Editor’s Letter: Georgie

It's me again. Don't look too closely or you'll see that Arabella has just wiped her snotty nose on my freshly ironed Sass & Bide jeans and I'm only wearing mascara on my left eyelashes. Now, this week I have a confession to make, so here it goes. I do not cherish every moment with my children. There, I said it. The guilt is already creeping in. I know you’re supposed to and I know how precious these early years are...

I know they’re only little for a short time. I know I love them more than I’ve ever loved anyone. That I would do anything to protect them. That it’s my duty to teach, train and love them. That one day, I’ll wish they were calling out for me in the night. Or that someone was by my side repeating the word “mummy” over and over. These moments are fleeting, I know. But gosh motherhood can be testing. It’s my job, as editor and founder of this site to portray motherhood in a stylish way, but it’s also important to be honest. It’s ok to admit I don’t enjoy every single moment. Last Sunday was one of those days where everything seemed to fall apart (myself included). As the day went on, the bickering between the girls got worse. The tantrums escalated. We got locked out of the house right on Lottie’s nap time. The dog did a wee on the rug. Again. We all cried. I yelled. And then felt like the worst mother in the world for yelling. Why do they only seem to stop fighting when I raise my voice and go all crazy-mama? Maybe I am tired. Or coming down with something. I don’t know. All I know is, I couldn’t cope. It’s horrible when you feel like an awful mother who has lost the plot and doesn’t recognize herself. You sit there wondering, how exactly did I get here? What happened to the old me? I sat there sobbing on the staircase and Arabella came up to me and hugged me. “It’s ok Mummy,” she said. Aren’t I supposed to be the adult and she’s the toddler? She was the one counseling me back to sanity. It always amazes me how perceptive children are. Later that night, I lay next to Arabella and hugged her tight. I stroked her soft brown hair and first I told her I loved her. Then I calmly told her not to hit her sister again. She hugged me and told me not to use my “big voice” (code: crazy-mama voice) and then told me “mummy you can sleep in my bed tonight if you like.” My heart melted. It was one of those magical moments. And there are many of these moments. When they play ‘Ring Around The Rosy’ together. Or walk down the street holding hands. When Arabella tells Lottie she loves her. Or hearing Lottie’s delightful little chuckle, which is possibly the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. That, toppled with the way her nose crinkles when she really gets the giggles. God that’s cute. I love those moments so much. I treasure them. They get me through the harder moments. I love having children. It’s the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. Life feels complete. It feels full. Life makes sense. But I also love when they’re sleeping and the house is quiet. I love those moments where I feel like my old self again. As I write this, it’s now Monday, a new day, a new week. I’m starting afresh and forgetting the weekend. Next Sunday, we’re getting out of the house. We’re going to laugh more than we cry. I’m also going to remind myself: I am a good mother. We have good days and bad days. I just had a (really) bad day.

Arabella’s book shelf. Photo: Grace Alyssa Kyo

Ok, that’s enough of a rant from me. Vent officially over. Here’s what’s happening on The Grace Tales this week. We’ve published a fantastic article about how to help your child with reading – the do’s and don’ts by Ryan Spencer, Dymocks Literacy Expert and State Director of the Australian Literacy Educator’s Association. My girls are both late speakers (Arabella is currently having weekly speech therapy) and I know how important reading is. We read to them every night and it’s something I look forward to.  

Interior stylist Claire Delmar’s heavenly blue-hued tabletop vignettes photographed by Chris Chen

Interior stylist Claire Delmar has also styled a series of heavenly blue-hued tabletop vignettes. She’s one of those super creative women who can throw together the most eclectic mix of pieces and make it all look so effortless. Speaking of interiors, we also caught up with the gorgeous co-founder of TheyAllHateUs Tash Sefton who has just launched a new art collection with her sister Hayley (seriously, is there no end to this woman’s talents?!). You’ll also love getting a glimpse inside her new home – her wardrobe is phenomenal. Read the story here.  

Inside the home and art studio of the stylish Tash Sefton. Photography by Julie Adams. Hair and makeup: Elsa Morgan

Editor of NINE IN THE MIRROR and mother to Violet, Amanda Woodward-Brown

This week’s tale is of the gorgeous Australian expat Amanda Woodward-Brown. Based in London where she lives with her daughter Violet and husband (with another bub on the way!), she’s the editor of NINE IN THE MIRROR, an uber-stylish e-commerce site for the expectant mother and makes motherhood look unbelievably chic – you’ll love her style tips!  Not to mention her time management tips (she plans both hers and her daughter’s outfits on Sunday night for the week).  

Makeup artist Elsa Morgan photographed by Julie Adams at The Palihouse Santa Monica hotel in LA. Go to www.mrandmrssmith.com

We’ve had an exciting week shooting profiles in LA and I cannot wait to share them with you! Photographer Julie Adams and makeup artist Elsa Morgan checked into the charming Palihouse Santa Monica hotel. It’s top of our list next time we make it to LA. Back in Sydney, photographer Grace Alyssa Kyo and I spent the morning with the gorgeous Sally Obermeder and her daughter Annabelle at home in Bondi – what a woman. She’s as beautiful inside as she is out. I hope you enjoy the site this week. And remember to give your mama-girlfriends a hug once in a while and remind them that they’re doing a great job, because it might just turn their day around. Georgie xx