Meet Kate Heppell, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Kip&Co, ocean dipper, hot tub lover, and mum of three. Based in the beautiful coastal town of Point Lonsdale, Kate’s days are a colourful mix of creative hustle, family life, and grounding rituals that embrace the rhythm of the seasons. As we settle into the slower pace of winter, we’re all about celebrating the little things that bring comfort and calm.
In our Daily Rituals Series, we caught up with Kate to find out what winter wellness looks like for her day-to-day, and the small seasonal rituals that help her feel grounded and nourished.
My name is… Kate Heppell
I live in… Point Lonsdale
My morning routine is… An ocean dip with my gorgeous friends Kate and Penny, rain, hail or shine,followed by a hot tub, and breakfast with the kids at the island bench. Once they’re out the door to school, I make a coffee at home and ease into the day.
My favourite song to get me pumped in the morning is… Depends on the mood! Some mornings it’s A Tribe Called Quest, other days it’s Mariah, Florence, Snoop, Tay Tay, Janet, or even Roxette. I’m musically chaotic and proud. My mates would probably say Shoop by Salt-N-Pepa but, that’s less of a morning vibe and more of a late-night girl gang anthem.
I eat for breakfast… Usually chia with fruit or scrambled eggs. The kids are on a serious egg bender. It’s eggs every which way over here.
My favourite scent is… Sienna Brume by Mihan Aromatics. It’s subtle, soulful, and a little mysterious.
My go-to moment of mindfulness looks like… Ocean swimming, always. It grounds me, energises me, and connects me to two of my favourite humans. It’s pure magic.
My favourite way to move my body is… Diving around in the ocean like a dolphin is first up. But I have just started BFT and I’m loving it - which is saying something because I’ve never liked gyms.
A small joy I’ve been savouring lately… Making my own coffee at home. Getting it just right, exactly how I like it. It’s such a simple pleasure.
After a long day, I switch off by… Being with my husband and kids. They’re my everything, and hearing about their days, the big stuff and the small - it is my favourite way to unwind.
A book, podcast or playlist I’ve been loving lately… I just read The Drover’s Wife by the beyond brilliant Leah Purcell. I won’t say another word - just read it.
The last thing I do before bed is… Cuddles with my husband. Always.
Hi Kate, thank you so much for welcoming us into your place. As winter settles in, we’re all leaning into slower moments and self-care. Can you share what winter wellness looks like for you day-to-day, and how you find comfort during the colder months?
Winter wellness at our place looks like big pots of nourishing soup and honey stirred into everything. We have bees at home, so there’s always fresh honey on hand. I swear it keeps us all fighting fit. Comfort, for me, comes from good food, a warm home, and leaning into the season rather than wishing it away.
Running a business and raising a family doesn’t leave much time to slow down, but we know how important those little moments are. How do you make time to rest, relax, and restore during winter?
We light the fire, a lot. There’s something about it that instantly softens the mood and signals it’s time to slow down. The flicker of flames, the warmth, the calm… it’s our winter reset button.
As we settle into the slower pace of winter, are there any small rituals or habits that help you feel grounded, nourished, and well during this season?
Soup and bread are on high rotation, and we love entertaining at home, keeping things easy and cosy. I feel very lucky to have a hot tub at home, which has become a bit of a sacred space for our family to unwind and connect. And then there’s kids' sport, which becomes a weekend ritual. I love watching my boys play football so much - I rug up, make a morning of it, catch up with other parents… and yes, there’s usually a hot jam donut involved.
