A Mother’s Day Field Guide with Alicia Lund: Style, rituals, and the small things that make motherhood feel beautiful
For this Mother’s Day edition of Cool Moms, we spent time with Alicia Lund — a longtime tastemaker known for her effortless blend of fashion, interiors, and everyday beauty. These days, her inspiration comes from a slightly different source: life with her kids and the small rituals that shape motherhood. We asked Alicia to share her personal Mother’s Day Field Guide — the moments, objects, and philosophies that help her slow down and savor this season.
Meet Golden Girl // Alicia Lund
The Everyday Rituals
Motherhood has a way of reshaping the rhythms of our days. What are a few small rituals that help your everyday life with your kids feel a little more intentional or beautiful?
Lately, with the weather being so beautiful, we’ve been having after-school snacks and doing homework outside on our patio — such a simple shift, but it’s made that time feel a little more special. We also love our neighborhood walks and bike rides, and on the weekends we’ll often walk to our local coffee shop, where the kids always order avocado toast.
Dinner time is especially meaningful to me. I love sitting with them and hearing about their days. My husband travels almost weekly for work, so he isn’t always home for dinner during the week — which makes it even more important that I’m there, cooking for them and sharing that time together.
Mom Uniform: Style doesn’t disappear with motherhood — it just evolves.
What does your “mom uniform” look like these days?
The pieces you reach for again and again when you’re moving through a full day with kids.
Sweatshirts, tees, my Levi’s, black denim — and sportier pants when I’m fully in it, playing soccer and running around with them. And a lot of hats! Baseball hats and wider brim (for pool time / neighborhood walks etc.)
Let’s be honest — motherhood runs on snacks.
What snack are your kids asking for the most right now? What are you packing in your Goldie bag?
Apples, strawberries, mango — all the fruit! And always crackers, cheese, and turkey or turkey sandwiches. They also love avocado on crackers and popcorn (those are more at-home snacks)
The Always-In-My-Bag List
Every mom has a few essentials that make leaving the house easier. What are a few things you almost always bring when heading out with your kids?
Water bottles, sunscreen, chapstick — we always keep a blanket in the car — and usually a soccer ball or football too.
“it’s the small, unexpected moments that catch me off guard. The way they look at you, their freckles, or a goofy dance move — I just want to bottle it all up and freeze time.”
photo | Andriya Rances
The Perfectly Ordinary Afternoon
Sometimes the most memorable moments are the simplest ones. If you had a free afternoon with your kids and nowhere to be, what would the ideal outing look like? Where would you go, what would you bring, and how would the afternoon unfold?
My perfect ordinary afternoon is a walk — the kids are usually on bikes or scooters — through our neighborhood to our local coffee shop. It’s about nine blocks from us, so it’s the perfect little loop to actually get your steps in (for me!), but not so long that they complain.
Everyone gets what they want (and I get a good coffee ;P). We always sit outside in the sun and talk, and usually run into friends or neighbors along the way — which is one of my favorite things about our neighborhood. Sometimes the kids want to stop at a friend’s house to shoot hoops, which means I get to catch up with a girlfriend, too. It’s what I love most about where we live — so much charm.
If I have more time, I’ll drive to the Bay to visit my sister so the kids can play with their cousins. I get my SF fix — maybe see some art, take the kids to a park, and grab something delicious to eat. (We love any chance to grab Rustic Bakery or Souvla for lunch!)
photo | Andriya Rances
The Taste Question
Your style has always reflected such a strong sense of low-key luxury across fashion, interiors, and lifestyle. It’s clear you value the materials, the subtle refinement, and the experience over flashy labels.
What does low-key luxury mean to you? Has becoming a mother changed the way you think about your style or how you spend your time?
I’ve always had an eye for — and appreciation of — aesthetics. My mom has told me that since I was a young girl. I’ve always been drawn to quality, materials, art, and beautiful design, which I think also comes from my parents and how I was raised.
To me, low-key luxury is exactly that — an appreciation for quality and design in a way that feels effortless and lived-in, not overly precious or overdone. It’s the pieces you wear on repeat that just feel good and get better with time.
Motherhood hasn’t changed my style so much as it’s changed the way I live in it. My style has naturally evolved with age, but now I’m dressing for a different kind of day-to-day — more simple, everyday activities and time with my kids, which is exactly where I want to be in this phase of life.
There are fewer occasions to wear those more “fun” or dressed-up pieces, but I wouldn’t change it. I love the ease of getting dressed now and the rhythm of it all.
The Unexpected Truth
Motherhood always surprises us in some way. What’s something about motherhood that surprised you the most?
I had no idea I’d be such an enthusiastic sports mom. Not in a crazy, over-the-top way — but I genuinely don’t want to miss a game. I also never pictured myself as someone cheering (or yelling) from the sidelines, but now I’m fully in it.
The Moment You’ll Miss
The days can feel long, but the years move way too fast! What’s a small moment with your kids recently that made you stop and think: “I’ll miss this someday”?
This past year has held a lot — turning forty and a family loss — and it’s the small, unexpected moments that catch me off guard. The way they look at you, their freckles, or a goofy dance move (Willow) — I just want to bottle it all up and freeze time.
The Cool Mom Philosophy
Every mother develops her own quiet philosophy over time. What’s something motherhood has made you care less about — and something you care more about now?
I care a lot less — or not really at all — about what they want to wear. I care so much more about their behavior, the choices they’re making, and how they’re treating others.
Beauty Ritual
Now that we’re in our 40s, beauty rituals are a little more intentional. What does yours look like?
I keep it very simple: Ciele tinted SPF, Westman Atelier for a dab of blush, and a tinted dark brown brow.
A Mother’s Day Wish
What would your ideal Mother’s Day actually look like this year? Not the big gestures — but the small things that would make the day feel special.
Lunch or brunch together as a family — ideally somewhere I love, like San Francisco or wine country. Low-key, delicious food, sunshine, a beautiful space that makes me happy, and just being together.
Morning person or night owl?
Morning.
Coffee order?
Black – or cappuccino
Beach day or park picnic?
Beach
Saturday morning you can find me…
At hot yoga or Rex’s soccer game
What tunes are an instant mood boost?
Coldplay, Cake, any 90s / 2000s hip-hop obviously :P
Favorite item in your home?
My art collection
Go-to ‘fit when you’re in everyday mom mode?
Levi’s, sweatshirt / tee, hat
Shop alicia
