Christine Dovey is a published stylist, decorator, and artist whose signature aesthetic can best be described as a blushy cocktail of delicate pretty mixed with a dash of modern edge. When she’s not immersed in writing her blog, creating design plans, or covered in paint, Christine spends her days in Oakville, Ontario with her husband Ian and children Natasha, Scarlett, Malcolm, and Jasper.
Tell us about yourself?
Christine Dovey, mother of 4, Oakville, Ontario.
Tell us about what you do?
I am a Stylist and Interior Decorator. I work from home, full-time.
Do you have help?
My husband and I both work from home so we definitely help each other in terms of the kids. With work, I currently have an assistant and intern who help out on a part-time basis.
Your Favourite hobby?
Painting
Do you take any extracurricular activities?
Antiquing, painting, barre class, swimming, photography, shopping, blogging
Do your children have extracurricular activities?
Collectively, my kids have many different interests that include things like gymnastics, bike riding, swimming, karate, modelling, acting, fashion design, crafting, and painting.
What does a typical family day look like to you?
On the weekends, the kids usually wake up before us and are allowed to play on their ipad until we have our first cup of coffee. 🙂 My husband takes our two year old with him to Tim Hortons and Starbucks on Saturday and Sunday for a treat and we all enjoy our breakie and coffee together. After we’re up, I usually go to Barre class around 9 a.m. and then when I’m back, we all get ready to head out. On Saturdays, I often have sourcing work for clients to get done so the family and I load into the car and head out shopping. To make it fun for the kids, we usually stop at a park and have lunch out during the trip. On days when I don’t have to work, we usually plan an activity together that can range from just walking around our town and heading to the park to going local attractions like the aquarium or museum. We try to be home around 4 p.m. and then the kids play while we start to get dinner ready. My husband loves to BBQ and I love to eat outside so we tend to do both whenever possible so that we can enjoy a glass of wine while the kids play in the backyard. Bedtime for the kids rolls around after that at around 8pm and then it’s wind-down time for everyone.
Who cooks dinner?
My husband…90% of the time.
How does the grocery shopping get done, by whom, with the kids, and do you use coupons?
My husband usually does the shopping and we do that in sort of a daily market style way, meaning we decide what’s for dinner and then he runs across to the store to get what we need to cook. We also usually do a large staple shop once a week and take turns on that one.
How often do you buy something for yourself?
I probably buy something for myself once every couple of weeks. I look forward to heading to a mall to treat myself.
Do you exercise and if so, how & when do you fit the time in to do that?
Barre class is my absolute favourite and I go 4-5 times a week if I can. I hate when things get too busy and I’m not able to go. Exercise definitely makes me feel more energetic and ready to tackle each day.
What is your favourite movie?
That’s so hard! If we’re talking all time i.e. kid memories, I’d say Miracle on 34th Street. As for recent adulthood, let’s go with When Harry Met Sally.
Favourite nookie song?
Anything by Vampire Weekend
Favourite beverage special coffee, cocktail?
Wine – always wine. Lately, I’ve been favouring light rosé. As for coffee, I’m a coconut milk latte lover.
Do you have a favourite pair of shoes?
I have a classic pair of Louboutin patent heels so for classic fancy, they’re my favourite. For everyday, I love my classic Adidas Superstars. Often when I’m looking to spruce up my wardrobe I will head to the mall to see what’s trendy.
‘Cannot leave home without it’ item?
My iPhone – sad but true!
What do you do to help ensure you say within budget while back-to-school shopping?
I always make a list and do my best to stick with it. I’ll give each kid one freebie ticket to buy an item they really want. Shopping from a list can ensure a stress-free back to school shopping trip and also be a great lesson in budgeting for your child. Another great tool for preparing your list is checking out the schools ‘need list’. With this, you’ll know exactly which school supplies to buy without any unnecessary purchases.
When you don’t have a lot of time to spare, what is your best strategy for getting everything done?
The best way to get it all done is by shopping where there’s variety. Shopping at a mall can save you time and energy – it’s a one-stop-shop! I like to plan ahead so I can map out what stores I need to head to.
There are so many options when it comes to buying clothing. How do you pick which items to spend more on?
Spend on clothing that can be worn across seasons. A great pair of jeans or a cool leather jacket are the kind of staple pieces that can be worn many different ways. These pieces might cost you a bit more upfront, but will carry you through the year.
Do you prefer going out and shopping for all the back-to-school items on your own or do you bring the kids?
I like to get my kids involved as much as possible! If your child is invested in their clothing choices, they’ll be more likely to wear what you buy. Make back to school shopping a fun experience for you both!
Thank you to Christine Dovey for taking the time out of her day to let us know “How Does She Do It.”