I Don’t Know How She Does It – Rachel Blumenthal

Here’s the thing I love about the amazing women I have met through this blog: they know a lot of other amazing women. I was introduced to Rachel Blumenthal, founder of Cricket’s Circle, through Marissa Kraxberger, who was featured right in this very space a year ago. Rachel is a Manhattan-based mama-on-the go. She started her career in PR at Yves Saint Laurent (hello, dream job!) and went on to catch the entrepreneurial bug, helping her husband launch a little start-up you may have heard of, Warby Parker, and most recently focusing her efforts on Cricket’s Circle, a genius web site that helps expecting moms navigate the must-haves, must-wants and must-skips that come with having your first baby. Meanwhile, she is raising her first baby, Griffin (3 years old), who is sure to inherit some serious business savvy – and style! – from mommy and daddy. Here is how she does it:

What time does your day start and how?

Usually around 7am with Griffin running into my room screaming at the top of his lungs “Mommmmmy wake up!!!!”. On Thursday mornings I sneak out before he wakes up for 7am pilates.

What time does your day end and how?

My day usually ends somewhere between 11:30pm and 1:30am depending on how many emails I have to catch up on. I typically have a dinner or event commitment every night after work and then when I get home I catch up on emails on our couch in front of the TV. I’m a sucker for The Kardashians, Scandal, Shameless, The Good Wife and The Carrie Diaries.  Then it’s my 5 step Somme Institute routine, catching up on Twitter (@CricketsCircle) and Instagram in bed and lights out.

Do you work from home or in an office? What is the set up like?

I work from the Warby Parker offices (my husband Neil is one of the founders). When Warby first launched, the early team worked out of my office (I am the former designer and founder of jewelry line Rachel Leigh), and they are now repaying the favor. Our small yet mighty team works in a cluster of desks in the middle of their headquarters which is an open office layout. We love the energy they bring to our day and of course the fully stocked kitchen doesn’t hurt either!

Do you see/speak to your kids throughout your work day? If yes, how/when?

I’ll call home once a day, usually after nap time, to check in and say hi to Griffin. On Tuesdays my mother-in-law is with Griffin and we can usually expect an unannounced visit to the office which always catches me by surprise and makes my day. Griffin will run into the office screaming “Mommy! Rachel! Where aaarre you!” (he isn’t shy). He’ll usually color at my desk while I finish up whatever I was working on, we’ll visit the kitchen to get him a snack (he loves “puffs” aka Pirates Booty) and then he’ll do his rounds saying hi to everyone on the team.

What is the best thing about being a working mom? Hardest thing?

The best thing is having something that’s all about me. When I go to work it’s about my ambitions, goals and passions. It’s about me having an identity outside of being a “mom” or “Griffin’s mom” which I really appreciate. The hardest part is not being around as much as I would like and worrying I’m going to screw him up not always being there. I make sure I never miss an important event or even the less important moments (taking him for an egg sandwich in the morning), and I hope I am instilling a strong work ethic.

Be honest, what is one thing you envy about stay at home moms?

When I get to spend the entire day with Griffin I love the freedom of having no commitments or places we have to be. We can decide to do anything we want and we don’t even need a plan. It’s the spontaneity that’s the most enjoyable and memorable. I would definitely miss dressing up every day to go to work (that’s something I can’t live without – it’s my creative outlet).

Answer the question “I don’t know how you do it?” in ten words or less.

My husband, nanny, mother-in-law, freshdirect.com, diapers.com and my iphone.

And here are Rachel’s must-haves of the moment for she and little he:

Clockwise from top left:

The Body Collection from Beautycounter – shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion – the best luxurious and safe products.

J.Crew leather front Pixie pant – I love these because the stretch fabric on the back makes them more comfortable, they don’t stretch out like traditional leather pants and they are less than half the price of all-leather pants.

Dry shampoo – it was a game changer for me. I’ve tried them all and love this one by Blow.

Lanvin Happy Bag in grosgrain ribbon (link to similar)- the fabric makes it lightweight so I don’t have to worry about filling it to the brim and I can wear it as a messenger or over the shoulder style.

Anything Crewcuts! I tend to dress Griffin in clothes his dad would wear like this sweatshirt.

Valentino Rockstud patent ballerina flats – a perfect balance of girly yet edgy, they dress up a pair of jeans but are equally appropriate for dinner out at night.

Vilebrequin father & son swimsuits.