When Tibi founder Amy Smilovic moved her family from SoHo to the country, she wondered how her city-centric brood would adjust. Over ten years later, and they are happier than ever. Amy and her husband, Frank, revel in the quiet and community, while her two boys take full advantage of the plethora of activities that country life has to offer (from outdoor sports to water balloon fights in the backyard). After starting her career working in advertising for American Express, Amy had her light bulb moment and decided to pursue her true passion. Since launching Tibi in 1997, she has seen the company grow from three employees to over 60, and has carved a unique and treasured place within the crowded fashion landscape. Amy’s most striking qualities as a mom (effortlessly cool and truly passionate) are the very same things that define the Tibi woman, making her downright irresistible.
Gabriel, twelve, Charlie, nine, February 2013
1. "Vacations with the boys
2. Baking cookies together
3. Watching them play sports
4. School plays
5. My iPad and my iPod
6. My sketchbook and pens"
On Gabriel: J.Crew top and pants
"As a new mom, I figured this out by accident, and I'm so happy I did: When you put your baby to sleep, use only one soundtrack of music—don’t jump around to 100 different lullabies, just keep it to just 5-6 songs. In a few years time, the minute you hear that music, you will be immediately transported to those moments when you were putting your baby to sleep. I can’t get that time back now, and listening to that music is the best thing for me."
On Amy: Tibi sweatshirt
On Charlie: J.Crew t-shirt
1. Favorite thing about your house: "The backyard and all the great hiding places"
2. Favorite part about growing up in Connecticut: "The summers—not too hot and not too cold"
3. Favorite thing to do with your mom: "Watch movies"
4. Favorite thing to do with each other: "Fighting and agreeing to disagree"
5. Favorite music: "Imagine Dragons and Mumford and Sons"
On the boys: head-to-toe J.Crew
Ralph Lauren love seat, West Elm rug, West Elm desk, vintage desk chair with Madeline Weinrib fabric, and Tibi wallpaper
"My makeup shortcut is sheer foundation and Bobbi Brown pink blush—just enough to look healthy. And Surf Spray from Bumble and Bumble."
On Amy: Tibi cropped pants and sweater
"The best part about being a mom is knowing that there is always something more important in life waiting for you at home. No matter what goes on at work, or in the financial markets, whatever, my kids always keep me so sane and balanced."
On the boys: J.Crew
Tibi wallpaper
"I really have to work at getting in the motherhood mindset. I think I felt that it should come naturally—I love my kids and my family, so I shouldn’t have to work at it, but the reality is that I do. I have to really turn off work and make myself present in the moment. Hide the phone. Keep the iPad at bay."
"My most humbling parenting moment was when my oldest son was six months old, and the two of us flew to Phoenix. Before the plane even took off, he threw up two bottles of milk all down the front of my shirt. I was soaked. I had to get a flight attendant to hold him, go into the washroom and wash my sweater in the sink, and ride the six hours to Phoenix in a bra with a Delta blanket wrapped around me while my sweater dried on the seat in front of me. Classy."
"I love going to their teacher conferences—people truly think my guys are great. I love them and am biased, so it feels amazing when you hear other people say it."
Charlie's collection of snow globes picked up at airports from around the world.
"I wasn't prepared for how unbelievably torturous homework time is. You physically feel like you have gone back to school—I am currently reliving the hell of geometry. It is beyond exhausting!"
On Amy: Dries Van Noten sweater, Faith Connexion jeans
Charlie’s first written words
"My favorite part of the day with my boys is bedtime."
A Roger Federer signed tennis ball, and, in the background, a signed photo of the Yale Hockey Team.
"No matter how much I rationalize, I feel so guilty about working all day, and the fact that we eat a lot of chicken nuggets for dinner at our house (at least they’re organic)."
Restoration Hardware bedding
Charlie with the family's newest addition.
"We love Legos in our house—hours and hours are spent building these gigantic Lego sets, like the Taj Mahal and the London Bridge."
"My sons and I are in competition with these Nike fuel bands, competing to see who burns the most fuel at the end of each day. I have to really treat my daily routine as exercise opportunities: going to the train station in the morning, running through grand central, etc. It’s amazing when I drive to work how much lower my fuel burn is than on the days when I take the train to work. So, during the week, it’s just busy life exercise, but weekends are full on workouts at the gym."
Tibi zebra print rug
"My advice for balancing motherhood and marriage: make sure you shower. It's important to still care about yourself and your appearance."
"My husband is definitely the disciplinarian. I like candy too much to be too hardcore."
"I actually think my style has gotten better since becoming a mom. I force myself to care—I’m terrified of the yoga pants-wearing mommies, in their leggings all day. I don’t subscribe to not caring. I feel so much better about myself when I’m dressed, and dressed can mean great jeans, booties and a sweatshirt—but it needs to be put together as if you cared."
On Amy: Tibi skirt and top, Costume National booties
On Charlie: J.Crew t-shirt and jeans
Tibi curtains
"I wish I was better at just being more in the moment with my guys."
Antique chaise from Green Street Antiques with Madeline Weinrib fabric, Ryan Good painting
Amy's recipe for lemon ricotta cookies with lemon glaze.
