AT HOME WITH TABITHA
We speak to the beautiful Tabitha Willett @tabitha.willett on what lockdown is like as a mother and why she is more grateful now than ever before.
WHERE IS YOUR CURRENT HOME?
I am isolating in my flat in London. We toyed with the idea of going to the country to my family home as it was vacant but it just makes more sense for us to be here for work and essentials for the baby.
WHO ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR AT THIS MOMENT?
My daughter. She is keeping us playful and upbeat when all we feel like doing is moping around. Her little giggle is the best noise in the world.
WHAT’S IT LIKE HAVING BEAUTIFUL OTTILIE WITH YOU AT HOME?
I keep reminding myself how lucky I am to have this time with her and watch her grow up. It's something I don't think I will get with any other children in the future so I am trying to be so grateful for this. Saying this there are some trying moments! I don't think my house has ever been so messy!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR DAILY ROUTINE. DOES BEING A MOTHER KEEP YOU IN ROUTINE?
We have only introduced Ottilie to a routine in the last few weeks and it has been essential. We wake up at 7am, have a cuddle and play and bottle in bed and then usually she falls back to sleep with me until about 8:30am/9am. I sneak off while she is sleeping so I can unload the dishwasher while she is asleep (any parent knows how hard this is with a toddler!). We then get dressed up - I try to put on 'real clothes' most days as well as a little bit of makeup as it just makes me feel better - and we take the dog downstairs. Then it's time for my emails, which means TV time for Ottilie. Then lunch time at 12 followed by a nap for a couple of hours. This is when I try to take any Instagram content that is due and catch up with wedding planning. The afternoons we try to spend outside if the weather permits. Then dinner, bath, bottle, book, bed takes up most of my evening and I am pooped by 8pm and have a bath and get into bed! It's quite monotonous but at least I am busy. I hate being bored!
WHAT DOES YOUR ‘AT HOME STYLE’ LOOK LIKE MOST DAYS?
I mentioned previously that I try to wear real clothes every day. I did a huge lounge wear haul at the beginning of quarantine but the novelty of sweatpants wore off quite quickly! As the weather is getting nicer and I was heavily pregnant last Summer, I am loving wearing some lovely Summery dresses! I try to coordinate with Ottilie too - it's so much fun dressing up a little girl.
HAS THE WAY YOU WEAR YOUR JEWELLERY CHANGED RECENTLY?
Not really actually, I change my jewellery almost daily and it's a huge love of mine! I suppose I am wearing less statement pieces like big dangly earrings.
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE YOU’VE MADE AN EFFORT, WHAT ARE YOUR GO-TO JEWELLERY PIECES?
Funnily enough, dangly earrings! I really feel like they elevate any outfit. When I used to go out in the evenings (what feels like a lifetime ago!) I would even wear my silk pyjamas out to dinner with enormous statement earrings and heels and an embellished clutch!
WHAT’S THE BEST AND HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING AT HOME?
Best thing is taking the time to slow down and show your home the love it deserves. The hardest thing is keeping on top of everything! I read a quote that said "keeping your home tidy with a toddler is like brushing your teeth at the same time as eating a Hobnob" and nothing has ever resonated with me more!
WHAT WILL YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?
I don't think I will ever moan about any help ever again. I want to send my nanny and cleaner the biggest bunch of roses for everything that they have done for us in the past! So, gratitude for sure. Also reminding myself that I CAN do it! I AM enough!
CAN YOU NAME ONE THING THAT YOU APPRECIATE MORE NOW THAN YOU USED TO?
My time. The 1-2 hour time that I have in the day to myself is so precious to me.
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU HAVE WANTED TO DO FOR A LONG TIME, WHICH YOU NOW HAVE TIME TO DO?
Ironically, I have so much less time now that I ever did before! I have an incredible book called 'The Human Being Diet' which I am dying to read. I have also been gifted an amazing calligraphy set that is still in its box! I really want to watch The Normal People on BBC iPlayer and Hollywood on Netflix and I would love to be able to join my personal trainers Zoom classes at 6:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays but sadly don't have the time! I have been cooking a little more than normal as my daughter can help with that and we aren't able to eat out though so that's nice!
WHAT DO YOU FEEL MOST OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FOR THE FUTURE?
My wedding. It's supposed to be on July 24th and we have all of our fingers and toes crossed. We are really just waiting on the government to release a statement and then we will see.
IF YOU COULD WEAR ONE PIECE OF JEWELLERY FOREVER WHAT WOULD IT BE?
My engagement ring. It's a heavenly 3.2 ct pear shape on a diamond band and I am so obsessed. I clean it every day.
IS THERE ONE PIECE OF JEWELLERY THAT MEANS A LOT TO YOU, AND A REASON WHY?
I have a brooch that belonged to my Granny Dorothy that I wear more than I thought I would when she gave it to me. It's a fine gold bar with a ring of pearls and a ruby in the middle. It's so beautiful just like Granny Dot was.
FOR ANYONE WHO MAY BE FINDING STAYING AT HOME HARD, CAN YOU LEAVE US WITH THE BEST LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM THIS TIME?
Try to have something on the horizon to look forward to. Lunch at your favourite restaurant, hugging your mummy, flying abroad. Whatever it might be, remember that this time is temporary and everything will still be there when you get out.
Follow Tabitha @tabitha.willett
Tabitha wears
