Mother's Day Issue

"This Mother's Day may not be like the others. But what truly matters remains. We're learning to slow down and connect, and cherish the simple moments with our families all the more. We're finding joy in the everyday. Our gratitude only grows as we watch the world come together at this time. So from our family to yours, we wish you love, calm and good health." — Veronica & Veronica

We're kicking off our 2020 Mother's Day Issue with glimpse into the Veronica's off-duty lives—a.k.a. when they're on-duty as mothers and wives.

It's a weekday. The alarm goes off at…
Veronica Swanson Beard: 6:30 AM, but I usually hide in bed until my youngest son, Rafe, comes in.
Veronica Miele Beard: 6:30 AM on most mornings. If I have to get my son up to workout, then 4:57 AM—ugh!

What is your morning ritual?
VSB: I get the boys up, grab coffee, make sure they're eating breakfast and run off to get ready. My own breakfast is coffee with half-and-half and hard-boiled eggs. I’m not a big breakfast person unless I’m making pancakes and bacon. My wellness routine is probiotic and collagen in my coffee, and celery juice; workout is yoga, tennis, training and walking—I’m obsessed with my Fitbit and getting my 12,000 steps in—and beauty, Augustinus Bader and Vintner's Daughter. And I always take my boys to school, pre-coronavirus—it's my favorite part of the day, fights and all. It helps me temper my working-mom guilt. 
VMB: I start with Joe's Coffee (I'm an addict), then drink ginger tea and sip that all day. I'm also into intermittent fasting, so no breakfast for me. (You should try it! Fast from 8 PM the night before to lunchtime. Your body recharges.) My beauty routine is an Active Argan cocktail that includes one squirt radiance, one squirt stem-cell elixir, two pumps gelée and two pumps plasma. I also live by its tinted bronzing and all-over oil drops! And I love Charlotte Tilbury's eyeshadow palettes. They are like a styled outfit. I have every colorway and love experimenting. Her tutorials are incredible, too. My workout is running after my five kids! Before quarantine, I would drive the younger three to school daily. Now, I homeschool!

How do you decide your outfit for the day?
VMB: Always the night before and based on what is going on—down to hair, makeup, jewelry and shoes. If I decide in the morning, I will be late!
VSB: In the shower! I don’t ever pick out my outfit the night before, unless I’m traveling. My outfit totally depends on my calendar and my mood.

What is your evening routine?
VSB: I make sure the kids are home from sports and the homework is done. We usually eat dinner as a family three or four nights a week. My nighttime ritual: I love a hot bath with lots of salts and I basically drink Vintner's Daughter at night. I try to be asleep by 11 PM, if I’m not binging a show or going out.  
VMB: SPORTS!!! Love me a volleyball or basketball tournament with the kids. Dinner every day at 6 PM—friends, family, teammates, boyfriends and girlfriends are always welcome. Before I go to sleep, I take off all of my makeup and prep my skin. I repeat that Active Argan cocktail from the morning.

Sleeping in on the weekends means…
VMB: That Saturday headache, but I’ll get over it.
VSB: It doesn't happen that often. We’re early risers and a hockey family, so before we began to shelter, we were usually all at the rink by 7 or 8 AM for practice or games.

Traditional family time includes…
VSB: Movies in our bed, sports, Rummikub, dinners, BBQs with family and friends, and travel.
VMB: Cooking with my sons and daughters—I love giving them challenges. And family dinner on Sunday nights. Missing is unacceptable.

How do you unwind from the work week? Your recovery routine?
VMB: Sleep!!!!!
VSB: I love to do something alone. I’m with people all the time so it’s nice to have an hour to just think. A walk, a manicure and a long drive with loud music solve a lot for me.