Verse Mother Phoebe Ghorayeb: by Valentina, Siddy, & Zaki

Name: Phoebe Ghorayeb @modelappetite

DOB: 14th September 1988

Place of birth: Milton Keynes, England

Occupation: Model, Writer, Content Creator

What is your personal style signifier?

I’m a sucker for an oversized shirt or jumper, boyfriend jeans or trackie pants two sizes too big, paired with something a little more fitted or tailored. I love mixing masculine and feminine shapes and playing with proportions. My main aim is comfort and if I can look relatively stylish in the process then I’m winning.

What is your most cherished piece of jewellery and why?

Answering this question is not an easy one for me. I had a gold pendant necklace with the finger imprints of both my girls. To my absolute and total dismay, it vanished about a month ago whilst we were living in a rental prior to moving into our new home. I am utterly heartbroken but as they say, when one door closes another door opens and I’m so looking forward to cherishing my new Verse Fine Jewellery piece.

What is the last thing you purchased and loved?

If you want my honest answer it was a weak, soy latte. And love it I did. However, I’m not sure that’s the answer you’re looking for. Unfortunately, I haven’t bought anything overly juicy, most of my purchases these days are household-related, whether it be cupboard organisers, a new dustpan and brush or coat hangers. Very unsexy but still very much loved.

What is currently on your Wishlist?

As boring as it sounds, right now I want nothing. I feel incredibly blessed to have what I have. All I want is to be able to spend time with my husband and our beautiful children in our new home. A home that has taken many, many months to build, has seen my husband break his back to make it perfect for us and has stripped us of precious family time. Being able to finally reap the rewards of our new abode is my biggest wish.

Your earliest fashion memory?

Goodness, I have so many but this one goes back to when I was about seven years old. My dad was the town planner for the town in which I was born and raised, Milton Keynes. It is known for its shopping centre which is the epicentre of all sorts of events. One of which was a wedding fair.  My dad managed to rope me into modelling in the catwalk show, which I’m sure is no surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed. I still have such vivid memories of the disgustingly shiny, frilly, floral flower girl dresses I wore but at seven years old any excuse to prance about in a ‘princess’ dress (no matter what it looks like) is a dream come true.

The beauty staple you’re never without?

With summer well and truly on its way, I’ve been upping my sunscreen game. I’ve started using the SPF Face Mist from Outside Beauty and Skincare. Coming from the UK it was never drilled into us to wear sunscreen so it’s a habit I’m trying to stick to for me as well as the kids. 

What will you always find in your fridge?

Technically not the fridge but the pantry is close enough. Peanut butter is my kitchen staple, my Achilles heel, my undoing. Put it this way, I’ve already bought the next jar before the opened one has run out. Apple slices dipped in peanut butter are my go-to after-dinner snack. Sometimes, however, I’ll forgo the apple and it’s just me, the peanut butter and a good old-fashioned spoon.

How do you stay healthy, physically and mentally? Any tips or advice?

In recent months I can’t say I’ve been incredibly good to myself physically. Apart from running around after the kids, walking laps around our new home and spending 90% of the day on my feet, I don’t do any intentional physical exercise. It’s something I miss and have solid intentions to reintroduce to my routine but right now life doesn’t allow it and I’m ok with that because I know one day it will.

Mentally life has been the biggest roller coaster. What with giving birth to Zaki last June then undergoing life-threatening, open heart surgery, a spontaneous move to the Gold Coast for seven months, and then living between a renovation and a rental, it hasn’t left much room in the mind for peace.

I think that just accepting that this is our life right now and riding the wave as best we can, in itself offers me some kind of clarity and understanding that soon enough we will get to turn a new page. Looking after your mental health is not about being in a constantly good state of mind but being able to navigate the tough times as well.

Any great discoveries recently? Cafe, restaurant, shop, online etc…

Absolutely! Since moving to the northern beaches earlier this year I’ve been able to find some real little treasures (all food-based).

Bilgola Social in Bilgola Plateau for the best coffee and most personal service. 

Bookocino in Avalon for the best homemade cakes.

Curry on the Curve in Avalon for seriously delicious, authentic Indian.

Graze n Cakes in Avalon for mouth-watering Vietnamese.

Fernando’s Peruvian Rotisserie in Avalon for seriously succulent roast chicken (think Chargrill Charlies but way, way better).

What object would you never part with? 

As sad as it is to say out loud, my phone. I wish it was something more poetic or sentimental but sadly not. All my family and childhood friends are still in the UK and my husband’s family are all up on the Gold Coast, therefore keeping connected through my phone is incredibly important.

What are some of the challenges of being a working mother and how do you juggle it all?

I called on my village. I’m sure I could have done it without their support (many women do) but it would have been much messier, much less organised and much more chaotic. I have been lucky enough to have the help of my sister-in-law who uprooted her life from the Gold Coast to live with us in Sydney and help me juggle mum life, house life and working life. I am by no means ashamed or embarrassed to say I’ve needed and enjoyed the help and I think more mothers and fathers should be empowered to do the same. 

Phoebe wears Verse Three Letters 18-Karat Gold Necklace 

 

Film Photography: Valentina (5) Siddy (3.5) Zaki, (1)