If you’re into entertaining, you’ll love Stephanie Conley’s entertaining blog The Hostess. The impeccably dressed mother started her career as a fashion designer, dressing the likes of Naomi Watts, Kim Cattrall and Lauren Bush and later moved into food after spending time living in Italy...
Back in 2014, Conley launched The Hostess, where she shares her favourite recipes and entertaining tips. We caught up with the mother of two (Hugo 4, and Freddy, 1) at her newly renovated Sydney home to talk motherhood, cooking and raising boys… Photography: Grace Alyssa Kyo Go to www.thehostess.com.au
Motherhood has taught me…
To be more relaxed and to try to live in the moment because they grow up too quickly.
I always loved being in Italy for the food and the culture and decided to move there back in 2008 after spending a long summer in the city…
I still visit every year and I think there will always be a part of me that is there.
A friend who had a graphic design business knew my love of food and entertaining set up a Wordpress blog for me seven years ago and off I went…
I love the creative side of The Hostess. I love to make things and I also love the styling element when we are shooting recipes. My Nanna actually taught me how to cook. I used to make a lot of cakes in the school holidays.
All I know is boys…
You need to have a lot of energy for them. I didn’t think 1-2 would be so hard but we have adjusted now, all hands on deck!
Interior design is another creative outlet for me, which comes from my design background, I love colour and fabrics and beautiful things…
In our current home, a lot of my homewares came from America as I find the variety of choice is far more interesting than what you can source at home. I like my home to have an element of glamour but be liveable. The formal living room is my favourite room, I love the colour combination and I find it very soothing.
The sleep deprivation and the super early mornings have chipped away at me…
If it wasn’t for that I would have more babies.
When it comes to wardrobe essentials…
I love Dolce & Gabbana, James Perse white T-shirts, Rag and Bone Jeans and a good bag.
You need to be active through your pregnancy and fuel your body with good healthy foods…
After the baby you need to continue the same and bump up the activity and cut down on the calories. Your food is more important than your exercise, a low GI diet works well and is sustainable.
During the summer we love Neilson Park or we spend time at Palm Beach…
Large open spaces for running off excess energy is key for us.
My own mother taught me that…
As a mother, when it gets hard, everyone is going through it so you just have to pick yourself up and keep going.
Stephanie in a flash:
Coffee or tea? Tea Typical breakfast: Boiled egg on vegemite toast. On your bedside table you’ll find: A bottle of water. Exercise of choice: Pilates Book you’re currently reading: I wish, no time! Heels or flats? Flats for day, heels for night. Pram: McLaren Baby bag: Valentino Sunglasses: Gucci Tidy or messy: Tidy Dream travel destination: Italy
Stephanie’s little list of loves:
Vegemite Dresses Summer holidays. Champagne Vanilla ice cream. Elle Décor. Jamie Oliver. My boys.
What a beautiful home! It’s perfect. Scrolling through the profiles section is my absolute favourite thing to do during nap time!