Your Mom Friend: Talia Shuvalov

Co-Founder of EREDE Jewelry and recently launched Ossou, mom to twin boys Felix and Lucas on raising twins, following your intuition, and keeping your sanity (and sense of humor) intact.

THE BASICS

Talk to us about where you’re from and what you do?

I’m an Aussie who landed in New York in 2009 to study at Parsons under Donna Karan, and I never left. By trade, I’m a fashion designer; by obsession, I’m a jewelry lover. I spent years buried in knitwear at Narciso Rodriguez, then moved on to Alexander Wang, where I eventually ran the design team as VP of Creative. Two years ago, I jumped ship to start my own fine jewelry brand, EREDE with my best friend from back home, Jeramie Hotz. We launched in October 2023, and because I apparently can’t sit still, I just recently launched a RTW line this June called Ossou.

What are your kid(s) names and ages?

I have twin boys, Felix and Lucas, who are four and a half years old.

Do you have a favorite age so far? And why?

Now! Every day gets better—and when you're a twin mum, you start at full throttle and gradually wind down. I've been told that by age five, life becomes exponentially easier. If that's true, I'm nearly there! I love chatting with my boys and uncovering the quirky details of their wildly distinct personalities. It's absolutely fascinating to watch two little humans, sharing the same adventures, blossom into fiercely independent individuals.

What do you love about raising kids where you live? Do you wish you were raising them somewhere else?

As an Australian, I get asked this question a lot. There's something uniquely beautiful about raising kids in New York. The city's tapestry is layered and complex, offering exposure to countless wonderful experiences. In my opinion, living here year-round is surprisingly easy—there's always something to do and something new to explore. Perhaps it's because I'm from Australia and my husband is from Miami; we travel extensively throughout the year. We try to expose our kids to both of our upbringings while creating a unique blend of experiences for them here. I think if we were anywhere else we wouldn't come here and at this stage here is where we want to be.

Can you walk us through a typical day for you and your family? (the morning routine, drop off, work, etc.)

If we're lucky, we wake up at 6 a.m. with both boys climbing into bed for cuddles. Lucas is usually already dressed in Spiderman shorts and a t-shirt, while Felix would rather spend the day in his pajamas. Meanwhile, Lonny whips up breakfast for the boys while I snooze a few more times—I'm really not a morning person. By 7:30 a.m., Lonny's off, and I resume the daily ritual of negotiating outfits and debating which toothpaste flavor to use today. We walk to school, which quickly turns into a playful tug-of-war over who gets dropped off first since the boys are in different classes. Then I head to La Cabra, my favorite coffee spot in Soho, before making my way to the office. I'm working on a ready-to-wear denim line launching in June and meeting with clients for jewelry projects throughout the week so the mornings are very messy.

What’s the vibe post-bedtime? How do you end your day?

SHEER RELIEF! Then I usually jump straight on a call with my best friend and business partner for EREDE, who is based in Australia. Lonny and I always try to have dinner together without our phones—although that usually means we turn them upside down until one rings, and dinner is over. Then it’s a mad dash for me to complete my skincare routine at lightning speed so Lonny stays awake, and I can force him to binge shows with me in bed for the rest of the night.

Who or what is inspiring you?

My mom has always been my greatest inspiration. Here I am, just trying to raise two reasonably well-behaved kids, while she somehow managed to raise four wild little creatures, run her own company, and still keep her sanity (and sense of humor) intact. We definitely drove her crazy as kids, and I'm still praying my kids don't give me a piece of that.

What grounds you inside and outside of motherhood?

Wholesome days with my family and long baths alone.

What does YOU TIME look like? How do you find time to take care of yourself while raising a family?

24-hour solo flight to Australia with unlimited TV but no internet access.

MOTHERHOOD

Looking back to your early days of motherhood or postpartum, what do you remember most about it? What stuck?

I still get shivers thinking about those marathon nights feeding two newborns every 2.5 hours. My husband and I took turns—each handling one baby—so I was never flying solo. The upside of twins is that you always have backup, even when one baby needs cuddling. We probably blacked out most of that period since they were premature, giving us an extra two months of newborn madness—essentially, six months before we ever enjoyed a full night's sleep. I even went back to work after just 10 weeks, which may seem insane, but at the time, I desperately needed a break from the Groundhog Day routine. I remember feeling terrified and like a complete failure because we were literally just winging it. But the crazy thing about having NICU babies is that they enroll you in a crash course in parenting—five weeks of "how to keep these kids alive" camp. For that I will forever be grateful to the NICU at Lenox Hill Hospital.

What (if any) advice would you give yourself as a new mom?

Do whatever feels right to you. Your intuition will always lead you in the right way.

What’s the best advice someone else has given you about motherhood?

Survival mode is a valid parenting strategy some days.

What do you think is the one thing no one really tells (or warns) you about motherhood?

As they get older, their problems get bigger, and their toots get louder.

Which values or lessons are most important to you to pass onto your kid(s)?

Put family first, and lead with kindness, empathy, and resilience.

What do you enjoy the most about being a mom?

The snuggles, smooches, and the heart-melting moments of watching Lucas and Felix be their own tiny love story in action.

What would you say is your greatest challenge in motherhood?

Staying calm and keeping my anxiety hidden so the kids feel safe and loved.

What does ‘giving up’ or ‘giving in’ look like for you?

On long-haul flights to Australia, my parenting style is ‘survival mode’—unlimited screen time and zero rules. If they wanted to watch cat videos for 15 hours straight, who am I to stop them?

COMMUNITY

What does your support system look like? (ex: childcare, friendships, mother or mother figure, bodyworkers, mentors, healers, therapists, etc.)

My support system is layered. I rely on incredible friendships both locally and abroad, and my parents—despite being on the other side of the world—spare no effort to connect with us daily, ensuring the kids always feel that strong sense of family. Childcare has been an essential part of our network. Giving birth to premature twins during the pandemic in 2020, completely isolated from family and friends, taught us just how important reliable child care would be for us in New York. We got lucky—our nanny, Nicole, quickly became family and has been with us since the boys were 3 months old. While there’s often a stigma around relying on too much childcare, I truly believe that as a working mother who loves spending time with her kids, it's vital to strike a balance between work time, me time, and family time—even if that means embracing extra help. Finding caregivers that your kids love and feel comfortable with makes the transition from childcare to parenting time so much more seamless. With twins, my childcare philosophy is simple: the more, the merrier!

Do you have any favorite parenting resources (podcasts, books, people)?

I'm not big on mum groups or formal parenting resources. I occasionally listen to Dr. Becky and resonate with much of what she says. Mostly, the moms I connect with are my primary resource—I know we all share similar issues and challenges.

How do you express love (to your children, partner, family, friends) and how do you like to receive it? (This can be the same as your love language)

I express love through listening and patience, ensuring my kids always feel truly heard in a nurturing, calm environment. I light incense and candles when they come home or just before bed—I'm not sure if it works for anyone but me—but I believe that if I'm calm, they'll absorb that serenity too. I appreciate receiving love in the same gentle way, though I also cherish being left alone with a bowl of pasta and three hours to watch Suits.

How has your relationship with your partner evolved throughout this journey thus far?

Our relationship has definitely evolved. We went from spontaneous adventures and midnight snacks to a well-choreographed dance of toddler tantrums and rare, sneaky date nights. Sure, our idea of romance now involves laughing (or screaming) over spilled cereal and shared eye-rolls, but those little moments make the chaos all the sweeter. We try to prioritize alone time and at least one trip a year that is just us.

How have you made your mom friends?

School, mostly. Moms will understand what I'm talking about when I say that the phase-in period at the beginning of the school year is the worst. It's so hard to juggle everything as a parent, and that week can be incredibly stressful for the whole family. However, I met one of my closest friends in the waiting room—in between our kids' meltdowns and being called inside. We spent all week chatting and have been inseparable since. I also met another friend in a Pilates class—very out of character for me to strike up a conversation during a workout—but we had both just moved and had toddlers.

What's the number one thing you seek from your mom friends? (i.e. guidance, resonance, validation, mirroring, etc.)

Guidance and distraction.

What does your ideal mom’s night out look like?

Ideal? That's a loaded question. A few of my close friends have been dreaming of a Paris trip filled with eating, shopping, and sleep. Let's see if we can get there—I’d settle for a movie night with good company and no phones.

STYLE

Did your style change when you became a mother and if so, how?

Yes, but my shopping habits haven’t kept pace—I’m still trying to catch up. I now own a lot of heels, though I never wear them, and I probably have more sneakers than before. I've definitely put an emphasis on ease and longevity. Still, I love experimenting and buying edgy pieces that I may or may not love in a year because I enjoy the evolution and process. I've always loved vintage clothes and jewelry, as they let me layer unique pieces that no one else has. I'm much more focused on jewelry now than I was in the past. I adore the little details of accessories, and since starting EREDE, I've rapidly expanded my jewelry collection. It's been fun creating my dream pieces—ones I'll cherish forever.

What do you wear to drop-off? / What do you wear for a weekend hang?

Usually, I'm on my way to the office, so a mix of denim and tailored pieces is my everyday go-to. I love layering and often just throw on whatever I feel like wearing without worrying about the weather—though I usually end up feeling either too hot or too cold.

Favorite shops? For yourself and your kids?

For jewelry, I love TROVE and The Seven in West Village. For clothes, I love Dessert Vintage, though I usually shop online and rarely have time for in-person trips. My go-to brands are Lemaire, Fforme, and Attersee.

Best vacation spots with the family? Where’d you go, what’d you do, where’d you stay? Anywhere you’d like to go?

COMO PARROT QUAY in Turks and Caicos is truly incredible with kids—an easy trip with a gorgeous beach and plenty of activities. But honestly, the best place in the world is Sydney—I'm from there. My favorite beach, Camp Cove, where I grew up, is idyllic, complete with a charming little kiosk offering healthy meals and juices. When we're there, my brother, his kids, and I set up shop every day and let the kids run wild—it's literal heaven.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

Favorite last purchase for yourself?

Comme Si Socks and stolen samples of the Ossou Noon Jean.

And for your kids?

I've given up buying things I like for my kids. These days, they both have strong opinions about their outfits, and I've lost all control.

Favorite local restaurant?

Fradei is my little secret date spot with my best friend Jess. Sure, it's tiny and boasts only three tables, but that's part of its charm. I'm hesitant to spill the beans—if everyone finds out we won't be able to get in.

Fav place for self-care?

Rachel Nazarian, my dermatologist, is responsible for my love of lasers. I also love a sound bath or acupuncture session. Yinova in Brooklyn Heights is great.

Ideal date night?

Italian and Wine. I'm simple and a cheap date.

Last book you read?

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin for myself and Losing Lambie by Diana Blau which is a nightly staple with the kids.

Desert Island - products you can’t live without (personal and kids)

This sounds lovely! When can I go? I’d probably need Coterie Wipes—I'm buying them for life since I use them for everything, from dabbing away a stain on my clothes to wiping my face before reapplying sunscreen. I know it sounds weird, but they're incredibly gentle and effective. I'm obsessed with the Monastery GOLD Botanical Oil Serum and the HIDEAWAYS ESSENCE; both are luxurious and make my skin feel calm. I definitely need lovies for the kids and me—I even still have mine from when I was a baby, which is probably the strangest thing about me. Plus, I have a stack of 15 books from a book exchange sitting by my bed that I hope to read soon, and "Desert Island" feels like the perfect opportunity.

Define in one word: expectation of motherhood

CHAOS

Define in one word: reality of motherhood

CHAOS - At least my expectations matched my reality.

Favorite recipe that your kids will actually eat?

"Cheesy Pasta" is literally chickpea pasta with ghee, cheese, and nutritional yeast.

You can find and follow Talia on Instagram here, here, + here.