Our Favorite 'It' Mommy behind MENINA: Sofia Mena de Wurmser

When I first asked Sofi to help me on this feature I suggested a play date with our daughters so she could tell be about her 'third child' as she calls her new creation MENINA, she bluntly said, 'NO. I can't do this with my kids around. I'd be 2% in our conversation and 98% of me would be following my girls around. Let's do coffee and leave the play date for another time'. This is is the kind of honesty you gotta love in a girl. Confessing with no guilt whatsoever to that 'I love my kids, but right now I need them NOT to be around' moment, we ALL have and so few of us admit to.

I've heard the phrase ''she can light up a whole room'' many times, but rarely have I seen it myself. Sofía just does this. She arrives looking perfectly casual and pulled together wearing a sleek ponytail, shorts, a navy flowy blouse and tan Tory Burch sandals, apologizing for being three minutes late. 'You don't mind if I do this, right?' she asks as she begins to remove her nail polish. I'm actually relieved she does this, here I was thinking I'm the only one walking around for days with half a mani. I don't think she realizes how nervous I am, being this the first time I've done this, interviewed anyone,  started a blog, posted anything, specially having written my questions minutes before she walked in! But there's something about her that just instantly makes you relax and feel you're just catching up with an old friend. I think it's the smile...

Sofia, a mother of two gorgeous girls, Alexandra and Olivia (4 & 2 years old) started MENINA having always wanted to do something crafty with her own hands. She finds her inspiration in fashion, art, architecture, music and her own daughters. She's the perfect combo of sweet and punk. This self-procclaimed stud lover, came up with MENINA (after her own nickname growing up 'Menita', and 'Little Girl' in Portuguese) moved by her own girls, understanding that even as young as four years old, a girl can develop her own fashion sense, manifest her unique taste and appreciate more sophisticated things and details at such an early stage. She witnesses this with her own 'Petite Coquette' - Alexandra - or Sashita as she lovingly calls her, everyday watching her choose her own outfits, and encouraging her true fashion sense.

She wants her daughters to remember her as just being there for them, involved -always-. And believe me she is. I have never seen Sofi with help. Ever. Whether its baking, dropping them off and picking them up at school, sharing the small things, getting them ready for bedtime, driving Sasha to karate, or even taking up karate herself just to share that bond with her daughter, she just wants to BE PRESENT in her daughters' life, and may I say she's doing a damn good job at it. 

Her life lesson she'd like to teach her kids: Do What You Love. If she only knew those are the exact same words I read on some quote on Pinterest that gave me the final push to start this blog!!!

When I ask what she does for herself to relax once the girls are tucked in and her husband - Isho-  is home, her smile answers before she can say: GAME.OF.THRONES. Not only do they make a gorgeous couple, but she confesses they share the small guilty pleasures of everyday life. They'd just finish watching Undefeated, the 2011 Oscar-winning documentary about the struggles of a high school football team...and when friday comes, it's date night!

Sofia is the full package. She's the kind of girl you'd love to hate, but just can't. She bakes (mouth watering cupcakes she'll make using recipes and books her friends will gift her, knowing she's obsessed with trying to find the perfect one), plays tennis, does karate, makes a mean couscous and spaghetti with whole tomatoes and basil (recipe from one of her best friends' dad), runs a loving home, has an ongoing strong and happy marriage, raises two wonderful kids with little or no help, and yet manages to do all this looking impeccably chic. Always. She swears she could live in her fave pair of distressed jeans, or AG Stevie Ankle Jeans which she'll just order in her current choice of color, any striped H&M Tee, and flats. 

'I can't manage a budget' she confesses. Finally!!! I knew there had to be something... Oh wait, that's not that bad isn't it? What girl can manage a budget?

About MENINA: 

All Menina Bows are handmade by Sofia. She picks the materials, colors, hardware and details herself, with such care and love, that make each and every bow unique. They're sweet and cute with an edge. The colors are beautiful, and can transform the little ones' outfits and light up any rainy day. I know my 4 year-old loves hers!!!

Her inspiration for her upcoming collection: Chanel. I see pearls...!Can't wait for it!!!

Meet MARGUERITA!

Homage to Italian Fashion Powerhouse Heiress Marguerita Missoni

Loving the detailed embroidered embellishment!!!

Because every girl needs a Bow...Add a Murano heart, even better!!!

Can't decide!!! Pick'em all!!! A girl can never have too many bows!!!

The Beauties Behind MENINA
Photo Property of Tessa Yarhi-Ancalmo, PHOTOBOX

BUY MENINA

OR CUSTOM ORDER

Or visit:
La Luna de Mateo
Hadas & Dragones

SNEAK PEEK: THE MOMMY POWER SERIES

Making The World A Happier Place One Super Mommy At a Time!!!

Not very long ago, while I was on vacation with my husband, we met this random guy (he seemed nice at the time) who asked us what we did back home for a living. I said I was a stay-at-home mom and I raised my four-year old. His answer: 'Oh, so you don't work'. This unfortunate exchange could have taken a turn for the ugly, instead I carefully chose my reply: 'I'll tell you what, let's make a deal. You stay at home with my daughter for eight straight hours, and I'll do whatever job it is that you have from 9 to 5, and then we'll talk about who works and who doesn't'. He politely stepped away as we said our goodbyes.

My husband could tell I was furious. I decided right there and then, the term 'Working Mom' just didn't cut it for me. The working part is implicit in the word Mother. It should be right next to it on it's definition on Wikipedia. Right after Super Woman.

Mommy Power or Power Moms...When I first came up with this idea, I thought about everything I would like to be (not perceived as) as a mother, a wife, a friend, a woman and a person in general. Words like fun, smart, spontaneous, generous, creative, authentic, loving, brave, kept coming to mind. I thought about my friend, sisters, family, acquaintances, and all the mommies I know, and thought about how many of them had most, if not all of these qualities, and soon became intrigued with what we all really want to know: How do they do it?

Meet Sofia Mena de Wurmser. The First Super Mommy featured in L'Art de Vivre's new weekly Mommy Power Series.

Photo Property of Tessa Yarhi-Ancalmo, PHOTOBOX

When I first asked Sofi to help me on this feature I suggested a play date with our daughters so she could tell be about her 'third child' as she calls her new creation MENINA, she bluntly said, 'NO. I can't do this with my kids around. I'd be 2% in our conversation and 98% of me would be following my girls around. Let's do coffee and leave the play date for another time'. This is is the kind of honesty you gotta love in a girl. Confessing with no guilt whatsoever to that 'I love my kids, but right now I need them NOT to be around' moment, we ALL have and so few of us admit to.

Meet MENINA...

For Sofia's complete story follow L'Art de Vivre by e-mail or check my new post this friday. The Mommy Power Series is meant to empower and inspire all Super Mommies out there!

STYLE 101

TOSSING & TAKING

      The perfect summer reads you will want to keep handy all year long!!!

I'm no style guru, trust me on that one. If anyone could benefit from this post that would be me. I do however like to do my research, and being the mother of a very active 4 year old, I do a lot of waiting, waiting time that I’ve turned into reading time. I wait during her swimming class, during dance lessons, in the car when in line to pick her up, at playdates, the list just goes on. I carry my reading devices and books (yes, remember those?) everywhere I go, I do not read but devour two to three books in a month. They are usually fun light reads, and occasionally I’ll find one or two that will stick with me and I will actually have some life changing revelation after reading them.

Here are four must read style guides and some of the style basics I’ve learned . I suggest you read these over and over again, keep them as coffee table books (they all do have beautiful illustrations), keep a copy in you office, and keep coming back to them for specific references every once in a while. I promise you will always find something new that you can apply to the particular moment of life you are in. And please, do not be mistaken and assume this will only refer to fashion, though most make important references to this aspect of style, you will find useful tips on LIFEstyles in general, eating habits, exercising, socializing and really just developing a more positive attitude towards life’s curves – the big scary ones and the small smooth ones.

1. HOW TO WALK IN HIGH HEELS

The Girl's Guide to Everything
Camilla Morton,  Hyperion Books

Every girl should own this book. Period. This really is a guide to EVERYTHING. From literally how to walk in high heels and how to be groomed , to how to eat a lobster, decline with etiquette, be an art lover, look good in a photo, climb a career ladder, buy a house, poach an egg, and even how to use toilets at concert venues (yes! you read that right). You name the “How To” and you’ll find the answer in this book. Keep it on your nightstand and this will quickly become your etiquette bible. Download an extra digital copy to carry around on your devices, for those ‘waiting’ moments, I promise you’ll find at least one useful etiquette and style tip every time you open it.

This book also makes a great gift for your girl friends!

BUY THIS BOOK

2. THE ONE HUNDRED  

Nina Garcia 

The title stands for the One hundred timeless fashion pieces every stylish woman should own. Listed in alphabetical order you’ll love going through your closet with this checklist in hand, crossing off what you own and already missing what you don’t. From Aviators, ballet flats, cable knit sweaters, diamond studs, LBDs and LWDs to monogrammed stationery, pearl necklaces, striped sailor shirts, trench coats to wayfarers and wrap dresses. Just don’t rush out the door yet to buy on impulse whichever pieces you are missing. As Garcia warns, you will probably find your own One hundred might be very different from your BF’s. And this is precisely what style is: unique and personal. Revise your own One Hundred. Invest wisely and do proper research, remember these are timeless pieces you will want to wear today or in twenty years. Bear in mind this classics usually do come back every now and then, you will want to be the proud owner of each and every one of the One Hundred, and even pass them on to your daughters one day.

Remember to check out the rest of Garcia’s Style Series.

Bonus: Ruben Toledo’s beautiful illustrations make this such an entertaining read. Trust me you’ll start at A and won’t put it down till you reach Z.

BUY THIS BOOK

3. PARISIAN CHIC 

A Style Guide by Ines de La Fressange with Sophie Gachet 

Flammarion

I apologize to the Italians, but if French know how to do something right (besides really good fries) is to dress impeccably. They always look pulled together and ultimately chic.

Former model and muse to Karl Lagerfeld, de la Fressange was the first model in the 1980’s to sign a major modeling contract with French fashion powerhouse Chanel and has  since been the french’s definition of chic. In this guide she revisits the Parisian style us tourists envy and unsuccessfully try to imitate while in the city of light. Piece by piece, Ines chooses her Magnificent Seven: a man’s blazer, a trench coat, a navy sweater, a tank top, a LBD, jeans and a leather jacket. Ines also shares her own Parisian favorite spots such as parfumeries, spas, florists, shops, hotels, cafes and restos still undiscovered by us tourists and  often reserved just for Parisians .

The hilarious illustrations are de la Fressange’s own, and the young beauty immortalizing the ultimate Parisian chic style in the gorgeous pictures is no other than de la Fressange’s daughter.

4. LESSONS FROM MADAME CHIC 

20 stylish secrets I learned while living in Paris 

Jennifer L. Scott 

By now, you may have guessed Im a big fan of the French. French fashion, French eating, French cookig, French living. After reading this book I finally understood the many reasons behind this fascination with French culture explained in the beautiful and easy to follow words of Scott.

There’s something about Jennifer’s writing or the anecdotes themselves she tells as a foreign exchange student who arrives from southern California to a chic Sixteenth Arrondissement family, that makes this such a fun read. I breezed through it but got so much out of this book.  In the six months she got to spend with Madame Chic and Madame Bohemienne , Jennifer trained her palette, developed a healthy attitude towards food, mealtimes, her figure, exercise and all the small joys of everyday life the French seem to master innately.

If you thought Nina Garcia’s one Hundred would give you some closet work to do, try Jennifer’s Ten-Item wardrobe challenge!

This may seem as nothing more than a style book, but it really is a guide to cultivate your mind, finding the simple pleasures in life and living it passionately.

A delicious read you will want to share with your entire family!

BUY THIS BOOK

I may have no clue about style rules, but I do have some basic closet rules of my own. For example, every 4 to 6 months I meticulously run through almost every item of clothing in my closet, and ask myself a few simple, and what seem as extremely painful questions every time:

1.   Have I worn this in the last year?

2.   Does this still fit and/or flatter my current figure?

3.   Would I buy it today?

4.   Would I wear this today?

I also have other more drastic rules, for instance, every time I go shopping for a new item, I give away an old one. That’s right if in one shopping trip I buy 10 pairs of shoes, I'll give away ten! Once I counted over 120 pairs of shoes in my closet! Some of which I hadn’t worn in years, others didn’t even fit. I thought about the many people in my country who are lucky to have ONE pair of shoes. I gave away more than 60 pairs. Trust me I haven’t missed one yet. Sadly I’m still working on this addiction.

Closet organising can be an intimate ritual or an excuse to make the best out of a rather painful torture. Remember that great scene from SATC movie where Carrie is getting married and invites the girls to her old apartment to sort out her closet with the TOSS AND TAKE signs? what a great way to spend an evening with your friends! They’ll probably make you toss what you want to take, but isn’t that what friends are for?

If you did make it to the end of this post, I hope the recommended literature is useful for reorganising not just your closet but all other spaces and aspects of your life that need tossing and taking!

Look for these other Style and Beauty Guides:
- The Little Black Book of Style, Nina Garcia
- The Style Strategy, Nina Garcia
- How to Look Expensive: A Beauty Editor's Secrets to Getting Gorgeous without Breaking the Bank, Andrea Pomerantz Lustig
- 30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know By The Time She's 30, by the editors of GLAMOUR and Pamela Redmond Satran
-Tim Gunn's Style Series: Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible, Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making it Work, and Tim Gunn: A Guide To Quality, Taste & Style

Thanks to my ever so stylish family & friends who recommended these books in the first place. Debbie, my fellow shopaholic and partner in crime when it comes to fashion splurges, and Andrea, whose timeless elegance and simple chic I will forever admire.