Working Mama November 2022

OUR VISION

To help working moms live a more fulfilling, successful, and balanced life.

OUR MISSION

To inspire working moms to feel empowered in their careers and motherhood.

To create more time in their days and build a sustainable life and business/career.

OUR VALUES

Embracing Diversity & Inclusion.

Fostering an environment of collaboration across teams.

Building meaningful connections.

Building a culture of diverse perspectives and talents to support individual growth. www.workingmamaza.com

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

Comfortable. Stylish. Convenient.

Maternitee offers a range of apparel that are aimed at making moms’ lives easier. Mater nity and breastfeeding-friendly clothing that is modest and comfortable.

Fun. Easy. Innovative.

We also sell baby clothing essentials as well as accessories for babies and toddlers that make teething and feeding a breeze.

Get in touch with us:

CHELINO BABY LAUNCH

ChelinoBaby has opened its flagship store in beautiful Cape Town at Cavendish Square in Claremont with a phenomenal Grand Opening which took place on the 25th of October 2022.

This will be the 9th ChelinoBaby Store and the first in Cape Town,making Chelino Baby the 3rd largest Baby retailer in South Africa, also known as one of the trusted brands moms choose for their babies.

The launch was a huge success, bringing so much excitement with an amazing response from moms and dads ready to shop lining up at the door to take advantage of the Grand Opening Sale. ChelinoBaby had amazing prize giveaways and a special VIP program hosted by Aamirah Jano, from MumzLuv and fabulous food by A Secret Affair.

With over R500 000 worth of prizes won, many parents won vouchers and prizes from Chelino, Nuk, Tommee Tippee, Angle Care, Snookums and Carriwell.

The stores main feature is the ChelinoBa by Light Tree, which symbolizes growth and prosperity for the ChelinoBaby Stores, Teams and Customers who are constantly growing with brand.

At ChelinoBaby there is a range for every parent and their baby. You can find a wide range of beautiful products from quality brands such as, Chelino, Chelino Platinum, Cybex, Hot Mom as well as products from Nuk, Angelcare, Tommee Tippee, Carriwell, Snookums and other in store brands.

Shop Location: Shop G13, Lower Level, Cavendish Square.

Top Tips when planning your ultimate baby bash Top Tips when planning your ultimate baby bash

By Jacqui Cooks

Once upon a time, this mommy was a girl about town, and the only event planning I ever did (outside of work) was for my birthday parties. I’ll be lucky these days if I remember my name after a busy day at work and a busy night at home with my little prince. But I wouldn’t change it for the world; mom is a title I’ll gladly wear alongside the bags under my eyes.

My son, Jacob, recently turned six months old on 31 July 2022, and to celebrate his halfway journey to One, I also chose to have him blessed. Due to this nasty pandemic, we’ve suffered, I’ve kept him safely tucked away from the world, so this is the first time he has met his extended family and mommy’s friends.

You’re only six months old once, so it must be memorable.

The Little Prince theme appealed to me not only because my son is a little prince to me but also because Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Lit tle Prince is a story about the importance of looking beneath the surface to uncover the real truth. It teaches that the responsibility of relation ships with others leads to a greater understanding and appreciation of one’s responsibilities to the world. It is our relationships that make the world around us worthwhile. These are all valuable lessons that I wish to impress upon my son.

Baby Bash Inspiration

So, where’s the first place to look for inspiration when planning the ultimate baby bash? You guessed it, Pinterest!

I found cute digital save-the-dates and invitations, which I sent out via WhatsApp – this saved me a ton from the cost of the more tradition al printing and posting of paper invites. Also, the faster the invite is received, the sooner you’ll get your RSVP. Sticking to the theme, I also sent a pdf version of the book (which I downloaded from the internet for free) just in case any of the guests had not heard of the book.

Next up, I saved many ideas of how I wanted the party to look and feel in decor. Light blue, gold and white were the primary colours I chose from the characters in the book. These colours magically weaved their way into every aspect of the party.

Photo by Ylanite Koppens: https://www.pexels.com/photo/colorful-balloons-with-confetti-796606/

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The stunning balloon arch, thanks to All Season’s Weddings, and the backdrop wall banner with thanks to 3Sixty2, together with the sweet treats I prepared and the cake baked for him, was the focal point. It also turned out to be the feature wall for our photos.

My tables were simple yet elegantly set. Pure white linens with beautiful woven base plates from Tales And Fairies events, topped with a plain white plate and powder blue linen napkin from my friend Johnny with delightful bespoke Little Prince character sugar cookies with thanks to Bake’t. Once again, the thank you cards were found online, which I printed out to give to each guest with their edible thank you gift.

The centerpiece was a single long-stemmed red rose under a glass bell jar. Like in the book, the red rose is one of the main charac ters and The Little Prince’s best friend.

I took advantage of the projector and screen in the venue, so I could show his baby photos (professionally taken) when he was 12 days old. My nephew played DJ and assisted me with a slideshow and music, so there was no need to fork out additional funds for music.

As it was an afternoon tea, the food was simple and light. Tasty finger foods and sweets were the order of the day, paired with tea, coffee, and juice. Special thanks to Cake Sublime for the divine pearl and baby blue French macarons and The Cupcakery of CT for Jacob’s amazing cake.

Lastly, as a final touch, I had a video guestbook nook. I asked all the guests to share 2 minute well wishes videos instead of writing in a book and to send them to me via WhatsApp so that I could make a memorable compila tion for when he gets older. Planning a party can be stressful, but not if you have a few steps in place.

Dos & Don’ts when planning your ultimate baby bash

1. DO Use Pinterest and other social media sites to get tips or ideas for a themed event and create a pinboard to collect ideas. You’ll find many things you could probably create yourself.

2. DO Find a venue early! When booking ahead of time and in the off-peak season it can often save you a lot more than booking a venue in the heart of summer

3. DON’T forget to ask what is included in the venue hire. This could be of great value, and you don’t want any hidden surprises.

4. DO Send out save the dates well in advance. This will help establish your catering numbers well ahead of time, even if you don’t have your invites ready yet

5. DO send out digital invites either via WhatsApp or email. This saves time and money.

6. DON’T try to do everything by yourself; delegate, and you will save yourself a lot of stress. I’m so thankful to Carmens Adams for taking such awesome pics.

7. DON’T be shy to ask family and friends to get involved. I’m sure everyone has a creative person in their inner circle who would be more than happy to help. From setting tables to baking goodies for the event, they will surely love being a part of this memorable event.

8. DO have thoughtful thank-you gifts for guests to take home. These don’t have to break the bank. Just a nice gesture to say, “Thank you for celebrat ing with me.”

9. DO have a feature wall for great photos. DO take loads of photographs or designate a photographer should you be running around (like I was). So that baby can look back on this special day. Backdrops are fun to make; you can use anything like balloons, fabric, and flower lettering. But if you’re not feeling creative, you can always hire one from Tales and Fairies. They make custom backdrops in Cape Town.

10. Lastly, DO have fun and remember the reason why you’re throwing this event after all. DO spend time with your baby during the event. Let him get used to meeting new people whilst in the safety of his mother’s embrace. He will surely know how loved he is long after the party is over.

For more of my adventures in motherhood & travel, follow me on Instagram @thejaxblog & @thejaxandson

“To me, you will be unique in all the world.”

The Little Prince –Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

MOTHERHOOD & BUSINESS

IZELLE LOUW, FOUNDER AND CEO OF MOMMY WELLNESS

Izelle Louw, Founder and CEO of Mommy Wellness, “a Day Spa that not only treats moms and moms-to-be but the whole family including your tots and tweens.” She is also a mom of a ten-year-old.

Izelle started Mommy Wellness Day Spa, out of her own experience. As a beauty therapist, she was frustrated as no one wanted to touch her during her pregnancy, so she started the concept to help other moms fully enjoy pampering during their whole pregnancy.

Alright- tell us how you balance work and being a mom.

I get up at 5 am and exercise for an hour. Be back at 6 am at the house, start breakfast, pack lunches, etc. See everyone off at 7 am for school and work and then get ready for work to start at 8 am. Then mostly admin and computer work till 5/6 pm. During that time, it is pick up at school and fitting in homework and test in the afternoon. Will start with dinner at 6 pm and then do some more work, that I could not finish after 8 pm. Go to bed by 10 pm

Running the Mommy Wellness franchises and developing and distributing a skincare range called Bare Beauty

What keeps your plate full these days? What’s your job?

Do you work because you want to, need to, or some combination of both? What’s your honest answer to the question, “Why do you work?”

It is a bit of both, but the Mommy Wellness concept started with me seeing a gap in the market and it is my absolute passion

How would you encourage other working moms who are overwhelmed? What would you say to someone who’s in your shoes?

Take one day at a time, prioritise, and make a conscious decision every day about what will take up your energy and whether it is worth it!

How does being a working mom impact your kid/s - either positively or negatively?

I think positively because when I spend time with her it is quality time and I do not check my phone or emails.

What holds the biggest tension for you in trying to manage everything (e.g., childcare, meals, mom guilt, friendship, being a single mom, your marriage, etc.)?

Mom guilt- always!

What’s one thing or resource that, if you had, would make your working mom’s life easier?

Ordering meals that are already prepared for dinner :)

Any last words about your experience as a working mom - positive or negative? Anything we didn’t ask?

Dedicate your business every day to the Lord, He is the only one that you can count on day in and out.

CRUISES

We ponder the question, “Why do people cruise?”

By Nadia Horn

There are various types of cruises, including five-star luxu ry, Alaskan adventure, family-friendly themed, historical and cultural cruises, solitary voyages, and cruis es for couples where lectures are given onboard about the past of other nations, musical cruises, and numerous more topics.

Children on family-friendly cruises can’t wait to wake up and begin their day onboard because there is much to do and for their parents to occupy them. We can make res ervations for pre- and post-tour lodging, day trips, airport transfers, visa aid, guidance, travel insurance, and cruise and reservations for day trips in the different ports of call.

All you have to do is choose A to travel everywhere, in cluding the Med, Caribbean, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, Americas, and the Panama Canal Cruise.

Spend the high school year-end vacation spoiling your teenagers; a trip to the Caribbean is great. Mediterranean cruises are well known to take place between June–July. Foodies, you’ll love everything from Indian to American to South African to Mexican to Mediterranean cuisine.

The following day, eat breakfast in one restaurant, lunch there, and supper there. Then, enjoy lunch and dinner at other restaurants. No dull moments here! Choose from itineraries lasting five nights, ten nights, two months, and more. Take a cruise that circles the globe.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-cruise-ship-on-the-sea-11820065/

There are many other explanations: A comfortable means of transportation is a cruise ship.

A place to stay and no need to unpack and repack. On a floating resort, there are numerous dining options. There is plenty of daytime and nighttime entertainment.

Everyone of any age can enjoy a cruise. Newborns, kids, teens, couples, single travelers, and silver surfers. Ideal for those who are determined.

Onboard, visitors can meet a lot of other travelers who share their love of cruising, and they get a great deal of vacation for their money.

Visitors become like family. Moms need not worry; kids won’t go far and will have fun in the onboard pools, kids club, and entertainment while you enjoy the sunshine. It is pervasive to hear that this is the fifth or tenth time for most “Cruisers.” This speaks volumes on its own! The memories that visitors take with them are price less. Children form relationships. After a cruise, kids will only ask their mothers, “Mom, when are we going again?”

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-standing-on-dock-near-ship-holding-luggage-and-carrying-handbag-1023583/

Photo by G.Isle px. :

Self-care Tips That Can Help Manage Your Mental Health

By Megan Goliath

If you have ever walked, ran, danced, stretched, swam, or moved your body, then you will understand how powerful dance, movement, and mindfulness can contribute to promot ing wellness and coming back to yourself. Adopting a healthy lifestyle that focuses on your holistic well-being is essential to the management of mental health.

Change is inevitable during such an unprecedented time, and well-being has never been more critical. Poor mental health can affect anyone anytime - from how you feel emo tionally every day to how you feel physically. So, prioritising your mental well-being is to stay in tip-top shape. A growing body of research highlights that taking care of your mind, body, and soul can assist in coping with stress, life challeng es, and mental health issues.

Femmove offers a holistic experience of dance, movement, and coaching methodology to empower and uplift women (young and old); of all shapes and sizes to elevate in all areas of their life.

We want to help women alleviate stress and combat mental health issues by learning to love and accept their bodies, build confidence in knowing their worth and become the strongest, most confident version of themselves. We create an inner experience of your personal and unique journey by honouring, loving, respecting, and celebrating your body to thrive in your authentic self.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Our mission is simple, love yourself first so that you may pour into others better. Our mission is to revolutionise how women think by broad ening their mindset, and perspective, improving their holistic well-being, and loving themselves by feeling great from the inside out.

Doing something small every day for yourself can add to significant changes in your mental well-being. Remember, self-care does not always mean spending excessive money on vacations or booking spa treatments.

Here are five simple self-care tips that can help better your mental health:

• Move your body/ dance/ exercise.

• Spend some time in nature.

• Take a moment to journal a gratitude list, highlighting what you’re grateful for.

• Make time for meditating and finding moments of stillness

• Connect with yourself by affirming empowering affirmations.

Femmove hosts Mind, Body, and Soul Events to empower women of shapes, sizes, and all walks of life where you can have a safe space to move, dance, practice mindful ness and connect with like-minded women who are on a similar self-love journey of self-development and healing. It is an opportunity for women to feel their most empowered selves from within. This women empowerment movement is a supportive environment where all women feel seen, heard, appreciated, loved, and celebrated. We are building a community of women who support you in becoming your best self by collaborating, not competing.

To everyone who is currently struggling, I want to encour age you to reach out for help and remember that there is help. Let’s build better communities of people so that we may uplift, support, inspire and empower each other. I want to give you a gentle reminder,

• You are worthy.

• You are enough.

• You are loved.

• You matter in this world.

• You have a purpose.

• Your life is meaningful.

For more information on upcoming events or on how to join the movement, connect with us on Instagram, @femmove_ Website, www.femmove.com and Email info@femmove.com.

Enjoy being alone

By Nayan Rath

I was a loner! I struggled in all relationships regarding trust and vulnerability, and I couldn’t trust others to be there for me. The funny part is I thought I was great at being on my own until I realized that even in my alone time, I was away from myself.

Being alone is different from being lonely. Someone can bask in solitude, be happy with alone time, and may not necessarily be anti-social. While some are in the midst of family still fill empty Being happy sole means you enjoy it and dare says, I am comfortable. So before knowing the ins and outs of being happy alone, understand yourself unapologetically.

Psychotherapist Nancy Colier viewed that we think we know ourselves. But most of us probably know what we ‘should be and shouldn’t be ‘ in contrast to what we are.

Here are some expert-led tips for exploring happiness alone:

Get the perks of being alone.

This is possible by adding more people into your life and connecting to yourself. Start getting curious about who you are. When you start paying attention to yourself with curiosity and kindness as someone worth knowing, you form a new intimacy with yourself. And that is the most reliable remedy for loneliness.”

Be your best friend

Mindless scrolling on social media leads to an unhealthy comparison that makes us feel sad and lonely. If you feel left out, take a back foot! Stay away from social media. Next time you are alone, turn your phone off and try reconnecting with yourself to explore what it feels like to be alone. Grab a notepad and jot down the things you might enjoy while alone.

Enjoy the Solo Life

Think about suitable ways of enjoying solo time. This funda mentally requires evolving your idea of yourself from some one whose purpose is to pay attention to someone deserving of your attention. When spending time alone, keep asking, “What should I do?

What do I want ?”. It will give you the feel-good factor. Get connected to others healthily while enjoying still some quality alone time. A random act of kindness is self-alleviat ing! So please pick it up when the opportunity presents itself.

Acknowledge things for which you are grateful

Empirical Studies find gratefulness enhances the feeling of possibility. Devote some time to reflect on things for which you’re grateful. They might not be tremendous and mind-blowing, but they can be as simple as the first cup of coffee, a morning call from your friend, or even a soothing song that calms your nerves.

Nurture friendships and ask for Help

Arrange to visit someone, a family, or a friend or go hand in hand with the team after work. Phone someone with whom you have not talked for ages. And if all these are not enough to shake the feelings of loneliness, consider reaching out to Professional Counsellors if you are overly stressed and have symptoms of anxiety and depression.

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How to reach your savings goals

By Florian Ferris

Setting specific goals will help you to begin saving money. It’s easy to put money away in your bank account. It is also easy to have access to it whenever you want it. In other words, do not just save money for the sake of saving; that is when you will use that mon ey for unnecessary wants and not needs.

Choose your savings goals.

It would be best if you determined that for which you are saving. Remember, every individual has different savings goals; it might be committing to pay tuition fees, your dream holiday, or just for an emergency fund. Also, remember, when it comes to an emergency fund, it does not mean you should take the money; whenever you are short on petrol, you need to budget for it. Use it, e.g., for unexpected medical bills.

Make provision for your savings in your budget.

If you have more than one savings goal, add it all up, and you need to include it in your budget. It means you must review your budget and eliminate unnecessary expenses. Have a look at all your subscriptions; your insurance policies schedule you might find that you are covered for the same thing in two or more policies. Look at your data cost, how much you are spending on eating out, and look for ways on how you can save on your electricity bill. When you find your savings money in your budget, please arrange for your bank to deduct it from your salary is received.

Set a specific timeframe for when you want to reach your savings goal.

Once you know what you are saving for, you must determine how much you need to reach each goal. It will help you to set a timeline to reach your goal. By doing this, you get motivated to save towards your goal actively. To achieve your timeline for a savings goal, you must determine how much you need to save each month.

Seek advice on where to save.

You should find the correct type of account that best suit your needs. Speak to a financial advisor for advice. If your saving goal is for an emergency fund, you cannot invest in an account where you will be restricted from accessing your funds when needed. You have different options available if you are working towards more than one savings goal. You can put all in one account or have separate accounts for each plan with unique needs.

We live in a society where it’s hard to save. Remember to reach your goal; you need to start somewhere. Knowing precisely what you are saving for will motivate you to reach your goal.

Photo by Joslyn Pickens: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-putting-coin-in-a-piggy-bank-3833052/

Living Room

Home Decor inspo

Earth tones such as cream and brown are known for their warm and inviting qualities. They are soothing and subtle tones that appear very versatile in room design and styles. It's also easy to incorporate a variety of accent colors into the design of a cream and brown room Use other muted hues or go bold with a bright hue The options are endless

Make your living room a space that all can enjoy. It's a room meant for relaxing and welcoming conversation and entertainment. There are lots of options for creating a gorgeous cream and brown living room

Wooden Console Table from Zenfern Studios : R8000

Wall Decor

Wall decor gives a living room great cohesion Options are seemingly endless for the ways you can design the wall space: art prints, framed photos, floating shelves, and more

Fresh Features

In a room full of cream and brown furniture, incorporate a bit of color through various accent pieces like an upholstered bench and throw pillows The color is enough to break up the monotony and spark interest in the room If the room is large enough, position two aesthetically complimentary coffee tables in the middle

Area Rug

Area rugs can benefit a room in multiple ways For one, it helps tie the furniture together It gives the pieces a look of belonging and having purposeful placement Next, the rug defines the space in the room The closely matching color scheme of the room and the rug is subtle and calming to the eye Lastly, the area rug helps highlight the hardwood flooring in the room You'll never regret the addition of an area rug

Cozy Leather

Without a doubt, leather offers rich texture and warmth to a room There are so many different types and colors of leather available on the market You can also find a variety of pieces of furniture upholstered with leather Pair the couch with an assortment of throw pillows and chunky throw blankets

by Aamirah Jano

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OVER TWO MILLION COP IES SOLD! “Packed with incredible insight about what it means to be a woman today.”—Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club Pick)

In her most revealing and powerful memoir yet, the activist, speaker bestselling author, and “patron saint of female empowerment” (People) explores the joy and peace we discover when we stop striving to meet others’ expectations and start trusting the voice deep within us.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY O: The Oprah Magazine • The Washington Post • Cosmopolitan • Marie Claire • Bloomberg • Parade • “Untamed will liberate women—emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It is phenomenal.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of City of Girls and Eat Pray Love

Untamed shows us how to be brave. As Glennon insists: The braver we are, the luckier we get.

USA TODAY BESTSELLER • ECPA BESTSELLER • An empowering girlfriend’s guide to a purpose-driven life, from the young entrepreneur and rising star behind SoulScripts and the

“This book will meet you right where you are with a giant hug while also giving you a little kick in the pants.”— Audrey Roloff, New York Times best selling coauthor of A Love Letter Life, founder of Always More, cofounder of

Does it ever seem like you still have to find your purpose or that you’re stuck with “unfigured-out dreams”? Do you feel the pressure to prove yourself or worry about what others will think?

You are not the only one. If you ever feel you need to shift your mindset but don’t know how, this book will help you overcome shame, prac tice gratitude, and redefine success.

8 Tips to Boost Confidence at Work

By Elize Fisher

Confident people tend to be more successful at work, are happier, and are not afraid to go for a promotion or face new challenges. Would it not be helpful if you were able to boost your confidence in your skills and workplace abilities?

Try these tips to increase your confidence at work:

1. Cut out negative self-talk. A positive mentality will help you learn more quickly and ultimately help boost your confidence. When you are speaking negatively or criticizing yourself, immediately switch it to something positive.

• For example, instead of criticizing your lack of knowledge about something, tell yourself: It’s great that I can learn what I need quickly and easily so that tasks like these become a cinch to do!

2. Increase your knowledge. When you take the time to learn a new skill or piece of expertise, you can be sure that what you’re doing is correct.

• Watch what others in your workplace do successfully and try to copy them.

3. Practice makes perfect. When you practice at a particular task, you will get better at it in time as you can correct any mistakes that you make.

• Each time you complete a task, ask yourself whether there is anything you could do differently to improve the process the next time you do it.

4. Work on your strengths. Concentrating on excelling at what you are already skilled at is a proven way to boost confidence at work.

•Doing something excellently, rather than just adequately, can do wonders for your confidence!

5. Ask questions. Be bold and ask questions if there is something you need help understanding. After all, the knowledge you seek could be the infor mation you need to finish your task quickly and accurately.

6. Focus on your past successes. Thinking about past projects you’ve com pleted successfully is an easy way to boost your confidence. Did you com plete a task within the deadline? Have you received praise from your boss?

• Focus on the positives rather than the negatives.

7. Act confidently. Whether you are approaching a newly assigned task or another entirely new job, you will probably have to know precisely what to do. In these situations, it’s completely normal to feel under-confident. However, if you act confidently and put on a positive frame of mind, you may surprise yourself.

8. Have fun. Taking yourself too seriously in the workplace will leave your self-esteem in tatters when you encounter setbacks. You certainly want to succeed at your job, but it does not mean you have to be serious all the time. You can have fun, and doing so will allow you to laugh at yourself and any mistakes you make.

• Take any criticism directed at you with good humor, and you won’t suffer any knocks to your confidence.

Think of these tips the next time you’re doubt ful about your skills or abilities, and you’ll be able to bring your confidence back up again in short order.

A little extra confidence can go a long way toward helping you reach your career goals.

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Women’s Empowerment

@workingmama_za

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be produced or transmitted in any form or by any means: electronic or mechanical without the prior consent of the publisher. While every effort has been taken to provide information that is accurate as possible, the publishers and respective contributors and researchers do not accept any responsibility for injury, loss or damage occasioned to any person as a result of material in this book, No guarantee of product or service sales

Why is empowering girls and women so important? When women are living safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they can reach their full potential

Photo by Clarke Sanders (unsplash)