Sleeping like a baby

Such a funny phrase isn't it... when you become a parent you realise how hard it can actually be for a baby to sleep, not to mention a parent... There seems to be a never ending discussion about new babies and sleeping, it's enough to give you insomnia. To co-sleep or not to co-sleep?  Tummy or back?  To have the baby in a basket, or crib?  To use a breathing monitor or video monitor? WTF?!!! As a first time parent there are SO many conflicting answers.

Truth of the matter is DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT FOR YOU.  

I won't deny for one minute it's not a big deal.  It is, how your baby sleeps is a serious matter as SIDS is a real issue that as parents we need to be aware of.  However, If you are scared the baby will suffocate put him / her in their own bed.  If you need your sleep, put the baby in another room, or, if you can afford it,  get a night nurse/ doula.  If you can't bare to be apart and want skin to skin 24/7 keep that baby in your bed.  No one is right and no one is wrong, just do your best to keep your baby as safe as possible.  If you do co sleep, make sure they have their own space in the bed away from pillows and if they are in their own bed make sure there is nothing they could suffocate on.  It's basic stuff but fundamental.  Personally I put my babies on their side, it felt right for me, this way they didn't get 'flat head' and i always thought, if they vomit / spit up, they are less likely to choke.  The doctors suggest back at the moment, but when I was a baby it was tummy, so every generation is different in their beliefs. 

Sleeping apparatus can be really stressful, there is SO much in the market, we learnt this when we had our first son.  Reno HATED the Moses basket we were given, he HATED being in a crib.  He just wanted to be close to us, so we co slept. To us, it was more important he was happy and relaxed and slept which meant we too could sleep.   

Something we discovered just after Reno was born, was this amazing thing called the French designed CocoonaBaby. We were given this as a gift and I can not stress to you how incredible this thing is!!!  We hadn't even heard of it prior, it solved all our issues. Their 100% organic cotton and very soft Fleur de Coton fabric makes for a beautiful and environmentally friendly bed for your new born.  The tag line of the product, which I believe is true, is that it simulates the feeling of being in the womb for a new born.  It's not flat, it's a cocoon, so the baby is snuggled and swaddled so baby feels safe and as parents we felt comfortable about co sleeping with a new born as he had his own world keeping him safe in our bed.  We all slept.... zzzzzzzzz  

This is how it works

We didn't have the stress of getting up out of bed when he stirred to see if he was awake, we didn't worry if he was breathing as we could hear his little grunts next to us.  We woke up and saw his beaming face next to us, happy and relaxed, we were all much more relaxed.  This thing became our life line for sleep! We took it everywhere with us, it travels so well.   When Reno was 6 weeks old we flew to Cannes and then drove to Tuscany and it was the best thing ever as it meant we didn't have to ask for a crib anywhere and it was small, light weight and soft so you could shove it into any bag.  It also meant that he felt safe and comfortable where ever we went.

Eden our second son went into this cocoon as a new born,  now he is heading towards 4 months and starting to roll and clearly too big for this cocoon I have moved him out of it.  It feels like a good time and he has an awareness now which new borns don't have until 3 months.  Those first 3 months are known as the 4th trimester, when I sincerely believe the babies have no sense of I or ME yet and crying is a primal request to have needs met.  All they really want is to be close to Mama.  At 3 months they suddenly wake up and become people, it's rather extraordinary!

We decided, for Eden, this time, in order to co sleep next to us, to give us the option of having him in the bed with us or next to us in his own space,  we bought a basic crib from Ikea (SNIGLAR CRIB) and just didn't add the 4th side.  It was WAY cheaper than getting a 'proper' co sleeper and works really well, we can also then use it as his own crib when he moves into another room at some point.  I have been really happy with this.

So, I could ramble on all day about what is amazing, but I am really sharing what I did with you to make the point that we had to find what worked for US.   Find what works for you and what makes you happy and comfortable.  there is nothing more important that your sleep as a mother.  Lack of sleep contributes to less milk production, anxiety, depression, as well as exhaustion. I hope you feel some what liberated from feeling like there is only one right answer.

Actually 'getting' your baby to sleep - that's a whole other blog post... :)

Oh - to end on something hilarious.  Just when you think you have cracked it and your baby is sleeping through the night, they will start teething, so you will basically have to start all over again.  I am not saying this to be an asshole, I am saying it as it took me a while to let go and realise that EVERYTHING IS A PHASE, nothing is set and nothing is forever and no better lesson to learn this with than a sleeping or not sleeping baby.  ENJOY :)

Smooth Sundays

I was craving a smoothie, something thick and satisfying.  No surprises with the combination here but it just tasted sooooooo good I had to post it.  I love the vitamix to make smoothies as it makes them taste just like out of a diner.  I also like this desert / snack as it has no sugar in it and a tonne of protein.  The raw almonds also give it a lovely blush tone to the mixture as well so it feels very Sunday Stylish to me too.  

You will need:

• 2 bananas
• heaped big spoon of peanut butter (no sugar)
• 2/3 cup of raw almonds
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• heaped teaspoon of cocoa powder
• cup of ice

Put everything into the vitamix / blender and wizz up to make a creamy smooth mixture.  Serve with a straw.  You could make it more chocolaty if you added more cocoa powder, or more nutty with more peanut butter, you can make it thicker with less almond milk if you want a real thick shake.  It totally depends on your cravings.  Call me Goldielocks, I got this one JUST right... 

zucchini fritters

This article may be double dutch to many people as there seem to be SO many names for the items listed. I still call them courgettes, chickpea flour and coriander, but here people will stare at you blankly if you say that and wonder what you are trying to ask for in the grocery shop.  

These babies are a gem, especially with a poached egg on top as a week end breakfast.  Gluten free and full of green stuff you can enjoy them freely.  We certainly do, I always think I have made too many then they are gone within the day, sneaking them out of the fridge at any moment we happen to walk past.  Once again, these bad boys are a one bowl wonder and I use chick pea which is also known as Beason / Gram or Garbanzo bean flour which adds an extra dimension to their texture and flavour which is almost nutty and smoother than regular flour.  You an get chick pea flour in most wholefood shops, online or any Indian Supermarket.  I really like the Bob's Red Mill brand for my alternative flours, they have cute packaging :)

You will need:

• 2/3 courgettes
• 3 spring onions
• 1/2 can or 1 small can of sweetcorn
• 2 eggs
• approx. 1 cup of chick pea flour   
• salt / pepper / garamasala or oregano depending on the flavour you want
• fresh coriander
• coconut oil

Grate the zucchini in a bowl, slice the spring onion nice and thin, add to the bowl.  chop the cilantro and add with the spices.  Garamasala makes them a little sweeter, oregano is a fresh more Italian flavour.  Choose which you fancy.  Drain the sweet corn and stir in, add the two eggs and mix all together until the eggs are combined. Start with 1/2 a cup of flour then add as you need until the mixture is binding and you can hold it on your spoon without it sliding off.  You can also put the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes before cooking to help it thicken.  I use coconut oil as it's great on high temp and adds another layer of flavour to them.  Cook on a medium / high heat until golden on each side.

a perfect gift

Today I was surprised in the mail with what I consider to be a totally perfect gift.   Beautifully wrapped in lovely grey tissue paper printed with TOKYObay writing all over it, I swiftly opened it up to discover a smooth and luxurious feeling leather box.  slipping the latch upwards I was welcomed with a delightful looking pillow and around it was clasped a gorgeous muted tone teal colour watch.  

Being brutally honest I am not much of a watch fan, BUT, the Scala Watch is a recent Spring Summer new release and I am completely smitten by it.  I think because it's such soft leather and neutral tone, it feels so nice to wear and not cumbersome even though it's a unisex style with it's oversized polished silver case.  It's a really nice modern and clean design with what I would describe as a 'boyfriend' style and feel to it.  The full numbered dial and design and elongated index at each hour look like they were inspired by the dial on the 1950's kitchen scales.  This retro touch is contoured with a simple cut edge strap in a matte leather that is so smooth and the extra colour hit on the handset pulls this classic watch into 2016 and I just love it!  The case size is 40mm and this watch actually comes in a few other colours too, but I am smitten with this one.

Next to this divine retro watch, I was also given the beautiful black cuff which I think compliments well with the contrasting colours and cute little pendant that attaches to it.  I am totally in love and want to say thank you to Dory and Jun at  TOKYObay for designing such lovely items.  The company has such a cute and interesting story that I touched on briefly in one of my interviews with Amber.    

Established in 1991, TOKYObay is a San Francisco designed watch and accessory brand born out of a collaboration between two talented designers from two very different backgrounds. Jun Kobayashi, from Tokyo, and Dory Isaacs, originally from the UK and now living in the San Francisco Bay Area, came together as two friends with time on their minds.   The East meets West watch and accessory line is infused with everything from Jun's days as a bassist in the popular niche group Flower Travelin' Band to Dory's upbringing in England as a passionate fashion student and ceramic studio owner. The result is a constantly evolving, unique fusion of Japanese minimalism and fashion-focused sensibilities.   Always stylish, well designed and full of colour, TOKYObay is perfect when dressing for the everyday. 

Charlie's Story

Charlie Fowler is the Founder, creative and managing director of MOA a British natural skin care brand.  She is also mother to Jemima aged 10 years and Zachary aged 7 years.  MOA  - Magic Organic Apothecary, have been recently presented with an award for Best Family Skincare Product, which makes sense as she has her own family and wanted to create something that was great for everyone of all ages, containing only natural ingredients and made with love.   Charlie started her company from her home and is now watching it take off whilst juggling the balance being a mother as well.

what’s the hardest thing about juggling motherhood with work?  I am very lucky to work mostly from home with meetings here and there. The school holidays seem to come around very quickly which in the past has been a logistical nightmare, wanting to spend time with them and fixing up extra childcare when I need to work… it’s much easier now they’re a bit older.

what’s the most rewarding? The brand is beginning to grow, which is very rewarding, it’s taken a lot of hard work. I’m an illustrator and I design all the packaging, so I am always very touched when people comment on it.  I love the fact my kids enjoy using all the products and seem genuinely interested in any new designs and my potion making. My daughter is particularly interested in it all and I often ask her advise, she really understands what I’m trying to achieve and has some great creative ideas!

Would you feel fulfilled being a stay at home mum?  I sometimes wonder about this. I am at home working most of the time, so I kind of feel I’ve had the best of both worlds and I’ve always been the one to pick them up from nursery or school, which has been important to me. Personally I need to be creative and to work on some kind of project, be it art, design, interior décor or DIY projects!  I’m pretty sure it would have tested my patience being a stay at home Mum with no other childcare at all, both my kids have fiery tempers and they needed their independence too. My son is severely deaf and it was a struggle to get him diagnosed, which didn’t happen until he was over three, I knew something wasn’t right from about a year old, so it was a tough couple of years for both of us. It breaks my heart as he was really frustrated and was quite aggressive at times. He was much happier being around other kids playing, than being around me constantly trying to talk to him. Fortunately he finally got the right help and we really enjoy each others company now.  I love doing cooking and crafty stuff with the kids and being outside amongst nature with them. I’m a big kid at heart and we laugh a lot, I’m very proud they both have a great sense of humour. I don’t think either path is easy, but I just try and make the most of each precious moment, such a cliché, but they grow up too fast!

how do you typically split your time? I went back to work when my daughter was almost a year. I was very fortunate that she loved her sleep, sometimes as much as 2 hours twice a day, slept well at night time too…apologies!  I would literally get as much done whilst she was sleeping. I think I’ve become a lot more efficient with my time since becoming a Mum, as you literally don’t have any to spare! We’d go out in the buggy for a couple of hours to the park, library or to meet a friend. Working around her could be very unpredictable and stressful at times, but we muddled through. Working remotely has been a god send, but it also means you don’t properly leave the office either! With two kids it became harder still, but somehow I kept the juggling act going! There is three and half years between my two, which helped, so she had started school when I went back to work after Zac.

what’s your wellbeing focused around? Spending quality time as a family. Eating healthily (veggie and vegan food),  we usually eat together at meal times, I think I was quite forceful about making them try new things, luckily it worked out as they have quite grown up tastes now and they’re not fussy eaters! Taking time out for a long soak in the bathtub. Going for a walk or run with our dog. Yoga. Herbal teas.  I try and take a small amount of time for something I enjoy, share time with friends and my husband too.  Of course, it is easier said than done sometimes and especially in this day and age we all spend too much time in front of screens, I am trying to avoid this as much as possible!

how do you manage your stress? I practise yoga from home in the mornings and I run outdoors with my dog. If I skip these, it really affects my stress, so I try and make time for exercise in my life, it keeps me balanced. I love gardening in the summer when it’s warm enough to potter around outside in the evenings, it’s so therapeutic.

tell me about the moment you decided you were going back to work  I felt very lucky to have found a job working from home which still allowed me to be with my daughter a lot of the time. When she started at a local nursery, I hated leaving her in tears some days, it took a while, but she settled in. I enjoyed the balance of working part time for the most part. My son went to a child minder with a few other toddlers, which was less intimidating for him, and in some ways I found it easier second time around.

how do you feel about messages that are out there to mothers juggling everything and trying to look good too?  I think this is quite a false message in many ways, as personally I find it pretty impossible to stay well groomed since being a Mum, especially after two kids…therefore I go for a slouchy effortless chic these days!  It’s nice to have an occasion to dress up for once in a while and it’s good to not neglect yourself totally when you are taking care of everyone else around. Balance is key.

any pearls of wisdom? Use your instinct, it will serve you well, you know your child better than anyone! 

bump photography

When I was pregnant with Reno, my first son, our amazing friend Martine, who incidentally introduced myself and my husband as well as owning this wonderful photography company 'Martine Payne Photography' took some beautiful photos of me and my husband and our bump on the beach in Sydney.  She is amazing, so gentle and fun and takes awesome photos for loads of occasions. 

When we moved to Silicon Valley we were a bit lost as to who to go to for some bump photography done with my now second son Eden. My husband found this lovely lady: Kree Photography.  It wasn't a cheap thing to do but it was well worth it. I highly recommend it as a gift for someone who is going to have a baby or a gift to yourselves as I look at the images of my first pregnancy now and it feels like a lifetime ago but Im so happy it was captured. 

Kree is awesome, she is so down to earth and a mother herself she was perfect to take our photos, her no BS attitude and warm manner made it a really fun morning together.  We brought our own clothes and props and it was very ad-hoc with no real set ups except for the nature around us.  We wandered around the park she took us too and just had a real giggle.  her photos turned out beautifully and it was such a great memory of being pregnant.

Here are some photos of both shoots, Reno & Eden in utero, a couple of my favourites :)

Chocolate Treats - sugar free!

I LOVE these, I ALWAYS have a jar of them in my freezer.  Most of the time my darling husband has eaten them all before i can get to them and my toddler is a total fan of them as well. I can't actually decide if I love them because they are so fast and easy to make, that they last so long or that they taste so satisfying.  Those nights when the handful of almonds just doesn't cut it and you NEED chocolate.  Go to your freezer and you don't need more than 2 of these to satisfy your craving without resorting to refined sugar.

The sweetness comes from dates which are great for you, they contain essential minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium and zinc.  They also contain thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin A and vitamin K. These things are super to eat if you are pregnant too as you should eat 1 date per day when pregnant to help with fibre and also towards the end of the pregnancy it is suggested that dates help with labour.  These little balls of love are bound together with coconut oil which is also super good for you, preventing alzheimers, being anti fungal and anti bacterial.  There are a million reasons to treat yourself with these chocolate delights. 

If you have a blender these will take 5 minutes to make, the lethargy is in the rolling, it takes me a while to roll them all and don't get lazy and start making super big ones, they taste so much better in little bite size pieces.  I sometimes add some dedicated coconut to them whilst rolling them as well for a bit of interesting texture and colour flex.  You can mix this recipe up and use an types of nuts, they work well with a mix too.  Macadamia, cashew, pecan, walnut, they all work.

You will need:

• 2 cups (about, maybe more...) of raw uncooked almonds (or a mix of nuts, ALL raw)
• about 10 mejool dates - you add more depending on how sweet you like them
• 2 tablespoons of good quality coco powder
• teaspoon of vanilla extract
• about 1 big tablespoon of coconut oil

Blitz this all in the blender until it becomes combined and a good texture to roll into balls.  Add more coconut oil or almonds to adjust mixture and more dates for sweetness.  Sometimes I add a tablespoon of boiling water to help the mixing if it's getting stuck in the blender.

Roll into balls (this yields about 50) and freeze in a jar.

Almond Chicken

I tried and conquered this experiment, almond meal covered chicken.  With out doubt it tasted 100 times better than breadcrumbs, the chicken stayed so moist and juicy and it had a real crunch.  It was far lighter to eat and had a really nice flavour with the nuttiness complimenting the meat.  I am a total convert.  Give it a go, you won't be disappointed, unless of course you have a nut allergy, then DON'T even THINK about it.  

You will need:

• 2 chicken breast - cut into strips
• 2 cups of almond meal
• salt / pepper / spices (I used cajan spice this time, you could use paprika, cumin, whatever you fancy as the almond meal has a gentle flavour)
• 2 eggs beaten

Place the beaten eggs into a large bowl and put the chicken strips into the bowl to cover them with egg.  In a separate bowl mix the almond meal and spices.   Dip each strip into the almond meal till coated.  I like to double dip it gives an extra crunchy exterior, so i go back to the egg then return to the almond meal again.  Shallow fry (or bake) with canola oil until golden brown and cooked inside.  Trick is not to have the oil too too hot or the nuts just burn, mid temp works well.

California Livin'

This article is an honest and personal reflection of my journey of moving to California whilst 6 months pregnant with my second baby: The funny, fascinating and cultural differences that both surprised, sometimes annoyed and also delighted me.

Where we live... Middle of No where!!!

Moving to the USA has been a massive culture shock,  I was dumbfounded by how different things are here, compared to Muswell Hill! It has defiantly taken me the past 6 months to find my feet but now I have I love it here.  You would think being an 'English' speaking country people would have understood me here, but actually there are so many variations in the language, sometimes it felt like I was speaking Russian!  To ease your reading, I have used both English and USA in this article, no Russian required...  ;)

Firstly, everything here is SO BIG!!! When we got here, it was super overwhelming, especially being pregnant, there was no Tesco Express or Local Waitrose. There was no Boots The Chemist that I could pop to as a 5 minute walk from my house to get nappies / diapers.  No, everything was a mammoth task and a giant store with 10,000 varieties of everything you want.  It literally took me 3 hours to do a supermarket shop as I was so bolted over by the amount of products there are here.  American's LOVE to shop and Heaven to them is a place called Target.  I found myself walking around most days initially,  

I didn't seem to be the only one, it felt like a 'Bored Housewives Members Club'  on occasions.  

I won't sugar coat it, there is a real lack of local coffee shops (although a Starbucks literally on every corner)  and trendy hang outs once you get outside San Fran and being in Silicon Valley, I just could not understand how things worked, everything looks like offices and yet they are shops...  I began to notice that everything is pretty dead except for lunch time rush traffic and then dinner time.  Most places are sleepy during the day time, with mothers and buggys'/ strollers wondering around passing time, unless the Superbowl is on or It's Mother's day, then it's Armageddon!  Downtowns / Highstreets are all boutique parades where people go on the week ends to look at aspirational consumer items and sit in over priced restaurants.  There was no real useful stores located in downtown / high street areas.  The areas are beautifully kept with a high value placed on local municipality, when I first got here I felt like I was living on a movie set!  However, I was rather disappointed as it felt like everything was lacking style, rather boring and too spread out to feel part of any sort of community.  It was really hard to find things, everyone told me to YELP stuff which I thought was a bit 90's but people are really big on their YELP profiles and reviews.

Californian Family

Not being able to walk anywhere and having to drive to go to even the local shops meant that I really have to plan my days more, it's such a different culture. The comforts are I literally have enough stuff to survive a nuclear holocaust in the boot / trunk of my car and I drive a truck which is badass and VERY comfortable.  There is ALWAYS a parking space wherever I wish to go to and lovely air con for those extra hot days.

The downsides are - I feel like my car drinks petrol / gas which makes me feel terrible as I wish there were other ways to get around California that are cheaper and more environmentally friendly (there is VERY LITTLE good public transport here)  but I just can't do them with 2 kids and alone.  Walking around NYC the other week really made me see how comfortable the California lifestyle is as I was clambering around Manhattan with my buggy, no one got out of our way or helped and on a summers day you know you would just be a sweaty mess!

I have to check the time for everything as it takes a minimum of 30 mins to get anywhere and it usually takes freeway/ motorway driving as well which was very daunting when I first got here. Now it feels perfectly normal to jump on a 6 lane road to go to Wholefoods!?...  I have to take note of rush hours, it's a nightmare to get stuck in rush hour traffic even if you do get the perks of using car pool with kids in the back...

Going for a swim after work with Reno

So, this all sounds pretty rubbish doesn't it.  Well I thought it wasn't my dream place when I first got here and I really could not understand why everyone raved about it so much...

 THEN... I GOT IT...  

I got used to it.  I got used to being able to park up right outside a store 24 hours a day to get whatever I need.  I got used to everyone being SUPER friendly in all stores, including Target, making wondering around shops a really pleasant experience.  I got used to the amazing customer service here that means you could literally come to a shop with your dirty old socks and they would return them and give you a voucher for your next visit to their venue.  I got used to the sunshine being a daily occurrence not a once a year 'kick-bollock-scramble to find a left over patch of grass in the local park'.  I got used to everything no longer looking like a a film set from Pleasantville and begun to think this is what municipality should be like.  I got used to the no trash / litter on the ground and recycle bins everywhere you go.  I got used to meandering around pointless hops in the downtown areas on a week end then moseying down to the beautifully kept playground with my kids.  I got used to being able to go for a swim EVERY DAY if I wanted to (not that I have the time!).  I got used to everyone going Skiing for a week end or Surfing or camping, it all began to feel really normal and amazing.  I got used to seeing Green Mountains wherever I drove feeling free and oh so 'Californian'.

I just got used to it.  Here, you see, everyone lives referrals. So as soon as you meet people you talk and refer places.  You get given suggestions of places to visit and go to and suddenly a secret world opens up to you down here of alternative living, hippies brimming on every street and just wonderfully spirited people...  You suddenly find these amazing nature trails and beaches and wonderful little farms where you can buy your produce straight from the growers.  You suddenly see that you have some of the most amazing products you could wish for right on your doorstep (all be it a bit of a drive away) But you just don't know they are here when you first arrive as everything is so spread out and there are no hubs and definitive communities.

Suddenly life got easy and comfortable.

I am not preaching here, there are many things I miss about living in a place like London, the Culture, Art, Food to name a few, the healthcare system's equality and the support for people without are also more pivotable issues I struggle with living here, not to mention Trump...

However, in my small nuclear universe of having a peaceful and easy life, I realise now how wonderful this place is to raise a family and how blessed I am to have been given this opportunity to explore it.

Our Back yard. Sunset. No Filter. 

chocolate orange heaven

A delicious chocolate and orange cake for a delightful Mother's Day in sunny California.  It was a quick make mixing all the dry and then adding the wet ingredients. I decided to put this cake into a loaf tin instead of a round tin and it's worked out nicely.  I used wholemeal flour but I reckon you could use a combination of almond meal and any other type of flour too.  I was also thinking to exchange the eggs for a cup of Greek Yogurt, i will try that and let you know how it goes :)

In the meantime, here are the ingredients.  i like this cake as it's not very sweet, you could make it sweeter by adding more dates or a 1/4 cup of maple syrup if you like it sweet.  it's crumbly and light and not a dense cake like the brownies, the orange also lifts it a lot.

• 2 cups whole meal flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• pinch nutmeg
• 20 mejool dates
• 1 cup orange juice
• tablespoon of boiling water
• 1 tablespoon of marmalade
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 eggs

Put all the dry ingredients into a big bowl.  In a blender put the dates, orange juice, boiling water and marmalade ( I used the hot water to help melt the dates into a paste) blend until you get a nice paste.  Add the eggs and oil and combine.  Mix all the wet into the dry until all mixed together.  It will look rather thick and you will have to scoop it out into the tray rather than just pour it.  Put in the oven for 45 minutes or until a knife comes out clean on 350F / 180c.

Enjoy with ice cream :)

3 minute pudding

An Absolute delight is this 3 minute pudding.  Chia and Chocolate, it makes me so happy for so many reasons mostly because it takes so little effort and is so comforting and rewarding.  You will need:

• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 3/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Put all of the ingredients into a jar and shake vigorously.  Leave in the fridge overnight or at least 6 hours. You can eat it out of the jar or make it posh and serve it in a bowl with some strawberries and almond slivers on top :)  ENJOY!

Location Guide Guru Clara

Introducing Clara Le and her 2 year old son Bear.  Clara a grafter, she has always worked since graduating and is now a partner of The Location Guide, an independent publishing company based in London specialising in; helping people to shoot on locations all around the world. Since last year most of Clara's time is dedicated on FOCUS, a newly launched UK Location & Production show for the Commercials/Feature Films and TV Industries.  

Clara is one of the most well known and loved women in the international advertising community and always has time for you. She is always one to be seen at Cannes and has been renowned for her parties and ability to network.

3 words to describe being a mother   Amazing – Love - Family

Tell me about your maternity leave As we are a small company and I am partner, I pretty hands on,  I only took 3 months maternity leave, which to be honest when I look back is just not enough. I worked right up until 2 days before I gave birth (yes I know… I’m a bit crazy)  I checked my emails during my maternity leave and made sure the important ones were dealt with by staff and I guess I just had to be more productive within the working hours when I was back at work… I believe that one can work just as efficiently with less hours as long as one prioritises things.. Us women are pretty good at multitasking right?  I have a great partner and mother in law that are very hands on and helped out a lot. At the moment I work from home one day a week and leave the office everyday at 4.30pm so I can get home to feed my boy, bathe him and tuck him into bed.

Would you like to be a stay at home mum?  I think I would like to work for only 2-3 days a week. I love being a mum but I think I would go stir crazy if I didn’t engage my brain with some kind of work deadline.   If I could change something then I would have like to take a year maternity leave with my son because those baby days passes so quickly. Living in London makes it harder to be a stay at home mum with the extremely high cost of living. I do feel guilty many times when I am on business trips or working long hours but I was raised by parents who worked hard all their lives so it is instilled in me to do the same to provide for the family. I think us women should be kinder to one another and stop judging each other. None of us are perfect and we do the best we can. Looking good? I think gone are the days where I spend hours in front of the mirror putting make up in the morning… I am more like wash and go now!

3 words to describe how you feel about your job Proud – Stressful - Happy

do you feel differently about your work now you are a mum or are you still as driven? I think I am more driven as I now have a little one to provide for… I have to think about his future and it’s no longer just about me. I work more intensely when I am in the office so that I can leave the office at 4.30pm to go home to see my boy. Nowadays, work is no longer 9-5pm, you can work on the train/at home so I will always check and reply to emails after my boy has gone to sleep.  If you provide mothers with flexible working hours to enable them to work without too much guilt then they will work just as hard and well.

do you feel guilty going to work? I do every morning when I look at my little boy’s sleeping face! But then I know he is well cared for by family members and that he is a happy little chappie so I feel better that not strangers are taking care of him.

whats the hardest thing about being a working mum? The working hours

whats the most rewarding? My little family unit

how do you maintain a sense of wellbeing whilst devoting your time to your kids? Prior to having my son I used to go to the gym 3-4 times a week. Well.. since my boy… I just don’t have the same amount of time to go anymore. I try at least to go once to twice a week but it can be hard to do so. I tend to take longer walks now with my boy who is now 2 and has so much energy it’s insane.. we take him out often so he can run amok in the park… which basically means we have to run after him as well… kids definitely keep us young!

how do you manage your stress? I have to remember to breathe in and breathe out…. And try and switch off…

what drives you? Providing for the family

biggest lesson learnt? You are not perfect so do the best you can

how do you manage on the days when you are just so tired you can’t even think about getting out of bed? Guilty! If it’s over the weekend then I will take out the ipad and put on some cartoons for my boy so I can get a couple of hours extra sleep

has becoming a mother changed you? Yes definitely..for the better… life is just amazing with a little one. It gives you purpose

what are your dreams? Living on an island sipping mojitos sounds pretty good…

what would you like to see the future be for your kids? Living in the UK for many years I can see things are getting tougher for new graduates and people trying to get on the housing market. Cost of living here has become pretty crazy. I hope that things will not go overboard by the time my boy is older. A happy work and home life balance is a must nowadays as what is the point of having a family if you don’t spend time with them?

any pearls of wisdom? Be kind to yourself and to others. 

Jo's Story

I really admire Jo's perspective , self discipline and balance on life,   as mother of 3 (Tzur is almost 6, Noga is 3 and a half and little Lia is just 10 months old)  she also works in strategic philanthropy, at a foundation which strives to improve academic achievement in Israel in mathematics and the sciences.  Jo's role as Director of Grant Operations, ensures the smooth facilitation of the grants from start to finish, while overseeing relationship management with recipients and internal projects. Jo has lived in Israel for ten years, we grew up together in London and since moving she has always worked in non-profit and philanthropic organisations.  I really love that Jo has a 'technology sabbath' every Saturday and refrains from using phones, laptops and entertainment for the day and really just spends it with her husband and kids. We could probably all do with a bit more of that!

Give me 3 words to describe how you feel about your job. Committed. Meaningful. Stimulating

Tell me about your maternity leave  I have always worked full-time, taking 4.5 months maternity leave for each child. I began my current job when my first child was one. It was a step-up in terms of responsibility and scope, but I am extremely lucky that our offices are located really close to my home. The lack of commute makes life much easier logistically, and means I have more valuable time both at work and with the kids.  I consider myself very lucky to live in a country that really values the family. In Israel, women receive 14 weeks fully-paid maternity leave and your place of work has to keep your position open for at least 6 months. My employers have always been very supportive and happy for me as we have expanded our family.  Nonetheless, however supportive the environment, coming back to work after having a baby is hard. After my daughter was born (no. 2), I felt a little displaced at work and it took time and patience and hard work over time until I felt that I was really back on top of things. The tiredness is a killer - waking up in the night to nurse and getting up early in the morning for work. Phew!

do you think working mothers are as good at their jobs? Yes, I think working mothers learn to be very efficient. They will often be torn in several directions, but if they are driven, committed and loyal to their work place, they will find a way to make it work.  For me, there are two essential factors which enable me to work full time and be a hands-on mother to three kids under the age of 6 – one is a supportive work place that understands the needs of its employees and really cares about being a family-friendly organization; and the other is my husband. We share our parenting responsibilities and management of the home equally. Beyond the first year when I breastfeed our babies, there is nothing I can do that he can't do. He is 100% supportive of my career and my ambitions, and he is an amazing and capable father.

do you feel guilty going to work? I did feel guilty with my first two, especially when they were babies for the first few months but I got used to it over time, and with my third, it was a bit easier. I suppose I have come to terms with it. I still missed her a lot, but I didn't feel guilty. And my return to work was much smoother than the last time.

do you feel differently about your work now you are a mum or are you still as driven? I think I have the same drive to succeed – but family comes first.

3 words to describe being a mother. Joyful. Challenging. Intense.

Would you be a stay at home mum?  Being a stay at home mum isn't an option for me, financially-speaking.  If there were no financial considerations, I would take a longer maternity leave, but I would still choose to work outside the home. A fulfilling, challenging, meaningful career is very important to me – I want to make a small difference to the world in my own way, and this is as much a part of my identity and sense of self as being a mother. At some point over the next five to ten years I would like to be able to work part-time for a while, and be with the children a little more. I do envy those women who can make a living doing their own creative thing, building an independent, flexible schedule which allows them to be around the home more. But the grass is always greener- I'm sure there are different pressures that come with that. 

Was there pressure to go back to work?   The cultural norm in Israel is to go back to work 3.5-6 months after having a baby. My mother was at home with us until we were two or three and I think it’s a wonderful thing, if its good for the parent, but not really financially viable in this day and age for most. I’m sure it must be very difficult to be a SAHM – it requires a lot of patience, creativity, and energy. I have made my peace with going back to work and having my kids in childcare from when they are babies. My husband and I both work reasonable hours, and one of us is able to pick up the children every day from 4pm. I do think there is a lot of pressure to do it all and have it all. I find the  “good-enough” attitude is helpful – not everything has to be 100% perfect all the time. I try to be wise about where to invest my energy, how to prioritise, how to keep everyone happy, including myself. Its a work in progress.  Most people I know (men and women) are busy juggling the joys and challenges of a career and raising a family, and are trying to find the right work-life balance. I feel that over this decade (age 30-40), I need to invest in my building my family and my career simultaneously, and it isn't easy.   

whats the hardest thing about being a working mum? Not enough time, never enough time. Always juggling, multi-tasking, thinking about many things at the same time. The morning rush of trying to get the kids out and to work on time without losing my temper or forgetting something. And of course, I would love a little more time to myself...and a little more quality time with my husband.

whats the most rewarding? I am proud of the work I do, I enjoy being a co-bread winner of the family. I hope I will be an example for my children. 

how do you typically split your time? give an example of a day where you are working and have your kids. My husband and I split the dropping off (around 7:30am) and picking up of the kids (around 4pm). Some days one of us will do both, sometimes we share it. Although I am lucky that I can leave work early to pick up the kids a few times a week, it is really hard to get everything done during such a short working day, and I don't like being the first to leave. I always feel a bit torn. Twice a week I stay later at work but usually still get back for bedtime. In busy periods, I go back to work from home in the evening, after they have gone to bed, for a few hours.

how do you maintain a sense of wellbeing whilst devoting your time to your kids? Exercise. I aim to work out three times a week - at the moment I run and lift some weights, usually in the evenings, after they have gone to bed. I need that for myself, it is essential for my well being. I try to eat healthily, and get enough sleep, although I almost always end up going to bed too late. I think overall, we spend quite a lot of family time together, and this is good for all of us. As modern orthodox Jews, we observe the Sabbath, so every week, from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, we have a built-in quiet, family day. We go to synagogue, have meals with friends and family, spend time together hanging out in our pjs, reading and playing with the kids. This day also helps maintain our family well being, and I find it liberating to have a day completely free from phones and laptops, which we don’t use on the sabbath.

what are your dreams?  Career-wise, perhaps far in the future, I'd love to see if I have it in me to do something creative or therapeutic, perhaps something with my hands - to be more independent and active (not desk-based). I have no idea what that could be. In terms of life in general, I dream of health, happiness, inner quiet, and travel. And a big back garden ; ).

any pearls of wisdom for other new mums or working mums out there?  When you go back to work after having a baby, go easy on yourself, trust your instincts, have faith in yourself - you can do this. It gets easier : ))

Traveling with two

Last week was the first trip I made as a double mama via aeroplane.  I am not only a well travelled woman, but a well travelled mother, taking my oldest son on a flight when he was only 6 weeks old... But two... it's a whole new beast.  Let me fill you in on our adventures and leave a few of my pearls behind for you to read, dismiss or take to the grave with you.  I think in heart, a mother really has to experience things to really work out for herself how to do things, but there are somethings I will defiantly repeat and others I will make sure I don't.  I have broken this down into categories to make it an easier read.

 Flights:  in flight entertainment

• Snacks:  snacks, you can never have too many, savoury, sweet, dry, smooth, anything and everything you can pack that you don't have to put in a 100ml plastic bag for liquids is a dream come true.  We packed crackers, popcorn, Ella snacks (which I LOVE as they don't have refined sugar in them) dried fruit and cheese sticks.
• Blankets:  I always take a comfy blanket for the plane and am so glad I did as it was really cold on the way out and Reno wanted to snuggle so it was excellent.  My favourite blanket of all times is the Rainbow Ripple  Blanket.
• Kids Bag:  the night before we flew, I thought it would be a great thing for Reno to have his own bag for carry on with his toys and snacks, to give him a sense of responsibility and also independence.  This worked SUPER well.  My darling husband did a Target run at 10pm the night before we flew at 5am and got him a Despicable Me roller case for kids and he packed it with his toys and books for the flights, he spent a lot of the flight playing and he loved to walk through the airport with his case he felt so grown up!
• I PAD:  I try to keep TV at home for the moments when I am alone with the kids cooking etc...  but let me tell you flights are a whole exception.  The best thing I did was download his favourite programme 'Something Special'  a British kids show you can get on the BBC or youtube that has loads of sign language and kids from lots of backgrounds and abilities doing every day activities like cooking, going to the farm.  Reno loves this show and I had no issues with him watching this when he got sick of his toys! He left the flight teaching me how to say hippo and playground in sign.
• Travel Bottle Warmer:  One of the best thing I bought.  I pump and combination feed Eden and he is super fussy about the temperature of his milk.  I  bought the Tommee Tippie Travel Bottle and Food Warmer.  It's a bit like a glorified flask, as my husband puts it, but it was fantastic for the whole flight and beyond.  It meant I could warm milk in my time to the temp I desired and was small and easy with a big enough container for the bottle to fit in safely so I wasn't worried about boiling water spilling on the kids or me during turbulence.  

Luggage: what to take, what not to take

• Don't pack too much!  the neurotic jewish mother in me forgot that NYC is a perfectly civilised city with washing machines!  I could have packed half as I ended up doing laundry twice on our trip so didn't need the variety of different outfits I took with.  I also bought new clothes as the clothes in NYC are SOOOOOO cute.  I went Bitz Kids in Tribeca, which had super cute outfits, I had to stop myself buying more :) 
• Car Seats / UBER: Only take one car seat.  UBER in NYC have an amazing addition to their bookings in NYC, kids booster seats.  This saved us So much hasstle of taking two car seats.  So we just took Eden's seat as he is still very little we didn't want to compromise his safety.  The uber car seat is fantastic and perfect for a 2 year old plus.  We found UBER to be the perfect way to get round the city.

Getting Around: strollers, slings and bags

• Stroller: We bought a YOYO Babyzen Stroller when Reno was born as we knew we were going to travel a lot.  It was an investment as it's not cheap but I tell you it's the most amazing tool for traveling.  It folds up to be a carry on item in the plane so you don't have to faff around with putting the buggy under before going onto the plane.  It always surprises cabin crew as they always ask us to put the buggy under then in two ticks we fold it up and they are blown away by how compact it is.  it's also very light weight so a brilliant way to travel around and carry over the shoulder.    The downsides to this buggy is it doesn't have amazing storage space under neath, so if you like to travel with a big old change bag like me, be prepared to have to carry it...  The other situation I found myself in this trip with a 2 year old and 3 month old, was the 2 year old wanted to sit in it and not always walk so I had to put Eden in the sling.  this got tiring after a while, walking around the city.  So next time I go to a walking city I would take our big double stroller just for ease.

• Essentials for my  travel change bag:  bottle of milk, bottle bag, 2 diapers for each kid, portable change mat, bottle of water, hat, jumper, change of clothes for baby, snack for toddler, portable phone charger as I always get caught out without phone battery! Sunglasses, wallet, phone and keys. P H E W!!!
• Ju-Ju Bottle Bag:  Again, bottle feeding can be a pain in the ass, but this insulated bottle bag made it dreamy.  It holds 3 4oz bottles, the warmer flask, the milk powder container and keeps bottles warm if you want to pre fill them.  It was dreamy and looks so neat with the anchor print. 
• Slings:  This was So great to take on the flights as well as around the city.  I wanted to be 'Mother Earth' and take my lovely long fabric sling that wraps around, but you know, with two kids, a million bags and a queue of people waiting behind you to board a plane, the robust practical sling is much faster and easier.  We have the Lillie and it's great and means both me and my husband can carry both Eden or Reno front, back, side so it's brilliant for traveling :)

I think now I have done a trip once, I feel much more confident to do it a second time and would take far less stuff, but also invest in checking in the big double stroller that we have if I was going to a city that had lots of walking in it again.  I realised that when traveling with two, it's only realistic to book ONE activity per day, otherwise it's just too crazy trying to fit everything in like I would have done being young free and single.  I used to cram in 4 coffees, a lunch, dinner then drinks.  I was so happy when I managed to meet up with a girlfriend this trip as it just takes so much longer to do anything in a new environment with two kids.  However, it was SUCH a fun trip and I would not hesitate to do it again :)

Visual Reference images of everything I linked to in this article.

TOKYObay

Introducing my next interview with Marketing Director and Scorpio, Amber Isaacs.  Amber is part of the core team at TOKYObay,  a family business that creates  designer watches and accessories.  Dory,  Amber's Mother, founded the business with her friend Jun from Tokyo in 1991.  They both had a similar aesthetic with Dory bringing more of a fashion element and Jun's experience in product design. Using Jun's contact with Japanese manufacturers, they began designing a watch line among other product lines (sunglasses and clocks) that integrated both their backgrounds and expertise.  Interested to hear how Amber experiences her balance in life now that her daughter Olive is 7 years old, I asked her about her journey of motherhood, whilst being the integral element to her family's livelihood and creative craft. 

What’s the hardest thing about juggling motherhood with work? I think for me the challenges have changed as Olive gets older. When she was a lot younger I struggled with the guilt of leaving her as it felt at times I was choosing work over her. As she gets older it’s more about being present and transitioning from work brain to being a mum again.

what’s the most rewarding? Being able to put my creative efforts into something where I feel accomplished…this inevitably spills over into how I am as a mother.

how do you typically split your time?  I normally am in at work by 8:30/9am and work till 3:30pm when I go to get her from school. My parents live here in SF so I have an amazing support with my mum picking Olive up a couple days a week and bringing her back to our place.  This allows me to have a couple full 8 hour days to stay a bit later if I need. It also gives my mum some extra time to hang with Olive.

tell me about the moment you decided you were going back to work after she was born  I chose to (and was lucky enough to be able to) stay home with Olive until she was 2 years old so was totally ready to get back into working. As my background in London was in fashion PR, my parents asked me if I would like to help out TOKYObay part time and it seemed like the perfect way to dip my toe back into it while having flexibility. As Olive got older, I gradually added more hours and my job morphed into marketing and creative, helping to promote & streamline the brand's look and feel.

Would you feel fulfilled being a stay at home mum if you had the opportunity to be so? Right now in my life I don't think i would be. I get so much energy from being challenged in a work environment and the exchange with like-minded people. I would miss that. I also think it allows me to be a better mum as long as I'm not spreading myself too thin when trying to balance both. I think for me, my fire gets fed by being with Olive but also doing a variety of things outside of being a mum.

how do you feel about messages that are out there to mothers? I think it's very hard not to play the comparison game. There is a lot out there around successful, beautiful, stylish women that make it look effortless but I think there is always more to the story. Everyone has their struggles and insecurities. I think women generally put way too much pressure on themselves. There are now so many different ways we are bombarded with information & images of what others are doing that it can be hard to rationalise through the noise. I would love to see more honest commentary out there with how women manage their day to day between motherhood and work...and not just the dirty diapers and lack of sleep but the struggles emotionally, how it affects their relationships with partners and with friends.

what’s your wellbeing focused around? Running, meeting up with friends and lazy weekends with the fam.

how do you maintain a sense of wellbeing whilst devoting your time to your kids? I think it's a balance of making sure you carve out specific times in the week for alone time and integrating a wellbeing into your home life. Olive and I will stretch together , dance and cook meals which all tie into my idea of well being.

how do you manage your stress? Probably not as well as I'd like! Running and exercise help me a lot to stay calmer and balanced.

any pearls of wisdom for other new mums or working mums out there? Try to quiet the 'mom guilt' if you can by giving yourself permission to do things you like doing.  Ask for help if you need it!

what drives you? Trying to be a person I think Olive would be proud of.

how has becoming a mother changed you if at all? I feel more rooted, grounded than I've ever felt. The small stuff just doesn't affect me like it used to. I can get ready in less than half the time I used to! Also I feel like I have more patience and empathy towards people in general.

biggest lesson learnt? My mum is amazing! I finally truly understand what she had to juggle to raise my sister and I while building her business.

Amber and her husband James, daughter Olive, sister and parents 

www.tokyobayinc.com

smokey baked beans

Moving to the USA has been wonderful for so many reasons but there are a few comforts i really miss.  One of them is BAKED BEANS!!!   Now, the real deal are actually full of sugar and the low sugar version just don't taste as good, so I decided to make my own.  Once I realised how super yummy and really easy they are to make I can't understand why anyone would eat them from a can!  The secret of this recipe is to let the sauce reduce as much as possible before adding the beans, this way you get the sweetness that is just so morish.

You will need:

• a tin of navy beans, pinto beans OR cannellini beans (they all work well)
• a brown onion diced
• mirin (I use this instead of sugar, it's a Japanese sweet wine vinegar)
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Smokey Paprika
• Salt & Pepper
• Tomato Paste
• Tin of crushed tomatoes

gently saute the onions until golden in a pan, then add mirin and Worcestershire sauce (about a tablespoon of each, you can add more to taste later).  Let that reduce with the onions.  Then add the tin of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.  if you don't have a tin of tomatoes, you can just use tomato paste and water and use most of the tube of paste.  Again, leave that to bubble for at least 20 - 30 minutes until it reduces to a nice thick sauce.

Wash and drain the beans and add.  leave to cook for about 10 minutes until the beans are cooked then taste.  Add more seasoning until you get the flavour desired.  serve with smokey paprika on top to get that nice smokey taste too.

Brilliant Bethany

Living in London, Bethany realises the importance of two incomes and was always going to return to work after her dream of becoming a mother was fulfilled, with her darling children Elspeth (4) and Arthur (2). Hyper efficient and a much sought after Producer, Bethany juggles life as a freelancer whilst raising her kids and believes that mama's are more efficient in the workforce than most due to their time being so limited and stretched and is the alpha-female of 'multitasking'.  This is the woman who answered work emails on honeymoon, travelled to work in early labour and wrote handover notes between contractions, she completed this interview within 20 minutes of sending it to her, whilst bathing her kids and listening in on a conference call! EPIC! 

had you always planned on working after you had your babies? Yes, we have to living in London.  When I was newly pregnant I told HR I'd likely take maybe six weeks off - I always worked so hard, I couldn't imagine being off work for more than a fortnight. 

did your profession change or mould after having kids? Yes. Ad agencies are not at all parenthood-friendly and I find myself now working in online content / direct to brand

how has becoming a mother changed you if at all? I'm more balanced in my approach to life, with a more mature sense of what's really important

what’s the hardest thing about juggling motherhood with work?  The guilt. Guilt everywhere, all the time

what’s the most rewarding? the rare days when I feel like I'm doing it all to a decent level

how do you typically split your time? At the moment, up at 6 to get myself ready. Kids up 6:30. Try to spend some time with them while getting them to nursery which means leaving home 07:55. Currently I get home long after they're asleep, and work until about 11pm. This will change in September when I'll need to leave the house at 07:35 to get one to school breakfast club before dropping the younger at nursery. One place I work at, accepts me heading home in time to see them 6pm to their 7pm bed-time. I like working there. 

how do you feel about messages that are out there to mothers to look good?  Sod trying to look good! I used to plan outfits in advance, to wear something fun and daring. I'm older now and have spent too long dressing according to what shows the vomit least

what’s your wellbeing focused around? There is no wellbeing focus, really. My husband is my best friend and a good week is one when I've had a little time to sit with him and just talk, rather than fire essential housekeeping items at each other while dashing about. It doesn't happen most weeks. I love to cook healthy food for the family though, which is a wellbeing thing for us all.  I used to go to Pilates once a week but I no longer work somewhere which lets me fit that in. Often the best bit isn't even the class, but walking there over the river at fuck o'clock in the morning knowing I'm doing something purely for myself

how do you manage your stress? I've learnt to enjoy it, and I lean on hubster

any pearls of wisdom? Accept that there is guilt and carry on

how do you manage on the days when you are just so tired you can’t even think about getting out of bed? I don't allow these. I actually don't accept them as an option and that makes it easier. The main thing is, I've learnt not to hope; don't hope for a good night's sleep and then there's no disappointment

what are your dreams? Grandkids!

biggest lesson learnt? Beware the second burp. It is not a dry one.

Interview with Claire Norrish

Inspiring Mamas who have made it work.

Strolling around with my now 2 kids, I have noticed myself looking at other mothers I have known for a while or new ones I encounter or just see through researching online and I find myself asking the same questions. 'How do they do it?',  'When does she have time to...',  'I wonder if she manages to look after her own wellbeing', 'Does she have help?' ...

Welcome to the start of a new selection of interviews with women to get to the heart of their innovative, creative and successful careers as well as juggling motherhood and their own wellbeing.

Sharing some of their trade secrets, I hope to help empower other mums and women to have the same balance.  If not balance then an attempt to create some kind of flow between motherhood, creating an impressive work portfolio and wellbeing.

My first interview is with a woman who I have had the pleasure of working with for 3 years now and she has been responsible for generating some of the most awesome Press for me.  Independent publicist and founder of Claire Norrish PR specialises in health and wellbeing luxury brands, expert and non-fiction books www.clairenorrish.com.  Read my interview with her to discover how she has managed to grow her own business whilst growing her son at the same time... 

who are you?  Claire Norrish (am about to reach a big scary landmark birthday so currently 49 forever)

who are your kids?   One son, Jordan Issa John age 17 and named after an African Chief in Malawi (his former home)

what’s your profession?   Independent publicist

what’s the hardest thing about juggling motherhood with work?  I made a decision 15 years ago to work independently from home so that I could be around for my son.  This meant I could always pick him up from school in the early years and be there for him.  Even now at the age of 17 I still work from home and love it when he comes back from college for lunch in the middle of the day. My work can be really full-on and intense though sometimes as I do PR for a lot of high profile health and wellbeing books for Ebury Publishing so sometimes it’s hard as I get so involved a campaign that I find it hard to get away from my home office.  Before I know it it’s dinner time and whoops I haven’t organised food!

what’s the most rewarding aspect of working for yourself?  Being able to see my son's lovely face the minute he get’s home and the flexibility of being able to occasionally do things that involve him during the day - as a Mum as I can literally work on the hoof providing I’ve got my iPhone with me.

tell me about the moment you decided you were going back to work after he was born, were you happy about it?  Because of the freelance aspect I was really happy to as I genuinely love my work.

Would you feel fulfilled being a stay at home mum if you had the opportunity to be so?  Looking back to when he was really young I am not sure that I would want to - I prefer to have a mix of motherhood and work

how do you feel about messages that are out there to mothers, juggling everything and trying to look good too?  Stay healthy, be kind to yourself and don’t set the bar too high.  I think there is a lot of pressure on new mums these days via social media to be doing all the ‘right’ things - Instagram although informative and interesting as a creative forum can also be a place that breeds anxiety to new Mums who are constantly bombarded with images of women ‘having it all’ and juggling careers/motherhood/social life/exercise and more.  The bottom line is that the early years of being a mum are such a small window time-wise and they whizz by so fast -  cherish that time, enjoy it and don’t worry about what other people think!

 what’s your wellbeing focused around?  I’ve done yoga for years and recently gone back to Ashtanga as I really like it’s energy. I think the trick with exercise it to keep changing it. So for example last year I was cycling everywhere for a few months and now I’m just doing 20 minute runs 3/4 times a week.  Love dipping into Pilates as well whenever I have time.  Plus doggie walking of course and dancing at parties!

how do you manage your stress?  I try not to get stressed but of course it creeps in every now and then. I would love to study meditation and learn more about it, as I know it’s amazing for managing stress.  I thought Andy Boddicombe’s app Headspace was brilliant when it came out a while back and we have a Buddhist Centre close to where I live that I keep meaning to go to to investigate meditation. I did PR for a great book by the Psychologist Dr Kelly McGonigal called the Upside Of Stress - and found out that actually the right kind of stress can be actually quite good for you - keeps you on our toes if you know what I mean.

any pearls of wisdom for other new mums or working mums out there?    Dont’ be afraid to divide your time as you see best and don’t feel pressurised to go the extra mile career-wise.  Just do as much at work as your lifestyle allows and know that your time as a mum is precious and you can never get those early years back with your child so give your employers boundaries and be firm about what you can and can’t deliver.

Baby G's

A few weeks before I was due to have baby Eden, who I now can't believe is 8 weeks old, I received a surprise package to my door from the Amazon man.  To my absolute delight it was a starter box of gDiapers.  The gift actually bought me to tears, partly due to being a pregnant lump and partly due to the thoughtfulness of my friend Emma, who had taken note of my interest in her use of these reusable nappies and been so kind as to send me the starter box as a new baby gift for Eden.  The 'newborn starter kit' makes for the most delightful gift by the way :)

Emma is a gorgeous friend, who also has a beautiful blog too called mamalina, you should check her out.  We have a lot in common, one of our threads is that we both wanted to continue the exciting and beautiful elements of our lives, even after we had kids and she is one of the few mums I know who takes her kid on wild adventures like we do!  

I have debated the use of disposable vs reusable nappies for so long, it felt like such hard work with Reno (my older son) as I was on the road a lot and didn't always have time for laundry.  We lived in an RV over the whole summer, working across festivals in the UK, so the thought of carrying around poo with me until I hit a laundrette wasn't appealing.  HOWEVER, I get SO SAD when I think of all the hundreds of thousands of nappies that are not compostable or biodegradable just sitting in land-fills in the world.   Then I questioned if it even was any better for the environment as there is still a disposable element to the nappy AND you have to wash the covers, so that's water usage!  I keep thinking about our kids and what the future of the world will look like for them and how can I help in my lifetime, even if it's small  and feels somewhat insignificant.  

All this aside, I have this box and so thought, let give this a whirl.  First of all, they look SUPER cute!  They really make those little baby bots so round and juicy, they come in loads of different colours and there are mountains of cool patterns on Instagram to choose from with awesome designs on them.  The downside is this is a VERY middle class way of collecting poo for your kids and you need a disposable income to have these 'non-disposable' nappies!  It's not cheap at all!!!  I would say I change Eden twice as much as I do with regular pampers as otherwise they leek and then you have to buy new covers as they grow out of them.  The upside is that I can keep the covers for the next kid ;)

Unfortunately, in the apartment complex and neighbourhood where we currently live in California, there is no way to compost anything, which surprises me, being California.  However, solution -  There is an amazing place called Tiny Tots who has a collection service.  They do this amazing diaper service where they collect and clean cloth nappies for you or simply collect your compost inserts from the gDiapers.  Again, this is not cheap, but good for the planet, not your pocket.

In short - If you have time and money these things are the best! They look adorable and there are so may cute designs to choose from (Etsy) you can have someone else do your 'dirty work' for you and take comfort that you are helping the planet.  

However, if you are on a budget, unfortunately saving the planet doesn't come onto the agenda.  When cloth diapering is made affordable for everyone, then I think it will really be 100% cool.  Until then, I have loved trying it out, but am not sure how much I can justify it as the ONLY way to go...

DayOne Baby

A few weeks ago I was looking for a parking spot, downtown Palo Alto. A task, not always so easy, I finally found one.  BIG DEAL, you are thinking...  But what happened next was a game changer...  Eden was 2 weeks old and as I pulled out his stroller from the trunk I saw the shop window directly in front of me and it said 'DayOne Baby'.  

I went inside, bracing myself for the unknown... "Aladdin's cave"  "Heaven for new mothers" "a Godsend"  "Genius" were all phrases I said to myself as I meandered around this beautiful stylish tranquil environment.  I was gracefully asked for help but not bugged, I was offered a place to feed my baby and change him and a glass of water. 

I felt like Barberella with her Duran Duran.   These guys have got it right.

DayOne baby is an innovative idea of a shop, play area, weigh in clinic, as well as being safe place for mum's to nurse with friendly faces around. A real source of oxytocin, which is super important for all mothers, especially those who nurse.   They have private rooms, changing facilities, basically everything you could ever wish for as a new mother coming out of the sunshine on a busy high street.  They have councillors for post natal anxiety and depression on hand to have chats to as well as lactation consultants on hand to support nursing, pumping and all the other joys and struggles of breastfeeding. They host weekly 'Keep Fit Classes' where you put your baby in the sling and jump around with other mums.  There is more, I could go on, but I suggest you just go and check it out for yourselves.

In the UK, where I had my first son, we had a weigh in clinic just 5 minutes walk from my house, it was the image of 'Call the Midwife'  I loved it, everyone knew each other and was in an old Church, so friendly, safe and welcoming.  We don't have that here, we have to book an opt with our paediatrician to our new baby weighed.  This meant I could just go and see how fat he was... he's pretty chubby, I am proud :)

In the UK, there are loads of groups and activities for new mums that are easy to find,  your midwife and health visitor come to your house and give you loads of pamphlets after you have your baby with local resources and make you feel really supported.  Here, there is no midwife or health visitor.  You have your baby and you are sort of left to find things out for yourself.  Now, don't get me wrong, the services are abundant and a lot covered by your health insurance (which is also a weird concept I am still learning about) but unless you know WHERE to look or WHO to ask, they are really hard to find and there is no real epicentre for them all, unless you come to places like this where they have a whole timetable of classes and resources on tap.  Also, best marketing is word of mouth, so, put all the mums together and bravo... 

I never saw myself as one of those mums that would need a support network and outreach, but since moving to the states I have been so grateful for them, to meet new people and just feel more connected.  People drive everywhere here so there is less of the 'high street hello's' and 'mother matrix nods' that I had in Muswell Hill London.

So - If you are a new mum or not, go check this place out, it's really brilliant.  If you have a friend who is having a baby, there are beautiful gifts in here too, all very stylish and carefully picked, there is nothing in this shop that I think is a waste of space or time and shouldn't be there.

www.dayonebaby.com