The Last Sunday of each month...

Sunny Sundays don't come better than this. Water views, sustainable surroundings, organic food and creative artisans can be found on the last Sunday of each month at the Historic Coal Loader Site in Waverton (North Sydney).

What was an industrial site, is now home to an inspiring Sustainability Centre with best practise sustainable tecnology, workshops, organic gardening and stunning flora and fauna with Sydney's harbour as a backdrop.

I supported (ie: purchased from!) a number of the talented artisans who were exhibiting their wares, when I visited last month.

The most divine "kiss and hug" earrings from Ayana Jewellery, came packaged complete with polishing cloth for AUD$18.

photo courtesy of ayana jewellery

Although there are no teething babies in my current network, I couldn't help but grab one of these beechwood teethers to pop in the gift box.

Made by Wildwood Kids, the beads are made using food grade silicon and since the combination of colours and shades are so on trend, these little beauties wouldn't look out of place on display.

Various shapes are on offer, as well as pram accessories and necklaces.  AUD $29

You may have seen on the "creative finds instagram account" the gorgeous succulent arrangements by Marilyn at For the Love of Succulents?

The big wreath is equally at home on the wall / door or the table with a large candle in the middle. The living wall is customisable to your requirements and Marilyn makes sweet little wedding or party favour succulents too.

A more picturesque, peaceful market I haven't come across.

Tranquil with a capital T.

Sx

************** ammendment: the Coal Loader Markets have recently changed to the end of each Season, rather than monthly. Next date will be end of August : Sunday the 27th 2017 and then Sunday Nov 26th. ***************

Gifts at The Gallery

I love a good Museum shop.  Embarrassingly, it can often be my highlight when visiting a museum / art gallery.

Yesterday, prior to seeing the Collette Dinnigan Exhibition at The Powerhouse Museum, I found myself in the newly-renovated MAAS Store mentally ticking off many gifts from my scarily extensive Christmas Shopping List.

Check out some of these hand-made discoveries:

The interlocking wine rack you can configure to suit your needs / space.  Made by Power to Make, these plywood sets come in different colours and you can add sets as your wine collection grows. The best bit is they come flat packed for building, so easy to post & carry. Starting at AUD$55 for the 6 bottle set,  this would go down well in any home at Christmas.

I was totally crushing on these flower frames by Sydney company Rainy Sunday. They come in all sorts of delicious shades. I imagine gifting one of these with some fresh blooms, as they provide a beautiful keepsake long after the flowers have gone. Single black one will set you back AUD$52. 

Having laid Tasmanian Oak Floors in an attempt at a slightly Scandi interior, Oak is still very much on my radar. These oak homewares by Normann Copenhagen caught my eye in the Museum Shop. 

Great gifts, good prices and so smooth and tactile to boot.  A house can NEVER have enough hooks and here are a couple of stunning oak versions, and a luxe timber trivet to protect your bench tops. Truly Scandinavian, all items online are sent from Denmark, so prices are in USD. 

Curve hook - USD$28, Trivet - USD$33 & Stick Hooks - USD$25

I could account for at least a third of my Xmas Shopping List at The Museum Shop - I recommend it highly for some novel pressie ideas, some amazing books and they even had some yummy fodder on hand for the hungry visitor.

If you have the chance to see the Collette Dinnigan Exhibition - on until Aug 2016 - you won't be disappointed. Tickets are $15 and she has a book out too. That's the perfect Xmas gift combo right there!

Spoiler alert.....some visuals of her most AMAZING mood boards at the exhibition below....

Something for everyone at The Powerhouse right now!
Sx

Birthday Bonanza

After all these years singing the praises of giving and receiving a hand made gift, it seems my nearest and dearest jumped on board for my recent Birthday.

Hand made, irresistible treasures in the form of earrings, pyjamas, and homewares were gifted to me. So how could I not share them with you?

I love Pyjamas. I wear a long pair every night of every week of every year, with either a tank or long sleeve top depending on the season. I can't sleep in anything else.

So imagine my delight to receive a beautifully gift wrapped pair of organic and fair trade PJ Bottoms from The Goodnight Society via my Super Couz Andi?

A local company - Brisbane based - The Goodnight Society not only produce funky PJ's for men and women, they have partnered with The Heartfelt Project to provide employment opportunities for women in South Africa. Sweet little felt & heart magnets made by women through The Heartfelt Project are included in each order which in turn provides jobs and a brighter future for these women of  Makapanstad, South Africa.

Prices for long pjs start from AUD$34.95.

If you haven't seen the totally on trend, lightweight clay pots handcrafted by Design Twins then you've been living under a rock. They are everywhere. On every blog, in every mag and are popping up in my Instagram feed on a very regular basis! 

Having coveted their pots and their concrete cups, I was waiting for our renno to finish before making the big purchase. No need to wait though as I'll be receiving my very own pot soon as a b'day gift thanks to my Mum! All pots are made to order, I can't wait for it to arrive. I know exactly where it's going to go!  Starting at AUD$140 for the small, there are too many styles and colours to mention. Here are a few of my favourite:

Colourful earrings from this wee piggy are fun for all ages. Made with love in South Australia, these small studs start at AUD$10 and were given to me from our country cousins along with a delightful  fluro dipped dish.  Score!

All in all a rather successful wrap to another successful year. A special thank you to my friends and family for all the birthday loot. Love it! 

Sx