Meet Emmy, digital content creator, mummy blogger and one of our Black Sheep favourites.
Emmy took some time out from her hectic schedule (two little ones, three websites…) to chat with us about motherhood, chickens, diamonds, and of course, coffee.
Tell us about yourself, who you are and what you do.
Hi I’m Emmy, a coffee loving, sleep-deprived mama of two babes, Oliver and Isla. I am a bit of a walking contradiction. Some days I want to have chickens running around the back yard amongst the organic veggies and other days I want to be driving a big Range Rover whilst dreaming of massive diamonds (ethically sourced obviously).
I am a digital content creator, which basically means I take photos and write copy for businesses on Instagram and other social media platforms. I have two mummy blogs (that is a really genre, just Google it) rexandrara.com and themergejournal.com and I am also the editor of Brisbane Threads. It keeps me pretty busy! Did I mention I have two children? And I am sleep-deprived?
What is a typical day for you?
Being woken up WAY too early by said children, then I have little rituals. I like to put on my ‘French Cooking Music’ station and the kettle. I usually potter around, getting the children breakfast and making all the beds. I have found if I make the beds in the morning it sets up the day for greatness. I also usually check Instagram (I’m @the.oneills). I would love to say I meditate and do yoga. I want to do those things but I would be lying if I said I did.
We usually stay around home for the start of the week, painting, playing outside and cooking. I used to drag Oliver and Isla to every single lesson possible: yoga, swimming, gymnastics, soccer, creative arts… but then I realised that we would have more fun if we just did those things together. We like to have at least one Black Sheep Coffee outing a week and we also try to do one big adventure a month, like a road trip to the beach.
What is your go-to coffee order?
I like to mix it up actually. My most ordered would be an espresso (or double if I am feeling super tired). But I also love a good flat white or iced latte and recently I have been ordering cappuccinos because, like, where have they been my whole life? Hello, chocolate and coffee at the same time!
What is one of your earliest memories of coffee?
I feel like it has something to do with Edith Piaf? But I can’t actually identify the memory. Maybe my parents used to drink it whilst listening to Edith? I do know why I started drinking short blacks. When I lived in Paris I was a poor actor, so in order to get free Wi-Fi I used to go to the local cafes. I would only order a short black, as it was the cheapest thing on the menu. And now I just love the taste.
What brings you and your tribe to Black Sheep?
The 10/10-nails-it-every-time espresso. Like, 10/10! Also the sense of community. EVERYONE who works at Black Sheep is kind, caring and actually takes an interest in our tribe.
I started coming to Black Sheep when my youngest was 3-months-old. I still remember the first time I was there, jazz playing and sun streaming in. It was so special because it was the first time I had been out with Isla and she wasn’t SCREAMING! She had reflux so screaming was a 24-hour-a-day occurrence back then. Isla and I had a hard time bonding (she was born at 32-weeks, so spent a bit of time in the hospital) but I still remember that first time at Black Sheep when I looked into her eyes and she stole a little bit more of my heart.
What is motherhood to you?
A juggle. A rewarding, challenging and amazing juggle. It actually is exactly like that saying, “The days are long, but the years are short.” It is about trying to live in the moment and being present with my two children. It is about failing and succeeding. It is about teaching them empathy and kindness, not just to others but also to themselves. It is about being okay with many mistakes and owning them. It’s a circus but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
What is your proudest parenting moment?
Probably when Oliver and Isla play kindly together. It’s really simple but I do feel proud seeing them be siblings and share that love.
Coffee is an essential start to many people’s mornings. Why do you think motherhood and coffee fit so well together?
I think it is essential because it seems apparent to me that as a mother you never sleep. From the moment you find out you are pregnant you are up all night, either going to the bathroom ten times or worrying or being kicked in the ribs, or just really excited to meet your baby! Then the baby comes and, well, we all know that they NEVER sleep through straight away (unless you have one of those unicorn babies… I didn’t have one of those). Toddler years bring on climbing out of cots and bad dreams. I am pretty certain it continues with wetting the bed, more bad dreams, until finally they are teenagers and you’re still not sleeping wondering what they are doing. Actually, this would continue forever… so yes… mothers NEVER sleep. “Hello coffee. Nice to meet you,” said every single mother!