It’s Mother’s Day! and although we don’t need a holiday to remind us how great our mothers truly are. I wanted to dedicate this post to my mama today and how she influences me as a woman, mother, and designer. This one’s for you Mami.
STYLE
Let’s begin with my mom’s fierce, big, and bold personality. She’s an interesting fashionista! Never afraid to make an entrance, stand out, or be the center of attention. She isn’t afraid to take “risks” in her fashion or in decorating her home. She loves color and pattern, and I can thank her for my confidence and ease in first exploring them in my home and personal fashion then into my interior design projects. My face lights up when I meet a client who says they love any hue from the rainbow and will allow me to create a personal color story for their interiors.
LIFE
Calling my mom a plant lady is an understatement. Plant guru… Plant whisperer… What’s a bigger title for such a gift? I think you get the point - the woman loves plants! She tends to her house plants and flowers as if they were her children. When she comes to my home that is the first thing she surveys to see if all is in order. In my youth, I didn’t get it. “What’s all the hype?” But as I’ve grown, and into a plant lady myself (with her help of course) I realized that plants bring life into your home which then ripples down into your self. They create a soothing and beautiful environment while boosting your mood and well being. She knows what she’s doing!
GATHER
Growing up my mom was super big on celebrations. Holidays and birthdays were a big to do! Am not sure if “themed parties” was even concept back then, but my mom created some of the best birthdays with full on matching cake, decor, and outfit. Everything coordinated. Christmas was her favorite time of the year and she was the best hostess. Thinking of every detail, catering to everyone’s needs, and curating memories to last a lifetime. What became of that are Traditions which I have continued on with my family and hope to pass on to each new generation.
MUSIC
Man does this woman love music. She has a varied collection and love of different music genres. Music is in my blood, a love fostered from her womb. She has a collection of vinyl records which I casually “borrow” without her knowing every once in a while. (perdon mami) We can go from Stevie Wonder and Bee Gees, to Hector Lavoe, Marco Antonio Solis, and Fernando Villanova, to Guns & Roses or Chris Stapleton and not miss a beat! Music is soul essence.
MAKER
And last but not least, my mom is a creative. Although it was standard practice for girls in her time to learn to sew as part of their path of becoming homemakers, I don’t believe everyone who did so enjoyed it. Sewing became her first practical skill that she turned into work when coming to the states. I remember in her spare time she would make items for me and my sister. My most vivid memory was of her making Cabbage Patch Kid dolls. I was amazed how she could turn plastic body parts, cloth, and cotton into my favorite toy! Decades later I purchased my own sewing machine and taught myself basic sewing skills. Enough to get me by - hemming drapes or sewing my daughter’s girl scout patches onto her uniform. Nonetheless, every time I thread the needle, I am reminded of my mother, and possibly her mother, and all of the other generations of mother’s doing the very same act. An act of creative expression AND love.
Because that’s what MOMS are. A natural, creative, expression of LOVE. Anything and everything they do is interlaced with love. So love your “mama’s” a little more today. Whether they be biological, un-biological, Bonus Mom, and any other kind. And for those missing mommas, I send you a Big Virtual Hug.
“In all the world, there is not heart for me like yours.
In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.”