Can you tell us a little about you and your family:
I’m a wife and a mother to two little gems; Nicholas (10) and Maia (6). I also have a clothing line with my husband (Mark) – which we run ourselves, just the two of us. I’m also a model and an author of a lovely little children’s book called, “I am Me”. I’m just trying to juggle it all whilst finding balance between motherhood, marriage, and business.
Adjusting to motherhood..
The biggest adjustment for me when I became a mother was losing my personal identity. The shift from full-time work to not working for 10 years after my son was born (which was my own personal choice), was a challenge at times, but I’ve always known I wanted to be a full-time mum and knew it was the right thing for our family the moment I met my husband. I’m so grateful I was able to be there for my little family 100%, and equally grateful to my husband for giving me all the support I needed during those times.
How do you manage the juggle?
That’s a very difficult question to answer. Like everyone, I think I have good days and bad days where I’m feeling overwhelmed, but I try my best to stay positive and focus on one task at a time.
I don’t think I could live without a good old to-do list to keep me organised and on track.
To be honest, I also have a pretty awesome husband who helps me out a lot. It’s all about the teamwork!
The best thing about motherhood?
The best thing about being a mum would have to be the all the love I get. And watching them grow into their beautiful selves.
The biggest challenge?
Motherhood comes with various challenges, but the biggest challenge for me, as a mother, was when my father passed away unexpectedly. I had just given birth to my son, Nicholas and had to process his death whilst trying to stay positive for my son. My milk supply dried up due to the stress my body was under. The guilt I experienced from being unable to breastfeed is something I have felt a very long time. Luckily, I know Nicholas is a very healthy, happy and strong young man! I’ve tried to make peace with knowing that everything happens the way it’s supposed to.
The biggest surprise?
That there’s no switch off button! (laughs) Being a mum is crazy, busy, fun, adventurous times.
What do you wish you knew before becoming a mum?
I wish I knew just how difficult breastfeeding was going to be. I would have told myself not to give up, just to stick with it and only introduce formula as a last resort. Nothing can prepare you for what motherhood brings but I guess that’s one of the most beautiful things about it. The opportunity to start a new chapter and journey. The unknown. That’s what’s beautiful. I really enjoyed every moment as a I transitioned into motherhood.
Any advice to a new mum or soon-to-be-mum?
Don’t think about tomorrow. Just stay present and live in the present moment of today. They really grow up too fast! I miss the newborn stage.
Any advice to manage the day-to-day juggle?
The two biggest tips I have are:
- Going to bed early so that I can wake up early and have plenty of time to prepare for the day ahead. (I usually go to bed around 8:30pm and wake up at 4:30am).
- Write a to-do list the night before—this way you know what you have to tackle the moment you wake up the next morning.
How do you manage your time?
What works for me is prioritisation. Family comes first, always. My husband and children come first no matter what! Then I would say, my career and time for me. Although in saying that, I do get to a point sometimes where I feel so overwhelmed with everything going on and know I must prioritise myself.
“The moment when I feel anxious is always a good indicator to make sure I put myself first and do something that fills my cup!”
As mentioned before, my husband Mark is super supportive and helps me so much with keeping us organised.
Who is in your village?
My village would be our families and some very close friends. Our circle is very small, but it is mighty. I couldn’t live without my mother and mother-in-law.
The 5 things in your bag you can’t leave home without:
- My diary! I love a diary that has a page dedicated to each day of the week. I need full pages people! I’m currently using one by Carnegie Diaries.
- My to-do list with the day of the week written in capital letters at the top.
- Snacks and water bottles for the kids.
- Make-up bag for touch-ups whilst running around. My current make-up bag of choice is from Zara.
- My sunglasses. I recently lost a pair of new Chanel glasses at the beach. I swore not to buy another designer pair until the kids got older. I currently have a pair from Novo on rotation. They’re called Aire Affinity. Simple and classic.
Your favourite holiday spot?
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We stay at the Chileno Bay Resort and Residences. The hospitality is world-class, the experience is seriously second-to-none, and the beach is pure magic. The beach activities add an extra level of fun and the restaurants are just divine, as they overlook the shore.
My first visit there was in 2016.
I love it so much as I feel it meets everyone’s needs. The kids are at their all-time happiest with a mix of pool and beach, and mum gets to relax without having to think of cooking or cleaning for a week!
I always leave this place feeling completely recharged!
We can’t wait to get back there!
Your favourite brand?
I have to say my favourite brand is my own brand, of course! As We Create. We are currently working on launching a women’s activewear collection and have been trialling all the pieces. I’m literally living in them at the moment and can’t wait to share more soon!
In addition to my own clothing brand, I love shopping at Sussan, Banana Blue, Zara, Witchery, and the odd designer brand. I’ve got quite the mix of styles. It all depends on how I’m feeling that day.
A trend you’re loving right now?
I don’t really follow trends. I wear what I love and what makes me feel good. In saying that, I do love my linen pieces and guess that’s quite on-trend at the moment.
Latest brand discovery?
Sussan!! I’ve recently started working with the beautiful, iconic brand and I’m loving everything they stand for. The pieces are timeless. They are great quality and I simply love their “For Women, By Women” philosophy. Such a great Aussie brand!
A healthy lifestyle means…
A healthy lifestyle simply means doing things that make me happy and feel good. Things like getting enough sleep, practicing mindfulness, making sure I work out at least a couple of times a week, eating well and taking care of my mental health.
How do you keep your body moving?
I love keeping active with the kids. To me, this involves playing basketball with my son, tennis with my daughter or going for a run with both. I also enjoy popping on some headphones and smashing out a solo running session on the treadmill.
Your top tips for living a healthy lifestyle?
- Getting enough sleep.
- Eating healthy (limiting sugar intake)
- Moving my body a little every day.
- Practicing mindfulness and staying positive.
- Taking care of myself through some self-love.
Do you have any non-negotiables?
My non-negotiables would have to be waking up early to get my ‘me’ time in before everyone else wakes up. My morning cup of coffee! Making sure I listen to my body and work out if I’m feeling a little overwhelmed or stressed—a sweat session seems to fix nearly anything! And of course, family time.
What does “balance” mean to you?
The word balance to me, means peace. When I’m spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically at peace within myself, then I feel true balance. It’s a constant challenge and something that I need to work on daily, but as long as I have the love of my family, everything else seems ok.
In her bag
I am Me Book
Diary
Sunglasses
