The Noosa Chocolate Factory

Sweet Tooths beware! If you walk down Adelaide St in the city you won't be able to resist the pull of either of the 2 stores owned by The Noosa Chocolate Factory. The smell is divine and the product looks incredible. You won't leave empty handed.

The store we visited- The Dark Chocolatier has a coffee bar at the back, which is probably more popular on cooler days, unlike the heat wave day we were there. But we couldn't leave without buying some samples. In this store everything is big. It has the biggest chunks of honeycomb I've ever seen, the biggest chocolate bullets and huge chunky rocky road.

The simple timber crate displays and paper signs and packages look great and make the product pop.

The actual Cocoa beans. Catering for all palettes with the different chocolates and the varying cocoa levels.

Fresh Fresh Fresh. Crates being re-stocked while we watched.

Bowen Mango Chocolate macadamias. It's all seriously delectable and you never need an excuse to indulge in chocolate. Ours were gone before we started heading home.

California Design

If you grew up coming home from school and making a B line for the tv to watch the Brady Brunch and you loved watching Marcia, Greg and co fly down the big stair case into the sunken den or family room, then this exhibit will feel very familiar.

Qld Art Gallery has the California Design exhibition running for a few more weeks and it's full of things that will trigger your nostalgia of a West Coast American influenced childhood.

Whilst I don't recall the Brady's ever heading off in an Airstream the exhibition show cases all the iconic inventions and design styles that came out of California in the 35 year period from 1930.

It shows how fashion evolved through the wars and out the other side when women were demanding more modern clothing, but designers were conscious of wastage and came up with some very clever ways to minimize quantity of fabric used.

Furniture features strongly and the influence from the Europeans is also explained. Can't you see the Brady's sitting beside Max and 99 on this lounge above?

I loved the architectural aspect. I remember in grade 6 deciding I wanted to be an architect like Mr Brady. 

Thanks for the memories Jan, Greg, Marcia, Peter, Cindy and Bobby.

Eat Street Markets Hamilton

Welcome back to the first blog for 2014. It's a fun one- lots of fun actually and I can't wait to visit again.

It's the Eat Street Markets at Hamilton just beside Portside. They've been running for about 2 mths now. It's on one of the old commercial shipping docks and is a mass of shipping containers converted to food outlets.



The containers have fantastic graffiti and vertical gardens and other cool features. They are stacked a maximum of 2 high.



As the sun sets the whole area comes alive with a gorgeous web of fairy lights woven everywhere.




Each container is run by a food operator offering their unique type of food. You can dine your way around the world. There were even food nationalities that I had not heard of, which just ensures that you want to come back again so that you can try more. The offerings are from the simple fish and chips, through to hot German sausages, wontons and dim sums, pizza, Greek octopus and halomi and so much more that I'm getting hungry already! 



The span of stores between the large arched covers is licenced which makes the whole experience even nicer. It was so relaxing to enjoy live music under the balmy sunset with a yummy food and a cold drink. There are a couple of areas set up for live music.



And everywhere there are funky but simple chairs and benches to make you stay a while and soak in the incredible atmosphere. 

I have become a big fan of Eat Street and over the holidays I've been busy recommending it to my friends. Definitely put this on your "to do list". They operate Friday and Saturday evenings and kick off from 4pm. There is plenty of parking and it's a great family activity as well, as there is something to suit tummies of all ages as well as the interesting stalls and entertainment.

www.eatstreetmarkets.com

Retail Wrapped for 2013

Today marks the start of Christmas holidays for most people. I will be taking a break from blogging for the next couple of weeks, while we build up the photo files again with more exciting stores and things we see out and about.

2013 has been a difficult year for many retailers and they have had to use their wits and initiative to survive and entice their share of the market. Just this week a national kitchen ware chain announced its voluntary receivership.

You may wonder what shoes are doing featured in a Christmas wrap up? Yesterday I witnessed one of the most poignant markers of what a challenging year it has been for retailers. I stood at the accessories counter in Myer in one of Queensland's most successful major shopping centres. It was 10am and 5 trading days till Christmas. From the moment I walked in the main entry via cosmetics, hand bags and accessories I was struck by the eerie quietness in the store. There were hardly any customers on what should have been one of the busiest days of the year. 

As I stood at the counter I watched the shoe department. Shoes will tell you a lot about life. They say a lot about the person who wears them, but also the state of the economy. The shoe department was dead quiet, 3 staff standing around as there was no-one there. If women are not even browsing at shoes, things are not good. Lets face it, women don't need an excuse to buy shoes, but at this time of year that department should have been humming as women look for shoes for upcoming parties etc.

Obviously there were a lot more factors in this story, such as the full to over flowing carparks, the busy cafes, the amounts of people at the cinema complex and the busy cheaper chain stores. It's a scenario that retail analysts can have a field day with, but without heading further into the path of doom and gloom, I will say to all the retailers; well done for surviving another year. May 2014 be a better year for you.

On the subject of wit, this sign made me smile!

Enjoy your break. I've been having some fun with the kids! Sometimes it's the most simple things that bring the best fun. 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Mackenzie Fabrics

It's very easy to appreciate and be inspired by nature and that was exactly the catalyst behind Mackenzie Fabrics. The company is owned by Deborah Jonhston-Booker and her partner David Mackenzie. I have known Deb for over 20 yrs and she is the person I call if I need a specialist paint finish for one of my fitouts. Her partner David is a photographer.

Combining Deb's colour skills and David's photography, they have launched a range of fabrics which feature photo images of Australian tree barks.

I caught up with Deb last week and she showed me the range. They are printed in Australia and she has cleverly grouped them with sheers and some beautiful texture plain linens.

Deb has been playing with the fabric on cushions and lampshades with some interesting effects. Their motto is bringing the bush inside.

 Here's their website for a closer look. Good luck Deb and David.

www.mackenziefabrics.com.au

Carneros Inn

One of my friends describes what she looks for when she's reading interiors magazines or websites. She calls it her "take me there" moment. When you just want to be transported into that image.

I thought this post was rather timely given the end of the year fast approaching and people dreaming of their time off or setting off to another location. This one is on my list as it's my "take me there" location.

Featuring the Carneros Inn, it's located in the beautiful Napa Valley in California- the wine region. Anything in the Napa Valley is gorgeous to start with, but this one is definitely on my wish list of locations for one day.

Join me for a 2 minute escape and dream away.

Oh yes please to the fire pit in the semi indoor outdoor pavilion. Swoon....

My favourite for last- the bocce court. Ha, I think my lawn needs a fair bit more work till it's up to bowling green quality. 

Want more?

www.thecarnerosinn.com