Camilla Åstrand

Profession: PR Manager at Daisy Grace
Lives: Enskede in Stockholm, Sweden
Instagram: @camillaeleonora
Currently: Press Manager for Perfect Day Media, Daisy Grace & HannahAmanda.com, host of the career podcast The Business of Beauty, and expecting a baby at the end of September 2018.

Tell us a bit about your journey and how you have become who you are.

I grew up in a large and secure family with present parents. My dad and mom shared all the responsibilities at home, which taught me that you can choose both career and family. I have a secure foundation with my family that makes me dare to take chances, aim high, and take risks. This has led to many fantastic things in my life – my romantic relationship, my home, my friends, and my jobs.

Who is your family made up of?

I have two families, the one I grew up with and the one that is now my own. My own consists of my partner Christopher, my stepdaughters Klara and Irma, and a little girl expected at the end of September, if all goes well. I am close to my parents and sisters and talk to them several times a week.

What are you thinking about the most right now?

Here one should probably say they worry about their unborn child, but I feel very calm on that front. Pregnancy hormones feel like morphine to me; they are wonderful! Instead, I think a lot about how we should furnish our new house and how I will manage to look summery and stylish this summer despite a growing belly. So, very light-hearted thoughts, fortunately.

In what environment do you feel most comfortable?

I love being in the Stockholm archipelago with my partner. Preferably lying on the couch with a glass of red wine and opera playing at full volume while he cooks for me. Then I also love walking over Stureplan on a Monday morning with a coffee in hand and feeling the city wake up. I wouldn't want to have just one of these.

How have you experienced your pregnancy so far?

I had a completely different picture of how it would be; I thought I would have a huge belly and back pain for nine months. Instead, I've had five easy months with a light belly and only minor discomforts like nausea. I have felt calm and content, but not enormously happy as seen in movies. It's simply less dramatic than I thought, in both directions.

Name three things you wouldn't want to be without during pregnancy.

A kind partner who cooks and tells you that you are wonderful, a modern workplace where pregnancy is as normal as a Monday meeting, and my group of friends who are always a question away in our WhatsApp group.

What do you hope to pass on to your child?

To look at life with joy and curiosity. I hope she becomes a life enthusiast like her parents. I also hope she gains inner strength and security that will help her tackle the difficulties that life, unfortunately, brings.

You are already a stepmom. How is it, and how do you think it will be to add another child to the family?

There is far too little talk about how incredibly enriching it can be to be a stepparent. Sure, there are days when you think, "Why should I be picking up dirty socks from the floor?!". But it's always outweighed by what you get in return. From the start, we've had a good and close relationship, and I love diving into their teenage world and what is important to them. I know I've been lucky; the girls are fantastic, and their parents have facilitated our relationship by seeing what I can contribute to their lives, not the other way around. I'm glad Christopher and I didn't rush into having a child together. We've had almost four years to create a bond between the four of us, which probably affects the girls' excitement about having a little sibling.

What kind of world do you hope your child and stepchildren grow up in?

I hope, above all, that we have all taken greater responsibility for sustainable societal development and that it has positively affected our climate and resources. I see how much more aware my stepchildren are compared to how I was at their age, so I am optimistic. I also hope the world has become softer. That people slow down a bit, help each other, and look each other in the eyes. I miss that.

You work in the fashion industry. Which items are the most used in your maternity wardrobe?

I have become completely hooked on form-fitting maternity dresses since my boss Amanda recommended them. One single piece and you're done. Never before have I cared so much about how I look – it's like the pregnant body has created a desire to dress more femininely and attractively.

What's at the top of your wish list?

In life, a healthy baby is at the top. Regarding the wardrobe, sexy Gianvito Rossi heels are on the list. As I said, I just want to wear heels and dresses every day! And preferably a margarita with a salted rim, but unfortunately, that has to wait!