Kayce Hughes for Pears + Bears

Melodie Dress in vintage fabric, $68; Pink and red dots Andrea Dress

We like to profile working moms on Tot Snob because it is always hard to find balance and it is nice to see how other women are doing it. So when I heard of Kayce Hughes, a mom of 7 (5 girls ages 2, 4, 6, 10, 12 and 2 boys 8 and 14) AND has her own company, Pears + Bears, you can image how impressed I was and how I HAD to talk to her. Pears + Bears is a collection of amazingly adorable clothes for girls and women and not only does Kayce design everything, she manages her own production, as well. I have worked in fashion and my job was just communicating with factories, I worked 12 hour days sometimes but I was single and 23 years old. So I can appreciate what a feat this is, it is beyond impressive. I was able to get a few minutes on the phone with Kayce for a quick chat, who lives and works in Nashville.

Tot Snob: Where do you find inspiration?

Kayce: I look for patterns and silhouettes from vintage and thrift shops, they are old and sweet. Children should look like children. My designs are happy, sophisticated and pretty. It should be simple but pretty and just makes you feel excited. The majority of the line is in between nice and dress up but the hem is always sturdy. When hems rip, it is a nightmare so I have hems that stay in.

Tot Snob: I have to know how you do everything. What is your morning routine?

Kayce: The secret is that I approach it like a business. I ask myself, what isn’t right? And I fix it. I go through seasons, phases, of hot breakfast but then they will want cereal so my plan B is cereal and toast. I wake up at 7am, my husband gets up at 6 am to get the oldest ones ready because they are first out the door. They all learn how to do stuff on their own especially the older kids.

Tot Snob: I am having trouble considering #3, how did you decide on 7, or did you?

Kayce: I am one of 6 so I grew up with a big family and I loved it. I never felt like I wished I was an only child. My husband is an only child. Very rarely do you hear someone say, “I wish I didn’t have that last one”.

Tot Snob: That is a good point and something I thought about. There are no regrets when you have that third, or fourth or seventh! But if I don’t do it, I will regret it. OK, so what is the rest of your day like?

Kayce: My 2 and 4 year olds go to preschool from 9:30-2:30. I have help with getting the kids to school so I get to the office at 9-ish and I leave the office at 3pm.

Tot Snob: Wow! How are you able to get all that done in such little time? I’m assuming no lunch?

Kayce: I always leave at 3:00 and then it is family time. You have to find balance.

Tot Snob: What do you do to find balance?

Kayce: Being creative blows off steam and gives me energy. I started this when #3 was one year old. I needed to be creative.

Tot Snob: With so many people to take care of, what do you do for yourself? What do you do to stay sexy?

Kayce: For the last 10 years my husband and I have had a standing date night scheduled for Saturdays. It starts at 4pm and we will go vintage store shopping and then the same restaurant every week. I know once a week I will get dressed up, curl my lashes and wash and dry my hair. Also I exercise.

Tot Snob: What is your daily beauty routine? How do you get yourself together every morning?

Kayce: I wash my face, I love Neutrogena, then I put on mascara, concealer, a little base and blush. I don’t use lipstick, I sometimes use tinted lip gloss. Every 2 years I go to the Trish McAvoy counter and get a makeover and get all new colors.

Tot Snob: You worked for Ralph Lauren. What did you do there?

Kayce: I was in what is called “rough wear”. It is country inspired, denim, Riviera casual. I headed the trims department and we always went vintage shopping. That is where my love for vintage came from. I learned from everyone there, people there are so talented.

I am truly inspired. Next time I’m feeling overwhelmed by what little I do each day, I will give Kayce a call to see how her day is going! She is my new hero!! You can find Pear + Bears on her website, they are also sold at over 60 stores nationwide.