Mother’s Day Q&A with twin sisters at Polwarth Design

COZY UP THIS WINTER

WITH GORGEOUS KNITWEAR

Now is the perfect time to invest in some great new-season knitwear. These chic, trans-seasonal essentials will help bring style to your wardrobe, playing with proportions and adding texture. With a wide range of knitwear including jumpers, cardigans, sweaters and oversized knits, you are bound to find what you’re looking for at Polwarth Design today!

WHANGAREI Open 7 Days | Okara Shopping Centre Phone 09 438 9697 | Now open till 6pm on weekdays DARGAVILLE Open Mon-Sat | 78 Victoria Street Phone 09 439 7341

www.polwarthdesign.co.nz

Dawn and Bill Polwarth – Karen & Cheryl's parents

Mother’s Day Q&A

with twin sisters at Polwarth Design

CHERYL POLWART

Why are you passionate about the industry you’re in? I love making a difference, helping people, and, in the process, solving problems. This is a 36-year love affair with fashion and people. Polwarth Design is like our home and we share our thoughts, ideas, and stories together while finding the best outfit you can buy to suit your occasion. Often it's something you never expected to try. Nothing is a “given". The boundaries and comfort zones are always pushed and you will never be called “predictable”. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be an archaeologist. I love Khaki, I love safari suits. Wide leather belts, elephant hunting hard hats, and Doc Martin boots. My perfect occupation. Oh yes, traveling to exotic places and scratching around a few ruins was going to dirty my suit but it did also seem appealing. What piece of advice from your mother has resonated with you most? “Watch your figures girls”. Mum was always concerned about overeating and our weight. She didn't want us struggling with weight issues. Hence the constant different eating plans over the years lol, Fasting or feasting!!! Got sorted over time. Which piece of advice did you ignore? Mum taught us to drive. But she was a very cautious, hesitant, terrible driver. Probably because she got her license as an adult and not many women drove when we were kids. I ignored her advice given through fear of driving. I love to drive. What advice do you find yourself giving your children? Be positive, learn from your past mistakes and treat others how you would like to be treated. I used to tell my twins that they needed to be scientists so they could find us a new planet. They are 10 years older than my other two boys and acid rain was the new terror. Well, that hasn't happened yet. lol What does Mother's Day mean to you? Family, Family, Family. Describe your perfect Mother's Day. Weekend away with the family at the beach. Hanging out with the grandchildren. Wining and dining at our favorite restaurants and having loads of fun and laughter playing board games, singing, E-Biking and walking. How will you realistically be spending this Mother's Day? Definitely a sleep-in. Quick house clean as have worked all week. Check the garden and fruit trees for bugs (obsessive). Possibly out for lunch or dinner, depending how sociable l'm feeling as being home is such a treat!! All the time, keeping my phone near to me for my four Mother's Day calls to come through.

always be delicious healthy choices in the fridge and pantry to feed four growing boys and that they had scrumptious school lunches.

KAREN MATICH

Why are you passionate about the industry you’re in? I love fashion and clothes, but mostly I'm a people person. I just thrive on connecting with people, resonating with them, sharing their experiences, and solving problems. Every day is a little part

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be an airhostess. I thought it would be such a glamorous job and you got paid to travel. I’d grown up at the Manukau Heads watching all those planes flying overhead and always wanted to be on one.

Which piece of advice from your mother has resonated with you the most? Mother was always well presented. She sewed everything we wore and her own clothes, keeping a close eye on fashion, so much so that we were sporting midi skirts and black patent boots before anyone in our area. First impressions counted, she always said, so remember to always leave the house looking smart as you never know what is around the corner. I have always tried to follow this ‘look good, feel good’ advice so much so that we have made a business out of it.

Which actions did you ignore? Coming from a massive family of 19 siblings, mother was never a ‘foodie’, she dished up what was necessary to feed our family of seven. There were no frills and no leftovers. Dried apricots were our biggest treat, requiring a stool, balanced on a chair to extract them from the top cupboard. I always swore that I would never scrimp on food with my family, that there would What advice do you find yourself telling your own children? Find an industry or occupation that you resonate with and it won’t feel like a job, more a passion.

What does Mother’s Day mean to you? It’s a time to connect with family and to remember my own mother who would have revelled in the 30 years she missed out on.

Describe your perfect Mother’s Day: Having lunch/dinner together with my partner, my four sons, their gorgeous partners and my two granddaughters.

How will you realistically be spending this Mother’s Day: Relaxing in a tidy house, chatting with my two boys and their partners in Perth and sharing lunch or dinner with my partner and NZ son, daughter-in-law and my two gorgeous, funny, naughty, delightful, cheeky granddaughters.