KATIE MAY: THE PORTRAIT

Katie May grew up sewing, painting, and creating whatever she could get her hands on—loving to make loved beautiful things from nothing at all.The Lake Forest resident studied fashion design and at the age of 21, opened a clothing store in Madison, Wisconsin. She ran the business for five years where she sold some of her own designs along with all of her favorite brands—ultimately closing up shop when she got married and started a family. As a stay-at-home mom to three girls, May was always looking for outlets to be creative so she started making clothes and pajama dresses for her daughters. It wasn’t long before friends and her Instagram followers began asking her to do the same for them. May launched her own brand—ShopKatieMay—in 2017. To this day, May’s mother-daughter matching pajamas are some of her bestsellers. In 2022, May rebranded to “Ewamay” to reflect the ongoing and exciting changes behind the scenes of her brand, primarily with her growing family. “Ewa” means life, and it just so happens that these three letters also represent the names of her three girls—Em- maline, Windsor, and Arabella. This month, May shares a few of her favorite things.

Top 3 favorite things in Lake Forest or Lake Bluff? Lake Forest Beach, Deer Path Inn, and Lake Forest’s vibe in general. It is so magical and quaint; I just love going for walks downtown. I feel so lucky to have found this town and love living here. How do you find balance between work and family? I always put my family first and the little time I have left over I put towards my business. I have a really great creative director (Nicola Prybell) and I send her all sorts of ideas and she is able to put it into action. I always say when the kids are all in school full time, that’s when I can put more time in and the business will really take off. I would love to open up a retail store at that point as well. Beach, mountains, or city for vacation? Mix of city and beach but I also love a good ski trip! Favorite color? Mauve. Favorite music? Anything current and upbeat I can listen to with my girls. Favorite dinner to make? This is hard because I love food and cooking—it just depends on the season and the moment. Today I made a healthy version of homemade chicken Marsala. Favorite mom hack? Mesh garment bag for washing socks—they all go in and they all come out! Also, Instacart for groceries on super busy days so we can still have fresh dinners at home. Favorite beauty product? The one thing I can’t live without is my Australian made papaw lip treatment (I have one in my purse, car, kitchen drawer, makeup drawer, and probably several other places). Favorite designer? Chanel. She paved the way and her background and story is fascinating. Last book you read? The 5am Miracle by Jeff Sanders. Last Netflix series you watched? It’s been a while! Probably the second season of Ozark (I need to catch up). Favorite workout? I love running. Coffee or tea? Decaf coffee. Typical Starbucks order? Grande Iced Decaf Caramel Macchiato with Whip and Extra Caramel Drizzle, extra ice in a venti cup (but it’s been months!) Sweet or savory? Both, one after the other! Go-to snack? Cheese and crackers. Cocktail or mocktail? I’m honestly always drinking ice water with lots of ice! So mocktail! But I love a good glass of wine (Tignanello) occasionally. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Early bird all the way! Paper planner or digital? Paper. I find joy in the process. Greatest source for inspiration? My three girls, people watching, traveling, the beach, nature, window shopping, and regular shopping. Best advice you’ve ever been given? I grew up in a very positive household—I was always told that we can control our own mindset. I think that advice stuck with me. It’s something I have a lot of practice doing from a young age and it’s helped me to be a really positive, happy, energetic person. Your words of advice to a new entrepreneur? No excuses, make time for it. I have a trick where I create more hours in the day! Two things on your bucket list? Taking the girls to Paris (hopefully soon!) and becoming carbon neutral (at least having the business become carbon neutral for sure). Favorite time of the year? Early summer. Are you a dog or cat person? Dog! Best thing about being a mom? Experiencing everything again through the kids’ eyes. Any three people you would have over for dinner (can be dead or alive)? Chanel, Thoreau, and Monet.