It’s time for another team member introduction!

Shay Gabriel is Sprout and Blossom’s content director! Her love of parenthood and psychology has merged into a super-obsession of all things birthy and baby. She believes an informed experience lends to an empowered experience, no matter where you are along the journey. We are thankful to have her on our team, doing all kinds of amazing work behind the scenes! She handles things like research, content development, social media, and administrative communication. Get to know her a little better by reading her answers to these fun questions.

What makes you happy?

I find joy in watching my daughter grow, fostering deep human connections, creating intentional designs, enjoying creative cuisine, & spending slow days in the sunshine.

Tell us about your family.

My husband Matt and I are raising a sweet little pup named Islay Mae and her younger human sister Evelyn Claire (aka Eve or Evie). Our family thrives on creativity and learning; Matt's a self-employed musician and teaches guitar lessons, and I’m a self-employed interior designer and content director. I've also been tutoring math for over 15 years! We are 5 years into working on our 1890s fixer-upper. Lately, Evie dictates the direction of all things house and home: “Does this foster a toddler-safe space?” If the answer is no, it goes! Sanity over styling, I suppose!

What is your guilty pleasure?

Watching any reality TV show centered around human relationships. It sounds kind of nice when I put it that way haha, but I'm talking, like, anything in the Bachelor franchise. I'm not about the drama and I have an issue with how the franchise has become more manipulative over the years. But give me a genuine connection between two people and I'm hooked!

How would your best friend describe you?

During my baby shower with my best friends, the host so kindly asked each guest to share a quality about me that they thought would make me a good mom. Tears are welling up as I write this, so it's safe to say that was a deeply meaningful moment for me. Responses included: intentional, loving, creative, loyal, and something about always choosing to do the work. I love the growth mindset behind that last one.

If you have friends coming for dinner what would be on the menu and who would be making it?

Soup, salad, bread, dessert, and wine—each friend contributes one of the above, and this time I'll make a potato gnocchi soup or butternut goat cheese bisque.

What podcasts are you currently listening to?

Usually Brené Brown's "Unlocking Us," Adriana Lozada's "Birthful," or Beatrice Chestnut and Uranio Paes's "Enneagram 2.0."

Where/what is your safe space?

My home! It's my own little slice of the world I can always count on to support my needs and values.