Workdays & Weekends: Caroline Garvie

We caught up with the super bubbly and lovely Caroline Garvie from JoJo Maman Bebé in Perth. JoJo is a unique kids and maternity store, selling innovative, clever and top quality merchandise at prices that usually surprise people (in a good way!)

Caroline is the store manager and works full time 5 days a week. No two days are the same; from staving off kiddie's tantrums to helping new and expectant mothers find everything they need for their new little bundle of gorgeousness! 

1. What does a typical day at work look like for you?

Our house is full of early risers…. between 6 and 6.30 every day. This is good as it means I am never late for work!!!!!

After dropping the kids off at Grandmas or nanas, I head to the store and usually after a coffee or two I am awake enough to put on my happy face and open the doors…..

Everyday is different working in JoJo, I can be holding a crying baby or helping a new mum, staving a tantrum or answering some fairly personal questions regarding bras all by 10am.

Afternoons are no less amusing and entertaining with children scooting circles around me and lots of laughter and smiles, which definitely helps keep me on my toes.

With summer holidays here all of us seem to be on the “Summer Body Diet”, however with so much chocolate and popcorn around it will be next winter by the time we all fit in those summery dresses and bikinis.

End of the day is usually my favourite time, getting home to smiley children and changing into my comfy jeans and a t-shirt before cooking a brilliant dinner for the kids and hubby (even if I do say so myself). After all this excitement its bedtime and a chance to have some me time, be that a cheeky glass of wine in front of the telly, or a good film in bed.

2. What signals the start of your weekend / days off?

At the moment my days off are very different, still all the early rises in my house, what I wouldn’t give for a lie in and a cup of tea in bed. It's making breakfast for me and the kids is usually a good sign, always filled with lots of laughs and “Mum can I have….?”

3. What makes for a perfect night in?

A perfect night in for me is spent with the Hubby, kids, a Chinese take away and a good film……although I would be quite happy with a bottle of prosecco and a good film :) 

4. What makes for a memorable day or night out?

The people I am with for me is the most important part of making memories….If you have fun, laughter and love (mixed with a little prosecco) then to me you have a good day or night.

5. Tell us about the weekend you’d love to live again?

Well both my children were born on a Friday (not that usual Friday feeling people talk about, labour definitely isn’t the same as waiting for a glass of wine) so if there was any time I would want to experience again it would be that first moment I got to meet my babies and hold them. I know it sounds like a cliché but there really is no greater feeling than seeing the miracle you have carried and created and getting to say hello.

6. And now your best ever day at work?

My best day at work, or my proudest day, is the day we finally opened JoJo in Perth. It was a great day with a huge buzz of anticipation and I was so proud of the way we were welcomed by the people of Perth.

7. Any workday or weekend rituals?

Being a busy mum with very active children, no day for me (be it weekend or weekday) can start without a load of washing on, loading the dishwasher and doing some wonderful magic trick in the bathroom to make me look 10 years younger that only us women understand; applying my make-up.

8. What’s in the perfect day off breakfast?

This is a difficult one for me as it has changed about 10 times while I was thinking about it. As a child we used to take the camping stove to Elie and Tentsmuir beach and cook bacon and sausages and fill a roll with them. I have great memories of this so this would be my ideal day off breakfast.

9. Any words of wisdom for us?

“A person who is appreciated will always do more than is expected.”

Caroline is the Store Manager at JoJo Maman Bebé Perth