italy | rudy and the dodo

This lovely mama will have you dreaming of France and Italy and other idyllic holiday destinations around the globe. Her family album photos leave me positively green with envy. So, for now, I am imagining I’m in Paris … waiter!

Here is Leanne from Getaway Guru …

Tell us a bit about you, fabulous you!
Hi, I’m Leanne. I should introduce myself as a juggler because when I started to write this, there were a lot of balls in the air. But I think there’s lot of mamas like that too!

I work in my own business (more about that later); work part time as a HR consultant; am mother to 2 boys with all the sport and homework accoutrements that brings and am married to a gorgeous man that I spent 3 ½ years travelling with, much of that in a campervan and then a panelvan so we knew if we could still get on after that, then marriage would be a cinch!

I balance all this with travel…I love it. Which is why anyone who knows me was not surprised when I launched my own business about 2 years ago. I am the founder and owner of Getaway Guru, a business specialising in Australian and New Zealand owned holiday rentals in France and Italy – a truly gorgeous business.

We currently live on the North Shore of Sydney but just in the midst of a ‘sea-change’ – moving closer to the beach! (so yes it’s pretty hectic at the moment)

Who inspires you?
My family – immediate and extended. I come from a large family – my parents had 5 kids and my mum and dad each came from large families. So you can imagine – lots of Aunts and Uncles and lots of cousins and the great thing is we’re in touch and we’re close.

They inspire me because things are not always easy for everyone. But I see the love and determination and support that the family offers each other as people struggle and rise above the challenges that life throws at them.

I truly count my blessings with my family. My mother and father in particular offer love and support in so many ways – practical and otherwise and I couldn’t have done a lot of the things in my life without their support (and offers to look after my children which I know I am very lucky to have).

Business wise I am inspired by the woman of the Table of Fabulousness. I feel so lucky to have met and to be able to network with a group of business women who are each defining their own success and generously share their expertise and insights. I have learnt so much!

What can’t you live without?
Books – paper books or kindle books. I usually have a few on the go.

And a plan for my next holiday (usually begin planning soon after the last one!)

Do you have a favourite blog/s?
Styling You – I love this blog for 2 reasons – one, very practical, styling advice for busy mums and also because Nikki has won awards for her blog and I always learn so much from reading her blog and the different ways she has of connecting with her community.

Renovating Italy – the blog of Lisa and her family and their journey from Australia to life in Italy, where they are renovating not one but two properties!

Valerie Khoo – I love that Valerie turned her passion for writing into a hugely successful business with a global reach (Australian Writers Centre). I love the stories of entrepreneurs she shares weekly.

How do you like to spend your spare time?
I love the beach, reading, drinking coffee, eating out, drinking champagne, watching my children have fun together (not always the case!) and sometimes these can all come together in a perfect day!

Best time saving or sanity saving idea/tip for mamas?
We have a weekly calendar (on the fridge) which details each of the boys activities for the week so that they know, for example, which day they have activities like PE or after school cricket training on, so they can be prepared and make sure they have everything they need in their bags.

I don’t know about other mammas, but one of the arguments we most often have, is who’s turn it is! We have a roster on the fridge (yes, lots of stuff on our fridge) so that the boys can easily see who’s turn it is for shower 1^st, or who has to unpack the dishwasher etc. Just means we can quickly put an end to any potential fights!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Living near the beach, enjoying ocean swimming and running my fabulous business which will then be offering Australian and NZ owned properties world wide!