With an effervescent style and grace, Brittany Peltz Buerstedde manifests equal parts tranquility and entrepreneurial know-how.
If there is anyone who holds the secrets to a well-curated yet meaningful life, it’s entrepreneur and mother of four Brittany Peltz Buerstedde. From New York to South Florida, she’s reinvented her home life and her business ventures, which all center around aligning the body, mind and soul with joy and a sacred sense of tranquility and purpose.
Having grown up in a large family (she’s one of eight children) to very successful parents (Nelson and Claudia Peltz), and spending her childhood as a competitive figure skater, Brittany has learned a thing or two about hard work, ambition, and the proverbial American dream. But it’s that heightened sense of not just the quest but the ability to attain peace and purpose that so many long for and that Brittany demonstrates through her work and home life. Her lifestyle brand SENA (senalifestylestudio.com) channels her mantra to do everything with love and to turn your home into an oasis–a sacred space. We caught up with the lifestyle guru to glean tips on how to balance it all.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Follow your heart and remember that success is not a straight line, but with passion and persistence, anything is achievable.
What is your mantra? Everything with love.
What drives you? For me, health, wellness and spirituality have always been guiding principles throughout my life, beginning at an early age as a competitive figure skater from ages six through 15. Without a healthy body, you cannot train. Without a healthy mind, you cannot see. And without a faithful heart, you cannot believe in the magic of your dreams. This theme has followed me through all the chapters of my life and has been my guiding principle. I feel lucky to have my father who not only taught me but showed me the value of hard work, being bold, fearless, and truly knowing what it feels like to have someone believe in you. It takes a village, and I am so grateful for mine. I love you, Mom and Dad.
What have you learned from being a wife and a mother? Everything. But truly, I think motherhood and parenthood is the great leveler, as it grounds and connects us and teaches us true humility and what it means to live and breathe for another being. It teaches us the strongest version of love and how unbreakable that bond is and, through that, the true meaning of what life is really all about and all the magic that comes with it. This journey has been beautiful and truly magical for me. I am grateful daily to be a mother to my babies and wife to my husband, who empowers me and supports me as his queen.
How do you instill your own values and inspiration into your children? I do my best to instill what is closest to my heart in my children and remember worrying as a new mom how I was going to teach them everything they needed to know, how I would teach them about the world, art, history, and math (my weaker subjects). I realized over time that leading by example and living your truth is the best way to instill and inspire your children. Let them watch and learn, and they will ask all the right questions–all the curiosities will spark–allowing you to explain your truth.
How are you most proud of your kids right now? I am so proud of them. Mostly for leading with love and kindness every day and for inspiring me each and every day to be the best version of myself. For my older ones, Eva and Lila, I couldn’t be prouder of them for following their heart and their passion for dance. For waking up with a dream every day and having the discipline and determination to follow through. I’m so grateful to be on this journey with them and how special it is that life comes full circle. I am excited to see the love and passion that will come through Phoenix and Indy as they follow their hearts and paths as well–they are my sunshine.
From New York to Florida, you and Franz decided to relocate your family like many others have done as well. How have the last few years been for you? The last few years have been full of welcome change and re-rooting, with backdrops transforming from skyscrapers to palm trees and first steps from concrete sidewalks to lush green yards. It’s been the perfect breath of fresh air, figuratively and literally, that we all needed. Bringing us closer to the sun and nature and allowing that to be the theme that threads together the quilt of childhood, with my son drinking from coconuts and naming the neighborhood mango trees and my daughter becoming half mermaid with her countless hours in the pool. We have missed and mourned the city and some of our friends but made some incredible new ones and began the journey of building our home and re-rooting in this tropical paradise.
"The last few years have been full of welcome change and re-rooting, with backdrops transforming from skyscrapers to palm trees and first steps from concrete sidewalks to lush green yards.” -BRITTANY PELTZ BUERSTEDDE
Styled by Max Cantey, Saks Fifth Avenue; makeup by Hanic Arias; hair by Brent Lawler.
In this process, you’ve also grown your brand SENA based on spirituality, nature and living a well-curated life. How was your lifestyle studio born? Through the move to South Florida, we were forced to redefine home in a new state and a new city. And we had to find ourselves and figure out how to thrive as a family under a new roof and new rules that told us to stay home because of the pandemic. Through that journey and my own desperate attempt to create something beautiful, something meaningful for my family (a home where we could all live, learn and flourish; where living rooms became classrooms and garages became dance studios), I began to understand how important it was to make a home a sanctuary. And through my connection to my own family, the power of love and my deep spiritual roots, we were able to create a bit of magic. This experience led me to turn my passion for design, health, wellness and spirituality into the birth of SENA lifestyle studio, where I began to help others design their own homes and helped them create their sanctuary.
How do you curate the products you offer through SENA? The goal of SENA is to provide a platform where I can give access to some of my favorite brands that celebrate spirituality, wellness, and motherhood– and celebrate living in the most meaningful and aligned way. I feature brands and products that are close to my heart and include pieces that are in my own home. I share what I love most and help others choose products that are connected to the values most important to me as a mother and creator, such as our handcrafted sage bundles, Seedlyfe fertility powders (which fueled me through my pregnancy and breastfeeding journey), in addition to some of my favorite design pieces from Hunting Season and AERIN.
Speaking of style, what influences yours? My style is very connected to my mood and movement. I’ve always believed in feeling comfortable and being able to move freely, which came from my background as a figure skater and continues today as an active mom of four. My everyday look consists of my favorite Hanes baby tee paired with black leggings or ripped denim with a fun chunky shoe (often my favorite Prada Boot in black or white). My jewelry is always minimal and sentimental, often inspired by memories. For special occasions, I lean into the dreamier side of fashion with more edgier and experimental looks.
Tell me about your collaboration with Saks Fifth Avenue and how you worked with them through fashion and philanthropy. The style collaboration with Saks celebrates all those values and everything I’m most passionate about on a larger scale, from pregnancy, children’s wear, and fashion to overall health and wellness. The intersection gives life to my vision and perspective while bringing fresh energy to such an iconic brand. And alongside Saks, I support New York- Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital, which is affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine. They are making advances to support premature babies and their families by creating hospital rooms that keep mothers and babies together during these critical first days when bonding is essential. I am excited to continue to connect with Weill Cornell and all they are doing for mothers and children at their incredible facilities in NYC. I was so grateful for the amazing care I received during the births of my children and would love to spread awareness to all mothers about the care and support they deserve.
What other causes are you passionate about? St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has always been a cause that has been close to my heart. Growing up, I watched my mom support this amazing cause and educate me about all the good it does for so many incredible children fighting for their lives. I feel grateful to know and support this amazing charity.
And finally, where are some of your favorite places to hang out in Palm Beach? Sant Ambroeus is a favorite that has migrated with us from the north. It is a perfect place for my morning cappuccino or a fun dinner with friends or family. Royal Poinciana Plaza is a little treasure to explore day or night, with kids or a date night. One of my favorite gems for vintage chic homewares and adorable pieces for kids is Leta Austin Foster Boutique nestled in one of the original Vias on the north side of Worth Avenue. Bonpoint is another favorite and reminds me of my happiest pregnancy days, where I always come for the newborn essentials and first looks.
Photography by: ALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELA HOWARD
