the kids.
C: What are staples for your girls’ autumn/winter wardrobe?
H: In the winter we tend to lean towards jeans (the wide leg pair is our number one fave!) and cozy jumpers, knit hats and a great coat like the Arietta. I love the boots too.
H: In the winter we tend to lean towards jeans (the wide leg pair is our number one fave!) and cozy jumpers, knit hats and a great coat like the Arietta. I love the boots too.
C: Three essentials you always have in your handbag?
H: Hand gel, tissues and some sort of emergency snack, one for me and one for the kids.
H: Hand gel, tissues and some sort of emergency snack, one for me and one for the kids.
Celebrate the Holidays with La Coqueta:
C: Where are you for the holidays?
H: This year we will be at my parents’ house in snowy Montana.
C: What are your top travel trips with children?
H: Set your expectations very low and be ready for anything! Do whatever it takes to make it through alive: iPads, snacks, and melatonin gummies for jetlag.
C: Favourite family Holiday Traditions?
H: In Montana we do a snowy sled ride and it is truly the highlight of the season!
C: What’s on your La Coqueta Wish List?
H: Definitely the plaid Arrieta coat, any of the festive knits and I love the burgundy checked Tessa dress. The Enola girl jeans are our favourites, I’m eyeing up the lighter denim colour.
H: Definitely the plaid Arrieta coat, any of the festive knits and I love the burgundy checked Tessa dress. The Enola girl jeans are our favourites, I’m eyeing up the lighter denim colour.
C: What will you girls be wearing on Christmas Day?
H: I think I’ll have them wear their tartan dresses for festive events in London before the holidays and then they will wear their burgundy Vivian dresses in Montana as the corduroy will go well with boots and plaid Arrieta coats for snowy walks!
H: I think I’ll have them wear their tartan dresses for festive events in London before the holidays and then they will wear their burgundy Vivian dresses in Montana as the corduroy will go well with boots and plaid Arrieta coats for snowy walks!
