Tell us about your family.
My family is myself, my husband Amadeus and my little boy Aurelius, plus another baby due in March.
What was your biggest adjustment when becoming a mum?
Definitely the career and family juggle! As someone who was all consumed by work, it was a big adjustment to motherhood and being more in slower moments rather than fast pace all the time.
How do you manage the juggle when it comes to trying to do it all?
Can I say, not that well? Haha!
A wise friend once said to me—at work people expect you to work like you’re not a mother, and people expect you to mother like you don’t work—which I feel is a real challenge!
My workplace is VERY accommodating to family life, but it can be simple things like if you had a rough night and then trying to be switched on at work — it’s hard to completely split yourself from those two roles. The main thing I try and do is focus as much as I can on each whilst I am there!
What is the best thing about being a mum?
Ohhh everything — but mostly seeing new things via their eyes, and just the explosion of love.
What’s been your biggest challenge as a mum?
For me I would say breastfeeding at the start! I never thought it would be such a struggle, and I had a low supply and it felt like it was my fault. I put a lot of pressure on myself.
I focused on it a lot in the first six weeks and wish I just chilled a bit and not worried that I needed to do a formula top-up!
What surprised you the most when becoming a mum?
I definitely never thought I would be such a helicopter/anxious mum! But I am! Haha.
What do you wish you knew before becoming a mum?
More about breastfeeding, and also that their sleep schedules can be messed up and that is okay — it’s part of it. For me that meant embracing co-sleeping, which we still do and he’s 4! Ha!
Who is in your village and you couldn’t live without?
Definitely my network of friends who have kids similar ages to mine, so they can play together and you go through the stages together — you can lean on each other for advice!
If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself or others?
Similar to above — not to stress on any expectations I had on myself regarding feeding, sleep, or any other parenting method. Also, starting toilet training later, as we did that too early for sure!
Do you have any tips or tricks to manage the day-to-day juggle?
I think the main thing that assisted in the work juggle as an anxious mum was making sure I had the right care for him in place. He began at a family daycare that was super small, and that helped my anxiety — obviously a privilege to be able to get into somewhere as it’s so hard! Then we eased our way into preschool etc!
How do you manage your time to fit in career, being a mum, relationship and time for you?
Not easily to be honest — I think you can have it all, but not all at once! For example, we are doing house renos that have taken a long time because if we do want to have a life outside of work, then it means that goes on the back burner. And time goes so fast! Time for me is kind of rare these days, but that is okay!
What’s in your bag you can’t leave home without:
- Rhode pocket blush
- Rhode lip peptide or Lanolips tinted lip balm
- A hair brush — whichever one I can find because my hair gets ratty so easily!
- My magnetic phone mount with vacuum phone holder for content
- Water bottle
Your favourite holiday spot?
I am saying Greece because I went there for the first time this year and it was HEAVEN — all the things people say it is. I went for work but I got to tack on 5 days at the end on Sifnos Island and I would definitely love to go back there!
Why do you love it?
The FOOD, the comfortable heat, the ocean, the vibes.
What location is on top of your wish list to travel to next?
Back to Greece? Maybe NZ as well — I have never been!
What is your favourite brand?
Spell of course — I was a fan before I worked there and now I’ve been there 10 years. It’s a lot of my wardrobe as it’s so easy to wear and beautiful.
The trend you’re loving right now:
I am loving the scarf-on-the-hip/sarong-over-clothes trend as I loved it back in 2002, and it’s great to create waists and for a pregnant body too!
The trend you can’t get on board with:
I love ALL trends but I don’t wear them if they don’t suit my body shape — but I am here for all the early 2000s trends returning (ie. capris) for those that can wear them.
Your latest brand discovery:
I got a sarong scarf from Tohen and I am obsessed with it.
Where do you do most of your fashion shopping?
What does a healthy lifestyle mean to you?
Movement and nourishment — which I wish I was doing more of both!
How do you keep your body moving?
At the moment due to a jam-packed schedule it really is incidental exercise, but I am trying to reprioritise that in my pregnancy as I was much fitter the first time around!
Your top tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle:
Definitely planning the food shop —
I know if I have tempting things in the house I will reach for them over the more nutritious option!
Packing my lunch when I am packing a lunchbox has been a great healthy choice and great for the wallet.
Your non-negotiables when it comes to health and wellness:
Ooooh I feel like I am a slacker on this part, but one thing I am pretty good at is 8 hours or more of sleep a night!
What does ‘balance’ mean to you?
Enjoying life and not feeling guilty about all choices — but being conscious and doing something for your future self too!
Mel's Spell Picks
Maiden Lace Midi Dress
Bluebird Cami
Maiden Lace Blouse
Teodora Lace Blouse
Teodora Lace Midi Skirt
