To celebrate Mother’s Day this year, we caught up with our Boody Mums to find out their thoughts on motherhood. From what they love and what surprised them to handy advice they’d give to new mums and how they’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day, our resident mums tell all.
Rhiain Palermo, Admin and Operations Manager
1. Tell us a bit about your son.
My son's name is Massimo and he's seven years old. Massimo has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), which possibly explains why he has such an extraordinary memory with numbers, places and directions. He is also really good with electronic devices. Most importantly, though, Massimo is a loving and affectionate little boy who loves cuddles and kisses.
2. What are the three best things about motherhood?
The unconditional love between us.
Experiencing small moments that cannot be explained and having the connection is priceless.
Moments when he randomly calls out "mummy love you".
3. What advice would you give would-be/soon-to-be mothers?
The only advice I would give is to sleep and rest before baby arrives. Sleep deprivation is a big part of your life when you become a mother. Take on advice as it's free, but don't take on opinions as you'll know what's right for you and your baby.
4. What is something about motherhood that surprised you or you didn't expect?
Nothing surprised me really and nothing unexpected came up.
5. How will you be spending Mother's Day?
I will be spending Mother's Day with my family having lunch. Can't wait!
Robyn Sacks, Sales Manager
1. Tell us a bit about your kids.
I have three amazing girls with whom I have a close connection. Mikayla 19, Jayda 14 and Zara 11. They are all artistic, creative and high achievers.
Mikayla is the most caring, thoughtful, level-headed 19-year-old around. We’ve always had a deep bond having emigrated from South Africa to Sydney when she was only eight months old. She is currently studying two degrees at UTS – Bachelor of Communication and Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation. In between studies she has an internship, nannies in the afternoons, waitresses on the weekend and plays netball – and somehow still enjoys hanging out with me!
Jayda is talented at singing, guitar, songwriting and socialising. She’s sporty, enjoys cross country and netball, finds time for fashion, makeup and jewellery. As a child, I remember her being easy-going, undemanding and a real pleasure to have around. Then she turned 12... and the household dynamics became more interesting and challenging! But we love it this way.
Zara is passionate about dance, gymnastics and performing, and our home is a constant buzz of music and dance routines. She is loving and affectionate and a real chatterbox from the minute she wakes up. As a toddler, she was cheerful and carefree, bright and sparkly and always exclaimed how she wanted to marry me one day.
She enjoys creating beautiful handmade cards with her sisters and I’m looking forward to receiving the next one for Mother’s Day!
2. What are the three best things about motherhood?
Nurturing and guiding my kids from the beginning right until they leave home. Or longer, if they allow it!
Family time bonding; we love sharing special experiences whether it be afternoons in the park, strolls along the beach, school/sports events, or simply meals together where we enjoy endless hours chatting about our thoughts and concerns, arguing about whose turn is next… Dinnertime is our favourite time of the evening before Bachelor in Paradise takes over!
That feeling of inner fulfilment and completion, which is totally irreplaceable.
Learning to multi-task and achieve much more than you ever imagined possible in one day! I know that’s four things, but there are just too many to mention!
3. What advice would you give would-be/soon-to-be mothers?
Sleep, dine out and socialise with your partner and friends, have fun before the fatigue and restrictions set in. And don't expect everything to work out according to plan – go with the flow and appreciate every moment.
4. What is something about motherhood that surprised you or you didn't expect?
Being so extremely busy every day and having limited time for myself. On a positive note, the closeness and emotional connection with my daughters and the joy of offering unconditional love and watching them with bliss as they reach their milestones.
5. How will you be spending Mother's Day?
Having breakfast in bed and being spoilt with love and affection all day long. I can't wait.
Maggie Kolasky, Production Manager
1. Tell us a bit about your kids.
I have two children – my son, Joseph, and my daughter, Elsie. Elsie is a social butterfly and loves meeting up with her friends. She’s creative and we have fun doing pottery workshops together. Joseph plays soccer and is constantly running up and down the hallway with his soccer ball. He has so much to say and talks so fast; we’re constantly telling him to slow down so we can understand what he’s saying.
One of my favourite things we do each day is to share what the best part of our day has been. The things the kids point out can surprise me but it always makes my heart melt.
2. What are the three best things about motherhood?
The best thing is watching your babies grow up into the gorgeous kids they are today.
The speed at which they learn and grow as babies is amazing.
I love hearing them tell me about their day and what they are thinking about.
3. What advice would you give would-be/soon-to-be mothers?
Enjoy each stage of development for what it is. Don’t be in a rush for them to get to the next one.
4. What is something about motherhood that surprised you or you didn't expect?
I’m left-handed and my son is right-handed. It was tricky helping him learn how to hold a pencil and write!
5. How will you be spending Mother's Day?
We’re having a big lunch with friends, which will be great.
Karen Azizi, Lead Product Designer
1. Tell us a bit about your kids.
I have two kids, Luke who is 15 and Eve who is 13. Luke is super sporty and has always had so much energy. He has a heart of gold, is so loving and loves playing practical jokes on all of us. Eve is also sporty but has a creative side as she loves baking and cooking and as a toddler was obsessed with craft.
Eve is so considerate and for birthdays and special occasions loves to decorate the house and make a fuss. She makes us all laugh and is always singing a tune and breaking into dance and driving her brother mad. There is never a dull moment in our house with Luke and Eve and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
2. What are the three best things about motherhood?
Unconditional love, watching them grow and lots of cuddles and laughter.
3. What advice would you give would-be/soon-to-be mothers?
Hang on tight and enjoy the ride. There will be amazing and memorable times and there will be some hard days, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it as you watch them grow into independent, free-thinking people.
4. What is something about motherhood that surprised you or you didn't expect?
The overwhelming feeling of love when I first met them and the fact that nothing else mattered anymore. Before having children I was very career oriented and only had to worry about myself – the best and most rewarding job I have ever had is being a mother to my two kids.
5. How will you be spending Mother's Day?
Mother’s Day will start with breakfast in bed made by Luke and Eve. Then we will spend the day together catching up with grandmothers and family celebrating all the mums in our extended family.
Annie Pryor, Production Coordinator
1. Tell us a bit about your kids.
I have three gorgeous girls, Alexandra who is 13 and twins, Emily and Olivia who are 12.
Alexandra is the baker in the family and a bookworm, too. She loves playing netball and is a demon water polo player.
Emily doesn't stop – she's a nipper, swimmer, cross country runner, surfer and also plays netball and AFL. In her spare time (not that there's much!) she's either at the beach or kicking a footie around the park.
Olivia is super organised, loves the beach and plays lots of sport and especially loves diving.
2. What are the three best things about motherhood?
The laughter and cuddles – I have lost count of the times I have cried with laughter because of these three. The cuddles are just next level and make everyone feel so much better. Even when they're being stubborn and angry a cuddle can diffuse situations. Cuddles fix so many things (as long as it's not in public now – I get told off for cuddling them in front of people!).
The relationships – it blows my mind when I look back and see how much they have all developed and grown into such different little humans. The struggles they go through and watching the ways they figure things out, with or without guidance, is just phenomenal and continues to amaze me.
The love – the unconditional love between you and them. It makes my heart melt and makes me so, so grateful that these three little beings are in my life.
3. What advice would you give would-be/soon-to-be mothers?
You are in for the ride of your life and as much as it will test you and push you to your absolute limits, it is absolutely worth every single second.
Try and get some rest whenever you can and set yourself small goals for the day – even if it's to have a shower, get dressed or go for a walk. Make sure you spend time with other adults, even if it's simply grabbing a coffee and having a chat.
Don't be afraid to ask for help (one of the hardest things I found). Also, remember that when you're sleep deprived and feel like you're more exhausted than you ever thought possible, that it doesn't last forever. They'll be little teenagers before you know it and sleeping all day instead!
4. What is something about motherhood that surprised you or you didn't expect?
TWINS! When I had Alexandra there was a mum in our other group that had twins. I remember thinking it was so amazing and beautiful but never, ever imagined it would happen to me. We were completely gobsmacked when we had the 12-week scan!
I also didn't expect it to be quite as crazy and as full on as it was, there's so much to learn and take in. It can be a struggle at times but you just need to remember that it doesn't last forever.
5. How will you be spending Mother's Day?
It's actually my birthday this year too so I'll be having extra fun! The girls are playing AFL in the morning so we'll be going for lunch after that and then eating birthday cake all afternoon!
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Has Mother’s Day crept up on you this year? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. One minute it’s Christmas, the next it’s Easter and then suddenly we’re being reminded to send Mum a card and flowers!
Well, don’t worry, Boody fans. A Boody eGift Card is all you need to give Mum the gift of comfort this year. She'll thank you for it!
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Interviews
An interview with Kea Leora Kenney, Founder of Live Your Love
Nestled away in the Byron Bay hinterland lives Boody fan Kea Leora Kenney. Kea is the founder of natural beauty and cleaning products business, Live Your Love, for which she also creates what she describes as ‘goddess’ jewellery alongside her partner using recycled metals. We talked with Kea about what inspired her to start her eco-friendly business, how motherhood has shaped her and why she loves our comfy everyday essentials. You create natural beauty and cleaning products for your business, Live Your Love. Tell us about this. We make natural beauty and cleaning products that are safe and healthy for your skin, and loving towards our mama earth. My partner and I also make ‘goddess’ jewellery out of recycled metals. We love to create and to be creative. What inspired you to initially start Live Your Love? I have a passion for living a chemical-free lifestyle and I taught myself how to make everything at home. Everyone loved my products so I started doing the markets and now I have an online shop and use social media to keep spreading the good vibes. In what ways do you try to live an eco-friendly lifestyle? We use all organic products especially body soap, dish soap, laundry soap, conditioner and shampoo etc. so that we reduce the number of chemicals being washed down the drain and ending in our beautiful creeks and stunning oceans. We shop mostly at the farmers’ market and at the bulk foods shop in town, so our produce doesn’t come wrapped in plastic and our bulk foods we take home in our reusable jars. You're Mumma to Anea. How has motherhood changed you? It has encouraged me to become a better and stronger version of myself. Even more conscious, wanting to give my daughter the most beautiful and healthy conscious upbringing. It has also inspired me to become even more earth-conscious so she can enjoy Mother Nature to her fullest potential. It has softened me, bringing me back to unconditional love daily. I suppose it has given me a greater sense of ‘purpose’ in this world. I definitely feel very complete. What was your pregnancy experience like? My pregnancy was easy, smooth, beautiful and natural. I felt completely empowered, sexy and beautiful, truly in the divine essence of real womanhood. I felt powerful. I birthed my daughter naturally at 21 years old, the most powerful and life-changing experience. I practised lots of hypo-birthing throughout my pregnancy, and I was inspired to have a natural birth considering I was born at home in the water. We know you're an advocate for loving your post-pregnancy body. What is your advice for someone who might not be feeling so confident? Love yourself, always. Own your new Mama bod! You are a warrior-ess woman! You have brought magical life into this world, and your scars and new body is proof of just how powerful you truly are. It actually did take me a little while to adjust and get used to my new body, but I continued loving it even through the uncertainty. Also, I find it so incredible how it just continues to change, through pregnancy, through breastfeeding, through stopping breastfeeding. It's a chance to enjoy yourself and discover your body in all ways. We know you're a big fan of Boody. What do you love most about our soft and sustainable everyday essentials? We LOVE Boody. The comfiest everyday essentials. They feel soft and silky on my skin, they fit all body types so perfectly. They make me feel sexy as a mama! I wear them around the house, in the garden, at the beach, and to dreamland. I am wearing my undies right now! What are your top picks from our ranges? My top picks from Boody are the Shaper Crop Bra, G-String and Brazilian Bikini bottoms. They are so comfortable and cheeky. Love them! Finally, what are your plans for the near future? Anything exciting on the horizon you'd like to share with us? We have just had some pretty huge travels and changes in our life. We spent three months in Canada at the start of the year, playing in the snow and seeing family. We then moved houses after living outside of Mullum for five years. We are now further deep into the rainforest. So I am really looking forward to having some grounding time. Especially with what’s going on right now in the world. I am excited about gardening, swimming in my creek, setting up my new house, spending time with my family. Just getting rooted in this earth and focusing on our health.
Interviews
An interview with Laura Kelly, Yoga Teacher
If there’s ever been a time to get into yoga and meditation, it would be 2020. From the devastating bushfires at the start of the year to the on-going pandemic, it’s so important to stay present. One person who knows a thing or two about mindfulness is Laura Kelly, yoga and meditation teacher. From her spiritual journey to her favourite Boody picks, read on to get to know Laura Kelly in our interview. You're a trained yoga teacher. How did that come to be? Mine is quite a common tale, I think. I was working long hours in a successful but stressful corporate job and really felt like I needed to slow down. My yoga practice had become my biggest support in coping with stress and I initially started looking at yoga retreats but realised I needed more than a week off! I actually ended up leaving my job without a plan but found a teacher training in Bali that really focused on teaching yoga philosophy. 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I have over a decade experience working as an Executive Assistant in the corporate world, so after my yoga teacher training, I made the move to fuse the two and specialise in supporting businesses and creatives in the health and wellness space. My clients are yoga and meditation teachers, spiritual healers, writers and artists. They are big thinkers and go-getters and I love assisting them in sharing their magic with the world. I work one-on-one to provide administrative support and create content that engages audiences and promotes products and services. We hear you're a big Boody fan. What is it about everyday basics you love? I’m a self-confessed extroverted introvert. While I love connecting with others and socialising, I always look forward to home alone time to recharge. I love everyday basics that are comfortable and easy to throw on but still make me feel good. Boody does exactly that. I also love your commitment to sustainability, organic fabrics and giving back to non-profits who help protect the environment. Any top picks and why? I have been living in my Long Sleeve Round Neck T-Shirt, Full Length Active Tights and Padded Shaper Crop Bra. The fabrics are all so soft and snuggly; the tights hold me in in all the right places and the bra provides enough support for my yoga practice without feeling restrictive if I’m just sitting on the couch drinking a cup of tea! Eco-friendly living is crucial to us at Boody. In what ways do you try to live a sustainable life? At the start of 2020, I made a promise to myself to only buy second-hand clothes and to really cut down on my clothes shopping in general. I love rummaging through vintage stores and my local op-shops. It’s the best feeling when you find those hidden gems! If I’m buying something new I’m doing my best to stick to brands that strive to maintain sustainable and ethical standards, like Boody! 2020 has been a stressful year for people all over the globe. Pulling on your health and wellness expertise, in what ways can people remain calm during turbulent times? I wish I had the magic answer! I’m not a medical practitioner and would never claim to offer advice for everybody but what I can do is say what has worked for me. I’ve made an effort to move my body every day, getting outside has been a non-negotiable (even if it’s just to grab a quick coffee) and I’ve allowed myself to rest when I need to. I’ve tried to not spend too much time on my devices and stay away from mainstream media. I have found that simply taking a few deep breaths when things start to feel overwhelming helps lower my stress levels and bring me back to the present moment. For me, I’ve really tried to be kind to myself and take each day as it comes as much as possible. I read somewhere recently that although we are all caught in the same storm, we are not in the same boat. Everyone is experiencing this strange time in their own way. So, I am endeavouring to take care for those around me more than ever and provide support where I can. We hear you moved from London to Sydney six years ago. What have been the main changes to your life following the move? So much has changed in the last six years! It’s definitely had its challenges; being away from friends and family has been tough but the friends I’ve made here have turned into family in a lot of ways. I wake up and go to bed a lot earlier than I did when I was living in London, I’ve trained to be a yoga teacher, I now work for myself and I’ve actually just experienced a huge milestone in becoming an Australian citizen this month which is very exciting! If people want to pursue a similar career in yoga and meditation, what advice can you offer them? Yoga teacher training has become as much about my own personal development as it has been about learning the practice, if not more. Meditation is inextricably linked to my yoga practice, in many ways, yoga IS my meditation. I think the most important thing you can do is make a commitment to your practice. Yoga is not just about what happens on the mat. The biggest changes for me have been in the way I live my life; the way I interact with people, especially my friends, family and my partner and the way I understand the inner workings of my mind. If you want to teach, I’d recommend connecting with and offering to help out at your local studio; there’s often opportunities for trained teachers when they are already part of the community. I would recommend to make your own practice the priority and to forever remain a curious student. As it is written in the Bhagavad Gita; “"Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self." 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Interviews
An interview with Seyi Rania, Natural Beauty & Wellness
Been meaning to give your beauty products an organic and eco-friendly overhaul? Seyi Rania has got you covered. With a deep knowledge of natural beauty that doesn’t compromise your health and wellness, Seyi knows which products are good not only for your skin – but for the planet, too. But that’s not all Seyi is about. She’s also a talented mental health counsellor, a gorgeous model and a dedicated Boody fan. We can’t get enough of her! We caught up with Seyi to talk everything from natural beauty to her fave Boody styles. Hey Seyi! How did your love for natural beauty, health and wellness come about? My wellness journey began in 2011 when my beautiful mother passed away from breast cancer. I was only 19 at the time. Following her death, I began questioning why and how my mother developed such a horrible disease… so I did my research and came across many articles detailing potential links between environmental toxins and cancer. I also began attending workshops and lectures to learn more about organic health. Since researching, I am shocked to learn the nasties/chemicals that are found in everyday conventional products and the impact it's potentially having on our health. Now that I know what I know, I have completely turned my back from conventional toxic products and use products (when possible) which are safe to use on my skin and safe for the environment. Did you know the body absorbs up to 60% from what's put onto the skin? Very scary! Tell us about your favourite organic beauty products. Goodness me, this is a tough question! However here are my all-time favourite beauty products I use weekly and can’t live without: Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask + their Noni Glow Face Oil Lavera Sensitive Facial Moisturiser BODILAB Green Tea + Chamomile Face Mask Vayda Organics Facial Cleansing Oil What is your morning and evening beauty routines? I like to keep my skincare routine simple. I suffer from acne oily prone skin so I have a routine that targets this skin type. I do not believe in undertaking a 10 step routine to achieve glowing healthy skin! In the morning: I use the Lavera Gel cleanser + Sensitive facial moisturiser If I feel like I need it e.g. haven’t had enough sleep or my face is looking a bit puffy, 1-2 times a week, I apply a few drops of facial oil to my face then use a jade roller/Gua Sha to bring circulation back into my face. I find that I look less tired and more bright-eyed when using this technique! In the evening: Again I cleanse and moisturise, however, my evening routine can vary depending on what my skin needs. Twice a week I like to use an exfoliation mask (like the Kora Organics product I mentioned earlier) followed by a facial oil Once a week or every two weeks I like to use a clay mask followed by a facial oil If I am wearing makeup on the day then I ensure to double cleanser to remove all makeup, dirt and grime then moisturise. Without a proper clean, it will only lead to breakouts. In what ways can everyone live a more healthy lifestyle? I live by a few simple rules: Drink more water Aim for at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day Everything in moderation Practice gratitude and speak kindly to oneself How can we all live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? I think it’s good to question yourself on what you buy/use on a day-to-day basis and be mindful that whatever you buy will eventually end up in a landfill. If what you buy can be more sustainable, recyclable or biodegradable, then this will benefit our planet greatly. To implement more eco-friendly habits, I do the following: Use a KeepCup. I am so strict with myself that if I forget my keep cup then I won’t buy a coffee! Use beeswax wraps instead of glad wrap and reusable ziplock bags as opposed to one use zip lock bags Walk instead of drive if possible Eco-friendly washing liquid In terms of food, buy more fruit/vegetables. Less likely to be wrapped up in plastics and good for you! We hear you're a big Boody fan! What is it about our comfy and sustainable essentials you love? I love the versatility of the essentials in that it is comfortable to wear around the home but also lovely to dress up and wear out during the day. The comfort and durability is also what I love about Boody. When I purchased my first pair of undies and leggings a year or two ago, I was immediately hooked. My essentials/underwear wardrobe is about 60% Boody, however, I am aiming for 90%! I had even reached out to one of the customer representatives to submit a review and I admitted that when I wore the Boody sleepwear for the first time, it was the best night’s sleep I have had. That is comfort guaranteed! Any favourite styles? So many styles I can add here but I really love the Everyday Slip Dress in Black. Perfect for home and to wear out on a warm day. I also really like wearing ¾ sleeve tops with a pair of Boody leggings. My favourite work-from-home attire! And of course, in between meetings and calls with my clients, I like to get out and go for a run. The Boody Active range is really lovely to wear and is durable. Comfort, durability and sustainability are all very important to me. Outside of health and wellness, you are a mental health counsellor. That must be both rewarding and challenging? Absolutely! So I have completed a degree in psychology and a masters in clinical counselling. My experience varies from homeless intake worker, behavioural therapist, NDIS support coordinator and support worker and school counsellor. Right now I am working in the education industry to provide support to students. I love what I do and I love that I can make such a difference. You also do freelance modelling. Is that something you enjoy? I love it so, so much. I have been a model for nine years and it has always been a passion of mine. In the last three years, I was discovered then signed by an agency and now I am represented by JR Management. I have never thought to do it as a full-time occupation but I love that I get a great balance of passions between working in mental health, blogging about all things natural and beauty and doing awesome modelling gigs. Definitely can’t complain! Any plans on the horizon or anything else you'd like to mention? I am always thinking of ways of how I can do more with my beauty blog and spread the importance of natural beauty to all, however, right now I think I am happy where I am. I love that I can make a difference where possible. Though if someone asked me what is my ultimate dream, it would be to have my very own natural organic skincare range! Follow Seyi on Instagram.
