Fancy coming on a little BC Window Shopping Trip with me?
This my lovelies was one of my most fabulous recent trips off the Beaches.
To the Donna Hay store. No less.
I have to tell you I have been here more than once, though both of the previous times it was not open, so I had to make do with peering in the window, like some desperate spy eager for some eye-candy fix…
This trip though I had not only checked it was ready and open, I was armed with my camera, it was my birthday. I was raring to go and dangerous.
Now I had high hopes for this place, coupled with a sense of looming fear that all things Donna Hay would be one of those where everything was so ridiculously over-priced, so ludicrously perfect that I would leave kinda deflated. You know that feeling too?
But this store, ladies, perched on the corner of a most delightful strip of terraces, the quintessential re-birth of the old corner shop, did nothing but delight.
From the window, to the door, to the styling, to the sweet-as assistants…everything was just right.
And you know, if you read regularly here, that I only lament about something if I really think it….if I’m elusive about something, like a quilt, there is normally a reason.
Not so here, from the moment we stepped in we were treated most beautifully by the two young assistants. I asked them if I could have permission to take photos and they very kindly agreed.
These young ladies were more than fabulous to the BC Kiddos, taking time to wrap the little things they bought me, as if they were the most expensive things in the shop and my kids were their most important customers.
That is to me, worth a whole lot.
I have far too often, in stores of this ilk, been prevy to some horrid little sign warning not to touch, some snooty jumped-up shop assistant looking down their nose, or worse read in disbelief the signs written as a poem admonishing that if you break something you will pay…in which case I have normally swiftly about turned and headed out.
None of that was in evdience here.
We really couldn’t have been more welcome.
So if you find yourself in Sydney…make sure you visit and if you’re in Sydney and have been meaning to go then I’d highly recommend it..
.make a morning of it…stroll the lovely streets of Woollahra, grab a coffee, think of me and dive in…
We had a wonderful fun time, just about everything I liked, oohing and ahhing, there was just the right mix of white paired with the signature chocolate and baby blue..the BC Kiddos loved it too…as Masterchef fans they were talking as if they knew Donna themselves..
I left with lots of bags and more than anticipating my next trip back anytime soon….
And just because I had such a lovely time and I know lots of you can’t get your hands on Donna Hay goodies where you are I am giving away a special little package…open WORLDWIDE….the Donna Hay book Seasons, which is so inspiring I even felt the need to mix and stir and baked recently and some of her gorgeous white peony candles…I may just throw in some BC goodies too
See you soon lovelies…
Comment to win, Tweet or Facebook to double up closes end of play 03/09/10
What an amazing shop wish we had one here in NZ….thank you for the generous giveaway i would love to be entered in the draw……and have you finished your bedroom yet really looking forward to seeing that…..
Wow i’m so jealous!!! How cute is that store? I will be sure to add that to my list of stores i want to visit. great styling everything is so delicious thankyou for sharing hope you had a fantastic time by the looks of the bags you did!! Thanks
ohhhh I must go! I must say I don’t venture over that part of the bridge too often BUT it all looks so beautiful and surely if I go on a mission to buy presents and then come home with things for me it will be justified. Mind you it all looks too fragile for my children to be there!
Certainly is a beautiful shop.
I’m glad you enjoyed the shopping experience with the help of gorgeous sales assistants.
Unfortunately in Oz some sales staff need a good kick you know where!
Personally I think Donna Hay’s appearances on MC is the best part of this show.
xx
Hi Sarah, would love to be considered. Hope I’m not too late. Look georgeous. You see I have been busying myself painting an old writing desk, white of course, even though pretty tough with a 4 month old around. All your inspiration hun, anyway it is almost done, will have to send you a piccie. She is a beauty. So missed your blog for a couple of days. Paint, paint, paint and more paint.
Oh wow! What a delightful store! I can’t wait to visit it one day. I have only just been introduced to Donna Hay delights after MasterChef and now proudly own 4 of her cookbooks and I will expand my collection!
I love the pictures you took of the Donna Hay store. I wish we had one here in Texas. I will need to check the bookstore to see if I can get some of her cookbooks.
how lovely to hear that kids are welcome. have been waiting for a day on my own to do this. No longer! I will brave it with the little ones.
May I enter the comp too
I’m really surprised they let you take pictures – I’ve been stopped here for taking photos (of friends, not the store!) in places like The Gap. The Gap!!! Are you kidding!?
Didn’t know Donna Hay had a full empire – is she the Aussie answer to Nigella?
You photos of the shop are so beautiful! It looks like it would be such a calming experience. Upon further inspection of her website, I’m pretty jealous that it’s only now that I’m finding out about her!
I began my subscription to her magazine with the first issue… and have all her books. Suffice to say …. I love Donna! haha…. I wish I knew her… how pathetic!!
I’m coming to Sydney shortly & am planning my first trip into her store. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait.
Your pics have whet my appetite….
Susan xx
I just love hearing of a shop that is such a treasure! I am absolutely loving all the white items in the shop and how well everything is displayed. Very jealous right now!
Lacey Munns
i am so pleased to read that it is an ‘approachable’ store. i used to have a subscription to her magazine which often had her store as the contact for stocking the products. i have never actually been myself but it looks great!
How beautiful your beach cottage blog is!…and what fun to join you on your trip to the Donna Hay store! I’m truly inspired…I can’t imagine what is inside this gem of a book. Your story to BC takes courage much like my Australian moms journey waiting four years and traveling to America as a war bride to marry my dad. I’m glad I found your blog today…thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reminding me how wonderful Donna Hay is….And thank you for the lovely giveaway….I enjoy your blog very much.
I’m a bit of a white cottage type myself!
Hi Sarah, such a clean and neat-looking shop filled with lovely things – love it and just wish I could stop by too!
Am not familiar with Donna Hay but she must be a smart chef/designer by the looks of it. Would love to have her book so kindly add me to the list……………and if lucky it would be great to have my first Australian cook book to add to my collection!
Hugs – Mary
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
Beach Cottage ladies, we have some vintage linen and some wood/twig washed up on the beach today here in Beach Cottage Land….don’t say I don’t keep you entertained now will you . Come on in. So, yep I have posted about colanders on this blog, about things sourced from the side of the road, about [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
What an amazing shop wish we had one here in NZ….thank you for the generous giveaway i would love to be entered in the draw……and have you finished your bedroom yet really looking forward to seeing that…..
What a lovely give away! And what a lovely shop!!
looks delightful! thanks for sharing the love!
What a totally amazing store!
Wow i’m so jealous!!! How cute is that store? I will be sure to add that to my list of stores i want to visit. great styling everything is so delicious thankyou for sharing hope you had a fantastic time by the looks of the bags you did!! Thanks
There is something very beautiful about such simplicity….sigh….I would need a truck to carry home my wishlist from that shop!!!
Pick MEEEEE… can you see my hand in the air….??? ; ) Love your blog….
Another lovely giveaway from a lovely blog! Thank you!
What a gorgeous store!! I have never heard of her! But now I’m off to find her and why we can’t get her here in the US!!
That giveaway is awesome!!
ohhhh I must go! I must say I don’t venture over that part of the bridge too often BUT it all looks so beautiful and surely if I go on a mission to buy presents and then come home with things for me it will be justified. Mind you it all looks too fragile for my children to be there!
gorgeous and thanks for such a great giveaway!
Corrie:)
I love Donna Hay and that store looks divine!! So glad to hear you had a good experience there, too. Now we all want to go!
Certainly is a beautiful shop.
I’m glad you enjoyed the shopping experience with the help of gorgeous sales assistants.
Unfortunately in Oz some sales staff need a good kick you know where!
Personally I think Donna Hay’s appearances on MC is the best part of this show.
xx
tell me about it Anne-Marie, that’s why I was soooo happy with my experience at this place and hence my review….
What a pretty store, Ms. BC! A great happy birthday for yourself too.
The store looks gorgeous! I will have to convince my partner that our next holiday will be to Sydney!
Hi Sarah, would love to be considered. Hope I’m not too late. Look georgeous. You see I have been busying myself painting an old writing desk, white of course, even though pretty tough with a 4 month old around. All your inspiration hun, anyway it is almost done, will have to send you a piccie. She is a beauty. So missed your blog for a couple of days. Paint, paint, paint and more paint.
Hugs from Danmark xx
Thank you so much and for thinking of us worldwidw fans and readers!
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thanks Irene, you rock!
P.S. Wishing you a very happy new year in your life!
Oh wow! What a delightful store! I can’t wait to visit it one day. I have only just been introduced to Donna Hay delights after MasterChef and now proudly own 4 of her cookbooks and I will expand my collection!
I love the pictures you took of the Donna Hay store. I wish we had one here in Texas. I will need to check the bookstore to see if I can get some of her cookbooks.
Pick me Pick Me Pick Me
Melbourne based and would love these!!!!
Ta BC
how lovely to hear that kids are welcome. have been waiting for a day on my own to do this. No longer! I will brave it with the little ones.
May I enter the comp too
with pleasure Fiona!
Amazing! Donna Hay is such a foodie inspiration. Enter me into the comp please? Love from Sarina, London, UK
What an ace giveaway and great shop!
I’m really surprised they let you take pictures – I’ve been stopped here for taking photos (of friends, not the store!) in places like The Gap. The Gap!!! Are you kidding!?
Didn’t know Donna Hay had a full empire – is she the Aussie answer to Nigella?
hmm, I think she up there with the same popularity as Nigella, but completely different!
You photos of the shop are so beautiful! It looks like it would be such a calming experience. Upon further inspection of her website, I’m pretty jealous that it’s only now that I’m finding out about her!
Thank you for spreading the love and the beauty!
The store looks fabulous. I’m going to check out the websire.
Oh what a wonderful shop. I love the colors too! Having morning coffee in one of those polka dotted mugs would be delightful!
What a beautiful shop!
just love shops like that!! what a fab shopping spreee you must have had, ive bookmarked this blog
That shop is positively dreamy….and Donna Hay is da Bomb!
I began my subscription to her magazine with the first issue… and have all her books. Suffice to say …. I love Donna! haha…. I wish I knew her… how pathetic!!
I’m coming to Sydney shortly & am planning my first trip into her store. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait.
Your pics have whet my appetite….
Susan xx
Would love to win this
id like to win this one
I just love hearing of a shop that is such a treasure! I am absolutely loving all the white items in the shop and how well everything is displayed. Very jealous right now!
Lacey Munns
What a gorgeous store, wish there were more like that here in the UK.
i am so pleased to read that it is an ‘approachable’ store. i used to have a subscription to her magazine which often had her store as the contact for stocking the products. i have never actually been myself but it looks great!
happy birthday! and thanks for the chance to win.
How beautiful your beach cottage blog is!…and what fun to join you on your trip to the Donna Hay store! I’m truly inspired…I can’t imagine what is inside this gem of a book. Your story to BC takes courage much like my Australian moms journey waiting four years and traveling to America as a war bride to marry my dad. I’m glad I found your blog today…thanks for sharing!
How wonderful to go there. I have found a few of her goodies at David Jones but they don’t stock too many things. I can’t wait to go there one day!
Best wishes and thanks for the lovely give away!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
That store is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing a tour of the store.
Thank you for reminding me how wonderful Donna Hay is….And thank you for the lovely giveaway….I enjoy your blog very much.
I’m a bit of a white cottage type myself!
Wow, that’s great, I love that book and have been wanting to buy it, so thought why not try out here first.
The Donna Hay shop looks so tranquil, I could spend some time in there amongst all the pretty things!
Wow how fabulous, some lovely pics in this article!
Have tweeted!
lovely post & gorgeous pics!
I wish I lived closer.
♥
Hi Sarah, such a clean and neat-looking shop filled with lovely things – love it and just wish I could stop by too!
Am not familiar with Donna Hay but she must be a smart chef/designer by the looks of it. Would love to have her book so kindly add me to the list……………and if lucky it would be great to have my first Australian cook book to add to my collection!
Hugs – Mary
What a lovely giveaway!!! I would love to win this!!