Style is in Rickie Dee's DNA. Co-owner of Superette, her designer boutiques are the place to go when searching for premium street wear and divine homewares. It's a shopping destination on every 'it girls' wish list. Editor Trudi Brewer steps into her busy world and meets the loves of her life.
Rickie with her family Rocco 8, Hawk 6, and Kai, 3.
The lit-from-within glow that surrounds Rickie Dee is evident when she talks about her kids, Rocco, Hawk and Kai. Her busy working world centres around her family. With three children and a busy retail business, she is the first to admit that finding work life balance is not easy - and admits she probably never will. Here's a slice of her beautiful life.
Career
What's a typical working day for you?
It certainly varies from day-to-day. However, I try and rise early before the kids wake up, so I can get a head start on getting them ready for school. I drop Rocco (8) and Hawk (6) at school on my way into the office. Depending on the season, I spend most days meeting with designers viewing new collections, reporting, budgeting, working and meeting with my team on various projects and our own Superette collection. It's then home to collect Kai who is 3, from kindy and start the night time duties of dinner and bathing. It's certainly busy, but I love it.
What is the hardest part about working and juggling the kids?
It’s hard… I'm certainly not going to lie. What's hard is finding the perfect balance and I have accepted I probably never will. There is not a single day that I walk out the door and feel easy about it all. As a mother, I want to be there for my babies all the time. I am lucky I have great support at home, and I always ensure I leave work at a reasonable hour so I’m home with them before they go to bed each night. If I need to catch up on work, I wait until they are all in bed and whip out the lap top.
Tell us something about your work/life balance that would surprise us?
I need to work out. It helps me to focus on something other than writing work lists in my head 24/7.
What's been the most valuable lesson you have learned from starting up your own business?
It's not easy, you pretty much have to work 24/7. However, nothing beats doing something you are passionate about and love. I just have to work hard all the time.
Home
What do you love most about your home?
I love our home, although we have outgrown the space so have a renovation planned in the coming months.
I love getting home after a day at work, opening our large lounge doors onto the deck and sitting watching the kids in the back garden with a glass of wine.
What makes a house an easy-to-live-in family home?
Open plan, large spaces and good indoor/outdoor flow. With five of us and the dog and cat in the house, it's busy. It is important to have spaces for each of us to do our own thing at times - hence the renovation.
How has your interior style changed once you had a family?
We love a relaxed interior style, so did not have to change our interior style when the kids came along. Our style works with our busy household.
What is your favourite room?
Our lounge. It is the room we spend most of our time in, we all hang out there.
Motherhood
Who is the person who has inspired you as a mother?
My mother and grandmother. They have taught me everything I know when it comes to motherhood.
Is there a parenting rule you would never break?
Hmm, why is this the hardest question to answer? Rules are loose within our house (within reason). We like our kids to have fun. However, on school nights they need to be in bed at a certain time, and they need to each eat their veggies each night, but there are also nights when we let them stay up late to watch a movie or have a treat for dinner. We just like things to be flexible and not routine all the time.
And one you always break?
Routine. I have never been a super strict mother on routine. I like my children to have flexibility in their day-to-day structure. This was how I was brought up, and I think it's important when you're self-employed. You need to be up for anything at any time.
What are three words that describe you as a mum?
Relaxed, busy (eek can they be in the same sentence), hardworking and of course loving. Those words rule my world.
How has motherhood changed you?
They are number one in my thoughts; they come first. I have had to be more organised with my work structure and am learning to say ‘no’ if I am too stretched.
What lessons have your kids taught you?
They teach me things every day. They continue to blow me away each and every day with what they come out with.
What's the one piece of advice you would like to pass onto your children?
Nothing comes easy. You always need to work hard at everything you do.
Fashion and beauty
How did your fashion look change after becoming a mum?
I haven’t changed too much. My social life has become more relaxed, and it's BBQ’s around at ours with friends and family, so the dresses and heels are only bought out on special occasions. I do love dressing up, so ensure I make an effort each and every day.
Is there a beauty product you can't be without?
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer. I have used it for years, and I would never change. Also, Grown Alchemist Facial Oil, this is the last thing I put on my face at night before I go to bed. It leaves my skin feeling amazing, and the scent is heavenly.
What is your best wellbeing tip for other mums?
Try and take time out for yourself from time to time. A facial or massage. When I do this, it certainly makes me a better mum.
What's always on your bedside table?
Flowers and candles.
Photography Keryn Sweeney
Makeup MAC Cosmetics artist Aimee Waterhouse-Fitch.