Co-founder of Chilly Moo frozen yoghurt, our fave healthy treat, Joanna Lovegrove lives with her husband, David, and their three children; Gemma (6), Millie (4) and Ted (12 months).
What time do you wake up every morning?
Ted has an unfortunate habit of waking me up at about 6.30 – except for when I forget to set my alarm. Then, of course, he sleeps through to around 8.30!
What’s breakfast time like in your house?
Hectic! On week days, we only have Ready Brek or Weetabix with fruit. Then on the weekends the kids are allowed to have “treat cereals” if they want.
How long do you spend on yourself in the morning?
It really depends on whether I have any meetings that day. I’m lucky in that, if I’m working from home I can just have a shower, throw on some jeans, a tshirt and some flipflops or runners and that’s me done. On days with meetings I’ll spend a bit longer – blow dry my hair and put on some makeup!
Take us through your skincare routine:
I like to just use Simple moisteriser in the morning. I’m not too sure you can really call that a routine though!
What product can’t you live without?
I really am very low maintenance but I do like my Mac Foundation – however, even that I don’t use every day.
Tell us about your greatest weekly indulgence:
Thai takeaway! Once a week we feed the kids early and order a takeaway for ourselves once they’re safely in bed.
Who makes dinner/does the bulk of the cooking in your house?
It’s all me! My husband doesn’t get home until at least 7pm and so I’ve generally eaten by then with the children.
What time do you finish work? How do you spend your evening?
I finish work at around 2pm so that I can pick up the children and bring them to their various activities. Then I generally start working again in the evenings. My husband owns his own company too so the two of us are usually to be found side by side in the evenings on our laptops typing away – we’re very dull altogether!
How do you juggle childcare/ drop-offs?
The children are in school and creche in the mornings and then I pick them up. My parents and my in-laws are really great at helping out too so I’m never short of a babysitter when needed. For this summer, I’ve hired my first ever childminder to work mornings. So far I’m loving how it’s working. It giving us all a bit of a sense of “holiday” as they don’t need to rush getting ready in the mornings.
What’s your favourite thing to do as a family at the weekend?
We’re lucky that we live near a beach and some really great walks so we love to get out and about outdoors. Before Ted was born, we used to go camping quite a bit on the weekends as well so we’re hoping to restart that now that he’s a bit older.
What’s your favourite holiday destination, at home and abroad?
We spent our honeymoon in the Maldives and it certainly was the holiday of a lifetime. And here in Ireland I think it has to be Rosses Point Campsite – it’s really just a field but it’s right beside the beach and you can walk to some great pubs and restaurants.
What was the last book you read?
Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel. I just finished it last night. I had never heard of it before but I loved it.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“This Too Shall Pass” – it really helps me to remember what’s important in life and helps to keep stress to a minimum.
What advice would you give a new mum?
Try to enjoy it. I know it’s such a cliché but I wish I’d been a bit more chilled out with my first.
Chilly Moo was set up in November 2011 by Joanna Lovegood and Clare Holman. The company sells a range of children’s frozen yogurts as a healthy alternative to ice-cream. They are globally the first frozen yogurt to be sweetened simply with fruit puree and fruit juice concentrate. Visit Chilly Moo.
Joanna also recently took part in the Starting Strong initative. Starting Strong is designed for ambitious female entrepreneurs who are at an early stage in the development of their business. There is currently 21 participants involved in the 2015 cycle and the companies have a turnover of just over €900,000 between them.
