Mother Knows: Ashleigh Stone of Poolside
We're so excited to introduce Ashleigh Stone, Founder and Creative Director of Poolside, a vacation lifestyle brand known for its hand-embroidered straw beach totes and Teddy Tote. Read on to hear about life with her four children, what she's reaching for right now, and the advice she carries into motherhood.
Meet Ashleigh
I’m Ashleigh Stone, Founder and Creative Director of Poolside, a vacation lifestyle brand known for hand-embroidered straw beach totes, our cult-favorite Teddy Tote, and so much more! I spent almost 20 years in NYC, first attending Barnard College and then working across various industries, before starting Poolside in 2016. Now, I live in Cold Spring Harbor with my husband and our four children. My husband is Australian and also an entrepreneur, so we travel often to visit family, stay inspired, and chase the sun. There’s never a dull moment in our home, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Her Edit — What She's Reaching for Right Now
The Mikki Dress by Poolside
The best school drop-off dress! It’s 100% (really luxe) linen that doesn’t get too wrinkly. It’s machine washable, and it has pockets. It’s perfect for school drop-off, and you can definitely wear it into the fall months.
Bluestone Lane Decaf Coffee Beans
The BEST coffee! I gave up caffeine in January, but the decaf is also great. A morning coffee is part of my daily ritual, and I try my best to make it before the kids get up!
Caraway Pots and Pans
I love to cook. And, with four children, I am constantly in the kitchen. The Caraway nonstick pots and pans are beautiful. If you learn how to use them properly, they will last. I use my Caraway pan multiple times a day.
The Bowler Bag by Poolside
I love this bag! I find it so chic, and I love that it can be worn over your shoulder. It actually fits a lot, and the chocolate leather trim makes it so appropriate for fall! I’m styling it with neutral and cocoa brown outfits.
Hu Chocolate
I recently discovered how much I love Hu! I pick up multiple bars every time I’m in the supermarket. I’m not big on sugar, but I have a bit of Hu chocolate every day. They have so many flavors, and they are one of the cleanest options on the market. I always go for dark chocolate with cashew butter.
YISE Beauty Xtremely Quenched Peptide Glow Moisturizer
I love grounding down in the fall, and to me that means recommitting to wellness and beauty routines. This is the best moisturizer I’ve ever used, and it’s the perfect item for anyone to restock this season.
For The Children — What She's Loving Right Now
Little English Caroline Dress
My girls will always opt for a dress, and I love that pieces from Little English are so high quality and can withstand play! I am dressing my girls in the Caroline Dress for fall with a navy cardigan and hair bow, and some navy Cienta Mary Jane sneakers.
Little English Intarsia Sweater (Football)
If you want your son to wear a beautiful sweater, you need to buy one with a football on it! My sons will get so much use out of their Little English sweaters during the back-to-school months and beyond.
Little English Crochet Playsuit (Football Helmet)
My favorite thing to dress my baby in is a collared playsuit. The crochet detail is so gorgeous on this football-themed onesie. I love all of the Little English rompers and one-piece outfits for my one-year-old. He basically wears them all on rotation.
Kane Footwear
I love that we’ve moved on from Crocs to Kanes, which are actually more like a sneaker and can be worn with or without socks. My kids love these. They are comfortable and easy to slip on. I think the design is really cute. My daughter has the all-pink version for sporty, comfy outfits.
TRVL Design Backpacks
I think that TRVL Design has the best prints! They make so many different items, from backpacks to lunch boxes to duffle bags. All items can be embroidered and personalized.
Miss Debbie’s Road To Reading
My four-year-old has started with some basic reading, so I purchased a monthly subscription to Miss Debbie’s Road To Reading, which includes fun exercises to encourage reading and learning. I’m hoping that this will be fun for him while also helping him make strides this year!
Of Note — What's Inspiring Her Lately
We’ve traveled a lot this summer, and the time away was so refreshing and inspiring. Summer dressing, along with the colors, textures, and flavors of different cities, always makes me feel so alive.
Her Last Word
What is the best advice you've received on motherhood?
To relax. It doesn’t matter if the kitchen is not always perfectly clean (and it actually hardly ever will be)!