Day in the Life | The Richardson's (Puj)

Spending the day with the Richardson's, the makers behind Puj, taught us one very important lesson: be present. From secret passageways to the chicken coop, their Washington home serves as the base of creativity, beauty, and authenticity for which is so clearly reflected in all 6 of the Richardson's. 

Besides business owners, you two are both parents of four very adorable children living in beautiful Washington. Your home seems very inviting, bright, and happy. Could you talk to us a bit about what home life is like and why/how Washington is fitting for your family?

When it comes to the morning routine in our home, our focus is on fostering independence. I (Katie) wake up at 5:30 and head out of the house to get some exercise and alone time. I am home just as they are waking up. I help the boys get ready and make sure they leave the house prepared for the day. Liberty (the baby) usually wakes up in the middle of all this and joins us at the breakfast table. Some mornings it feels like I'm herding cats, but for the most part, the boys do a great job being responsible for themselves. Once Ben and the boys are off, it's just me and Liberty for the day. We play house together, do the dishes, laundry and run errands. Luckily she is a great sleeper and on a very consistent schedule. This allows me to get my Puj work done during her nap time or in the evenings after stories and bedtime.

We have a very simple yet playful home. Because we have 4 kids and we live in a place that rains through the winter, it was important to make the interior a great place to play. The basement is very open so the kids can race their cars and play tag. And we also created a network of secret passageways connecting the boys' bedrooms and several closets. With 4 levels and 6 entrances, it is a big hit not just with our kids but with the whole neighborhood.

One thing I love about Washington is the people. I think it's the rain and gray days that keep everyone here grounded. And summers in the North West are absolute paradise. There are business tax advantages as well. I also love the great creative community in the Portland area.

You and your husband are so involved with the kids! The activities you do throughout the day seem to keep the kids' adventures going. For one thing, how did the chicken coop start (we adore it!)?  

We couldn't resist the adorable little chicks one spring and decided to get the kids some "pets." I guess that's the practical side of me; if we are going to have a pet to take care of, it might as well help out around the house, right? The kids love chasing the chickens in the yard and holding them in their lap. When we collect the 6 eggs every day, it's like a bonus. Plus it's another opportunity to give the kids responsibility by feeding and taking care of the chickens. We are always looking for ways to help the kids learn and grow and this just happens to be a fun one.

What are some additional family activities you do throughout the day? 

The morning usually consists of a green smoothy (banana, almond milk, nut butter, and spinach) and some fresh eggs. Then once the kids are ready for school, they LOVE to sit down and draw with Dad. It's a great way for them to let their imagination go and learn how to create an idea spiritually and then figure out how to communicate that idea. We have piles of composition books full of drawings from when these guys were as young as 18 months. They learn to talk through their ideas and get over the fear of sharing what's on their mind. It's amazing to me how they have refined their drawing skills at such a young age. And of course they get some outdoor play in by jumping on the trampoline or walking along the fence before they run off to the bus.

When do you 'go to work' and when do you 'come home'? 

While Puj does have a 20,000 sq ft headquarters, I do the bulk of my work from home. Ben and I are both committed to making the family our priority. So I work really hard to be present when I am home and focused on the kids. I go into the office a couple times a week while the kids are at school and Liberty plays at grandma's. I make sure to be home before the bus drops them off at 3:45. It can be tricky trying to get it all done in such a short amount of time, but I have never regretted being there for the kids.

Would entrepreneurship be something you'd encourage for all your children?

I can already see my kids taking an entrepreneurial path in life. We involve them quite often when making decisions or discussing different business options. It is quite common to have a brainstorming session over the dinner table. It amazes me how clearly their young minds can think. They are disconnected from the emotional consequences of many decision and speak with such wisdom and clarity. I have learned to trust their judgement.

What are some of the biggest life lessons you hope to carry on to your children?

We as human beings are given the opportunity to act and create our own destiny. The trick is letting go of the fear and learning to step into the unknown. I want my kids to get excited about choosing their own path. I want them to have clarity about what is most important in life. I want my kids to know that I love them more than any success I achieve in business; I believe in them!  

As far as your daily life goes, do you find that there needs to be any sort of improvement? Perhaps some things that you wish to do more of, or do less of? 

We have a saying in our home and that is: "wash your bowl." I have a tendency to jump from one activity to the next and at the end of the day, the house can be a mess and feel chaotic. I'm working on slowing down, enjoying the clean-up process, and making it a family affair. My kids really are the happiest when they are working (they would disagree, but it's true). We are training these boys to be men (and women) and the habits they are forming now will stick with them for the rest of their life. I want to instill good habits in my kids.

What is the best concoction for a good day?

Hard exercise, simple healthy meals, and working beside my kids to make our home clean and organized. And if I want to make it extra good, I'll enjoy a cold glass of sparkling water and a few squares of extra dark chocolate once the house is quiet.

Photography by Briana Morrison

LIBERTY'S FLORAL DRESS WILLABY

Mom and Me | Tiffani Thiessen and Daughter Harper

Aside from all the big and little screens that she has graced on, Tiffani Thiessen's most fulfilling roles have been a wife Brady Smith and mother to 4-year-old Harper. If Tiffani's name hasn't yet rung a bell, which would be peculiar for someone who lent her talents to cult-driven programs like Saved by the Bell (as Kelly Kapowski), Beverly Hills, 90210 (as Valerie Malone), and even White Collar (as Elizabeth Burke), then you may recognize her from the Cooking Channel where she leads Dinner at Tiffani's or from her newly launched blog.

She opened up her home to us, where she and daughter Harper took us through their daily activities, which ranged from feeding the 5 chickens they own, and making lemonade using lemons from their tree. It's definitely a different sight to experience when you're just miles away from the bustling noises of Hollywood, which makes us realize their home is very much a euphoric getaway.

And like their home, Tiffani and Harper are just as lovely and welcoming. 

Your home seems like an endless abode of fun - there never seems to be a dull moment. What inspired you to create your house the way it is now, with such openness, outdoor activities, and lots of animals? 

My husband and I were always on the same page about how we wanted our home to look and feel. We wanted it to be comfortable, colorful, and warm. In addition, it was important to us that we kept the integrity of the house to its roots. It was built in 1923, so it has a lot of history and charm. 

Tiffani - Dress: Sonnet James.

Top: Ode to Jeune. Skirt: Mimosa Kids. Shoes: Zuzii. 

What are your mornings generally like? What is the family morning routine?

Every morning is pretty much the same during the week: Up early (Harper is an early riser as are Mommy and Daddy). We let the dogs out, the chickens out of their coop. We then feed everyone… humans and critters. Then a little play before school. If it’s the weekend, then it’s not as rushed. We’ll hit the farmers market one of those two days, have lots of play, snuggle time, or we'll go swimming, do some reading, painting and drawing. We will also cook together. Maybe, we'll go hiking or bike riding or just jump on the trampoline! 

Well then, Harper is definitely an active girl! 

She is a non-stop kind of girl. Always has been. Let’s just say we are never bored. 

Tiffani - Dress and Cardigan: Ruche. Shoes: Zuzii. 

Dress and Jacket: Ode to Jeune. Shoes: Zuzii. 

With the hens laying eggs each morning, you not only get delicious meals, but healthy ones too! What is your go-to breakfast meal for the family? 

My husband’s favorite is my fried egg sandwich. My daughter loves my yogurt pancakes! 

So you're getting ready for a son! How are you planning for the big change? Do you think Harper is ready to have another family member around? 

Harper has been so ready. For about a year now she has been asking either… 'Mommy, please have a baby in your belly!' or 'Mommy, is he ready yet?' Like he’s a cake being baked in my belly. It’s so cute. 

Tank: Kira Kids. Skirt: Mabo Kids. Shoes: Zuzii.

Tiffani - Dress: Sonnet James. Necklace: Simon and Ruby. Shoes: Zuzii.

As Harper gets older, what are some of the biggest lessons you are teaching her whether it's about learning, health, home-life, etc? 

I feel like every day as a parent you're teaching as well as learning. Not sure who learns more. Us as parents or her as a kid (laughs). But, we try and teach her the morals that my husband and I were taught. Good manners, self-respect, respect of others, kindness all around, and to love thy neighbor… that includes the love of animals and nature. 

Romper: Marie Chantal. Shoes: Zuzii. 

Tiffani - Dress and Cardigan: Ruche. Shoes: Zuzii. 

When you're not busy working, what can we find you doing? What does an ideal day look like for you?

Getting breakfast ready in morning and taking Harper to school. Then straight to the gym. Meetings usually follow or organizing things at home. Then, it’s back to picking up Harper from school. We'll have playtime before dinner and bath… Then, we'll head to bed around 7 PM (which sometimes includes me falling asleep with her these days... got to love pregnancy!). 

What are some of the things you've learned from parenting that you hadn't known before?

The abundance of love and joy I can have from such a tiny little person. 

Both you and your husband are so welcoming, patient, humble, and genuinely wonderful people. We aren't surprised at all, but it certainly is refreshing to see in this 'business.' 

Well how sweet are you? Thank you. That means the world to us. So thank you for those kind words. 

Tiffani - Romper: Ruche. Harper - Dress: Le Carrousel. Rabbit: Hazel Village. 

When life gets a little wild and busy, how do you manage it all? How do you maintain stress as a mom and as a working mom?

Deep breaths, I would say. Deep breaths can really make a difference. I know it sounds cliche but they do work. And laughter when you can find it. 

Photography by Megan Welker

Styling by Lucia Tran

Makeup by Nicole Burg

*You can also win Sonnet James' Reese Dress (in Blue Stripes) that Tiffani is wearing here. 

Day in the Life | Joy Cho

Joy Cho, designer and author (her most recent book is available for pre-order on Amazon), is just one of those moms who we dream about becoming. Her honesty, kindness, and cheerfulness is exactly what makes her appealing. We claimed a Saturday with Joy in order to explore what a day in her life looks like; the word colorful defines much of what we saw.

We loved spending a Saturday with you. Is each day just as eventful? There never appears to be a dull moment. 

Life with children is always action-packed as you have to keep them busy even if you’re just at home having a casual Saturday.

You and your husband are wonderfully involved with both Ruby and Coco’s lives. With both parents working, how do you manage to balance work and parenthood? It’s 2 jobs in one.

When we were growing up, both of our parents worked around the clock. While we love them for everything they did to raise and support us, we wanted to make sure that we kept more normal hours for our kids and are involved as much as we can be. I base my work day around feeding Coco in the morning, taking Ruby to school, and then being back in the late afternoon so I can be sure to feed/nurse Coco a couple more times before her bed time. My husband’s schedule is a little less flexible but he still has pretty good hours and we’re both off on the weekends for the most part. My job doesn’t really ever end and I work a lot after the kids go to bed (usually 5 out of the 7 nights a week I work in the evenings too).

Your family’s creativity is so apparent when one walks into the house. Obviously, your design background is the factor behind it all. But where did all this originate from? Let’s go back further than just design school in New York! 

I was always into making things as a kid. I didn’t play with dolls or Barbies. Instead, I asked for craft kids and supplies to make things. I didn’t necessarily think that I would have a “creative” job when I grew up (I thought I’d be a geneticist or botanist or something more scientific). But I loved making things and decided to go to art school to foster that love.

Was your family very encouraging of your pursuit of designing and crafting? Of course, stereotypically, Asian American immigrant parents aren’t exactly 100% supportive when you say you’re not pursuing law school or med school.

My dad definitely pushed the traditional “become a doctor or a lawyer” thing, but my mom was always very encouraging of being whatever I wanted. It was really hard to make the decision to go the art school route because the Asian community in general (friends of my parents or even my boyfriend’s parents (who are now my in-law’s) never understood what I was doing or why I would want to go into design. And of course, no one thought it would be seen as a successful career. I think they all feel differently now, but it took a really long time to get them there. And therefore, I am always super supportive and encouraging of what people love and wanting them to love what they do. There’s nothing worse than hating your job and I have way too many friends who picked a major and a job because it was safe and a decent paycheck. Now in their 30’s, they wish they were doing something else.

You are very much supportive of Ruby’s artistry. We love how much art you have in both her room and in her play corner. It’s such mindful creativity. 

Ha, thanks! I think that I want to foster whatever she’s into. I’m partially biased and I probably steer her away from princesses and dolls a little too much because I was never into that. But, in general, we just want her to explore and figure things out as she evolves.

We had to take a little cookie break on set! But generally, what are the meals like in the Cho residence? What are your go-to meals?

Honestly, we go out to lunch/dinner a lot. Maybe a few times a week with the kids. Our work days are so packed that sometimes it’s just not possible to come home and make a meal and hang out with the kids before bedtime. So we’d rather cut out the meal making and spend that time with them either out somewhere or with the occasional delivery. When we do cook at home (usually on the weekends because we are not as limited on time), we make a lot of grilled fish and we’ve been trying out those pre-prepped meal service options where all the fresh ingredients come to you with a recipe attached.

Hypothetically, if the kids were to want to skip college and head straight into the artistic entrepreneurship road that you are currently in, would that be something you would be okay with?

I would still want them to go to college and get a degree. That’s the traditional part of me coming through, but I feel that is all else fails, a degree is still necessary for lots of types of jobs. They can open their own business and pursue entrepreneurship after school. Besides just the piece of paper, I also think that college is just a social experience that is good for kids to experience and gives them a stepping stone to living and being without their parents and to transition into the real world.

You seem to involve your family in so much of what you do. Has it always been a priority for you to include your kids and your husband in some/most/all aspects of your business? And why is that?

I mix my family in at times when it seems appropriate. I definitely try not to drag them to things that wouldn’t be fun for them. But luckily, I have some fun parts about my job that they get to see. I’ve taken Ruby to photo shoots for Target before and while she didn’t totally understand it, I just loved showing her how all these creative people come together to create an end result and how magical that can be.

Photography by Megan Welker

Credits: Joy's Dress - Sonnet James. Ruby's Dress - Kira Kids. Shoes - Zuzii. 

Cookies: Eat Sweets Pastry