Sauce Shoots: Elizabeth Pimentel On Motherhood

Meet Elizabeth Pimental, first-time mother and our muse for this editorial.

Model & Muse: Elizabeth Sarah Bender Pimentel
Photography: Abigail Dell'Avo
Styling and Creative Direction: Levi Tan
Makeup and Hair: Ares Artistry
Words by: Rosa-Lee O’Reilly
Assistant: Chloe Giles

Elizabeth wears the Sadie Skirt in black, the Ella Mini Skirt in yellow and the Crinkle Maxi Skirt by Wynn Hamlyn with New York, New York earrings and Paloma necklaces in both silver and gold by Jasmin Sparrow.

What were your first thoughts when you found out you would be a mother? 

I was so happy to embark on this journey finally. After some time, we were overjoyed to receive the positive news. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to experience pregnancy with the person I love. Women are resilient; I am lucky my body can carry this baby.

What does motherhood mean to you? 

To me, motherhood is, first and foremost, a responsibility. It is a life-changing event, and even if it wasn't planned, it's a choice to become a mother and take on its responsibilities. It is about supporting and nurturing someone who will grow up to live in a world filled with both love and hatred. However, as a first-time mum, I don't think I'll fully understand motherhood until my belly pops and I experience it on the other side and reflect on myself as a mother. 

[Red look] Elizabeth wears the Quilted French Tulle Coat by Cladia Li with the Ruffle Bottom by Aera The Label and a headpiece by Chloe Giles.

How are you feeling about entering this chapter of your life? 

I am excited but a bit nervous. As much as I want everything to go right, I know it won't be like that. I think that is the beauty of motherhood. You can't predict what is next. I'm just trying to prepare as much as possible for this new chapter, keeping my heart open to receiving abundance. 

Without the female body, humans cannot exist; life cannot exist. How has your body shown you magic throughout this pregnancy? (e.g. slowing down, the power in rest)

It's taught me to be kind to myself. Slowing down at work and putting myself first was quite difficult, as before my pregnancy, it was easy for me to push myself and my body without listening to it. I was used to treating myself like I was less important than my job. During pregnancy, you feel everything your body is doing for you and your baby. You are more in tune with the energy moving around and the nutrients sent from your body to your baby's body. I had to listen to what my body was telling me because whatever I did would directly affect my baby. Everything I do while I'm pregnant will predetermine a lot of things for my child, and I want him to be healthy physically and mentally. 

What are the values you want to teach your son? 

Community, love, and the importance of taking care of oneself. Not that I want my child to be selfish and narcissistic, but I think taking care of one's physical and mental self is one of the most important things to learn because you can't love someone until you learn to love yourself. I say community instead of family because family is bound by blood. However, a community is a group of people, whether you are blood-related or not, that share the same values and interests. They should be people you love and trust. I want my son to have a strong foundation within and around him to tackle anything life throws at him. 

Elizabeth wears the Zoe Mini Dress by Wynn Hamlyn.

What have you been wearing lately that makes you feel comfortable in your birth-bearing body? 

Anything that I would wear if I weren't pregnant! But even though I loved my bump, dressing comfortably and stylishly during pregnancy was a more significant challenge than I thought it would be. I was self-conscious about my changing body and didn't want to wear typical maternity clothes. I resisted traditional maternity wear, opting for loose-fitting tops and stretchy bottoms. I sourced from thrift stores for pieces that fit my style but also could be reused for future pregnancies. During the colder months, I relied on comfortable loungewear. As the weather warmed, I embraced my growing belly, tucking tops underneath to highlight it. I love showing off my big, beautiful belly! It helps that most of my tops don't fully cover my belly anyway, haha. 

Do you have any tips for other women soon to become first-time mothers? 

Eat. Eat. Eat. I cannot stress this enough: nourish your body more than anything. Especially during the first trimester, when morning sickness hits the hardest, you've got to be mindful of your intake—make sure you're eating full meals plus lots of snacks. You're not just feeding yourself, but you're feeding another growing person inside you. Make sure you're eating for two! 

CREDITS

Words by: Rosa-Lee O’Reilly
Model/interviewee: Elizabeth Sarah Bender Pimentel
Photography: Abigail Dell'Avo
Styling and Creative Direction: Levi Tan
Makeup and Hair: Ares Artistry
Assistant: Chloe Giles