It’s been a moment since my last edition of Phase Two.

Life has been extremely busy (for all the right reasons!) and whilst I’d love to be showing up here weekly, I’ve come to the realisation that a fortnightly or monthly cadence is likely more realistic. When we last caught up I wrote about the importance of traditions (for this exact reason!), and the one that I’m determined to make official this year: girls’ dinners. The reason being that dedicated time with the girls is the ultimate tonic amid the Phase Two mayhem - and if it isn’t in the calendar, well, it simply doesn’t happen.

So, what was originally referred to as the Phase Two Supper Club, has been officially branded The Quarterly Review. A dedicated night for the girls, four times a year, where the only brief is to come hungry and stay late. Each quarter, a different theme/experience, carefully curated, with the chief objective of being equal parts fun and delicious.

Last night we kicked things off with our inaugural Q3 review. And what a night it was! A multi-course Italian feast from our very own private chef set against a moody, stripy table. It was SUCH a treat.

As all good nights do, it ended in a happy blur, with a 1.58am message to the group chat referencing an in-joke from earlier that evening. Full details of the night below, because we’re not gatekeepers.

I’m already scheming over Q4!

THE TABLE

Styled by yours truly.

Tablecloth: Luxe & Beau
Placemats: La Veste
Plateware: La Casa Homewares & Piccola Home
Florals: Hermetica Flowers
Glassware: Luigi Bormioli
Place Cards & Menus: INKSY

THE MENU

Presented by Chef Luca who took over my kitchen without even needing to ask where a single thing was, and left it more spotless at the end of the night than when he arrived. He also brought the wonderful Lucy to assist - who diligently ensured our plates and glasses were constantly full - meaning nothing could distract us from our long overdue girly catch ups.

Entrées: Sourdough pan focaccia, Greek oregano, miso, orange & garlic butter
+ Dry aged kingfish crudo, mandarin kosho, bonito vinegar, saltbush

Pasta: Confit cherry tomato & citrus sauce, handpicked crab, marjoram & basil

Main: Pork belly porchetta, wild fennel & lemon
+ Iceberg lettuce, pomegranate molasses, radish, aged manchego cheese

Dessert: Tiramisu, milk crumb, salted coffee caramel

All washed down with the following selection of beverages: Aperol Spritz (obviously), Zonzo Estate Prosecco, Pizzini Pinot Grigio & Yering Station Pinot Noir.

THE CHAT

It would be rude of me not to share some of the recommendations swapped throughout the evening. Maintaining complete anonymity, just a few of the joys of the last three months, according to the group chat: Oura Rings, Mark Ashmore Astrology, Gwinganna Wellness Retreat, Sydney Symphony performances at the Opera House, smutty books, Kate Denham comedy, jury duty, and moving closer to grandparents.

Until next time,

Annabelle xx

Phase Two Conversations is a recurring series where I sit down with thoughtful, ambitious women navigating their own version of this chapter - to steal ideas, find solidarity, and figure out how to do this with a little more grace. For the very first conversation, I couldn't think of a better guest than my sister, Penelope Reidy - Chief Customer Officer at Decjuba, mum to my gorgeous niece Margot, and someone who navigates modern adulthood with more intention and organisation than almost anyone I know. She was also, strategically, unable to say no.

Questions and answers below - full unedited audio above.

You’ve recently turned 40. What does Phase Two actually look like for you right now?

Turning 40, two incomes, two mortgages, an eight-year-old. I feel like I’m out of the trenches with parenthood, but I’m starting to anticipate the challenge of a teenager - and the private school fees about to hit us. I’m really determined to maintain my relationship with my husband. I want to keep liking him. I want to keep having fun.

I’m ambitious, but also genuinely overwhelmed by the pressure of work and career progression - because I’m not done yet. And I’ve recently, finally, established a consistent fitness regime. But I still struggle to love my body, and I don’t think that’s something I’ll ever fully crack.

You mentioned feeling like you should have it more figured out by now. Was that a surprise?

I think we all feel that way. We all expected some magic adult unlock at a certain age. What surprises me most is that I still feel like I’m 27. Every day I have to remind myself how fortunate I am - but you can have it all and still feel like you’re not enjoying it as much as you should. You have to work really hard to be present, to feel grateful, to find joy rather than just plodding from one thing to the next.

And honestly, the financial pressures of the economy we now live in mean it doesn’t always feel like you’re as successful as you need to be - which is wild, when you look at it from the outside.

You’re one of the most organised people I know - and you’ve always been intentional about creating joy. How do you actually do that in the middle of everything?

Traditions. My husband and I are very big on them. Certain things happen every year, which means you always have something to look forward to and you’re guaranteed to fit in the things you love.

We always go to Yamba over the Australia Day weekend before school goes back - a nice way to reconnect as a family before we lose our daughter to the classroom again. We do Brisbane every Easter for the extended family egg hunt. We’re currently in our fourth year of going to Europe with our best friends who live in San Francisco - an expensive tradition, but an incredible way to maintain an international friendship while seeing the world. And then there are the annual events we build around: a races car park every year, Halloween - which we go completely all-in on, costume preparation starts a year out and it’s become one of the best nights of our year.

On a smaller scale, we started something with our closest friends still in Melbourne - a group called The Top 10. Every two months, one of the couples hosts a child-free dinner party. No pressure: you can cook, get takeaway, get it catered. Sometimes there’s a theme. We’ve paused it when life has been too hectic - during the season everyone was turning 40 we hit pause - but we always start scheduling again as soon as we come out of it. It means there’s always something in the diary and you’re always anchored back to that core group.

The traditions framing is something I’d never heard you put a label on before - where do you think it came from?

Probably childhood, in some ways. We had yearly family holidays - years in Coolum, years in Broadbeach, always Queensland for the September school holidays. There was always something to anticipate. And for me, planning a good time is almost as fun as having the good time. The anticipation is part of the joy.

Your Notes app is legendary. Talk us through it.

My Notes app is my entire brain. It’s my only admin hack, but it’s a true efficiency saver. I keep all my lists there - shopping, recipes, restaurants I want to try, books to read, TV shows to watch. But the real game-changer is that I’ve standardised lists for any repeatable task. Those annual events I mentioned - I have a master list for each one that I just roll out each year. Travel recommendations saved by location, so when someone asks I can copy and paste. A dual adapter on every international packing list, because you never remember that kind of thing without a system.

The least complicated version of any process is always the one that works. Standardise anything repeatable. It saves years.

How would you describe adulthood in three words?

Relentless. Financially pressured. Fast. The days are long but the years are short - I used to hear that about having little kids, but it doesn’t stop. The grind feels never-ending, and then the weekend’s gone before you know it.

A boundary you’re currently swearing by?

Controversial, but I don’t go to my child’s sport. Occasionally I do - if it’s convenient and it’s not raining. But mostly I don’t. It allows a lot of time back.

Something you’re saying no to more often?

Going out on school nights. Although I went to dinner with two of my best girlfriends last night and it was the best - so maybe that’s wrong. Go say yes to the school night dinner. It’s worth it.

A tiny luxury you’ll never give up?

Buying books on my Kindle. I spend probably $100 a month. I read in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, so it’s incredibly convenient to just buy the next one without getting out of bed.

A recent obsession?

Off Campus - a vintage love story. It will give you life, with a side of hockey players.

A life hack beyond the Notes app?

Prepping all school lunches on a Sunday. I have a drawer in the fridge, individual snap lock bags, everything ready to go. It’s the only way I stay on top of it.

Three book recommendations?

Yesteryear by Claire Burke — about an influencer thrown back into the past, with a brilliant twist you won’t see coming. This Story Will Save Your Life by Tiffany Crumb - a podcaster who goes missing. And Into the Blue by Emma Brody - a beautiful across-the-years story with a subtle sci-fi backdrop. All excellent summer reads.

Any advice for others navigating Phase Two?

A process will save your life. There is always a better way to do things. If you can figure out which way works for you - and standardise any repeatable task to make it easy and efficient - it will save you years.

Thanks to Penelope for being the best possible first guest - and for agreeing to do this despite being my sister and therefore technically having no choice. You can follow her at @penelopereidy on Instagram.

If you have a Phase Two woman in your life who I should be talking to - drop her name in the comments.

Subscribe now