Mischmash Stylish Mama {November}

Richie Ortega-Torres, makes stunning, whimsical bridal wear while effortlessly raising two beautiful girls with husband, Itong. She keeps a gorgeous well-lived home that is evident of a happy marriage, an extensively-travelled couple, and a young endearing tight-knit family.

The family's broad interests spawned into a myriad of books spied all over the place.

We asked Richie to bring out her favorite things and one of the first things she unearthed was this intricately beaded silk puse.

Even Gaudi's gecko covets Richie's Miu Miu rope leather sandals.

Marni dress, Paul Smith court heels, and a hat from milliner, Carmina de Dios.

Her black Marni sandals towers over Hogwart's castle.

Artifacts from various travels adorned with her favorite necklaces.

(L) Much loved medallion charms. (R) A Super Award for rocking the world of fashion.

(L)The family's trying their green thumbs and so far so good as you can see with this thriving basil. (R) Interesting pieces that are actually functional are spotted here and there.

Richie's most precious gems: Luccia, 3y.o. and Oliva, 5y.o.

Quirky dolls at the girls' bedroom.

Olivia and Luccia played hostesses to my little assistant.

Describe your personal style.

Always relaxed, minimalist/simple/sophisticate but bohemian and free spirited. Which is sometimes the opposite of what I design, feminine and romantic. It's funny but I think it balances out my "style" sanity. Staying in one end of the spectrum would drive me crazy and bored.

What are you wearing this holiday season? Zero by Maria Cornejo

Closet staples? Black dresses. My Arche rubber flats (addicted to these for close to 20 years), scarves and shawls. Leggings and rubber soled ballet flats.

How are you influencing your daughter's personal style? I am a shopaholic when it comes to their clothes, and they love dressing up, so it's really enjoyable for all of us. My eldest (5 yrs old) is already adamant about picking all her everyday outfits, and my youngest (3 yrs old) loves wearing costumes, and I highly encourage it, so they can express their individuality through their style choices. I just want them to have fun with it.

Style icons? Charlotte Gainsbourgh, Lou Doillon, Marion Cotillard, and Michelle Obama.

Tip or 2 for all moms out there who want to stay stylish amidst all the hullabaloo motherhood brings? I find that dresses have been my life saver since I've become a mom. It's just one piece so it's a no brainer.

Any shopping advice?
If you can, choose quality over quantity. In my experience, it'll last longer and you'll wear it more and more, then you'll likely to take care of it more.

Luccia wears a dress from The Ramp Kids and Olivia in a dress from Gingersnaps.

The girls are their mother's biggest fans. 

Spending an afternoon with Richie and her daughters is as refreshing as it is inspiring. You'd easily admire the way she balances the crazy push-and-pull between motherhood and running a business. 

Outside her little family, she makes brides (jittery or cool) happy. And I happen to be one of those brides who made the best decision ever and pick a designer I most resonate with. Richie just got me from first meeting to final fitting. I couldn't be happier with the outcome. And I am one of many, that I am sure.

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Find Richie Ortega Bridal on Facebook for details.

Photography by Anthony Co.

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Mischmash Stylish Mama {October}

Leona Laviña Panutat, former Esprit buyer, stylist, writer, ShopCrazy shopping editor, blogger, art enthusiast.. wrap up this pretty package of a loving wife and a brand new mum.  

Her work station is conveniently situated beside her son's crib. This is where she writes away while  Wyatt is deep in blissful slumber.

Art by Francis Nacion hangs in the master bedroom where we spied Matryoshka dolls and hardbound reads on fashion and design.

Carlo Ongchangco, Cambridge Fluro Pink Satchel, BCBG Multi-colored Sandals.

Accessorizing is second nature to Leona who owns a vast collection of baubles from cocktail rings to statement necklaces all neatly labeled and categorized. 

Clad in her typical mash-up of preppy-boho. Pleated skirt, crew neck sweater, boho-inspired accessories with a Joyce Makitalo ring to boot.

Shots of color you'll spot all over her insanely neat and put-together place of dwelling.

His and hers. Mama brogues and baby brogues.

Elephant Wooden Menagerie by Jomike Tejido.

Wyatt's nursery is peppered with art lovingly made by his mum and his cousins.

A wooden horse spruced up with one of Leona's favorite scarves holds commanding presence. 

On the right is Wyatt's travel blanket, the hands-on mum especially made for her son before his big arrival.

Describe your personal style? Hmmm.. Preppy-boho. I like wearing clean and classic pieces and pairing them with something quirky, colorful and a bit off. I used to have a monochromatic closet but now all of a sudden I can't get enough of color!! 

What are you wearing this fall? Colored denims, slim V neck and crew neck sweaters, maxi skirts, wedge booties and my Missoni for Target loot! 

Closet staples? Denim cutoffs, straight cut jeans, stripe tees, slim cut cargos, men's button downs and my manly flats: brogues and loafers. 

What is that one piece you can't live without fashion/motherhood-wise? Crisp white button down. You can wear it to absolutely any event. Great when dressed up with a ball gown skirt or dressed down with cutoffs. Plus it's breastfeeding friendly. 

How are you influencing your son's personal style? Well, he's only 2 months old so I don't think I have that much influence on him yet but when he's a bit bigger I'd say.. wear whatever makes you happy! 

Style icons? Jenna Lyons, Tory Burch, Olivia Palermo and Taylor Tomasi-Hill.

Tip or 2 for all moms out there who want to stay stylish amidst all the hullabaloo motherhood brings? Any shopping advice? Buy basics with a twist. A white button down with with an unexpected collar, khakis with pleats, cropped dark denims. These pieces will always look good together no matter what. Just throw on some accessories, grab a leather tote and you're good to go. As for shopping, always be aware of your surroundings. You might just score a great deal in the most unlikely places. Some of my favorite pieces are from Supermarkets!

Styling may have taken a backseat but style is obviously innate for this first time momma who looks like she's having the time of her life. What, with that palpable glow you see and feel around her and adorable Wyatt. Priceless.  

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Photography by Anthony Co.

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Read the prelude.    

Mischmash Stylish Mama {September}

Donna Cuna Pita, former Fashion Editor, Cosmopolitan Magazine, former Associate Fashion Director, Summit Media, freelance fashion stylist, writer, image consultant, and above all, wife, and mother of two beautiful kids, Mateo and Amara. 

On a normal day, you'll see Donna in shorts, a jacket, and never without some statement footwear. 

A bright eclectic spot at the home where Donna grew up, vintage finds, and rings she has been wearing since college.

Clad in a high slit jersey maxi from Abrace. Above her hangs a commissioned Lydia Velasco painting of her and her sisters.

Describe your personal style.
My style has evolved a lot since i entered my mid-thirties. I used to be much more into the glam-sexy look. Now I'm easing more into classic silhouettes, but still with a little bit of sexy thrown in.
My fashion icons are Bianca Jagger, DVF, and all those glam, fab women of the 60s and 70s.

What are you wearing this fall?
I'm not really a fall/winter kind of gal, so the usual items I enjoy every time this season rolls around are smart jackets/blazers and booties. I love the rich hues of fall, though.

Closet staples?
A classic black dress, statement heels, well-cut trousers, good-fitting dark-wash jeans, shorts, comfy flats, and quality underwear! I'm not really that big on accessories, I just have a few pieces that I rotate.

What is that one piece you can't live without fashion/motherhood-wise?
An easy to wear, wrinkle-free jersey dress that you just slip on and spice-up with accessories depending on the occasion.    

How are you influencing your children's personal style?
I let them make their own decisions when it comes to their clothes. They can wear their spiderman or princess costume to the grocery if they want to, or layer on a multitude of prints. Whatever they feel good in.

Style icons?
The free-spirited, sexy and glam women of the 60s and 70s. I've always liked their easy take on glamour. When I still had my clothing line in Crossings, my clothes were always heavily influenced by what the women of that era wore - jersey jumpsuits, long wrap dresses. Flowing, sexy clothes that celebrated your femininity without looking like you tried too hard. But i also appreciate the minimalist style of the 90s and the ultra-feminine silhouettes of the 40s.

Tip or 2 for all mums out there who want to stay stylish amidst all the hullabaloo motherhood brings?
Always make a little effort to look good - both for yourself and for your family. Stock up on clothes that make you look good with minimal effort like wrap dresses, a crisp white top, good-fitting jeans. Things that you can always depend on to make you look good even on your blah days.


Any shopping advice?
I'm a big thirft store and ukay-ukay shopper! I'm always on the look out for bargain clothes (I have actually scored clothes for as low as Php10!) but I also know when to shell out more cash for a quality item. Be a smart shopper and know what to scrimp on, and what to invest in. I scrimp on basic tank tops, shorts, etc, but I'm willing to spend more on classic pieces i'll be using for years to come, jewelry, and bags. Shoes, I buy mid-range, as long as the shoes are stylish and comfortable.

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Thank you Donna for sharing your amazing style. Your tips are priceless. Now we are more convinced that fashion and motherhood can happily coexist.

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Photography by Anthony Co.

Read the Prelude.

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Mischmash Stylish Mama {August}

Christine Dychiao aka Manila Fashion Observer. 

Wife, blogger, entrepreneur, columnist, consultant-- are just some of the roles Christine effortlessly plays. It is that picture of maternal bliss so evident in her and daughter Berry however, that tells you, its mothering she does best. And only in ways no less than chic.

A typical day around Singapore with Berry in tow.

Christine is always armed with the chicest yet most functional shoes and bags.

She lives in nautical stripes. 

Her no-fuss fashion sensibility results to a well edited closet with statement pieces to surprise here and there.

Describe your personal style.

Simple, no fuss, practical, comfortable. Downtown girl with loads of French inspiration.

What are you wearing this fall?

These days I'm rotating three pairs of pajama pants - from H&M, Zara & Isabel Marant. So comfy! I've also been obsessed with rope/ friendship bracelets these days, not the grade school types but the grown up sort from Shashi and Proenza Schouler.

I also vow to wear more dresses and can't wait to try out the midi-skirt trend!

Closet staples?

Lived in jeans and khakis, button down shirts, striped shirts, tissue soft tees, seamless undies and a well-fitting bra, flat shoes, tasteful accessories.

What is that one piece you can't live without fashion/motherhood-wise?

Comfortable shoes - but please don't make me pick just one =)

How are you influencing your daughter's personal style?

By teaching her that quality trumps quantity. The same lesson my mom taught me.

Style icons?

Alexa Chung, Sofia Coppola, Ashley Olsen.

Tip or 2 for all moms out there who want to stay stylish amidst all the hullabaloo motherhood brings?

Maintain a manageable closet filled with all your closet staples. That way, you only have to choose amongst pieces you actually love and wear. I know that's hard to do in principle, but I find that it's so much easier to dress when you don't have to face a closet groaning with a load of things. Otherwise, you end up with decision fatigue and run the risk of wearing just whatever.


If you can't pare down to your definition of basics, then have at least 3 fall back outfits you can wear over and over. Who cares if you repeat the same items? I do it all the time and nobody seems to notice. I think. Heehee.

Any shopping advice?

Always wait for the sales! I almost never pay retail when I shop. I try to hold out and wait until prices are marked down. But that is not the main deciding factor. I always make it a point that what I buy will go well with most of the items in my closet. That way, even if I introduce something new to my wardrobe, I can throw on anything from my closet in ten minutes and still look put together somehow.

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Christine is like our not-so-typical young mom-next-door who happens to be always so put-together but never in an over-the-top kind of way. She gets it right-- all the time. 

So here's to hoping you picked up a lot of styling tips from the fashion observer herself. Thank you Christine, for taking time out of your busy schedule to take photos and share with us your enviable style. 

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Dear readers, pardon the posting of August's Mischmash Stylish Mama on the first day of September. Sometimes, as much as I like to keep things consistent around here, life gets in the way. 

But all well's that ends well. September's Stylish Mama is already in the works. Wait, it's September already??!