Jessica Coates-Judson

A maternity wardrobe shouldn't have to be a huge investment. Your body changes so much throughout a pregnancy and what works in trimester one will be very different to what is comfortable when you hit those final weeks. While functionality and comfort are number one, you can still maintain a stylish look with a few key pieces.  Step One - remove and relocate anything in your closet that doesn't fit or isn't practical. For example, your tight skinny jeans and body suits. Step Two - do a stocktake of what you already have. Statement necklaces, boyfriend blazers and clutch purses are my go-to pieces to jazz up an ordinary outfit. Anything stretchy, wrap around or oversized also gets to stay and pull out anything that will work with a belly - button up shirts (also good for after), jackets, scarves and all your flat shoes! Step Three - work out a budget. Decide how much you are prepared to spend on your maternity wardrobe based on your needs. Are you working? Do you ne...

“It’ll probably take a few months to fall anyway,” I said to my husband when we set the date of March 2019 to start trying for our second bub. It hadn’t been simple the first time and we knew I’d be on progesterone to maintain the pregnancy through those critical first weeks. But we were fortunate and each morning the line on the test grew darker and darker until a blood test confirmed what my aversion to strong smells was already telling me - I had indeed set myself up for two under two.  Besides the typical morning sickness, low iron and reflux, physically, this pregnancy has been much easier and gone a lot quicker than my first. However, what I wasn’t prepared for was the mental and emotional journey of preparing for a second baby.  Really, for this post to be helpful for other mummas I should wait until this time next year when I can be positive and say - “your heart just grows to accommodate them both” and “it’s so amazing watching both your children interact”. ...

Welcome to my new series of blogs 'Store Edit' where I pull together my favourite pieces from my go-to stores. Forever New is always top of my list for timeless pieces that age well - in particular, I have about seven of their blazers on high rotation in closet. Also, if you've been here for more than five minutes you'd be well aware that I am a fan of a monochrome palette and a capsule wardrobe that works for you. A little black dress, versatile heels, structured blazer, neutral accessories and classic basics can make getting ready each day enjoyable rather than utter torture. Check out my edit of what I'm eyeing off for when the baby bump has departed!  Deena Lace Drape Midi Dress $159.99 Kiki Cage Clutch $59.99 Viviana Long-Sleeved Linen Shirt $79.99 Bella High-Rise Sculpting Jeans $89.99 Penelope Two-Part Court Heels $69.99 Aurelia 13" Laptop Bag $89.99 Ava Boyfriend Blazer $89.99 Please note: this is in no way sponsore...

Ingredients  1kg Mince 4 x tins tomato soup 2 carrots grated One onion 1 pkt penne Grated cheese Table spoon olive oil Instructions Brown onion with oil in pan. Add mince on medium heat and cook through before adding carrot. Cook pasta separately and drain.  Combine pasta and mince and add soup. Leave to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Place ingredients into casserole dish and sprinkle with cheese of choice. Cook on low heat just until cheese is melted to desired consistency. Serve with salad. Freezes well.

My closet is probably about 70% black. It makes getting dressed easy and I always feel a little bit more sleek and put together in dark clothing. Mixing and matching comes easy and no one knows when you're repeating an outfit. But, as with anything in life, there is a downside and for the black clothing lover that comes in the form of faded and greying fabrics. To get the most out of my dark clothes I follow the tips below.  Follow care instructions I follow what the tag says and don't overuse the dryer. If it says 'dry-clean only' they are not joking. I always look at the care tag when making an investment purchase so I know what I'm in for! Treatment washing liquid  Invest in laundry products dedicated to darker clothes. I don't use this every wash but the Lovables brand has been a winner is rejuvenating faded clothing for me. Lint remover I have the $10 Kmart lint remover for all those little balls of fluff that cling to knits and I also use one of...

Social media plays such a big part of our lives and it doesn’t take much to see, want and buy the products and lifestyles we see. Here are some of the things insta ‘made’ me do so far this year.  Hack some woolies  mud cakes (pictured, my insta has credit)  Buy shirts from bloggers/influences Colour block my closet Organise my linen cupboard and add a reed diffuser Buy into the white sneaker trend (and love it)  Pretty much buy shares in Mecca  Take preggo belly photos half naked  Take matching mini and me photos Drive my hairdresser crazy trying to get my previously black hair the perfect shade of ballyage.  Order a 2020 planner in August  Over invest and subsequently kill numerous house plants What have you been 'influenced' to do? 

I'm looking for business owners, entrepreneurs, influencers and start ups to profile as part of a series of blogs.  You often hear the phrases 'write what you know' or 'work in an area you're passionate about'. For me that is business.  My parents have had their own business for most of my life. I have worked for them for many years while I studied and was fortunate enough to have the freedom to learn the ins and outs of every business function. With this experience and the qualifications I picked up along the way I progressed into business training with RTO's and before commencing maternity leave (which is still going two years later) I worked under my own business name taking on selected contracts. I loved being paid to spend my days looking a businesses, pulling apart strategies and researching cultures and ideas. Stay-at-home mum life means my thirst for the business world has been rather neglected and I'm often on Facetime to Mum while she...

We all have those days. Those days when you look at the clock and it’s barely 10am and you are done. You’re wondering how you can possibly make it through to lunch time let alone bed time. I have those days often but I do have a few strategies to reset a bad day that I thought I’d share. When these don’t work I stay in my pyjamas and eat Nutella from the jar.  Change of scenery  Even if leaving the house is the last thing I feel like doing, I’ll take Daisy for a drive, go for a walk or even take a blanket and some toys into the back yard and sit in the sun. On a rainy day sometimes changing rooms is enough. We seem to spend all our time in the living area and forget about the rest of the house!  A quick self care sesh I’ll throw on a face mask or hair treatment and let it do it’s thing until I get a minute to take it off.  Use social media mindfully Rather than mindlessly scrolling through social media DM someone you connect with or leave a few w...