Carina Lawson is a higher education executive, mum to twins, and the founder of Ponderlily, a luxury stationery brand that creates environmentally-friendly, meaningful, and functional products; Ponderlily creates thoughtful planners for people who want to find more meaning in their time and put themselves back on the agenda.
1) What is your name and where do you live?
My name is Carina Lawson and I currently live in Doha, Qatar where my husband is working at the moment. Home is Newcastle, England.
2) What is your favourite soulventure?
Getting lost in nature is my favourite thing in the world: from going for a walk in the park to a watching the waves go by on a beach somewhere – it gives me immense clarity, a clear sense of balance, and it sparks my creativity. It’s also nice that often there’s no wi-fi there, so no interruptions!
3) What’s something that no-one would guess about you?
I know the words to every ABBA song released to date. I’m also not afraid to sing them in public.
4) What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Sleep. I have twin girls who just turned 4 this year. I feel like I still have to catch up on some sleep now that they’re growing up!
5) If you could be doing anything, anywhere, right now, what would it be?
Spending time with my grandma in Brazil. I know she misses me, my husband, and our girls; since we live so far away now we don’t get the chance to visit her as often as I’d like. So if I could, I would be sitting at her kitchen table drinking coffee, making weekend plans to see our family, and discussing what’s new in her neighbourhood.
6) Of what are you most proud?
I’m immensely proud of having launched Ponderlily. I still can’t believe I took the leap to launch my own business and it’s been such a wonderful experience.
7) Who do you most admire and why?
My dad; he’s incredibly thoughtful, caring, a talented human being (he’s a former professional football player and coach). He’s the most patient man in the world, it’s hard to believe we’re related! He worked tirelessly to get my sister and I the best education possible. I’m eternally grateful to everything he does for our family.
8) Best kiss of your life?
My husband’s. He totally surprised me with our first kiss (I still think he’s way out of my league) and stole my heart.
9) What is a new skill you’d like to learn (and why?)
There are lots of things I’d like to learn. Right now, I wish I knew how to speak Farsi. My husband’s grandparents are from Iran and I would love to be able to communicate with them more.
10) Woods, mountain, city or sea?
I’m not a huge city fan, if I’m honest. I really enjoy the woods, mountains, and the sea. If I had to pick an all-time favourite, it would be the sea. Whether I’m having fun in the water or just driving by the seaside on a particularly busy day: being by water relaxes me and restores me.
11) If you could say one thing to lots of people, what would it be?
Do what you can to make the world a better place today.
12) What makes you happy?
There’s a lot that makes me happy but I’m happiest watching my children play, talking to them about all the little things that aren’t so little, seeing my husband take such good care of us in his own way, and seeing people make positive change in the world.
13) What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Watching comedy series on Netflix and eating (way too much) popcorn. I’m watching Will & Grace at the moment and it’s so good!
