That was my introduction to this special blog feature which I launched late last year -- putting a spotlight on stylish moms via MOM-STYLE. It took me a while to post a follow-up since I wanted this to be more than just showcasing fashionable moms. I want to recognize and applaude them for their individuality, their brand of parenting, as well as possessing that unique sense of style that transcends fashion. So before my anniversary month ends, allow me to present my first Mom-Style headliner.
 |
| Jen and her adorable girls |
I thought it's fitting to feature the woman who made this all happen for me, who encouraged and inspired me to start a blog. My heartfelt thanks to my oldest friend in the world -- a supermom in her own right, lifestyle and travel blogger extraordinaire, Jen Laceda of Folie à Deux.
1. Please share with us what your typical day is like?
My typical week day goes like this:
I wake up around 6 to 6:15 am, get myself and the kids ready for the day, prepare our individual lunch bags, herd the kids to the car, have breakfast on-the-go while driving to my mother-in-law’s (15 km. from home) to drop off the kids for babysitting. Then, I haul myself to work (another 20 km.), typically arriving at 8:15 am, and putting my nose to the grinder for the next 8 hours. Then I go home, my husband and I switch (I jump out of the car and he jumps in) to pick up the kids.
For the next hour or so, I cook dinner until they arrive home, wherein they have a bit of time to play. We, then, sit down to have a meal and talk about our day. After dinner, while my husband cleans up all the mess, I bathe the kids and get them ready for bed, and my husband and I take turns reading to them until they fall asleep. And we do this all over again the next day.
I wake up around 6 to 6:15 am, get myself and the kids ready for the day, prepare our individual lunch bags, herd the kids to the car, have breakfast on-the-go while driving to my mother-in-law’s (15 km. from home) to drop off the kids for babysitting. Then, I haul myself to work (another 20 km.), typically arriving at 8:15 am, and putting my nose to the grinder for the next 8 hours. Then I go home, my husband and I switch (I jump out of the car and he jumps in) to pick up the kids.
For the next hour or so, I cook dinner until they arrive home, wherein they have a bit of time to play. We, then, sit down to have a meal and talk about our day. After dinner, while my husband cleans up all the mess, I bathe the kids and get them ready for bed, and my husband and I take turns reading to them until they fall asleep. And we do this all over again the next day.
 |
| Girls and books |
2. What do you enjoy most about your current occupation?
I thrive in stress. I don’t mind working under pressure because it keeps me 'real' and not become so lazy. I am a full-time working mom who blogs about travel, food, and lifestyle at Folie à Deux. What I enjoy most about what I do is that I feel a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. And I totally agree with that Nicki Minaj rap, Moment 4 Life…"everybody dies but not everybody lives". I want a full life, and I believe I am living one, or at least, in the path to living one.
 |
| A breathtaking view of Santorini, Greece -- with the baby |
Whenever I have the chance, I take my 2 girls travelling
with me. And even though I’m on assignment most of the time, I find ways to
make it fun for all of us. True, with young children, I miss out on certain
events like reviewing nightlife and high-end restaurants. But I am rewarded in
many other ways: I get to spend time with my children in a different country
and different culture; we learn foreign words and phrases; we sample local
foods; we see many beautiful places, etc. I am so fortunate to be able to share
these opportunities with them.
 |
| Touring the Louvre |
My 2 tips for today’s parents who are excited to share the
world with their kids are:
- If you can afford it, take at least 1 vacation per year to a foreign land. Create a learning experience for your kids when you travel, but make it a time to bond as a family also. Travelling can create culturally-sensitive and emotionally-intelligent kids. It gives children a distinct advantage as well, because travelling teaches them – among many things - finance (value of money and exchange rates), history, art, culinary, science (the mechanics of transportation such as trains, airplanes, boats), to name a few. It also exposes them to different lifestyles and allows them to adjust to the situation (i.e. backpacking and travelling frugally OR seeing different living conditions in a foreign country).
- If you can’t afford to travel, try going local and instilling the values of travel at home. Some of the things you can do are make side trips or day trips to local places and attractions. Take your kids to a museum, a zoo, a nearby beach, and even to a mall or restaurant, but make it a learning experience. Let kids save up and pay for their entrance fees or their shopping; learn about a different country and recreate a dish at home that celebrates this culture; buy a map or an atlas and let your kids pinpoint a place which they’d like to go to or learn about – instant geography lesson! What you learn in travelling, translates well in real life. Yes, our schools and teachers can teach a child about geography, history, and art. But NO school or book can pass on the appreciation and passion like a parent can.
4. I launched MOM-STYLE to feature mothers with style and
substance, and I believe you possess those qualities. So what's your
Mom-Style?
Describe your mothering style and personal style in fashion, or design philosophy.
My mothering style is pretty relaxed but organized. I make meal plans, but I allow for changes. I have a routine for the kids, but I am flexible with what we do. I always leave room for surprises and plan B’s, but my kids know that there are some things that are non-negotiable in life, such as health, safety, and certain values. However, I am fortunate to have easygoing kids (for now) who are a pleasure to live with.
My mothering style is pretty relaxed but organized. I make meal plans, but I allow for changes. I have a routine for the kids, but I am flexible with what we do. I always leave room for surprises and plan B’s, but my kids know that there are some things that are non-negotiable in life, such as health, safety, and certain values. However, I am fortunate to have easygoing kids (for now) who are a pleasure to live with.
Everybody thought it couldn’t be done -- to have kids and have
white furniture at home. As you can see, our home is decked in full fledge
white – white Delano chairs, white chaise lounger, white Allegra dining chairs,
white-padded Bertoia chairs, and even white Ikea drawers and bookshelves in the
kids’ room.
I love to decorate but my husband and I have a particular penchant for Modern and Minimalism (especially when it’s done in white). We have a lot of chrome, glass, and high-gloss lacquer at home – and yes, I do get a little crazy over greasy fingerprints – but the key is to train, train, train. Train the kids not to mess with mommy and daddy’s design vision! There is a time and place to make a mess – which is in their room or the kitchen – but also (always) a time to tidy up! Train them early and it becomes second nature.
5. Who are your Mom-Style icons?
Fashion-wise, I look up to moms Christy Turlington, Cindy
Crawford, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Elle
Macpherson, Karolina Kurkova, Sophia Coppola.
 |
| Dressing up girls are fun! |
I can't imagine myself travelling alone, and with baby at that! You live an extraordinary life and you proved that moms can still fulfill their dreams to travel and explore the world even after having kids. Thank you for sharing your family, your mommy adventures, and your mom-style!
All photos courtesy of Jen Laceda.
* * *
MOM-STYLE is a special feature for mothers with style and substance. To highlight their diversity, expect the same questions for each mom on the spotlight.
See some of my fave celebrity Mom-Style icons here.
See some of my fave celebrity Mom-Style icons here.
I'd love to know your thoughts on this post. If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
