reagan's favorite things
Reagan's favorite things: CultureMap's new columnist reveals her must-have list for May and Mother's Day
Editor’s note: We originally met entrepreneur Reagan Bregman in 2021 when we were the first to report on the launch of her athleisure line, Exiza. Her brand quickly drew rave reviews for its ethical, sustainable practices, great fits for every body type, and effortlessly cool vibe.
Fast forward to 2023, and Reagan is a new mom to adorable baby Knox, still overseeing Exiza and its new line, a sought-after influencer and guest host, and a social media tastemaker. (Oh yeah, she’s also married to a nice gentleman named Alexwho is very good at baseball.)
With so many of her fans constantly asking and commenting on her fab finds, we’ve recruited this Houston star to spotlight some of her favorite things and where to find them for a new column. Take it away, Reagan!
My May must-have list
As a busy mom to my 9-month-old son who’s constantly traveling and on the go, I love discovering products, accessories, and more that make life just a little bit easier.
Since I’m often asked about things I cover on Instagram, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite things — really, things I’m obsessed with at the moment. My current faves include a must-have coffee maker, my best friend when my baby’s hungry, and my backpack to go hands-free.
Getting ready for Mother’s Day this Sunday? Most of these favorites work well for mom gifts, too. (She’s sure to love the sentimental gift ideas. As a new mom, I totally do!)
A new mom’s best friend: Baby Brezza Formula Pro mixer
I received this formula mixer/maker as a gift and I am constantly recommending it to new moms. I even travel with it because I love it so much.
Baby Brezza’s slogan is “We make parenting easier,” and I can see why: It saves you those precious extra few minutes when your baby is hungry. A real lifesaver!
For the DIY barista: Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express is coffeemaker goals.Photo via Breville
I love espresso, but rarely ever go out to get coffee — since I purchased this machine. I make my own lattes in the morning and the quality is unmatched. I even find myself comparing my at-home lattes to the lattes I get from coffee spots or when we’re out. Safe to say, I’m fully addicted.
The machine might be a splurge or tricky to learn for some, but it certainly lives up the hype. You can pick one up in Houston at Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, or Crate & Barrel locations, or online and on Amazon.
Crystal-clear coffee: Bodum Bistro mugs
These mugs are a perfect match for my Breville Barista coffee concoctions. They’re double insulated with a clear wall, and the clean, modern design is a perfect addition to any kitchen decor.
A six pack helps you stock up quickly and at a great price point. I love a set of these mugs as a gift for a mom who appreciates a clean design aesthetic in her kitchen. Find them at your local Crate & Barrel, online, or on Amazon.
Got Mom’s back: The Prada backpack
This is great for a luxury gift for Mom and my favorite bag for any mom with small kids. A few of my friends have it as well and love it.
This Prada carry-all has your back.Photo via Prada/Prada.co,
Prada makes this backup in light blue, beige, and black. It’s the perfect little travel bag and helps you go hands free — while still looking great.
Book of love: StoryWorth year subscription
This is the sweetest gift. Once you purchase a subscription for a loved one, they receive monthly emails with prompts to share their favorite stories.
At the end of the year, they receive a bound book filled with all of their stories and memories to keep — forever. Sentimental moms will absolutely adore this.
Your own gallery: New Art frames
I recently discovered the New Art store on Harwin Drive and could not get over how amazing my gallery wall turned out.
New Art has hundreds of custom frame styles to choose from and they’re super fat. Their white custom frames fit perfectly to the size of all my photos on our photo wall.
Old-school charm: Back Row Home
If you’re in a crunch and want a gift for Mom the same day, I recommend visiting Back Row Home off of Katy Freeway. You’ll find antiques, home furnishings, accessories, and a wide variety of unique gifts for even the pickiest mom.
Feast for the foodie
Navy Blue serves a diverse menu of fish and shellfish. Photo by Julie Soefer
I actually gave a gift card here to my husband for his birthday. I know there’s so much hype around it right now, but the hype is real! Check out the classic Margherita or the signature Fancy Backpacker: prosciutto, truffle oil, and arugula.
This is a great date night spot. Last time we went, they had a piano player turned DJ. We sat by the piano, requested songs, and had the best Italian food. Love this as a gift for a fun night out — with girlfriends or your significant other.
This buzzy new hot spot from Aaron Bludorn of Bludorn has the best atmosphere and is perfectly situated in Rice Village, making for a fun evening out. The food is to die for and I already can’t wait to go back!