Image – Page 11 – The Poppy Files

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Winter Culture

There’s a red glow in the air as Hobart’s Dark MOFO festival has begun. The illumination of Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s Pulse Column signified the start of this amazing festival that brightens up our winter in Hobart every year.

Pulse Column

We went along to the Opening Night on Friday to see the city turn out in droves to celebrate our longest nights. I find it so fantastic to see so many people out and about, rugged up and enjoying the various free events.

We visited the Dark Park at Macquarie Point and enjoyed the Hendrick’s Parlour of Curiosities, The Purging and The Fire Organ. Poppy was a little freaked out from the noise of the organ and so we ventured to calmer environs at the TMAG forecourt where she danced to her heart’s content to the live music.

Dark MOFO

Jamesy Boy

Dark MOFO

Fire Organ

TMAG

Dark MOFO

The next morning I had an early breakfast at Smolt with my dear friend Heidi, followed by a wander through Salamanca Market to buy fresh flowers. In the afternoon we had a four-year old birthday ‘disco’ party where five girls enjoyed various games and an amazing butterfly cake.

On Saturday evening we had a function at The Waterside Pavillion and then more Dark MOFO action at Blacklist – an evening of great DJ’s and random acts that only Dark MOFO is known for.

Oh I love it! Xx

Heidi at Smolt

Hot House

Salamanca Market

Poppy with her present

Dark MOFO

Me, Depha and Leesa

Pulse Column

Hobart

Blacklist - Dark MOFO

Monday, 15 June 2015 0 Comments Short URLDark MOFO, Fire Organ, Hobart, Pulse Column, Tasmania, Winter FestivalPoppy : James

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Printebebe ♥

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I have just ordered these pants for Poppy from Printebebe. She is having a growth spurt at the moment and all her tights are either too small for her or have holes in the knees. Time to mix it up with some floral. xx

Thursday, 11 June 2015 0 Comments Short URLGirls Pants, growth spurt, PrintbebeToday I Am Loving

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Winter Boating

Curly James

Thank you to our lovely little heater on board, it enables us to spend time away on our boat all year round.

There is nothing quite as cosy as settling in for a night on the boat after a hearty meal, playing board games or catching up with friends who are rafted up next to you. I love climbing into our cosy bed and sleeping soundly, especially if there is a gentle roll.

This long weekend was no exception as we were away for three nights on Bruny Island. We left on Friday afternoon and met our friends Jacinta and Brett, Frazer and Amanda and their gorgeous girls at the Kettering Pub for dinner. The kids had their own table and loved their Fish & Chips, whilst we enjoyed some wine, hearty pub fare and good conversation.

The next day included a spot of fishing, afternoon naps, fireworks, an evening roast cooked on Mistraal and too much sparkling wine! The girls all huddled together in a bunk watching a movie and James slept soundly.

On Sunday we went to the Bruny Island House of Whiskey for lunch with more of our friends from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. James was carried around like a doll by all the girls which enabled Nick and I to relax in this very scenic location.

On Monday morning we returned back to Hobart in high winds and a good squall of 40 – 50 knot winds. Our little crew handled the seas well and James barely looked up from his Peppa Pig episode. We made it back into the Marina feeling slightly relieved.

I love our time away on the boat and look forward to more winter trips soon. Xx

Spellbound

Popsy have a snooze

Games

The new dinghy

Popsy and her Dad

The girls

Me & Amanda

The Crew

BISH

Cubby house bandits!

Patting the sheep on Bruny Island

James & Poppy

James

Heading home

Tuesday, 9 June 2015 0 Comments Short URLBoating, Bruny Island, Bruny Island House of Whiskey, Mistraal, RYCT, Spellbound, Winter BoatingBoating

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Sister ♥

Larni, Rob & Cath

My sisters - Rob & Cath

I feel blessed to have three gorgeous sisters (and one brother) and it is indeed a special relationship that only comes from growing up together and knowing all those idiosyncrasies about each other.

These idiosyncrasies are often used as a jibe now in our adult lives, such as Robyn throwing a bread knife that stuck in the door; Cath building cubby houses all over the farm; me crashing Dad’s truck into a power pole when I was 13 and Janelle nursing numerous calves and lambs.

My eldest sister Rob lives in Castlemaine, Victoria. She is the epitome of a fit and healthy 35-year-old but she is about to turn 49 in July! She practices yoga on a daily basis, grows her own vegetables, rides her road bike with her husband, is a talented artist and works in their own business as an Interior Designer for Lifehouse Design. I love when we hang out.

Aunty Rob & Poppy

My youngest sister Janelle lives on a gorgeous farm at Bracknell in Tasmania. She has three beautiful girls – Molly, Lucy and Jessie and owns a contracting harvesting business with her husband. She can often be found driving large combine harvesters, tractors or wind rowers with one or all of her girls on board. A very practical lass indeed and one whom I don’t see enough of.

My sister Janelle, and nieces - Nina, Molly & Jessica

My other older sister Cath has two grown up girls and moved to Hobart from Deloraine, two years ago. We have had an amazing time in Hobart together which has included lots of time on the water, enjoying live music, dancing, eating out and seeing lots of movies.

Cath is about to embark on a six month overseas adventure that she has been planning for the past ten years. She plans to immerse herself in the cultures of Spain, France and Italy where she hopes to go to numerous music festivals, yoga retreats and farm stays.

Bronte & Cath at GASP!

I felt really sad saying goodbye to her last night, yet so happy for her. When her girls were young and she was in the ‘full-on Mum’ mode, I was overseas, travelling to my heart’s content in Canada, Alaska, Thailand, Malaysia, India and Nepal. We are at the opposite ends of the spectrum – she had her girls in her twenties and is now free and easy. I am now in my forties and I am in the ‘full-on Mum’ mode.

The tables have turned and it will be so fabulous hearing of her travel stories! We will miss you Cath! Carpe diem (sieze the day!). Xxx

Cath

Cath with Pops & James

Cath

Thursday, 4 June 2015 1 Comment Short URLbeautiful girls, Family, Hobart, Sisters, TravellingToday I Am Loving

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Cracker Night

Fireworks

My husband loves fireworks! Fortunately, one of my dear friends is an ‘official’ Pyrotechnician and owns Brightstar Fireworks. We have enjoyed many a fine show over the years!

The classic ‘Bon Fire Night’ brings back many memories from my childhood, where we would gather with fellow farming families at Hagley and your Dad would light the big ‘bonny’ that he had been procuring with his tractor for several weeks. The fires were so big you couldn’t actually stand beside them without melting your gumboots! We would don our Bluey’s (woollen felted coats) hats and scarves and your brother would always threaten to throw a tom thumb into your ‘gummies’!

Tom Thumbs

There would be a haphazard display of roman candles, wailing wheels, fountains and sparklers … whilst your cousins would be running around, madly letting off Po-Ha’s. My favourite was the Parachuter – we would chase after the elusive fella, trying not to trip over cow paddies in the dark and to beat your sisters to the prize.

Parachute

We would bundle back in the ute, clutching our parachutes and return home cloaked in that familiar wood-fire-smoke smell … eagerly awaiting next May.

This short film – Cracker Bag, definitely takes me back to the 80’s where you saved your pocket-money and bought your fireworks at the local store.

Eddie spends her pocket-money obsessively hoarding fireworks and carefully planning for cracker night. When it finally it arrives, Eddie and her family head to the local football oval. In the frosty air Eddie lights the fuse of her first cracker and experiences a pivotal moment, one of the seemingly small experiences of childhood, that affects us for the rest of our lives.

Set in the 1980s, Cracker Bag is a gentle suburban observation which subtly reflects a disenchanting prelude to the coming of age.

Last Saturday night was no exception – our friends Jacinta and Brett hosted a fabulous show on their block. The fire was as big as I remember from my childhood, the sausages were tasty and the fireworks were a total crowd pleaser … apart from our little Poppy who thought they were a little too loud! Ah … until next May (or sooner)!

Fireworks

Wednesday, 3 June 2015 0 Comments Short URLBrightstar Fireworks, Cracker Bag, Cracker Night, Po Ha'sToday I Am Loving

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Hill Street Grocer ♥

Hill Street Grocer

This morning we stocked up on our fresh fruit and veggies from the newly opened Hill Street Grocer in West Hobart, and our experience deserves a dedicated post!

I have tried all manner of combinations in regards to our food shopping. When Poppy and James were babies I had Woolworths deliver our groceries on a weekly basis. Then over the last year, Poppy, James and I would all go to the supermarket – making it an adventure in itself. However, there were too many occasions where James and/or Poppy had a meltdown over Peppa Pig yoghurt v’s Woody and it all became too stressful!

I also found it was a work out in itself to push James in the trolley, plus all of our shopping around the supermarket and loading/unloading the car. Once I got home I then had to schlep all the groceries from the garage into the kitchen … exhausted!

It sounds very dramatic but I have now returned to my weekly delivery from Woollies – I can plan our meals in the ‘comfort of our living room and uggies’ and hey presto – the very next morning our groceries are being handed to me by a friendly fellow – right at our door!

I have always tried to buy our fresh produce from the local markets or Hill Street Grocer – the cutest little store in West Hobart. Even though I have to cross a couple of suburbs to get there (not a huge deal in Hobart) it is one of those shopping experiences that I have always loved having. These hard-working folk have got their recipe just right – fantastic customer service, beautiful surroundings and the most amazing fresh produce that is displayed in a way that could be an art form.

So you can imagine my excitement when they opened a newer, brighter and bigger store just around the corner from their original one. It is so fabulous in every way – modern, beautifully designed and featuring a European deli, a cheese section, a dedicated florist, housewares and all those gorgeous locally grown fruit and veggies.

With no ‘Domino Stars’ or balloons in sight, no loud-speaker announcements: “Security to Aisle 4″ and most importantly … no fluorescent lights! Thank you Hill Street Grocer – you have nailed it!

Hill Street Grocer

Botanical

Hill Street Grocer

Popsy

Hill Street Grocer

Woolworths

Friday, 29 May 2015 1 Comment Short URLfood shopping, fresh produce, Fruit & Vegetables, Hill Street Grocer, Tasmanian Growers, West HobartToday I Am Loving

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Barnaby Lane ♥

Barnaby lane

Today I am loving the Smith Chair by Barnaby Lane. We certainly don’t need anymore chairs in our home but it never hurts to ogle right?

The Smith chair is our most popular – it’s pretty obvious why! This sling leather chair is a stunning feature to any living room, bedroom or study. Available in natural, black or raw tan. Every home should have a Smith.

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Low_resolution_web_SmithBlush5__55997.1432709374.1280.1280

Thursday, 28 May 2015 0 Comments Short URLBarnaby Lane Smith ChairToday I Am Loving

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Tas Bound

I have had a busy week last week hosting a group of ATEC (Australian Tourism Export Council) travel agents on behalf of Tourism Tasmania.

It was an absolute pleasure to spend three days with a lovely bunch of people who sell Tasmanian product to their customers in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and UK/Europe.

Our familiarisation tour incorporated a variety of product and included the Barilla Bay Oysters; Candy Abalone; Cascade Brewery; Lenna of Hobart; Tasman Island Cruises; Port Arthur Historic Lavender Farm; Port Arthur Historic Site; Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park (Unzoo); Bangor Oyster & Wine Shed; The Wicked Cheese Company and Frogmore Creek.

We enjoyed beautiful food, met passionate operators and even got to experience the Southern ocean on a freezing day with Tasman Island Cruises. A tough week at the office! Xx

Barilla Bay Oysters

Candy Abalone

Cascade Brewery Lenna of Hobart Penthouse

Tasman Island Cruises

Port Arthur Historic Site

Unzoo

Bangor Wine & Oyster Shed

Frogmore Creek

Monday, 25 May 2015 1 Comment Short URLATEC, Bangor Wine & Oyster Shed, Cascade Brewery, Lenna of Hobart, Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasman Island Cruises, UnzooTravel

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Feeling Blue

Pantone

Lately I have been loving all things navy blue. I have always preferred a black base for my clothing and accessories but I find these gorgeous blues a little bit softer, especially teamed with white, hot pink or vibrant green.

Blue ♥

Trench Coat