Ooops! Time sure flies by and I have completely missed my January blog deadline!?! What can I say, I guess I am not the best when it comes to blogging!! Unlike my good friend, Hilary! I must say she has a fantastic blog, full of the greatest and most updated fashion trends, yet with her own personal takes and input! Totally awesome and inspiring!
As for me, I have been, well guess what, one word: “busy”. In fact, its been crazy for me for the past month or so, as one has simply too many deadlines to meet before the holiday seasons come about, and now soon Chinese New Year! Welcome to the world of fashion! For those who are unfamiliar with our working calendars, we designers work at least one year ahead, which means we are about to finish up designing for our next autumn winter 2010 collection, which we shall be showing during Paris Fashion Week coming March…
And then, there is good news! We have been slaving and going crazy the past six months, and finally , our new online shopping website is ready soon (www.johannaho.com), with a bit of luck, it shall be up and running come mid February, with goodies from our Johanna Ho collection, and our new Johanna Ho eco collection, which are clothes made of recycled polyester fabrics and organic cotton-cashmere knitwear!
We also has a small ongoing collection of “clothes recycled”, which is using remnant yarns to make knits, and then using 2nd hand/vintage clothes that has been ‘donated’ to us through friends (who love and care for this planet too!!?) and we take these clothes apart and add these bits onto the knitted base. The outcome is still a fresh new piece but recreated with old/remnant pieces such as lace collars found from an old blouse before, or men’s shirts reworked and pleated and put onto our “new” knitted bases, which consist of easy to wear cardigans and crew neck pullovers.
It has always been a dream of mine, to do something to give back to our society, our world. As I realized how un-eco-friendly fashion business is, as it’s simply impossible to ask a woman to stop buying clothes!!? I am not trying to save the world here as I am simply a small and insignificant human being , but I guess, every little helps and if my 10 or 20% eco-effort can help move a little ripple in the water, hopefully it can gradually make bigger ripples to reach to more people’s awareness.
(譯文)
Ooops！時間肯定過得好快，我完全忘記了我1月的blog的限期！？！我無話可說，只覺得自己在blogging上做得不是最好，不像我的好朋友Hilary，她的blog簡直了不起，內容豐富又有最upate的時裝趨勢，再加上她自己個人的意見和感想，實在令人尊敬又羨慕！
我的生活只有一個字——「忙」！事實上，過去這個月對我來說真是瘋狂，假期前有很多的deadline，轉眼現在又快到農曆新年！歡迎來到時裝世界，大家可能不太熟悉我們的工作時間表，一眾時裝設計師必須在1年以前開始今年的工作，意思即是我們已差不多完成了2010年的秋冬系列，在即將來臨的3月巴黎時裝周展示出來。
另外還有好消息！過去半年，我們進入超級忙碌的狀態，新的網上商店快將推出，www.johannaho.com，幸運地相信可以在2月中運作。網上商店會有Johanna Ho系列及我們新的Johanna Ho eco系列，這個新系列的服裝都由可循環再造的聚脂布料及有機棉與茄士咩針織料而造！
我們亦有一個另一個系列在進行中 ——「衣服循環再造」，系列是用上「布頭布碎」先去做成針織衣料，然後再採用由朋友（他們都是熱愛和保護地球的人）捐贈出來的二手或古著衣服。我們在這些衣服上提走部分，再加在針織料的基礎上，出來的效果便猶如一件新的產品但利用了舊衣服或布碎再造而成，舉例說，如在舊衫上提走喱士領子，或將男士的恤衫再造及弄成褶飾，放於我們「新」的針織料上，變成容易穿著的外套及圓領套頭上衣。
這個一直都是我的夢想，就是去做一些事去回饋我們的社會、我們的世界。因為我明白時裝生意是多不環保，但沒可能叫一位女士去停止購買衣服！？我不是要嘗試去拯救世界，因為我只是一個微不足道的人，但我覺得，每一個小幫忙，即使是10或20%為環保出力，便可為水推動少許波浪，希望能逐漸變成大波浪，獲得更多人關注。
27 January 2010 | comment (0)
category: Uncategorized
Like my first daughter, Nastasha,I had decided to breastfeed my 2nd daughter, Katrina, for at least 6 months. It’s been 7 months now since she was born, and I am now finally weaning off.
katrina at 3 months
katrina at 4 months
happy and healthy at 5 mths
6 months, first solids w spinach mixed w breast milk!
Breastfeeding is definitely not an easy task. Despite I had done it once, you would think the 2nd time round would be easier. I guess not! I guess not only that every woman’s body is different, but it also keeps changing. One good example is that, one’s first pregnancy maybe very easy but the 2nd one maybe quite different, owing to our hormones changes. I guess this applies the same to our breastfeeding experiences too.
For me, despite the fact that I was eating and drinking pretty much the same foods (and gallons of fish soup with papaya, supposed to be the key ingredients to increase milk supply), I didn’t have as much breastmilk as I would like to have compared to when I was breastfeeding my first daughter.
Like most mothers, I panicked and got worried whether my daughter was getting enough nutrients ( as I still strongly believe that mothers’ milk is still the best rather than formula). But the more I panicked and stressed, the less milk I was producing, and that was when I realised I needed to relax and simply chill. I decided not to fight with my body, but go easy on it. And in due course, I actually slept better, and because I was getting more quality sleep, my milk supply actually increased!
Another problem I had, was finding the right nursing bra. As a fashion designer, naturally I am quite fussy with my choices. However, it is almost impossible to find good comfortable bras that LOOKS great as well. Actually, my criteria was hardly tricky, I just wanted a bra that is comfortable to wear and looks nice. I also understand it is important to have good support, especially after giving birth second time round, nature plays its course meaning one feels the effect of gravity much more and things do tend to move downhill, just like breasts do sag if you don’t take of them well.
But that is quite a challenge too. Especially in Hong Kong. I realised not only very few shops carry maternity bras, and with ones that you find that are comfortable/practical, they often look like your grandmother’s bra, with cups so huge that they don’t look natural or they simply are unflattering. Lets just say that your husband will definitely find no sex appeal from you whatsoever, or simply, totally turned off.
Breastfeeding should be a beautiful thing. Just like pregnancy, it is something that we should feel great and proud of. It should be a magical experience and not seen as a chore. Which is why I think having nice nursing bras and lingerie is important, (not only for husbands sake), but mostly, for us, women, who has went through the trials and tribulations of pregnancy and childbirth, to feel good inside and outside of ourselves, to have confidence and love our bodies, whatever shape or sizes we are.
1) ELLE MACPHERSON INTIMATES, eternelle nursing bra:
my comments: my favourite and first choice, as the design is beautiful,as well as the fabrics and colours. It is sexy but not in an overt way. The fit is great, especially for asian smaller frames. Also very comfortable. Only thing is, it is not so cheap,slightly pricey, but I think it is totally worth it!
2) La Leche League International , no wire sport bra:
Nice cut and fit, very comfortable as it has no wiring (this is important as I find wiring can be very uncomfortable after wearing for a while). Also it is great for sporty types as it has the right amount of support for doing yoga to playing tennis!
3) La Leche League International,Sleep Bra with pullover wrap:
Highly recommend as it is important to have a comfortable bra to sleep in yet still has enough support. Totally serves its purpose!
All above recommendations can be found from a selection from the maternity website: ZODEE, which is originally from Australia but it also has a HK website with prices in HK dollars as well, and of course, they do deliever to HK, and quite quickly too usually within a few days to a week. Check out: www.zodee.com
(譯文）
餵母乳
如大女Natasha一樣，我也決定給二女Katrina餵哺母乳至少6個月，到今日她已7個月大，我要斷奶了。
餵母乳絕對不是一件易事，做到第一次，你會以為第二次一定更容易，但其實未必，我想不只因為每個女人的體質不同，而且身體狀況一直轉變，一個好例子就是，當你懷第一胎的時候可能很輕易，但第二胎又有不同，那因為我們荷爾蒙的轉變。我想這也可以放諸我們餵母乳的經驗上。
對我來說，儘管我跟上一胎一樣，吃很多和喝很多同樣的食物（大量的木瓜魚湯，那是能增加奶量的主要成分），但與第一個女兒的時候比較，我卻沒有很多母乳。
和大部分母親一樣，我也很憂慮能否給女兒足夠的營養（因為我始終深信母乳比奶粉配方好），但我愈擔心及感到壓力，就只產生愈少母乳，這令我相信我需要放鬆下來。我決定不再和自己的身體對抗，就順其自然，於是，我真的睡得更好，而因為我有更多優質的睡眠，奶量明顯增加了！
我要面對的另一個問題，就是要找尋一個合適的孕期胸圍。作為一位時裝設計師，很自然地我會對自己的選擇很挑剔；但是，市面上差不多沒可能找到一款舒適又好看的胸圍。而事實上，我的標準又確是難於處理，我想要一個胸圍是穿著舒服及好看，我當然明白有好的承托是很重要，特別是第二次生產後，你會更感到地心吸力的影響，如果不好好護理，乳房便會下垂。
但原來，這都是一個難度挑戰，特別是在香港，我相信只有很少店舖有孕期用的胸圍，而且都只是講求舒適/實用，它們看來就像你祖母的胸圍一樣，cup數很大，看來毫不自然，也不好看。穿上後，你的丈夫肯定找不到任何性的吸引力，甚至是完全熄滅。
餵母乳本該是一件很美的事情，就好像懷孕，是一件令我們覺得很好很值得驕傲的事，那該是一個神奇的體驗而不是令人討厭的工作，所以我覺得有一件很好的胸圍及內衣是很重要（不只因為丈夫的關係）；更深一層是，我們要經歷懷孕和分娩的苦難，更要讓內在與外在都感覺良好、要有自信及愛我們的身體，而不管它的形狀或尺碼如何。
以下是一些我曾經買過、試過及推介的胸圍，特別適合亞洲/中國人的體型，它們的結構及尺碼都與白人的很不同。
1) ELLE MACPHERSON INTIMATES，哺乳胸圍：
我的意見：我的首選，因為設計很靚，尤其是布料及顏色，很性感但又非刻意。尺碼非常合身，尤其對亞洲人的細骨架而言，而且非常舒服。只有一點是它絕不便宜，甚至有少許高價，但是，我覺得完全值的！
2) La Leche League International，沒鐵線的運動胸圍：
我的意見：剪裁及尺碼俱佳，很舒服，皆因沒有鐵絲（這很重要，因為我覺得當穿上一會，鐵絲可令人很不舒服），而且有運動款式，無論做瑜珈或打網球，都有足夠的承托力。
3) La Leche League International，套頭式的睡覺胸圍：
我的意見：高度推介，因為在睡覺時想有一個有足夠承托但又舒適的胸圍，這個品牌完全滿足到需要！
以上所有推介都可在孕婦網站ZODEE找到，它本來源自澳洲，但亦設有香港網站提供香港價錢，當然需付運到香港，不過只需幾天已送到。可瀏覽www.zodee.com
12 November 2009 | comment (0)
category: 育兒 | tags: breastfeed, ELLE MACPHERSON INTIMATES, La Leche League International, ZODEE, 增加奶量, 孕期胸圍, 荷爾蒙, 餵哺母乳
I never really enjoyed studying when I was a kid at school. Never. I never listened to the teachers and was a rebel at class. Instead, I was always day dreaming and drawing on my text books till the school bell rings…
Despite my lazy efforts at school, I consider myself a very lucky child, as my parents have always been supportive and never gave me much pressure at school. My mother has always encouraged me to do my best but never expected me to get high, high grades. My father, a keen sportsman especially in tennis, has gotten me into playing at the tender age of 6, and it was in no time that I also fell in love with the game to the point I had the chance of representing Hong Kong in the National Junior Team. Playing tennis (or any sports) competitively, is indeed a great training, not only on the physical side, but more so, for mental discipline.
Another important fact of my growing up, was that my parents taught me to always believe that talent is a gift from God, but it is upto you that you make good use of one’s talent, meaning talent may come easy, but success is about hard work, being focused and disciplined.
Whilst my father was keen to train me to become the next Sharapova(!?!), my mother, meanwhile, also recognized my talent in drawing, and most of all, fashion, and she was quick to nuture that. She enrolled me in drawing as well as design classes, which I enjoyed tremendously.
And as time passed by, it is now my older daughter Natasha’s turn to start Kindergarten. Like most mothers’ first times, I found myself faced with the challenges of finding the right schools and disciplines that I would like my daughter to attend. And like all parents, you simply want the best for your child.
What is the best?? These days, I often hear parents about their kids’ schedules, and wow, they are like army training! They seem to think by learning and ( to me it’s more like cramming) everything under the sun is vital to get into perfect schools, and hence the perfect education…
As for my husband and I, we also want the best for our children, but to us, a good quality of life is more important. And this means, learning through playing and enjoyment. We decided that it is more vital that our kids grow up in a “normal” kids’ environment, meaning doing what kids do and not jumping huge steps and set up huge goals. We want pressure free zones for our children, and simply enjoy the process of growing up. To us, this means, spending quality time with them, playing games, reading books or simply doing what kids do: laugh and play.
It is indeed much easier said than done. Especially in this crazy, materialistic society nowadays. That is why more the reason we should give our kids more personal times together, and give them that unconditional love that no other form of education can surpass. I strongly believe that by doing this, it can help the child to develop a sense of self confidance, and most of all, a sense of individuality and personality.
It’s amazing how hugs and kisses and proper discipline used in the right balanced context, can go such a long long way. It certainly worked with us. So far so good I guess. Natasha is surely a happy child. Lets hope I can sustain this and not get polluted by the tough demands of our society /system nowadays. EQ is definitely more important than IQ these days. It is The way for survival.
（譯文）
學校
當我仍是一個小孩子時，我從不享受在學校學習。真的從不！我永遠不聽老師的說話，可謂班中的反叛者；反之，經常發白日夢、在書本上繪畫，直至等到鐘聲響起……
儘管在學校很懶惰，但我覺得自己是一個幸運的小孩子，因為爸爸給我很多支持，從來都不給壓力，媽媽常鼓勵我要做到最好，但不會要我去爭取很高的分數。而爸爸呢，一個熱愛運動的人，尤其是網球，在我6歲時已帶我去玩這種活動了，令我深深愛上了網球，甚至有機會代表香港參加National Junior Team。事實上，有競爭性地去打網球（或任何運動）的確是很好的訓練，不只在體能方面，甚至是在修養方面。
另一樣對我成長很重要的，是爸爸媽媽教我要時時記著，才能是上帝賜予的禮物，但要視乎你怎樣好好運用，意思是我們不難擁有才能，但成功是關乎努力，要專注及去練習。
當我爸爸很努力去訓練我成為下一個舒拉寶娃時，我媽媽亦發現我在繪畫方面的天分，尤其在時裝方面，她很快便幫我參加繪畫和設計課堂，這些都令我非常享受。
時間很快過去了，現在到我的大女兒Natasha要讀幼稚園了。好像大部分媽媽的第一次，我正面對挑戰，既要尋找一些好學校，也要我的女兒學習紀律，簡單地說，就是與其他父母一樣，為孩子找最好的。
甚麼是最好的？？這些日子，我常聽到家長談及他們小朋友的時間表，嘩，就像軍訓一樣！像要學習太陽底下的所有事，目的就是要考入最好的學校，接受最好的教育……
丈夫和我都想給孩子最好的，但對我們來說，一個質素好的人生其實更加重要，意思是指要透過遊玩與享受，從中學習，我們認為女兒在「正常」的環境中成長是更加重要的，即是要做一些小孩子都會做的事情，而不要越級跳和訂下很遠大的目標。我們想給孩子沒有壓力的空間，只簡單地享受成長的過程便可。所以，寧願給她們有質素的陪伴——一起玩遊戲、閱讀或小孩子都做的：太笑及玩耍。
當然，講總比做容易，尤其是今日這個瘋狂、物質主義的社會，亦因為此，我們應該給孩子更多時間，給她們無條件的愛，這是沒有其他類型的教育所能辦到的。我強烈相信只要做到的話，可以幫助孩子發展得有自信，成為一個有個性的人。
擁抱、輕吻及紀律對孩子的未來發展都很重要，也對我們很重要，Natasha絕對是一個快樂的小朋友，很希望我能持續下去而不會被這個要求過份的社會/系統所破壞。在這個世界，EQ遠比IQ重要得多，而這亦是生存之道！
15 October 2009 | comment (0)
category: 育兒 | tags: challenges, child, discipline, education, EQ, grow up, growing up, Kindergarten, laugh and play, materialistic society, parents, pressure, quality, school, Sharapova, tennis
When I was pregnant with my first baby and later found out that it was going to be a baby girl, a lot of people warned me that I would go crazy with buying her lots of clothes and dressing her up like my childhood Barbie doll.
And so I did! It was simply too hard to resist. The minute Natasha was born, I was hooked. And not only on clothes, but from the little gloves to the little socks and shoes (despite the fact she didn’t really need any until she learns to walk!??!)to the hair bands, bibs…and down to the very important baby bag.
It all started with the baby bag. And it was not an easy task, as I didn’t want just any baby bag. I wanted a cool one, one that is not cute and not pastel baby pink or baby blue. Finally, I found the ideal one: from Prada. It was in their signature black nylon, and it was light, water resistant and durable, and most of all, COOL. It had great compartments, a side pocket for a water/milk bottle, and it even came with a changing mat in matching black nylon. It was ideal, because on top of all things, the best part is that it is a cool and a no-gender black bag which my husband was very happy to carry around!
Then it came the clothes. Despite the fact that I love dressing my daughters, I was also not keen in turning her into a sweet little princess. I was more concerned in putting her in clothes that helped match her personality. And most of all, I wanted to dress her age, and not try to look too mature.
One of my favourite places to shop for my girls, is inevitably, Tokyo. Japanese parents are probably the best in dressing their babies and kids to look cute yet still very cool. And over time, I have learnt the art: it’s all about details. Japanese fashion has always been great in colours and layering. Some of my favourite shops include, Isetan department store, Seibu department store, and Baby Gap, as they stock rather different things compared to the rest of the world’s Gap stores. The Japanese department stores tend to sell rather expensive children’s clothes, but I usually go for their quirky accessories, like shoes, belts, hats, socks, hair clips, which are not as budget damaging than the clothes. American Apparel, has also been my all time favourite for cool, comfortable basics that are really funky. I especially like their leggings, from the polka dot ones to the shiny fabric ones. My daughter calls them her “disco” pants. I first discovered AA (what we short call for American Apparel) from Japan as they have shops in Tokyo, but soon later, I simply ordered them from their online website, which is great as their sizes and styles are more complete. The delivery charges are on the low side and one can always return them if they are not of the right size.
Shopping for kids are not the same as shopping for myself. It is important to find things which are not prickly and comfortable to the skin. Many parents tend to focus more on the outward aesthetics and overlook the importance of comfort as kids’ skin are a lot more sensitive. Hence other than looking for something cute and pretty to the naked eye, it is key to find things are equally comfortable and safe to wear!
American Apparel is a great example as they use very good quality fabric and can stand many washes. They do great basic tees from short to long sleeves and I sometimes buy them one size bigger for they can last longer, doubling as a long tee shirt dress to a simple tee for layering.
（譯文）
為孩子購物
當我懷著第一個孩子而後來知道她將是一個女仔時，很多人都警告我，我將會瘋狂地為她購買大量衣服，且將她打扮得有如我小時候的Barbie公仔。
結果，我真是這樣！那實在難以抗拒，當Natasha誕生的那分鐘起，我有如跌入了陷阱，不只是衣服，由小手套到襪子、鞋（不管現實是她在學行前根本還未需要）、頭巾、圍兜…以至到最重要的嬰兒袋（編按：俗稱奶粉袋）。
一齊就由嬰兒袋開始。這個並不易找，因為我不想求其要一個，我想找一個型的而不是可愛，也不要粉紅或粉藍的款式。最終，我在Prada找到心目中的一款，是它們最signature的黑色尼龍，非常輕、防水及耐用，而最重要的，是型。袋上有很多間隔，有一個側袋放置水/奶樽，而它更附有一張同樣為黑色尼龍的換尿片墊。這個款式真是最理想，因為最大的好處還在於它很中性，連我的丈夫也愛攜著四處走。
然後是衣服，儘管我真的很愛為我的女兒打扮，但我不會強烈地要將她變成一個可愛的小公主，反而重視穿上適合她個性的衣服，而最重要的，更是讓她穿回屬於自己年齡的衣服，不要硬裝「大個」。
其中一個我最喜歡買東西給女兒的地方，必定是——東京。日本的父母應該都是最落力為他們的BB或孩子打扮，令他們看來可愛又保持型格。經過一段日子，我已學懂了那套藝術——其實都是關於細節。日本時裝最出色就是顏色及層次，我最喜歡的幾間店舖包括：伊勢丹百貨公司、西武百貨公司，還有Baby Gap，因為它比其他世界各地的Gap店舖有更多不同的東西。
日本的百貨公司傾向售賣比較貴的童裝，而我就多數是買它們的古怪配飾，像鞋、腰帶、帽、襪、髮夾，相比貴價的衣服較為容易下手。至於Americal Apparel，更是我長期找尋有型、舒服但又有點古怪特色基本服的地方，我尤其喜歡它們的leggings，由圓點至光閃布料的都喜歡，我女兒稱呼它們為她的「disco」褲。
我最初在日本發現AA（是我們對American Apparel的簡稱）時，因它們在東京有店舖，但很快我便直接從它們的網站直接訂貨，有齊尺碼及款式，非常好。送貨費用很平，而且如果尺碼不對，可以退貨。
買東西給孩子跟買給自己是很不同，買給孩子的，要注意衣服不要有刺肉的感覺，穿著後要令皮膚感覺舒適，太多父母只重視外表的美，忽視了孩子容易敏感而衣物必須要舒適的重要性，所以，除了要找尋一些可愛、漂亮的衣服外，還要同樣平衡到舒適及安全的重要。
American Apparel就是一個很好的例子，它們用上很好的質料，可供清洗很多次，有很多basic的tees，由短袖至長袖都有，我有時會買大一個碼，可以穿耐些，又或者穿上兩件，長袖的在內再配上一件簡單的做layering效果。
16 September 2009 | comment (0)
category: 育兒 | tags: American Apparel, Barbie, Gap, layering, prada, 奶樽, 嬰兒袋, 東京, 質料
I thought I would never be a good mother. As a child I have always been the playful and dreamy one. So absent-minded with everything that my mother would say to me that if I one day have children of my own, I would leave them at a shop without realizing what I have done until I’m halfway home.
And then it all happened. And not only one, but I have two beautiful daughters, one two and half and a baby of two months. And it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. It made me realize that there is life more than just work. They made my life complete.
So what is life like being a fashion designer, wife, and a mother of two kids?
It is like leading a double/triple life: one as a responsible working woman, the other, a caring and loving mother/wife. It is indeed an artform. For me, just like all working moms, it’s never an easy task, you need a lot of patience, time and lots and lots of positive energy!
I find it particularly tricky especially after my second child was born. Handling two is not quite the same as just one. Work sometimes can wait, but not children. They grow up so fast and before you know it, you have missed out on important phases of their lives and growing from a baby to a girl to a woman. Moreover, I simply love my work too much. I can never see myself quitting what I do, forever! In fact, I think it is important to work as I think my work gives me the drive and focus to live life to the fullest. As a result, I think it helps inspire my kids too.
I love my work because it is creative and that suits me great because I am a romantic and a dreamer. The business side of it balances me out too, as the realities of the fashion industry (the bitchiness and uglier and often MUCH less glamorous sides of it) shoots you right back down to planet earth. And when you have to run around with two kids and breast milk spilling everywhere, one also has to be creative in finding what to wear to avoid looking “momsy” /frumpy, and still look decent, and most of all, cool.
For me, looking cool AND comfortable is key. One would think it’s easy as there are so much to choose from these days. But it is exactly the fact that “anything goes” also means “everything doesn’t go”. There’s so much around, it’s not easy to find clothes that are comfortable AND looks good too.
For me, the main key is to be yourself. I try to keep things simple and not over-accessorize. If you are like me, whom I consider myself human, which also means, a post-natal body with still a good 20 pounds to lose and arms that flab and wave like flags when u say bye to your friends, it’s important to find things that has nice fit, and can help hide those “sins”. It is about discovering your body shape, adjusting to life as a working mom, prioritizing your time, and being happy and at ease with yourself. Most of all, understanding yourself your needs, and gain self confidence by living and eating healthy. Spend quality time with your kids, and similarly, have some time on your own and pamper yourself, and chill. Working moms can be cool too.
My older daughter Natasha, supermodel 2009！My “idol”and most inspiring fashion mom, Kate Moss.
My “idol”and most inspiring fashion mom, Kate Moss.
My “idol”and most inspiring fashion mom, Kate Moss.
My sketch of my favourite “look” of the moment that help hide my “sins”. My favourite Martin Margiela suit, jacket, pastel t-shirt, low crotch jersey pants and Johanna ho “heart” platforms.
（譯文）
從來沒想過自己會是一個好媽媽。
小時候，我又愛玩又愛發夢，很善忘，所以我媽媽曾經說過，假如有一天我有自己的孩子，我應該會將他們遺留在一間店舖內，直至在回家的中途才會記起。
然後，事情真的發生了，而且不只一次，因為今日我有了兩個美麗的女兒，一個兩歲半，一個是只有兩個月的BB。在我我生命中，這的確是最美好的事情，因為她們讓我知道，生命中不應只有工作，她們令我的人生更加美滿。
那麼，究竟一個時裝設計師身份 + 太太 + 兩個孩子母親的生活是怎樣的呢？
那就像飾演著雙重/三重身份：一個是盡責的職業女性，還有是，細心且充滿了愛的媽媽/太太，就好似踏上表演舞台一樣。對我來說，跟大部份在職媽媽一樣，這份從來都不是一件容易的工作，因為你需要大量的耐性、時間及無窮無盡的正面能量！
自從第二個孩子出世後，我感覺開始難以處理，原來要照顧兩個孩子，跟只有一個是很不同的。工作有時可以等，但孩子不能，她們成長得很快，在你發現之前，可能已錯過了她們成長過程中很多重要的片段。而且，我很愛自己的工作，實在不能夠放棄，永遠都不能！而事實上，我亦覺得我的工作很重要，它給予我動力及令我的生活更加充實，從而亦幫助到我去剌激和啟發我的孩子。
我愛我的工作，因為它實在很一份很具創意又很適合我的工作，我本身就是一個浪漫和愛發夢的人。生意的事情可以幫助我平衡，因為時裝界的現實（有些醜陋的事情但又夾雜一些美好的方面）會令你返回現實世界；而當你忙於要照顧兩個孩子又要無處不在地餵人奶時，因為還要創作，讓你仍要去發掘應該要怎樣穿才可避免變成「師奶」/乏味，要緊記保持得體，更重要，是型！
在我來說，型及舒適是最重要。有人會覺得今日的時代好容易有很多選擇，但事實卻是「乜都可以」，亦會「乜都唔可以」。四處的確有很多選擇，但絕不容易找到既舒適又好看的衣裝。
我覺得最重要還是「做回自己」，我自己喜歡穿得簡單且不過份裝飾，如果你好像我一樣，產後仍有20磅需要減掉，手臂鬆弛得跟朋友揮手說再見時好似搖旗一樣，那麼找一些令妳看來很稱身又可以幫助隱藏這些「缺憾」的衣裝就很重要。
保持身段線條，如何調節生活繼續當個在職媽媽，好好分配時間，活得快樂，而更重要是能了解自己的需要，活得健康，幫自己獲得自信心。並且給予孩子有質素的時間，同樣地，也給自己一些私人時間對自己好，在職媽媽也可以很棒！
6 August 2009 | comment (0)
category: Uncategorized
