Helene describes Minki as being very special right from the get-go. She\u2019s quick to add that she knows all parents think their kids are special, but Minki has some kind of X-factor. \u201cShe just lights up a room and draws people to her with her energy. I love that she\u2019s my little mini me, she also loves wearing red lipstick! And her application is faultless.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before he was born, Helene wondered how on earth this little dude was going to live up to his fabulous sister. \u201cShe\u2019s just got a huge personality, but then Joshie came along and he\u2019s just such a cool little dude. I can honestly say I enjoy my kids so much. I laugh with them, I play with them, sometimes I get mad at them, but I cannot imagine a life without Minki and Joshie.\u201d<\/p>\n
I have absolutely adored fashion since I can remember. To me it\u2019s like having a superpower – you can dress according to your mood\/personality, swipe on your favourite lipstick and the day will just get better from there<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Helene studied journalism and photography at Tukkies, which is where she met hubby Joseph. \u201cAfter my degree, I did my postgrad in teaching, and ended up working as a Grade R and RR teacher, I absolutely adore kids and I have a passion for learning through play. Fun fact, at the tender age of 28, I was the principal of a private nursery school in Centurion! From headmaster to influencer,\u201d she laughs. \u201cBut jokes aside, the dream was to work at a magazine, which is why I studied journalism and photography in the first place. Ultimately I saw myself as a fashion editor at Cosmo or Elle. Also, I have absolutely adored fashion since I can remember. To me it\u2019s like having a superpower – you can dress according to your mood\/personality, swipe on your favourite lipstick and the day will just get better from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
She explains that while it may sound a bit crazy, somehow it all fits her personality like a glove. \u201cI\u2019ve always said all roads lead to PrettyBelle, it\u2019s everything I love rolled into one, writing, fashion, styling, being creative and of course being a mum!\u201d A few years after she started PrettyBelle, Helene told Joseph that although she loves being an influencer, sometimes it gets lonely. \u201cI\u2019m totally a people\u2019s person, and it\u2019s not always as glamorous as it seems, especially behind the scenes. And then the Pienkvoet-Pret Nelspruit franchise became available and I thought this is perfect, because I get to do it from home, three days a week. The rest of the week I can do my social media.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2024\/03\/6-724x1024.jpg\")
\nHelene adds that when she became a mum, she realised how important having \u2018mum\u2019 friends was. With Pienkvoet she wanted to create a safe haven for mummies, a place where they can walk in, breathe and just be – no judgement. \u201cJust quality time spent with baby, enjoying warm coffee. Because gosh, while motherhood is beautiful, let me tell you it\u2019s also damn hard work,\u201d adds Helene. Balancing three businesses, two kids and a husband can\u2019t be easy, but in true Helene style, she laughs as she says that she wouldn\u2019t have it any other way. \u201cI thrive on being busy. Of course, sometimes I also just want to go to the gym, pick up the kids and watch a show, but there\u2019s always work. Mum-guilt is real! But I try to remind myself that I am a good mum, and I\u2019m showing my kids that you can achieve anything if you work hard and dream big. Joseph and I also try to have a date night at least once a month. I have to say I have the most amazing husband (he cooks!) and he keeps me calm.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2024\/03\/4-2.jpg\")
\nThe family love to spend time together at Sabie Park next door to the Kruger, enjoying the peace and quiet of the bush, and Sundays are for playing tennis, a favourite pastime. Both Helene and Joseph were serious players in their heyday and still love the sport. The family are also big homebodies, and Helene loves to rearrange rooms and sort and pack closets (something she finds calming and therapeutic). If given the opportunity to go anywhere, her first choice would be Paris (obviously, she says laughingly), but on a more practical level, she would love to spend a weekend in a five-star room, complete with white linen, room service, free Wi-Fi and no kids. \u201cBut only for two days,\u201d she stresses. \u201cAfter that I\u2019ll miss the kids too much!\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2024\/03\/7-724x1024.jpg\")
\nHelene\u2019s big personality has stood her in good stead, and no doubt will continue to fuel this outgoing and livewire mum. Every day brings something new that she delights in – random compliments from shop assistants, a takeaway coffee that has The world is your oyster inscribed on it, or hearing the nation sing the national anthem. \u201cI absolutely love living in such an amazing place in such an amazing country,\u201d she smiles. \u201cFor the most part, people are kind and friendly, and what you give out is what you get back. And I think that\u2019s pretty cool.\u201d As do we!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2024\/03\/5-1-724x1024.jpg\")
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