If you follow me on Instagram then you will know that Nina @lovelashesandfashion is my hashtag partner in crime for #stylemywardrobesunday. She’s a mama and a fashion blogger, just like me, and we met on the gram. We have met IRL too and I will tell you this, she is fab on the gram, but she’s even more fab in person. She just has a lot more spice than I picked up on from Insta Stories and I loved that about her. Within moments of meeting her and taking photos of each other in Covent Garden, as you do, I realised this mama is no bullshit. She just knows what she wants and she’s nailed her shit! And yes, she really is that stunning, even IRL.
Nina is a make-up artist boho-hippy meets the big city, (her words, not mine) with an adoration for vintage fashion and a weakness for some good old fringed embellishment, 70’s style. Like most of us mamas, she has definitely been on a style journey since having children and it would seem that she has come out the other side, because this mama has seriously nailed her style. Her style is distinctive and unique and it’s tangible in a way that you just get it.
I don’t think I am quite there yet, and if any of you reading along aren’t quite there yet either, then let this interview inspire you. As Nina says in the interview, ‘don’t stress’, we have to give ourselves time and if all is heading in the right direction, we too will nail our style, and our shit too!
Boho meets the Big City…
Mum a Porter: So, first of all, how many children do you have?
Nina: I have two kids, my cheeky and kind gorgeous boy Mateo who is nine and my feisty dream girl Amora who is four.
MAP: How would you describe your style? I love your style, btw.
Nina: I would describe my style as Boho meets the big city. I am a hippy at heart.
MAP: What has been your journey to discovering your style since having children?
Nina: Since having children I have definitely lost my way a bit, not fitting into what I used to wear initially and then struggling to keep up with my own appearance whilst trying to do it all. Luckily my one skill of being a makeup artist means that I can do my makeup in five minutes in the mornings, even while feeding the kids breakfast. That helps me look fresh even when I don’t feel like it. As for clothing, I would say that slowly I learnt to buy items that I didn’t have to think too much about styling, that look like I have made an effort when I really haven’t.
MAP: Do you think your has style changed since becoming a mama? How?
Nina: Finally after having two children, thirty seven years later, my style has changed in the best way possible. I feel like I know what I love and what suits my shape. I also have a confidence that I never had in my twenties, which I’m sure came by the amazement of how much we do as mothers and from having a more YOLO attitude towards life.
MAP: Do you prefer your style now or before children and why?
Nina: I definitely prefer my style now. I have always loved fashion and made a lot of mistakes in my younger years for sure, but I wasn’t confident in my twenties. Now I just wear what makes me happy and when I feel good in my clothes it literally uplifts my mood and I am actually more productive. Although, don’t get me wrong, some days I get shit done in yoga pants too.
MAP: What are your current go-to pieces in your wardrobe?
Nina: My current go to pieces in my wardrobe are my jumpers paired with either flared jeans or over dresses or skirts.
MAP: What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?
Nina: I have so many favourites and every week I seem to have a new one I fall in love with. Right now it has to be my 6 year old taupe suede fringe All Saints boots, I wish I bought them in brown leather. Also my beige suede Maje fringe bag…clearly I love a good fringe.
MAP: Where do you love to shop? Are there any brands your loving?
Nina: There’s a shop in Canada called Aritzia that I love, it’s perfect, we have nothing comparable here and we need it! I always stock up when I go home. (MAP: Nina is from Canada by the way, you might have picked up on her accent if you follow her on Insta Stories, it’s Canadian).
If I had the funds, I adore and would love to be able to regularly shop at Free People, I just love their stuff so much. (so do I!)
My go-to high street shops are the usual, Zara Mango, and Primark. I really have a thing for vintage clothes and love going to the lanes in Brighton, they have the best vintage shops, although not the cheapest. I am no stranger to eBay and charity shops either, I like what I like, it doesn’t matter where from or even old or new. I just love unique clothes!
MAP: What’s a good fash quote?
Nina: My favorite fashion quote would have to be from Rachel Zoe “Fashion is what you buy. Style is what you do with it.”
MAP: If you could choose your dream fashion piece for Christmas what would it be? (this interview was done before Christmas and I loved Nina’s response so much that I had to keep it in!)
Nina: My dream fashion piece for Christmas…do I have to pick just one?! …Well, I would love to find a vintage gold sequined dress or jumpsuit. We have the same dream, girl!
MAP: Where do you get your style inspo from? Do you have a style icon?
Nina: I get my style inspiration from so many things, the weather, people on the street, Instagram, the 70’s really inspires me right now.
I cant really say I have a style icon. I like things from a lot of different places, people, friends, eras and take pieces from everywhere and put them together to suit and feel like me.
MAP: Who are your insta fashion faves?
Nina: My fave fashion Instagram accounts I cant live without are; @Stylejusteasier, ‘@themumlife_styled @amothersedit, @Kerryannemarlin, @Rockybarnes @Sincerelyjules @frassyaudrey @sheerluxe and you! Actually, I am really in love with your new blog Mum a Porter! First of all what a perfect name and secondly your content is sooooo good!!! (MAP: what can I say? This mama has got good taste!😜)
MAP: And last but not least, have you got some fashion words of wisdom you’d like to share for other mamas rediscovering their identity and style?
My piece of advice for new mums would be, don’t stress about the weight, you just made a bloody human, the greatest masterpiece of your life. Buy some staple pieces, jeans that fit your new shapely figure, t-shirts you can’t go wrong in, a nice pair of smart trainers – I love a fresh white pair, they go with everything, and a pair of heels to dress up your look. You can slowly start adding to that, a cardi, a blazer and also a bright lippy goes a long way to instantly freshen and brighten even the tiredest face!
MAP: You took the words right out of my mouth! I could not agree more!!! Thank you so much for agreeing to be my first mama on the The Mum’s Style File. You were so inspiring and I just loved reading!
Nina: Thank you so much for having me, that was fun! Love you long time, Nina!
MAP: Love you long time too XXX
Follow Nina on Instagram @lovelashesandfashion
If you would like to be interviewed for the Mum Style File, feel free to leave a comment below, email me or get in touch on Insta!
Thank you for reading Lovelies,
Ayesha (Mum a Porter) x
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Wonderful blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress
or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
Any recommendations? Cheers!