Archives for category: Press and Media

Macaroon Original Guest Blog for Mini Social!

December 20, 2011 //
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DRESS UP! by Macaroon Original’s Zoe Schaeffer

Posted on December 19, 2011 by admin

DressUp

We are excited to have mother of two Zoe Schaeffer from the stylish blog Macaroon Originalsharing her thoughts on dress up and imaginative play.

Out of nowhere my older daughter became enamored with the Wovenplay “Indian Princess” tiaras that I bought her (while she was still in the womb, mind you) that have been perched on an I Golfini Della Nonna panda bear’s head for the past few years. I seriously thought the headresses would serve as room décor until she pulled them out to wear while building with magna tiles or dancing to new tunes. Which means…I now have license to really go for it! Already purchased: a one-of-a-kind Birdskull headpiece from Thumbeline and a hand-made headband version from some chick in Germany. The floodgates have officially been opened. On top of these purchases came a “dress up wardrobe.” You know. An open closet meant for over-the-top tutus, Sarah’s Silks Mermaid get-ups, DIY capes, and (obviously,) head gear galore. I see few problems with this new set-up: I’m encouraging imaginative play, organizing the chaos, and satiating an editorial nostalgia, left behind from years having worked as assistants at Conde Nast.

Even at my daughter’s Pre-School, a little bohemian spot in LA where girls can’t wear dresses, skirts, or anything they can’t get down-and-dirty in, has a closet full of princess costumes and fairy dresses alike, because our Director (who has a PhD in Early Childhood Development,) believes in the power of dress up. A flouncy skirt in the sandbox is a no-no but a mermaid on the swing is completely kosher. I like it!

When my brother and I were growing up in a small Manhattan apartment, my ex-hippie parents would fill up trunks with seventies stuff  (think squash heels, hand knit hats and patchwork denim,) and that’s how we rolled. Whatever was in the trunk was what went on our bodies (no fairy princess here!) It wasn’t really about what we were trying to become, rather than imagining we could be someone else. And while my friend Joanna claims her daughter is “so done” with this stage at age five, I believe she never switched gears from princesses to ninja geishas (or whatever my friend Jewels claims her seven year old has moved on to.) So yes! The dress up never goes away, it just changes. Meaning, I still live for dressing up, myself. But these days it’s in my Dries and Marni splurges.

Zoe Schaeffer lives in LA with her two daughters, Gemma and Rafi. Be sure to check out her blog,Macaroon Original,  for tons of stylish tips and great finds. Images courtesy of Wovenplay and Birdskull – thank you!

 

 

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Macaroon Original Two Week Blog Stint for Lucky Kids!

October 6, 2011 //
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macaroon original: dress the part

2:00 PM, OCTOBER 6 2011
BY ZOE SCHAEFFER

The following is a guest post from Macaroon Original.

At times it’s hard for me to relinquish control when my daughter get dressed and often I have to bite my tongue when she emerges in striped clam diggers, an inside-out floral tank, a tutu and purple Toms.

“Look!” she says. And while I know I’m supposed to reply with an “effective” compliment by describing in detail what she put on and then attributing a positive adjective, most of the time I find myself trailing off, “Cool, Gem….” So not effective. My bad.

But having special little pieces from Wovenplay’s artful, unique collection makes the madness look pretty rockin’. Because throw a reversable cape over that ensemble and you’ve got yourself a really dope Super Hero Ballerina. And canvas and jeweled tiaras and hand-made “leis” will be a sweet final touch to any “look.”


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Macaroon feature on Mom Inc!

August 11, 2011 //
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Featured Designing Mom: Zoe Schaeffer of Macaroon Original

by CAT on AUGUST 1, 2011

“Word of Mouth” is at a whole other level when it comes to motherhood…childcare, bottles, scooter brands, docs. I have never listened or shared more intensely. Today we have stylist and writer Zoe Schaeffer from the fab Macaroon Original recommending her favorite sites and brands. Zoe has two beautiful daughters, co-owned popular LA Boutique Presse, was an assistant to Anna Sui and beauty editor for magazines like Self… Phew! Her dossier is quite impressive and am thankful to have her lend some finds!

1) Smallable — Designer clothing, furniture, decor and toys for children from 0 to 12

“When I’m looking to be inspired or make that special splurge, I visit this Parisian e-tailer. The buying is impeccable and there are tons of things you can’t find here in the States.”

2) Jess Brown — Rag dolls: Hand-made & One of a kind

“I’m in love with these fanciful little dolls and have been ever since I discovered them while on a trip to San Francisco. They are special, chic, and totally collectible. I am slowly building a collection for my two girls.”

3) Romp — Toys, Dolls & Decor

“I heard a rumor this store is closing which is such a shame. They have artsy, eco, hand-made toys that are quirky and off-beat. It’s a well curated shop with special little finds. I particularly love the Shwe Shwe Friends key-rings which I hang on the girl’s backpacks. They remind me of the Prada robot versions that everyone had a few years back.”

4) Little Bean — Unique. Kids. Shop

“This Dallas-based store is such a gem. My mom tripped upon it years ago and it’s been a go-to for gifts ever since. It carries special lines like Little Warrior and Dagmar Daley.”

5) Donna Wilson — Critters and Products for you & your home

“I give Donna Wilson so much love, it’s insane. She makes these stylish little “critters” which are fun to throw on a rocking chair as well as these Nos Da “poufs” with which I am obsessed. We have a peach one in my older daughter’s room and she sits on it and braids my hair.”


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Macaroon Original on GAP website

April 19, 2011 //
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Macaroon Original blogger, freelance beauty/fashion writer, and mom to Gemma and Rafi, Zoe’s day is a marathon of meals, dance parties, writing projects, costume changes, meetings, and—fingers crossed—a little bit of alone time. What we love most? She makes being busy 24/7 look fun.

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7:00 The progressively loud babbling from Rafi, 16 months, signals she is awake and then Gemma, 3, shuffles into our room with her mini Fancy Nancy library.

7:30 Jon comes home from spinning with my “treat,” a tea latte from Urth Café. The girls act as if Elvis has entered the building. We all have breakfast: Rafi wants “oh-mm-el” and “ah-jsa” (oatmeal and eggs) and Gem wants a pancake and greek yogurt.8:00 Jon gets ready for work as I wrestle the kids into clothes. (Gemma chooses her Mini Rodini splatter dress and Baby Gap tights, Rafi wiggles into American Apparel karate pants and a Stella McCartney X Gap striped sweater.)9:00 Janette is here! Our beloved nanny gets running hugs from both kids. She takes them to play with their friends down the street or to my mom’s who lives around the corner. I vigorously work at home on my fashion and beauty freelance writing as the second the kids step back in the house, it’s all over.

10:30 Gemma chooses an outfit for her ballet/tap class: an old-school Danskin leotard, a Japanese tutu and hand-knit leggings from Etsy! I couldn’t have styled it better myself.

11:00 We trek to Sophie Dance, a rad dance studio near our house. The kids practice their recital moves to the latest Taylor Swift.

12:00 Today is our “ladies who lunch” day and Gemma and I head to Mauro’s Café at Fred Segal with a friend from class and her mom.

2:00 Nap time. I stop by one of my favorite shops, Eggy, to buy some gifts for friends’ new babies and the owner, Jennie, tells me about a new line that I want to include in my blog.

3:00 I meet my friend Michael for coffee to discuss doing his “mom” content for his new retail venture. It could turn into a major project which is exciting.

4:00 Bath time! Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. And lots of Knotty Girl “Marshmallow” conditioner.

5:00 It’s time for “5:00 Dance Party.”  Mostly it’s my entertaining them with a healthy mix of fist pumping, interpretive dance and The Roger Rabbit. My iPhone serves as DJ: Adele, Muse, Radiohead and a lot of electronic.

6:00 I make the kids dinner with one hand because Rafi insists on being held.

7:00 Rafi goes night-night and Gemma gets ready for bed. After that its story time in our massive, meant-for-outdoors, Karen Kimmel customized Tipi that lives in our living room.

8:00 I make dinner or we order in, depending upon my level of exhaustion. After that, I tuck myself behind the computer and use this quiet time to work on my blog, answer emails and pitch ideas.

9:30 Feed my soul with mindless TV: Watch What Happens Live, Millionaire Matchmaker, Housewives. And yes, 60 Minutes so that I don’t get “dumber” from the rest of the line-up.

10:30 Read my Philip Roth book about the polio epidemic. And by “read,” I mean, skim a few pages until I get so depressed, I have to re-focus on something superficial like decorating in order to fall asleep.

Photos courtesy of: Zoe Schaeffer
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July 27, 2010 //
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Macaroon Original in Pint Size Social

JULY 27TH, 2010

ZOE SCHAEFFER, A LOS ANGELES IT MOM

Zoe fills us in on a few of her favorite things

There’s always one in the crowd, you know her. She’s THAT mom. Always pulled together, her kids are dressed perfectly without being too uptight and you wonder, how does she do it? What keeps her going? To get to the bottom of it, we chatted with Zoe Schaeffer, mom of two and current LA resident about a few of her local favorite things. And, if you love her picks as much as we do, continue reading about her daily obsessions on her uber plugged in blog, Macaroon Original.

Brunch Spot:
I always bring friends visiting from New York to The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotelbecause it’s so vintage LA. The McCarthy Chopped Salad and a glass of white wine by the pool on a hot day is the best. It’s the perfect grown-up lunch spot.

Park or playground:
We love the playground at the Malibu Country Mart because there is a huge, shaded sandbox that keeps the kids busy for hours. Afterward we shop for accessories at the nearby Crew Cuts and then eat the most delicious turkey burgers from Malibu Kitchen.

Guilty pleasure:
Terri Lawton facials are indulgent but worth it. She’s Demi Moore’s skin-fixer, need I say more?

Activity with your kids:
We just discovered Blueberry picking at Underwood Farms. I make sure to go with other East Coasters who also grew up picking fruit in fields! And the kids love the fun tractor rides.

Shop:
OK on Third Street is really well-curated. They have the sickest book selection I’ve ever seen, hundreds of Comme des Garcons wallets and old-school toys like legos and comics. It’s quirky but super tasteful.

Kids clothing store:
Lately I’ve been hooked on Eggy, which just opened near my house. In the land of trendy, this shop carries really sophisticated brands like Kico and Maragnes that could be confused for Marni. And I stock up on the one-of-a-kind kimono hair clips.

Cold/Rainy weather activity:
I grab a friend and we shuttle them to Treehouse Social, a spacious indoor playroom on Robertson. It breaks my heart that they are closing because then it’s going to be about Elmo. All day. Until the rain stops.

Warm weather activity:
The Huntington Gardens in Pasadena is so special. The Children’s Garden has water bells and marble jets that captivate little ones. And the property as a whole is so perfectly manicured, you feel as if you are in a fairytale.

Dinner spot w kids:
Cheebo in Hollywood is the best. There are crayons, board games and everything is organic-even the Toddler Menu. But the music is amazing and the crowd’s super artsy so you never feel as if you are settling for a random kid-friendly spot.

Drinks w friends:
The patio at The Little Door Next Door is my go-to when I want to relax with a friend over a glass of wine. It’s an off-shoot of the beloved Little Door but is more of a lovely French cafe that belongs in New York. It makes me feel right at home in my fabulous adopted city.

Categories Press and Media

March 10, 2010 //
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Macaroon Original on Elle.com

Zoe Schaeffer on Where to Take Kids in LA

BY WHITNEY VARGAS |  MARCH 15, 2010Print

Schaeffer 

Zoe Schaeffer and her two-year-old daughter, Gemma. See her online picks in the gallery below.

If you’ve got children, or know anyone who does, make sure the new blog macaroonoriginal.com is on your radar. Former magazine editor and owner of LA’s now shuttered, uber hip Presse boutique, Zoe Schaeffer decided to start the site after giving birth to her second daughter. “A lot of my fashion-y mom friends became newfound nesters,” she says. “When it came to finding stylish stuff, there seemed to be a real void here in LA, and I found myself cherry-picking off the cool online stores.” From baby Isabel Marant to vegan cookie dough, macaroonoriginal.com now serves as a richly curated selection of her favorite toddler and home décor finds. Here, Schaeffer shares some of her LA secrets and her latest online obsessions.

ELLE: What are your daughters’ names?

Zoe Schaeffer: Gemma, who’s two. And Rafael (Rafi), who is four months.

ELLE: Where do you live in LA?

Schaeffer: West Hollywood

ELLE: Why did you name the site Macaroon Original?

Schaeffer: It’s an ode to my sweet tooth and, in my opinion, the most stylish treat.

ELLE: What is your two-year-old really into these days?

Schaeffer: Dressing up and puppets. And the sand box at the Malibu Lumber Yard!

ELLE: Describe your own style.

Schaeffer: It’s about comfort for day (American Apparel leggings, Acne t-shirts, Burberry brogues) and big-time dressing for night (Proenza Schouler statement jackets, Bruce volume blouses, Dries van Noten heels and scarves). There’s no more room for in between.

ELLE: Favorite baby gift to give?

Schaeffer: You can’t beat gifting someone a session with a super cool photographer. It’s a beautiful way to capture a family portrait and it’s so worth every penny. I love, love LA-based Meeno Peluce (meenophoto.com). No posed portraits here!

ELLE: Best restaurant to take little kids to?

Schaeffer: I love Lemonade, which has spots in West Hollywood and Venice. The service is really fast. Everything is chopped up super small. And there are four different flavors of lemonade on any given day—even a sugar-free kind for the mamas.

ELLE: Best-kept LA secret for children?

Schaeffer: Eco Station in Culver City. It’s an exotic wildlife rescue center for birds, reptiles, and wildcats. It’s better than any zoo! And it teaches kids about environmental responsibility.

ELLE: Best cultural activity?

Schaeffer: Ziggy Marley does a family concert that’s wildly popular here. I’m convinced that kids inherently love a reggae beat.

ELLE: What did you recently buy your own girls?

Schaeffer: I’m starting a collection of really special, one-of-a-kind dolls that I know my girls will appreciate when they’re a bit older.

Categories Press and Media

March 8, 2010 //
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Macaroon Original on Planet Awesome Kid

PEOPLE LET ME TELL YOU…..I work hard every day.  All day long, and sometimes all night too.

I take little breaks often during the day.  I am constantly looking for things that inspire, entertain, amuse, educate, make me smile or laugh, or just make me say, wow, that’s dope!

I found Macaroon Original last week, and I just love it.  It’s a website dedicated to all things cool and stylish for home, baby and mamma (and pappa too!).  I asked founder Zoe Schaeffer a few questions, and here is what she had to say:

Tell me 5 things we need to know about you + Macaroon Original

  1. I used to own a super hot boutique in LA that was a casualty of the recession. Over night I went from being a hard-core business owner to a stay-at-home mom. Talk about an identity crisis!
  2. Macaroon is for style-obsessed girls like me who are new-found nesters and want the coolest finds for their kids. Most of us still work like mad or are too busy with the babies to browse boutiques‑think of me as your personal shopper for all-things chic baby and home.
  3. My current dream is to help design a sick tee-shirt line for kids. They would be styles that mamas would wear if they were to be super-sized.
  4. I’m a New York transplant who’s been living in LA for seven years. My family moved out here after me and now I’m depressed that I no longer have roots in my favorite city…. And while I really love California life, I will freak out if my daughters have accents with “long a’s!”
  5. After I had kids my entire world view changed. My depth of compassion has reached new heights. I know I would do anything for a fellow parent in need.

Tell me why we cannot go one day without reading your blog

I intend for Macaroon to be a souped-up “Blog Store” where I still discover and edit the market for the most amazing things for my “customers.” It’s my answer to having another boutique without having to pay rent!

Tell me the dopest places to go with kids in LA

1)    Fit for Kids, the spot to take your kids for gym. They do zip-lining, roller-racing and all kinds of crazy stuff.

2)    Anenberg Beach House really changed the landscape of summer life in LA. It’s abeautiful public beach with fun fountains for kids to stomp around in and delicious family food like veggie burgers and fruit salad.

3)    Larchmont Farmer’s Market is our Sunday go-to. An old-school Rastafarian performs his reggae beats and sets out maracas and drums so the kids to join along. And it’s across the street from Sam’s Bagels‑the only legit bagel place in LA!

4)     The Japanese nurseries on Sawtelle are a beautiful spot to let your little one pick out some flowers to plant. They have every species under the sun and the kids can help wheel around the plant cart.

Tell me your five favorite kids clothing brands/stores and why

  1. I love Atsuyo et Akiko for their “shout out” tees and charming jewelry. They also make these beautiful feather “wings” which are a must for any girl’s dress-up stash.
  2. Makie is the ultimate in clean, elegant and sophisticated clothes for tots. The fabric is gorgeous‑and it’s priced accordingly.
  3. Bobochoses is funky, playful and hard-to-find. I haven’t seen much of it in the States but it’s huge in Paris.
  4. I swear by Crewcuts for everyday apparel. J. Crew has a brilliant styling team and they are masters at mixing up girlie and tomboy.
  5. Wovenplay feels like it’s from another world. All the clothes are borderline costumes. I especially love the retro sunsuits and the “toe shoe” leggings.

My favorite stores are Sweet William in Brooklyn, Lost and Found in Hollywood, and Smallable in Paris.

Thank you Zoe……..You are the dopeness.

Categories Press and Media

February 18, 2010 //
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Categories Press and Media, Uncategorized
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