Meeting Julia, mother from Toronto - Canada
Julia lives in Toronto by the lake with her husband Jonas and their six years old daughter Isabelle, sweetly called Issy! Editorial stylist, she creates the dreamiest worlds. Attracted by her soft universe, we were eager to learn more.
In between projects in the go such as shooting for Atelier Choux Paris, she kindly replied to our questions.
WHAT HAS THE LOCKDOWN TAUGHT YOU?
I have rediscovered how little a child needs in order to be happy . Simple pleasures such as winning a Uno card game or getting a pretty smiley sticker on school work well done is enough to make Isabelle’s day.
She is teaching me to appreciate the little things again. I tend to forget them as days rush by or when when stressed by what will happen next! While we try and teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is all about...
WHAT ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR?
I’m most grateful for my family: for my loving husband who helps me to remain optimistic and for my daughter who has adjusted to the big changes in our daily life with such ease and grace. They both make me so proud.
Issy is an example for us all! She finds so much excitement in every little thing, like making a list to do for Mother’s Day or singing along her favourite movie. I am thankful for this extra time together deepening our bond!
She is old enough to understand what is going on and I hope that when she looks back on this unusual period we are living, she will remember the pure quality moments of joy spent together.
WHAT IS THE FAVORITE ACTIVITY/CRAFT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR CHILD SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE LOCKDOWN?
We have been enjoying so many different activities and trying out lots of new crafts but so far our absolute favourite is the good old coloring.
It’s relaxing and simple. Sometimes we both color the same picture and then tell each other what we liked most about the other’s choice of colors and patterns. It makes a nice break during our homeschool lessons.
We have also started a gratitude journal. It’s a little book which Issy fills in at the end of each day. She writes what she is grateful for, who brought her joy and what activity she enjoyed the most. It makes us reflect and give thanks for all the daily gifts of life, small and big!
CAN YOU SHARE A FAVORITE RECIPE FROM YOUR COUNTRY?
Canada has a very multicultural cuisine. In our house we try to explore different recipes yet our all time favourite is chicken noodle soup homemade from scratch. It’s my mother’s recipe from Eastern Europe. It’s also known in our house as “grandma’s soup”, dubbed so by Issy. It makes everyone feel better and alway gives us comfort.
WHICH INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST AT THE MOMENT?
There are so many beautiful and inspiring accounts. One of my favourites is @jamiebeck.co. Jamie is an American artist who lives in French Provence. Her Isolation Creation project images are breathtaking. She shares the daily process in her stories and it feels like escaping in a nostalgic tale.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO FINISH WITH A QUOTE?
"Creativity is intelligence having fun" from Albert Einstein. It says it all...
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