Superhero definition: A benevolent fictional character with superhuman powers. IE: Mothers!
Every mum is a superhero in my eyes.
Remember feeling the rush of oxytocin as you held your little creation for the first time? Staring into the eyes of your little mini-me and thinking – how did I make something so divine? This is where our superhero journey begins.
Pre-motherhood I used to think my life was busy. Work, travel, partying... no huge responsibilities - you know, sooo busy.
I always wanted to be a mother and I was lucky enough to meet a 10/10 with the ideal genetic material to make babies with. My ovaries couldn’t hold out anymore so I gave in to my biological clock and I fell pregnant at 23.
Being a mother is sure as hell not like they made it out to be on Johnson & Johnsons ads. There are sleepless nights, days where you would give your right foot to just have one hour to yourself, exhaustion, shit covered everything, veggie smash on the kitchen floor (constantly) a house that looks like a tornado hit it and endless washing piles… don’t even get me started on the washing.
You know what, we are f*cking stars. Every single mum out there is a superhero and it’s about time we wipe the veggie smears off our t-shirts, treat ourselves to a stiff drink (or block of chocolate) and celebrate being queens of motherhood.
I’ve been admiring the Superhero mama’s out there and hope to interview many of them. First on my list is the beautiful Belle.
I first met Belinda on a blind date! There was a group of us who knew each other through the Instagram bubble, we met up to talk all things mum, baby and life while knocking back a few (too many) cocktails.
Belle’s Instagram account is a reflection of her witty personality. Her sense of humour is right up my alley and her gorgeous family are easy on the eyes too. With a professional sports man fiancé and her gorgeous baby girl Olive with lips to die for - this little tribe is one I needed to know more about.
I had the pleasure of shooting Belle and Olive in my latest collection 'Superheros'.
I also had a little chat with Belle to ask her some mummy questions so read on to find out more!
When you become a new mum everyone wants to add their two-cents worth, what’s the best piece of mummy advice you've been given or read?
The advice new mums get is EXTREMELY overwhelming, and everyone seems to be an unqualified expert.
Fresh out of the hospital I was worried because a nurse told me I HAD to feed her every 3 hours, but sometimes she was peacefully sleeping for 4-5hrs (and putting on STACKS of weight). I had a home visit from a midwife and I told her I was stressed out having to wake her every 3 hours to feed her because I was told it was protocol. Anyway, she said to me “Everyone will tell you what to do, listen to everyone's advice, absorb it and smile. But then just do whatever YOU want.” It really resonated with me, and I found I kept coming back to this. In the end no one knows your baby like you do, or what’s best for him/her.
It's important for us Superhero mammas to take time out every now and then, what’s something you enjoy doing for yourself?
I LOVE having a steaming hot bath, I’d like to say I have one 3 times a week… but Aidan would argue it’s more like 5-6 nights a week!
I fill it with steaming hot water, about two cups of epsom salts and read whatever girly “who-dun-it” style book i’m into at the time, this week I’m currently reading ‘Into the water’ it’s by the same author as ‘Girl on a train’ and I’m steaming through it.
I know you have a wedding coming up (congratulations), what are you doing to keep fit and look after that hot bod?
Thankyou! It’s been in the woodworks for a while, but only just now is it actually starting to sink in that it’s actually going to happen!
I started back at the gym when Olive was just six weeks old, I’m lucky enough my gym has a fabulous creche, which in all honestly I take HUGE advantage of, in the early days sometimes I utilised the 90min alone to just wash my hair and shave my legs.
I started working with a fabulous PT called Aimee Fisher-Gray, and she showed me how to correctly use weights to shape and tighten my body (FYI weights will not make you look like Arnie). I do try and do some form of sweat-session a day whether it be cardio, weights, yoga, high intensity workouts or pilates.
I think it’s safe to say I’m pretty into my food, I don’t restrict my diet as it’s one of my biggest pleasures (along with a great Malbec) so i make an effort to take Olive into the creche and workout most mornings!
Five years from now where do you see you and your family?
I feel like with Aidan’s profession it’s SO hard to say, so much happens in the space of 12 months. But in a perfect world, I would LOVE to spend some time abroad with Olive (and hopefully 1-2 siblings!) in the South of France for maybe two years if Aidan gets an opportunity to play over there. Alternatively I would LOVE to settle into our house we have up in Byron and raise the kids there by the beach.
Now, I'd be lying if I said you weren't a mumma crush of mine… who are some of your mamma crushes or inspirations?
WOW! Thankyou! That’s just gone straight to my head, what a compliment. I think there seems to be a pretty cool group of mumma’s around at the moment, I LOVE reading Rachelle Rowlings hilarious posts on instagram and drooling over her insane wardrobe!
I know you and Olive have pretty impressive wardrobes. Do you think your style has changed since becoming a mum?
Olive’s wardrobe turns me green with envy! She is SO spoilt, one of the perks of being the first in your friendship group to have a baby I suppose.
My style has TOTALLY changed, I was just laughing about it the other day that i basically have a uniform now which is black tights, black singlet, black hoodie/bomber! I LIVE in my active wear and stay in it well after i’ve left the gym. Also, I feel I’ve truly embraced the sneaker, opting for cool sneakers as opposed to heels on nights out as it’s SO much more practical.
(Music to a mamma's ears: Practical)
If you could be a superhero which one would you be?!
Wonder Woman! Is that cliche? I just saw it at the movies (Gold class at 2pm on a Thursday, THANKYOU DAYCARE!) She is AWESOME. I mean, I’d even be happy if I could just be Gal Gadot (who plays Wonder Woman) for a day!
To read more about Belle and her family head over to her blog https://www.