One of my beautiful client's has created a business that I feel compelled to share.  
Maternal Cove is the brain child by Lauren Warren, a local mum and long time client/friend of mine.  
She is a doula.
The reason I felt that I simply had to write about this, was that I was scrolling through insta and found a picture of 3 of my brides in the one pic and all 3 of them were pregnant.  
So often, this is the next step for many of my brides.  In the same time frame, I saw another one of my beautiful brides who had just had a preemie baby - she was originally from London and due to Covid, the people that she would more than likely want supporting her, were not here.  Now these are just the inferences I have made - and I felt "what if there was a kind, caring and supportive person that could step into this role and be there to advocate for you in that sort of situation?"  Enter Lauren....
If I could describe Lauren in one word, it would be WARM.  Just talking to her feels like a hug.  She's articulate, but not condescending.  Supportive but not patronising.  She really is the kind of person you want on your team.  
As a doula, she comes with experience.  Not only is she a mum to 3 amazing kids, she has also suffered her own heartbreak when she lost her precious little boy at 15 weeks gestation.  She is more than qualified to offer her support and guidance and specialises in supporting parents who are welcoming a rainbow baby (a Bub born post miscarriage/loss). 
Lauren can come with you to medical appointments, or just be available for a chat.  She also is on call to you around the time of the birth and will be at the birth if you choose.  But the part of her service that I found fascinating, was that she catches up post birth and has a debrief.  I think that part of her service is invaluable - and helps the mum to understand the feelings, emotions and the process of it all.  There are inevitably parts of the. birth that the mum will focus on and perhaps parts she has blocked totally out of her memory.  
When I think about my own births - 2 out of 3 of mine were horrendous and took me a long time to process (and I had excellent care, a brilliant obstetrician and an incredibly supportive team of my husband and mum in the room - and a bazillion number of extended family waiting in the wings).  And so many of the women I speak to, have their own version of this that ranges from amazing to completely and utterly horrifying.  
I would have loved someone like Lauren to talk to after my own experience and being able to ask "why did this happen?" or "is it ok that I felt like this?"  If I had a dollar for every person that says "healthy mum, healthy Bub" I would be a millionaire  - and of course that is the desired outcome - but there needs to be a way to limit the emotional collateral damage on the way through.  
Harry was born at 34 weeks and Lexie 35 weeks - and now when I look at them, their births are a distant memory.  Jake was the "perfect" labour and I feel that experience is the one I try to focus on the most.  

Lauren's website is coming soon:  www.maternal cove.com 
You can email her at maternalcove@outlook.com and also check out her socials on insta and fb.

So to say Michelle from Skin Nerd has changed my life, might seem ridiculous.....over the top..... the list goes on! 
If you are one of those genetically blessed people who have perfect skin and do nothing to it - I am undeniably envious.  My sister falls in that category - she used to laugh at me as I had every cream, potion and serum under the sun and still struggled to get that instagram worthy skin - yet she rolled out of bed with panda eyes and her skin still looked perfect.  Bel could be quoted as saying "yesterday's mascara is tomorrow's eyeliner!!!"  Oh my goodness! 😩😩😩
Michelle and I first met as young enthusiastic teachers at the Gordon TAFE - Michelle in Beauty Therapy and me in hairdressing.  Our paths crossed on occasion with some mutual friends and even though I didn't have a lot to do with her, I knew her to have a beautiful personality and obviously was very good at what she does.  
I started seeing Michelle a number of years ago as I was getting ready to go on our annual Summer holiday with friends and my skin had been horrific.  I found myself praying for all the usual things of a night time "Dear Jesus, Protect my family, Love Thy Neighbour, World Peace and Great Skin. Thanks for listening God 👍🏻."  
​My concern is that I would have to wear multiple layers of makeup to hide the blemishes, sores and scars and just one flick of water from the pool, or an inadvertent touch of my face from one of the kids, would mean my skin would be totally exposed.  To me, this was worse than any wardrobe malfunction or blinding people with my lily white thighs as I got out of the pool.,  I would also find myself avoiding eye contact with people when I knew my skin was bad - perhaps I felt like then they couldn't see me? Who knows??  🙈
I also worried that it looked bad professionally.  How do you sell your makeup skills when it looks like you can't even do your own!?  Certainly your self confidence takes a beating!
So I see Michelle every 4 weeks when my skin is bad (or hormones are making things worse) or 8 weeks for maintenance.  Her hour of power is worth every cent.  She uses Laser Genesis and I have a micro peel and treatment on my finer red vessels.  The Laser Genesis improves facial redness, brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles.  There is no downtime whatsoever, so I can go from this appointment to my next, no worries at all.  
I love my time with Michelle  - she has a beautiful nature and is incredibly knowledgeable in all things skin.  She stocks quality products and can prescribe exactly what I need.  I love that she doesn't oversell - that's not her thing.  Always looking to create an economical strategy to get the best results.  
I am very grateful for Michelle - I am currently on a path to "put myself back together" - but more about that later.  Michelle is definitely an integral part of this story.
For more information, head over to www.skinnerd.com.au 

  The reason being is that I work in an industry that relies on "looking good" as a means of advertising.   I also have never had a bad experience (thank goodness!!) but a lot of that I put down to finding a wonderful injector, building a relationship and only using reputable products.  
My gorgeous injector is Debra Bedford, who owns and operates Timeless Glamour in Belmont.  She has worked in some of Geelong's most prestigious salons and has a wealth of experience and knowledge.  Deb is a brilliant advertisement for her work too - her skin is beautiful.  Not the skin of an injector that has far too much access to her own products - but the skin of a woman who has laughed, cried and shown lots of expression over the years and still looks amazing!
That also compliments my theory on botox, I want my skin to look great - not ridiculous.  I don't want to look 20 when I'm 80!!!!
I have had botox many times over the last 8 years - never while I was pregnant or breastfeeding (it is not safe to do so) and sometimes only once or twice a year.  A refresh I like to call it!
Yesterday, was my day!  I visited Deb in her beautiful salon.  Due to COVID restrictions, I waited outside until it was my turn.  Her room is pristine; there is plenty of plastic covering on items requiring a wipe down, she takes my temperature and asks the COVID questions to ensure that I am not unwell or at risk.  We consulted (even though she has done this face many times!!) and a Doctor gives his blessing in a Telehealth appointment to ensure there are no unforeseen medical complications.  
Deb asks me to move my eyebrows, wink and scrunch my face so she can pinpoint the exact point of the muscle that requires the injection.  It;'s marked with a white pencil and then Deb places two stress balls in my hands which I can squeeze while she does her injecting.  The procedure doesn't take more than 10-15 minutes and it really doesn't hurt at all.  Certainly a sting on the larger points - between the brows - but the smaller points like in my forehead, above my brows and the tiniest bit around my crows feet are barely noticeable.  
The interesting thing with botox is that the results are not instant.  The muscle will slowly stop functioning as it was over the course of 5-7 days.  
​I have always asked Deb to still retain some movement - I still want to be have expression on my face - and just to look like I am relaxed post holiday or have had a full nights sleep (either of which I would swap my right arm for!).  
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave it in the comments and if you would like to seek out Deb's expertise yourself, go for it! You are in safe hands!

Debra Bedford - Timeless Glamour
Specialist Cosmetic Nurse Injector
M. 0407123497
E. debra@timeless-glamour.com.au
​www.timeless-glamour.com.au

​Well 2020, you started off with a bang!
I spent some time in early January contemplating my space and trying to decide how 2020 was going to play out for me.  I am super lucky in that I have a job that lends itself really well to "working from home" (now those famous words) and creating an awesome work/life balance.  I came home with the theory that 2020 = 20/20 vision.  Taking a step back to really understand life and get my head screwed on securely is I could enter the next phase of my life (I turn 40 in feb 2021) 20 kg lighter and with an abundance of energy, understanding and love.
Fast forward a few months, the world is in crisis, EVERYONE is told.to work from home if possible, 3 kids under 7 at my feet, clients upset that their wedding days have been cancelled and I have written this while devouring a whole packet of white Tim tams. Not ideal.
Certainly the process of stepping back has been achieved - the world has received a reset button, not just me. And there is something very different in deciding that you want to make a change, not that when a change or decision is made for you.
I don't know where you are all at - certainly some days are harder than others.
Sunday, I had all the kids outside - we played, I spent a lot of time doing house maintenance and getting in the garden.  I cooked a great meal and really felt like "I've got this covered!!" Next day, Lexie (2 year old) has eaten a bite of a banana, an apple, 1/4 of a toasted sandwich and is having a full meltdown because now she wants the YELLOW biscuits not the red ones!!!  For those of you playing at home, that's Cheddar Shapes not Savoy's. I'm not sure she is at an age to explain that the supermarket has restrictions and I can't buy a ridiculous amount of biscuits and I'm also pretty peeved at the level of food wastage. 
Jake is now crying in his room as I insisted he have some fruit before a biscuit and he told me "He hated me!"  Big day - my first "I hate you."  Good Lord, give me strength.  We also went for a walk where Jake's legs abruptly stopped working.  Winner.
​I think I will just go back to hair......

Thanks for stopping by to read my first (and maybe my last) blog post!!!
I don't know if I am a person who has anything terribly useful to say - or if you're just killing time between MAFS ad breaks - but feel free to take any pearls of wisdom that may come your way.  

Presumably you are either getting married, going to a function, been appointed bridesmaid or an over-zealous guest - then this is for you! Hopefully I will be able to help and guide, recommend and have a little laugh along the way!!  

Tomorrow is my birthday and I will be 39 - so I am literally hanging onto my 30's with some kind of vice like grip!  I hope I am trendy enough for all the fabulous girls needing hair and makeup - and that I am not seen as an old hag.  (although I may be able to just change my name from "that blonde chick" to "that blonde chook" with very little disruption!

I have been hairdressing for 20 years (yay me!!) and still love it as much now as I did then.  I also did a diploma of makeup at Swinburne University after I had finished my apprenticeship and learnt all facets of makeup from the standard of highlighting, contouring etc - right up to theatre makeup and prosthetics.  I do a wicked broken nose or wound.  Even an amputated thumb is good fun!!

What else??? I have been married for 8 years and were together for 5 prior - we have 3 beautiful children and live in and renovated my Grandmother's house.  I love gardening, chai lattes, walking and enjoying the sunshine.  I am an incredibly happy person and I hope ,y joy is infectious.  'You can follow me on my insta @Megan_thatblondechick or my personal page @megslattery1981 if you want to see some super cute pics of the kids.  
​
'Alright, this is me...... Please tell me any ideas, comments or anything you would like me to have a chat about.  

Until next time xxx