Category Archives: home

Homewares trends for 2017

I’ve become a little homewares-obsessed lately. Maybe it’s because we’ve been living in this home for three or so years, and have started personalising it and trying to add value with small renovations and upgrades. Maybe it’s because my husband is working all the way through Christmas, and we’re not taking a trip anywhere, so I’m pottering around the house trying to make it feel a little fresher.

Whatever the reason, I’ve been cruising and perusing home and interiors magazines for a while now and would like a large influx of cash into my bank account, please. Some of those renovations are not cheap! Failing bank robbery or an unknown great-aunt leaving me her ill-gotten fortune, I’ve resorted to smaller additions to our home decor, which surprisingly still pack a big punch.
Since I buy those home and interior magazines for research purposes of course, I thought I’d share some of the top homewares trends I’m seeing for the next year. They’re all easy enough to adopt in either small or large doses, and you could even mix and match a few!

There’s a one-stop-shop for all homewares in Australia, and that’s Reed Gift Fairs. Celebrating the latest in the homewares and gift space,they bring together the people and the products behind everything that’s hot in the design and gift space. With the next one to be held in Sydney in February next year, this fair gives exhibitors the chance to showcase all their new and exciting products, and retailers head there to pick and choose upcoming stock. Sounds like an interiors dream, right? I just need to find a way to nab a ticket!

Top Homeware Trends for 2017
Trend forecasters have started planning for the new season, which will bring with it a change in mood – one that will see earthy tones, hints of mixed metals, and the return of natural materials. I’ve sussed out some of Reed Gift Fairs’ exhibitors to see what they’ll be bringing to the table (literally to the table, in the case of some tableware designers LOL) next year.

Terracotta

The earthy tone of terracotta will become a key element in many homes, and a leading trend in the New Year. No longer will you find terracotta restricted to pots in the garden! Unique Australian homewares and jewellery company Jones & Co provides plenty of inspiration on how to incorporate hints of earthy tones to the home. 
Selection of gorgeous pots and planters
Indoor Plants
Succulents have become so popular lately, with groups popping up on Facebook dedicated to growing and swapping succulents – and no hipster cafe is worth it’s salt without succulents in unconventional containers on each table! I’m sure we’ll see this trend grow even more, bringing the outdoors inside with indoor plants. Displayed in classic concrete pots, woven bags or a glass vase, Reed Gift Fairs will leave you feeling inspired, with exhibitors such as Florabelle, who will show off beautiful displays of indoor planting. I’ve actually got a few Florabelle artificial plants in my guest rooms, and they always get compliments from visitors!
Green Appeal
Despite seeing an abundance of pastel shades of pink and blue this year, dark shades of green will become a leading trend in 2017 – and I’m thrilled about it! Expect to see this colour incorporated into lots of soft furnishings. Kelly Lane have a great range of statement pieces from cushions to wall art, which will help add a hint of green to any room. 
I love the idea of pairing a rich dark green with lighter aquas, and adding plenty of plants for a really lush tropical look.
Kelly Lane bedroom decor

There are few things better than coming home to a beautifully decorated home. Keep an eye out at your local homewares stores in the New Year and snap up some quick additions to transform your space into the sanctuary you’ve always wanted!

Keen on any of these trends? One step ahead and already featuring indoor plants in your home?

Turning your home into a tropical paradise, just in time for Summer

This post is brought to you by Jason Agustina.

I just spent the past weekend Spring Cleaning (my efforts are totally worthy of capitalising those words) with my husband, and while the result is lovely – we’re still not quite Summer-ready. You know, where everything is fresh and clean, and looks entertainment-ready for any unexpected drop-ins. (Please note, I will not accept unexpected drop-ins. You are required to call or text your intention to visit at least 45 mins in advance. I need time to freshen myself AND my home up!)

There’s no better way to freshen up your home in Summer than with tropical statement homewares. Not only is it easy to incorporate, but this vibrant trend creates a refreshing vibe indoors and outdoors – and has been my go-to interior decorating trend since I was a young teenager, living directly across the road from the Big Pineapple. Having that fruity view really affected me!

To create a classy look with this trend, think luscious jungle and bright animal prints paired with casual, natural materials like warm wood and bamboo. I like to add some greenery (fake, if the occasion or your black thumbs call for it – no judgement) to ‘lush up’ the space and really compliment tropical touches. Like most trends, the key is to work from a good base – pieces that are well-made with great simple designs will stand the test of time. I love the range from Jason Agustina, it’s a small collection with something for every type of living area, made from gorgeous timbers and fabrics.

1. Jason Agustina Volt Sofa in Blue 2. Blue Thumb Sticky Beak limited edition print by Emma Ward 3. Drunk on Water Monstera and Pineapple cushion 4. Jason Agustina Beholm Coffee Table in Oak 5. Annabel Trends artificial banana bunch and cockatoo

Some of my favourite colours for the tropical trend this year are yellow, green and all the shades of citrus – I love seeing these combined with a soft blue or crisp white for an elegant finish. If you already have some blues in your home decor, you can still adopt a tropical vibe, just pick sea-green and deep-ocean hues, and make sure you add plenty of greenery.

1. Jason Agustina Locke Sideboard in Natural 2. Kmart belly basket 3. Kmart Anthurium plant 4. Drunk on Water Watermelon print 5. KMart succulent in concrete pot 6. Annabel Trends artificial large pineapple

So make sure your key furniture pieces are classic, simple and beautifully made (check out Jason Agustina’s story for their wonderful commitment to customer care), choose some tropical pieces and create your own slice of paradise this Summer. I promise you that it’ll help your summer cocktail vibe for sure!

Is it possible to have too many pineapples in your home, if you live in an estate that was once pineapple and sugar cane farms?

Test driving the new Hyundai Tucson

Although I’m in my (ahem) mid-thirties, I’ve not been driving that long. I only got my license when I was 28, prior to that I was the quintessential public transport and taxi queen. I just wish Uber existed back then!

My first car was a small second-hand hatchback and while I loved her, I always knew I needed to get a proper grown-up car. My husband encouraged me to ‘size up’ and we shopped around for a car which looked cute (my priority) and was safe, fuel-efficient and drove well (his priorities)! We ended up at Sunco Hyundai at Maroochydore and chose a Hyundai ix35, at the time one of the most popular SUVs in its class, and it has served me incredibly well for three years now.

As an already happy Hyundai customer, I was thrilled when the sales team from Sunco Hyundai gave me the chance to test drive the new Tucson recently – how lucky am I? I promise I told them that I’m not a revhead car buff, and any review I shared wouldn’t be as comprehensive or informative as a CarsGuide article!

I would be lying if how cute a car is didn’t make up 90% of my opinion of it! 

Whilst I love my ix35, there’s certainly something awesome about stepping into the newer version – this year’s Hyundai Tucson is like my current car, but luxe. From the moment I collected the Tucson and got the full tour of how all the great gadgets worked, driving this vehicle felt like an experience, instead a ‘daily drive’.

On top of the standard features which you can read about here, the Elite Tucson model comes with extras that I just love, such as a panoramic sunroof, full leather interior, large multi-function screen and reversing camera.

Reversing cameras… how did we ever live without them? This colour screen is a fantastic size.

Yeah, this stuff doesn’t matter so much to me, but my husband loves that he can track fuel economy really easily using the Mode button on the steering wheel. Me, I just like knowing how many kms until my petrol tank is empty. #livingontheedge

Hello soft sumptuous leather. 
All the boot room I could possibly need for a weekend full of shopping!

The 60/40 split-fold back seats can give even more room than the spacious boot provides, and I know from personal experience with my ix35, the removable roller blind over the cargo bay keeps everything right where you put it, and shields shopping and luggage from prying eyes. 

Apparently the Tucson is a five-star ANCAP recipient – that means safety first, folks. Again, that’s husbo was interested in, and I’m sure if you were a mum carting precious little ones around, that would be important to you too.

For more on the new Hyundai Tucson, visit Sunco Hyundai’s website. Thanks to Ky, Collin, Leah and the Sunco team for the opportunity to take it for a spin!

*Sunco Hyundai kindly loaned me this vehicle. Like everything you’ll find on Katy Potaty, thoughts and opinions are all my own. For more info, check out my disclosure policy. Please check the suppliers’ website for car specs.

A list of things I’ll eat at Regional Flavours, Brisbane

You may remember that I recently spent a weekend gorging myself on the best produce, meals and drinks that Brisbane and the Lockyer Valley have to offer, all in the name of research for the Regional Flavours event, held at Southbank Parklands in Brisbane.

I am pleased to say that the festival is this weekend, and I will be in Brisbane from this Friday evening until Sunday – ostensibly to attend an industry dinner with my husband and to celebrate my birthday week – but we all know it’s to eat my way through Regional Flavours, right?
Here’s a little list of deliciousness that I’m planning on eating and drinking at Regional Flavours 2016:
QLD pork belly and black garlic dumplings with XO sauce from Stokehouse at River Quay

Crumbed Mozzarella with local thyme-infused honey from Popolo at River Quay

Chocolate macarons from Aquitaine Brasserie at River Quay

Fresh pumpkin dishes fresh from the Lockyer Valley at The Picnic Patch

The very freshest fruit, vegetables and condiments from the Producer Showcase – berry me up!

And of course, a flight (or three) of excellent James Squire beers at The Hunting Club
If that little taster (see what I did there?!) has whet your whistle for a weekend of amazing food and drink – as well as celebrity chef features, edible garden treats food trucks galore and just a really supportive environment for people who like to eat their way through life – pop over to the Regional Flavours website (here) to check out the final program and plan your visit and if you see me hanging suspiciously around near the Food Trucks, come say hello. My mate Brooke of Blonde Ambition will also be cruising through Regional Flavours, so there’s a red hot chance you’ll find us both entertaining a crowd with some top-notch karaoke at The Hunting Club at some point!

Regional Flavours is on this Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July 2016 from 10am to 5pm at Southbank Parklands, Brisbane. The Hunting Club will open 4pm to 7pm on Friday, 15 July and 10am to 7pm on 16 and 17 July. Parking in the area will be limited so your best bet is to catch a train, bus or CityCat.

Sunshine Coast Cafe – Bohemian Bungalow, Eumundi

A recent birthday celebration for my aunt had the extended family coming from across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to one of my favourite Coast towns, Eumundi for a long leisurely lunch together. Some of these uncles and aunts hadn’t seen me since I was a teen, so I had a lot of fun surprising them!

Bohemian Bungalow has become quite the institution already, with a famous Sunday session featuring an ever-changing roster of bands, duos and single artists from 2pm to wind down your weekend; and a gorgeously eclectic decor which will have you going for a stroll around the restaurant to check out their treasures.

I wore a favourite Passion Q split-sleeve dress from Whitehaven Emporium – these guys do the best boho-style prints ever – with Spendless Shoes Wisdom boots, an old French Connection belt and tassel necklace from Whitehaven Emporium. 

Such a cute and colourful place to catch up with friends or family

How adorable is my dad here, catching up with his nieces. He’s the cutest guy around. #biased

Even high above the kitchen, there are little vignettes to find – this race of handpainted horses was so quirky.
I know a certain BFF of mine who would’ve liked me to snaffle some of those antique biscuit and cake tins.

What’s a birthday creme brulee without a scoop of vanilla bean icecream and a candle?

We had such a lovely lunch here, the birthday girl has even popped back a few more times since then to enjoy the atmosphere.

Do you like your cafes quirky and unique? Any other eclectic places in South East Queensland worth a try?

Regional Flavours 2016 – the tastes of Queensland

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I recently experienced a gourmet’s ultimate weekend experience, heading to Brisbane for a 24 hour whirlwind trip of the city’s best food and then out west for another day and night to the Lockyer Valley to see where most of that food is produced.

As well as enjoying great food with exceptional company, I also faced that classic food blogger problem… my pants were too tight for me to try everything! So heed my warning if you’re planning to head to the Regional Flavours event on 16th and 17th July, elastic-waist trousers and loose dresses will be what those in the know are wearing!

My taste buds are already tingling as I start thinking about the delish fare which will be served up at Brisbane’s Southbank Parklands. The eighth annual festival aims to offer visitors a taste of the varied and quality produce Queensland has to offer, and educate consumers and home cooks on the benefits of eating food grown right here in the Sunshine State.

Celebrating our fertile soil and homegrown harvests isn’t exactly new,
this vintage tourism poster just screams ‘Eat our fruit’!
This year’s event will dish up a culinary delight, with the Parklands filled with cooking demonstrations by notable chefs, free tastings and stalls run by local food producers, restaurateurs and traders, food trucks, kid’s activities and live musical entertainment. Oh, and the whole weekend’s festivities are free too!

I’ll definitely be heading down for the weekend, and I’ve listed my favourite producers, providores and picks that I recommend you keep an eye out for!

A carnivore’s paradise, this family-owned butcher and delicatessen chain should be proud of its Plainland and new West End locations that follow the same formula for produce-to-plate philosophy – it’s worked for them for over 60 years! When I visited, my blogging companions and I were lucky enough to be given a tour of the premises by Alistair Macleod, well-known chef and tv host, and a proud ambassador for the Lockyer Valley. Offering a huge range that includes Yagaburne beef, Lockyer Valley veges and Granite Belt wines, Schulte’s is serious about quality and community.

Holmwood Produce

The trend towards locally sourced products doesn’t end with food, with many folks looking for regional herb and spice growers as well. I was fortunate enough to spend time at Holmwood Produce’s beautiful lavender and native food farm during my tour through the Lockyer Valley, and as well as having the friendliest donkey greeters, the fresh lavender and lemon myrtle used in the afternoon tea treats were so scrumptious that I fell in love with the property.



Bauer’s Organic Farm
Every now and then, you meet someone SO passionate about something that you can’t help but join them as an advocate. That someone was Rob Bauer, long-time Lockyer Valley farmer and convert to organic farming over 30 years ago, well before the current organic fad really took hold! Seated at a long table under the eucalypts and hearing Rob share stories about local farmers getting sick and dying from exposure to common chemicals used in farming, the entire table of guests began to think differently about the way we shop for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Bauer’s is a diverse property, supplying carrots, potatoes, corn, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin and beans, as well as numerous other smaller crops – all on one of Australia’s first certified organic farms.

The Charming Squire
Southbank’s own microbrewery is probably the perfect weekend venue for discerning Brisbanites, with something for everyone. The talents of their brewers, who are constantly creating new beers, and the constant communication between chef and brewer showcases beer and food pairing in a new (to me) and exciting way! The tasting plates that were offered were beyond amazing, featuring such tasty gems as Woodfired Corn Cobs with parmesan spiced crust, puffed quinoa and chipotle butter; and my favourite, the Slow cooked beef croquettes with Turkish almond & tahini dip. If you’re looking for BB and I at Regional Flavours, you’ll probably find us propping up the bar at the atmospheric and moody pop-up bistro and bar The Hunting Club, where we’ll be working my way through the Charming Squire drinks list! Hosted by The Charming Squire and Target 100, this venue will also host the likes of Paul West, Alistair Macleod and Hayden Quinn.

Having experienced a ‘cupping’ session at Australia’s largest independently owned and operated coffee roaster, Merlo Coffee on my recent food adventure of Brisbane, I now feel that I have earned the right to call myself a real coffee connoisseur. Tony and Frith led us through 

a short history of coffee, sampling their current blends, using our senses to differentiate between blends and getting expert advice on making the best coffee at home, at Merlo’s Fortitude Valley Torrefazione. Possibly the best way to start my day, really. Interested in kicking off your own food adventure of Brisbane with a decent cuppa? Merlo hold public coffee appreciation sessions at various Torrefaziones in Brisbane.

Popolo – River Quay

Make sure you stroll all the way along the Parklands (you’ll probably need to, to digest all that food) to River Quay. This strip of fine dining establishments is home to Stokehouse Q, Aquitaine Brasserie, The Jetty, Cove Bar + Dining and my favourite, Popolo Italian Kitchen and Bar. I’ve dined at Popolo before and it’s right up there in my list of favourite Brisbane restaurants.

The menu walks that perfectly fine line between too simple and overly extensive, the food is fresh with a lot of emphasis on showcasing local produce, and the whole place has that classic Italian ambience. It’s casual without lacking in service or quality of food, but at the same time classy without being pretentious and stuffy. I’m going to get specific now, and tell you exactly what I’ll eat at Regional Flavours from Popolo, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll be stuffing these morsels in your mouth too. The crumbed Mozzarella with thyme-infused local honey is going to be the bee’s knees. (See what I did there?)

Could eat these all day, every day. The Bee One Third locally produced honey is also going to be available at Regional Flavours… my top tip is to get there early and try and snag your suburb, they sell out quickly!

Regional Flavours 2016 is a fantastic opportunity for local food producers, restaurateurs and traders to showcase their mouth-watering wares, and to show everyone that QLD is no longer the backwards banana-bending state of old. The event which is staged over two days at my favourite polace in Brisbane – Southbank Parklands – will definitely exceed expectations and appetites. I urge you all to put the dates in your diary and come along, as there will be something for everyone – whatever your personal tastes.

All the Regional Flavours stage presenters, stallholders, food trucks and vendors have been hand-selected and are definitely hungry-tummy-approved. Adriano Zumbo, Maggie Beer, Hayden Quinn, the Masterchef lads Gary, George and Matt, Miguel Maestre, Alistair Macleod, and River Cottage’s Paul West are just a few big names that will be hitting the stages, but check out the full program on the Regional Flavours website for more details. You’re going to want to start planning your eating agenda now.

I’m planning on being in Brisbane for the entire weekend, staying at Brisbane Marriott, so come hang with me. We can eat until our belts explode.

For stays between 14-18 July 2016, Brisbane Marriott Hotel is offering a special discounted rate of $199 a night if you book before July 1, 2016.

Will I see you at Regional Flavours 2016?

*I was a guest of Brisbane Marketing, the listed venues, and Brisbane Marriott for my recent foodie adventure through Southbank, Brisbane and the Lockyer Valley – they do great work showcasing this corner of the world, and I am incredibly happy to support them.

All images my own, or supplied by Brisbane Marketing

Mother’s Day gift guide – Barkly Basics kitchen accessories

What do you get for the Mum who has everything including the kitchen sink?

Easy – tell her you’ll do the washing up! Don’t feel wishy washy about it though, I’ve found a bunch of super-cute dish tools tools that turn the drudgery of a full sink into a daily happy scour!

Barkly Basics kitchen accessories – the snazziest things in my kitchen! (My Musq handwash is a stunner too!)

Enter Barkly Basics. A monochrome and ontrend collection of sponges, scourers and dish brushes that will have your sink smart enough for Insty photos… seriously! The newest product in the range is a dishwashing liquid which smells just like a freshly-made mojito, and if that doesn’t get you enthused to wash dishes, I don’t know what will!

Gift box includes Dish Wash Detergent (500mL), Chevron Scourer Kitchen Sponge (2pk), Black and White Scourer Sponge (2pk), All White Natural Cellulose Sponge (3pk), Round Ergonomic Scourer Sponge (1pc), Dish Stick (1pc) & Refills (3pk) – $76.80 (inc.GST)
I know you’re wondering who the genius is that got the kitchen sink in on the latest interior design trend, so I asked Natasha Malkov, Director of Barkly Basics to give us a little of the Barkly back-story.

What do you do? What do you make/sell?
I am a scientist by profession with a P.h.D in Molecular Biology and had various jobs in science before having the light bulb moment and becoming “The Sponge Lady”! I now design and sell designer kitchen sponges.
I was washing the dishes one morning and looked down at the bright yellow ugly sponge and thought to myself “This sponge is so ugly!” “Why hasn’t anyone modernised it to suit our beautiful kitchens?” and I guess that is when I had the light bulb moment!

Why and how did you sell your first product?
I would have loved to manufacture the kitchen sponges in Australia, however, I couldn’t find any manufactures that make the cellulose material, so I had no choice but to make them overseas. My Sweet Citrus Mojito dishwash detergents that have just launched are manufactured in Melbourne which is great.
I initially sold my products online and then started selling wholesale to boutique supermarkets and boutique homeware and gift stores around Australia, New Zealand and internationally.

Who was your key support during the fledgling stage of Barkly Basics?
My partner was my key support in the early stages and still is. He is my investor, co-director of my company and my life partner. He is a barrister at law and always points out what can go wrong and keeps me on track!

How do you manage your time so well?
Working for yourself is great, but you need to stay motivated and manage your time wisely. I plan my days as much as possible, try and stick to a routine that works and at the end of the day try and have some “me time”.

How did you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
It was quite easy to distinguish my products from other products on the market. It was a simple colour change and package design that really made the difference.

If you could have given yourself a piece of knowledge or advice when you started what would that be? Be careful who you choose to manufacture your products. Not all manufacturers have the same idea as you when it comes to quality control. I often have to re-check products before sending them out. This takes extra time and effort. You want to avoid double handling as much as possible.

Which opportunities should you have followed?
I have had many ideas over the years and in hindsight, I should have followed most of them! Seeing others making your idea a reality is the ultimate confirmation that your thought process and your instincts are on the right track. It’s having the courage to follow them through is the hard bit.

How do you conquer any moments of doubt that threaten to stop your great ideas? What pushes you through?I have had many moments of doubt. It usually occurs during the “development phase” as it can take quite a long time. For example, the sponges took over a year to develop and during this time, I had a lot of time to overthink the whole concept and started doubting myself. The key is to work on other projects/ideas in the meantime to occupy your thought process. This usually works well, especially for me.  Also, having a support network that believes in your ideas and your ability to make it happen also helps a lot!

Righto, time for some fun stuff.
What is your ‘uniform’? What do you wear more often than anything else?Anything in black! I love black. It makes me feel sophisticated, strong and slim all at the same time! Jeans and shirt are my workwear staples. My work is quite physical. I pick and pack and deal with boxes full of products on a daily basis. Not at all glamorous!

What is your favourite thing to wear to make you happy?
I love dresses. One piece that is so quick and easy to wear. I like to dress feminine but I am a real tomboy at heart.

Thanks so much Natasha, for sending me such a gorgeous box of kitchen goodies to play with, and for taking the time to share the secrets of your success!

How fab are those monochrome Barkly Basics pieces? And how much does loving your cleaning gear make a difference to the drudgery of cleaning?

Homewares favourites – I carried a watermelon?

It’s so ok to break the ‘seasonal’ rules. I mean, yeah I put a very Summery watermelon print doona cover on our bed this morning, and yes, I know Autumn is well and truly here. But whatever. We snapped up the doona cover from Target for under $20, and I am NOT waiting until December to throw a summer vibe around my bedroom again.

Target Watermelon doona cover – fruity as a Christmas cake, and on sale now
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All the other styling pieces (knit cushion, orchid, frames, etc) are from Home Secret at Kawana. The books on my bedside are Watermelon by Marian Keyes (of course) and Green Sparkly Earrings by Melanie Shankle (of The Big Mama Blog).

In other homewares news, here are a few things I’ve found around the interwebs and am loving right now.

Etc and Co’s gorgeous copper candlewick trimmers come in matte black and copper, and are such a perfect gift for the woman who has everything – including designer candles!
Zanui have an awesome-sauce 50% off sale on Florence Broadhurst homewares right now –  you said 50% off WHAT? Yeah, just gimme all the Florence cushions and be done with it. #loveflorence



For the barest wall in our house – the hallway – I’m contemplating a big ol’ canvas with a simple but strong statement. This May and Belle Wander print is probably perfect, and large enough at 50x70cm to make a decent impact in a small space.


This tray from Hunting for George would suit literally every room in my home… Fruit, jewellery, candles, or I could actually use it to carry coffee and tea things, how novel!


Now, I never really got into our Adairs purchasing debacle on the blog, because my mother always told me that if I have nothing nice to write, don’t write anything at all. But I’m almost willing to forgive their poor customer service of 2014 just because some of their new stuff is fantastic. In other news, what’s the official age when you start obsessing over words like ‘microplush’ when you’re shopping for bath mats? I think I’ve hit it. 

Have you discovered anything that I HAVE TO HAVE in my house right now? And is it just me, or are there SO MANY fantastic homewares stores popping up? #ineedabiggerhouse

flowerbomb – Valentine’s Day gift inspiration

I’m sure you’re all well aware that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – the high volume of Michael Hill Jewellers ads on TV are certainly announcing it loud and proud.

In my most recent blog post, I shared some current favourites and gift ideas, including the lovely flowerbomb, a Sunshine Coast florist with style, and I just can’t get enough of their amazing attention to detail. I was lucky enough to have the chance to ask Deb of flowerbomb about her business, and I’d love you to get to know her too!

What do you do? What do you make?
Owner/Florist at flower bomb

Why and how did you make your first product?
I saw a gap here on the Sunshine Coast for fresh flowers delivered. I wanted to make it simple and affordable! Our flowers are a small, thoughtful gesture 🙂

Who was your key support during the fledgling stage of flowerbomb?

My hubby!

How do you manage your time well?
I do everything at night when the kids are asleep. It’s amazing how much you can get done without distractions 🙂

How did you distinguish yourself from your competitors?

We make flower giving really simple! There’s one type of arrangement each week and it’s easy to order though our website or Facebook. The exact picture of the week’s flower bomb goes on to our website and social media on the Wednesday, ready for delivery Thursday. Our customers know exactly what their flowers will look like.
If you could have given yourself a piece of knowledge or advice when you started what would that be?
Always go for the ‘hardy’ flowers. Our customers give great importance to how long their flowers last.
(Note from Katy: I can vouch for this, I have been so impressed with just how long the glorious flowerbomb arrangements last. And check out all the reviews on their Facebook page too!)



How do you conquer any moments of doubt that threaten to stop your great ideas? What pushes you through?
I try to focus on all the positive feedback we get. The Sunny Coast has embraced flower bomb with open arms and I’m really grateful for that.

Righto, time for some fun stuff.
What is your ‘uniform’? What do you wear more often than anything else?

An amazing denim Apron from Cargo Crew with our logo embroidered on (yes, aprons can be amazing!)

What is your favourite thing to wear to make you happy?

Cute earrings or perhaps a fresh flower crown.
(Well, isn’t that just darling?! I want to wear a flower crown to work too.)


Where do you deliver to?
Caloundra to Noosa, and everywhere in between!
My sweet Valentine’s Day tip: use discount code ‘katypotaty’ for $5 off at checkout (valid until Friday 19th Feb), and treat yourself, your lover and your Mum this weekend! For more info, head to their website.

Do you love to send fresh flowers as gifts? (Note – you should, especially if you love receiving them!) What do you plan on gifting for Valentine’s Day? Let me know in the comments!

Note: not an ad or sponsored post – just sharing in the hope that locals will flowerbomb everyone they love!

16 to try in 2016

Ahhhh January. You were but a fleeting visitor.

How are we already one-twelfth of the way through this year already? I can’t even deal. Between working in retail over Christmas and New Year (which is the easiest way to make Summer disappear, let me assure you), a quick camping trip, then back to school, I feel like last month was really only been 10 days long. Gah!

In the spirit of making the most of 2016 (without making it my best year ever because CLICHE), I’ve come up with a list of 16 things I’d like to try, or if I’ve tried them – commit to them, during what remains of this year.

1. Handwrite a card/letter a month (starting in February, so 11 in total)

2. Learn a new skill from Udemy. Last year I tried Udemy for a few small programming courses, and actually really enjoyed learning this way. Any suggestions on something new I could learn that might be a little useful?

3. Listen to podcasts instead of the radio driving to and from work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The drive to Lorna Jane is much longer than my quick trip to school, and I sometimes feel like listening to drivetime radio is killing braincells. There’s only so much blatant sexist stereotyping (it’s like the guy is always the funny one and the woman is the nagging one who knows nothing about sport – blah) that I can take for 90mins a day. I can highly recommend the new Sweet Teen Club podcast by Veggie Mama and Smaggle, because they’re both sassy as all get out, and who doesn’t love the thought of rehashing the excellent Sweet Valley High series with fresh eyes? Children of the 80’s and 90’s, this podcast is for you.

4. Visit a dairy and take a cheese-tasting course. Because my jeans aren’t tight enough already.

5. Cook a three course meal once a month – and no, cheese can’t be the entree or dessert!

6. File all the random photos on my computer and iPhone properly, because I can’t find photos of Stevie when I want them!

7. Keep our houseplants alive (it’s way harder than you think), and buy more houseplants. By the end of 2016, I’d like at least one in every room of the house!

8. Deal with my fear of toads a little better. Try to overcome it enough that I can deal with toad-related situations and not call my Mum if BB isn’t home.

9. Find the best strapless bra ever. (This could be tricky, I don’t think it exists. But I’m willing to search.)

10. Learn to meditate and practice it for ONE month without fail.

11. Write 100 blog posts, not necessarily for this blog, guest blogging might be awesome too.

12. Be an awesome best friend. If you don’t know, my spunkrat bestie Peta of Trainee Mama is pregnant with twins, which means her 2 year old son Ned (one of my favourite humans ever, especially since he’s now saying the words ‘Love you’) might be looking for some one-on-one time with an adult once the newbies (both girls!) arrive. I plan on being the best auntie and stealing him away for lots of Big Boy time while Peta settles into twin-mum mode. Also associated with this goal, pamper the heck outta Peta before the birth, too.

13. Give more compliments. And get better at receiving them.

14. I asked Brooke of Blonde Ambition if she had any bucket list ideas for me for the year, and she came up with ‘Be the first in Australia to see the sunrise’, which I absolutely LOVE! So I think there’ll be a girl’s road trip to Byron on the cards sometime soon!

15. Donate blood – I’m a reasonably regular plasma giver, but I’m really keen to stick it on the list so I don’t forget.

16. Go to the drive-in. This is actually something B and I used to do occasionally when we lived in Brisbane and had a convertible; I think it’ll be slightly less sexy in the ix35, but we’ll give it a go!

There you have it – a list of 16 pretty cool things I want to get stuck into during 2016. Let’s see what I can tick off!

Are you a Bucket List kinda person? Anything missing off here that I just HAVE to do?

In other awesome news, I have been given three awesome iCare Eyewear family sunglasses packs to giveaway, featuring each of the great sunnies I reviewed in this post. For your chance to win a great eyewear pack, simply check out the Rafflecopter below, and follow iCare on any of their social media channels. Good luck!

If you want to check them out in person, head to the iCare website where you can find your closest pharmacy which stocks the range.