My New Adventure as a Kid’s Stylist

You know when you finally realize that every little road you take in life leads you to something better or to something that you’re meant to do? Well, I believe in that wholeheartedly. You take a few jaunts down one road and learn something there. You sprint down another road and meet a few people there. You meander down a couple of other roads and take in the experiences. And then one fine day, you just step back and think, wow, I think all of this traveling has really opened my eyes to what I want to try next.

While keeping myself busy styling for 10 years, spending almost a year of my life renovating and designing my new house and writing for my beloved fitness and fashion blog, Ms Fit for Society, I decided I wanted to try something that has always been on my back burner for so many years, something my friends and family have been encouraging me to do, styling kids.

Going down all the roads I have and meeting the people I have, I’ve come to the conclusion that for parents, dressing their kids isn’t the easiest of feats. As parents, we either don’t have time for it, or we don’t care enough or we have super picky kids that are impossible to please. I think the apprehension for most parents is that having a kid’s stylist is a luxury… and it is. But so is going to get your hair done every 2 months ($200 minimum), going out to dinner every month ($200 minimum), splurging on some designer duds you don’t really need ($undisclosed amount). My point is, we spend money on things that last only a few months or only one evening, but spending money on clothes for our kids is never really something we give much thought to. Until, of course, it’s the day before their school pictures or a Christmas party or a vacation and you’ve got nothing.

I’ve also really fallen in love with this niche after styling one of my friend’s daughters last year. She was 6 years old then and has always been an excruciatingly shy girl. My friend asked me to find some outfits for her daughter that she could wear during the holiday season to parties, but that would also work as pieces she could wear to school, on their winter vacation to Florida and all this on a mini me budget… my specialty! After spending a few days shopping for her, they came over my house and we started trying everything on. The smile on her face was bigger than the Bergdorf’s shoe department, her enthusiasm to try things on was on full blast, and her confidence, that is what personally made me so insanely happy. She went from a shy girl hiding behind her mom, to striking Gisele-worthy poses while I photographed each and every look.  I think for kids, especially for girls, even as young as 6 years old, having someone (other than their mom) validate that they look great in something, or that what they put together themselves looks awesome is that itty bitty confidence boost they need sometimes.

Here are a few photos from my fun day styling my very first client~

 

Styling my mini client

 

I’m excited to dance down this new road and see where it takes me next and what I learn. I’m excited to see what little kiddos’ lives I can impact and how their lives can impact me right back. And I love that I can do all of this with something so seemingly simple as fashion.

For more information on my services, check out the KID’S STYLING tab at the top of the site or email me! modamamarazzi@gmail.com

Instagram @modamamarazzi

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The cold is here, the days are getting shorter, the snow is a’brewin’, and I’m counting down the days until spring. In the meantime…

A walk in the park

LL’s hat, Amour Bows. Pants, Sovereign Code. Jacket, Hippototamus.

Red Wagon

Hat, H&M. Jacket, Hippototamus. Pants, Zara. Boots, Zulily.

Warm and Comfy

Top and Leggings, Old Navy. Hat, Amour Bows. Boots, Sorel Footwear. Sweater, Gap Kids.

 

Stylin’ In The Fall

Temps have dropped, but the style hasn’t…

 

On Max: Hat, H&M. Sweater, JCPenney. Pants, Zulily. Sneakers, Converse.

On Levi: Hat, H&M. Sweatshirt, Newport, RI boutique. Pants, Zulily. Sneakers, Superga.

 

Levi is wearing: Hat, H&M. Sweatshirt, Old Navy. Jeans, La Miniatura. Sneakers, GAP.

 

Max is wearing: Hat, H&M. Jacket, GAP. Jeans, Old Navy. Sneakers, Lacoste.

You Are My Sunshine…

My only sunshine, You make me happy, When skies are gray….

This year’s photoshoot was set at an unbelievable sunflower farm 45 minutes outside the city. When I saw it, I fell in love instantly as it evoked memories of my own childhood; planting my very own sunflower seeds and watching the stalk grow higher and higher, into the sky, until finally, in early fall, blooming into a beautiful beaming sun.

With sprawling fields where the kids could run forever, stalks so high they seemed to swallow us whole, and the sky so vast we became its favorite Lilliputians. It was the perfect back drop for two little munchkins to create a world all of their own, to hide amongst the flowers and never know, dear, how much we love them and will never take their sunshine away…

 

All of the photographs were taken by our wonderful and talented photographer, Lilia Volodina – http://www.flyingumbrellaphoto.wordpress.com

My makeup and hair by Danielle Noel – instagram: @miss.tress_danielle

 

 

 

 

Googoogabgab Obsession ~ Freshly Picked Moccasins

The weather has dipped below 70 today, and it’s the beginning of August, which only means one thing: I’ve got fall fashion on the brain. Now that Maxi is a year older, and a year wiser, the concept of not taking off his shoes and throwing them into the middle of traffic has finally set in. A celebratory time for me of course, because I can finally put him in shoes that I don’t have to duck tape to his feet and can finally get him into my most coveted pair for fall, the Freshly Picked Moccasins!

They’re comfy, they’re stylish, they’re oh so durable, and they come in the most beautiful colors and clever prints I’ve ever seen. What I truly love about Freshly Picked is that it’s a small company started by one hot mama, Susan Petersen. Unsatisfied by the selection of well-crafted kid’s shoes, she decided to design her own and start a business from scratch. As the company has grown, so have the evolution of the mocc’s designs; each time perfecting their comfort, their fit, their fun design and most importantly, every mama’s dream, that they stay on the kiddo’s feet.

Susan’s moccasins have been featured in US Weekly, Parenting Magazine, the Kardashian Shows and countless blogs.

There may be a month left of summer (tear), but these moccasins have given me one reason to look forward to the crisper days of fall. Check out the cuteness that is Freshly Picked…

Their latest Limited Edition Collection….

Ok, stop drooling…

Check out all of their amazing, obsess-worthy moccasins on their website, Freshly Picked Moccasins.

 

Ta-ta for now~

Googoogabgab Obsession ~ Maya Brenner Necklaces

My current obsession these days are the Maya Brenner asymmetrical mini letter necklaces… I don’t know what it is, perhaps just L.O.V. E. at first sight. I’ve had a few initial necklaces in my day, ones with my own initials and one custom made as a push gift with diamonds with the initials of my first born, LLG which I wear almost every day.

What I love about the design of these necklaces is that they’re so demure, so unassuming, so dainty and sweet, and whether you’re in the market for a personal logo, or one for your newborn babe, or even (what I’m really loving), the first initial of all of your kiddos, it’s the perfect size to pair with almost any other neck candy under the stars.

They come in white, yellow and rose gold and you can add any amount of letters to the chain you want… I have so many versions I’d make of this necklace (LLG, MPG, JMG, LM, LOVE), it’s hard to choose… maybe I’ll resurrect the Mr. T look… only much more demure of course.

You can find them here:

 

 

 

 

~Ta-ta from Googoogabgab

LL and Maxi’s First Fashion Night Out

A few nights ago, with the help of my babysitter bailing on us, my husband and I triumphantly brought both of our boys to their first fashion event. Saks Boston previewed their spring men’s designer collections with a fabulous presentation styled by local designer and super cool dad, Jeff Lahens of DressCode Boston, all to benefit the Boston Bruins Foundation. The wine was flowing, the music was bumpin’, the newest kicks were kickin’ and my boys were taking it all in. Earlier that day, I told LL we were going to a party so he was expecting kiddos and cake. When he walked in, he saw men’s shoes, fancy hors d’oeuvres and nothing close to a birthday cake. Poor kid.

Before long, he was shaking hands with Boston’s finest, trying his hand at DJing, posing for our favorite Boston events photographer Michael Blanchard, getting schooled on the difference between Tod’s and Fendi loafers and finally standing front row as the models came strutting down the runway. Versace sneakers, monochromatic red head-to-toe ensemble, gorgeous velvet loafers (which LL pointed out as “tapki”- “slippers” in Russian), it was truly a beautifully styled presentation that showcased the fashion-forward thinking of Jeff Lahens and the team at Saks Boston.

LL and Maxi’s first night out in the world of fashion was a success… at least in my eyes it was. They were on their best behavior, we managed to get through the party without filling a Farragamo loafer or Zegna sport coat pocket with food, smiles all around and the best part came at the end of the night… LL’s valuable lesson. Sometimes cake is round and cut into triangles and sometimes, when mama takes him to fancy adult parties, cake is the size of a matchbox car, covered in chocolate and sits on a stick. At that point, he didn’t care about anything else, in LL’s eyes, if there was cake, t’was truly a party after all!

Get your butts to Saks and check out their men’s collections… my husband was definitely eyeing some pieces for spring!

watermarked photographs courtesy of Michael Blanchard… http://www.michaelblanchard.com

 

Where’s the cake?

 

On the 1s and 2s

 

Schmoozin’

 

Versace Kicks

 

I’ll take one in each color…

 

Cara Fratto, Saks’ Marketing Director with Jeff Lahens

 

 

 

 

Silly boy…

 

With the talented Jeff Lahens

 

 

Little Maxi takes over…

 

Thanks for a great night Saks!

 

 

Animal Instincts

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend an event hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue for their popular perfume line Kilian. Mr. Kilian Hennessy himself was in attendance along with an uber chic crowd that was there to smell themselves up with his enticing scents and also to raise money and support for the MSPCA. The MSPCA is an organization that protects animals from abuse, fosters community awareness of animal cruelty, provides healthcare for the sick and also offers pet adoption.

Among the guests were two women that are not only ridiculously glamorous and fun but also very outspoken about their involvement with the welfare of animals. Erica Corsano spends countless hours raising money to help the MSPCA and also chairs their annual Spring Gala. And Amber D’Amelio is an avid animal rights activist. I chatted with Amber for a bit about  her true passion for animals and the message she’s spreading. As a true fashionista (you should have seen her most-coveted Chanel No. 5 bottle clutch) it’s hard to imagine being so involved with a cause that deeply frowns upon fur and leather, two things that seem to be a staple in the fashion world.

This got me thinking about the love affair that not only we have with animal inspiration but our children as well. How can we create a generation of kids that can appreciate the beauty of animals but not abuse and take advantage of their integrity? I thought perhaps by taking the idea of what animals stand for, their fun colors and abstract prints and incorporating that idea into their dress, we can encourage a different type of appreciation in fashion. I’ve searched Safaris and zoos high and low and compiled a fun array of animal inspired duds that any kid would go bananas for….

Click here for more information about supporting the MSPCA or for information on adopting a pet.

 

Mini Rodini Cheetah shirt

 

Desigual Lion shirt

 

Mini Rodini Elephant shorts

 

Mini Rodini Elephant sweatshirt

 

Mini Rodini Elephant playsuit

 

Finger in the Nose Cheetah t-shirt

 

Mini Rodini Giraffe onesie

 

Mini Rodini Giraffe dress

 

H&M animal print pants

 

H&M animal print pants

 

H&M animal print dress

 

H&M Tiger sweatshirt

 

J.Crew Elephant t-shirt

 

J.Crew Tiger swimsuit

 

J.Crew Parrot swimsuit

 

Kenzo Tiger t-shirt

 

 

Little Marc Jacobs Giraffe dress

 

Roberto Cavalli

 

Venera Arapu animal print skirt

 

~ta-ta from googoogabgab…

Freshly Hatched

So now that I have your undivided attention, I wanted to announce some breaking news to you guys. I am super excited about the new addition to my life, it’s still early on, but I just couldn’t wait to tell everyone that I am…. launching a new venture in fashion!!! Oh, did you think it was something else? I’m still trying to get my pre-preggo body back… that is definitely not in the cards for me right now.

Which brings me to this venture… Before I had LL, I had no clue, not even a fascination of how hard it is to bounce back, drop all the baby weight and feel 100% normal (body wise… brain wise, I’m still working on it). I think it took me about 14 months to get back to my exact weight before getting pregnant which is understandable, but much too long for me. It was too long to wait to fit into all of my skin tight dresses, it took too long to see my cellulite disappear for my short shorts and silk pants, too long to tone up my legs and ass to even fathom sporting a bikini, never mind my poor 5 inch heels that suffered the brunt of it supporting my overweight ass. You get the [overweight] picture.

This time around, I’m not messing around, especially with spring right around the corner. One of my favorite days of the year is when I spend hours taking out all of my spring and summer clothing out of storage (which I conveniently and cruelly labeled “skinny bitch clothes”), and I just know that I won’t be able to mentally handle not fitting into everything again.

Luckily, I have my best friend, my partner in crime and my greatest motivator in my arsenal this time around. I bestow an enormous token of gratitude to the ex-196-pounder Jessica Diaz, into kicking my ass into full gear and helping me to drop almost all of my baby #2 weight. As a professional barre instructor, she challenged me to take one of her barre classes and I was immediately obsessed. If you’ve never done barre, you should. That’s all I have to say. Combine ballet + pilates + embarrassing leg shaking + can’t move the next 3 days, that = how you get your body back.

2010          Pre-LL bod

2011     6 months after having LL… Holy arms!

2012
16 months after having LL… Arms toned, leg out.

2012              I’m in crop top heaven!

2012           Jessica and I doing our best poses

2013       Weeks after having baby Maxi, I couldn’t wait to get out and play… thank God for my trusty mumu!

January 2014               Work in progress

My cheerleader and partner in crime

And now you ask about this new venture that I was so excited to tell you about… Jessica and I always talk about the affects of how both of our professions profoundly increase our clients’  self confidence, sex appeal and energy level, not to mention how it opens their eyes to new possibilities in fashion trends and risk taking. Putting the obvious aside, we thought about how amazingly well fitness and fashion go together, and more so than anyone really likes to talk about. Our new baby is this venture together; bringing our clients, readers, mamas, instagram and Facebook followers all of the greatest and newest in what fitness and fashion have to challenge us with every season.

My short shorts have nothing on me this year because I’ve been doing my barre squats, along with my seat work. I’ve resurrected my crop tops and stocked up on some new ones (can you have too many?) because I’ve been doing my core work and planks (cheated a few times, for sure), and I have confidence that my booty will be as close to bootilicious as the had-two-babies excuse can allow by summer because I’ve been painstakingly doing my legs lifts with a ball, with a strap, with weights and with every last ounce of energy I have!

We’ve starting slowly, as every new project does, but hope that you guys love what we have to say and share and hopefully together we can change and inspire even more mamas out there that think that their temple of a body went out with the bag full of dirty diapers.

Birth Announcement:

Ms. Fit for Society

Born: 2014      Weight: touchy subject    Height: the top of the world

Both mamas and baby are healthy and doing just great!

Find us on Instagram (for now): @msfitforsociety 

Every Walkin’ Mama’s Dream Come True

Just because the temperature has bounced up to a whopping 40 degrees today doesn’t mean it’s time to get the strollers detailed for spring just yet. But, the slight signs of spring are upon us and so is the inventory of the trendiest shoes for the season to come!

If you’re a walkaholic like myself, there are three things that are an absolute must-have for any strolling mama. Number 1, a cup holder of all cup holders… this needs to carefully cradle your precious iced coffee/latte, as well as a bottle, half-eaten fruit and perhaps the one shoe your kiddo kicked off with no regard to your fleeting patience level. Number 2 is of course your iced coffee/latte/iced tea/flask? I don’t know about you, but the only thing that gets me up and out of the house (besides the prospect of working on my first tan of the season) is that first, delicious, dream-come-true sip of my LARGE iced vanilla almond milk latte. It not only gives me the energy I need to get through the tough terrain (hills, lost shoes, dog shit, screaming baby), but it allows me to almost get away… like sipping an iced cold daiquiri on an island somewhere far far away. And the number 3 item we should all have this coming season is a pair of espadrilles. I know, not the climactic finish to my list you were expecting, but I tell you, this is the trendiest piece of equipment you can have. They’re flat, they come in hundreds of different colors and patterns, you can Chanel them, you can leather them, you can wipe drool and playground mess off of them, you can buy more than just one pair, you can wear them from springtime to fall, you can wear them to your play dates and lunch dates, you can truly be a new person when espadrilles are a part of your life.

I’ve been wearing espadrilles for as long as I can remember and what I also remember is that they’ve always been a bit hard to find… well, not this year. I’ve scoured the fashion’s highest and lowest ends and found quite the collection to choose from. Take my word for it and I’ll see you out there mama; with your detailed stroller, your iced latte dripping with sweat in its perfect cup holder and perhaps a leopard print espadrille to bottom it all off.

Happy almost spring!

~ta-ta from googoogabgab

Chanel

Balenciaga

Dolce and Gabbana

Fendi

Jeffrey Campbell

Rene Caovilla

SJP for Nordstrom

Soludos

Tabitha Simmons

Valentino

We Are Handsome for Soludos

And of course, you can’t forget about the kiddos… How cute are these?!!

Dolce & Gabbana Kids

Old Navy

Robeez

Soludos Kids

Stuart Weitzman

Ugg Australia