Name: Renata Lardelli, most people call me Ren
Mumma to: Eli - 13, Sebastian 7 + Xavier 6
Go to family meal: Mexican Mince - quick, easy, delicious + always does us for two nights which is an incredible win. Nachos one night + wraps, quesadillas or baked potatoes the next
On my bedside table: a bottle of iced water, eye mask + my kindle
I’m reading: I have a few books on the go - Girls that Invest, The Midnight Library + I’ve been reading Colleen Hoover [who hasn’t]?!
I’m watching: I love a good series binge, the 6am news in the background while I get ready in the morning + Grey’s Anatomy… I won’t quit until it quits.
Favourite place in the world: A tiny little place called Anaura Bay about 1 hour from Gisborne. Jeremy [my husband] first took me there when we were dating + I fell in love with him + Anaura Bay. His family has a beach house there that we get to enjoy, it's impossible not to come away feeling zen.
Best advice you could give to expectant mums: Spend as much time learning about the 4th trimester as you do pregnancy + birth, it’ll enhance your introduction to motherhood - you’ll be so grateful you invested the time + energy, PROMISE!
How do you juggle mum life and running your own businesses + jobs: It is very hard but I don’t do it alone + that’s the key. Jeremy + I parent equally, he keeps me steady when I get wobbly + together we work through parenting + business challenges as they pop up. On a practical level I try to do the following to keep an even keel;
- Have a colour coded family calendar - organisation is crucial
- I set reminders for EVERYTHING, I find it hard to remember things without one
- Have 1 free day a week to do what I want
- Have lunch with Jeremy once a week
- Get 8 hours sleep
Favourite piece from the Dear Mumma Collection: I’m loving the Oatmeal pieces especially the Lola Robe, every mum should have a luxe robe. Confession: I’m known for coming home from work throwing on my robe + then cooking dinner… cosy!