The Boho-Chic Mom
This Mom is über-cool and super creative.  She likes to engage herself in a whole range of topics; fashion, arts, music etc.  Her interest is generally “vintage” inspired and her principal is often historical.  Boho-Momma trusts her instincts and does not let some books telling her how she should parent her child but yet she sets guidelines.  Her activities with her child involve all things creative, from jewelry making and to DIY birthday invitations.  Arts and crafts are the bread and butter in her household and skilled imaginations are often encouraged.     
I think this Mommy would appreciate to receive ”Cecile Beaton: The Art of Scrapbook”  from www.assouline.com .  She will also need few hours by herself  going through the private scrapbook and personal collections from one of the 20th century most important photographer as inspirations.

The Shabby-Chic Mom
This Mom cooks, bakes, takes care of her children and her home is never messy.  She does all chores with a certain style of chicness and pretty much is a domestic goddess. 
This pretty Mama loves pink and ultra feminine.  It obviously suits her bubbly and girlie persona.  Therefore she is known to throw a “pink play date”.  I think what she needs is this adorable heart shape waffle maker from www.babycakes.com in PINK!  This gadget surely be a hit at her next play date.  The non-stick coating makes baking these waffle treats quick and easy.  It will bake 4 heart-shaped waffles in a matter of minutes!  Spread some Nutella, strawberries and pink sprinkles and these waffles will dissapear without any magic tricks.  What’s not to love?

The Working Chic Mom
This Mom generally works in fashion or industry that relates to it.  Her life is extremely hectic (sometimes chaotic).  One of the demands of her job is to look “good”.  In the mornings she simultaneously juggles between blowing out her hair and making her son’s breakfast.  This Mommy follows fashion trends religiously and she definitely does not need new shoes or a trendy accessories as gifts.  She can get all those things on her own.  This type of Mom probably shops (or window shops) even when she sleeps!  What she needs is a time to “mentally and physically” shut down.  That simply means few hours of escape at a spa, preferably at the Setai New York. There she is required to be still, relax and hopefully not think about what to wear on her next trip chaperoning her son’s school trip.  Get this “typically- intense Momma “ a gift card so she can select her own spa treatment, available for purchase at  www.setainewyork.com/spa

We may want, wish and set different expectations as Mothers but we all can agree that there are just certain things we cannot live without; iPhone, Facebook and lots of caffeine!
And while I sometimes reminisce about the days of partying all night and sleeping in bed until noon, I like this this life better. It gives me meaning and more purpose.
Have a lovely (belated) M-day to my dearest west coast “Momsters”;  Lolo and Dian and to all the Mommies around the world!  

It is an easy way to make a stylish and bold statement while at the same time elevate your mood.  These happy colors made us do silly poses on a lovely Sunday afternoon.

This colorful trend works well with the little ones too. Just make sure you don’t match the same colors with your kids. Not chic, trust me. One more thing, don’t do the brightness waist up and waist down. If you do that, people will stare at you.
So wear those neons cautiously, so it doesn’t become “fashion suicide”

For a change New Yorkers are leaving their “dark uniforms” behind this season. Even Park Avenue is spotting the trend with bright art installation. Happy Spring and have fun with happy colors! With love from NYC.

The Wayfarers

The Wayfarers are my favorite.  Designed in the U.S. in 1952 by Raymond Stegeman, the Wayfarers according to Wikipedia, were designed to rival Eames chairs and Cadillac tail fins (yes, wayfarers are THAT stylist).   Most popular in the 50s and the 60s, the Wayfarers made a come back in the 80s through Tom Cruise’s appearance in the movie “Risky Business”.

Ray Ban, the original Wayfarers.  I dig their collections, both for kids and adults.  The adults version come in different patterns!

With a fashion stylist mom, Zac Moore is rocking the classy wayfarers in New York city… Move over Tom Cruise!

Cait keeps on stealing my wayfarers and rock them out for piano lessons.  Every. Single. Class.

The Aviators

Also my favorite is the aviator style.  Ray Ban created the aviator in 1936 to protect pilots’ eyes, a style made famous by General Douglas McArthur as journalists took pictures of the General when he landed on the beach of  Philippines during World War II.

While researching aviators for kids, I came across this awesome company called Babiators, creating aviator sunglasses for toddlers and kids.  These sunglasses not only fun, cool and super stylish, they also support great cause such as the Children’s Eye Foundation to eliminate preventable blindness in children.  A percentage of sales goes straight to help the foundation.  On top of that Babiators run a contest, and your child could win $1,000!!  Hello college fund…

Ray Ban Aviator for kids:

Gucci version of aviator for kids:

The Oversized

Another ultimate classic style of sunglasses adorable for the little ones:  the oversized sunglasses.  The style was made famous by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the 60s.  Provide more protection on the face (though if the little ones have sun block on that should be the skin protection you rely on).  And who does oversized better than our Keira McManus… (on Keira: Janie and Jack sunglasses).

There are more shapes of shades out there, there’s the wrap-around glasses and the tea shades (John Lennon!) the above are my personal picks only.  Have fun with the sun, with the sunglasses and with the little ones.  Cait and I are starting to create menus for picnics (and her outfits and accessories.. oh dear…).  From our home to yours, wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Spring time!

With love,

Lolo K. Sosronegoro

This year I decided to not take any project and simply spent time with Cait.  Mommy spring camp at home!  The goal is for her to have fun and continue learning.  Cait loves art and craft, which is awesome, because this hobby keeps her busy for hours with very limited interaction with TV.

Cait and I went to Moskatels in downtown LA to get art and craft supply for her.  Within ten minutes we got our basket filled with glittery glues, stickers in different shapes, beads and string.  We’re ready!

Beads and String

I pulled out a stack of old colorful papers for Cait which I kept over the years.  Cait loves to tell me stories.  I told her I’d love to keep her stories with me, so when I miss her I can read it.  She loves the idea of making her own story book, one she writes and decorates herself.  And this is also great for me because she practices writing in a fun way!

Cait’s Story Book

The rest of the day went so fast.  Between the pool, piano practice, lunch and snack times… next thing we knew it was after dinner and she had to go to bed. My absolute favorite is to find this sweet note from her on my desk in the morning… Cait had put it there before she went to bed at night.

Love Note

Happy spring everyone, keep creating!

love,

Lolo

Right after Chinese new year, following the instruction of my Feng Shui master and with the help of the awesome crew of Real Rock n Roll Movers, I moved out from my loft.  Things had been fun but I was ready for more.  A lot more.

I couch hopped for about three weeks until the new place is ready to be moved in. Through it all my key holders held several keys to friends’ houses.  Each key given to me represented their trust, generosity and love.  A few days into it I had a completely new level of appreciation of my friends.  Of relationships.  Of my own needs and wants at a deep level. Their taking care of me, physically and emotionally, shows their support of my decisions and along with it the consequences.  I got so motivated that for these people, I would only do my best, make them proud.

Speaking of proud… honorary member of Martini and Milk, Irma Hardjakusumah once again did it.  Designed the amazing governor ball’s room for the Oscars party.  The awesome friend that she is, a group of her close friends received invitations to attend the preview night party.  So there we were, taking turn to chase Irma’s little dude Gyan around the room,  one person holding him back from climbing furniture while the rest is sipping gorgeous rose champagne and finally cheered at the mention of Irma’s name as the set designer.  Mrs McM cheered the loudest of course.  We’re obviously proud of Irma.  Very.

Irma’s sketches and the actual Governor’s Ball room:

In return I took Irma to be my plus one at the opening of LA Fashion Weekend for Betsey Johnson’s runway.  We loved our gift bags and we had a great time!

The month has been amazing.  The most beautiful birthday gift ever in my life is to welcome Mrs McM’s second daughter, Fiona Azalea McManus born the same date as her Tante (auntie) Lolo.  Cait and I went to the hospital to kiss the McManuses and to hold and kiss Fiona for the first time.  Mommy, big sister Keira and baby Fiona are doing great.

Life is back on getting busy and getting organized to tackle events again.  Irma, Dian and I are working on an animation project for an Indonesian folk tale we’ve done in our storytelling event.  My work space at the new place is set, projects are back on track.  Best feeling of all these days, is to come home and know that the universe placed things into the right places now.  I smiled the other day when I parked my car behind my man’s and saw his license plate.  I do feel now that life is like a big orchestra, conduct it as a maestro would and even what might sound crazy to others is actually a beautiful piece to you…  Live your life the way it is meant to be.

With lots of love from downtown Los Angeles,

Lolo K. Sosronegoro

My darlings, this Mrs. McM is about to give birth! In A FEW HOURS. On MARCH 14th! Exactly on our darling Lolo’s birthday!!! Yay! What an honor. It is so funny how this planned C-section has been making me feel. I feel like we’ve been planning a party or an event and the big day is almost here. Except that we are not sure if the guest of honor will really feel like showing up on the scheduled day and time or she will make last-minute changes. Ha ha! I am so giddy, giggly and sometimes gaga when the baby wiggles so hard in the belly like right now. This must be spring! And literally, a baby will be on a swing soon. Astrud Gilberto was right. “It Must Have Been Spring.”

I said to the sweet husband  last night, “I have an urge to blog. I have not blogged for awhile. This urge is like the urge of nesting. I HAVE to do it.”

Before I pop! Today.

So here I am finally back at writing. I have been dying to share with you the loveliest party in town thrown in honor of me and the baby in early February, at the Montage Hotel, Beverly Hills. I have been too tied up with the monthly, bi-weekly then weekly doctor appointments and finally tonight is the night I want to tell you all about it.

My baby shower. It was a dream come true party for me. It was the most gorgeous high tea party of 20 ladies (and their little ones) I have ever imagined and seen! I was so blown away by every decor detail and prop that were put together on the long table, on the invitations, on the paperie for the games and on the ladies’…wrists, waists, and necks. My dear bestfriend Irma and her magic hands is the person behind the setting – you may have heard of her name many times from my blogs. Her professional work usually involves huge set designs for the Oscar Governor Ball’s Preview Cocktail parties, Emmy’s and numerous high-end clients like Burberry and Swarovsky. But for this little friend of hers, in between her dedicated working hours everyday, she searched high and low to give me a party I REALLY wanted. She had been thoughtfully gathering ideas and making sketches for my baby shower since probably summer last year!She collected thoughts of the things she knew I would REALLY love. She showed them to me and of course I squealed in a high-pitch tone full of overwhelming delight!!! I am so lucky I could be (once again) her “special client” for my party! Irma, I owe you big time for the decor idea you gave me and sketched for me!

Here is my talented Irma at the shower tea. Adorned with a gorgeous corsage that she handmade herself. All 25 of those! To be worn as a corsage on your wrist, waist, neck or anywhere the guests liked! I love the corsages so much that I put some of them in the nursery as a decor!

Irma and I were back and forth thinking of the right place with the atmosphere and decor to match with the royal, classic high-tea, “your Sunday best” style where the “royal” guests of honor could dress up to the nines for the occasion. (Because you know, I happen to have friends who love fashion and mostly love to be photographed. Just like me. Ha ha!).We giggled so much throughout the whole planning, right from searching for the venue. The more challenges we faced, the louder our laughter. Then I contacted my high-tea lover friend, fabulous Susan Lubron who came up with a few places to help me choose the perfect place. One of the names she mentioned was the Montage. My heart stopped. I have always loved the Montage. I knew it was going to be the one. Once I talked to the professional and friendly Catering Director Shaun Brown and Catering Coordinator Alicia Wall who sent me pictures of the elegant and beautiful Montage Library private room , I knew I didn’t need to look further. I didn’t even need to visit it. I just knew the room would be perfect for the event of a lifetime (besides our wedding, but really this one was as exciting!).

Susan and me at the Royal Tea!

Irma created this invitation that consisted of five loose pages filled with images of the Versailles (and the Montage Beverly Hills resembles this palace, don’t you think?!), chinoiserie pictures, delicate China tea cups and saucers, and all the beautiful colors that I love from the world of decor! I really want to have multiple pages of this invitation covering the wall of the nursery like a wallpaper.

Introducing Baby Fiona’s little nursery! The cherry blossom wall art decals are also from Amazon. They are so easy to apply that Keira could help me sticking everything on the walls.

The mirrored table is from Target!

I chose this ghost chair instead of a glider!

I also found this wall art that I think is really cute! I have no more walls to play with this one, though. But you might like this for your little one’s nursery!

Irma knew I had to have bright colors in my parties (or outfits). So she made sure the colors I love would dress the elegant Library room at the Montage to have more of my personality and style. Pink, red, yellow, chartreuse, green, blue, and gold were added as the “Dian colors” in that room (that were in sync with the colors in the invitation).  With all those details of the decor in mind, she came up with creating that darling invitation inspired by the “royal” feeling you get when you go to a high tea party, like as if you were invited by Marie Antoinette at the…Versailles. Nothing wrong of dreaming big, right? She chose the Versailles picture in the front of the first page of the invitation and the rest of the pages depict the occasion and of course, since we are going to have a spring baby, she chose the theme of spring (which is also the theme in the nursery): cherry blossoms, chinoiserie (“Chinese-esque”) everywehre. Blooming buds of flowers. Gorgeous delicate china sets. I could not ask for more. Wait, I never had to ask, because she aready knew. Lucky me!

My sweet mom aka the “Royal Queen” and me (with Irma being busy in the background!). Thank you, Royal Queen for the shower you gave me!

Irma also knows I am a big fan of Kate Spade’s style of bold and playful colors. The Library room at the Montage Beverly Hills is an elegant, graceful room furnished with dark wood panels, book cases, tables and chairs. It also has a stunning and cozy fireplace with comfortable seats and a coffee table. The room is perfect for the feel of the event as we wanted it to be a grown-up tea party. Yet, we could also make the room look pretty, warm and inviting. And I wanted to invite the little guests who came with their mommies as well. The layout of the room was perfect for the shower. The little ones were seated by the fireplace area with their own little tea party trays of cookies and children-friendly sandwiches (Nutella sandwich, anyone?). Then  they could shake the sugar off from their pint-size sweet little bodies by running around on the grass in the adjacent courtyard while their mommies were busy chatting and sipping their tea.

From left to right: Audrey (Sandra’s princess), Caitlin (Lolo’s), and Keira (mine) sitting pretty after running around on the grass.

I enjoyed every single thing I picked out at Paper Source (I ALWAYS LOVE this store!) for the favor boxes, endless ribbons, envelopes for the invitation and a wax stamp to seal the invitation. I can always be there for hours and get even more ideas for every crafty thing I want to make for an event. For our wedding, I also got every paperie thing I needed to create our own invitations.

We also needed additional decor items, such as the fabric for the table liner. I remember being on the phone with Irma from Joanne’s Fabric store and we chose the fabric ‘together’ virtually via email and text messages. It was definitely fun though we were almost running out of time. I am so lucky to have so many girlfriends who wanted to help to make this “RRRROYAL” tea party come true. Lolo herself volunteered to pick up the cake and brought it in tact. My other mommy friend Sandra Kosasih (I need to blog about this amazing mommy, by the way, so you will get to know her) who worked on one of the games and made it all look pretty and perfect. Just like the way Sandra is. Then my other close mommy friend Putri Sarnadi also helped me putting together the favors. She is a fabulous mommy of two who always finds the time to help me in between her full-time career and taking care of two kids! Very inspiring. And Irma found the white vases to put the fresh flowers in on the table from a friend of hers who is always there to help with an open heart! So sweet!. We all made a perfect team to work for this party! Thank you SO MUCH, girls for all the effort and energy you put in for me while you were already so busy with your responsibilities as a mom!

Thank you, Irma for this beautiful “Princess Marzipan Cake”! I feel like I want to frame this cake picture as a decor in the nursery! Thank you Lolo for picking the cake up from Berolina Bakery!

Irma’s drawing of the tea party table. I would LOVE to have this decor for our dining table.

TOPIARIES! I love them as much as I love mirrored furniture! I got the artificial 16-inch topiaries for the table decor from Amazon. Now the topiaries from the shower are all over our tiny place. I love it! They are so fresh-looking but yet still classic.

This is the original decor of the Library room at the Montage Beverly Hills before Irma and I transformed it…

And after we transformed it…

One of the games that Irma came up with. What a sweet idea!

The favors Putri and I created look like this one for my darling photographer friend Dela Dewi who took gorgeous photos of the royal tea party!

Each favor consisted of a tea tin of Dragon Pearl Jasmine (because the baby is a Dragon baby and because I love Jasmine tea and pearls!), a box of homemade cookies I made with the recipe, and a honey jar. Next to each person’s favor is the guest’s name on a topiary place card holder. Also from Amazon!

I should probably catch some sleep before the surgery. But I am not sure if I can fall asleep. Too much excitement. Too giddy. There are going to be at least two birthdays today: Lolo’s birthday and baby Fiona’s birthday!!! I cannot wait for the two of them to meet for the very first time on their birthdays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my darling Founder!!! HAPPY ALMOST BIRTHDAY, my darling baby McM #2!!! What the world needs today and everyday is love. May you two always blossom like a spring flower! May the love that blooms in springtime last a lifetime!

Happy swinging from my heart to yours. From our home of love and giggles to yours.

With tender love,

Mrs. McM!

This “nesting” is done and I will be really in labor soon, girls! Thank you for the being excited for the McManuses!

Rachel Ashwell’s latest book became available late in 2011.  Once I found out, I immediately reserved a copy at a local Barnes and Noble bookstore.  I bought it the next day, and thoroughly enjoyed perusing it with my favorite cup of coffee.

Looking at the various images in the book, I was impressed by the many interpretations of Shabby Chic by different people, including Rachel Ashwell, and how her own interpretation has changed over the years.  And in my own home, my style is always evolving.  But, it still holds true to some key elements of this decorating style, like antique rose oil paintings.  I started collecting antique rose paintings many years ago.  Here’s a picture of the painting that started it all.

I’ve been told that some of these amateur oil paintings are called “Sunday paintings” because women of leisure many years ago would spend Sunday afternoons painting, the subject of which was usually roses.  What a romantic notion…

Some of these old rose paintings were also created by listed professional artists.  You can find an abundance of these paintings on eBAY, and occasionally at antique stores.  What I love about these paintings is the patina, the dark moody backgrounds, and the beautifully painted faded roses…the more the crackly paint, the better.

Gotta love the crackly paint on this one…

These two have the dark moody background that I find so attractive.

These paintings add a feminine touch to Shabby Chic, but in a quiet and understated way.  I like them displayed on the wall unframed, usually because they add a more modern touch, plus some of the original frames they come in are too ornate for my taste.  They also look great casually propped up against the wall.  I would like to eventually change the frame of this one because it’s a bit much for me.  Since it’s a painting on board instead of canvas, I’ll have to reframe it when my budget allows.

Hung on the wall, they look nice mixed in with various decorative elements like black and white photos and mirrors of various sizes.

This is one of my favorites, which hangs above my bed.

I don’t have enough room in my small home to display all of them, so I end up rotating them throughout the year.  It’s like having a different bouquet of fresh roses each time.

xoxo

Antonette

Michael sweetly took time in between his busy schedule to answer our questions below…

M&M:  Winter is here.  Cold and dry outside.  How do I take care of my skin during the winter?

Santa heard me finally. Either that or I am finally not naughty and have been nice. Or it’s because I got married, have a family of my own and we knew we got to have our own Christmas tree to make our own little family’s Christmas tradition. And we live in America full of Target, Hallmark and Disney stores that have many affordable beautiful Christmas ornaments in front of your eyes right after Halloween is over. Not to mention the annual Nutcracker ballet performances, that we see twice every year, that sell delicate ballerina and Christmas ornaments at the door. So my dream has come true. We got our own Christmas tree that seems to be more embellished than ever every year, if not every week in December.

Christmas lights! Christmas lights! I love how Keira gets excited seeing every home’s or building’s Christmas lights when we drive or when we sit at home.

I love Christmas lights and beautiful wreaths, especially when the greenery is combined with this vintage blue painted door!

A real tree always makes a heavenly shape!

Keira helped me decorate our Christmas tree. Her little hands are the sweetest ornaments in my heart!

I know someone will always have a fancier Christmas tree than our little one but I am gleeful with what we got because now I get to decorate our own with every single ornament that tells a story about our little family.

This is an “Irish Home” ornament I got three years ago from a Hallmark store.

This is a “Snow White” ornament that I got for Keira for her first Christmas. At that time, she had just watched Snow White the movie for the very first time.

December IS my month. I love Christmas and decorations so much and the love is so abundant that I feel so giddy whenever I hear the Christmas songs. My bestfriend told me that, actually, reminded me that this year, when she saw a picture of me posing in a Santa-looking dress full of adornments with my big growing belly and all, on the beach. I didn’t care if I looked ridiculous. I was too delirious because it was Christmas time and the holiday season is the best time of the year for me to decorate anything in sight and belongs to me. That includes Keira, her gingerbread house, my outfits and our little home. I love the ornamental month too much!

Next year, we will go more creative on our gingerbread house like these holiday houses from Capadia Designs

With that said, my favorite month of the year is now about to end and I have to do something about it! I hate to leave the Christmas spirit! I cannot leave it behind without a celebration, however big or simple it needs be. I know I always do Christmas as big as I can, at decorating and at singing the Jingle Bells at least. So with New Year’s Eve, I do big with singing Auld Lang Syne and maybe one day when Santa gives us a bigger place, I want to have a bigger New Year’s Eve party with more than just glitzy hats and noisemakers.

I am still dreaming of white Christmas and a white house that can hold all of my friends and family partying with us tomorrow!

In gold, silver and white! And faint grayish blue! In Old Hollywood glamor, of course. I cannot have holiday festivities without a touch of vintage and glam because it just reminds me of the glitz of the bygone era…or year.

Smores! Dressy smores! I cannot wait to make these tomorrow! Dress up your smores with sparkly sprinkles! And have a glamorous cocktail as your plus one!

As featured in Elizabeth Anne Designs

Get your glam party hats on and make a lot of noise! From Etsy.

Don’t forget sparklers!

Now I gotta have my glistening vintage-looking sequin dress on! The kind that stretches for my growing-than-ever belly. Or a Burberry sequin dress for you?

Then of course I need to put a bow in my hair!

It’s been such a fabulous blessed year and I wish you a darling new year ahead! The kind that is full of love, pride, good health and glam glitzy moments that melt your heart.

With love from my heart to yours,

Mrs. McM!

And family!

It’s that time of the year again where we, as the grown ups, have secretly wished and mentally wrote letters to Santa.  Christmas is literally a few days away so here I am sharing with you my ultimate “wish list” for the 2011 Holiday Season.

5. The Jumping Boot
Hermes ladies’ boot in taupe and kelly strap in ruthenium hardware availabe at www.hermes.com.  With this style and color, you won’t need any other boots anymore.  From day to night, jeans or dresses, you will wear it always and forever.  The price indeed will knock your socks off but who needs socks with these boots.  While the price is high  it should be calculated as the cost per use, well that is my justification.  Just note it to your significant other that it’s an “investment” and promise you will never ever buy any other boots for the rest of your life.  And when they tell you they have heard that before yell them this time you mean it.

4. Reed Krakoff Python T Bar Cuff
It is so luxurious yet understated.  Neutral python with gunmetal closure.  View the other colors at www.reedkrakoff.com. This cuff is timeless, chic and your wrist will thank you for it.

3. L’Occitane
The very best hand cream at www.loccitane.com.  The only kind that allows my super dry hands survive the dryness of winter.  Plus they smell exquisitely delicious!

2. Laduree
I know I’ve had way too many of these lovely treats since they opened in September of this year.  For every event at my work, we serve these goodies.  People still wait in line, especially these days, for at least half hour.  Best flavors would be the salted caramel, vanilla and rose.  It is probably #1 gift given by every “chic New Yorker” this year.  They are sweet and pretty, who doesn’t love that?  They are not available for purchase online, but you can look at other flavors at www.laduree.fr.  Next time someone is travelling to Paris or New York, make sure she/he brings you a box of this fashionable macaroons.

1. Family
My number one wish is for my family to continue to be happy, healthy and live  our lives forever filled with joy and love.

I wish you all a very Happy Holiday season and all the best in the new year! Love, Dhania