We love Joy Gryson for her urban chic bags; she was the designer behind many favorite Marc Jacobs bags including the Stella, Sophia, Venetia and Zoe. She currently designs her own bag lines-- Gryson and Olivia Harris (named for her daughter), both of which we absolutely adore. She created an instant hit with the Gryson Skye bag but even with all her success, she is most proud of being mom to Olivia who she had with husband Peter. They are the sweetest couple and are so supportive of each other. Joy and Peter are lifelong residents of New York where they have built their home and bag empire. Read on to find out how Joy manages life as a busy working mom!
1. What do you want for Mother's Day? Something made by Olivia.
2. What is your most cherished Mommy moment? When Olivia tells me that I am her best friend.
3. How do you balance work and family life? Not easily, but I just try to keep things in perspective and try to remember what the truly important things are in life, not sweating the small stuff.
4. Mornings are tough for moms. Do you have any tips or advice on how to look put together with no time to spare? I always think a scarf and a great pair of shoes can make you look 10x better!
5. Do you have efficient and tantrum free travel ideas? Special gadgets, toys or treats? Portable DVD player, sugar free gum, and playing the game "Rock, Paper, Scissor" have all done wonders.
6. Most working moms experience mommy guilt. How do you cope and find mental balance? Tons of it. Just try to make sure that the time I do spend with Olivia, is quality time; fun, interesting, artistic, and hopefully educational.
7. How do you pamper yourself after a long week? With a massage and a manicure.
8. Best Mother's Day memory? Last Mother's Day - being with my Grandmother, mother, sister and daughter (Olivia), 4 generations of the most important ladies in my life!
9. What do you think is important to teach your children? To be respectful towards all human beings, and to be helpful whenever possible.
10. What is the most important lesson you learned from your own mother? To give of yourself whenever humanly possible.
Oh, J,
we love you!
Angelo