Mind Over Material

So Iv decided to dust off the old modelling boots to throw myself back into the creative world and do something that I love and will push my comfort zone again! 😬🙈🤪🫣

One of my fave gigs so far has to be for AKA … not only is Tan an inspirational Boss Lady (killing it by running a business and parenting 🤪), hilariously funny and kind, but the product is spot on. Easy to apply/remove and for someone who has sensitive skin, I had zero redness when we whipped it off!!

Go give them a follow and grab yourself some so that you can wear those outfits that you have never got round to getting the right bra for!!!



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I had the pleasure of helping out last week at the Holiday Extras Clothes Swap, organised by the lovely Amber.

She kindly invited me along to be able to offer advice and guidance on how to style pieces the lovely ladies may take a shine to ✨.

HX staff generously handed over their wares and in return got to take home pieces they could boost their capsule wardrobes with!

The turn out was sensational and the quality and style of the pieces were amazing. In fact It was that good we opened up for more donations and shopping the next day!

Safe to say the staff are looking forward to holding another ‘Swish’ event in the near future 👏

Big 🙌 to HX and Amber for putting on the event and helping the 🌍… swap don’t skip!!! 💜

Mind Over Material is entering a new and exciting next chapter … I’m now based in the UK and will be offering a suite of personal styling services. New website coming soon 👀 watch this space 💜

OK can you please stop growing now 🙈 I blinked! Can’t stop the twin dressing 😕 helps me keep track of them when we are out 👀 .billie

‘One (reason) could be rest. By staying home, some pregnant women may have experienced less stress from work and commuting, gotten more sleep and received more support from their families, the researchers said.’ 👏 at least some good may be coming from this?! 💜

During Coronavirus Lockdowns, Some Doctors Wondered: Where Are the Preemies? Hospitals in several countries saw dips in premature births, which could be a starting point for future research.

The Chunky Knit
I think we all need a hug right now... not a 🤗 or an elbow tap... but a massive, sway from side to side whilst squeezing the life out of you... and then lingering till its borderline awkward hug... I need one of those. Especially from the family and friends I haven’t seen in months, and quite frankly don’t know when I will.
Melbournians have had to take a step back in their levels of restrictions, and the borders have shut between VIC and NSW. It all feels a tad disheartening to say the least. Especially when workers on the front line are giving their all and people are loosing so much because of it.
So I think we all need a massive chunky knit right now. The metaphoric hug. That comforting, warm, reassuring fluffy mass to slip into.
Things can only get better right... we can only move forward... one foot in front of the other with hope and with gratitude for what we have. It’s the weirdest feeling - almost like we have had to press pause on our lives and I know I’m struggling with not being able to make plans to make those memories which makes life...well...life 💜
The Little Book Of Hygge has had me thinking about how we can continue to at a time when life seems to be standing still.
Hygge is about creating special moments by incorporating regular habits to your lifestyle. Slow cooked Sunday lunches, lazy afternoon movies, Friday night pizzas, getting out for long walks on a weekend to discover somewhere new.
Lets face it the chunky knit probably isn't made for fine dining or cocktail parties. Side Note: I feel the chunky knit looks better balanced out with something fitted on the bottom half. Think skinny jeans, structured leggings, denim or leather skirt with tights and ankle boots).
So for now I will snuggle up in the knits, hold my boys close, eat the chocolate,watch the movies whilst listening to the rain. Hygge looks like Hug if you squint anyhoo 🤷‍♀️💜

It’s a busy week in the MOM household...
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Our eldest is turning 5 tomorrow and there’s still a few bits I need to get for the big day plus a party on Saturday... coupled with dealing that I have my not so little boy going to school next year I am feeling quite emotional 😭 damn where is the time going 🤷🏼‍♀‍. Iv also got to mock up a cake for his actual bday... cue glass of wine and a s**t load of pre made frosting at 9pm tonight 🍷🎂
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It’s also last week of the FY and I am behind on my invoicing so it’s head down/bum up today to make a dent in that.
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One of the things I’m trying to improve on is my procrastinating... writing a daily list ... don’t overload it and tackle the most important things (which usually have a deadline attached to it) and knock them off first.
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I used to write these mammoth to do lists for work and always feel deflated at the end of the day when only a third of it got done. Dealing with things in manageable quantities and being realistic about what I can get done has helped... why has it taken me this long to realise this?!
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"Most people overestimate what they can do in a day, and underestimate what they can do in a month. We overestimate what we can do in a year, and underestimate what we can accomplish in a decade." Matthew Kelly
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Today I’m going to get the important stuff done and tomorrow soak up all we have achieved with raising our beautiful boy.
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PS I love a good Hoodie. Pulling it up high around my neck and hands in its pockets. I managed to grab this one whilst on a rare trip to the city and a sneaky H&M visit. I’m not one to usually wear logos or brands blazing, but there is something about the PE aesthetic - the mix of sport and street - that draws me to it. There’s also the gritty boss lady vibes it gives off... and Ill need some of that today 👍🏻
Here's to getting s**t done🙌

Fine Knits
Not just a winter friend. The fine knit is one you would have on hand all year round – especially in Victoria as I have learnt. Dress it up – pair with a leather skirt for date night, or wear to work under your suit. Dress it down - pair with denim cut offs when moving into the warmer months or just with jeans for your day to day layering.
As with most items in the MOM wardrobe, I keep patterns to a minimum [animal print/stripes/spots are timeless] but would add some in your colour of choice.
As I hinted in my stories, I have quite enjoyed ISO. I reveled in getting back to basics. I now feel…well I didn’t really know how I was feeling. I was confused. Why was I feeling flat when we are – although this seems to have done a 180 overnight – slowly being allowed to return to our former ways. The aftermath of overindulging – too much wine… too much sugar and I struggled to motivate myself in the early days to stick to exercise. I think it felt like a holiday – ‘Its 5 o’clock somewhere’ and eating a mix of my weight in cheese…because you know…spoil yourself as we can’t go out for dinner… A positive has come through learning to manage mental health and that’s recognizing when you aren’t right and putting a plan in place to get back on track.
Regular exercise, lots of water, drop the refined sugar and bad carbs. Turn up the personal care – moisturize, floss, face masks. I think I may have bust a blood vessel exercising some will power when it came to not eating the kids leftovers last week 🤜.
As I messaged a friend today, I am getting more joy out of slow and focused as opposed to filling time with what I thought was important, but what has in reality turned out to be fluff that leaves you with nothing… no memories. It’s bringing it back to focusing on the simple things. Being present. Doing less but being more fulfilled because of it. More Mind… Less Materialism 💜

Happy Easter! Wow… I’m sure none of us in our wildest dreams could have conjured up this shenanigans…I’ve been MIA the last 2 months. We had to move rentals which we didn’t see coming. I HATE PACKING. The sight of a crate has me rocking in a corner… Work has been busy. It’s our own business, our livelihood. So even though MOM is my passion, I have to park it and devote my energies to the biz to pay the bills. And right now I have to be grateful for that. It's heart breaking to see loved ones have their livelihoods pulled from under them through no fault of their own. Mental state. I hope you are all staying sane in these uncertain times. Subconsciously I think the lack of control around what is happening has me not sleeping well. My old mate anxiety keeps popping round – she has not got the social distancing memo. Tight chest, difficulty catching a breath. And that flat feeling…
But I have to be grateful. Grateful for our health. For our jobs. The feeling that we have to be doing something or going somewhere taken away from us which in turn is forcing us to slow down and appreciate the small things. The simple things. Time with the kids of a weekend is now focused around creating and just being…
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a hugger, and this is hard. I miss my friends and family. But I know how much more appreciative we will be of the times together once this is all over. MOM – its kind of relevant and not at this time. Why would people want to hear about a capsule wardrobe when they have no where to go? No occasion to get dressed for? It does highlight that a huge walk-in full of clothes is really not essential. That the basics will get you through.
Saying that we have bought back the Sunday session. We get dressed up, put makeup on, and we put the tunes on.
Your mind has to come first – especially now – do what you need to do to get through and stay safe and as positive as you can be.
Look after yourself –practice some self care – stay safe – We can do it!X

Yessssss 🙌

H&M Is Collaborating With P.E Nation And We'll Take One Of Everything Street style meets activewear meets H&M.

My Bali Collection
I’m not sure if its just me, but when I’ve gone on holiday in the past I tend to get sucked in to buying the local ‘Look’… Then once I get home, reality hits me like a tone of coconuts and I realise that the items I have bought don’t really work for my day to day… In particular the senorita dress from Benidorm in 1985…💃That was never gonna work
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This trip I was lucky enough to go with a bestie who is a Bali veteran so we hit the markets. I must admit there are probably one or two pieces that definitely belong in the ‘Holiday’ wardrobe… But aside from those I was good and tried to stick to the MOM rules – minimal patterns and versatile!
- Cropped white shirt – a little bit left of field for me – features flamingos and is cropped… I am teaming it with my high waisted skirts and jeans/trousers
- Short jump suits – light weight and great for throwing on over swimmers on the beach or a body suit for daytime running around
- Dress – cute with flats and heels for date night. I would also pair this one with tights/boots/black blazer once the temp start to drop
- Baggy Trouser/Statement Pant – they tend to be baggier on the bottom half, so I like the top to be fitted –this emerald green colour with the black 😍
- Jumpsuit – Mustard – one of my fave block colours along with khaki/emerald green – Ill be on the hunt for a thin leopard print belt to break it up. You could also wear it sans belt for more of a smock look…great for when you have a food baby!! Also got a classic black one with a double layered top
I love being spontaneous – but whilst on holiday it was apparent to me that my boys missed our 'norm'… sometimes it frustrates me [mainly when I want to go/do what pre mum me would have chosen]. But since having them I too have found comfort in routine and can see that it makes them feel safe and contented for now.
So, whilst I do love going away and exploring new parts of the world, I equally love to come home…can’t beat your own bed right?! Night!