Mommies Behind the Blog: Gaby of The Vault Files
I'm so honored to have Gaby of The Vault Files with us today. She is such an inspiration of someone who can do it all. She's a great role model herself as she leads a healthy-eating lifestyle, staying fit, motherhood, a business, and still manages to find the time to have a successful blog. Click read more below to read the full interview.
1. Name, blog, occupation, kids
Gaby Burger, The Vault Files, Blogger / Etsy Shop Owner / Soon to launch new business partner / 1 kiddo.
2. Your morning routine?
I usually wake up around 6:45 and I immediately make up my bed, take a shower and get dressed. I feel like making your bed and getting dressed sets the mood for a productive day, even if you know you’re staying home. Then I wake up Matthew, if he didn’t wake me up first, help him to get dressed, “supervise” him while he brushes his teeth and I make up his bed. We both have breakfast and off I go to take him to pre-school.
3. words you live by?
I’m all about living a positive, grateful life. I have to say, my life is far from being perfect, but I’m happy, and to me, that’s what matters, because when you have come to accept yourself and your life, and you realize how lucky you are for what you have, for the people around you, and the opportunities and blessings you have been given, then there’s really not much that gets you down. One word that gets me going in absolutely everything I do is “believe”. To me, this word has such a powerful meaning and impact in everything I do. With no drive, there are no results, so believing, for me, is key.
4. what would you tell your 22-year old self?
I guess there are so many things we can tell our younger selves as we grow older, but somehow, if we don’t live the experiences we really can’t learn and grow. So, with this in mind, I’d tell my younger self to take healthy eating more seriously, chase the dream no matter what it is, don’t even bother paying attention to what people think of you, and believe.
5. What keeps you inspired?
Life is truly the first thing that inspires me. I never take for granted how lucky I’ve been so far, so I’m constantly trying to be a better person, for myself, and for those around me, especially my son Matthew who lights up my life every day with his sweetness and cheerfulness. I’ve been very lucky to have crossed paths with really talented and inspiring people who motivate me to be better, so I do my best in making time to spend it with those who uplift me. I’m constantly inspired by kindness, by sweet and encouraging words from friends, family, and readers, and by my surroundings.
6. role model?
I feel like I have been easily influenced to live the way I live my life by the strength, drive, eagerness and gratefulness of my mom and grandmothers, and I’m quite happy about it. I often look up to them as role models.
7. beauty/exercise routine? links to your favourite products
In terms of beauty routine this is what I do every morning: I wash my face with this, then I use this toner, then some moisturizer with SPF, and lastly this one which smells amazing. For nightime I wash my face and then apply Estee Lauder Intensive Night repair and whatever eye cream I have around (Estee lauder or Clarins).
As for my exercise routine, I run around 5-6 days a week, and I also train with an amazing group of inspiring people twice a week (Strive Life). My running essentials are Asics shoes (been wearing the same model for a decade), my garmin, music (a must!) and oakley sunglasses (except for winter as I run indoors). As for my Strive Life sessions, I’m all about patterned tights :)
8. mommy uniform?
Skinny jeans (Madewell skinny skinny ankle, Gap always skinny, and 7FAM are my fave, though I recently got a Joe Fresh pair and I’m obsessed!) or Gap boyfriend jeans; flats like these in black, chambray shirts and tees, avia
9. your go-to kid-friendly items for the home?
Baskets, bins, and trunks are great to toss toys in without a fuss, and Matthew has some clear vertical shelves for his books that save a lot of space. I feel like I’m always picking up baskets and buckets whenever I see them to store toys (they seem to multiply at night, don’t they?)
10. traditions with your kids?
I like to bake christmas cookies so for the last couple of years, I get together with my friends and we let the kids have fun and decorate their cookies. It’s a disaster but it’s fun ;)
11.Have you had to hire outside help {for example, house cleaning or babysitter} to help you fulfill any of your duties?
Oh I wish I had that kind of help! But I'm grateful that Matthew’s dad understands how important working out is for me, so he takes him on Monday’s and Wednesday’s so that I can go to my classes, and on the weekends when I go for a run.
12. What is your secret to having a successful blog/business and family balance?
Successful or not, I just do my best and try to be present. I kind of stick to this: If it can be done today, then it will. I don’t leave something for later if I can do it right away. Having said that, I’m constantly moving, doing, working…I seriously never stop! I’m not very good at stopping, I like to “do”, I’m a “doer” ;)
As for a blog/business-family balance, spending time with my son is a priority for me, so I make sure I’m present for him, and when he stays with his dad I make sure to get done the most I can (house chores, work, etc.).
13. Three things you can't live without {besides your family of course}?
1. Music: music really inspires me.
2. My running gear (shoes and Garmin)
3. My vitamix
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Thank you Gaby for being here today and sharing a bit of your life and your favorite things.
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