Tess Gigone is a content creator from St. Catharines Ontario sharing her homemade recipes online. Aside from being an incredible homemaker with amazing taste, she recently became a mom to a beautiful little girl. We spent an afternoon together last month, and got to chat about her transition to motherhood, and how she manages it all alongside a wildly successful career.
I first connected with Tess through her beautiful photography. Before switching career paths, Tess was working as a lifestyle photographer, and actually shot our Fall 23 Campaign. It's been incredible to watch her platform grow, and I am so excited to share this feature with you.
What made you want to start content creation as a career?
My husband encouraged me to really take it seriously. I always had it as a small dream in the back of my mind but was nervous of embarrassing myself, or looking silly for the entire internet to watch. Without his encouragement I don't know if I would have really taken a serious shot at it. Thank you Ben!!
What is inspiring you right now?
My favourite app EVER is Pinterest. It's incredible - it knows me better than I know myself sometimes. I can log on there and find endless inspiration - it really is the place I go to feel creatively inspired again.
describe your typical morning.
Wake with my daughter - chat to each other about our dreams and how much we missed each other - slowly make our way to the kitchen and make breakfast together. She loves to crack eggs and whisk them right now - we usually have eggs and toast - some sort of fruit. I usually have a matcha. We take our mornings slow - we have nowhere to be.
How has it been transitioning into motherhood?
Hard haha. Someone could tell you every single little detail of what it's like being a mom and you'll still truly never understand what it's like to be a mom until you are one. It's all consuming. Dont get me wrong, it's so beautiful and FULL of love but it is definitely a transition. A year and a half in and I feel like I'm really starting to settle into my role as 'mom' - I'm finally feeling confident in myself as a mother - but it's been a long year and a half getting here.
What has surprised you about yourself since becoming a mother?
How easily I am able to let go of things. I think I used to be uptight?? I didn't think I was but looking back on myself I definitely was haha. Things that I would have lost it over before will sometimes even go unnoticed.
What helps you feel grounded if you are overwhelmed?
Talking to Ben or my sister (usually both haha) and then a bath. I'm a talker - I need to process my feelings externally. I love to talk to both my husband and my sister on the same topic because they both know me better than anyone else but also each offer a unique perspective. A bath just allows me to sit in my peace for one second longer.
last best thing you ate
I went to Bernhardts in Toronto for dinner tonight and had a fried cabbage dish that I’m dying to try to recreate. They do such a good job of making their food feel like home cooked family meals. So good every time.
What is on the menu for a dinner party with friends?
Usually a whole roast chicken - to me its an easy meal that feeds a lot of people and turns out a lot of people think cooking a whole chicken is impressive?! So bonus points for the fact that guests are usually impressed by it.
Something others would be surprised to learn about you?
I feel like most people know this but everyone is always shocked when they find out that I went to school for mining engineering!! I worked at a mine in the arctic circle.
What would you wear to feel most like yourself?
Probably a really good worn in pair of denim, a white t shirt and a knit. I pretty much wear a combo of this every single day.
What item(s) are the most sentimental in your wardrobe?
My watches and jewelry - though technically not clothing, they do live in my ‘wardrobe’. Pretty much every piece was bought to mark some moment in my life.
