Creativity, motherhood, and the moments that matter

1 January 1970

Thoughtful and deeply intentional both on and off camera, Heaven invites us into the space where creativity, motherhood, and everyday life meet. She shares how her values guide her work, how becoming a mother reshaped her routines, and how the small daily moments often mean the most.

To start, how would you describe yourself, both on and off camera?

I think to those that don’t know me well, I can be a bit reserved. Not because I’m not interested in making new friends, but because I like to get to know the person/the space a little better. I feel the only way to do that is to really sit back, take everything in, and listen. But those who are close to me see a much more dynamic woman: thoughtful, silly, observant, inquisitive, loving, vulnerable. And I like to think that the camera gets a little bit of both…in the middle of that.

For partnerships and brand work: how do you decide when your family shows up in sponsored content (or not), and what ethical lines guide you?

I love sharing my family and giving them opportunities in content and modeling opportunities, but will never accept a job that doesn’t align with our values. Alignment matters the most to me…do I believe in the brand? Would I use this product or service myself? And when it comes to my daughter specifically – her image or likeness is not for free. So monetarily, I’m quite serious in ensuring she’s paid well and treated well.

“I'm quite serious in ensuring she's paid well and treated well."

What changed in your creativity process post-baby, and what became non-negotiable to keep?

I think the lack of time…something you don’t really think about while pregnant with your first child, has really been a new challenge. I don’t have time to necessarily take the ballet or yoga class in the morning before work (I’m getting her ready for school!), or sitting and pouring myself into a captivating book (my girl wants to spend time with me!). So a lot of the time, I’m including her into my daily rituals or creative processes. Where I’d usually put on music and zone out while cooking something I love, I sit her up on the counter and we take a little more time cooking together…giving her little tasks here and there. And maybe I didn’t make it to ballet class, but I did make sure to be super active in her own dance class (Saturday’s at Mark Morris Dance Center are the best). My non-negotiable in all of it is that my life hasn’t stopped. And the things I loved haven’t gone away. It looks a bit different now and I’m okay with that.

How do you set boundaries for yourself, your family time, and work time at home?

I knew early on, after having my daughter, that she and my husband would come before work. That has always seemed like a non-negotiable. And though I pour into my own wellness and health – movement, balanced meals, dates with friends – my family is an extension of me, and I of them. I am because you are. So setting boundaries means closing the laptop when my daughter is home from school so that I can pour myself into her and really bask in this quality time. It doesn’t mean I don’t hop on after bedtime to finish up some work, but more often than not, our home is a work-free zone if my daughter is around.

“I knew early on, after having my daughter, that she and my husband would come before work.”

You speak openly about the struggles new moms face when transitioning into motherhood. What is one of the most recent struggles that you’ve faced and what is a recent joy?

I think every week looks so different for a new mother. I know I’m not alone in saying that this week feels really tough on our sleep. Our almost 2.5 year old has been having a hard time settling down at night and staying down in the middle of night. We haven’t found a real groove yet: anywhere from co-sleeping vs. self-soothing to anything in between. And that has been a little tough on us as a family. But on the contrary, early mornings with our daughter are incredibly sweet and many times…funny! She wakes up with so much energy and happiness: “Mommy wakey wakey.” And I love that we get to experience that morning joy with her.

If you could bottle one ordinary moment from this season for your future selves to revisit, what would it be called?

Winter has the sun setting early and rising late, so again, these mornings have been especially cozy. My daughter is such a cuddler, so I’m bottling up these moments of us on the couch with her pancakes and just unfolding for the day.

Our brand is about finding meaning in the everyday. What small ritual helps you feel most at home in yourself right now?

My morning ritual is something that makes me feel so at home no matter where I am: breathwork and light movement, with a cup of warm lemon water and a cup of soup or broth. It’s simple, soft, and nourishing. I try to move a bit slower in the morning if time allows, as this time is for me, and I try to keep it consistent.

“My daughter is such a cuddler, so I’m bottling up these moments...”

And lastly, what every day or simple moment in your camera roll right now makes you smile every time you see it?

My daughter has been begging to get a matching bath robe, but in pink (her favorite color). Her grandmother naturally ordered her one immediately. When she first tried it on, she had the happiest little face. My mother snapped a photo of her and now it’s my phone background. It’s soooo sweet and sooo her.