After spending some time browsing Instagram recently, I came across the amazing photo feed of @belandbeau. The woman behind the feed, Isobel Benesch, caught my attention immediately. She is the founder of the lifestyle website Bel & Beau, and definitely knows a thing or two about living elegantly (her words exactly–I love her already!) The focus of her brand is living the best life you can, while adding splashes of sophisticated glam along the way. So naturally, I had to interview her as soon a possible! Isobel and I had the chance to chat about Isobel’s inspirations + her newest photography project + her best advice for a second time mom. Enjoy!
I love the simple sophistication that the Bel & Beau brand has acquired. What is the inspiration behind your style? How did you decide on the name Bel & Beau?
I love feeling put together because that I when I feel like the best version of myself and the most confident. Even if it’s a t-shirt paired with a full skirt, there is something about being a little bit dressy that ups my confident meter :) I am inspired by the 50’s style of dressing when women were all about feminine glam and ladylike silhouettes. My name is Isobel so I wanted to incorporate that into the name and I decided on Bel & Beau as my own little version of the French words beautiful and handsome. (I know belle is beautiful in French, but kept it to “bel” for “Isobel”)
From your Instagram, we can tell that you and your family LOVE being at the beach! What are your must-have items on your beach day packing list for you and your little ones?
We do! We are lucky to live very close to the coast and in a climate that is 75 degrees pretty much year round, so we take advantage of that and are at the ocean a lot! Since we are in the sun a lot, my top must-haves revolve around sun protection: Swimzip UV Swimwear (mine, toddler, baby), Sunglasses (me and the boys), Sunscreen (body and face), and a giant beach umbrella (this one is my favorite). I also like to bring a giant blanket that is easy to shake the sand out of (like this one) and lots and lots of sand toys.
When you find yourself overwhelmed, stressed, or discouraged–how do you like to clear your mind and relax? What types of activities (or the absence of activity) re-energize you?
Sometimes sitting and talking it out with my husband or a good friend helps (usually just to put things back into perspective haha!) or a walk along the ocean (there is something about being by the sea that always calms me down). And when all else fails…going to get a pedicure where I can sit and read trashy magazines uninterrupted for a full hour is a surefire way to re-energize myself.
I absolutely adore your newest photography project, Honest Hours, with Jessica Davis (@jessdavisphoto) on Instagram. What was the easiest part about letting Jessica photograph a day in your life? What was the hardest part?
Jessica is a truly talented photographer and I was beyond excited to work with her on this project. The easiest part was Jessica herself. She was fun to be around and it felt like I was hanging out with a friend all day long, instead of being followed around all day with a camera. It was also fun knowing that all of those special moments that I share with my boys, those little looks or actions that my boys do and I know all too well in my mind, would be documented forever. The hardest part was letting go of the idea that everything would be perfect. Like most mothers out there, I want everything to be perfect for our family photoshoots. I like to pick out outfits, location, props, etc. and letting go of all of that so that we could capture a true day in the life of me with my boys was hard. Jessica did such an amazing job of capturing those honest, everyday moments and the photos she took mean more to me than any family shoot I have ever done.
Many people offer advice for first time parents, but rarely offer advice for a second child! What advice can you give to parents expecting for the second time around? How has becoming a mom to two little ones (congrats, by the way!) changed your perspective on parenting?
This one is hard because every child and family is different and I think how your older child reacts to having a sibling will strongly affect your experience bringing your next one into the world. It obviously depends on the age, but I think talking to your older child about becoming an older sibling is important. We talked to Holden A TON about it, telling him he was chosen to be a big brother and how lucky he was that he was chosen to be a big brother. We spent the majority of the time focusing on the positive aspects of being a big brother, but we also discussed how it could be hard at times with a new baby in the house – how I would have to spend time nursing the baby, that mommy and daddy would be tired, and Holden might feel frustrated at times when mommy and daddy had to focus on the new baby. We also got books about becoming a big brother (this one and this one are a favorite). And I went overboard with presents for Holden when Grayson was being born. I bought gifts for him to open when we left for the hospital, gifts for him to open with my mom when we were at the hospital, and then gifts for him to open “from his baby brother” when he visited us at the hospital.
It was an incredibly positive experience for us. We were lucky in that Holden loved being a big brother from the time Gray entered this world. Holden was very clingy to me throughout my pregnancy (like I couldn’t even go to the bathroom in our house by myself even while we were in our house because he said he would miss me), but as soon as Gray came into our lives he became this independent little boy that seemed to have suddenly grown up and settled into his role as big brother.
Favorite blogger?
I honestly don’t have a ton of time to read blogs these days, and I find that I usually use my quick moments to myself to check instagram instead, but if I had to pick, I’d choose: Mary Lauren of Headed Somewhere (she is so honest and real) and Sjana Elise of smyle (incredibly positive space and full of inspiration on health, nutrition, exercise, and travel).
Most used emoji?
The laughing face with tears
Favorite pick-me-up? (caffeine-coffee or tea, nap, exercise, etc)
At this point in my life with a teething baby who is up a lot at night, it’s a nap!
Love Isobel’s interview as much as we do? For more about her style, her little ones, and her daily adventures, follow her on Instagram and check out her website, Bel and Beau.
