Meet A Houston Mom- Nicole Kestenbaum of Lipstick & Brunch | West University Moms

Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?

Nicole: I am originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras and I have lived in Houston almost 9 years now.

Child(ren) and Age(s)?

I have a baby boy who is one year old named Nicolás Enrique.

One thing people would be surprised to know about you…

I am much more of a loner and small group of people kind of person. It doesn’t’ mean that I’m not outgoing or friendly but I truly feel that in settings where there are fewer people you get to have deeper conversations and there’s not so much small talk.

Favorite local things to do in Houston?

As a beauty/lifestyle blogger and content creator, I am always looking for the most Instagrammable coffee shops and bars as well as the best places to get a facial or manicure. I also love trying out new brunch places!

Oh, and I love going to concerts or a Broadway show downtown! When I know one of my favorite artists is in town I’ll do my best to get the closest seat possible. I started out as a journalistic photographer covering concerts in my hometown and it’s something I still love to do.

Do you have a favorite family-friendly restaurant in the area?

There’s so many I love and that we frequent! We love Hungrys’ fresh fare, variety and complimentary valet, Tiny No.5 for my blogger brunches and Flo Bakery for the best coffee and mille-feuille.

What is your go-to activity for yourself for pampering or for fun?

I am big on pampering and me time! I love getting manicures, pedicures and getting my hair done. I also indulge in facials and anything beauty related that makes me feel beautiful and look rested.

Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?

There are so many embarrassing ones I can’t share but I recently discovered the quickest way to get ready to head out is to jump in the tub with my toddler and take a bath with him!

Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!

I am a small business owner and I run my website called Lipstick and Brunch. It didn’t start as a business though. It started as a way to document all the new beauty brands I was experiencing in the United States and showing it to my friends because back home we have limited access to beauty brands.

I now write about lifestyle, motherhood, fashion and beauty topics which has also led to beauty and lifestyle TV segments on Fox26, HoustonLife, and Channel 2.

On www.LipstickandBrunch.com I have easy beauty and skincare tips and the best fashion finds for curvy girls. I’m all about empowering women to feel beautiful, bold and perseverant in chasing their dreams.

I also thrive on creating content for brands I use and love like Dove, JCPenney, Sephora and Houston brands like KisaKisa Fashion, Burdlife and Lepiki.

How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now? 

Houston’s neighborhood community feels like home now. I go out and love bumping into people that I’ve met through networking or who follow my blog. It sincerely makes me want to cry happy tears when I think it’s almost been 9 years of living in a new country. I’m so grateful for the diverse and amazing friendships I’ve made in this city and for the continuous support I get from fellow people in the industry. Houston has really taken me in and I’ve embraced it with open arms.

What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?

Realizing that you can’t do it all and being OK with it. I love my life right now because I can do everything I want just not at the same time. It keeps me stress-free.

What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids? /span>

I would tell her “Don’t be scared to have kids! You’ll still get to do what you love but as a bonus, you’ll get amazing mommy friends!”

Follow Nicole on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lipstickandbrunch/

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