Melbourne’s Adele Barbaro, a.k.a. the original ‘Real Mumma’, truly is the real deal. In a sea of influencers and mummy bloggers making parenting look all shiny and perfect, Adele is the raw, vulnerable and honest version showing us the good, bad and ugly moments. If you’re looking for a real and raw insight into parenthood, combined with an equally savvy entrepreneurship, then look no further than Adele Barbaro.
Hey Adele! First up, tell us a bit about your gorgeous little family.
I’m a Melbourne mama, although originally born in NSW. I was travelling in Europe when
I met Paul and moved here to be with him with just a suitcase to my name. 10 years later, we have 6-year-old Harvey, who was conceived with the help of IVF and 4-year-old Chloe,
who was an amazing surprise.
When did you start blogging and how did you end up here?
After we got married, we struggled to conceive naturally due to endometriosis and significant scarring on my endometrium which led us to explore IVF. We were one of the lucky ones and it was a success. As the pregnancy came to full term, I had to be induced as the amniotic fluid around Harvey was minimal and when that happened, I didn’t progress and ended up having an emergency caesarean. I felt like I failed to conceive, deliver and then when I got home, I struggled to settle Harvey and breastfeed. I felt like a big failure but I was too brave to ask for help. I just kept pushing through but when he was about 4 months old, I broke.
I went to a mother and baby unit for some help with sleep and feeding, and although I felt like I had failed yet again, it was the best thing I ever did and I wanted to shout from the rooftops about it.
Although my blog started as just a diary, mainly for my interstate family, I hated seeing things on social media that portrayed motherhood to be this blissful walk in the park, when in my world, it was the opposite. I decided to share a real insight into motherhood. And so the blog began.
In 2018 you started a wine brand called Mama Wine Co that has now morphed into Feminaè Beverage Co. with wine, gin, cocktails and more. Was it hard cracking into this industry?
I was a working mum and I had a great job as PA to Janine Allis (founder of Boost Juice) when I said to Paul, I wanted more. I wanted my own business and to have greater flexibility around being a mum. I had lots of ideas, but nothing stacked up. I didn’t rush into something without doing research and waited for find a concept that worked and I was passionate about.
One day I had a dinner party and the guests talked about the ‘legs’ on the wine and how well it paired with the prosciutto. I remember turning to my friend as saying “I wish there were a fine wine that paired well with the two weeks of washing I had to do.” And this is where Mama Wine Co was born. Good wine with tongue in cheek, fun labels about motherhood. And it was so well received. We had ‘One of those days’, Rose, ‘The Washing Can Wait’ Pinot Grigio, among others.
But over the next year, I realised I was more than a mama and I wanted the brand to be inclusive of all women. I wanted to expand into the spirit and cocktail category and after much thought, rebranded to Feminaé Beverage Co. ‘Feminaé’ is Latin for ‘women’ and I wanted it to be a brand that was a cheers to all women.
Since then, I have collaborated with some amazing women like Abbie Chatfield, Ash London and DJ Havana Brown to create bespoke drops, while also releasing exclusive Feminaè cocktails and gin.
Your latest is the new Infamous X Feminaè by Adele Barbaro swimwear. Tell us more…
I have worn Infamous Swim for years and have become great friends with Gemma, the founder. I told her I had a vision of a swimwear range for women like me. Those who want a quality, lux swimsuit while still being able to go down the waterslide with the kids and not get to the bottom with their bum or boobs out. They are supportive, flattering, sexy and yet, have full bum cover!
Infamous Swim is all about body confidence. What’s some advice for mums worried about getting into a swimsuit this Summer?
I have sat on the sidelines often and regretted it, so I don’t anymore. The truth is, kids don’t give a shit what you look like. They just care that you played with them. They will remember mum jumping in the waves and building sandcastles, not the cellulite.
What does a typical day look like for Adele Barbaro?
Jam packed. Starting my businesses has allowed me to have dedicated days with Chloe before she starts school, to be there for school pick up for Harvey and to volunteer with school activities. But on the flip side, you will see me working until midnight when the kids go to bed. I work more hours than I did in my last job, but they are when they suit me and this time with the kids is invaluable.
What’s the most embarrassing thing that you’ve encountered as a mum?
Probably when Harvey asked where babies come out of, on a packed train. I whispered to him that they usually come out a vagina, trying to speak softly and change the topic quickly. He exclaimed at the top of his voice “No they don’t! They would get hair all over them!” Mortified.
Follow along with Adele online at feminaebeverageco.com.au and infamousswim.com.au
