Every so often we like to feature celebrity moms in our How Does She Do It series, and today I’m very excited to give you a glimpse into the life of Cheryl Hickey, host of ET Canada, mom of two and founder of Ours, a line of products for baby and home.
Not only did she make me feel very at ease during our conversation, she comes across as just like every normal (ok, non-celebrity) mom you would chat with over coffee or at preschool pickup. She made me laugh a few times (mayo, peanut butter + lettuce sandwich: hello!) and gape in jealousy (three closets and a “clothing budget”!) too.
So let’s get started:
Tell us about your children
“I have a little boy who’s five and a little girl who’s two” (Jaxson & Nyla source: Wikipedia) “…. and they’re awesome; I think every parent says that. They’re really good kids. My son is super inquisitive and talkative, very curious and my daughter is very boisterous and loving and cuddly all in the same breath. Yah, they’re good kids.”
Are you an Urban or Suburban Mama, where do you live?
“I’m both, I’m on the cusp of the city and suburbia.” She used to live right downtown (Toronto) but they didn’t love that they were peering into their neighbour’s window and what she loves about her current home is her giant backyard and tons of privacy. She also loves the safety of the cul de sac for her kids to play.
Tell us about your typical weekday
“There isn’t. [laughs] There hasn’t been a typical weekday for many years! So, the only thing typical about my day is the ET Canada part, truthfully. I’m the CEO of mornings so I wake everyone up, then you become the chef and make breakfast for everyone, make lunches, re-dress someone because someone probably spilled something and get everyone out the door”. Her husband takes Nyla to daycare and she drops her son at school. She’s at ET Canada from 8.30-9am till 1pm every day. There are times when she’ll work afternoons for special interviews. “… like tomorrow, for example, Sharon Osbourne is coming so I’m going to work a much longer day”. She indicates that she’s very fortunate with her company that has been flexible with her hours to be with her kids where I need to be. She took a shorter maternity leave (six months both times) so it’s been a “really good work relationship” as both sides manage to make it work.
Do you have help At Home?
“I don’t” [laughs] “We used to but we don’t anymore, and it’s actually harder, I’m not gonna lie.” She goes on to say she works on her new business, Ours by Cheryl Hickey after the kids are in bed and she’s done all the household chores. Her husband is a big help too, she says “he really steps in, we’re really a good team”.
Who cooks dinner?
“I cook dinner. My husband is a good chef, and he needs to practice more, but you know part of me being at home in the afternoon allows me to do laundry, prep dinner, and the usual house stuff. I usually start prepping dinner around 3.30 after I pick up the kids.”
How often do you buy something for just you?
“I have to admit, it’s clothes. I have three closets, a ginormous walk-in closet at home, then I have two closets at work. So, I have a clothing issue. And I have three different closets for my shoes, I should count them one day. Here’s the thing, I have a clothing budget for work and clothing sponsors, so shopping for me is different than what it used to be. I don’t shop like I used to. You know how you kind-of get a high off of shopping for yourself, you know what I mean? That’s not happening any more for me, I get a rush from online shopping for my kids.” Shoes, suspenders, especially pretty dresses, she loves finding good buys for her kids.
Do you exercise regularly and if so, what and how do you fit it in?
“No; right now. My weight has fluctuated a lot over the years. I mean I did gain like 72lbs with each baby, so I’ve been every size, and I know dresses come in every size, so I’m sort of comfortable with that. But I understand that exercise is something that is good for you mind, and your body and your soul, so it’s something that I plan to be better at in terms of taking time away from everything and everybody else; you know as women we have a tendency to put ourselves last in that dept but I also know how really important it is.” She mentions she’s liked some A couple of “Brent Bishop stuff/videos” online and getting to the gym whenever she can. She says the plan is to get into a regular routine very soon. She wants to find something she really likes, she is trying something new in the coming days.
Cheryl indicates she’s never counted a calorie but she believes wholeheartedly that what you put in your mouth has the biggest impact. She has a mild gluten intolerance and when she indulges she gets achey and sore, so she believes very strongly in mindful eating.
What clothing lines/stores do you like to buy for your children?
Paperwings. “If you have never gone online to check them out, they’re amazing!” [I did check them out, they are pretty cool looking clothes – out of Australia]
Joe Fresh, Little Jewels, Carters, and Zulily for interesting pieces.
Complete the following:
I’m totally obsessed with…
My blue tint Ray Ban sunglasses. “I absolutely love love them.”
Three things in my purse right now …
“Oh honey there are way more than 3 things in my purse right now. I am not a small-purse carrier” …
[I can hear her physically rummaging through her purse]
Container of vitamins (“I take a lot of supplements”), Calgon Hawaiian Ginger Mist (“‘cuz I’ve worn the same perfume since I was 16”), my Michael Kors Wallet … “Let me just dig In here”, my media pass, a Transformer [You know when you’re a Mom when…], receipts, Claritin, and a small bottle of organic eucalyptus.
My favourite drugstore buy….
OURS by Cheryl Hickey
“Everything; because every time that I walk into a drugstore for one thing, I end up leaving with like 6-bags, you know how it goes!”
My guilty pleasure is….
“Oh I have many!”
“Gluten-free pretzels drizzled with cheese and sprinkle garlic powder all over it and put it in the microwave for like 40 seconds and eat that. That makes me really happy.”
“I love peanut butter, mayonaise and lettuce sandwiches” [Ohmygosh] “I know! But you need to try it before you judge it! Don’t do white bread because white bread is no good. You need to do like a nice hearty italian yummy bread, and don’t skimp out on the peanut butter and mayonaise and make sure the lettuce is nice and crunchy, like the ice berg lettuce.” [OK] “OH and the Kardashians, I love watching the Kardashians.”
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Loved this interview!!