BIG KIDS & LITTLE KIDS UNITE!!!

Are you a big kid at heart? Do you love to throw a great party? Bake much?
Here are some fun items I've found in my travels... love, love, love!!!!

Wiltshire have created a range of baking accessories called Little Chef. My favourite pieces are the silicone moulds that provide jigsaw segments. Quite clever - basically pre-made bite size pieces of cake ready to serve but how fun to try and piece the puzzle together to create a dinosaur, rabbit or butterfly? You can purchase at most stores including Myer or try www.petersofkensington.com.au they have some great specials online.

There's another fabbo website called www.littlebetsybaker.com.au one of the best online baking stores I've seen. My cousin would love this!!! The cookie cutter range alone includes castles, martini glasses, rockets and more :)

Nordicware made in USA is quite difficult to source in Australia. They have THE most amazing range of high quality non-stick baking moulds. Some of my favourites include the Big Caterpillar, Train, Easter Bunny, Octopus and Mini Castles. Alfresco Emporium in Collaroy has a large range visit in store or go to www.alfrescoemporium.com.au to purchase online.

Ok, so you've got the essentials, now you need some stationery to send invites, organise goody bags - look no further than www.papereskimo.com.au products or visit places like Pulp in Balgowlah www.pulpcreativepaper.com.au



Now it's time to party!!

MARKET DAY

I don't know about you, but I love trawling through markets on a Saturday or a lazy Sunday with friends. My grandfather and I used to go to the markets together going through people's trash to find hidden treasures, memories I'll always keep with me. There are some fantastic markets around Sydney, here are my favourites:
Glebe Markets - Every Sat 9am - 4pm www.glebemarkets.com.au
Rozelle Markets - Every Sat 9am - 4pm www.rozellemarkets.com.au
Paddington Markets - Every Sat 10am - 4pm www.paddingtonmarkets.com.au
Narrabeen Markets - 3rd Sun of month www.blueskymarkets.com.au
Bondi Beach Markets - Every Sun 10am - 4pm www.bondimarkets.com.au

VINTAGE TREASURES

Vintage pieces are a great investment. They are unique and have a story to tell.
If you are looking for that special vintage piece for your home or office, then look no further than VAMPT in Surry Hills. VAMPT buys, sells and hires danish furniture, retro & art deco classics.
Stock is constantly changing & the staff are always happy to help you source a specific item. Visit them at: www.vamptvintagedesign.com

DOORMAT DESIGNS

What does your doormat say about you? The first point of contact for guests to a home is normally wiping their feet on your doormat. The humble doormat has evolved over the years to become a statement piece. A company called DoormatDesigns (www.doormatdesigns.com.au) has really changed the landscape of this simple piece of matting. Below are some of my favourites, give them a call on T:(08)84438331 (based in Adelaide) and ask for a list of options, then they'll let you know where you can purchase in your local area.

UN, DEUX, TROIS....VOILA!!

An interior decorators dream - a set of three (3) magnificent stores at the 'right' end of Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge on Sydney's North Shore.

Store 1: Tolle n' Crowe stocks beautiful French style homewares, gifts and range of indoor & outdoor furniture, new stock is constantly sourced with key 'one-off' pieces of old and new furniture. I have a slight bird obsession, and found the most gorgeous 'bird' gifts at this store. 47 Sailors Bay Rd, Northbridge 2063 T: 02 9967 9111 or www.livepages.com.au

Store 2: In Residence specialises in interior decorating, colour styling, shutter/blinds, upholstery and much more, I found my tripod lamp at this store at a very reasonable price. 46 Sailors Bay Rd, Northbridge 2063 T: 02 9958 5249 or www.inresidenceinteriors.com.au

Store 3: Food lovers unite! Looking for an unusual cook book or maybe just the latest Jamie Oliver? The Cookery Book has the largest range of cook books I've seen in one store. I found my Persian cook book here which could not be found at any other store including Amazon!! They are super friendly and will assist in tracking down that special cook book you are looking for. 44 Sailors Bay Rd, Northbridge 2063 T: 02 9967 8211 or www.cookerybook.com.au

All three shops are owned and run by the most relaxed & friendly store owners around and if there is a special item you are trying to source, don't be afraid to ask for their help.

MADE590 Newtown

I have quite a few items around my house that everyone always asks about. Made590 has to be one of my favourite shops in Sydney. Located a 590 King Street Newtown, it's a tiny shop that is jam-packed full of unique homewares, gifts and fashion. They have some unique fabric/prints that are made in Japan that they utilise in fashion as well as in homeware items (lamp shades) and even bags/wallets. You will be hard pressed to find items like this anywhere else. I adore their range of wall clocks as well as unique prints, the lamp shades are great for kids rooms.
Visit them in store or online at http://www.made590.com.au

Rubber Love

I’ve noticed something in the last week. Heels and thongs in torrential rain probably isn’t the smartest way to go. What is wrong with the humble Gumboot? Why are we reluctant to embrace? It’s meant for the rain and mud, but yet people slip & slide around on the streets determined to wear their heels and thongs, walking around in complete denial of the weather conditions that surround them. When I was in New York last year, every second person had a pair, the market is so large for Gumboots that even the luxury brands Burberry, Chanel and Gucci all have within their fashion range. I think we should start a revolution – EMBRACE THE GUMBOOT!! You can pick some standard ones from Bunnings www.bunnings.com.au for around $20, or they have some really cute pairs for under $25. Nordic Fusion www.nordicfusion.com.au in Manly and Mosman stock the ever so beautiful Ilsa Jacobsen Gumboots RRP$240 that are even lined with cotton-fleece - serious rubber lovers only ☺

WATCH OF THE WEEK

Looking for something for Fathers Day perhaps?

How about the GIRARD-PERREGAUX "Opera 1 Sapphire Dial"

The Girard-Perregaux Manufacture has unveiled a unique version of its Opera One model with Tourbillon and minute repeater, distinguished by its semi-transparent tinted sapphire dial offering a remarkable view of its impressive movement.

Originally developed to allow the time to be determined in the dark, the chiming of the hours and minutes remains one of the most difficult technical feats of watchmaking craftsmanship to achieve. To add to its complexity, the Opera One features a Westminster chime, which marks the hours using four hammers to play a melody of four different notes, Tourbillon movement and tinted sapphire dial. RRP $711,300 AUD
Visit www.avstev.com.au for more information

Photographic Exhibition

FROM DREAMS TO REALITY...

Most people aren't aware that the MLC Centre has a photographic exhibition each year.

Beautiful limited edition images (1 of 5) with all profits going to a charity of choice for the year. This year all profits are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The exhibition was launched with a glamorous event that we were lucky to attend last night and will then be open to the public from Thursday 8 April until Wednesday 21 April. Where: Level 7, Upper Fashion Level, MLC Centre, King Street Sydney CBD Times: During business hours

This year there will be 25 works by 20 Australian photographers. The images are from key fashion photographers who have graced pages of the world's leading fashion magazines and international ad campaigns. Visit http://www.destinationfashion.mlccentre.com.au/ for more info.

Northern Beaches Escape...

Living in Sydney there are so many options of things to do, it’s really hard to decide. Today we decide on an adventure to the Northern Beaches – covering Palm Beach to Manly in a day.
Starting at Palm Beach park along the beach or the car park and head north for a great walk from the beach to the Barrenjoey Light house.

By now you should be famished so book yourself in for brunch at Barrenjoey House, 1108 Barrenjoey Rd Palm Beach
Don’t forget to head back via Whale Beach to enjoy some of the best views in Sydney you’ll ever see. Heading back, stop at the Avalon Village Shops.

The boutiques in this quaint village are just divine in particularly RUST http://www.rustonline.com.au/ , definitely a hidden treasure, look for the Avalon Cinemas and head to the very back you’ll be pleasantly surprised with a mix of gifts homeware and unique vintage pieces.

We grab a coffee & milkshake at Cooks Larder http://www.thecookslarder.com.au/ and take time out to plan rest of trip… Next stop Newport Beach, the key shop to visit here is http://www.marktuckey.com.au/ trust us...

If you have time to stop for a cold beverage make sure you visit Newport Arms http://www.newportarms.com.au/ established in 1880 it’s a key landmark for all locals, the food is excellent and the views from your beer glass are pretty cool!!

As you drive through Warriewood, Mona Vale, Narrabeen make sure you stop at Collaroy and visit Alfresco Emporium http://www.alfrescoemporium.com.au/ possibly the best homeware store in Sydney – it’s Hamptons meets Northern Beaches style and there is nothing like it.
Drive through Long Reed, Dee Why, Curl Curl Beach and head over to Freshwater Beach – Pilu (one of Gourmet Traveller’s Top 100 restaurants) now has a take away kiosk, this is no ordinary kiosk! Grab a sundae with home made fudge, coffee and some cake and take a seat on the hill at Freshwater Beach http://www.piluatfreshwater.com.au/

Last stop….. Manly your choice here is endless some key favourites are The Winery Manly http://www.gazebowinegarden.com.au/ or Hugos http://www.hugos.com.au/ or 4 Pines Brewery http://www.4pinesbeer.com.au/ or Benbry Burgers http://www.benbryburgers.com.au/ or Ben & Jerry’s Manly Beach http://www.benandjerry.com.au/ …gosh I could go on, if you want more tips email me and I’ll provide best of best – Manly can be a tourist trap but if you know where to go it can also be foodies heaven! ENJOY

Adirondack Love Affair

The humble American classic first designed around 1813 has evolved over the years to the current version you would see all over the world. They appear in many places sometimes alone, sometimes together. They are often positioned somewhere special in the garden or porch which marks a space and time to remember. The chairs trap us almost making you stop, take time out - enjoy life. Originally designed just east of the Adirondack Mountains in Westport NY and now you can purchase these chairs all over Australia with quality craftsman making various versions. Some places that produce versions of these chairs: www.theporch.com.au or www.adirondackchairs.com.au ;

Good Friday - indeed!

Easter has a different meaning to each and everyone you ask. For some it's special religious moment for others it's a long weekend to spend with family and friends. Whatever it means to you, there is one thing I've noticed that most people over Easter are much more relaxed, happy and want to spend a weekend of enjoying life. Good Friday for us was spent at our favourite location Dee Why Beach on the Northern Beaches. You can surf or swim. Take a walk along the Lagoon Wildlife Refuge path from Dee Why to Long Reef, spot Pelicans along the way then head back perhaps go across to either Sea Change or Sandbar cafe grab a takeaway burger and sit on the grass and watch the world go by. Whatever this day means to you, we hope you've enjoyed it as much as we have.