I Don’t Know How She Does It – Aliza Licht

I don’t think any working mother with an internet connection doesn’t know Aliza Licht….or at the very least, her Twitter feed. In her role as SVP of Global Communications at Donna Karan International, she burst onto the social media scene in serious style when she took over the reins of the fashion leader’s famed feed as DKNY PR Girl back in 2009. Today she continues to make a mark on the style set and on busy working mamas everywhere with her own personal take on life in the corporate fashion world as a mother to two young children which she shares at @alizalicht. Her juggle in the urban jungle of Manhattan has landed her in Time Magazine‘s “Six Women Who Rule the Fashion World” feature, on the New York Daily News’ “Top 50 Most Powerful Women in New York” list, on Fashionista.com’s “50 Most Influential People in New York Fashion” list, and on the stage at TEDx. And soon, it will land her on the shelves of your local bookstore with the launch of her first book, “Leave Your Mark,” coming in Spring 2015. But at home, she has landed the ultimate gig: happy mom to two young kids, devoted wife, and the ultimate source of down-to-earth, real inspiration for women who want to do it all in today’s 140 character world. Here is how she does it:

What time does your day start and how?

I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier than I need to wake up every day. Then I snooze. I take my snoozing VERY seriously. If snoozing is cut short for any reason, my day is doomed. Generally I set the alarm for 6am and start moving at 6:30am. The first thing I do before I move is check Twitter and scan emails. Then I head for the kitchen.

My husband David is a saint and leaves my coffee made, complete with skim and sugar, on the counter. So once snooze time is up, I stumble into the kitchen and make a beeline for the coffee. If for any reason he neglected to make it that morning, I assume we are in a fight that I just don’t know about yet. Inevitably though, he was simply in a rush!

What time does your day end and how?

Which day? The workday? It doesn’t end. I leave work at around 6, come home drop all the weapons (phone etc) and then tend to the kids and the hubby. But after bedtime, I go right back to the workday. I won’t go to sleep without checking email and Twitter. I can’t. It’s too scary.

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

I work in the office. I love going to the office. My team is amazing and it is a very professional, yet VERY fun and creative environment.

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

When my kids were very little I spoke to them around three times a day. Now they get home around 4, so I will speak to them then. I am extremely communicative with them. Even as babies I would always call my nanny so they could listen to my voice and know that I was thinking about them. I think it’s really important to call. I also want to know where they are after school, so I am very on top of that as well. They have known my cell number for years and they know that they can call me any time.

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

The constant challenge I give myself is believing that I can do both well. I love what I do and I love being a mom. I think it forces me to push myself beyond what I think I can handle. To that end, I’m co-president of the school parent association and I do charity work as well. I think wearing many hats in life is what makes it not only interesting, but teaches kids that they can take on a hell of a lot. My biggest pet peeve is when people say “I don’t have time.” You don’t get time; you have to make it.

The hardest part about being a working mom is sleep deprivation. As I mentioned earlier, I’m a big fan of sleep. When I wrote my book LEAVE YOUR MARK, I had to write after the kids went to sleep every night from 9:30pm to 1am- or as long as I could stay awake. I wrote 75,000 words in three months. I would have never thought that was possible, but when you set your mind to do something, you can do it.

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

Superficially, their bodies! I’m envious that they can focus on themselves 100%, at least when the kids are in school. On the serious side, I’m envious that they can be home when their kids get home from school. I do think that being there is very important and it’s just not something I have the luxury to do.

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

I don’t, but I make a hell of an effort.

*image above via The New York Times

And because Aliza is almost as well-known for her signature style and beauty favorites as her social media savvy (one of the industry’s most well-known red lipstick devotees!), here are her must-haves of the moment for she and her littles:

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