Please describe yourself in three words...
Ferdinando the bull -- fiercely stubborn (my sign is Taurus) and lover of beautiful things.
What inspired you to create Bastide beauty?
The way we live and eat in provence. Everything is either from the garden or fresh from the market or so you really have control over what is going into your body. We wanted to be able to do the same for our skin: to create luxurious beauty products that are made by artisans in an authentic, non toxic and natural way.
What is your favorite family vacation destination and why?
We are lucky because Aix is both our favorite place to spend vacations and also the home of Bastide. Bastide really grew out of our love for Provence and the life that we are able to live here.
How do you carve out "me" time while starting your own company and managing your family life?
You have to build it into your routine. Sunday night massages are a great start to the week. I do 90min of yoga and meditation with an instructor on wednesdays and then I try to do a few sun salutations or stretches on the other mornings during the week. I work out with a trainer twice a week in but my absolute favorite "me" time is when I am traveling and have time to discover a city.
What are your favorite beauty/bathing products for your children?
My kids used to love 'bath bombs' which are marketed as very natural but actually full of toxins and colorants. Now they love our Bastide orange blossom bath salts much more! I also love drenching them in the corps a corps body cream after their bath.
What are your secret must-have beauty products?
Sisley lip balm and the new Bastide skincare that we are currently developing.
What is your favorite NYC family activity?
Brunch at The Mark or Sant Ambroeus.
What are the greatest challenges of starting a business with young children?
Patience. Work conditions you to be demanding and to move quickly. I sometimes find it hard to switch to being the calm and patient mother that I would like to be for my children. Same goes for the cell phone. I hate being on my phone when I am around my family.
What are your personal goals in life?
A clear, calm mind, a yoga body and a heart full of love.
Pay it forward and tell us your favorite wellness and beauty brands, ones that perhaps inspired you to create your own...
Sisley, Phyto, Fekkai, Mariage Freres, Maison du chocolat.