New mom and taste maker for the beautiful masses, Simone LeBlanc is an alchemistress of bespoke gifts in Los Angeles where she treats every day like a special occasion. She and her husband, Ross Jacobson are making memories and a cozy home replete with access to nature for their baby girl, Lillian. Tangible trinkets help keep this family connected as Ross travels often for his job.
click on any photo below to see the gallery and get to know the jacobson-leblanc family.
Tell us about your family.
My family is made up of our infant, Lillian, my husband, Ross, and myself. Ross and I have been married for only a year and a half and we’ve been overjoyed to welcome Lillian during that time. So though we are a “young family” it feels like we have spent our whole lives waiting to get here and be together. Both Ross and I own our own businesses and lead pretty busy lives, so we really value the family time that we have together. Fortunately, we love doing the same types of things like going on day trips as a family, having friends over for dinner and taking quiet time to simply recharge and enjoy each other’s company.
Photo credit: @simoneleblanc
What does a typical day in your family look like?
We all wake up around 6:30 or 7am. That’s when Ross and Lillian have their time together before he leaves for work. My studio is in the back of our property so I’ll be with Lillian until our nanny comes around 9am and then I head to work. I pop down periodically throughout the day to check in on her and get my dose of hugs and kisses, and also take photos throughout the day to send to Ross. I wrap up work around 5 or 6pm, which is when Lillian and I have our dedicated play time and bath time. Then Ross comes home for our nightly bed time book reading and a lullaby. With a newborn our schedules have changed so much, but we finally have a system down that feels like it allows for us to get what we need to get done during the day done yet, most importantly, still allows us to have quality time with our girl.
Photo credit: @darcyhemleycasucci
How does your family stay connected?
This is so important to us so we do small, simple things throughout the day like sending photos to each other and making sure that we have time set aside to have undisturbed focused time with Lillian. During play time, bath time and feedings we put our phones away, lay off email and enjoy it being just us. It can be a challenge to negotiate this but we both feel it is very important to not multi-task to connect with her and stay in touch with our family’s values.
Photo credit: @simoneleblanc
Tell us about your happy place or What brings you joy?
My happy place has always been amongst the Redwoods and out in nature. Ross and I both grew up in Northern California and love being by the coast, in the fog, surrounded by towering trees – there’s just nothing like it. Here in Los Angeles one of my favorite places to be is my studio. It’s a light filled creative space and I love daydreaming about all of the days to come that Lillian and I will spend there making fun creative messes together. An extra bonus is that since it’s in the back of our house Ross can always come in and see what’s happening.
Photo credit: @simoneleblanc
What kind of memories do you want to create for your child?
I want to create memories filled with inspiration and excitement around all of the possibilities of the world. I want her to feel discovery and a sense of wonder and expansiveness that’s at the same time rooted in knowing that she is safe in the support of her family to guide her.
Photo credit: @simoneleblanc
What does home mean for your family?
Home means the life that we build together that will evolve with us through time and as our lives change. In our physical home, with Lillian here we have been trying to re-invent our space to create a loving and inspiring environment for her. Our home is our place of sanctuary where friends and family can feel relaxed – Where we can cook in the kitchen, enjoy a meal together and have quiet relaxing weekend afternoons. It’s where we can feel that sense of togetherness while still allowing room for each of us to grow independently into our space.
Photo credit: @darcyhemleycasucci
How do you make a home for your family?
By communicating and making sure that we’re on the same page with how we raise Lillian and what our core values are as a family. Communication with my husband is key. We both believe in the idea of bringing joy and mutual support and balance within the walls of our home. We work hard to be positive and supportive of one another, on the good days and the bad ones.
Photo credit: @simoneleblanc
If you or your partner works, how does your work affect or inspire your family? Or the other way around?
As I mentioned we both have our own businesses and are very passionate about what we do. Because we are both committed to our work, sometimes finding enough hours in the day can be challenging. But the fact that we are both working hard to build our dreams as independent people just brings our goals and dreams for our family to the forefront in an even stronger way – It brings so much contentment and satisfaction to the dynamic that we have.
Photo credit: @darcyhemleycasucci
How do you stay connected when away from home?
Ross travels for work from time to time so I love to include a handwritten note and a physical photo in his suitcase when he does. It’s something he never expects and he never knows where he’ll find it. It’s such a meaningful way to keep us with him wherever he goes, and so much more special than just a digital iPhone photo sent via text. We make sure to have a phone conversation at some point each day where we keep each other up to speed on what’s happening on both ends of the line. When we’re away from each other we also love to share what we see in the new place, whoever it is that’s there, that we know the other person will love – It gives us something to look forward to coming back to and doing together.
Photo credit: @darcyhemleycasucci
Describe your parenting style.
It’s a balance between instinctual focus, collaboration and using the trusted resources of wisdom passed down to us through friends, family and books we’ve read. We value consistency and the idea of having a consistent structure, but one that really lets Lillian become who she needs to be within the safety of that structure.
Photo credit: @simoneleblanc
Christina is a mama, conservationist, DIY’er, vintage fanatic, dog lover and the Ergobaby director of community.
She is passionate about babies, babywearing, birth, yoga, natural living, and healthy eats. When not online reading and writing about all of the above, she can be found spending time with her daughter, creating their family story in Los Angeles.
