Q: What do you most look forward to in the summer?

A: Spending time outdoors in a beautiful place and a change of scenery and routine from the rest of the year.

Q: Any tips for balancing a demanding creative profession and your busy home life?

A: Easier said than done, but I am always working toward being present in what I'm doing and not worrying about what I can't control at that moment. That and knowing that my home life right now with three young kids is chaotic, so to expect that and also recognize it's not forever.

Q: What are your favorite features on the MZ Wallace camera bag?

A: All the different zip pockets to keep the many different things I carry organized.

Q: What's always in your bag?

A: A camera, extra film or sd card, my iphone, airpods, sunglasses, wallet, keys, lip balm and a hair tie.

Q: What has changed about your personal style as your child has grown?

A: I’d say I have pretty classic style and don’t think it has changed as Quinn has grown, other than not wearing heels very much anymore. My hair has been the same for at least 10 years and I’ve always dressed for comfort and what makes me feel good, whether dressing up or down.

Q: What are some of your favorite places to go with your kid?

A: We love hotels. We love a giant king sized bed, room service, and a big bathtub. Quinn’s favorite place at the moment is Palm Heights in the Grand Cayman. We have a great time there. 

We love sitting at the bar at Cervo’s. For a Vietnamese fix, we go to Madame Vo and The Odeon is like home. It was the first restaurant we took Quinn to when she was a week old.

Q: What are your favorite features on the MZ Wallace bag you chose?

A: There are so many pockets!!! I usually have carry so many bags within a tote bag, but the quilted tote has 9 pockets and a pouch!!

Q: What’s always in your bag?

A: My phone, lipstick, lip balm, a snack, glasses or sunglasses.

Q: What has changed about your personal style as your child has grown?

A: It's more spontaneous, less goal-oriented. I value comfort and flexibility SO MUCH now, but I'm still drawn to pieces that stand out and have some attitude. That balance is like my holy grail. And if my daughter says she likes what I'm wearing, it's definitely a plus :).

Q: What are some of your favorite places to go with your kid(s)? (local haunts or vacations, all answers welcome!)

A: We are building a straw-panel cottage upstate, so being there on that property and experiencing this land and home coming to life over different seasons has really been a big part of these last few family years. She has a swing now in one of the trees and we've planted tons of lavender, apple trees, and a hedge of forsythia...she's very invested in our efforts to rewild the property, so whenever she finds a milkweed plant for butterflies, she gets really excited (we all do!). Locally, the Museum of Natural History is a big part of our routine, too...at least once or twice a month. And definitely the Japanese restaurant Hibino around the corner, where she's fearless in trying anything on the menu as well as leaving little drawings for her favorite people who work there.

Q: What are your favorite features on the MZ Wallace bag you chose?

A: Honestly, I love that they aren't leather, so they're very light, but the quilting makes them feel substantial and gives them this beautiful structure...that duality is really rare. Aside from aesthetics though, I just love the way they feel against my body, even when I'm carrying lots of stuff in them. With fashion, it's easy to forget about how a beautiful thing really feels on your body or in your hand...these bags have reminded me why that part is just as important. Also, living in a tiny Brooklyn apartment, they fold down and stow away quite small...for such a luxurious-feeling bag, that's kind of a wondrous thing.

Q: What's *always* in your bag?

A: Ilia Heartbeats tinted lip balm, Yum Earth Organic lollipops, kleenex, a small notebook and pens/markers, the teeniest wallet on the planet, a month-old copy of The New Yorker, and my keys...and more often than you would think, a giant baguette from our local French bakery Appartmente 4F.

Q: Why MZ Wallace?

A: Where do I begin? With MZW you don’t have to sacrifice comfort and functionality for style. Every bag is so versatile and lasts for years without going out of style. 

Q: What do you love about your new Chelsea Shoulder bag?

A: The compartments fit so much and keep my bag organized whether I'm out of the day, or traveling.

Q: What is always in your bag?

A: Lip balm, blush, stain remover, and a snack

Courtnee Crews takes Italy:

Q: Can you share your favorite travel tip for exploring new places?

A: A bag that looks good with multiple outfits and can fit everything you need! (And pack a tote for extra room to bring souvenirs home).

Q: What are your favorite features on this MZ Wallace bag? What's *always* in your travel bag?

A: I'm obsessed with the little raffia tote! I love that it has a zipper compartment to fit the little things and you can still fit things beside it like flip flops or your swimsuit! It also looks cute after the beach with any outfit. A travel must have!  

The mini woven hobo is SO chic! I love that it’s a little mini bag (that can actually hold so much). I love how chic it looks for dinner and how functional it is crossbody for exploring!  

Q: What does abundance mean to you?

A: Abundance for me means having gratitude for what is in my life. Being full of joy with who and what I get to share this lifetime with. Abundance for me also looks like a full table with people I love.

Q: What are your favorite fall rituals?

A: Hot apple cider and bike rides in Prospect park

Q: What are your favorite features of the MZ Wallace bag you chose?

A: I like how functional it is especially for running around the city. A short handled tote can be turned into a cross body, super efficient!

Q: What's *always* in your bag?

A: Clear hydrating gloss, my fav lipstick, hand lotion and face mist.

Q: You get a free trip anywhere in the world. Where are you going and why?

A: I would loooove to visit a fun country and beach I havent been too -- thinking Bora Bora or Maldives -- gorgeous water and unlimited sunshine sounds like my ideal vaycay!

Q: What is your favorite way to turn on relax mode? What tells your brain you are "away"?

A: Having a cold Aperol Spritz in the afternoon on a sunny day with my favorite people feels like the start of vaycay to me!

Q: What are your favorite features on the MZ Wallace bag you chose?

A: Obsessed with anything raffia and also the color navy at the moment! I also love a tote because it’s the easiest catch-all but elevates any outfit! I love the bag for day-to-day errands, as a beach bag on the weekends... it is always with me!

Q: What's *always* in your bag?

A: Right now my new puppy, Goody! He is so small right now and fits perfect in my tote! When he grows out of it i would say a Turkish towel and lip-gloss!

Q: What are your favorite fall rituals?

A: Well, I love hitting up the local farmers' markets for fresh, seasonal ingredients and taking long walks through Prospect Park to soak in those autumn vibes.

Q: Tell us about your ideal day in the city?

A: My ideal day in the city starts with a cup of tea then moving my body with a workout. Then, I love exploring diverse neighborhoods for inspiration, visiting art galleries, and spending my evening cozied up with a great meal at an undiscovered gem.

Q: What are your favorite features of the MZWallace bag you chose?

A: It's all about functionality and style for me. I love the shape of this bag but more importantly that it is durable and spacious for stashing all my essentials – perfect for a wanderer like me.

Q: What's *always* in your bag?

A: A small notebook, a good book, sunscreen, and a healthy dose of curiosity. Can't leave home without the essentials.

Q: What has changed about your personal style as your child has grown?

A: I am big into the oversized look, stealing my husband’s shirts and definitely look for classic, good quality, functional clothes and bags these days… the more pockets the better for toddler snacks, bandages and the odd dinosaur. Daringly, I still wear white, but I try to keep stain remover wipes with me for the inevitable ketchup or smoothie my little girl lovingly wipes on me ;)

Q: What are some of your favorite places to go with your kids?

A: I love to go to a new city we have all never been to and get excited together. We learn the city through seeking out all the bakeries and looking out for the best sourdough. We love to walk for miles every day to discover all the little cafes and handmade toy shops that you can never find by merely doing a browser search, you have to search with your feet and eyes! Also discovering new playgrounds in cities–right now we are in Europe and I must say the playgrounds here are INCREDIBLE. Budapest is surprisingly family friendly, affordable rentals, food, and lovely playgrounds every few blocks.

Q: What are your favorite features on the MZ Wallace bag you chose? What's *always* in your bag?

A: I have quite a few favorite features of the MZ Wallace bags. I LOVE the luggage feature where you can easily attach the Metro Tote to your rolling luggage (this is seriously essential when your hands are full during travel with a toddler). The black Nik bag is an incredible carry on and also has the handy luggage attachment. I also loved the water bottle feature on both sides. I constantly use the  Metro Sling for its ease when I want to have a diaper bag on the go and my hands free! Easily fits a day’s essentials of diapers, wipes, snacks, a dinosaur toy, and credit cards.

Q: What does  your ideal day in the studio look like?

A: My ideal day is when my ideas are flowing and I can capture what’s in my head on the canvas. I also love a rainy day so I don’t feel the urge to leave. I can just sit for hours and hours working and enjoying the process.

Q: What are your favorite local spots to pop out to for a breath of fresh air?

A: I love C&B bakery. It’s the best place for a coffee in my neighborhood. I also love Karma Gallery if I need some motivation. They have 3 different locations in the East Village. When the weather is nice I also like to walk to the Eaar River and visit the water.

Q: What are your favorite features of the MZ Wallace bag you chose?

A: It fits everything. I love a stylish bag that secretly you can fill with everything you could possibly think of needing. The color is also so easy to pair with anything.

Q: What's *always* in your bag?

A: I always have way too many different lip glosses, something to draw or sketch with, a comb, wallet, and frequently candy or gum.

Q: What are your favorite ways to stay active during the winter months?

A: We like to take pilates and cardio classes. We love getting a workout in before a day of work.

Q: What’s your favorite cool down ritual? Post-workout spot?

A: Those few minutes of laying on the mat after a workout are so precious, we take full advantage of them. It helps our body calm down and feel grounded again. We don’t typically go somewhere post-workout.

Q: What are your favorite features on the MZ Wallace bag you chose?

A: We like how practical and spacious it is. We can fit in more than our essentials for a full day of meetings, including our laptop. It’s also convenient that you can wear it as a backpack or a top-handle bag.

Q: What's *always* in your bag?

A: On a day-to-day basis, our work essentials (laptop, AirPods, pen + notebook) as well as a book, lip balm, hand lotion, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Q: How do you see Earth consciousness reflected in your personal style?

A: I am so inspired by the earth around me, raw nature, the movement of humans, and all the things between. It’s reflected through my style with the fabrics I select which are predominantly natural (high vibration), the colors that emote to the places I hold close to me, and understanding the story of a piece in reflection to being conscious to Earth that lies in my wardrobe.   

Q: What are your rituals for connecting with nature in your home city and outside of it?

A: I feel humanity is a tool to connect with nature. My rituals for connecting with nature begins with what I consume the most – food. No matter where I am in the world  eating local ingredients made by local artisans and chefs connects me with nature.  

When I’m in NYC nature here exists as a concrete jungle, supporting local businesses that align with my values is how I connect. Every now and then I escape the city to indulge in New York’s natural beauty.  

When I’m traveling I stay in locations where the natural beauty is sustained, I may live in NYC but don’t enjoy traveling to other large cities. Having access to deep nature where I can observe and recognize the local flora and fauna is a ritual. 

Visiting local markets connecting with those who tend to the land and nourish the community. Enjoying local foods, cooking with local ingredients, drinking local spring water, and enjoying the sun! 

I find restoration a common human trait, my most sacred ritual is visiting a local spa to experience ancestral rituals. Most recently in Oaxaca I had a Royal Mayan Massage that began with a an ancestral spiritual cleanse, utilizing herbs, 1 hour deep massage with cupping and stretching.  

Q: What are your favorite features on the MZ Wallace bag you chose?

A: The layers of this piece allows me to show and tell. In the clutch I can hold all my small essentials, on the outside I can throw a piece of fruit or a bottle of water for easy access.

Q: What's *always* in your bag?

A: I never leave my home without a bag full of my essentials. A lip balm, my wallet, passport, a fragrance, hand cream, sanitizer, and keys!

Q: What do you look forward to most about fall?

A: Fall was my second favorite season, but now with kids it may be my first. After a busy summer having more structure in their day is always better. And I don’t have to find new ways to entertain them and they have less time on their screens. Happy to see them go back to school! For me personally, Fall is the best season for layering, reintroducing different fabrics and playing with patterns. Anything goes for me in Fall when I get dressed, and I love to explore playing with proportions, mixing in summer favorites and adding unexpected elements to my looks. It is always the race before the dreaded puffer season.

Q: What do you enjoy about the end of summer?

A: Best part of the end of summer is my tan and staying out late with a drink as you watch the sun take forever to go down.

Q: Tell us about your fall routine.

A: My Fall routine is all about schedule: more predictable days. School for the kids, sports and arts on the weekend and getting back into things for myself. Working out, meditating and house stuff. I like and need a structure so the Fall really allows for that.

Q: What’s always in your bag?

A: I always have in my bag chapstick, dog treats and some sort of snack for my hungry kids. Hand lotion that can double as face lotion, ear pods, portable charger and a face mist!