FEMME FRIDAY // Hayley Collins Feldman
Hayley and I were set up on what essentially amounted to a blind date. Both new moms. Both living in Venice. Both from rural South Carolina. Although plenty of synchronicity on the surface, these things would not necessarily guarantee a match.
Fortunately, I could not feel more lucky to have met her. She and her daughter Loulou have quickly become two of our favorite running mates, and we share much more in common than the standard fare. ( And we both apparently use the work décolletage... must be a southern thing.)
Hayley has a lust for living life beautifully. She captures the fine art of truly living well that inspires us. An eye for detail, a considerate approach to all things, and the incentive to seek joy!
She owns a beautiful restaurant here in Venice with her husband- Chez Tex - where they serve delicious local cuisine along with an expertly curated organic wine list. If you haven't been, you must check it out. We feel so lucky to have them in the neighborhood for so many reasons!
Thank you Hayley for your contribution this week, and for being fun to hang out with!
Your 3 Word Bio.
Southern, Mommy, Restauranteur.
One thing the internet doesn't know about you?
I was home-schooled from 1st grade to 8th grade. I grew up in a rural town in South Carolina and the education options weren’t tremendous. Although I may not have loved it in the moment, I look back now and realize that it was actually kind of cool to be taught this way in the 90s. I learned a lot about time management, being OK with being “different”, and embracing education in a way that was “self-guided”.
The can't live without it daily ritual that keeps you inspired?
Have to say, it’s coffee. My daughter Loulou and our little restaurant keep me busy. I wake up craving my morning cup of black, iced coffee from Groundworks in Venice. I swear it’s the best nitro cold brew I’ve ever had! If it’s a particularly long day, I allow myself a 3PM cup of Canyon Coffee, poured over at home into one of Atelier Dion’s beautiful ceramic mugs.
What is in your desert island cosmetic bag, and how do you use it?
My mini Nuci!! (perfect for travel, hello!) My décolletage gets especially dry, and I love applying a hefty dose to keep it youthful. I also just started using Mila Moursi’s Refining Lotion, and have noticed pretty dramatic results in pore reduction. Lastly, an eyebrow pencil and a red lip (Rodin, Tough Tomato).
And since we are on an island.... what's your favorite way to use coconut?
Coconut milk in my coffee!! (did I mention my 9-month-old??)
What impression do you want to leave?
I hope that people will see a thoughtful, happy person, who tried to view life optimistically, and helped others do the same, even when it’s hard to see the good.
