The November curation
Welcome to the curation for the month of November.
I started this project as a way to give back to the business community and to introduce all of you to some more amazing small businesses.
I’m so proud of how it’s grown and how eager so many of these business owners are to be featured. With 2020 being such a difficult year for so many, I really want to highlight the people behind these products. And demonstrate to consumers how much a purchase to a small business really means.
I want to support small business as much as possible in the lead up to Christmas and all year round. When I go to purchase something, I think ‘can I get this from a small business instead?’ and try to find out who stocks something similar. Because I know how much it means as a small business owner, and also because I love knowing the back story behind my goodies.
This month, all featured products fit in with my ‘Dreamer’ theme for the month of November. Each month, I create a themed moodboard to inspire my limited art print, my artwork and projects for the month. So this curation is full of clouds, blue skies, days spent outdoors, soft blues and dreamy goodness.
I hope you enjoy this blog post and find some new businesses to explore. Please follow them, like their posts, show your support, keep them in mind for your Christmas gifts and buy some pieces if you love them.
One. SISTER AND STONE
I had been following Sister and Stone for some time and when Taela posted these gorgeous blue caribbean calcite stones in moon and star shapes, I got so excited. How dreamy are they?!
Taela says,
“Sister and Stone has a carefully curated collection of ethically sourced and high grade crystals. So much more than just a crystal or metaphysical store, Sister and Stone is high vibe, inclusive, crystal loving community for those with wild hearts.”
Shop here.
Two. IVY DESIGNER COLLECTIONS
Anna’s store is one of my favourite spots to visit in Toowoomba. First off, her clothing is always so dreamy and such high quality. Secondly, she has the cutest dog who is always keen for a belly rub. And thirdly, Anna is just gorgeous and I love a little chinwag catching up with her. She has such an eye for fashion and will even let you know when she gets something in that she thinks you’ll like.
I have a few pieces from Ivy and they are so beautiful. They are my investment pieces that don’t date and are of such high quality. I just bought the beautiful Zulu and Zephyr marine dress and absolutely love it!
If you’re in Toowoomba, I highly recommend visiting the beautiful store. Or if you are elsewhere, please jump on to her website and peruse all of her beautiful goodies.
Anna says,
“Ivy Designer Collections offers a hand-picked range of unique keepsake accessories and beautiful clothing made from natural fabrics, sourced sustainably. We help our customers find one of a kind designer pieces they will treasure for years.
We take the time to offer our customers one on one, personalised service, to help them find that unique piece for an outing or special occasion, and to make them feel beautiful.
You can visit us in-store at our brand new space at 2/520 Ruthven St, off Kwong Sang Walk in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia or online.”
SHOP HERE.
Three. sandbar co
An avid beach-goer, I’m constantly getting sand EVERYWHERE, especially through my beach bag. So when I came across Sandbar Co on Instagram, I thought what an amazing idea! A perfect addition to a dreamy day on the beach, which I plan on doing a lot this summer. And a great Christmas gift for that beach lover in your life.
Bec says,
“I’m a serial-entrepreneur who has a strong love for the beach. The concept of the Sandbar was born in January, 2019 and was in its research and development stage between July, 2019 and July, 2020.
I had the idea one morning when I was at South Beach in Perth. After sitting down and placing my coffee next to me on the sand, it fell over. My gorgeous macrame bag I popped by my side also filled with sand! As the day went on my phone was constantly overheating in the sun, and every-time I went for a swim, I battled finding a "safe" place for my sunnies.
So, I sat there googling "small beach tables with a compartment" and couldn't find anything that solved all of my problems… so I invented one myself - and that's where Sandbar began.”
SHOP HERE.
Four. IT’S COCO AND PEACH
What do you get when you combine my favourite things: sun, sand and leopard print? This gorgeous beach umbrella. How could I not feature these beautiful umbrellas in my ‘Dreamer’ curation? Just imagine a dreamy day by the beach looking up the clouds while protected by one of these beautiful umbrellas. Perfection!
The C&P team say,
“It's Coco and Peach is dedicated to the salt-seekers, beach enthusiasts, and children of the sun. We are a brand created for adventurers and people who love to soak up everything to do with the outdoors.
Our business blossomed from an absolute obsession for the ocean, sand, and all things nature. Being best friends for 18 years, we have spent a lot of time together camping and traveling to new places and we wanted to create products that could accompany you on these ever far journeys while also being conscious of our earth and our footprint.
Designed with sustainability and practicality in mind and made to last a lifetime, our latest Summer 20' Collection is our favourite yet with loads of incredible features such as Australian designed prints, an integrated anchor, an adjustable anchor and an easy click-in pole mechanism.
We're also proud to have implemented a number of things to try and do our part for the planet such as no plastic packaging, utilising all aspects cutoffs of the umbrella, incorporating UPF50+ material & as an added extra for each purchase made with It's Coco & Peach, we plant a tree on your behalf in collaboration with One Tree Planted.”
SHOP HERE.
Five. OF DREAMERS AND DANCERS
When researching businesses to feature in November’s curation, I searched ‘dreamer’ on Instagram and came across this bohemian brand.
With their ethos so similar to the inspiration behind my new Dreambound print collection, I had to reach out and ask to include their pieces.
I ordered myself the Dreamer necklace. Bec tells me the stock of this one is running low so if you want one, jump on soon!
Bec says,
“Of Dreamers and Dancers is a Australian luxury costume and fine jewellery label. Beginning in Adelaide, it is now a Bondi based brand and really captures the modern bohemian aesthetic.
Revolving around an affection for life, love and travel, I design unique pieces that are really high quality and easy to wear with special attention given to the details including reusable copper packaging.
I began this brand to feed my dreams and passion as a creative person and designer. The core of the brand is to connect to people who share the same ideals and living life to the fullest. I want this brand to not just be about fashion accessories but to encourage my customers to follow their dreams too!”
Shop here.
Six. Wild Throw Co
I’m planning to move into a place on my own soon and I’m really excited to dress my new abode with dreamy homewares. So I really want to get my hands on these magical cushions and throws from Wild Throw Co.
Mish says,
“Wild Throw Co. are a collection of throw rugs designed in South Australia, and handcrafted ethically in India.
We designed our throws to be multi-purpose. To use in the home, picnic, bed, and beach. Our first collection is inspired by our travels, nights spent looking up at the stars from the other side of the world, and earthy + raw colours. A neutral colour palette to compliment any home style, and dreamy hand embroidered details to add magic to your next seaside sunset.
With a focus on sustainability, our throws are made from 100% natural cotton, meaning they are not chemically treated. We also have a plastic free packaging policy, with our pieces reaching our customers in hand-wrapped and biodegradable parcels.”
Shop here.
Seven. Ocean Road Towel Co
Let’s be honest, size does matter. Nobody wants a tiny beach towel when you're laying on the beach daydreaming.
I am loving the light blue Hampton beach towel and its dreamy vibes. This one is definitely on the shopping list!
Jess says,
“Our towels and beach bags are perfect for every adventure.
These towels are made from a super lightweight microfibre. Which means despite their size, they fold up to be just as small, if not smaller than your run of the mill beach towel.”
Shop here.
Eight. Sleepy Jean
I came across Sleepy Jean on Instagram and fell in love with little bloomers! The most dreamy lounge wear and sleep wear to look cute in.
Molly says,
“Sleepy Jean is a playful and sustainable approach to swimwear with a zero plastic policy and a focus on ethical production. All our dyes are plant based and our prints use zero water waste and eco-certified non toxic dyes.
This collection is called Dream Motel and will be released before Christmas! Our muse is Zohara Even with photographer Denny Novikar, it’s all shot on film!”
Shop here.
NINE. Le Weekend
I’m always on the hunt for the perfect picnic basket. And this one from Le Weekend is what dreams are made of! Their baskets, picnic rugs and lifestyle accessories are timeless and stunning.
Megan and Joanna say,
“It all started with a trip to the beach on a warm autumn’s afternoon. A casual conversation, like so many others, on the drive home along Byron Bay Hinterland’s meandering roads. The conversation turned to our love for picnics, for bringing friends and family together, slowing down and appreciating the simple things in life.
The conversation then turned to finding the perfect picnic basket – something neither of us had had any success in. Everything we had seen seemed too conventional, mass-produced and conservative…not our style.
And then it dawned on us – we should design our own picnic basket!
And so the idea for Le Weekend was born.
Our vision emerged – to help others create unique experiences through sophisticated, timeless lifestyle pieces.
Following an extensive design process seeking out skilled artisans and the highest quality materials and finishes, today Le Weekend brings this vision to life with its collection of handcrafted picnic baskets and functional kitchen linens and accessories that embrace a simple yet sophisticated aesthetic where less is always more. All products are designed in the Byron Bay Hinterland and sold via the online store and selected boutiques across Australia.”
Shop here.
And lastly… Heidi Lou DESIGN
This month I launched my brand new Dreambound collection, 33 prints to inspire you to dream big with no limits. I’m not doing a limited print this month (because I just launched a whole collection of 33!) so please jump on over and have a peruse through the pieces and their meanings.
They make for the perfect Christmas present for your friend who needs a little dreamy inspiration, or as a treat for yourself.