About

woman with blue eyes and long brown hair

ABOUT ME

Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here!

My name is Monique and I’m the creative hands behind TAOG! I’m a partner, mother, support worker, gardener and avid pilates goer. When I’m not working from home, or spending time with my family, I create recipes, gardening tips, and home projects.

about me

I grew up in north Western Australia with my parents, 2 siblings, 2 dogs, and 7 chickens. There, I first got a taste of how to garden, cook, and sew. My mother had a green thumb, actually more like green hands. She could make anything grow and took so much pride in her garden. She was also into painting; Folk art, sewing, and cooking some amazing wholesome food. I remember watching her sew quilts, which I was able to recreate in my early adult life without instructions. I can’t paint to save my life but we can’t all have our cake and eat it ha-ha. In saying that, I’m so grateful for the skills she taught me. I honestly don’t know where I’d be today without them.

Here are a few things to know about me:

I LOVE flowers and while I enjoy blooms in my home, I prefer them in my garden so I can watch my bees and other beneficial insects do their thing 🐝🌻🦋

I was a very active kid growing up. I won gold with my WA team in the Wade Relay for Surf Life Saving when I was 12🥇 , got a triathlon scholarship and competed in many triathlons in my high school years 🏊🏼‍♀️🚲🏃‍♀️

I was a very opportunistic toddler. I once took my 3-year-old self into a petrol station and insisted the cashier give me 🍬🍭 in exchange for my dad’s German coins. I came away empty-handed. Petrol station cashier – 1 and Monique – 0!

Growing up in the Pilbara gave me a new appreciation for the heat 🥵 I went from a damsel in distress to Michael Phelps within a week of moving to our new house with a pool.

I have always been fond of making things, especially with my hands. It slowed down when I became a mother however now that my daughter can join in, I’m excited to create more memories. There is so much joy to be found in making a house a home for my family and growing our food to become that little bit more self-sufficient. That is why I created this blog; to share my journey in the hopes I can inspire you to do the same.

I currently reside in Perth, WA on a suburban block. It is here that I will show you what you can achieve in a small space to provide for your family. Just like I’ve been doing for mine.

To find out more about me, check out my blog, and don’t forget to follow along on this ride that I call life.