I love the name of TV presenter Katy Hill’s blog, in which she chronicles her life as a juggling nonstopmama: Here Are Two We Made Earlier. The joke won’t be lost on Blue Peter fans – including those whose attempts to get creative with Fairy liquid bottles and old pegs were back in the Seventies – which Katy presented for years (unsurprisingly, I never did scoop that coveted badge …).

These days, Katy combines writing her blog for i-Village – she is also the “face” of Arm & Hammer Brilliant Sparkle toothpaste - with being a mama to her four year old daughter and baby son. The family spent a while living Stateside, while Katy’s husband, also a TV presenter, was working in LA. Nonstopmama caught up with Katy (and no, I didn’t ask her to put in a word about that badge).

How did you find life as an LA mama?

I love the UK but I have to say that being a mum in the sunshine is 100 times easier! It’s much harder to occupy the kids, since they can’t be outdoors so much. I found doing exercise much more fun in the sunshine and spent a lot of time in the gym or running on the beach just because sunshine makes you feel so invigorated. Plus, when the weather’s rubbish, you just want to eat stodgy, cosy food! It just means we have to be even more motivated here!

What are your must-have, mum-on-the-run beauty products?

I swear by Dermalogica‘s Multi Vitamin Power Recovery Masque – it’s like a miracle in a tube! Since Akira, my second child, was born, I put it on every other morning. It just restores moisture to your poor, exhausted skin. I also love Green People products, especially the Organic Self Tan. There’s nothing nasty in it, so I don’t feel bad putting in on with a new baby in the house. Having a bit of colour just gives me that extra lift I need – especially for those days when I’m extra tired! And I do love Arm & Hammer’s Brilliant Sparkle toothpaste – I swear my teeth have never felt so fresh and for longer. Also, because I know it’s so effective at removing plaque, I don’t feel so guilty when I’m too busy to book in that hygienist appointment! Also, while luckily I don’t have stretch marks, Boo Boo Baby‘s Miracle Oil is amazing. I’ve been using it on my C-section scar and it’s diminishing by the day.

Are you an organised or by-the-seat-of-your-pants mama?!

I try to be organised – it’s tedious but, in the long run, really saves time. It’s good to try to be realistic about what you can achieve in a day, otherwise you end up feeling like you’ve under- achieved all the time. I try and prioritise about what actually needs to be done now – not everything is on a deadline.

Any tips for juggling mamas?

I think it’s important not to try to not do too much. Sometimes, I fill the days with too many clubs, playdates or outings but actually all my kids want to do is hang out in the garden and potter. For example, if you’re having time with your kids in the garden, and the phone goes – let it go to answerphone. That’s what they’re for! Quality time should be just that – quality.

Posted in Beauty, Interviews on 18th November, 2010.