Welcome to Chicago North Shore Moms weekly Meet a Mom spotlight where we feature one local mama, what they’re up to both personally and professionally. But first we’d like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm. Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities!
This week’s Meet a Mom feature is the lovely Evanston first time mom-to-be, Emily Erickson-White. Emily is a busy bee these days, completing renovations on their 100-year-old home, curating the perfect nursery for baby due in November, documenting all of this via her robust blog, We’re the Whites (@werethewhites_ on Insta), and, of course, growing a tiny human. Don’t miss her great interior design advice and adorable baby bump. Congratulations and welcome, Emily!
Hi Emily! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? Do you have children?
Hi there, my name is Emily Erickson-White and I grew up in the Northern suburbs of Chicago. My husband and I met in a Drivers-ed classroom at the age of 15, attended Hope College together in Holland, Michigan, and then moved back to Illinois to settle in the gorgeous city of Evanston! We are currently renovating our 100 year old home in Evanston and sharing our progress on our instagram account: @werethewhites_. We absolutely love living in Evanston for the beautiful location on the lake (what’s not to love?) and the amazing sense of community you have when living here. We are currently pregnant with our FIRST baby due at the end of November so I am officially a mom-to-be and I could not be more excited.
Oh that’s wonderful news! Congratulations! Enjoy this pregnancy and speaking of, please share with us your most favorite date night!
My favorite date-night would be a happy-hour picnic on the beach with lots of yummy cocktails and charcuterie!
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
People would be surprised to know I LOVE adventure and travel! Some of my favorite adventures include hiking Machu Picchu in Peru and visiting Victoria Falls in Zambia, Africa, and swimming with bull sharks in Miami, Florida.
Emily, you curate a interior design blog, tell us everything. How did you get involved in this path?
After graduating with a masters degree in Social Work and Criminal Justice, I struggled with intense burnout. I started my interior design blog, We’re the Whites, last November as a creative outlet during the pandemic. I’ve always loved design and played around with blogging as a side-hustle for awhile but it wasn’t until I was stuck at home that I decided it was time to jump in to my passion with both feet. I got my interior design certification, created a professional website, and made my love of sharing design tips and renovation projects my full-time gig! My favorite part of the job now is working with amazing brands and growing a community of fellow home-design enthusiasts.
What’s most rewarding about running a lifestyle blog?
I love being able to connect with other people and help them create spaces that make them happy. It’s so fun when I receive DM’s from someone who felt inspired by my work, or ordered a product that I had recommended. It really is a community and I’m proud to be a part of it!
Do you have any mentors who have helped you get to where you are today and continue to inspire you?
Besides the many amazing interior designers and content creators online that motivate me to want to grow my business, my mom is my biggest mentor and inspiration. Personally and professionally she pushes me to chase after every single dream of mine and continues to believe in me even when I don’t. She’s a boss babe herself and just an amazing person all around – I’m lucky to have her by my side.
What advice can you give other mamas out there who are looking to start a new business in the current climate?
Don’t wait! If I learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that life is so unexpected. So, instead of dwelling on all the reasons NOT to do something, focus on the one reason why you should – to achieve your dream!
Do you have any interior design advice with regards to saving or planning, etc.?
As someone who shares design projects and styling tips online, I get asked alot where to save and where to splurge when decorating a home. My answer is always: save on decor accessories and throw pillows that have a tendency to go in and out of style and splurge on investment pieces like quality, comfortable furniture and window treatments that can stand up to the test of time and have a huge impact on the functionality of a space.
I also get asked what my go-to styling objects are and my answer is always: books, fresh flowers, and a pretty bowl/vase!
What’s on the horizon for your blog, We’re the Whites?
My ultimate goal is to keep expanding We’re the White’s online community and potentially begin offering small-scale virtual design consultations and services!
On a personal level, life is crazy right now and I’m trying to embrace every moment! With the baby due in November, we have so much to prepare, including the nursery which I’m excited to share on the blog! Finishing our big home renovation and moving into the house at the end of September is another exciting event we are SO looking forward to.
How can readers get in touch?
I’d love to hear from you! You can DM me on Instagram, @werethewhites_ and email me at [email protected] And I hope you’ll sign up to receive my newsletter, which is full of product recs, exclusive content, and more fun stuff!
