Back in high school you made virtual friends through chat rooms like MIRC and Myspace… then along came Facebook which was soon followed by a little app called Instagram. We have met some incredible “insta” friends over the years that have actually (in a non creepy “let’s meet for coffee because we are actually obsessed with you” sort of way!) But none more than Katie from Miss Morni Penni. Our blogging sister from another mister who just happens to be this weeks Mama who Inspires…
MLTS: Thanks for chatting with us Katie! Tell us a little about yourself and your gorgeous family…
Katie: I have two daughters – six and one and they are pretty much the boss of me. Our lives revolve around the beach, eating, reading books, vacuuming sand out of the carpet and running late to school.
MLTS: Who is ever on time for school anyway! Haha! We love all your gorgeous seaside Peninsula pics, tell us, what is your favourite thing to do on the Peninsula?
Katie: I have so many favourite things to do on the Peninsula. I am obsessed with farm gate stores for fresh produce and I also love all the coffee shops and restaurants. There’s a huge community of artists (my fave at the moment being Beth Gibbeson) so visiting galleries and going to markets is always on my weekend to-do list. I’ve also just discovered a couple of flower farms in Boneo and they are my newest love. I didn’t even know that you could walk through fields of magnificent King Proteas while looking out to sea and now I need to make sure everyone does it!
MLTS: We’re so lucky arn’t we, it’s an amazing place to live. Tell us about your blog, Miss Morni Penni, what inspired you to start it?
Katie: Morni Penni and my youngest daughter were born at the same time. I was looking for a creative outlet and an excuse to leave the house! I’d been working for Paperboat Digital doing digital media marketing for some local businesses so I had an inkling that there was a gap in the market. I soon realised that Miss Morni Penni gave people an insight into peninsula living that they may not have been getting otherwise. Once I saw how many people were loving learning about our Little Free Libraries, fairy trees and local coffee carts I was hooked. Now I can engage instantly with my community and share my love of the Pen.
MLTS: You bought the little Free Libraries to our attention too! So cute! So tell us (because we need help!) what are your top tips for juggling blog life with family life?
Katie: Writing is my passion and something I always make time for. Balancing parenting and blogging can be tricky as babies do seem to demand a lot of attention but as they get older, I am finding it easier to carve out time. I also take my youngest to interviews, meetings and launches if they are during work hours, she is my little side kick. I am pretty determined to always create a balance for myself and the kids when it comes to paid work so writing about our lifestyle is a pretty good fit for me.
MLTS: Absolutely, couldn’t agree more. What advice would you give to other mums thinking about starting a blog?
Katie: I was having a drink with girlfriends on the weekend and one of them is thinking about starting a new blog. My advice to her was to really think about what she wants to offer her readers, find her niche and then just get started. Everything else in terms of marketing your posts, sharing on social, creating relationships with brands etc is secondary. Love of writing and helping your readers in some way is the most important element. Content is key!
MLTS: So true, we totally agree that you need to find a niche and stick to it, something you have done so well! Ok, answer us this…if you could be anyone in the world for 24 hours, who do you chose to be?
Katie: If I could be anyone in the world for 24 hours I would be the girl who won Matty J’s season of The Bachelor.
MLTS: Bahaha! You are so obsessed with Matty J it’s bordering on stalker level (but we secretly love it!) Fave Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on the Peninsula?
Katie: My ultimate breakfast, lunch and dinner menu would look something like this: I’d start the day with a juice from Tonics at Tullys to wake me up followed by breakfast served by The Milkman Café in Frankston – probably French Toast with a side of sea breeze. Lunch at a flower crown making workshop by Peninsula Wild Flower –locally sourced veges cooked by Richard Barassi while enjoying some wine from Foxy’s Hangout. Afternoon tea would be a huge slice of Passionfruit Sponge at The Village Café Flinders with a coffee from Little Olive Café coffee cart. Then onto dinner at Red Gum BBQ in Red Hill before heading to Girl and Bull in Mount Eliza for a night cap. A girl can dream can’t she?
That is an epic Peninsula foodies tour right there! We think you could actually be onto a small business idea there! Peninsula Foodies Tours with Miss Morni Penni! Love it! Thanks for the chat Katie, we just love your blog and can’t wait to see what crazy adventures you get up to next…
Follow Katie and her Miss Morni Penni Adventures –
Blog – https://missmornipenni.com/
Instagram – @missmornipenni
Facebook – Facebook.com/missmornipenni