Deadlines and disappointments.
What I've been wearing, thinking, doing and not doing...
I have been drowning in deadlines the past few weeks (all good things) and a personal project that I am working on with a new dear friend. I hate to be one of those people but in this case I am going to be one of those people and not reveal any details until I have an official date and all the bits and bobs sorted.
With being busier in one aspect of life, other parts tend to suffer. Don’t take this as a complaint or a feeling of hopelessness. I’m simply sharing how balance does not exist and striving for it can often be counterproductive and just plain unhelpful. Desperately trying to overcompensate or make up the slack in those areas, I have learnt is a pointless exercise. We’re best to re-evaluate and plan some time in the future to prioritise or when possible, to switch burners as David Sedaris’ four burner theory suggests. Perhaps that is the key to balance? Knowing that balance is achieved only by switching between burners not by having them all on at once – and not because one is on the fritz.
I have let this newsletter slip (sorry!), as well as let down my son which feels as though my heart is being crushed in a vice. This is the first time he could express his utter disappointment in me and with the pregnancy hormones surging through my body, it hit me hard. I forgot the Superhero dress-up day at kindy which is the simplest or all dress-up for us as everything Freddie owns is contributing to the billion dollar Marvel franchise – so as well as feeling like the world’s worst mother, I’m irritated that we already owned endless on theme costumes and yet, I STILL forgot.
I’d love to promise him that this will never happen again but I can’t. Instead, I apologised and reminded him that mothers are human and sometimes we make mistakes and forget things. I squeezed him tight, and he reluctantly hugged me back. Thankfully he moved on quite quickly but if there is a positive to my son telling me I’ve fucked up, it’s knowing he feels safe enough to freely express his emotions. I don’t want my son to fear me, or to fear sharing his feelings of sadness, anger or in this case, disappointment. Healthy relationships require open two-way communication and that’s all I hope for as he continues to grow.
Now onto what I have been doing with my time. Warning – shameless self-promotion incoming…
I wrote a piece for Elle Australia on the unrealness of mum content we see on TikTok and social media, and just how far the pendulum has swung since I had my first child 5 years ago. “Whilst, during my first pregnancy, I might have benefited from a view of motherhood that was more raw, I dare say this new breed of ‘unfiltered’ mum content is just as divorced from reality. It feels just as exaggerated, and just insincere as the all-beige mum-fluencer feeds – but in a different way. Perhaps performative perfection has been replaced with performative vulnerability for the sake of engagement, and it doesn’t feel in-service of the community.” Also. watch this space as I’m regularly contributing to ELLE Australia (online).
I’m also the latest contributor to join theundone.com journal. For my international subscribers, the undone store was founded by an iconic Australian fashion blogger and mother of three, Sara Crampton or as she’s known to her 500,000+ IG followers, @harperandharley. She stocks all the best Australian and International brands such as Matteau, St.Agni, A.Emery, Harris Tapper, Marle, Christopher Esber and Lie Studio. We became friends online, then she agreed to being on What Mums Wear, before sharing coffee, Ricotta Pancakes (yes, at Bills) and good conversation about everything from business, to kids, fashion and everything in between. She has rounded-up an incredible range of contributors and I’m so humbled to be part of her vision.
And lastly (for this week anyway!), I spoke on my very first podcast with Tori from The First Word. In the past have said ‘no’ to podcasts so many times for fear of sounding awful (does anyone else cringe when hearing their own voice?) and saying the wrong thing but I’ve grown to realise that it’s impossible to get it right all of the time. I really wanted to try something different and have always been interested in the podcast medium. I adore Tori and believe she is doing incredible work for women and mothers so I said yes and I’m so glad I did. I shared my doubts about having a second child and what I needed to feel ‘ready’, how I navigated Covid lockdowns and a child with reflux, found refuge and built a community on IG, as well as some of my fashion essentials (and also permission to size up and to never look back!).
Now, what have I been wearing…
Pregnant or not, everyone needs a good tracksuit. I bought an American Vintage set (I went for a M in the top and S in the bottoms) from a local boutique and I have not taken it off since. I envision myself wearing this set a lot postpartum, too. I like a wide leg as it feels a little more dressy and looks great in a white tee and a jacket or coat (see below!), which is what I have done today. Simply add jewellery to elevate this otherwise comfortable, slob-esque look. But if you’re after a more luxe loungewear look, I’m eyeing off this top and pants.
Accessory update…
These A.Emery flats sell out so quickly and now I know why. They are made from buttery soft leather, so soft they do not require you to wear them in. Trust me when I say sign up for the waitlist and do not hesitate.
I never wear silver but since visiting The Undone HQ and seeing the Lié Studio pieces in the flesh, I couldn’t resist dabbling in silver. I have worn these everyday for the past two weeks and they feel the perfect amount of understated bling for the daytime.
Impulse buys that I am obsessed with…
I love this knit and pants set from NA-KD fashion x Claire Rose Collab. The sweater is 50% cotton and feels thick and soft which I think is good quality for the price. The pants look and feel like linen (they are a linen viscose blend). This is how it was styled in the campaign images so I have just carbon copied and added my cashmere Toteme mules that I bought from Vestiaire. I’m wearing the large in the knit and a 38 in the pants.
This book came as a direct recommendation from my friend, Philly (who has also been on What Mums Wear). This book is not only helpful for new mums navigating solids, allergies and lunchbox snacks but families who want some fresh and healthy ideas for what to have for dinner. The snack ideas are also insanely good!
Still thinking about this…
This is an extract from
’s piece, Great Outfit Weather. And thinking about how our style evolves throughout our lives for practical reasons as well as palette developing. Food for thought anyway!Jade x
P.S. I may receive a tiny commission from a couple of affiliate links in this email.