When you’re a kid, there’s nothing like the feeling of getting out of the bath and jumping straight into your clean pyjamas and snuggling up with your family. It’s a childhood memory that Little Winnie founder Aimee Winchester remembers vividly. “I have such fond memories of when I was little girl, putting on my crisp, clean pyjamas after a warm bath and being tucked into bed. It was such a comfort as a child and a ritual that I enjoyed so much. A lifetime later and now having three little girls to care for myself, I found it truly difficult to find sleepwear for my girls that I liked.” The Byron Bay-based mother’s vision was simple: she wanted to create organic cotton sleepwear for kids that was classic and beautiful. Her collection is exactly that: understated and timeless. From the Peter Pan nightie for girls to the classic navy stripe pyjama set for boys, these are the chicest children’s pyjamas you’ll ever own. We caught up with the stylish mother of three (Coco, 8, Autumn, 5, Juniper 2, and number four on the way) to find out more…
Motherhood has taught me to live life on a deeper level…
Everything just seems far more rich and meaningful now. I love the quote ‘making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.’ This resonates deeply with me, motherhood has taught me the greatest love of all!
I would tell my younger self to lighten up…
To not take myself so seriously, to enjoy the moment and the journey that I am on and not to worry too much or sweat the small stuff. There is a beautiful story being written and I want to enjoy every moment of it!
I am drawn to people who are keeping it real, honest and down to earth…
I love anyone with a great sense of humour. There is nothing more charming than people who smile and laugh a lot! I want my children to be in touch with their feelings and others, to spend time learning, growing and developing and to develop a great passion for life!
“ I love authenticity. As a mother I know there is no such thing as the perfect life – life is messy and full of imperfections ”
My daily beauty routine…
Is pretty low-key actually. I wash my face every morning with warm water and gently exfoliate with a flannel face towel and then apply coconut oil – I’ll put a bit of makeup on if I am going out. Nighttime much the same, but I usually apply jojoba oil instead!
My children are responsible for keeping me fit…
Seriously running around after three children really keeps me feeling fit. I used to run a few times a week, but since having my third child, I feel pretty stretched for time. If I am feeling like I need a little more exercise, I will usually do some yoga at home. I also play a little bit of badminton with my husband in the backyard, it’s a lot of fun! I definitely exercised during my first pregnancy with Coco and honestly it has gotten progressively worse with each pregnancy. I am currently pregnant with my fourth child and so far have managed a few beach walks, I am hoping to keep this up!
I have absolutely loved my first three pregnancies…
However this fourth pregnancy is a totally different story. So far it has been the most physical and emotional draining. I often think it must be my body’s innate wisdom gently reminding me that this will be my last and that my body is tired. I am just past the three-month mark now so I am hoping for an easier ride to the finish line.
“ The best part about being a mum is watching my baby birds grow and developing beautiful individual relationships with all of them and feeling oh so proud of each of them. ”
I believe a baby feels very secure when they know what’s going to happen next…
I have always had regular bedtimes and meal times for my babies and children, obviously for the first few months it’s very hard to have any firm routine. I think I just instinctively knew when to start introducing a routine and once they got the gist of it we never had any sleep problems. Still to this day I have my girls in bed by 7pm and my husband and I have quality time together in the evenings! I love Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy on such things, I have read a lot of his teachings.
Motherhood can be very overwhelming those first few weeks…
Take each day one by one. Go slowly, there is no rush at all. Remember to just enjoy your beautiful baby as it really does go by so quickly.
After my daughter Coco was born I developed a crazy passion for children’s fashion…
I loved dressing her in organic fabrics. I attempted to start an online organic baby clothing boutique, but the truth was I wasn’t ready yet. Eight years on, when so much in my life had changed, the time came when I was ready to launch Little Winnie!
I like to keep work and family quite simple…
When my girls are with me, I want to be there for them whole heartedly, so I try to work on Little Winnie when the big girls are at school and when Juniper naps or my husband has taken her out to play.
For me the backend side of a business is the most challenging…
The not so glamorous side, which involved maintaining our website and working towards our deadline with our wonderful team in India. Thank goodness for my husband, who takes the reins with all of that!
I love raising children in Byron Bay…
It’s the best. Where do I start? The beaches are incredible, my girls play in our neighbourhood everyday in the communal tree house, we don’t sit in traffic lights ever, the organic produce is out of control, we are surrounded by like minded conscience families, walking my girls to school is like walking into an enchanted fairyland. I could go on forever!
My summer fashion essentials are…
A comfortable dress, a sun hat and I am still loving my good ol’ comfy Birkenstock sandals! I am also living in The Bare Road tee dress at the moment. It’s so incredibly comfortable.
The hardest part of motherhood is…
When I feel stretched and therefore aren’t able to be the best mother I can be for my girls at that time. I am not striving for perfection, but when I know that I am being short or little tempered with my girls, it’s the worst feeling. Sometimes you just need a half hour to yourself but when that’s not an option it’s hard to gain perspective and snap out of it!
I look forward to my evenings with my husband…
He is my best friend and I love being able to hang out with him, we usually make tea and have a bit of chocolate and just relax – it’s the small things!
Aimee’s little list of loves:
Sleep-ins Coffee Beach hangs. Playing badminton in the backyard with my hubby. Balmy evenings. The Bachelorette (yep – embarrassing confession). Working on Little Winnie’s summer range. Quiet time by myself. Chocolate when the kids have gone to bed. Dreaming of what it is going to be like when the little one growing in my tummy is here!