An Indonesian Children’s Folk Story: Timun Emas
by Dian McManus posted September 9, 2011
As retold by Lolo Kartikasari, edited by Dian McManus and illustrated by Irma Hardjakusumah.
TAWA KIDS
by Dhania Moore posted July 17, 2011
Ever since I’ve become a Mom, my fashion focus has slightly shifted. I often shop more in kids department to buy clothes for Zac. While it’s easy to shop for boys; shirt and pants, I also easily get distracted by clothes in the girls section. Most times, I think the clothes are cute for ME. They look like “big girls” clothes in miniature sizes. It got me thinking how young girls these days can grow up to fast, simply by the way they dress. I do not think that young girls only need to dress like the “little house on the praire” but they need to dress age approriate and maintain their youth and innocence.
I know by observing and talking to my fellow moms, it is hard to find the “perfect” style for their girls, that are cute, youthful but modern and affordable at the same time.
Then I discovered TAWA kids, designed and created by the duo Yari & Tascha. They are my very good childhood friends who started their design careers more than a decade ago. Their talents and creativity always impress me and I have always been a big supporter of their designs. As a matter of fact, back in the days they used to make dresses for me! Driven by a lack of, great quality but fun, age appropriate clothes for young girls and with the combination of years of industry experience, they launched TAWA in 2010.
I feel strongly about TAWA collections not only because they are unique and super adorable, but because I believe in the philosophy behind these clothes.
Here is the glimpse of what is TAWA;
TAWA is a short word from “Ketawa” that means “laughter” in Indonesian language. Laugter is simply an expression of joy and an indication of a happy feeling.
Childhood is a time to play and explore the world. Children’s lives should be filled with laughter and happiness.
TAWA collection is an expression of passion in Indonesian batik through contemporary design and the desire to preserve from our children.
All of TAWA product is environmental friendly, 100% cotton and hand made in Indonesia. Based in Bali and by working together with local suppliers, TAWA assists to create jobs for the community.
TAWA creators believe children should have the opportunity to explore their world and discover their true identities within their age. How children dress themselves reflect their behavior and by dressing age appropriate, we hope that a child can play comfortably and looking stylish at the same time.
The pictures below are the few styles that I have selected. I must say it was not an easy process editing the looks they sent me, since I love them all and they make me smiles.
This batik print kaftan is super super chic and can be also to be worn over leggings! I can see little Harlow (Nicole Richie’s daughter) in this hippie-chic dress.
Maxi batik dress with floral pattern and it will look cute under a jean jacket or a cardigan for those chilly nights. Somehow I picture Suri Cruise in this dress!
She will be able to jump, dance and even do summersault in this super adorable jumpsuit!
This dress reminds me the modern version of what I used to wear as a little girl. The combination of lace and the batik print add an extra dose of sweetness!
This little string romper is so unique and cute. A perfect thing to wear on a hot summer day in the playground!
All I can say about this one shoulder ruffle maxi is that I NEED it in my size!!!
It is a rarity to find beautifully made kids clothes that are genuine to the core principle of being a child. Now if only they can start working on the boys clothes…
Cait’s Very Own 1st Face Paint Event
by Lolo Kartikasari Sosronegoro posted July 4, 2011
My six year old Cait loves art & craft, which I completely encourage her with (TV vs making jewelry? Go ahead make 40 necklaces child). She is addicted to our local art supply store in the art district of downtown. She would lovingly stroke the very expensive markers (they’re about $7 a piece) and longingly looked at the boxes of water color pencils (about $26 per box). The staff at the store jokingly told her she has champagne taste on a beer budget. She does, really. Which is good! It motivates her to save and spend her money wisely. Mommy buys her basic art supplies, the expensive ones if I get them for her, they’re rewards for special occasions or she’d buy them herself (or she’ll drag daddy to get them for her, tricky).
Some of Cait’s Art & Craft Supply We Use for Birthday Party and Play Dates (This Pic by Ry of Verten Media)
And one day, she talked her Dad into buying her a face paint set, which I refused to get for her earlier (just because she had hit the limit of our ‘budget of $$ to spend on art supply this month’). We brought this set with us when I had to do post production work on my video project. Cait busied herself on the floor, absolutely no sound. When she finally said, “Hey mommy…” her arm was covered with body paint. At the end of the night, Cait had turned herself into her version of a vampire…
spider, bracelet, tribal art and finally a ‘vampire’ face… that’s two fangs and a drop of blood…
The face paint set comes with us wherever we go. Next on her list was to try them on someone else’s face, which happened to be dearest Keira McManus, Mrs McM’s gorgeous little daughter. Cait, by the way, refers to Keira as her ‘half sister half friend’. This is during our lunch together at our local Indonesian restaurant and market, Simpang Asia…
Simpang Asia lunch with Keira and Dian McManus
And then, Cait being Cait… she went to the owner of Simpang Asia, Leni Kumalasari, and expressed her wish of working there as a face painter! Leni, I so so am grateful of her generous heart, said, “Well, why don’t we do it on the 2nd of July then? Make me a poster and we put it up here? We’ll do a face paint by Caitlin for a few hours. What do you think?” What did she think?? She was in heaven! And then… Cait, of course, being blessed by having so many talented aunties and uncles artists, approached auntie Angelina of SoAngel to sketch her a poster!
Invitation and Poster by Angelina of SoAngel
And so the big day came. Cait’s very own face paint booth! She had me pack her plenty of snack, “I need a lot of energy mommy. It’s piano AND face paint today, remember? I need more food for my brain.” Okay sweetie. More strawberry and blue berries, more crackers, two strings of cheese instead of one, a bottle of water and your favorite Horizon low fat chocolate milk. Got it. More coffee for mommy…
Well, mommy and Auntie Di of course wanted some of those amazing colors as well on us! The girls, Cait and Marley, (her little friend came to the event and decided to assist Cait!) thought that I needed a ‘bracelet’ and a golden heart with a ray of white on my face. And for Auntie Di… she got her initial painted on the back of her hand to compliment her gorgeous vintage ring!
I feel so pampered…
Body Art for Mommy…
The Always So Pretty & Loving Auntie Di…
she painted her initial after she painted all of her ‘customers’ faces and/or hands/ arms
She was sooo happy… The kind of happiness that is contagious…
My Little Entrepreneur Artist
I wanted to thank all of you who came and who were there and let Cait painted on your face or back of your hands or arms or all of them! Special thank you to Lenny and her family and all of the staff at Simpang Asia. Cait fell asleep in the car on the way back home, and right before she fell asleep she said, “Mommy, please don’t forget to carry me and the gift from Tante Leni (auntie in Indonesian) and also put the tips I made in my piggy bank…” Yes, love. And those were exactly what I did. I carried the sleeping child, her Hello Kitty gift box from Leni and put all of the $12 of tips she made from the two hour face paint event in her piggy bank…
Thank you all SO MUCH! Cait had an amazing experience, she learned a lot and she had so much fun. From the bottom of her mommy’s heart… thank you.
Thank you Leni (behind Cait)
Love,
L
PS: Pics as always, collaboration between Lolo and Dian McManus. Thank you Mrs McM! Thank you also Sean McManus for fixing my camera!! Thank you Matt Polesetsky for helping Cait set up and staying with us throughout the event!
PSS: Just so it’s not confusing to you… Indonesians refer to their parents good friends as ‘aunties and uncles’. They basically become part of your family. In Cait’s case, mommy’s good friends are mostly designers, photographers, fashion stylists, film makers, writers… So yes, lucky Cait to be surrounded by talented aunties and uncles!
{Summer Cocktail: Mellini}
by Dian McManus posted June 21, 2011
Welcome the first day of summer! I am on my way out of the door to grab as much summer as possible with the little twinkle star of mine. I thought of having this classic drink when I come back (probably panting from playing on the beach!) and you might be tempted to have one or two with me, too!
Introducing our Martini & Milk’s version of Bellini: Mellini!
You need: peaches, lemon, and Prosecco (Italian Sparkling wine) or champagne (though it may be a little too overpowering. Just a little) and…thirst.
Preparation: chill your champagne flute first in the fridge
1 ounce Pureed White Peaches
1/4 teaspoon Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
Sparkling Wine or Champagne
Peach Slice for Garnish
Pour pureed white peaches and lemon juice in bottom of a champagne flute. Carefully top off with sparkling wine. Stir gently. Garnish with peach slice. A 1/4 ounce of peach schnapps may be added to the pureed white peaches to give this cocktail a little punch:)
If you’re lucky like the Cape Cod goers, you could be sitting here while sipping your Mellini…Restoration Hardware always gets my attention.
Then, don’t forget to feed the baby! The pureed peaches, that is. With no alcohol, please, mommies. I love this Beaba baby food maker I got from our baby shower. I have been using it since Keira was six months old. It’s so practical, fast and easy to use for mommies and babies on the go! Just puree the peaches in this baby maker, pack it up for later and off you go again to the sand! You can get Beaba from William Sonoma. It’s BPA-free, by the way.
Keira will be sitting happily with her peaches on Mother’s Beach, Marina del Rey, in another Pottery Barn Kids adorable creation.
Have a nice first summer day! Life’s peachy!
XO,
Mrs. McM and Keira
Our Milk Time is…
by Lolo Kartikasari Sosronegoro posted April 11, 2011
What is “Milk Time”? We like things kiddies related. Cotton candies, robots, rainbows, dinosaurs, unicorns, blocks… you get the idea! So we figured, if we like, then some of you might like too!
I personally love kids. Loved them before and love them more now with Cait in my life! I am one of those who will absolutely hold your kids (if you let me), read stories and color with them! I think that their world is awesome. One where you just go crazy creative, where there is no rules of right and wrong in coloring and playing pretends. In our loft and my life, Cait is my absolute creative energy. My almost six year old girl inspires me to do something kind, something creative and be a better person. Yes, I am blessed..
I rewrote and retold stories from my childhood to her. She listened and created her own books. I read poems to her. She listened and created love cards for our friends. I blog. She, well, wants a camera and her own blog obviously..
Our “Milk Time” will be a mix of product reviews, stories, how to and yes, fashion and home decor. So sit back, grab a pink drink and enjoy!
with lots of love and creativity from our loft…
-Lolo & Caitlin-
Posted April 11, 2011 | Milk Time | No Comments