Credit: Charlie Juliet Photography
Lauren Kay Soufleris is a NYC mom of two and the Executive Editor for both The Knot and The Bump. A Florida native, she met her husband Adam in the Fall of her freshman year at Syracuse University, where she graduated with a degree from the Newhouse School of Communications.
Growing up in Windermere (a small suburb of Orlando), her childhood was all about the outdoors. “My days were spent in the sunshine, swimming, waterskiing in the lake and dancing,” says Lauren. But the city has other advantages she loves for her own children. “While I am raising my kids on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, wishing I had more than a windowsill herb garden but loving our proximity to the park and museums (I was also an Art History major in college),” she says. (Her family also loves playing and picnicking in Central Park—see her NYC picks below!)
For this week’s Meet a Mom interview, this chic and talented mom to George (7 ¾) and Eleanor (5) shares all about her job, her go-to mom uniform and 5-minute makeup routine, and how therapy is an essential part of her motherhood toolbox.
Can you please tell us about your job?
I oversee content for our print magazine and our website, helping couples plan their dream wedding day or navigate the rollercoaster of bringing a baby into the world. Most days are filled with writing and editing, some involve photo shoots or a ring-try on. All are fun because I work alongside the best talent in the business (IMO of course). I know we aren’t curing cancer, but helping people navigate this exciting (and challenging) time in their lives is such a privilege.
Love that. How have the baby and wedding industries changed since you started working at The Knot Worldwide?
Ah, in the very BEST ways! COVID gave everyone permission to really have the wedding they wanted. We had seen many shifts in the industry leading up to 2020—more personalization, asking for what they really wanted on their registry (including cash) and more couples paying for their celebrations, ultimately controlling more of the details. COVID brought about so many restrictions that forced people to get creative and think outside the box.
In our post-pandemic world, so much of that has stuck around. Have a big wedding if you want one; don’t if you don’t. Now, more than ever, couples are authentic and I am here for it!
Babies and parenting has changed in wonderful ways too. I think the pandemic made us all a bit introspective—what do I want from life? What kind of parent do I want to be? Much like weddings, I think parents today are making choices for their family unapologetically. There is a “we’re in this together” carry over from COVID too—more support, more understanding of the rigors and challenges, especially for primary parents.
Agreed! Who is your favorite mom you’ve ever interviewed?
Ooooh, that’s tricky. We have a fun series on The Bump so I’ve had a chance to talk to so many cool Moms. I really loved my conversation with Amanda Kloots. I took her exercise classes in NYC and then followed her husband’s harrowing journey and ultimate death from COVID in 2020. I was consistently impressed by her positivity, her vulnerability and her faith.
What has motherhood changed about you?
I was a control freak (my husband will tell you I still am) pre-kids. Having them taught me I can’t control everything, no matter how hard I may want too. Therapy helped too (shameless mental health plug to normalize all kinds of support, especially for Moms).
The most surprising thing was understanding I can feel two things at the same time and that’s okay—I love my kids unconditionally, but I can also need a break from them and time to just be me. Truth talk: You cannot have it all at the same time. I had to really sit with that and be okay with having different things at different times and shedding the guilt. Living in the moment is my constant quest—when I’m working I want to be plugged in and when I’m with my kids, they deserve all of me.
Great advice! What is your 5-minute makeup routine?
Growing up in Florida, I am a sunscreen nerd. I also married a redhead and we made a little carbon copy of him, my son. I cleanse with Caudalie Vinopure, follow with their Vinosource-Hydra moisturizer in summer. Then it’s the big guns, the best tinted moisturizer out there (I’ve tried them all, you’re welcome) ISDIN Photo Eryfotona Ageless. I recently discovered cream blush and love Westman Atelier. I can’t leave home without mascara, the ultimate Mom makeup weapon. Ilia is my current fav. Lastly, a little tinted lip gloss. I heard Kate Middleton wears Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector and if it’s good enough for her, well… nighttime takes far longer than 5 minutes because I’m a minute away from 40 and taking retinol very seriously.
And what is your summer mom uniform?
Dresses. Is there anything easier than putting on ONE thing? They are my saving grace for looking put together and staying cool from work to camp pickup and everything in between. I adore Lyndsey’s style and shop her expert curation at Only On The Avenue regularly. I love J.Crew for basics, especially their tall options (I’m 5’11”). And I’m really into block heels right now—a little bit of oomph and still comfortable enough to wear all day!
What’s the best advice you’ve received from your own mother?
She made everything special, from breakfast on a spelling test morning to birthdays and holidays. It’s less advice and more like a guiding principle to celebrate the everyday. The You Are Special plate was on rotation in my childhood home, and now my kids look forward to finding it at their place setting. Traditions are important to me—she and my Dad are fully responsible for that!
What’s your favorite part of being a mom?
I love watching my children grow—I know that may be a hot take, but my kids keep getting more fun. I never loved the baby stage and now I actually want to hang out with my kids. They are so curious and funny! I started a tradition with them: as soon as they turn 5, we take a Mommy-kiddo trip to a place of their choosing until they refuse. I love to travel (my mom was a flight attendant) and I wanted to instill that love in them. I also love spending one-on-one time with them. My son and I had the best time researching our trip to D.C. this fall—I’ll never forget it!
We love to support local businesses. Can you please share in your neighborhood where you:
Get your hair done: Eddie Arthur Salon ask for Eddie for color and Arthur for cut, they are the best
Go for a family dinner: Boxcar Cantina (in Greenwich, CT) is a family favorite, even though we live in NYC. Lusardis is just down the block from us and knows my kids by name.
Go for date night: Nobu on 57th is our go to. We sit at the bar and put our order in right when the kitchen opens at 5:30—talk about the early bird special!
Buy gifts for your kids: Mary Arnold Toys is my favorite local shop for birthday gifts and surprises and delights.
Buy gifts for your husband: He is so hard to shop for, preferring to curate his wardrobe at pro shops (he lives for golf). I love finding cool accessories for him, like a chic pair of sunnies or a comfy pair of loafers for the season.
Workout: I am a big fan of Pilates. I just took up tennis too and have been playing with some Moms in Central Park. I have big plans to register for a tap class this summer (I used to dance as a kid and I loved it!).
Grab coffee: I don’t drink coffee. I’m an iced tea drinker, year round. I am pretty particular about my tea and prefer what I brew at home. This is my favorite black tea—I discovered it while in Hawaii and never looked back.
Have fun as a family: We are so lucky to live next to some of the best museums in the world. On the weekends you can find us exploring the AMNH or sketching in the MET. My kids also live for Central Park when the weather is nice. We love packing a picnic and making an afternoon of it. If you’re coming to the city and want to mix it up, my kids love The Color Factory, The Museum of Ice Cream and the Sloomoo Institute.