We are so excited to have interviewed one of our favourite fundis, Kathryn Rossiter. Mom, Media Liaison and Blogger. Her blog 'Becoming you' is a must read for all.

Tell us about your blog ‘Becoming you’
I started blogging because I wanted to do something for me - as a mom of 2 young kids I realised that life had become all about the kids and my responsibilities at home and work and I had forgotten what it was that I enjoyed doing most like photography, interiors, travel etc. I wanted to remind myself of who I was aside from someone’s mom! I write a bit about my personal life but I wouldn’t label myself a “mommy blogger”. My blog is also a forum for me to share my photography. The aim of my blog is to inspire other women to remember what hobbies and interests they once enjoyed (esp moms!). Becoming you is an online magazine of sorts, I blog about things that inspire me. Something new everyday for readers to dip in and out of.

Your blog name is interesting. How did that come about?
The name “Becoming you” is a play on the word becoming which is an adjective meaning attractive, lovely, pretty, handsome, fetching, stylish, elegant, chic, fashionable and tasteful. The blog is about all these things! Another definition of becoming is “the process of coming to be something”. Becoming you means the process of coming to be yourself! The idea behind the name is that the blog would inspire others to become more of themselves and in the process I would become more of myself too!

How did you get into blogging?
As a busy mom I often felt frustrated that I didn’t have any time for me and that I was disconnected with the outside world. I started thinking that there must be more to the internet than e-mail, news sites and Facebook and starting reading blogs. I have always had a big love for magazines and this way I was able to get a “fix” of inspiration daily. I was to remind myself of the things I loved and what gave me joy. After a few months of being an avid blog reader I decided to take the plunge and become a blogger. I started Becoming you in February 2011!

How do you juggle kids, work and blogging?
The eternal question for moms all over the world! Achieving balance is not an easy task . There are only so many hours in the day and if you add something to the finely balanced equilibrium something’s got to give. In my case this is generally sleep! Not ideal but as I tell my friends whose first question about my blog is generally “How do you find the time?” You make time for the things you love! I am fortuntate to work 2 days outside of the home and spend the rest of my waking hours with my kids. This is a lifestyle choice we made as a family and I have to remind myself of this sometimes when I want to blog during the day. I am at home to primarily look after them so the blog is my third job! I try to blog 3 nights a week and schedule posts in advance. On Sunday nights I generally plan my week. It takes a lot of planning, discipline and support!

What inspires you?
My kids and family, God, nature, Cape Town, interiors, photography, style and fashion (though not my own!!) books, art, gardens, movies, travelling is a great source of inspiration but foreign travel is on hold for now due to restricted finances and the stage of life we find ourselves in. For now we are satisfied with exporing the little towns and beautiful scenery on our doorstep! Since starting blogging I am now find myself more “switched on” to the world around me. I notice beautiful things more often and see inspiration all around me.

Advice on marriage, work and kids
The biggest thing I have learnt after nearly 10 years of marriage is that good communication is the key! Also we have recently done a parenting course which has been so helpful in guiding us to be more mindful as parents. So often what we say has far reaching consequences and is remembered years later by kids and spouses so we need to put in as much effort at home as your would at work.

5 things to do in Cape Town with kids
Visit the new Green Point Park
Paddle with the penguins at Boulders Beach in Simonstown
Ride bikes or scooters around the Lower Tokai Forest boardwalk
Pack a picnic and blanket and enjoy the green lawns at Kirstenbosch
Visit Kalk Bay harbour when the fishing boats come in with their haul and walk along the harbour wall looking out for seals and watching the fishermen.
For more ideas from Becoming you click here

5 top Cape Town restaurants for parents and kids
Blue Water Café at Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie – enjoy the amazing view across to Noorhoek Beach while the kids enjoy the farm yard animals and playground with a huge slide.
Café Roux at Noordhoek Farm Village has amazing food and a playground right next door. On Saturday mornings there are also crafts for the kids in the band stand area.
Little Stream Restaurant at the top of Klein Constantia road is great for breakfasts and lunches and the gardens are amazing for older kids to explore
Primi Piatti at the V&A Waterfront have a dedicated kids area where they can make their own dough shapes under supervision while you enjoy a cocktail which watching the sunset.
Westlade Lifestyle Center in Steenberg has an amazing, enclosed outdoor play area and you can choose from a variety of restaurants including Ocean Basket, Sorrento Trattoria, Green Bean Café.
For more ideas from Becoming you click here

Best book you have read this year?
The Help is an awesome book which I highly recommend for all South Africans to read. It is set in the American South during the 1960’s but it could have been South Africa a few years back. I found it a thought-provoking, challenging read with a few laughs and tears thrown in. A book I’m looking forward to reading soon is The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. His previous novel, Middlesex, has stayed with me since I read it a few years back so I am intrigued to read his latest book.

Favourite magazine?
My love affair with magazines started at the age of 14 so how could I possible only name one….. I will read every piece of every magazine I come across. If only my finances would allow me to purchase each magazine that came out. Some of my monthly favourites include Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Fair Lady, Easy Living (from the UK), Vanity Fair, National Geographic for the photos. I love scanning the internet for new online magazines too. My favourite at the moment is Sweet Paul

Favourite movie and why?
My favourite movie is “You’ve Got Mail”. This movie sticks in my head as one I loved because owning my own children’s book shop just like the one in this movie would be a dream come true!

Favourite chocolates and why?
I love all chocolates and won’t turn down any offered my direction but if I could only choose to eat one type for the rest of my days it would have to be Lindt chocolate balls. They are the perfect size if you want a kick of quality chocolate . I love them straight from the fridge or left to melt…..mmmm stop it!

We hear you are a reluctant chef. What meal would you prepare for someone special?
Cooking is really not my strong point. I can do it but that is usually under duress! My someone special generally makes supper for our family – yes I know I’m seriously lucky! If I was to treat him to a night off I would make a roast chicken – not too much that can go wrong with that except maybe leaving the bag in (which I have done before!!!) That being said just last week I made red kidney bean wraps with peppers. Quick, easy, healthy, tasty….. He was most impressed ;)

Most stylish celebrity?
The celeb whose style I admire the most is Reese Witherspoon – as a mom I identify more with celebs who are moms themselves (but the “real” looking ones not the supermodel/ Angelina types) and so I love to see what she is wearing on the red carpet but also on the school run.

Places you have travelled to that you love?
Italy as a country has to be top of my list – I loved the Amalfi Coast. We stayed in Positano and took a ferry across to Capri where we hired a scooter for the day, that is definitely a place I would like to return to . We stayed in a basic “pension” but had the most incredible view from our private balcony of the moon rising over the sea. I am all about quaint cobblestone streets! My favourite memory is my husband going off to buy a pizza from the trattoria down the road and taking ages. After hearing much commotion in the street below and the bells of the neighbouring church pealing I made my way up on to the roof deck and looked down on a procession honouring one of the many patron saints. And in amongst the crowd was my husband trying to weave his way back to our hotel!!! Other places I want to return to - Venice, Tuscany and of course, Paris!

One place that you still would like to visit?
New York – I had a trip planned there in 2005 for work but got spooked by the London terror attacks and headed home to SA instead of across the Atlantic. I still want to explore many other places too but that would be no 1.

Your 5 best and worst qualities
5 of each is quite tough!! I’ll go with 3
Best: organized, a good friend, and I’m a great bargain hunter!
Worst: impatient, bossy, and I’m a type a person which isn’t easy for myself or others to live with!

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I care too much about what other people think of me. I wish I didn’t!

Favourite quote
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”
― Audrey Hepburn

Becoming you website