Social Media

back

The Sassiest Mama: Caterina Minthe

Family LifePost Category - Family LifeFamily Life - Post Category - That MamaThat Mama

The Sassiest Mama Awards 2015

At work she’s stylish and streamlined. At home she ‘accessorises with baby drool’ – but frankly still looks completely gorgeous. This mama once dreamt of being a ballerina but followed a path into journalism and fashion. Her biggest achievement? A fabulous family – 2 beautiful children and a very hands on husband who ‘deserves a medal’.

Who’s The Mama?

Full Name: Caterina Minthe
Occupation: Fashion Critic and Features Editor
Children: Leo Minthe 3, Elisa Minthe 8 months
Nationality: Canadian passport, Polish and Italian roots.
How long have you lived in Dubai? In and out for 12 years

1) Tell us about your business/businesses and why you started them.
I’m a fashion critic and features editor at Style.com/Arabia. I was always a journalist and more or less fell into fashion—it’s an incredibly dynamic industry and I absolutely love what I do.

2) What do you feel have been your biggest achievements both in your personal life and career so far?
My husband is an incredible father to our two children. He is so hands on with the kids and picking the right man to make a family with is definitely an achievement that I take note of on a daily basis. I don’t necessarily count my work accomplishments because it’s the day to day that fuels me. Overall, meeting people and being told that they read what I write is the highest complement.

3) As a child what did you dream of being when you ‘grew up’?!
A ballerina. Until my body betrayed me.

4) If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?
Oh, I think I lead a pretty fortunate life and my kids are healthy and don’t want for anything. Now, we need to focus on extending that fortune to others.

5) What does being a Sassy Mama mean to you?
That I have a sense of humor (I hope!).

6) What’s a typical day in your life like?
I’m up at 6am nursing Elisa, then I take our dog out for his morning duty, pour a coffee, and start work at 7am. It’s non-stop hustle and bustle (I work online) until 5pm when I drop everything “no matter what” to pick up my son from his kindergarden class. Then, unless there are any pending deadlines, I give all my attention to my family and play with the kids while my husband cooks us a gourmet French meal (and I’m not even exaggerating). We all sit at the table and chat about our day and then it’s bath time for the kids, reading, and lights out. Unless of course it’s fashion week, then, my husband does everything while I run around Paris reporting on fashion shows. Really, he deserves a medal.

7) What’s your guilty pleasure?
Hiding out in the bathroom and checking social media. “Mommy’s busy!” How embarrassing.

8) What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in your personal life and career?
Follow your heart—that goes for your personal life—and if you’re lucky—your career too. Easier said than done.

9) What do you most enjoy doing as a family in Dubai?
Going to the beach and exploring the islands off the coast.

Caterina Minthe 3

10) What is the ‘best-kept’ secret in Dubai, something fellow mamas should know about?
I can’t tell you that!

11) Which three words best describe your personality?
Loyal, decisive, and action-oriented. If you can dream it, do it.

12) What advice would you have for a new mama?

Don’t compare yourself to other women because no one’s life is as perfect as it looks on Instagram.

Don’t compare yourself to other women because no one’s life is as perfect as it looks on Instagram.

We’re all on our hands and knees cleaning baby spit up at one point in the day.

13) What advice would you give to a mama who wants to go back to work or start her own business but is worried about juggling family and career?
I think that starting a business while you have young children is very difficult and I don’t recommend it. When you start your own business, those first few years are all-encompassing and you will certainly miss out on precious time with your children that you will never get back. As for going back to work in a balanced work environment—consider yourself lucky—some call it back to work, I call it “me time.”

14) If you were on an island and could bring only 3 things (family not included) what would they be?
A historian to teach me the ways of the world; a scientist to figure everything else out; and a chef—who also specializes in massages.

15) Top 3 books?
Ask me again in ten years when I’m able to finish one.

16) Describe your style.
At work I wear a streamlined look, heels, perfume, and a statement lip. At home, I wear whatever I don’t care about being ruined and accessorize with baby drool.

17) If there was a movie produced about your life, who would you choose to play you and why?
Al Pacino, because I like to keep things in the family.

18) Tell us something funny that your kids have said or done.
My son Leo refers to himself in the third person, which is pretty hilarious. Elisa always wants to play with her big brother so my husband and son call her “Godzilette” as a way of integrating her in their games. It’s adorable.

heart-peach

Thanks to The Studio for the gorgeous pics! Book your photography experience on (+971) (0)4 347 1745.

Special thanks also to Sassy Mama Dani for coordinating mamas and photographers while juggling 3 little ones too!

more sassy mama

What's New

We're social

We're social

What we're up to and what inspires us