When my son was about a month old I started taking these classes called “Mamma Fit”, (I’ve mentioned them here) basically it was a group of moms lead by an instructor who met two times a week in the park for an hour to do gymnastics all while pushing their strollers.
It was fantastic, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Not only did it get me motivated to get on a personal schedule and leave the house with a one month old before 9:30am, but I met some of the women who are now friends that I’ve had for two years. Namely the instructor (I’ve featured her style here, and will be doing a whole mom style feature on her soon) and Raffaella, the beautiful woman you see below.
Meet Raffaella
Raffaella is from Rome, like me her parents aren’t around to give her a hand. This is something that is CRUCIAL in Italy. Whereas in North America it is normal to move away from your family for school or work, here people usually keep close proximity to their parents, it defines a certain quality of life to have your mother near and an “aiuto” (help).
Raffaela and her mom, who was visiting from Rome for her daughter’s second birthday party!
She had her daughter when I had my son, and we chatted about all things life as we did killer squats to reshape our post-pregnancy bodies.
Raffaella has incredible taste and style, and after our Mamma Fit class I would see her strolling the market looking gorgeous as usual. Always put together. She was one of the first women who inspired me to put a little more effort into myself and not “hide” behind the stroller.
She’s a manager for a big company in Modena, and didn’t shy away from wearing her favorite work pieces even throughout her maternity leave.
As I’ve mentioned yesterday my son’s 2nd birthday is coming up and I’ve decided to take him to Rome. I think Raffaella will be there that week so we can even meet up! She and her husband are BIG language supporters and since having their second child have decided on English childcare.
I love their forward thinking! Even though they are both Italian they recognize that in today’s world bilingualism is a big plus. I also love the fact that my son has a friend who knows English just like him, since I’m also raising him to be bilingual….which is not an easy task when the t.v., playgroud, play groups, radio and all conversations around him are in Italian.
She dressed for her daughter’s 2nd birthday party! One of the biggest differences i’ve noticed between North America and Italy is that in North America at a kids’ birthday party you’ll find foods that kids like such as; hot dogs, candy, chips. In Italy you’ll find foods that adults like, and that their kids also eat since that is what they are used to!!
At all of the kids’ birthday parties I’ve been to this year not once have I seen a hot dog! I’ve seen a big Parmigiano Reggiano wheel cut into pieces, a Prosciutto that was freshly sliced for guests, pizza (everyone loves pizza!), cocktails and hor d’oeuvres and cheese platters !
For this birthday party Raffaella and her husband enlisted the help of one of the best restaurants in Modena, the Michelin starred L’Erba Del Re. The catering was complete with mini gourmet hamburgers, and Zuppa Inglese parfaits. Needless to say my husband NEVER complains when we go to kids birthday parties in Italy!
What She Wore
Honestly, I was SO CONVINCED that her amazing patterned shift dress was designer. It looked so perfect on her. She had the freedom to chase after her daughter and the comfort to be able to hold her new born.
This tunic dress was a PERFECT choice for a kids’ birthday party. She wasn’t restricted like jeans and was able to chase her toddler around and hold her newborn.
It was a stretchy material and the geometric chevron pattern was totally something I’ve seen from all of the designer brands this season. In fact I was CONVINCED it was designer because it reminded me of something from the Victoria Beckham or Michael Kors collections and it had the same 60s retro cool vibe as this DIANE VON FURSTENBERG tunic ($440).
But NO, her dress was ZARA! Brilliant! Luxury look but at an affordable price, so that if you get breast milk on it, there’s no need to worry!
Her boots, however, are luxury, they are Tory Birch and give her whole outfit a designer feel.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Raffaella’s great kid birthday party style. I know that I will be copying her for my son’s birthday! I love the idea of being comfortable enough to get down and play, but with the appearance of being classy!
Happy Tuesday!
Fashion link-ups!
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