Sunshine State of Mind with @thesimplefolk_

 

Auguste muse, Bohannah from @thesimplefolk_ shared with us her must-see local tips for anyone visiting Western Australia, her fave fashion & mum hacks and a warming recipe for the cooler months. We just love Bo's all year round sunshine state of mind...

We've put together your new go-to playlist for easy listening while you read. Grab a cuppa and enjoy. 

 

 

 3 must do things for someone visiting WA for the first time? 

1. A trip to Rottnest to see the quokkas is a must. You can get there by ferry and explore for the day or book a few nights and spend your time riding around the entire island exploring all the beaches on offer. 

2. A weekend road-trip down south to the Margaret River region. Swim at Smiths Beach, browse the boutiques in Dunsborough, lunch at Swings and Roundabouts or visit the famous bakery in Margs. There’s a never-ending list of places to explore. 

3. Spend a week or three road-tripping up the Coral Coast. From swimming with sea lions in Jurien Bay to whale sharks in the Ningaloo. Spanning over 1,100kms, you’ll be sure to see colourful landscapes, incredible wildlife and countless attractions.

 

Styling tips when traveling on the road; what are your must have essentials, any staple pieces? 

It’s important to keep things simple and have several neutral pieces that can transition through different seasons. Hard-wearing fabrics like linen and denim work well on the road and white basics get the most wear but a good stain remover is a must! I love Koala Eco. I recommend packing one or two pretty dresses as stopping at wineries along the way is always a good idea (so is a portable handheld steamer!). A cosy, chunky cardigan, Blundstone boots and a hairbrush in the front of the car are essentials.     

 

Bohannah added her ‘on-repeat’ songs to our latest playlist, set the mood while cooking your Sunday Night Beef Ragu Parpadelle. 

 

  

Favourite destination you’ve visited in Australia with kids? 

Ooh I couldn’t pick just one, but a few places that I’m so glad we explored with our kids would be Purnululu National Park in WA and both Normanby and Great Keppel Island in QLD for the ultimate barefoot escapes!   

Do you have any tips for transitioning outfits from day to night?

I usually keep things pretty casual during the day so for night-time I like to add a trench or cardigan, choose a dressier shoe or sandal, add a few statement pieces of jewellery and match a clutch/bag.     

 

Any shows you are loving at the moment?

Eagerly awaiting the release of “The Bear” season 3, “Outlander” season 7 and “Only Murders in The Building” season 4. 

 Can you share a family favourite winter recipe with us? 

My absolute go-to winter warmer is slow cook Beef Ragu with Parpadelle! It’s everyone’s favourite and pairs perfectly with a red wine by the fire! 

 Method:

Season beef with salt and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Brown beef on all sides, then transfer to slow cooker.

3. In the same skillet, sauté onion, garlic, carrot, and celery until softened. Transfer to slow cooker.

4. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, and red wine (if using) to the slow cooker.

5. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until beef is tender and can be shredded easily.

6. Shred beef using two forks.

7. Cook pappardelle pasta according to package instructions.

8. Serve shredded beef ragu over cooked pasta, garnished with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

 

Enjoy your hearty slow-cooked shredded beef ragu pasta!

 

 

What has been the most rewarding part of Motherhood for you? 

When you have babies, you always wonder what they’ll be like when they’re older and it’s been a joy to see their independence and capabilities evolve and to watch their individual personalities bloom. Also, to watch them discover things for the first time, realise their passions and be able to help them through situations using our past experiences. There’s been so many rewarding parts of motherhood but I’m really enjoying the journey this year.

 

What advice would you give new mothers who are juggling work, motherhood & a social life? 

You don’t have to do it all and it’s okay to ask for help. A strong support network is crucial in those early days, whether it’s your partner, family or friends. It’s important to surround yourself with people who can listen, lend a hand and give you a break when needed.   

 

Follow Bo's journey over at @thesimplefolk_