Ruby & Mabel – Salt Lake City, USA

Ruby (6 y) is scared of real mummies at the museum because she feels they are coming alive. Mabel (4 y) believes the best thing in life is Cross-country skiing.  Mother of the two, Emily McMaster is the designer of Mabo. 

What is your big dream? Mabel: To have a dog. Ruby: For our family to always be happy.

Do you have special powers? Mabel: Yes painting – I can do a snow scene. Ruby: That I can plug my nose without using my fingers. I first started doing this (demonstrates squeezing nose with fingers) and then when I let go I could still keep it plugged.

Who is the strongest person in the world? Ruby: ME! Mabel: a giant

What do you want to be when you grow up? Ruby: a mom and a teacher. Mabel: a mom and a teacher

 Who do you admire? Mabel: Scarlett because she’s my friend. Ruby: Points to mom. Mabel: Actually….daddy

If you would be an artist who would you like to be? Mabel: Myself! Ruby: Me too!

What is the best thing in life? Ruby: Downhill skiing! Mabel: Cross-country skiing.

 Are you scared of anything? Ruby: You can’t be scared of nothing. I’m scared of real mummies at the museum.Because it felt like they were going to come alive. Mabel: Ummmm…..Frozen. Because the snow monster.

What makes you laugh? Ruby: When Mabel puts on a ballet show. Knock knock…who’s there?…Owl…Owl who?…You just said it! Mabel: A funny thing. What is that? It’s an apple? No, it’s not an apple. It’s an apple.

Your favourite films, books, apps? Mabel: Totoro! Fancy Nancy! Ruby: Frozen. Ramona Quimby.

 Something you did recently that you really loved: Ruby: Going downhill cross-country skiing – because I could go so so fast downhill. Mabel: School because of my friends.

The best holidays you ever had? Mabel: Christmas because I made a snowman at my house. Ruby: Easter because you go on an easter egg hunt. I did it at the park. Mommy and Daddy hided the easter eggs.

 A city/place that you would dream to visit? Ruby: To an ice cream castle! Because I could eat the ice cream. Mabel: To an ice castle because I can go in it.

Your favorite belonging? Ruby: my blankie. Mabel: crocodile.

The next item you would so dearly love to get? Mabel: Pillow pet! Ruby: A big brown teddy bear.

If you had a magic wand, what would you do with it right now? Mabel: Make my own bookshelf and nobody else could have it. Ruby: Have Jack and Lucy come for a pizza party.

Anything else you would like to tell? Ruby: My daddy is a pizza maker. Mabel: How much Daddy makes his pizzas

 Emily

A place you saw when you were a child, and that made its mark on you? The mountains here in Salt Lake City and the red rock in Southern Utah were a constant influence. My mom and I used to take off driving after school and arrive in Southern Utah when it was dark. We’d set up a tent and wake up to the amazing sunrise on the red rocks and cliffs.

The place you love near your home? The mountains!

Where do you dream to go for your next family holiday? I’d love to take my girls to Paris.

A film or cultural event that you saw recently and that staid with you? I loved Spike Jonze’s her.

The film that you love to see with the whole family? Any of the Miyazaki films – I especially love Totoro. The Muppets films are also fun for all of us.

The book on your bedside table? The Flamethrowers and Dissident Gardens

 The children’s brands your cherish? Bonpoint, Aigle, Bonton, Patagonia, Osh Kosh, Zef.

The children’s stores you love to visit and buy from? Acorn Toy Shop in Brooklyn

 Last thing you bought for your child? Rainbow loom elastics!

Favourite pieces in your child’s wardrobe? The clothes my mom saved from my childhood.

What do you buy online? Etsy vintage for the kids, Steven Alan, Madewell,

What are your main current concerns? Always the balance between kids/work/exercise/staying organized.

Something that you did in your childhood that makes you laugh today? In middle school I thought my nose was too long, so I used to draw a line with pen across it – I thought that it made it look shorter somehow.