Meet Nicole Todd! As you may know, we’ve been working with Nicole for quite while! Nicole’s Sea Salt + Honey Blog provides The Monmouth Moms with delicious recipes to help us get through that dinner time chaos! When she’s not cooking up amazing dishes, Nicole is busy taking care of her two children with her husband in Red Bank, NJ! Learn more about Nicole’s life here in Monmouth County, and some of her places to eat out when she’s not busy in the kitchen!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I was raised in Monmouth County (Millstone Township) but moved to Hoboken after college when I worked for Condé Nast in New York. I’ve lived in Red Bank for almost four years and love it even more now than the day we moved in!
Children and Ages?
I have a daughter and a son; Madeleine Grace is three years old and Everett James is four months old. They light up my world.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I think a lot of people who read my blog know I love fine dining and semi-adventurous meals, but oh my goodness, I am a sucker for fried food. If we’re out at a restaurant and there’s some sort of fried chicken or french fries on the menu, you better believe that’s what I’m ordering!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband, Brian, is the best partner and the most wonderful father. He makes this journey easier and more enjoyable by far. My mom also comes to give me a hand with the children (and the house, and the laundry…) every Tuesday, and I’m forever grateful. She has always made motherhood look so easy, and I think I look up to her now even more than I did as a child.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
We love the beach! My daughter and I spend hours in Sea Bright every summer and I’m looking forward to introducing my infant son to our favorite place. We also love Miss Melissa’s Aardvarks classes! Miss Bri is an incredibly talented teacher and always leaves us feeling filled up with sunshine.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I’m a food blogger and food photographer! I started my blog, Sea Salt + Honey, back in 2011 when I really needed a creative outlet outside of my day job. I publish new recipes every Wednesday and like to focus on foods that are simple and flavorful for the whole family. I’ve also worked with several local businesses—like Sickles Market in Little Silver and The Downtown in Red Bank—on photo projects and sponsored content. I love connecting with local Monmouth County businesses and meeting other moms and entrepreneurs in the area!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I moved back to Monmouth County right before I became a mom, when I was full of anticipation and apprehension. The women I’ve met within the community have inspired me to get out of the house on days when it felt too daunting (those newborn weeks are hard!), encouraged me to find support when I needed it, and filled me with confidence as a mother, wife, friend, and business owner. I couldn’t be happier to be raising a family and pursuing new projects in this sweet spot of Monmouth.
What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?
Too many to choose from! Birravino for date night, Albariño for shared plates and drinks with friends, Modine for brunch with girlfriends, and Frankie Fed’s for a family-friendly atmosphere and thin-crust pizza.
What is your favorite activity to do with your children in Monmouth County?
Spending the day at the beach! My daughter is such a water baby and loves the sand and sea as much as I do. It’s our happy place!
What are your Mom Goals?
I want to be the soft spot upon which my kids always have to land. Whatever they’re facing, I want them to know they can come to me and trust me to listen. And I hope to teach them by example that feeling deeply isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength—and that compassion is the greatest gift you could ever give to another person.
Check out Nicole’s Sea Salt + Honey Blog here!