That Mama: Joanne Pereira of Eclectic Cool

We talk to mum of three and creator of Eclectic Cool (and new Sassy Mama Contributor on all things Crib!), Joanne Pereira…

Where you do buy your clothes? How do you stay stylish as a mum?
I like to look at magazines and have spent a lot of time developing my own style. I pick up pieces as I go along and don’t spend too much time thinking about it. I will shop anywhere from H&M to designer stores. To stay stylish, I look for classic shapes in original fabrics and with lots of detail. I love accessorizing and always will wear a great necklace, scarf or bracelet to tie the look together.

How do you save time? What are your organizational tricks and tips?
I am a mother of three very busy children and the wife of a very active husband. I don’t think that you can really save time if you want to do things properly… The trick is to not waste the time that you have.

In our kitchen I have a large whiteboard with the week’s activities on it so that everyone knows what they are doing! I use my iPad/ iPhone to plan my to do lists and diarize everything so that I don’t forget. I try to always be on time to appointments so that I don’t make other people late and so I don’t waste my own time. I try to have a strict schedule for sports, personal time, work and appointments etc so that I can really plan in advance.

What do your kids snack on?
I try to give the kids healthy food to snack on: fruit, cheese, small biscuits and to limit the quantity of unhealthy food.  We try to buy organic when we can.

What is your beauty must-have product?
As a creative person, I am always working with my hands and can never find a pair of gloves. A great hand cream is essential. I love Santa Maria Novella ‘Crema per le Mani’ that I discovered when I was in Florence in my twenties and have been using ever since. I pick up my jars when I am overseas. Otherwise a great lipstick colour from Chanel always manages to lift my spirits.

How do you stay sane?
I love silence. When I come home I say hi to my family and then take 15 minutes to be alone. I read a lot- a very solitary past time- which allows me to leave my own life behind and delve in someone else’s. This never fails to relax me. I can’t go to sleep without reading my book first.

Favourite activity with the kids in Hong Kong?
A perfect day with the kids would be going to dim sum for brunch then spending some time with them. A walk, a movie or just going for a swim at home are some of our favourite activities we do together.

Favourite kid-friendly restaurant in Hong Kong?
We go to Maxim’s in City Hall for dim sum. The kids also love sushi and Shiro in Pacific Place is a big favourite because of the sushi train.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as a parent?
No matter what happens, keep calm and remember that you love them!

What is Eclectic Cool and how did you get the inspiration to start it
My website, Eclectic Cool, is a blog about design, art and good living in Hong Kong and beyond. I try to post everyday, writing about the  exciting and creative  things that are happening here. I am also planning to do more posts about living in Hong Kong as an expat…Where to go to get things done, reviews of stores etc. I am also designing a collection of jewellery and homewares that will be available online through my website and studio in Ap Lei Chau and boutiques in the US, UK and Australia later this year.