Revealing. Refreshing. Raw. Mommylogue.blog is the newest voice in parenting, an online diary where Lindsey Whiting-Schnepper under the nom de plume “Elle DoubleU-Pepper” writes about the hardest career a woman can have: mommying. With unusual candor, a razor-sharp wit and an abiding love for her little ones, “Elle” shares with readers her daily life raising two precious kids.
“It’s my inner dialogue (my mommy voice) unedited, unfiltered and undeniably relatable,” says Lindsey. “It’s my real-life documentation of the coveted community called mommyhood. My scrapbook of stories.”
This just-launched blog includes stories by Lindsey aka “Elle DoubleU- Pepper” about how her life sometimes resembles the 80s comedy Adventures in Babysitting, mommying in the time of Final Four and going crib-less for the first time in seven-plus years.
“I remember when I first got this crib. My older lovie was still in my belly and I was on the cusp of this journey,” she writes. “By the time he turned 2-years-old, I was sure I was one and done. But a year later, with a pap smear and a pep talk from my OBGYN, I got knocked up again. It’s was actually classier than that but it’s a story for another time. By year three, we used that crib for the second little redhead in my life, and I have to admit it reminded me not only of my kids’ youth but my own. Now, after seven-plus years, my house is crib-less. Which has taken on a different meaning for me. No, I don’t want more babies — I love my children beyond, but two sometimes feels like 10, even on the best days — and I feel like I’ve entered a new stage. A new milestone in mommyhood.”
Lindsey Whiting-Schnepper is a New York area mother living with two little redheads and her ginger-hued husband. Over a decade ago, Lindsey began writing her daily thoughts in the notes section of her phone whenever she had a moment to spare, but just recently she decided to jump into the social media pool. She worried less about getting her professional blow-dry wet— exposing her natural curls and more about sharing these memories and milestones with the world— she writes like she is wearing her heart on her sleeve, which steadily built a growing audience. Now, with Mommylogue.blog, she is sharing her stories with a whole new audience.
“I think moms will appreciate my perspective because it’s real. I don’t sugarcoat the daily challenges we face raising children,” she says. “Every day is an adventure. Some days are better than others. Some days we feel like total failures others are epic. But each day belongs to us. This is my way of sharing those stories.”
Check out her 🌶 excerpts on Instagram @elledoubleupepper to become a follower and go to www.mommylogue.blog to become a reader
1. What inspired you to start Mommylogue?
Before I became a mommy, both times, I had the most sincere intentions to scrapbook the milestones in my children’s lives. Once I became a mommy— twice, and the kind of mommy I strive to be— got in my way of creating these fancy books. Luckily for me, I have always been someone who kept a physical and mental diary of my day or a milestone in my life, even more so when I first entered the coveted community “mommyhood”. When my children would fall asleep aka nap in the car in between the millions of things we would do in the first 12 hours of the day, I began skimming through the filtered versions of someone else’s “mommyhood” on social media and questioned my own unfiltered version. So I stopped scrolling and began journaling in the notes app of my phone… to myself. Even after my boys got old enough to stop falling asleep in the car, I am still writing to myself in the same notes section of my phone but in between all the millions of things, I’m doing 24 hours of the day. It went from a scrapbook to a diary. That snapshot of time is like a written photograph of a memory I never wanted to forget. It is my safe space, too. Where I could be the most authentic and honest.
2. What is Mommylogue about?
Mommylogue is my inner dialogue (my mommy voice) unedited, unfiltered and undeniably relatable. It is my real-life documentation of the milestones of the coveted community called mommyhood from the pages of my diary. My scrapbook stories. Here are the pages ripped out for you to read…
3. What else should we know about you? What sets you apart from the competition?
It seems like some mommies who either blog or vlog are trying hard to fit their lives into perfect little squares— but I’m raw and real and have no need to sugarcoat being a mommy because my real life is it’s my own unscripted reality show— I’m beyond blessed and incredibly thankful. It’s the most incredible and amazing title, but like anything in life that brings joy can also have growing pains. It’s important to embrace them both — they became your story and are worth the read— even if you are the only one reading and listening. My life tells its own story— and that’s imperfectly perfect to me.
Here are some fun facts:
- I have a dual masters degree in early childhood education and special education and an advanced certification in educational administration and leadership.
- I was raised by the most unbelievably supportive and loving parents — who inspire me to aspire to be just like them. They are my role models in life.
- I have naturally curly hair, which I spoil myself weekly to get professionally blow out.
- I love my library card almost as much as I love my credit card— almost and when both my boys turned one I got them their own— library cards.
- I’m five feet tall
- I believe our boys were created by the wicked combination of love, science and magic— or at least that’s what I tell them when they ask me where babies come from.
- I’m married to my high school sweetheart and best friend who is the OG redhead in our home and helped color my heart and our house with 50 shades of redheads on our sons— but I’m the secret spice in our ‘hoods special sauce.
4. What has been the biggest challenge/ hurdle you have faced so far?
When I first decided to wear my heart on my sleeve and jump into the social media pool and get my professional blowout wet and expose my natural curls, I wasn’t ready just yet to let the world know “Elle DoubleU— Pepper” was me— Lindsey Whiting-Schnepper, so this nom de plume became a play on words of my real name until too many people realized it was me, fell in love my stories, and I decided to embrace the big reveal. Now it’s about growing my followers and my audience, so I can go from 2000 in 3 months to the “swipe up feature” on Instagram and get 10000 followers and beyond— most importantly readers, so my followers and readers have www.mommylogue.blog right at their fingertips. I have built a steady crew, but I want to connect with the next level and beyond. Either through partnerships or collaborations or other media platforms. I want to be a household name. Mommylogue is all our stories to some degree.
5. Do you have any special advice for other ‘Mom blogger Diva’s’ out there?
There’s beauty in the truth. Writing about what you know and love should write itself. That is what makes it authentic. I am very candid about mommyhood. The ups and downs and everything else in between. I write as I speak and I learned quickly you can either cry over the spilled milk or laugh in the puddles— unless you have my naturally curly hair you get professionally blown out weekly— you grab your umbrella and hope for a rainbow.
6. What’s your favorite social network – Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? Why?
I love Instagram because it’s easier to connect with so many diverse people! It’s a platform for everyone from the famous to the housewife to the bossbabe side hustler. Each square on everyone’s profile is a memory and it’s like getting to look into someone else’s photo album of what they care about the most — either in an image or quote or memory. Instagram is a real global inclusive community.
7. What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
Even with all my professional successes in life — my children are my greatest accomplishments— they are my résumé, reflection, letters of recommendation, and my renaissance.
8. What are you future goals?
I never thought my “diary” of mommylogue would become www.mommylogue.blog and would become a reality and in less than six months 2000 people want to read my unfiltered tales from life— but they do. I’m flattered and I’m honored by the response it has gotten. I would love to see where this will take me because it’s not just about the destination but the journey. I hope to connect in other media platforms, partnerships and collaborations, and beyond and continue to grow my audience and become a household name.
9. What is the best advice you have ever received?
The very fact you worry about being a good mom means you already are —
10. If you could go back by ten years, what would be some of the top tips you would give our audience?
Ten years ago I was my only audience. I was not even a mommy yet, but I knew I would be one day I also knew if I was going to listen to everyone tell me something about everything I would have no room left to listen to myself. So be appreciative of the advice, but trust your own, too. Because in the end you felt their heartbeat from the inside out and that is more powerful than anything else.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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