Before landing at True Religion, Jeanann Williams worked her magic on brands like Alexander Wang and Victoria’s Secret while at powerhouse agency KCD. With her laid-back style and effortless approach to motherhood, Williams embodies the understated charm inherent in the east end town she calls home. Beach chic meets cool sophistication at the Montauk house she shares with photographer Ben Watts. The couple has passed their easy-going sensibility onto to their daughter; already a world-traveler, Ruby’s eclectic wardrobe reflects her globetrotting upbringing—France, Ibiza, and Australia all before her second birthday.
Ruby, two, July 2011
1. "When Ruby's on set with her dad she'll say, 'I'm shooting models mommy'
2. Watching her play with her cousins, both boys are so gentle and protective of her—she loves running in their gang.
3. When I pick her up, she says ‘You got me?’, then I say it back to her and she always says, ‘Yeah, I got you’
4. Tea parties
5. Maas (our word for kisses)
6. When she sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
7. Watching Beauty and the Beast together—it was my favorite growing up and it’s amazing to share that with her."
"Girls are just immediately girls. The minute she could do anything, she wanted a stroller and babies, while my two nephews wanted dinosaurs and trucks. It’s just innate."
"I don't blow-dry my hair, which is a major time saver. I just use a little Moroccan hair oil. And I get gel nails—they last longer so I don't have to get manicures every week. For my skin, I use Colbert MD skincare products, which help to conceal all my sleepless nights. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with sunscreen is another great time saver."
On Jeanann: Isabel Marant top, Agent Provocateur bra, and chalk white leather pants by True Religion
Ruby's vintage lockers
"Ben boxes and now they box together—she quite likes it (she calls it ‘punching’). Daddy can do no wrong in her eyes."
On Ruby: Country Road dress
"She’s gotten to an age where it’s really easy—she’s potty trained and we just have so much fun. I love the idea of having kids close in age, but she has her cousins—they’re like brothers and sisters. Her one cousin Kai is only five months older—the gap seemed like a lot when they were babies, but it’s nothing now."
"She doesn’t look anything like me, really. She looks exactly like her aunt Naomi and her cousins. When you look at pictures of Naomi when she was little, there’s a really strong resemblance."
"Meltdowns are tricky, but definitely just a part of it all. It doesn't make them a terrible child or you a bad parent. Moms should remember that as we're getting stared down on a flight or in a restaurant when your child is screaming bloody murder. Ruby definitely still needs her naps, so to try and prevent meltdowns from happening, I make sure she gets them. I don't leave the house without a ‘bag of tricks’ filled with her favorite things and snacks. Also my iphone, which is filled with apps for kids, is a great distraction."
Ruby's purple blanket, bought in Sag Harbor
Pillows from ABC Carpet & Home, and Anthropologie
"It's frightening at times to think that you are shaping someone's life and who they will become. Often I hear Ruby using one of my expressions, or doing an unfortunate dance move that she learned from me and I'm reminded that she is a sponge, taking it all in, and each moment big or small molds who she is. I used to catch myself when I sounded or acted like my mother—singing off-key definitely comes from her, we're both a bit tone-deaf—but now I love it. I am my mother's daughter, and Ruby is all mine."
"I often envy our nanny—I wish I could spend my days in Ruby's world going on play dates, taking trips to the water park, watching her spin round and round in Tots and Tutus class. I don't want to miss a thing. I always wonder, how many ‘firsts’ does she have in a day? It's magical to be apart of that sense of discovery."
"I love shopping for her—this age is especially fun. Slowly but surely she’s starting to decide what she does and doesn’t want to wear. She’ll say “Elmo shirt!” and I think to myself, “Nooooo!”. Then again it’s fun to see her dress herself. You don’t know what’s going to come out. I get to see little bits and pieces of her creativity. Whenever we travel, we bring back cotton and linen clothing for her—she has lots of great beachwear from Ibiza and Mexico. Her daddy got this shirt for her in Tulum."
"Her father will try to corrupt her any chance he gets. He started to encourage her to fart, and now she is constantly yelling, ‘I did a fart, I did a fartie, I did it!!' Daddy's little girl. She yelled it in excitement to the barista at Starbucks last week, and I told her, ‘only dad likes that.’ We will see if that puts a stop to it."
"She has a whole wardrobe out here. I try to keep things as simple as possible so I can just leave the city with a little bag on my shoulder. Every time I bring a lot of stuff, we never wear it—we’re just in bathing suits all weekend."
"When I had Ruby, my former boss from Sigerson Morrison told me, ‘here’s the secret: buy kids’ clothes in Paris.’ She’s been my mom mentor. Now I always shop for her when I’m there for the shows. I find all of these great, affordable pieces in muted colors and classic styles at Monoprix. Here, there’s so much pink and blue with Winnie the Pooh on it."
Seed skirt
"I wish I was better at arts and crafts, Play-doh, crayons, sand castles, Legos, building forts...the pressure! Dad takes the cake on most of these tasks."
Lamb from Moss
"When we’re in Montauk, we spend most of our time outside—at the beach, drawing in the sand, playing ring around the rosie in the backyard, watching the sunset, catching lightening bugs, wishing on stars. It reminds me of my childhood."
Maclaren stroller: "When getting in and out of taxis, you need a stroller that can fold up fast and easy."
Aden & Anais: "These are the most amazing swaddle blankets—they get softer and softer after every wash and can be used for just about anything."
"A few of Ruby's favorite books are Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems, and Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett"
Toys: "Mrs. Potato Head, Melissa and Doug cupcake set, Zany Zoo Activity Cube, tea set, Play-Doh, crayons and coloring books, Fancy Nancy sticker book"
"She’s always been around a lot of people, and she goes on set with Ben everyday that he shoots."
Vintage earrings from Brimfield market
"I didn’t find out I was having a girl. It’s the biggest surprise life can give you. It’s one of those important lessons to learn as you enter parenthood—there are tons of surprises and things you can’t control."
"We love to stay busy, and in New York there is always something to do or see. The city has amazing classes, parks—the best of everything. She's been to the theater quite a lot—her dad took her to Angelina Ballerina and Thomas the Train."
"She doesn’t like wet grass, sand, or being dirty in general—it took a while for her to get comfortable with those things out here. She’s very girly and quite careful."
"She’s a great eater—she loves pasta, chicken, fish. She eats anything and everything. Lots of yogurt, fruit, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon."
"A few of things that keep me sane are my mommy friends, our nanny Faye, books, Diapers.com, the ipad, Ben and Montauk."
"I love Yoya, My Little Sunshine, Trico Field, Sweet William, Bonpoint, Stella McCartney Kids (I went crazy and bought a ton from the spring/summer collection), Kisan for their great European lines, Mini & Maximus for tee shirts, Native Shoes (the stylish Croc). And my favorite is Bonton—I always visit their shop when in Paris and get Ruby a special dress, sometimes two or three."
"The name Ruby just stuck. It was the only name I had in mind for her—it’s just perfect."
Vintage wood blocks from an antique shop in Hudson, NY
"I love bath time. I wish I could give Ruby her bath every night."
"We travel quite a bit—she’s been to France, Ibiza, Australia. It’s easier now. She watches Dora on the iPad."
Oriental Trading Co. animal masks bought for Ruby's 2nd birthday party
"To create balance, I try to set my limits at work, plan, and be realistic. When I'm with Ruby I don't check my phone."
"I love my 'me' time, and a session at the gym is exactly that (I always end it with a nice steam). I have good weeks and bad, but I always feel better when I go. I gave myself ample time to get back into shape after having Ruby, but I must say I didn't do much apart from staying busy being a mom—you don't even have time to eat when you're caring for your little one. I did take quite a few Physique 57 classes after she was born though."
"Sometimes she crawls out of her toddler bed into ours. She's a terrible bed partner (with a strong kick)."
"Something was in the water around the time I got pregnant. A lot of my friends have kids her age. She has three playdates a week."
Antique doll on Ruby's desk
"She is so loving and gentle—I love watching her interact with her best friends."
