To celebrate the debut of The Everything Else Tote, created with Dusen Dusen, we’re launching Parenting &—a Q&A series spotlighting the incredible person behind the parent, in all their multitudes. Because adding ‘parent’ to the bio doesn’t shrink who you are—it multiplies it.
And the “&”? That’s where it gets good.
Meet Jackie Miller James: first-time mom &… brain aneurysm survivor, beauty influencer turned wellness warrior, neuro-rehabilitation advocate—amongst other things.
What’s a part of you that didn’t disappear when you became a parent—but got even louder?
Something I learned about myself after becoming a parent is how much I’ve had to let go. Especially with a young child, you quickly realize you can’t control everything—and that’s okay. I’ve learned to go with the flow, to embrace the mess, and to see the beauty in moments that aren’t perfectly curated. Life with kids is unpredictable, but it’s also full of unexpected joy.
What’s something people assumed you gave up when you had kids—but you didn’t?
One piece of myself people might assume I lost after becoming a parent—and especially after my aneurysm—is my skincare routine. But I protect it at all costs. Life as a mom is nonstop, chaotic, and full of beautiful distractions. Add recovery on top of that, and it would be easy to let something like skincare fall by the wayside. But I haven’t. Even with limited use of one arm, I still make time to wash my face, use toner, and apply a good moisturizer—every single day. It’s not just about skincare. It’s about honoring a part of me that existed long before motherhood and before my aneurysm. It connects me to the beauty influencer I once was and reminds me that self-care is still possible, even in the busiest seasons of life. In the quiet moments when the house is finally still, that routine becomes a way of reclaiming myself—one step, one product, one ritual at a time.
What’s a part of you that didn’t disappear when you became a parent—but got even louder?
One thing that hasn’t disappeared since becoming a parent—but instead has grown louder—is my resilience. After my aneurysm, recovery became a daily commitment, and being a parent has only deepened that drive. I want my daughter to know that anything is possible with determination and hard work. Every day when I look at her, she reminds me why I keep pushing—to regain my strength, to improve my speech, and to show her what perseverance looks like. She’s my reason and my motivation.
Keep up with Jackie at @jaxandrose + grab this summer’s IT bag—The Everything Else Tote—available 6/24 on the Little Spoon Merch Store.
