Where and how long have you lived in Sydney’s east:
I have lived in Mascot for the majority of my life, I moved to Botany about 7 years ago. It’s a lovely community and so central to everything I need.
Unless I win the lotto I won’t be going anywhere.
How many children:
I have two children who keep me busy and happy, Taya who is 5 & just started kindy….. loving it so far, I just hope she enjoys school more than I did! .
Then I have my wild child Bodhi who just turned two on Valentines Day, very adventurous and full of energy, some days I feel I can’t keep up!
Favourite Park:
We are pretty lucky as we have a handful of great parks within walking distance but our favourite is Booralee park in Botany, always a familiar face there, a little bike track, great play equipment and it’s under cover so it doesn’t get too hot there.
The park at Chifley is great, the flying fox is a big hit.
Favourite Beach:
We love Yarra Bay beach. Perfect water conditions for the kids to explore and after a hot day in the sun we venture to the Yarra Bay Sailing Club for some fish and chips and a refreshing beverage!
Clovelly is beautiful too and very kid friendly.
Favourite kid friendly cafe:
Courtyard Cafe in Coogee is an old time favourite, plenty of room for the prams & you get a chocolate freckle with your drink!
I also love The Grounds in Alexandria, always something fun happening and such a creative space that I could walk around for hours snapping away, Oh and the kids love the animals..me not so much!!!
Coogee Pavilion is the kids favourite no need to explain.
Favourite Coffee Spot:
While I am not a coffee drinker I do love a good cup of tea or a great chocolate milkshake!
I love any cafe down Coogee Beach for a bit of people watching while sipping my drink.
The best choc milkshakes are from Cafe Thai in Botany, they also do the most delicious Thai as well of course, very convenient as they are located below me!
Favourite date night place:
Mmm date night???? It has been a while but when it happens Capanno Trattoria Bar & Grill in Botany is my favourite , great atmosphere , amazing food, cocktails and live music. Its a little gem in the heart of Botany and I love supporting the locals. Ha ha these days dinner and a few drinks is a big night for us!!
Favourite Local Day Out Activity:
In summer we are usually by the water, at the local beach or at my mum & dad’s who have a pool. The kids can spend all day in the water.
Grabbing an ice cream by the beach and strolling around, take away on the beach for dinner.
Winter it’s nice to rug up and go for bike rides, a nice lunch and just chill out.
There is always so much atmosphere around the Eastern Suburbs so just getting out in the fresh air is always nice.
Favourite Local Shop:
I don’t have a favourite, I like them all!
Love home/furniture shops, Places like The Bronte Tram looking for that special something.
Oh and I seem to buy lots of things for the kids..ssshhh
Favourite wet weather location:
The kids love Little Dynamos & The Ice Zoo rink in Alexandria is always fun too.
Home is always nice on a rainy day, just chilling out, kids playing, hot cups of tea…until cabin fever sets in then it’s off to nanny’s!
Describe an ideal day in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for you?
An ideal day for me would start with a coastal walk while the sun rises, breakfast down Coogee and then a browse through the shops and a little retail therapy, bumping into friends along the way, a yoga class at Botannix Studio in Botany…oh hang on I have kids!
So I will settle with getting out & about while the kids play, explore and ride their scooters, lunch at one of the cafe’s, swim and visiting family followed by someone else cooking me dinner!
Work or SAHM:
Work!
I love being a photographer and running my own business, I meet so many beautiful people and I am able to experience so many wonderful things but finding the balance between work and motherhood has been a challenge at different times.
The constant juggling & feeling under pressure is a one of the few negatives but then to have the flexibility I have and be able to be there for my kids while doing something I love makes it all worth while.
I take my hat off to SAHM though, that’s a hard gig.
Motherly advice:
Never compare yourself to other mothers as we are all losing our minds behind closed doors!
Pick your battles and don’t sweat the small stuff..although some days easier said than done!!
Love them madly.
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