Bye, Mommy’s Gotta Jellymoon

Words by Emily Barasch

Let’s get some annoying semi-brags, an acknowledgment of my luck, out of the way: 

1 - I have the kind of husband where if I need to get away for work or want to take a few days off for leisure, his only replies are “how can I help?” and “when will you be back?” He is able to for lack of better words man the household (which includes two lovable but feral boys, 4 and 5 years old) in my absence—as those memes go: I didn’t marry a loser. (Though usually there’s a minor hijink or two I may find out about after—but everyone’s safe, fed, and on time.)

2 - I work for a company ( Spread the Jelly ) that hosts Jellymoon’s, which are fun and fabulous retreats for expecting and current moms. 

This Jellymoon in question was held at the Pocketbook Hotel, in Hudson New York. Being 12 weeks pregnant then and in a near-constant state of hangry, I popped into the Upper East Side location of Tompkins Square Bagels before meeting the very-luminous Natalie Shine at her apartment for the car pick-up. (I had the pleasure of interviewing Natalie for a Getting Sticky a few weeks prior.)

As we settled into the Chrysler Pacifica, Natalie (herself thirty-ish weeks pregnant) pulled out her own Tompkins bagel she’d been saving for the ride. If that wasn’t screaming kindred spirit enough, we bonded over consulting a psychic, who accurately predicted both of our pregnancies, and the power of woo woo.

We picked up merchandising consultant and overall fashion legend Julian Paik, decked out in squeaky-white heeled Repettos, cut-off jean shorts, and a Thom Browne overcoat we all ogled and coveted immediately.

The car ride, filled with intimate conversation around fertility, past jobs, and what we were like in our twenties, set the tone for the rest of the trip—just really an indulgence of cozy chats with intelligent, grounded, and funny women. The Chrysler was so spacious, and such a smooth ride, I was able to forget much of my nausea. When I need a new car once I have three kids (lord save me), it will be my first choice. Chrysler, CALL ME!!!

As we drove upstate, the leaves turned more marigold and sun-kissed red. We pulled up to the Pocketbook Hotel, housed in a historic textile factory built in 1885. Designed by Charlap Hyman & Herrero, the famed architecture and design firm, the 46-room hotel’s structure and style combined industrial with something more eclectic, homegrown, and delicate.

I said hello to a few of the other guests, checked in, and entered my spacious room. Waiting for me on my bed was a branded STJ tote filled with Little Spoon snacks and Koala Eco goodies from room spray to hand wash. I freshened up and joined the rest of the group for tea and a snack. The theme of this retreat was “Working Moms,” so sessions were blocked off for us to work remotely. We had a quick nosh—I caught up with STJ founders Amrit Tietz and Lauren Levinger and then we went our separate ways. Me, for a quick but delightful nap. Others to the legendary baths at Pocketbook.

We all met up once more for an aromatherapy-powered intuitive movement—led by Remy Maelen who designed a custom work book for us to clear space within our bodies and minds to settle into the class, sponsored by Koala Eco. The class relaxed me, but also charged me up; it was hard to describe but unlike anything I’d done before. A must if you visit the Pocketbook with the intention for relaxation and a brief moment of self-realization.

After the class, I freshened up and luxuriated in my room wrapped in my courtesy Eckhaus Latta chartreuse bath robe. (Did I feel smug, chic, and rested all at the same time? You bet.) I put on my best early pregnancy face n’ fit and made my way down to the bar at Ambos, the hotel restaurant.

Multiple ladies (Amrit and STJ’s newest Contributing Style Editor, fashion writer Jennifer Cook) ordered the Sour Cherry Spritz which was almost too aesthetically pleasing and per their report, tasted even better. The menu options for zero-proof were plentiful (thankfully) and I selected the Golden Hour Fresh made from fresh ginger, Fever-Tree ginger beer, honey syrup, and lime. For me, this mocktail was heaven.

I would also use the word “heaven” to describe the other women I met on the trip: the radiant and hilarious content creator Telsha Anderson-Boone; Tessa O’Connell, the Director of Global PR at Coach who felt like a sister within seconds; and Seema Bansal Chadha, cofounder of the flower powerhouse Venus et Fleur, whose inner beauty somehow matches her otherworldly outer.

We polished off our drinks and took a short drive to Mr. Cat, a funky French restaurant in Hudson. We were seated outdoors with plenty of heating lamps. We shared leafy, cheese-filled (as they are meant to be) salads; picked main courses—I had the chicken with a side of fries so good I didn’t want to share—and finished it off with profiteroles. Wine flowed as did hilarious stories, smatterings of (good-natured) gossip, and as always, some deep motherhood realness.

Without the midnight stylings of my four-year-old, I slept like a queen—until eight a.m. no less. I tumbled out of bed and joined the group for a lovely nature walk just outside the town of Hudson. We arrived back at the hotel and enjoyed a breakfast sponsored by Little Spoon. One word about how I felt this spread, which included the best granola I’ve ever sampled: spoiled.

(And if this trip recap reads as especially meal and snack-centric, please know I’ve likened myself during this pregnancy to a food-motivated golden retriever. I was even consuming the Little Spoon snacks meant to be brought home to my kids with a rapidity I’m not proud of.)

Afterward, the spa treatments began. Most of the attendees opted for a massage, but I decided to try a Cosmetic Acupuncture facial with Daniel. Upon telling him I was pregnant, Daniel (who was truly the sweetest soul) changed course a little. He did acupuncture on points that target nausea. He massaged my scalp. He did gentle gua sha and alleviated some of the pain I regularly get in my jaw as a serious jaw grinder. He checked my pulse and told me he could hear the baby’s as well. (Apparently this is something skilled acupuncturists can do, as my five year old says: We learn something new every day!) Anyways, remember all those nice things I said about my wonderful husband. Well, I left him for Daniel and now I live in Hudson :)

Onwards, we gathered for lunch afterward—the highlight was the warm polenta with mushrooms. Some of us took our laptops out and worked in the hotel cafe. Others went on excursions to the various antique shops in the area. If shopping was on your mind, the Pocketbook has exquisite options. There’s a boutique on the second floor, Kasuri: a 6,000 square foot fashion mecca, selling brands like Commes des Garçons, Issey Miyake, and Eckhaus Latta. There’s Show: Room, a gallery space on the third floor dedicated to collectible and functional design mostly produced in the Hudson Valley. And lastly, there’s the Pocketbook Market with branded options, food, and a refillery. In short, there was lots for us to do.

We had some new attendees join us: award-winning investigative journalist and new mom Noor Tagouri and marketing guru and partnerships whiz Heather Records-Toppel. Before we knew it—let’s be honest, time flies when you’re child-free—it was time for dinner.

Oysters, spaghetti, Picanha steak—not to mention, Amrit and Lauren whipped out our The Sticky Stuff card deck. The prompts led to intense discussion, some tears, and a lot of laughter. Dessert came at the perfect time to wipe away some feels—and no one was upset at the fig leaf panna cotta and chocolate cake with miso caramel and creme fraiche.

After another wonderful night’s sleep, we awoke at our leisure, had another fantastic Pocketbook breakfast, and made our way home. We are so grateful for the support of Little Spoon, Koala Eco, and Chrysler, to Pocketbook for hosting us, and for all our attendees taking time off the real world to hang with us.

If you’re interested in attending a Jellymoon, watch this space: the goal is to open them up to the public! (And if you’re ever in Hudson, please come visit me and Daniel.)

Jk I’m home with my kids.