BCM - How did your life change when you became a mom?

Lisa - My life changed in so many ways!  You become 100% accountable for another person that is solely dependent on you.  Your baby immediately becomes your best friend, the love of your life, the person you spend all your time with.  So, I suppose one of the biggest changes was not seeing a lot of the friends that I saw on a more social basis (although I wouldn't trade one moment of "Ben time" for anything else).

BCM - What has been your most memorable moment (s) as a mom? 

Lisa -That's so hard, because there are so many.  I think looking back at this time in my life, I will smile when I think about arriving home after work, taking my jacket off and putting down my bag down and hearing "Mommy! Mommy!" followed by the pitter patter of little feet coming towards me to give me a hug.  That moment is amazing, and it happens every night:)

BCM - What has been the biggest challenge for you in motherhood.   Any advice for new moms? 

Lisa -I think training yourself to become less selfish is the biggest challenge.  Before motherhood, you can really do whatever you want, whenver you want, especially in NYC.  I often want to go running in the morning before work or get a manicure and pedicure on a Saturday afternoon, but that is time that I'm not spending with Ben.  So, instead I'll just do my own nails after he goes to bed or skip the extra sweet that day to make up for the lack of exercise.  I think making the time you have with your kids (whether it's a lot or a little) as uninterrupted and quality as you can is really important.  They know when you're not paying attention, and from what I've learned in my own experience, they are MUCH better behaved when you are, making the time more enjoyable for everyone.

BCM - We are loving your new line of Chewbeads - tell us about it.  What was your inspiration?

Lisa -The idea really started over 6 years ago when my nephew Zachary was a baby.  I had (and still have) a ton of amazing Jcrew necklaces, which at the time were oversized, colorful, and beaded (before the metal/shiny jeweled trend!). He used to pull on them, put him in his mouth, chew on them, etc.  In fact any baby I picked up or encountered whether it was on a plane, on the subway, with a friend, would do the same.  I used to say to my sister "we should just create a line of jewelry that is safe for babies to chew on."  But the concept really started to take shape when Benjamin was born and I had him reminding me everyday how much babies like their mom's jewelry.  I finally just decided that it was a good idea that was missing in the marketplace and why not try and see if I could create my vision. 

BCM - Besides running your own business, and having a toddler, you have a full time job,  How do you manage your work life balance?

Lisa -That's a good question.  It's not easy, I work a lot.  But, on the other hand, I'm totally the type of person that when I have a lot to do, I get more done.  It's funny, when I had a baby, I found, that I had more time at night than I used to.  For example, after work, I used to go out for dinner with friends, go to the gym, go shopping, and so on, but when you have a baby at home, you rush home to spend some time with them before they go to bed, so you're pretty much home every night before 7pm and usually (I emphasize "usually") the baby is asleep by 7:30 or 8pm.  So really I find that after 8 I have a few hours to either relax, watch TV, or work.  Not to say I don't go out with friends, go to the gym, or go shopping, I do, just not as much.  I have to coordinate with my VERY helpful husband.  Did I mention having a great helpful husband really helps too:)  

BCM - What types of activities do you like to do with Benjamin?

Lisa -In the summer you can usually find us in the sandbox at the park on the West Side Highway and Jane Street.  In addition to the sandbox, there is a great big water-fountain and 3 different play areas with slides and other fun stuff for the kids to climb on.   Nowadays, you can find us wandering the highline up to Chelsea Market where we often grab lunch, listen to the musicians, and pick up some fresh food from all the great shops.  Ben LOVES music, so when it's not nice out, we try to find some sort of music to bring him too, although, it's not always easy to get him to leave.

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FUN FACTS:

I’m totally obsessed with……

Lisa - Fresh Direct and diapers.com

My biggest influence is…..

Lisa - Doing things to make Ben's life happy and fullfilling.

My favorite drugstore buy is…..

Lisa -Almay moisturizing eye make up remover pads, along with Maybelline Full and Soft Mascara. 

Products I can’t live without…….

Lisa - Besides Maybelline Mascara, I would say Coconut Water, my Blackberry, and right now, my Pea in the Pod Belly Band (I'm 20 weeks pregnant and I'm right in between still fitting in normal clothes and having to wear leggings everyday!)...oh, and Ben's Binky (I know I have to take it away, but he still REALLY loves it and I'm a total pushover) 

My guilty pleasure is ….

Lisa -Houston's Veggie Burgers.  Actually the whole meal...every couple months I go with a group of college friends and we get the spinach/artichoke dip, the veggie burger, and the brownie sundae (It's pretty indulgent).

My favorite NYC restaurant is………

Lisa -Special occasion, I love Babbo, but most frequented is Barbuto (the chicken is amazing, and it's right across the street:)