Cherry Bombs

A Peek Inside the Lives of Denver’s Illustrious Ladies

Betsy Marr Denver | Cherry Creek Magazine

Cherry Bombs

Betsy Marr

Mom, Wife. Publisher. Stylist. Betsy Marr wears a lot of hats, and as editor-in-chief of Cherry Creek Magazine, the mother of two boys under three is always on the move (albeit mostly metaphorically in this crazy quarantined world). Here are a few of the must haves, must sees and must do’s that keep her life feeling as put together as possible.

1. The face mask is hands-down the accessory of 2020. During my pregnancy with our new baby boy, Liam, I opted for the surgical grade type. Now that I am starting to get out and about more often, I have ventured into more fashionable iterations. Thus far, I am loving these by Lele Sadoughi. Lele has long been one of my fave jewelry designers – her bold and bright baubles take any outfit from drab to fab – and these face masks are no exception. They’re breathable, comfortable and incredibly cute!

2. After we had our first son, Langdon, I became much more concerned with the products we were using both in our home and on our bodies (The Honest Company makes very frequent deliveries to our doorstep, as does Beautycounter). When I am able to splurge, my favorite clean beauty product is this Active Botanical Serum from Vintner’s Daughter. It does the job of several lotions and potions in one and makes a noticeable difference in your skin very quickly. It is made in small batches of only the best available ingredients so it is pricy and can be hard to find, but Aillea in Cherry Creek Shopping Center (a must-visit) typically carries it. Worth the $185 price tag.

3. I am obsessed with The Home Edit. Their systems for organizing just about anything are both practical and beautiful. A clean, organized space can make a huge difference in our productivity and in our overall mood and these days, we all need more calmness and less chaos. I am getting through their new Netflix show during nursing sessions with Liam and can’t get enough. Who doesn’t want to watch Reese Witherspoon’s costume closet or Jordana Brewster’s refrigerator get organized?

4. I have always been a Tory Burch ballet flat girl and nowadays they are part of my daily uniform. While I love a good heel, they aren’t as practical or comfortable for me as they were 10 years ago. Tory’s ballet flats make me feel stylish even if the rest of my outfit is ho-hum. I especially love the Minnie Travel Flat – they are super soft and store easily in a diaper bag or purse to allow for on-the-go shoe changes.

5. I met Amy Ensign of Gimme Some Sugar through our friends at Little Nest Portraits (check them out, too!) several years ago and have been hooked since. Amy is insanely talented and her cookies are as delicious as they are beautiful. So far, she has been able to do everything I have asked for and then some – including some pretty unique party themes like our son’s first birthday party culled from Gray Malin’s photo series at The Parker Hotel. Hire her any time you need a sweet little something that really stands out from the crowd. She’s easily the best “cookie lady” in Colorado!

6. I have worn Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom fragrance for years and don’t think I would smell like “me” without it. I was over-the-moon when they opened their stunning storefront in Cherry Creek and could spend forever in there. It’s a gorgeous shop and the perfect place to pick up a thoughtful gift – for yourself or otherwise!

7. I love classic baby and children’s clothing but the selection in Denver can be scarce. I often shop online with The Beaufort Bonnet Company which is a small, women-owned business out of Kentucky. Everything they carry is beyond darling and definitely heirloom quality. They do a ton of monogramming as well, which is something I also love.

8. I love a good clutch and Clare V.’s are my favorite. They’re darling and well-made and many styles even allow for that beloved monogram. Perch in Cherry Creek has a great selection.

9. While we don’t get to eat out as often as I would like, we recently had the opportunity to try Toro and loved it! Richard Sandoval’s new restaurant in the JW Marriott (the old Second Home space) is perfectly done and has a great indoor-outdoor flow which makes dining both safe and comfortable. Try the Ceviche Amarillo and the Mercado Margarita.

10. Hands-down my number one tip for any mom (new or veteran) is Moms on Call! Written by two pediatric nurses with eight children between them, these books are like Cliff’s Notes for babies and toddlers. Easy to read, practical, usable advice – it’s literally an instruction manual for parenthood. Having a new baby can be incredibly daunting and Moms on Call has taken out the guesswork and has helped guide me through the day-to-day. It’s truly written by moms for moms. I cannot recommend Moms on Call highly enough.

11. Switching gears, I am a total interior design junkie. I can appreciate good taste in any form and while my personal style is traditional/coastal I am loving the new Coda Studio in Cherry Creek North. The aesthetic is very modern and organic and I am drawn to the textures and neutral colors in their showroom. I also love that every piece is approachable in both its look and its price point. Definitely worth checking out!

12. The Denver Zoo has been such a saving grace lately. It’s a great place to go with both a toddler and an infant as we can safely cruise around in the stroller while Liam sleeps and Langdon gets a much-needed change of scenery. I love that we are raising little animal lovers and the Denver Zoo has so many programs that are both fun and educational. I highly recommend an annual membership for your family!