Parenting Conversations With Valerie Macaulay

Parenting Conversations With Valerie Macaulay

Valerie Macaulay is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of La Ligne, the New York–based brand redefining the stripe as a modern wardrobe essential. She began her career at Harper’s Bazaar and spent ten years in Vogue’s fashion department before launching La Ligne in 2016 with Meredith Melling. She currently resides in London with her husband and three children, while continuing to shape La Ligne’s signature blend of timeless design and everyday ease.

LIFESTYLE

Can't live without

London Zootropics adaptogenic coffee.

Biggest indulgence

Going to a traditional Russian banya once a month.

Last google search

How do you spell "adaptogenic"? 

What have you learned from your marriage so far

It's all about communication - we are both on the same team. So just remembering that every decision should be about how we can make sure to be on the same page. 

Favourite discovery

My Anker portable charger which lasts weeks and has enough charge for my phone and laptop.

Best gift ever received

My engagement ring which I had absolutely nothing to do with. He chose it down to the oxidized platinum and sapphire border proving he knows me better than I know myself. 

Proudest moment

Seeing La Ligne in the wild, it still gives me such a thrill.  

Favourite work out

Reformer pilates with The Proud Project.

Instant mood lifter 

A long walk alone.

Best birthday

My 40th when my husband threw me a surprise party.  

TRAVEL

  • Where do you want to travel next: Japan.
  • Favourite hotel: Hotel Locarno in Rome.
  • Favourite place to visit: Patmos in Greece.
  • Travel must haves when traveling with kids: SNACKS! Also, a deck of cards, crossword or sudoku books for my older ones and sticker activity books for my younger son.
  • Favourite place to take your kids: Our family house in New Hampshire.
  • Favourite hidden gem: Matera in Puglia.
  • Favourite foreign restaurant: Pierluigi in Rome.
  • Last flight you took: Marseille for a trip to Provence with my husband

HOME

  • Favourite family heirloom: My mother's Cartier Love Bracelet (which she bought for herself in the 70's), so it has the original screw mechanism. 
  • What's on your nightstand: Pooky's blue and white striped Lottie bedside lamp, a vintage bottle green glass decanter from Casa Shop, the book I am reading (currently Martin Amis' "Inside Story"), my nighttime supplements from Wild Nutrition (Magnesium and Ashwagandha) and a striped bud vase by The Sette.
  • Sheets on your bed: Olatz.
  • Favourite florist: Flowerbx.
  • Favourite piece of art: A Sally Mann photograph that hangs over my night table.
  • Favourite china: Hermes Blues Dailleurs China.

FOOD

  • Neighborhood restaurant: Pentolina.
  • Favourite restaurant dish: Spaghetti with crab.
  • Favourite coffee shop: Debbie Jo.
  • Where do you go when you want to have a long lazy lunch: Julie's in Notting Hill. 
  • Favourite recipe: Tumeric chicken salad from Bill Granger.
  • Take out spot when you don't feel like cooking: Notting Hill Fish Shop.
  • Favourite bar and cocktail: Martinis at Duke's.
  • Supplement you cannot live without: Collagen from Wild Nutrition.

PARENTING

  • Favourite childhood memory: Spending Christmas in El Salvador when my grandparents were still alive. 
  • Favourite family tradition: Board game nights.
  • Most fun thing about motherhood: Watching your children develop their own sense of humor. Seeing them crack jokes or what they find funny is often more hilarious than the joke itself. 
  • What occasion do you lie to your kids: I have a strict policy of not lying to them, but that doesn't apply to myself when I tell them how excited I am to play an imagination game with them.  
  • Moment you realized you turned into your mother: The first day I left the kids with the nanny and realized I was going to worry about them for the rest of their lives. 
  • Television mom you relate to the most: Claire from Modern Family. 
  • One thing you wish you knew before becoming a parent: Don't listen to all the judgement out there, there is no right way to raise your kids- just do it with a lot of love. 
  • The most genius invention for kids: The Week Junior Magazine which translates a lot of tough topics depending on the news cycle, but gets them interested in current events.  
  • What is your must have MC product for your child/ children: I always love a family pajama matching moment. 
  • Best advice on motherhood: The days are long but the years are short. The stuff that seems hard will go away but then so will the things you never want to change, so try to enjoy it all. 

MANNERS

  • What do good manners mean to you: Making someone feel appreciated whether you are sitting at their table, staying at their house or a guest at an event. 
  • What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to bad manners: Looking past someone while talking to them to see who else is there.
  • Favorite old school rule of etiquette: Give your host at least 20 minutes of grace if invited to their home for a meal, but be five minutes early if meeting elsewhere.  
  • Favourite rule of modern etiquette: No phones at the table.
  • Hardest manners to instill into your children: Helping to clear the table, essentially the evolution of asking to be excused. 
  • Favourite hostess gift you have received: Bud vases-they are so handy and not expensive but you can mix and match with ones you have and instantly transform a table.  
  • Stationary for thank you notes: Clementina Sketchbook.

FASHION

  • Go to day bag: A La Ligne striped shopping tote.
  • Best new brands: Heirlome by Stephanie Suberville. 
  • Style Icon: Carolyn Bessette.
  • Most frequently worn item: La Ligne Colby Pants.  
  • One thing every woman should own: A great classic blue and white striped, long sleeve tee.
  • What's on your wishlist: A great long billowy shirt dress in midnight blue that I could layer over trousers - haven't found the perfect one yet (may have to make it myself). Also, a leather cape å la Nour Hammour. 

BEAUTY:

  • Best beauty treatment: Getting my hair colored with Jackson Heller.
  • Best beauty tip: Sunscreen every single day.
  • Chapstick: Beyer & Sohne.
  • Favourite beauty product: Cle de Peau concealer.
  • Recent beauty product discovery: Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50.
  • Favourite Scent: A custom scent made for me by self-taught parfumeur Maya Nije.  
  • Favourite store to stock up on all your beauty favorites: Boots.
  • Beauty routine: I use a phyto retinol serum from True Botanicals every night and if sun damage is bad then a stronger one every other night for a week or two like Pigmanorm.  

Discover Valerie's Marie-Chantal Edit