Categories
Homewares

My new homewares shopping obsession: TK Maxx!

Sponsored TK Maxx

TK Maxx has arrived in Australia and I couldn’t be more excited! You see, I was a regular TK Maxx shopper for years in the UK and loved the thrill of finding a designer bargain. I love how stock changes all the time and you never know what you’re going to find. But that’s half the fun! I basically never bought jeans or sunnies anywhere else!

TK Maxx is huge in Europe and TJX Companies Inc have almost 4,000 stores worldwide. That’s a lot of global buying power! Now Australia has 38 stores since the brand came here in April, buying out Trade Secret (and since converting them) but also opening in four brand new locations. I got to check out the Top Ryde store last week (one of the new stores based on the European stores’ design and layout) and it was just like I remembered from home. As a bonus, the home section (they also sell fashion, toys, kid’s stuff and bath and beauty, luggage, footwear and accessories) was much bigger. Winning!

Check out these gorgeous decor items from about $20

While I was there to join other influencers for a fun gift wrapping workshop with Vivienne Anthon from The Daily Wrap, I must admit I was most excited to check out what was on the shelves, and from a gift shopping perspective, it was fantastic. (The odd gift to self is also allowed at this time of year though, right?!). If you haven’t bought your decorations yet, or you want to add to them, you will find some amazing baubles from Europe at a fraction of the price you’d expect to pay. There were so many beautiful glass ornaments but I dare not buy them with a boisterous toddler in the house. One day…

Just a few of the cushions I discovered!
Expert gift wrapper Vivienne and I

The TK Maxx model works as follows: a network of buyers negotiate deals to buy excess stock from manufacturers and department stores, among others, both overseas and here in Australia, and bring it to stores. Every store will have something different and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Thousands of new items arrive weekly. It only takes four hours for new arrivals to get from delivery to store to the shelves, so you could really visit morning and afternoon and find different treasures! Many of the products are designer labels and the prices are seriously discounted.

Another thing I love about TK Maxx is you’re more than likely to pick up something you can’t find in any other stores, and when it comes to gift giving, this is a great bonus. Who wants to get the same old same old candles (speaking of which, they have lots!)?

Other bloggers and I were given $100 to spend in store and the haul I picked up was crazy: various Christmas baubles, string lights, and two beautiful glass and brass boxes (hello, gifts to self!) for less than half what I’d expect to pay elsewhere. We were then given tips from Vivienne on how to disguise them under the Christmas tree.

I always have the best wrapping intentions but more often than not leave it last minute and end up with a supermarket wrap and sticky tape scenario! But top tip from Vivienne: use double-sided tape! It immediately looks 10 times better! I am inspired to do better this year (watch this space). TK Maxx also have an amazing selection of Christmas wrap and ribbon: again, if you want to be a little different, head here for your wrap as well as your gifts!

For obvious reasons, you can’t shop online, but you an find out more about TK Maxx and your nearest store here.

 

Categories
Dining Recipes

Foodie Friday: A Christmas feast with seafood and sangria

foodie friday logo

Fancy mixing things up a little this Christmas? Temple & Webster have you covered. They have many festively styled tables to choose from in their Christmas one stop shop online. We love the seafood and sangria styled delight! It’s a casually elegant mix, with layered linens, organic-inspired patterns and contrasting gleaming copper and crystal. It works if your Christmas is headed outdoors, but you still want to create a special setting.

Copy of 20151111-TW-NNXmasTable34344

To complete the scene, Temple & Webster’s food expert Jono Fleming has shared his recipe for salt & pepper squid with a spicy kick, and a refreshing Prosecco cocktail that could easily work any time from breakfast onwards…

Salt and Pepper Squid

Ingredients

  • ½ bunch of mint
  • 3 shallots
  • 2 teaspoons Chinese 5 Spice
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoons white pepper
  • 100g plain flour
  • 400-500g of fresh squid, or squid tubes, (you can get your fishmonger to clean them for you)
  • 2 cups vegetable oil, or enough to fill a medium pan to around 8cm
  • 4-5 small red chillies, sliced

Method

Pick the leaves off the mint and wash them. Slice the white parts of the shallots down the middle and slice into 3cm strips. With the green parts, cut into small pieces on an angle. Place the mint and shallots into a small bowl with iced water, set aside.

In a mixing bowl, add the 5 spice, salt and pepper and flour, mix together and set aside.

With the squid, cut the hoods into triangle shapes, and score lightly in a criss cross pattern. This will help the squid curl up when fired in the oil. Pat dry with a paper towel and coat them in the spiced flour mix.

Heat the vegetable oil on the stove to about 190 degrees, and fry the squid in batches until golden brown. They will cook pretty quickly, in about 2 minutes or so. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and rest on paper towels. Throw the chilli slices in with the last batch and remove when they are a bit blistered, which should take about 2 minutes.

Drain the mint and shallot, toss together along with the cooked chilli and season the cooked squid to taste.

Prosecco Sangria with cucumber mint syrup

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle Prosecco, chilled
  • 1 cucumber
  • 10 mint leaves
  • 1 cup of caster sugar
  • 1 cup of water

Method

Peel and slice the cucumber, wash the mint leaves and set aside.

In a small saucepan, add the water and sugar and on a medium heat, stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the cucumber and mint and continue on the heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside for about 10 minutes. Strain and pour into a small jug and place in the fridge overnight. The longer the mixture sits the better the flavours will mix.

To serve, pour about 2 teaspoons of cucumber syrup into each flute or glass, top with Prosecco and garnish with a slice of cucumber, some mint and a few blueberries.

Categories
Shopping

Jen’s 10 top tips for surviving a Christmas shopping trip

Brought to you by Chatswood Chase Sydney

It's very festive at West Elm Chatswood Chase
It’s very festive at West Elm Chatswood Chase Sydney

Take a friend with staying power. Lightweights need not apply! You need someone who isn’t going to let you leave the shops until you’ve got everything you came for! In the right company, a Christmas shopping expedition can be loads of fun!

Make a list and go prepared. Make it specific with ideas and options for each person you’re buying for. Take a pen to cross things out so you know where you are. Check out gift guides for inspiration.

Wear sensible shoes. Yes, even I, the girl who wore heels throughout her entire (10 days overdue) pregnancy, accept that sensible, comfortable shoes are a must for the serious shopping trip.

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Incentivise! My top tip for getting through a day-long shopping trip (and Christmas shopping can take a whole day) is to incentivise yourself with little treats like getting your nails done (try Blush Nail Spa on ground level), stopping for lunch (read my review of Mrs Mi) or having a glass of wine (try Burnt Orange on level 1). This is why taking the right partner in crime can make all the difference.

burnt orange
Burnt Orange serves a range of wines and Champagne

Get someone else to wrap it all. Wrapping always seems like a nice job you’ll enjoy while listening to Michael Bublé and sipping a glass of bubbles. You kid yourself you’ll commit to a trendy wrapping scheme this year but the reality is you’re rushed, you grab a value pack of paper at the supermarket, you can’t find the sticky tape and the kids are always around when you need a little privacy. At Chatswood Chase Sydney, there’s complimentary gift wrapping in the centre from today (11 December). Various stores, including Pottery Barn and Crabtree & Evelyn, also offer free gift wrapping in store.

Gift wrapping station at Pottery Barn Chatswood Chase
Gift wrapping station at Pottery Barn Chatswood Chase

Get valet parking. We all now what it can be like finding a park in Christmas shopping season: nightmare! At Chatswood Chase Sydney, skip that stress with $12 valet parking. Located on carpark Level B1, take the Victoria Avenue entrance, stay in the right lane and follow the signs. Applicable carpark fees extra.

Leave the kids. Either at home, or perhaps at Chatswood Chase Sydney’s Stay, Play and Shop, where they can do fun activities with qualified carers. $10 per hour per child.

Sebastian's cute but he bores easily on shopping trips
Sebastian’s cute but he bores easily on shopping trips

Buy yourself a present! Well, you know how it is, when you’re out buying for everyone else you always see loads of things you’d like too. After all those hours of effort, you deserve it, right? How about a handbag from Braun Buffel (on ground level)?

Happy shopping!

My guide to bringing back the Christmas shopping experience

How to buy all your gifts at Chatswood Chase this year

Categories
Shopping

Get all your gift shopping done in one trip to Chatswood Chase

Sponsored by Chatswood Chase

Last week, I did my best to persuade you to bring back the Christmas shopping experience and make a day of it! Today, I’ve put together some gift ideas for all the usual recipients and the best thing is, they’re all available at Chatswood Chase Sydney! Read on for more inspiration then grab a friend and your comfiest shoes, and off you go! There really is such a great selection of stores, you can find something for everyone, even the tricky ones like teenage boys!

FOR A NEW BABY

Reese quilt, $169, Pottery Barn Kids. With personalisation and monograming available in store, you can create something really special on the spot!

pk-reese-nursery-bedlinen-6z

FOR YOUR DAUGHTER/NEICE/GRANDAUGHTER

Candy Stripe Cushion, $35, Incy Interiors

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My Friendship Book, $16.95, kikki.K

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FOR YOUR SON/NEPHEW GRANDSON

My First Table and Chairs, ($136 for 2 chairs and $136 for the table), Pottery Barn Kids

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Razzle Dazzle Bow Tie, $13.95, Incy Interiors

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Tooth Bandit Cushion, $34.95, Incy Interiors

tooth bandit cushion

FOR A TEENAGE BOY

Sunset Dreams Floor Poof, $289, Incy Interiors sunset dreams floor puff

FOR A TEENAGE GIRL

Little Women (Puffin in Bloom edition), $25, Papinelle

little-women-cover-02

Faber Castell Designing with Gelatos Gift Set, $29.95, Eckersley’s Art & Crafts

designing with gelatos

FOR YOUR BEST GIRLFRIEND

Essential rug in silk, cotton and cashmere with pompoms, $385, Flannel

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BIIU Signature Facial (60 minutes), $140, BIIU Day Spa

FOR THE STYLISH HUSBAND/BOYFRIEND/MALE FRIEND

Aliz Small Marble Vessel, $79.95, Country Road

aliz small marble vessel

To Go Business Card Holder, $69, Georg Jensen

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Componibili 3 Round in Silver, $255, Kartell

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FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES AT THE OFFICE

Peppermint Bark, $40, Williams Sonoma

peppermint_bark_ws_4801

FOR A GREAT BOSS

A beautiful bouquet from Pearson’s Florist

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FOR YOUR MUM

Pink Pearl Earrings, $69, Brooks Brothers

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2015 Holiday Ornament Set, Gold Plated, $55, Georg Jensen

georg jensen xmas decs

Murchison-Hume Classic Six Box Set, $77, Flannel

murchison hume

FOR YOUR DAD

Breville U Nespresso Machine, Nespresso, $199

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Napoli leather wallet, $215, Braun Buffelcol_napoli-napoli318blk_455x455

FOR YOUR WIFE/GIRLFRIEND

Aria bracelet, sterling silver, $395, Georg Jensen

aria bracelet

Kartell Stone side table/stool, various colours, $340, Kartell

Kartell_Stone_01

2016 Monthly Wall Calendar: Be Brave, $22.95, kikki.K

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FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS

Roe Copper Vase Set (giftboxed), $89.95 from Country Road

copper vase set country road

FOR THE AMATEUR CHEF

Stoneware Mini Round Casseroles, in 4 sizes and 14 colours, from $32, Le Creuset

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Ruffoni Hand Hammered Copper Risotto Pan, $320, Williams Sonoma

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For more ideas, check out Chatswood Chase Sydney’s own All I Want For Christmas Guide online.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Our first Interiors Addict Christmas Gift Guide is here!

We’re very excited to share our very first Christmas Gift Guide! Did you know there’s only 26 days until Christmas? What do I mean only?! That’s nearly four whole weeks!

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If you’d prefer to view it online, magazine style, click here instead.

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If, like me, you’ve barely started your gift-buying, relax! Come and have a browse through our guide for some inspiration. See anything you like, click on it, and you can buy it online and wait for it to arrive a few days later. This is shopping for the time poor! While I love a good old festive browse of the ‘real’ shops at this time of year, I know you don’t all have the time or the inclination.

We hope you love our guide. Feel free to buy yourself a pressie while you’re at it. “One for them, one for me. One for them, one for me…”

😉

Categories
Homewares

If you go to one Christmas shopping event, make it this one!

Admittedly I’m a bit Christmas crazy, but it’s events like these that get me particularly excited!

The-Big-Design-Market-Interiors Addict

Held from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 December, The Big Design Market in Melbourne’s iconic Royal Exhibition Building will feature over 200 stallholders selling originally designed and ethically produced homewares, textiles, fashion, stationery, lifestyle and toys.

Independent designers include: Beci Orpin with her new homewares range Arro Home, Fold Theory’s cardboard furniture, Little Green Room’s plywood PlayCubes, The Mod Collective’s porcelain-ware, Volker Haug’s beautiful lighting fixtures and Papillionaire Bicycles’ retro-style bikes.

the big design market interiors addict

A relaxed shopping environment, The Big Design Market will feature a gourmet food line-up, lounge areas for recharging between shopping stints and a kids’ play area with free activities. There will also be free creative workshops, hosted by stallholders, so visitors can get creative with designers and make something special to take home too!

The-Big-Design-Market-Interiors Addict

Founded by artist and designer Simon Obarzanek, The Big Design Market is a unique annual pop-up retail event that allows visitors to pick up various coveted designer pieces in the one place, just in time for Christmas. And what’s even better? Admittance is only $2 for adults and for kids 12 and under, it’s free!

For more information.

Categories
Art

Give someone the gift of art this Christmas

It may be months away, but Christmas will soon be upon us and what does that mean? It’s time to go Christmas shopping! So this year, save yourself the angst of the last-minute buy and consider foregoing the throwaway gift in favour of artwork that will last a lifetime.

6am + Marine Coutroutsios + Art Pharmacy
6am by Marine Coutroutsios

As Australia’s biggest online dispensary of visual art, Art Pharmacy is the perfect place to start looking for that special gift. Born from the idea that original art should be available to everyone, they have a carefully curated collection of more than 600 original works from award-winning local artists that are available for as little as $80.

Spider Orchid + Bea Bellingham + Art Pharmacy
Spider Orchid by Bea Bellingham

Hailing from right across Australia, Art Pharmacy’s artist stable spans two-dimensional and three-dimensional work across multiple disciplines, ensuring there really is something to satisfy the personal aesthetic of all burgeoning collectors this Christmas.

Far From View by Sarah Roberts
Far From View by Sarah Roberts

In the event of an emergency (or for those of you with a tendency to leave Christmas shopping to the last minute!) Art Pharmacy offers Gift Prescriptions, available online and sent immediately to the recipient. Best of all, delivery of all Art Pharmacy artworks is free, regardless of the size of the order.

Shop online.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Papier d’Amour has your Christmas wrapped up!

Papier d’Amour know a thing or two about gift wrapping so it’s a pretty safe bet their pre-wrapped gift ideas will have recipients seriously impressed (they don’t need to know you didn’t do it yourself).

papier damour

The Double Bay stationery and gift store has not 1 but 3 pop-ups this festive season at Westfield Sydney, Westfield Bondi Junction and Chatswood Chase.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Go Christmas shopping with free delivery to Australia from Marks & Spencer

As you may know, I finished our honeymoon in the UK last week, spending time with friends and family. It was so lovely to hang out at my dad’s in front of a roaring open fire. Which reminds me, Christmas is the only time of year I get really homesick! For me, Christmas shopping is always fun and in England, Marks & Spencer is always involved, whether it’s hitting up the food court (oh, WHEN are they bringing M&S Food to Australia?!), buying a few new baubles or some gift sets for relatives.

Some EXCELLENT news I just became aware of is that dear old M&S are offering free shipping to Australia (for a limited time, so that could end any time, so be quick) on orders over 30GBP (just over $50). So I seriously suggest you check out their Christmas decorations, not to mention their famous 3 for 2 offers (these were very important when it came to making pocket money stretch back in the day).

M&S christmas

Above (clockwise, left to right) are a few of my top picks: Christmas city wrapping paper, mandarin, clove and cinnamon room spray (it’s all about festive smells too!), pine cone garland with gold berries (so English to have one of these draped over the fireplace!) and make your own Christmas crackers set.