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THE MOTHER NATURE
THE FAMILY GROOVE'S PROFILE OF TWO MOMS WHO ARE MAKING IT HAPPEN
The days of the traditional coffee clutch may be over, but at THE FAMILY GROOVE we're doing it new school,
bringing people together to laugh, learn, share and commiserate in the global village called the Internet.
This month, we want you meet Michele Adams and Gia Russo, two designing moms who have created the lives
they've always wanted to live. Their self-styled success as authors, TV personalities, entertaining experts and
recent foray into kids' furnishings makes these leading lifestyle tastemakers our moms of the month.
So, just how do these women manage a rising multi-media empire while each raising a son under the age of two?
With a good cup of coffee every morning and always remembering that family comes first.
1. Who are you?
MA: Michele Adams
GR: Gia Russo
2. How old are you?
MA: 38 years old
GR: 36 years old
3. Where do you live?
MA: Los Angeles
GR: Los Angeles, CA
4. How many children do you have? How old?
MA: One child, a boy named Jackson. He’s 14 months old.
GR: One boy, 16 months old
5. What time do you get up?
MA: 7:30 am
GR: Anytime between 6:00 am to 7:00 am
6. What daily rituals must you do to feel normal?
MA: I'm pretty simple: coffee in the morning; try to look pulled together—
put on a little makeup even if I’m just going to the park; check email.
GR: Have a cup of coffee in the morning while my son is having breakfast
and spend time with my two dogs on the couch in the evening.
7. What do you wish you'd do everyday, but haven't been able to incorporate into your routine?
MA: I honestly can’t think of anything. I used to think that I needed lots of “me” time, but now I realize I don’t. I do spend a little time at the end each day watching TV and I always read for about 20 minutes before going to sleep. The TV and books really help me unwind and get rid of stress.
GR: I wish I could exercise more regularly, but I guess running after a toddler helps.
8. Do you work?
MA: I work but not a typical nine to five day. I work around my son’s schedule, mostly at night and sometimes on weekends. When I need to do interviews, schedule meetings or do television work during the day, my mom is able to watch my son. Things are very flexible during the day. I stay home with my son and take care of business through email or over the phone. I work on more intense projects like designing products at night after my son goes to bed. His bedtime is 6:30, so I have several hours before it’s time for me to go to bed.
GR: Yes
9. What do you do?
MA: I’m a television personality and host, designer and author.
GR: I am TV personality, author and designer
10. Tell us about it.
MA: Gia and I are partners of MiGi, LLC, a design and media company. We are the authors of three entertaining books: Wedding Showers, Baby Showers and At Home with Friends. We host an entertaining show “The Art of the Party” on Fine Living and most recently an entertaining series on AOL.com, “Entertaining with Michele & Gia”.
Our product line launched this past fall with a collection of crib bedding and nursery accessories. The girl collection, “’Sweet,” is available at Target.com and Walmart.com and a boy’s collection, “Splash,” will be available mid-February. In March, MiGi tabletop and entertaining products will be available at Amazon.
GR: Michele and I are partners of MiGi, LLC, a lifestyle/design company. We have our hands in different areas of media. We have written three entertaining books, Wedding Showers, Baby Showers and At Home with Friends. We host an entertaining show, “The Art of the Party” on Fine Living and most recently an entertaining series on AOL.com, “Entertaining with Michele & Gia.”
11. What's the best thing your mother ever told you?
MA: Don’t let someone’s “no” stop you from achieving your goals. In my business, there are so many more “no's,” so it’s easy to get discouraged. The “no” is really just their opinion and you don’t know what their agenda is. Brush it off and move on.
GR: Family always comes first.
12. What does being a good mother mean?
MA: Being a good mother means that you accept the not-so-fun and difficult moments along with all the great times and joyful ones.
GR: I think being a good mother means being patient, giving lots of love and having fun with your child.
13. What's your mantra/personal philosophy?
MA: If you do what you love, it won’t seem like work.
GR: I try to get two things accomplished a day off of my list. If not, there is always tomorrow.
14. What do you tell other mothers?
MA: I get asked a lot about how I manage work and taking care of my son. The working mom/stay at home mom issue is such a hot topic. Everyone has to make her own choice and be at peace with it. Trust your gut and figure out a way to make it happen.
GR: Enjoy every minute with your child because it goes too fast
15. Finish this sentence: I want my children to know
MA: I want my child to know that he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to.
GR: You can accomplish your dreams.
16. Who inspires you?
MA: My sister Jackie is one person who inspires me. She has four amazing kids, ages seven months to seven years old. She’s always really positive, upbeat and calm even when there’s chaos brewing. One trip to her house and life seems easy for me in comparison.
GR: My husband inspires me—he is my biggest cheerleader.
17. What are you passionate about?
MA: I’m passionate about being creative. I love designing products and seeing them come to life. I get so much of my inspiration from '60s and '70s design. I’ll take that inspiration and transform it with a modern twist to create something unique.
GR: My husband and my son
18. How do you balance your life as a woman, a mother and a friend?
MA: I haven’t figured that out yet. This past year has gone by so fast and I’m just feeling like the high-maintenance baby stage is winding down. I plan to give my husband more of my time in the coming year.
GR: I prioritize my responsibilities.
19. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
MA: I wish I knew that being a mom was going to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I had no idea and I spent too many years struggling over the decision to become a mom.
GR: Most things in life take awhile to happen—patience is very important.
20. How do you get your groove on?
MA: Having a dinner in front of the fire with my husband. I love fondue—it’s really easy to make and fun to eat, too. Plus, it goes perfectly with a glass of wine, which is always great to relax with.
GR: Delicious meals, a glass of red wine and relaxing
Like Michele and Gia's style? Check 'em out at www.migistyle.com.
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