December 21 2012
Modern Mom, Kelly Rebeiro
When I first learned about Kelly through a friend, she was simply described as, “a total MoPa.” Clearly, I was intrigued. MoPa continues to provide us the opportunity to meet moms like Kelly – such a bonus. Not only does this Modern Mom have style for days, but her passion for her work just won’t quit.
Meet Kelly & Archie.
What does a typical day in the life consist of? I’ve learned over the past 5 years of motherhood that nothing and no day is “typical” with a child who is learning, growing and changing at warp speed. Alas, I must say I’ve since learned to embrace and find adventure in the unpredictability of motherhood. The thing that is typical or constant is that we start and end each day with cuddle time. I wake my son with the song my grandmother woke me up with (although I must admit her voice was much sweeter than my own, self-admitted tone deaf pitch) known as “Are You Sleeping? (Frère Jacques)”. At the start of each day I remind him, “it’s the start of a new day… it will be the best day ever because you have the power to make it that way”. At bedtime, we typically pray together, thanking God for all of our blessings, especially our family and friends.
Tell us about your yoga studio, and the inspiration behind it? The inspiration behind the Yoga Studio was to create a space that recognizes that we all exist as mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Om Studio combines both traditional Yoga and alternative health and wellness modalities to engage student’s multi-dimensionally. Only after healing progresses beyond the symptomatic to embrace the whole person does real self-discovery begin. My experience and success is in guiding students to move beyond the underlying physical limitations to true self-actualization and ultimately balance both spiritually and physically.
Aside of work and being a mom, what are some of the other things you’re passionate about? I’m taking all the steps necessary to establish a user friendly and credible body of work that will infuse my transformational philosophies into the growing vanguard of education reform, public policy, youth development, and sustainability. My two guiding principles are equity and fostering life-long learning. These core values led me to become one of the founding members of The ESHU2 Collective (education should help us), an organization that is responsible for creating a national pilot for community education as a profession. This model was adopted by YouthBuild USA and resulted in training youth consultants nationwide. I currently serve this grassroots network as Co-Founder/Creative Director. In this capacity I develop curricula, facilitate courses, and advise organizational development. I have been highly involved in institutional reform in Development and Management within Edison Schools, Platform Learning and Rocket Learning in the cities of New York, Philadelphia and Miami. Since graduating from Rutgers University with a dual degree in psychology and communications, I’ve practiced extensively in the fields of artistic expression both as a dancer for the noteworthy Mark Morris and in many facets of the film and music industry with the likes of Spike Lee and Sean Coombs. I have taken my direct experiences in this field and am translating them into my work as part of a cohort under The Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington D.C., considering how to effectively integrate fine arts into the traditional education. As a Yoga instructor, I serve the greater New Bedford Community, Miami, Palm Beach and Manhattan, sharing the benefits of Yoga with all ages from pre-natal classes to her gentle yoga classes, designed specifically for seniors. I’m currently enrolled at The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth studying public policy at the master degree level. As part of my studies, I’m actively engaged in community development and working to incorporate local leadership in the underserved and underrepresented populations such as the poor and the young. I’m finally pursuing my life-long dream of working in health sciences, graduating last June with a degree in Therapeutic Massage. My avid interests include applying mind/body science to create holistic educational experiences and stimulating environmental activism and sustainability.
What is your favorite mom moment so far? There are so many favorite mom moments from the time Archie was first placed in my arms at birth, to his pre-school graduation when he stopped the outdoor ceremony because he spotted a tiny butter cup growing between the blades of grass. He picked it and ran up to me in the audience to proudly deliver the delicate flower. As all the parents looked at us, he announced “mommy I picked this flower for you.” He constantly makes my heart melt.
Perhaps, my all-time favorite mommy moment, which I shared with everyone who would listen, (including Facebook) is a post I made in Nov 2011: “He leaped into my arms this morning. We held each other, tightly- quickly our breathing became synchronized. My usual question,”Did you sleep well?” quietly he whispered in my ear,”yes”..”and I’m sooo happy, you want to know why” “Yes, of course baby-tell me” “Cause I LOVE YOU mommy!” Indeed, LOVE is all you NEED!
If you could describe your family in three words, what would they be? I would describe my family as Loving, Multi-cultural and Blessed!
How would you describe your personal style? My personal style is a blend of classic elegance, bohemian-chic. My Birkenstock sandals and Jimmy Choo’s live side-by-side in harmony on the shoe rack in my closet. I call it Funky-Formal-Hippy-Chick.
Who is your favorite style icon? I have several favorite style icons. I love the simple elegance and classic style of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I keep a photo of the former first lady on the mirror in my bedroom. I’m reminded daily by her that motherhood is the single most important role of our lives. My favorite quote by Jackie O is, “if you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.” That’s true mommy style. I’m also inspired by Gwen Stefani’s bold, edgy, break all the rules of standard fashion. I love her use of color and pattern, and that she also styled her boys. I try to do the same with Archie. Finally, I admire Michelle Obama who blends clean lines and casual corporate for regal and sporty simplicity.
What’s one activity you love to do with your son? Since the birth of my son, I have worked full-time while simultaneously working on both my therapeutic massage degree and my Master of Public Policy. So, when I can just be alone with him, one-on-one… albeit rare, it is definitely my favorite activity. Recently I’ve shared the magic of theatre with my son. It’s something my parents did with me. On a recent trip with my mom, Archie and I went to see the Lion King and the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show, and it was wonderful. Three generations sitting side-by-side!
I watched my sons face light up and the sense of awe he expressed, as he took in the scenery and performances, with draw dropping delight, it literally reduced me to tears of joy (which amused my mom). Theatre is definitely a new favorite activity I’ll share with him.
Being a mother is a big job in itself. How do you balance between career and home life? Do you have advice for other moms? I am always seeking balance. I’m a typical Virgo in that I strive for perfection in anything that I do, which translates into “I’m constantly pushing myself to do better and be better”. I don’t do anything a little bit so I’m try to be mindful that we are all perfectly imperfect. My yoga practice is what keeps me sane and grounded. If I’m not practicing Yoga, I’m out of sorts with myself and the world. My advice to other moms is to carve out time to unplug, meditate, re-group and re-focus so that you can keep on, keeping on. I always encourage finding a good Yoga class that you are comfortable in because yoga can and will uplift, heal and soothe the mommy mind, body and soul.
Three things we’d find in your handbag right now? Crayons, Hand sanitizer and Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1.
On date night, we’d find you where? As a single mother my date night is spent with my Archie. I’ll say, “Archie, you and I are going on a date… where would you like to go on our special date?” His reply is usually Chuck E. Cheese or a grilled cheese from Freestones. Prior to being a mom and grad student, date night would consist of NOBU in New York or Miami. I am a self-confessed sushi addict.
Kelly’s 5 Must-Haves:
Skin: LA MER crème or Organic cold-pressed Olive Oil
Make-up: Foundation Studio Tech by MAC or Ultime Honey by Chanel
Lips: Ruby by Chanel for evening – it’s a bold, matte red. During the day, my lip color is Pampille – it’s a fabulous sheer gloss with a hint of pink shimmer.
Hair: Moroccan Oil by MOROCCANOIL INC. in Los Angeles but they import it from Israel.
Designer: Karl Lagerfeld
Local Spot: I’m originally from Fairhaven and although I have traveled from Europe to Africa, and I can honestly say that the Inn at Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett has been transformed back to the good old days of the former Mattapoisett Inn. I have cherished memories of spending special occasions there with my parents growing up. The quaint charm of sitting at the oldest seaside INN, and the friendly atmosphere combined with delicious cuisine is one of the reasons why I love being back home in New England.
My favorite dish and guilty pleasure is their Bakes Gouda Skillet. The gouda is baked with cream, shallots, and garlic served with crostini for delectable dunking. It’s perfect for mommy time, and makes me think of a song my son and I would sing (thanks to Yo Gabba Gabba) “There’s a party in my tummy, so yummy-so yummy”.
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