Hi there, I’m Jen! I have always enjoyed visual communications and writing ever since my school spelling bee days. With a background in both English and graphic arts, I am passionate about both the written word and good design.
When I’m not blogging, playing wife, mom (to her daughters Pumpkin + Peanut), international politics aficionado, or wannabe fashionista, I can be found soaking in the natural beauty of the outdoors on walks as an avid nature lover. And yes, talking—a lot.
Some of my articles have appeared in various online magazines—check them out here. I also design over at my online shop, papaya paperie.
The term Haute Mommy can be described as a woman who—though she may feel she should maintain the eternal juggling act of wife and mom, all while cooking gourmet meals, keeping an immaculate home, and looking like a supermodel—knows that she’s not perfect, loves and accepts herself anyway, and strives to better than she was yesterday.
The Haute Mommy Handbook is a community for sharing ideas which help all of us moms in achieving Haute Mommyhood, or at least a Haute Mommier version of ourselves!
This space is warm, welcoming, and free of judgment…so let’s hear your take on all facets of motherhood!
The idea for this blog had been marinating in my mind for some time—a blog for fellow moms who were, like me, trying to figure out this whole motherhood thing.
I realized I had much to say, and a lot more questions than answers. The topics on The Haute Mommy Handbook are varied, as is the life of a mother. She is first and foremost a mommy, but also a partner, a woman, and a student of life, with an intelligent mind blazing with creativity.
The Haute Mommy Handbook covers a range of topics: design, eats, motherhood, style, travel, and wellness. My writing style is by turns informal, friendly, and passionate, much the way I am while sharing coffee and conversation with a good friend. I write about what I would want to read about, and I hope you feel the same.
It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. Thanks for stopping by and being a part of my village! I look forward to hearing your feedback and sharing in your ideas and experiences. Thank you for being here.
Your blog is fun to read. Will be back…
Thanks! Have a great day!
I really like your articles. They make me laugh out loud! Glad to have met you.
Thank you so much 🙂
Glad to have found you 🙂
Glad we connected. I love your travel stories 🙂
I love your soceity6 page! Glad to have found you
Thank you Karunya! Nice to meet you as well.
Thanks for stopping by and liking one of my posts at http://www.thephdmama.com. I look forward to reading your posts.
Thanks Suchitra. Have a great day!
Thanks for stopping by and liking http://www.fromthecoalface.WordPress.com . We am enjoying reading your insights. God bless.
Thank you Lucy, same to you ❤
You’re welcome! And thanks for following too! 🙂
Good morning Jen 🙂 I have nominated you for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. Please do not feel obligated to participate. If you would like to participate, the link is on my homepage.
You’re so sweet, Antonia. Thanks for thinking of me! 🙂
Hi Jen!
Thank you so much for dropping by and liking my photography blog, “thingsunderstood.wordpress.com”. Great to see you! I hope you will visit again soon and see what is new – I really appreciate your support and interest! 🙂
Jacqueline
No problem, Jacqueline! Your photos are so inspiring.
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Hi Jen, Thank you so much! Your comments and support of my photos mean a lot! 🙂
Hi Jen! I’ve nominated you for The Blogger Interview. No pressure to do it, it’s just for fun. 🙂 http://newcrunchymom.com/2015/11/02/the-blogger-interview/
Thank you. You are too kind ☺
Great blog, indeed! Bravo!
Thanks so much 🙂
Thank you Jen. God bless you!
You have such a great ability to communicate with visuals! I love your site’s layout, colors, and pictures. Your hard work has paid off.
So kind of you to say, Sharon. Lots of late nights but I love doing it! Have a great day ❤
your blog so cute and relatable. it’s fun to read about your “mom adventures”!
Glad you stopped by, Maisie!
Hi,
I have nominated you for “The premio Dardos Award”, pls do chcek out this link: http://wp.me/p3UwPt-288
Thanks for thinking of me 🙂
Beautiful!
Thanks so much 🙂
You are welcome!
Hi Jen! I would like to nominate you for The Versatile Blogger Award. Being a mother of little children, I appreciate your stories and perspective. I just love your blog 🙂
http://zoale.com/versatile-blogger-award
Thank you, Antonia ❤
Hi,
Find our blog just like that, your blog is something different than others, very well written. Stop by mine in your precious time.
I’m always happy to come across another desi blog, especially a food blog 🙂
Thanks a lot for your stopping by. Stay connected.
Hello Jen
Thank you for following my blog. Since we spoke last time, I have been religiously following your advice, and I am able to see the results. They cannot be called remarkable, but they are definitely noticeable changes. Received lot of good response off late. Thanks, once again…
Rajat
I’m glad things are working out favorably for you. It was the same for me…only little by little, things improved, but as with anything, putting in hard work pays off in the end. Happy blogging!
Unique vibrant blog! Lost in the blogosphere I keep searching for better WP themes than mine…and found your blog.
Hi Alka, thanks for your kind words, and for leading me to your blog. You have so many interesting things to say and a wonderful way of stating them. Will be following! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and liking my writing. I really like, and somewhat relate to a lot of your stuff even though I have no kids. You’ve not lost your hauteness.
Thank you so much. You have such an amazing and innovative site…”drop me anywhere”…what an idea!! Safe travels!
Thanks so much. I think we’d have a fun time on the road, or in the kitchen.
Jen,
You have an amazing blog and you write so well too. I love to design too and found your DIY section of the blog very fascinating too..
Thank you! Keep up the great recipes..yum!
Hey, thanks for finding my blog! Looking forward to reading more of yours… Especially that chai spiced chocolate chip cookie recipe. Yuuuuum!
Thanks! Your blog is so cute! I’ll be keeping up 🙂
Had fun looking around! Relatable info!
Thank you 🙂
Hey! Found your blog quite by accident though I thoroughly enjoyed my time getting lost here. Cheers! Maggie
Thanks for visiting 🙂
Great blog. Thanks so much for visiting and following my own. Look forward to revisiting soon.
Kind Regards
Bob
Thanks for stopping by, Bob, I appreciate it! 🙂
My pleasure entirely
Regards
Bob
Totally Fab blog Jen!! Your blog will henceforth feature on my chilled out Sunday reading list.
Hey thanks, Anju! You’re awesome 🙂
Super sweet blog you’ve set up here!
xx Dani
Thank you, Dani!
wow Jen !…I am so impressed…You have such an awesome blog !! And there is so much to check out for people like me 😉 Will definitely keep checking on your blog….All the best with your future endeavours 🙂
Thanks Sweety! Your blog is cool too…your poetry is quite unique…will be checking in as well 🙂
aww..that is so sweet of you ! thanks…will keep visiting 😀 But I must applaud you for managing 2 kids and the blog and the house ,all together ! kudos 🙂
Many, many late nights, I assure you!
Hi I just found your blog. I really like the way you talk about motherhood and it made me really laugh sometimes! I’ll be checking in again. Cheers
Thanks for the visit!
Many thanks for following my new site The Craft Room xx
Sure hon, no problem!
🙂 xx
Loved your blog. Please post more quick recipe posts 🙂
Thanks so much, Sucheta 🙂 Will do my best!
🙂
I like the new look and feel of the blog! Great combo of lavender and blue.
Thanks!
Hello Jen! Thanks for following my blog. You really have such a gorgeous “About” page, with these photos, sunflowers, nice visual collage, etc.! Never seen anything like it before. Really cool! – Iana
Thanks, Iana, and thank you for stopping by 🙂
What a fun “about” section! I very much enjoy reading all about you and your Peanut and Pumpkin and look forward to many more posts to come! 🙂
Thanks for your lovely comment, Sasha! Congrats on your great blog 🙂
Hi Jen, thanks for passing by on my blog and congratulations on yours. I love the design and laughed so much at some of your posts!
As for myself, becoming a mummy has actually thought be to take off the high heels and be bare foot on mother earth. I peel the onion and you play the haute – it’s nice!! Have fun and let’s stay in touch.
Much love, S
Thanks for the comment, Sahar 🙂 Actually I like to see my blog as a tongue-in-cheek “roadmap” of how to be the best, most loving mother to our children, without sacrificing our identity or womanhood 😉 Let’s see what happens!!
Congrats on your lovely blog and thanks for visiting!
Hey there! I just wanted to stop by and say thanks for checking out my blog! Yours looks great, and I look forward to reading more 🙂
No problem, it was my pleasure! Thanks for visiting 🙂
Hi Jen, thanks for liking a post in my blog, it led me to your nice blog here. Lovely topic, I must say, and I’ll explore the posts, I’m sure there is lots of valuable information that I will learn from. Looking forward to future posts…
Thank you, and thanks for visiting! 🙂
Hi! I’ve nominated you for a Liebster Award!
Have fun!
http://motherhoodhonestly.com/2014/03/30/my-first-award-nomination/
Thanks so much, Jamie! I will be posting on this shortly 🙂
Hi Jen! Thanks for the “like” on my salmon recipe. You blog looks fun and similar to what I’m trying to accomplish. Thanks for coming by my blog. Can’t wait to read more from you!
Cassie
Thanks so much, Cassie, and likewise! 🙂
Hi Jen,
thanks for the like on my post and writing this wonderful piece. When my kids were little I juggled the balls high at times and even now I am trying to work out how to be a location independent person, yet providing a home for my young adult children. Not something I’ve yet worked out!
At least your children are at an age where they can appreciate what Mom is doing for them 😉
Thanks for stopping by and best wishes!
Hi Jen, thanks for liking my CNY post and following my blog. Although I’m not a Mum, I like reading your blog coz it’s so engaging 🙂 Looking forward to read more…
Hi Kat, wow, that is so nice of you!
One reason I blog is to keep my writing muscle strong (one which unfortunately has become quite flabby in recent years!) and I’m glad you’re enjoying your time here. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
Hi Jen, thanks for stopping by my site (fivedownunder.com). You have a great site here… I am enjoying looking around!
Thank you, and likewise! 😀
Jen, I LOVE your blog!! I see many similarities (wife, mom – my kids are Frick and Frack, writer, etc.) Thanks for reading one of my post on 2gettingthere.com (that’s my personal blog). I definitely will be following this blog! Take a look at my other one, http://thenakedbar.wordpress.com (if you can squeeze the time).
Awww…you are too kind! I blog to help myself (and hopefully others) navigate these sometimes choppy waters, and I’m so glad you and others can relate.
Your soaps are beautiful…cheers to living green!
Thanks for the follow!
what a wonderful intro/about section. Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my Chinese New year post. I’ll be sure to follow you. Take care!
Cathleen
No problem, Cathleen! Thanks for the follow 😀
Just stumbled across your site! I will be back 😀
Thank you!
Will be following!
Thanks 😀
You enjoying good life.You are a hapyy..
🙂
Thank you for stopping by.
Thank you for following my blog. I love your picture stories they are too cute..
No problem, and thanks! We Desi chicks gotta stay fit somehow–after eating all that ghee-laden chicken biriyani…right? 😉
Hi. thank you for following my blog. It’s much appreciated. So I would like to nominate you for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. Thank you. 🙂 http://boxofrecipes.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/award-number-2-shock-the-dragon-loyalty-award/
Thank you so much Mrs Choux…what a lovely surprise!! I don’t know what to say 😀
I will follow the directions and make sure to post about it as well.
Thanks again!!
You’re welcome and thank you for your lovely response. Your blog’s awesome xx
We are on the same page! Congrats on a fab blog x
Thank you Elizabeth! Your blog is beautiful. Keep up the good work!
Hi There
Thank you so much for folllowing my blog. I really appreciate it. I think I can learn much from you to being a good mom and wife 🙂 Blessing!
Warm regards,
Karina
Thanks Karina. That is so sweet. I think your blog is helping out many people and keeping them inspired, including me. Good work!
Vegan or not, I’m still happy we connected! Celeste 🙂
Hey there! You started following my blog so I wanted to check out your blog and say, “Hi!” I love your about page. You’ve got a fun engaging writing style. It’s a pleasure to e-meet you and I look forward to more of your posts. Celeste 🙂
Thanks Celeste! I’m also big on eating right (even though I’m not a vegan), so I look forward to your posts as well.