One Fabulous Mom Interview With Katie Stern

Katie Mason Stern is a great friend and total go getter. She inspires me so much that I just had to interview her!! Katie became an agent with APA in 1993, where she developed an eye for finding young talent.  She often traveled to film festivals, where she discovered talents such as Hilary Swank, Amy Smart, Jamie Kennedy, Jacinda Barrett, and Rose McGowan.

Currently, Katie can be found as a Talent/Brand manager at Luber Roklin Entertainment, with talented clients such as Kelly Rutherford, Elisabeth Rohm, Ally Walker, Denise Richards, Rosa Blasi, and others. 

 Katie resides in Los Angeles with her family—her husband, her four year-old son Oliver, and a baby girl on the way.  






1. How would you describe yourself?
 

Dynamic, funny - need a sense of humor in this lifetime! Loyal, driven, a good friend, family oriented, styled, well traveled and happy!


2. How do you continue to follow your passions and dreams while being a mom?

I am a better mom, wife and manager because of the balance I am so lucky to have found.  My family gives me the freedom, encouragement and support that I can do anything and never hold me back from a great opportunity.  It is that feeling of total support.


3. How has motherhood changed you?

It took the focus off of ME making me a much more selfless person.  It brought out a nurturing, maternal side immediately the day my son was born.  I am a strong woman but have become a total mush ball with my son Oliver.


4. What do you do for yourself so that you can still be Fabulous?

Laugh everyday, spas, nature walks, a good book and high teas at hotels with friends!

5. What is the best mom advice you’ve ever gotten?

To take that map you had planned out for your child and throw it in the trash!  See where your childs interests lie and help nurture, guide  and support their interests not yours.

6. What are your top five Fabulous must haves?

Love and family, my glass of wine, my assistant, the book The wisdom of Florence Schinn, and anything Chanel and Hermes!


7. Complete this sentence: Being....Makes me One Fabulous Mom.

Being Resilient……makes me One Fabulous Mom.

Thanks Katie!!

Thanksgiving Recap!

We flew to Palm Beach, two kids, two flights

We arrived in the dead, and I mean dead of night


Rental car snafu, kids still smiled

Woke up to weather that was worth all those miles

Beaching, golfing, tennis, rollerblading

Best colors are seen when the sun is fading


Kids were good, but we are tired

Next time a nanny in palm beach will be hired!

And The Winner Of The MPM Designs Give Away Is....

Sweet Southern Girl!!!

Congrats darling! You have won a bracelet and frame of your choosing!!! Email me or MPM Designs asap!

Palm Beach- Dinner With College Besties and a House Tour!

The Mr. and I were lucky enough to get to spend time with besties Rye and SHP and their mates for dinner the other night. We had the grandparents babysit and we ran for the door! Imagine my surprise when I saw Rye's condo. I thought HGTV had designed it! UNBELIEVABLE.

She had me at hello with the entry way. A tear literally shot out of my eye when I saw the gorgeousness. Rye is a big fan of the high low decorating, mixing expensive worth while pieces she finds at consignment stores and had refinished. I saw several things she had done and could not tell which was which!

I'm sleeping here next time.

 Loved the kitchen, and busy cooking the best meal ever was SHP. 

Food was so good Rye's Mom had to come and try!

The table was set so beautifully! And at each persons place was a question.  What a great idea! Great conversation starter!






A fabulous time all around!

Thanksgiving entertainment! Gak/ Flubber Recipe!

If you're like me, you need a craft or two to get through Thanksgiving week without school!


Gak recipe! Call it gak or flubber, what better day than Thanksgiving to try it out?

 

Mix thoroughly in a bowl:

1 ½ cups very warm water

2 cups glue

Food coloring

 

In a separate bowl, mix:

1 1/3 cups very warm water

2 teaspoons Borax

 

Slowly pour the warm water and Borax mixture into the first bowl. Keep stirring until you feel it firm up.

 

So simple, and so much fun! Enjoy!

Friday Give Away! MPM Designs!!!

Don't miss out in this give away with MPM Designs!!! I ordered one of these frames for Coco when she was born. Now one can be yours!!! 


They are also throwing in one of these cute cuff bracelets!!! Are you dying!??

Too cute!!!


Here's how to enter!


1) Leave  comment telling which color bracelet and what style of frame and button you like best. (1 entry)
2) Follow MPM designs on Twitter at http://twitter.com/monogramgirls (2 entries)
3) Follow MPM Design blog (3 entries)
4) Follow One Fab Mom on twitter! (4 entries!)


Last couple of times the first people to enter won! Good luck!!! Winner revealed the Friday after Thanksgiving!!

And the winner of the Pixie Chicago give away is....

The winner is Hiyaluv!

Congrats doll! You are the lucky winner of fabulous stationery from Pixie Chicago! You are going to love what you get and they are so nice to work with!

Yeah!!!

Ps I am following you now on twitter!

The Mrs- All I Want For Christmas Is...Lilly Pulitzer!

A girl can wish right? I thought I'd share the things I am wanting for Christmas!

The fabulous Lilly Ballet Flat. I die. Please come and live in my closet. And while you're at it bring:

 Your friend Resort Chic Wedge. Oh and they would like company in the form of:

The Connie Sweater Dress and...

The Vivi Top!

Oh and this!!!

Now that would be a fabulous Christmas!

PS Don't forget to enter my Pixie Chicago give away!!

Give Away Friday! Pixie Chicago!!

Pixie Chicago has the cutest things! I love stationery to give as gifts and for myself. The art of the Thank You note is not lost! Teach it to your kids!

Loving the animals. I would get these for Coco's notes! And for Landon? This giraffe.

And for me? Well I have to have these!!!!

Now you can win a $35 credit with Pixie Chicago so you can get your own stationery!


For one entry: Follow Pixie Chicago on their blog.


For two entries: Follow Pixie on twitter!

For three entries: Like Pixie Chicago on Facebook!


For four entries follow One Fabulous Mom on my blog and/or twitter!


Good luck! Hope you win!! Winner revealed on Thursday of next week!

And The Winner, Of The Hillary Thomas Designs Bedding Is....

.........





MIDWEST CLASSIC!!!!!! Congratulations! Email me at onefabulousmom@gmail.com with your address!! Thanks to everyone who entered. Don't miss my next give away tomorrow!


Let's remember our Veterans today. The people who keep us free and safe!

Happy Birthday Mr. Fabulous

When we met at a two year olds birthday party in the Hollywood Hills, we felt a spark. You had me at Lacoste shirt.

We moved in together in two weeks, much to the dismay of my roommate. Even though I had to cancel a date with you standing in my kitchen "Um, yes we just met, but he has moved in. It's serious", and even though people thought we were crazy, we were engaged six months later. A year after that we were married by the beach in Malibu.

I could not have picked a better Father for my children, a better friend to laugh with, or a better husband to go through life with. I thank God for the day you were born. Happy Birthday Mr. Fabulous. 
PS I knew I picked the perfect man. Born on Lilly Pulitzer's Birthday!!!

Thanksgiving

Here in the Fabulous Mom house we are making our Thanksgiving plans. We will be headed to Palm Beach with family.

I have often said when people call the holidays a "vacation", that it is NOT a vacation. It is time with family. This is a big difference. When you fly to Hawaii with your husband alone, or with a nanny, that's a vacation. When you fly with a four year old and nineteen month old across country, to a different time zone, where the sleeping arrangements will be confusing, that is time with family. I digress.


I am still hoping that some aspects of my time with family over Thanksgiving will be "vacationy." Here's a few things I would love to do:


1. Rollerblade. Betcha didn't know the Mrs. loves to don a pair of blades and feel the wind in her ears didja?
2. Shop in Hobe Sound at places like Seaside Daze and C. Orrico!
3. Go to Bice and have lunch or dinner.

4. Go to the beach with the kids and play in the ocean.
5. Have a sunset cocktail on the golf course.
6. See bestie Rye Rye!!


I think it sounds wonderful! We'll see what happens!!


On another notes, here's something I plan on making with the kids as a crafty/fun dessert! See below the brilliance I found on line!!

"For her preschool class's Thanksgiving party last year, my daughter, Marissa, four-and-a-half, and I made these sweet turkey treats. We dropped chocolate frosting on graham crackers and pressed on small Almond Joy candy bars for the body. We added striped cookies for the tail feathers and gel frosting for the eyes. Marissa loved making them, and they were the hit of the party!"
--Yvonne S., Kenosha, Wisconsin 

Thank you Yvonne, for making me feel like I could do something fun with my kids this Thanksgiving!

Give Away Friday! Hillary Thomas Designs Bedding!!!

I am starting a new column for Fridays! Give away Friday!!!


My first give away is with the fabulous Hillary Thomas of Hillary Thomas Designs!!!

Hillary believes that good design is not something off-the-shelf or necessarily one particular style. Rather, it’s an eclectic mix of the high and the low where inexpensive flea market finds and fine antiques can coexist effortlessly. 

Hillary Thomas Designs was launched when Hillary collaborated with architect Mark Appleton to redesign and decorate a Spanish-style cottage in Santa Monica. Through that experience, a lifelong passion for design, decorating and color was realized. Since then, Hillary has been helping clients identify their true aesthetic and mixing it with her own great style to make something that is unique and all together different than the status quo.

Hillary has several exciting home lines that reflect her East Coast background and love of different cultures. And now something from her bedding line can be yours!!!! From her Liberty Gardens Cosmo Collection, soft white textures pique cotton, brown and white gingham, with a Liberty of London floral print as an accent!


Hillary is giving away:

The duvet, in twin or full/queen sizing, reverses from white piqué to brown and white gingham. Both sides have center seams trimmed in Liberty floral fabric. Coordinating brown 4-hole buttons close the duvet up in style.

A boudoir and euro sham featuring white piqué with a Liberty floral band and brown and white gingham bows and trim at the side, while the standard sham is brown and white gingham with a flat-flange style and Liberty floral trim.

AND: pieces for the crib: a bumper made from brown and white gingham with Liberty floral piping and bows and a white piqué crib skirt with Liberty floral trim. 

Items:
1 Crib Bumper
1 Crib Bed Skirt
1 Twin Duvet cover
1 Euro Sham
1 Standard Sham
1 Boudoir Sham

Total cost Retail of collection: $1,100!!!!!

Okay here's how you win!!


Follow Hillary Thomas Designs on twitter for one entry
Follow Hillary Thomas Designs on Facebook for 2 entries!
Follow One Fabulous Mom On Twitter for 3 entries!
Follow One Fabulous Mom on Facebook for 4 entries!
Leave a comment with each entry!

Good luck! Winner will be revealed on Thursday Nov 11th! Good luck!

Ask The Mrs- Sports Anyone?

Dear Mrs,

I require that my daughter (15) takes a sport each semester. I want to make sure she is getting enough exercise. She wants to do a play this year at school, so the only sport that would fit in her schedule would be soccer. She doesn't really like soccer but will do it if I make her. What she really loves is dance! She loves her dance class but it is outside of school and expensive. She would love to take more dance classes as her exercise, but the expense is making it hard. I would rather her take a sport at school. What do I do?! Am I being mean by making her take soccer and not letting her dance more?

Mean Mommie


Dear Mean Mommie,

You are hardly mean. I think you are brilliant for requiring that she take a sport. Childhood obesity is an epidemic in this country. That being said there is something for kids finding a sport of form of exercise they love. Give her the choice. If she wants to do another dance class or two instead of sports at school,  have her work around the house to earn the money. Then you'll know how serious she is. She may feel it's not worth it and choose soccer. Either way it's her choice and she has to earn it.

Being Teresa Guidice A Skinny Italian- Chicken Feast!

Once again Teresa hit's it out of the park with her Skinny Italian cookbook. After my success with the Sexy Swordfish, I moved on to the One Pan Oven Roasted Chicken Feast. First of all one dish meals are my absolute favorite and this was one of the lightest and most flavorful. Talk about Skinny Italian!

I served it with a "Vinnie's Salad", which I love to make. Iceberg, blue cheese, cucumber, tomato, red onion with an Italian vinaigrette dressing. Yummy! (my own recipe not Teresa's.

I am so impressed with this book. I even feel my Jersey accent getting better after practicing as I cook. I imagine I am home with juicy Joe and the kids wearing my leopard leggings and talking about what an idiot Danielle is. Heaven. Can't wait to make the rest of the recipes. The Mr is impressed that I am enjoying cooking!

PS Don't miss my amazing give away with Hillary Thomas this Friday!!

Halloween Trick Or Treat Party Recap!

Our Halloween Trick Or Treat Party went very well! Friends gathered to have dinner and then trick or treat in our neighborhood. The kids table was set with spiderweb table cloth and treat buckets with glow bracelets! The kids had mummy dogs and ghostly grilled cheese sandwiches.

While the kids ate we cocktailed. We served Vampires Kisses (vodka and cherry juice) for the ladies and Eyeball highballs (Martinis with ice with an olive frozen inside) for the guys.

When the kids were finished, they watched Halloween Spooktacular and the adults dined on:


Spinach Salad With Garlic Dressing
Ghostly Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (Smoked Gouda and tomato on pumpernickle/ rye swirl bread, Cheddar with bacon on Egg bread, and Mozzarella, pesto, tomato on sour dough bread)
and
Tomato Consume Soup!

Then we went off to trick or treat with the kids. If you think you don't like Halloween, go trick or treat with some 4 and 5 year olds. The excitement was tangible. The neighbors who we never see were so excited to see our little dragons, snow white's, pirates and princesses. It made me remember how wonderful it is to be a kid. To feel safe enough to be scared of silly things. To race home with your bucket of candy excited to see what you got. The kids said it was the best night of their lives. Mine too.

Thank God

We had a wonderful Halloween, recap tomorrow! But first I had to share a touching story with you. Many of you know the story of Landon and his arm. You can read the whole story here, but Landon was born with a blood clot in his arm. We've had many surgeries, therapies, and he has been so great about it all. I knew there would come a day when he would have to answer questions about his arm. In the past he used to say "I had a little surgery". We like to let him talk or not talk about his arm. It's his arm and he can say what he wants.

At our annual block party Landon was cornered by a group of girls asking what happened to his arm. He seemed confused, but walked away. Later one of the girls asked him again. Since I was standing there I tried to encourage him. When she asked what happened to his arm, I asked him too. He looked sad and said "I don't know.". I broke my heart.

One of the smartest things we did for Landon was to make him a snapfish photo book about his arm. Pictures and a simple story of what happened and what a miracle he is. We got out the book and read it. Then later The Mr and I asked Landon what he would like to say about his arm. Would you like to say "you had surgery?", it was something "I was born with"?


Landon thought about it and said.


I want to say "Thank God".


There you go. A better answer then I gave him. After all he's been through he wants to tell people he's graetful to God. 

Learning lessons from a four year old in your house is the best thing ever.