IMPERFECTLY PERFECT // Jamie Arrigo
Although Jamie and I have never really hung out, we've known - or known of - each other for quite some time, as we've both shared a mutual friend in Lacy Philips of To Be Magnetic. So in some sense, I feel like I've known her for a long time.
It wasn't until running into her at an event recently, where we both promptly launched in to some pretty deep story telling that I wish we'd hung out more. I've witnessed Jamie grow her family, expand her business, and evolve her sense of personal expression over the last few years. She always posts something either hysterically funny, deeply meaningful or refreshingly candid - and it's always well said.
I am so glad we did this interview! I knew that her answers would be good, but they truly are some of the best yet. And if you're looking for some perspective as a creative, or new parent (or both) I personally found her approach refreshing, and manageable!
And... make sure to check out her gorgeous portfolio of work.
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3 word bio.
Just add water
What is your one physical characteristic that you’ve had to grow to love, but at times would have changed?
Easily my breasts. I went to college in Orange County and during that time there were lots of great boob jobs. Naturally, because of the environment I was in, I thought this would be an improvement to my body, so I seriously considered getting larger breasts. After college I got a studio in Hollywood, changed my friend circle, and gradually my desire to change my body faded away. And a decade later, after nursing two big babies, I am so grateful I didn’t get new boobs. I’m sad I ever doubted them and their size or abilities. My breasts have landed me the best guy (jk it was actually my ass) and have nourished my children. They have grown and shrunk, and have only gotten mastitis once, so to say I appreciate them is an understatement. They have been very good to our family. It also feels very satisfying to finally be able to use my breasts for their intended purpose and not just getting out of traffic tickets or sending photos to my husband.
What would your husband, spouse, kids, or any roommates you’ve ever had say is your least appealing quality?
My husband just recently informed me that I have no chill and my son often tells me to chill it down, so if I had to guess, I’d say my temper. This is actually a very hard thing to accept because I still identify as a pot-smoking, easy-going chick. I guess it’s a good practice to take inventory of yourself every ten or so years, reevaluate your self-concept as it were. It’s important to recognize that just because you were a stoner for a decade a decade ago, doesn’t mean that stoner vibe stayed with you. Currently, I am just a person one moment away from saying FUCK and flying off the handle. I am working on bringing reacting better to life so that hopefully my son will be actually chill and not just pseudo, left over from pot-smoking days chill. Fingers crossed he’s able to interact with the world in a more peaceful way that I am.
You are an artist and a new mom. How do you find working as a creative and balancing motherhood? (I've personally found it challenging!)
I wish I could say that I have found a balance but unfortunately there isn’t a lot of balance right now. I am working really hard to build up my creative agency so I stay up late most nights and get up early in the am. I would rather lose sleep than dinner or bedtime with my kids. I know these years are going to fly by so am really savoring the early days with my children.
You're new to having two kids. What has been the most challenging part about having two vs one so far?
The hardest part about welcoming another baby is watching my first baby feel sadness because I am not available in the same way. This started when I was pregnant as my physically abilities were limited. I could no longer pick Wallace up or carry him, or run with him. The play routine we had established over the last four years was forever changing and Wallace was very aware of the shift. After Elowyn arrived it was a series of more adjustments. I could not longer do bedtime because I would be nursing the baby. We don’t go to the library as often as we used to and we’ve always got Elowyn with us. It’s all of those things really break me because I can see the sadness on his face. However, as many times as he’s disappointed, he’s overjoyed by the presence of his baby sister. She’s the first person he wants to see in the morning and he loves being with her so much. It’s like he knows he’s now got someone on his team for life, and that makes all of these growing pains infinitely worth it.
Where do you seek inspiration? And has this changed since having children?
Currently I am pulled in many directions so these days, I find inspiration where I can. Today that usually looks like lunch with a friend or having a creative meeting over the phone. I am in this amazing time with many of my close friends where we are all building families and businesses, so have so much information to pass around. I’m lucky to be surrounded by so many creative and successful people that inspire me daily and are open to hearing my ideas. Prior to having children I had alone time so the process of finding inspiration was a bit more romantic.
With 30 minutes of free time, what would you do?
Bath, face mask, meditate.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
Bye bye Western Religion, Hello Kindness Class.
A few unread emails or 1000’s?
I am probably somewhere in between.
Honestly, packrat or minimalist?
Packrat with minimalist aspirations. I’d be lying if I denied having a collection of old rotary phones, rugs and other antique knick knacks in our basement, but I sort of pretend that part of me no longer exists because I constantly purge from what is inside our home.
What keeps you up at night?
The fact that people are sitting around arguing about abortions when large corporations are destroying our natural resources. You know, the little things.
