Tell our readers all about yourself?
I am a wife, mother to my gorgeous 4-month-old baby boy and Chocolate Lab, Wellington, certified chocoholic and shopaholic, born and bred in Cape Town. I have a love for writing and all things pretty and it was this passion that led me to establish my blog, Boots in the Big City. I love to travel – the experiences we have and memories we make are more valuable then anything money can buy! I love summer sunshine, a crisp glass of bubbly at the end of a long day and baking all sorts of deliciousness!
What is the main mission of your blog and what content can they expect to find there?
You’ll find a little bit of everything! I share the things that make my heart happy. While beauty is my first love, I also like to feature posts on fitness, sweet treats and fashion finds. I have a passion for beauty, baking, travel, good food and wine and living a healthy, active life. I am now a mommy to my beautiful baby boy so I’ll also be sharing my journey as I navigate my way through motherhood. All my posts are 100% my opinion with the aim of giving you honest product reviews and first-hand real experiences that hopefully keep you inspired and coming back for more!
What are you passionate about?
Being the healthiest version of myself. I love being active and exercise is such an important part of my life from both a mental and physical point of view. Having not exercised for a while (with being pregnant and now post-baby) I’ve realized just how important it is to me. It’s an outlet to release stress and frustrations – my therapy – and makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother. I love setting myself goals (however small) and pushing myself to achieve them. While the mental benefits far outweigh the physical for me, being happy and confident within myself means I have more to give as a wife and a mom. And having the energy to run after toddler in the near future won’t hurt either!
What or who inspires you to live your best life?
Life is so short and moments are so fleeting – even more so now that I am a mom. I feel like I blinked and another year rolled by so spending time doing the things that make my heart happy, making memories and not taking life for granted. Someone once said to me that memories are all you have when everything else changes and so I never want to look back and regret the things I didn’t do. I want my son to have a happy childhood filled with memories that he’ll love sharing with his friends one day.
Where can we find you in your spare time?
This would have been an easier question to answer a few months ago! I’m still finding my feet as a new mom and I often wonder what I used to do with all my spare time! When I do have a little bit of me-time, I love to meet up with my girlfriends for coffee or a glass of wine or indulging in a pedicure. Hiking up our beautiful mountains with my family or having Sunday braais with friends. In summer you’ll find me sneaking in some time in the sun and in winter, curled up with a cup of tea and a good book.
How do you get balance in your life?
Balance is always a tricky one and being a new mom is all consuming so I’m definitely failing on this one at the moment! But life is a juggling act and a little bit of planning goes a long way. I’m trying to remember that it is important for me to take time out for myself away from baby, to go to gym, meet a friend, book a massage and then also remember I’m am a wife too so making time for my husband – put on a pair of heels, some makeup and go on date night. While it’s not easy, having that little refresher is so important. But this is now and I will probably have a very different answer in a few months time when I go back to work!
What “rules” do you live by?
Never go to bed angry and always say goodbye when you leave. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! When in doubt, eat the chocolate 😊
What three things could you not live without?
- My three boys – my husband, son and chocolate dog
- The things money can’t buy… the moments you can never get back but stay in your memory forever
- Concealer!
TOP 3 recommendations for the mommies reading this post?
- Wear your baby! My baby wrap is one of the best things I’ve purchased. Not only is it so wonderful to keep them close and snuggled up, it’s fantastic if you have a niggly baby and need to get things done with two hands. I never thought I’d be a baby wearing mom but now I’m a huge fan!
- Keep applying stretch mark cream for a few months after pregnancy. Your skin needs a little help to regain its elasticity.
- Keep a journal of your pregnancy and those first few months (and beyond) with baby. I feel like I’m only now coming out of the newborn blur and it’s amazing how much you forget! I’ve loved looking back and reading how I felt, the little firsts and all the emotions that come with a new baby. It will also come in very handy with baby number two!!
What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?
Via my blog, email or through my Social Media channels:
Instagram: @bigcityboots
Facebook: Boots in the Big City
Twitter: @bigcityboots
Blog: www.bootsinthebigcity.com
Email: cat@bootsinthebigcity.com