Jess Rutledge

Hard to choose just one thing! Hot summer days make me feel most myself, be it by the beach or pool, relaxing with friends and family around good food. Sleepy snuggles with my boys and going for a long walk or run in nature always helps me to return to self.

I am also really lucky that my work is a true expression of me; it’s taken time to get to this place, but being able to support women as they begin motherhood; in birth and early postpartum through nourishing food, well-being support and companionship really lights me up.

Greens: I’m a major fan. Whether it is a smoothie or a juice (opt for at least 75% vegetables) or my favourite meal lately is a place of sautéed broccoli, kale, leek, brussel sprouts and zucchini topped with feta or a bit of grated cheddar.

Also in the green category is my daily Matcha latte. I needed to change my relationship with coffee as my adrenals were bottomed out (read: stress response overstimulated which leads to a myriad of issues; lack of focus, disturbed sleep, hormonal imbalance, congested skin and more…ie: not fun!) I’ve swapped to decaf coffee and matcha lattes for a lower, cleaner and more sustainable caffeine hit and my mind and skin are much better for it. I love to add some ashwagandha to my matcha too (I also take an ashwagandha supplement to ensure I’m getting a therapeutic dose) which works to support and protect my body’s stress response.

H20: Basic but true. Drink it. Swim in it. Bathe in it. Daily.

Cleanse and moisturise: it’s like making my bed, not a day goes by without this basic step. It helps me feel put together and ready to face the day and now I'm older and wiser, this step also includes SPF.

Also I think not over complicating skin care - we don’t need crazy lineups of products, 11 step routines etc.

Giving myself space; permission to do less so that what I do put my energy towards, I have more genuine energy to give.

Facial massage with gua sha and facial reflexology tool (a La @noyskincare). These practices have been game-changers for my skin; it just makes so much sense to me to give my face the same physical release and reset I do with my body. And I'm now a devotee to the NeoSculpt treatment at FENN with Lauren.

Also as mentioned above - shifting my relationship with coffee.

I studied nutrition in an effort to heal my personal relationship with food, understanding exactly how my body functioned from a holistic perspective allowed me to make better choices and feel informed, feed my body for optimal health but also rekindle more joy and ease with food. I genuinely believe food is medicine (for the body and soul). The type of food we feed our bodies can affect so much; physically, mentally, emotionally. What you eat is powerful. This philosophy has morphed with my life; following me through pregnancy and into postpartum.

After having my first child and having a doula help me prepare for his birth and postpartum, I felt a strong affinity to the practice and so studied to be a doula. If I could give even just one woman the support I experienced from my doula, I would be content. But having a good pregnancy and birth is only one part of the experience, because after that you have a baby to take home and the recovery from birth, learning to breastfeed/ bottle feed and care for a baby as well as yourself can really take some getting used to.

My first postpartum in particular felt pretty lonely and confusing, so with my second I made an effort to do things differently and as more of my friends and family had babies providing support to them became something I felt really passionately about; for me it’s as simple as providing a new mother with the space to feel into motherhood, compassion and companionship, healthy nourishing food, remedies and resources for her unique journey.

• Josh Rosebrook Hydration Boost Concentrate - trialling applying my hyaluronic serum over my other serums and moisturisers to boost absorption…. A random tip I picked up somewhere on the internet. Will report back on efficacy…
• Mother SPF Mother of Pearl (love to mix these with my moisturiser or tinted SPF for added glow especially as we head into winter)
• Medik8 Press & Glow (1-2 times a week)
• Maryse Enzyme Refine Cleansing Balm (my autumn / winter cleanser of choice) & Manuka Leaf Exfoliating Polish
• Gentle Habits Shower Oil in Yamba - obsessed. Lazy girl beauty as it cleanses and moisturises in one go, and leaves you smelling delicious.

I’m also really excited to try the new line Hyeja, a korean skincare range of 4 formulas that combine korean traditional skin care ingredients with contemporary korean skincare science and the packaging is beautiful.

Listening to... The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks on Audible and Bang On Podcast for my weekly pop culture update from Zan Rowe and Myf Warhurst.

Reading... Currently on my bedside table: ‘Love, Pamela’ by Pamela Anderson, ‘Conversations on Love’ by Natasha Lunn, ‘Modern Manners’ by The Gentlewoman, ‘The Woman Code’ by Alissa Vitti and ‘Beyond the Birth Plan’ by Rhea Dempsey. I always have more than one book on the go, which isn’t a particularly efficient approach but I get through them eventually… I read to match my mood!

Watching…. Alone Australia on SBS and The Great Season 3. Very excited that the new season is out!

Eating… Big bowls of sauteed green veggies topped with cheddar or feta cheese and cracked pepper. My healthy, cool-weather staple. I’m also still obsessed with these cacao and zucchini brownies recipe here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjb1OfOJO7o/