Saturday, June 13, 2009

Need Some Spanx?


At the baby shower I attended 2 weeks ago, we talked about girdles. Eeks! I never thought I would have to wear one before. But with my post-pregnancy body, I think I need to get one pronto. Good thing, my friend told me about Spanx, the greatest invention made for women. She even mentioned that even Hollywood celebs wear them. (Don't be fooled, these hotsy women are not always as sexy as you think!) There was an article in Vogue that says this underwear trims your body one size smaller, just like liposuction! Wow! This is definitely a must-have.

Spanx should be available in Hong Kong, perhaps at Lane Crawford (I just heard it's their sale this weekend, uhoh, I better refrain from going to the danger zone)? I have to get my hands on their body shaper now so I can wear nice dresses again and hide my bulging waist (especially after eating all that fried noodles and barbeque from the birthday party today).

What about you, do you feel like getting a little spanxing? Just make sure the lights are dim when you strip off these granny girdles... eeks!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Mini Me

I'm so happy my daughter got a haircut (it's growing fast actually, she might need another one in a month's time). Now she looks great wearing dresses and it's more fun dressing her up. I'm so lucky my Mom and sister -in-law always sends her clothes from babyGap. I just love their stuff! In fact, this time I want a chambray dress and denim skirt from there.


Speaking of babyGap, news just came out that Stella Mccartney is designing their latest collection. I can't wait to see her designs for baby girls. And maybe she has some nice pieces for me too! Now, my daughter and I can wear clothes by the same designer. Oh no! I am turning into those "Stepford Wives" moms who wear the same clothes as their daughters'. I guess it would be nice to have the same dress (or two) but I think it would be too much if our whole wardrobe is identical.

My friend just told me about this brand in Manila, called Katricewear which sells matching clothes for mothers and daughters. (Wait a minute, isn't my friend single? Why is she shopping there?) Anyway, I just checked their mutiply site and some stuff are pretty cool...

The long chiffon dresses are perfect for summer but they are already sold out...



These kimono tops look great over jeans... makes me want to go to Tokyo!



Hmm, isn't my friend coming again after two weeks? Or should I plan that trip to Manila again? My hair is definitely up for another rebond treatment. Maybe I should get the same haircut as my daughter's too. Not!

Cheers to Motherhood!


On a Friday night, my hubby and I usually just drink at home instead of going to Lan Kwai Fong. This has become our routine after baby was born. It's not only cheaper but I don't have to worry about the nanny sleeping at home and I can attend to baby if she wakes up in the middle of the night (that is if I am still sober). Good thing my daughter sleeps through the night already (she's been like this for months now, lucky me).

I must admit that I was happy to stop breastfeeding, not only because that means no more sore nipples but I do like my alcohol once in a while. I am far from an alcoholic but I like to wind down with a glass or two when I've had a stressful day. There are times where I can definitely drink more than 2 glasses, especially when I'm in "party mode" (which is not often nowadays). I keep this to a minimum since I can't deal with the hangover the next day and having to sing nursery rhymes to my daughter in the morning. Last night, I asked my hubby to get me a Smirnoff and I didn't even finish the bottle. I guess it's because the meds for my back kicked in first and just fell asleep. Boring!

Last week, I read about a mom who admitted to her alcohol problems. I first heard about her before when she wrote Sippy Cups are not for Chardonnay. I wanted to read this book before not because of the drinking but because of her woes as a new mom, I didn't even know she had a drinking problem then. But, when her story was featured in the New York Times, I was intrigued and read more.

Stephanie Wilder-Taylor had her own blog, Mommytrackd.com and babyonbored.com where she expressed her thoughts and feelings about being a mom. She was also vocal about how alcohol helped her deal with the everyday brouhaha with her two children.

I thought this was pretty brave of her since society can be pretty judgmental about new moms. "Are you not breastfeeding?" "Haven't you given up smoking yet?" "Who's taking care of your baby?" Some questions posted when moms are a little bit on the loose. Haven't people forgotten that moms used to be normal people too? There seems to be this conception that once a woman becomes a mom, she must drop all her vices and put on a halo. That's a big expectation! Good thing I don't smoke so that's one vice I don't have to give up. Last week, I saw one mom smoking a cig while pushing the pram and I found myself looking back at her since I felt that wasn't too cool. See, I could be one of those judgmental people too!

I tell you it is tough being a mom. Suddenly, we have to transform into this new person. For some, it's natural and instinctive but for others, it involves a lot of effort. The maternal instinct is not something you can force, either you have it or you don't. Good thing it kicked in for me, and saw myself change into a whole new person after the pregnancy. But, of course, I am not perfect and sometimes I'm lazy to play with her, buy her potted food when I don't feel like cooking, hand her over to the nanny when I am "tired."

Like I said, we are only human, as opposed to the the preconceived idea that moms are modern superheroes. I'm just lucky that I have the nanny when I am feeling imperfect, or hubby can cook good food that baby enjoys more. Other moms have the grandma to look after baby or a good friend who is willing to babysit for movie nights or dinner dates with the hubby. Thank God for that! If I don't have any substitute to take care of baby, I might just turn alcoholic too. That's one reason to celebrate. Let's drink to that! Now, where's my Smirnoff? *hic*

Single Vs. Double



Do you know what differentiates a single woman from a mother? I can tell you from my personal experience?

When you're single, your income is spent on a new shade of lipstick, mini skirt or 4-inch stilettos.
When you're a mother, you find yourself going to baby stores during lunch break getting a pacifier clip, sippy cup or trying on a baby carrier.

When you're single, you mutter, "Thank God it's Friday..." and can't wait to go for happy hour or clubbing with your girlfriends.
When you're a mother (and working), you count the hours for work to end on Fridays and rush to go home to see your little sweetie before she sleeps...

When you're single you are sleep-deprived from all the dancing and other extra-curricular activities (wink) last night.
When you're a mother, you are sleep-deprived, period!

When you're single, you look forward to strutting in your La Perla lingerie and better yet, wearing no bra under the silk halter blouse from Gucci.
When you're a mother your wardrobe's most exciting pieces in your closet are a DVF wrap dress or your Jimmy Choo flats because your Issey Miyake dress does not fit anymore.

When you're single, you smell good and sexy wearing your Burberry or Chanel scent.
When you're a mother, you smell of babies' Mustela body wash or worse, puke from her last feed. Oops!

When you're single, you watch all the episodes of Sex and the City, and idolize Sarah Jessica Parker.
When you're a mother, you relate to Desperate Housewives more or worse, only watch Nickelodeon.

When you're single, you chow down all the burgers, fries and chips.
When you're a mother, you obsess about counting the calories because you chowed down all the burgers, fries and chips when you were pregnant.

When you're single, you can smoke your Virginia slims, drink Johnny Walker Black and occasionally go for a line in the toilet.
When you're a mother, you can do the same but with guilt and your conscience running after you.

When you're single, your weekends are spent at the spa, shopping or at a friend's themed party.
When you're a mother, your weekends are at playgroup, kid's birthday party or Disneyland.

When you're single, you can never travel light because you pack too many pairs of shoes and dresses.
When you're a mother, you still pay for overweight baggage even if you brought only one pair of shoes because you also brought your child's pack and playpen.

When you're single, you find pleasure in getting attention from men at the bar.
When you're a mother, all you notice about men are their alcohol-smelling breath and feel like leaving when they throw a pick-up line at you.

When you're single, you would hardly be home and your roommate complains that never sees you.
When you're a mother, your couch and bed wish you didn't sit on them the whole night.

Saying that all of that though, I still prefer being a mother, especially when I see my daughter's smile and she says mama, hugs my legs or kisses me on the cheek and most of all, when I shop for her floral dresses and tiny shoes.

Back to Basics


Yesterday was a nightmare! It was pouring rain and it was my daughter's trial class with Kindermusik. I've been looking forward to bringing her to this playgroup since she has always expressed interest in music and dancing. I have also been scouting around for the best playgroup for her, especially after my friend told me that when applying for pre-school, part of the selection criteria would be what playgroup the child has attended. Gosh, I feel like I have to prepare my daughter's CV! Can you believe I also have to submit photos of her playing too? What the hell?!?

Anyway, going back to yesterday. We were rushing to make it on time and finding the backstage of the Grand Theatre in Tsimshatsui was not easy. Of course, I forgot to print the map so I had to ask guards who could not speak English. Great! We finally got to the studio after 15 minutes of walking around. Good thing we managed to get there on time.

At first, I was disappointed with how the studio looked, it was just a playmat with some toys and props around. I was expecting a school environment like most playgroups. This is because the teacher rents the studio and teaches an independent class. When the class started and I saw my daughter enjoy the activities, I thought, maybe the environment is not such a big deal. I didn't get to finish the class though cause I had to rush to my photoshoot in Kwun Tong. There goes another juggling act for me.

As usual, the exercises are more tiring for the parents than for the kids (this was the same at Gymboree). I had to carry my baby up and down, side to side and alas, now I my back is so painful I cannot move. It has already been strained from carrying this heavy Macbook around for client presentations. Plus, it doesn't help that my baby is getting heavier by the day. Oh well, that means I have to work from home since it takes me 5 minutes just to get up from bed. How old am I again?!? I feel like a grandma already.

Just when I was already set on bringing baby to a regular school, I heard from the news that all pre-schools in Hong Kong are closed for 2 weeks because of H1N1. I hear the woes of my Mom friends in Facebook who have to deal with their children stuck at home for 2 weeks straight. I can't believe that it's are no longer safe for kids to go to school. Since when did kindergarten become fatal? Welcome to the 21st century (no wonder why some Moms feel the need to pop a Valium and drink some chardonnay)!

Now, mothers have to choose between learning in school or putting their kids at risk of contracting this piggy disease. I guess that means that educational books and CDs are going to be out of stock soon... (I have to get some for my daughter as she is getting bored of the usual CBeebies TV show). Moms and nannies will have to learn to be home educators. Does that mean my nanny has to have a degree in Education? Tough world we live in!

The circumstances we're in are teaching us to go back to basics. No more budget for a Bottega Venetta bag... home learning vs. international pre-schools... eating at home rather than Shangri-la's buffet... traveling means going to Shek O instead of Bali or Maldives. At this point, I cannot complain, as long as my daughter is healthy!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Push It Real Good



A friend of mine told me about the news in the papers yesterday. Richard Li, grandson of the great Li Ka Shing (wealthiest businessmen in Hong Kong) just gave his girlfriend a castle for giving birth to a baby boy. What did she just say? A castle?! That is so not fair. How can a 21 year-old receive a castle for bearing a child? Aren't we are supposed to be in a recession right now? What makes me more envious is I met her last year when we did a photoshoot for a magazine cover. She seemed so young and innocent then, and looked far from being pregnant. Oh well, some girls have all the luck!

For all pregnant women who have not yet given birth, I suggest you push it good ala Salt n Pepa for a nice push present. Or if still single, make sure you find someone who can give you a good push. Who knows you might just get yourself a castle!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Wake Up Call!


My husband called me while I was on my way to work to read an email from a friend I met almost 3 years ago. He was a good friend of my hubby who was visiting Hong Kong when we first started dating. Good looking guy, pretty decent and nice chap! Haven't seen him since them, although my hubby communicates with him via Skype sometimes.

I was already feeling melancholic because first, I was sleepy, second, it was rainy but my mood just dropped when he told me the bad news. His friend just had a baby (his second daughter) but came with down syndrome and a ventricular defect that requires a heart operation. Poor fellow!

How can such a tiny baby go through such difficult times at a very young age? I just thought about returning the pair of shorts I bought for my daughter because I couldn't bear seeing her legs get scratched, what more go through an operation of the heart? When trying times like these come, there's not much to do but be strong and keep the faith. This is when support from friends and family play such an important role.

I asked my hubby how I can help and he asked me to send a note to him too which I did right away. I felt like sending his family a card and maybe a present, but at this moment, I think presents do not mean much. Here I am mumbling about not having the latest Prada bag, counting the shoes of my daughter (I just bought her a new pair of Crocs today--- I plead guilty!) or indulging in a massage, Brut Rose or salmon roll and then I hear this story. Really makes me think what life is all about, and what true happiness means.

What's more touching about the email is the picture of his first daughter holding the small baby, both of them smiling at the camera. My hubby tells me the kids don't know much. All they know is they have got each other. Which I think is more important than any bag, shoe or diamond in this world.

After hearing this story, I am thinking of coming up with a campaign or charity for babies with heart problems. For those who would like to donate cash or baby stuff, please email me at karriebit@hotmail.com and perhaps we can start something in our own little way. I'm sure the money we spend on Louboutins is nothing compared to a book, milk or diaper for a broken hearted child. Think about it!