In CafeMom's monthly series, Work It, Mama, powerful moms detail how they navigate their professions and home life.
Like many of us, New Jersey-based mom Maria Molino has become a master at adapting to change with grace. In 2017, the stylist opened her own boutique and channeled her efforts into an accompanying style blog. But when the pandemic hit, she had to reevaluate. Production was low and rent was expensive, so she closed her store and killed her blog. "I made my peace with the fact that COVID messed that up," she says now.
Despite the shift, she wasn't going to let any of the ramifications of the health crisis hold her back. Instead, Maria says she "repositioned" and started Simply Maria, a lifestyle blog for moms and women looking for ideas on everything from simple and stylish outfit ideas to recipes to cook at home with the kids. In 2021, she also launched the Simply Maria podcast and YouTube channel where she chats with other fabulous female entrepreneurs about event planning, the impact of aging on our image, lingerie, and more. But her skillset doesn't stop there. She recently had a hand in the social media looks surrounding Broadway's Pretty Woman: The Musical.
Here, the mom of two chats with CafeMom's editorial director, Jessica Herndon, about creating can't-miss content, managing stress, and the essential items every fashionable mom needs this summer.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
"I'll get into the office, which I share with my friend who is the event planner for all of my events," says Maria. "If there's an event happening, my workday is pretty much around whatever I'm putting together for that event."
On other days, she maps out what blog posts and other social posts she's going to do and when she will post them. "If it's just a basic outfit post, I don't bother putting it on the blog," she says. Instead, she posts many of her great style shots on Instagram. "If it's a full event look, then there's a story behind it and that goes up on the blog. I section it off that way."
When it comes to glam, Maria says, "Tuesdays and Fridays are usually the days I have a blowout scheduled, which is usually the day that I schedule photo shoots and outfit shoots."
Does your husband photograph you?
"On vacation, I will allow my husband to shoot me," Maria jokes of her spouse, who works in finance. "It is quite a process. There are probably 200 photos per outfit taken." These shoots can be a disaster, she says laughing, adding her husband "usually ends up getting frustrated and giving up."
When she's home, she uses the same photographer — her family friend Kyle. "He is a trained photographer and he'll walk around town with me and capture different outfit changes," she says. "And sometimes, the photos are just me and a ring light."
How would you describe your style?
"I would describe it as functional, chic. But I try not to make it overpowering," says Maria. "The most extravagant pieces in my wardrobe are a bag or a pair of shoes. A lot of the clothes are Zara or ASOS. You know, something super cheap that I just pair with accessories. I don't like having to spend too much time thinking about what I need to wear each day. I take simple pieces and re-wear them with a great bag, shoes, and accessories.
"And I always consider the functionality of outfits with the kids. I try not to go too over the top. For example, there is tulle skirt I've wanted forever, but I'm like, my kids will sit on my lap and rip it the moment I wear it, so I'm not gonna bother. My daughter is 7 and my son is 9. While I know the outfit will look spectacular, I'm gonna lose money here."
Summer is here! What are some of the style must-haves for us moms this season?
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Flattering bathing suit: "Because I'm a mom and, you know, things aren't necessarily in the place that they used to be, there's two companies for bathing suits I'm really into: Hunza G — they have seersucker suits — and the brand Bondi Born," says Maria. "The Hunz G suit is one size and has a ton of stretch and they have the perfect one-piece square neck: Very simple, super flattering, and comes in a ton of different colors. I've worn it on vacation. I don't feel uncomfortable or self conscious in it. It covers everything it needs to cover."
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Tote bag: "The Dior Book Tote is just incredibly functional. But there's so many different brands that are carrying them at the moment. They don't have a lot of pockets, but you don't really need them. You can put a makeup bag in there. You can put your computer in there. Then you can put everything that you need for the beach. I use it to travel. I use it to go to the beach. I use it to come to work. It is spectacular and it is completely durable."
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Crossbody bag: "Probably every bag I own at this point has some sort of crossbody straps to go with it. Anything you can make crossbody makes it so much easier, hands free."
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Great pair of denim shorts: "Whether I'm putting on like a white T-shirt or a button-down or just throwing it on over the bathing suit, I always like to have a denim short that fits properly. A lot of them sometimes can be really short, right? But Agolde makes one in several different lengths and they fit really well. Most of them do not hug your thighs too much that you feel uncomfortable when you sit down."
And lastly, what are your tips and tricks for managing stress?
"I've cut out a lot of caffeine," says Maria. "It has helped. I found that when I was drinking that 20-ounce coffee from Starbucks every morning, my day was a lot more stressful. Once I started [drinking] tea, things got more manageable — my heart wasn't racing. And I always make sure to get at least eight hours of sleep. If I don't, everything's out of whack "
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