Our Mom Snob of the day is the creator of Kotur bags, a Red Carpet favorite of A-listers and fashionistas alike. Fiona Kotur is not only known as an International icon of style, she is also mom to four adorable boys! Between her busy schedule in Hong Kong– (her homebase since 2002) working and raising her young family, she took time out to tell us her favorite Mother’s Day memories.
1. What do you want for Mother’s Day?
Breakfast in bed with my four! One loves to make boiled eggs and the other pancakes. We will most likely spread it out on the bed – picnic style!
2. What is your most cherished Mommy moment?
I took a class in baby massage and the connection between parent and child is so important. It strengthens the bond and is great family activity.
3. How do you balance work and family life?
That it is the eternal question for every parent, I decided to talk to my kids about what is important to them. They have told me it is important for me to drop them off, put them to bed and help them with their homework – but not necessarily watch their soccer games. Open dialogue is crucial!
4. Do you have any tips or advice on how to look put together with no time to spare? Mornings are tough for moms. I keep my beauty essentials in my handbag, do everything I can the night before and lay out my clothes early. They key is to be prepared in advance (as much as possible), but leave in some room for the surprises that come your way. If I have time to spare, I rather spend time with my boys.
5. Do you have efficient and tantrum free travel ideas? Special gadgets, toys or treats? We restrict TV and electronic use at home, so when they are allowed to use portable gaming systems, like Nintendo DS, it really keeps their attention. Great for flights. Additionally, the day before I recommend a lot of physical activity. We run, go hiking, or play back to back tennis until they are good and tired. My children only have traveled long-hall flights, so, this helps them not feel antsy.
6. Most working moms experience mommy guilt. How do you cope and find mental balance? By having your own business you set your own hours. They might be longer and harder – but it leaves you with flexibility. I go into the office right after drop off the boys and it gives me about two hours to myself.
7. How do you pamper yourself after a long week? I get a massage because they are readily available and since in Hong Kong it is considered part of regular health care, it is inexpensive. We will even go for a family massage and make an evening out of it! First a pizza night and then out for a family massage to end the night.
8. Best Mother’s Day memory? I love hand made presents! I have saved every Birthday, Christmas and Mothers Day card that the boys made for me! I love it when they draw the family, and how they depict us! Their proud little faces when they present what they have created just melts my heart.
9. What do you think is important to teach your children? Encouraging individuality, self-expression, creativity, and passion as the foundation of their character is the greatest gift I can give.
10. What is the most important lesson you learned from your own mother? No matter how creativity manifests itself follow what you love, be confident and independent in your thinking, and most importantly have the humility to be able to laugh at yourself from time to time.
