My full name is…
Mikaela Rose Simila.
But my friends call me…
Mik.
I grew up…
In Seattle Washington.
My cultural background is…
My mom is Swedish and Norwegian, my dad is English.
The view from my window…
Palm trees.
My children’s names came from…
Lux means light in Latin. I heard it in a Sofia Coppola movie and mentioned that it would be a rad name for a kid, turns out my husband had it written in his notes as a cool name from years before we met.
Rocky means rest. My husband and I came out of a wild season of running a million miles an hour, and Rocky was born after a season of true rest. We felt it fit well.
Growing up I was often called Mickey; we always loved the name and felt it would be special to name our son as an ode to his momma.
The activity I love to do most with my family is…
Go to the beach... swim, play, eat, and watch the sun go down.
You will usually find me…
Outside chasing three kids around.
My daily ritual is…
My husband usually makes breakfast in the morning, I’ll make something warm to drink and often head to a yoga class. Some days my daughter goes to school for a bit and I hang with the boys, other days we’ll pack up and head to the beach. Everyday we end up eating dinner together and then reading books on the couch. My favorite part of the day.
The best evening is…
The beach with a vibrant sunset and some orange wine.
To treat myself…
Anything quiet. Usually yoga, thrifting for treasures, or sitting at a cafe alone.
My favourite destination in the world…
My home in Seattle. Paris is pretty nice too ;)
What we do there…
Eat good food, sit around a bonfire, swim in the lake.
Before becoming a mother I was…
Modeling in NYC and staying up a lot later than I do now.
Right now I am…
Working on being where my feet are.
I am where I am today because of…
Not letting my fears hold me back.
I am inspired by…
Music. I love Rostam and Devandra Barnhart. And anything from the 50’s/60’s.
I find comfort in…
Daily rhythms.
I feel womanly when…
I’m holding my babies.
The perfect scent…
Warm beeswax or fresh jasmine.
Three words to describe me are…
Kind, harmonious, resilient.
Something people don’t know about me…
I don’t like cooking.
I am my happiest when…
I’m in the ocean.
I relax…
When my house feels clean.
My favourite body part is…
Learning to love them all.
My favourite snack is…
Sourdough toast and dark chocolate.
The soundtrack to my life is…
Always changing. This year it’s been Sure Sure.
My favourite childhood memory…
My family’s big blue beach cabin.
I am moved by …
Vulnerability.
I am grateful for…
Our health.
Self-portraits by Mikaela Simila in Costa Mesa, California.