6 Australian Mother's Day Gift Ideas That She'll Really Want

Stuck for a Mother's Day gift idea? Look to Australian designers and artisans for a gift that supports our local talent and that Mum will really love (or share this list with a loved one for yourself!). Here's what I'd really love for Mother's Day.

The perfect match - ceramics and honey at Win's Creek Pottery and Meadery

More beautiful locally-made gift ideas for you: the lovely ceramics and honey (and ceramics holding honey!) from Win's Creek Pottery and Meadery near Canberra. Snap up ceramics and honey from this talented bunch!

The perfect Aussie Christmas dress from Doops Designs

This is totally my pick for a Christmas dress this year. And for every other day of the year. This is the Cowley Fields design by Doops Designs who handmake beautiful, sustainable, ethical clothes in the Byron Bay hinterland.

Carry On Watson art suitcases

I met Catherine Bell, founder of Carry On Watson, at a friend's Christmas party recently and was so impressed with her beautiful suitcases featuring artworks that are real head-turners. Why own a boring suitcase, when you can carry one of these beauties. And never again wonder which luggage is yours at the baggage collection!

This Tropical Boho Baby Shower rocks my world

I'm lapping up the boho beauty of this lush tropical north Queensland baby shower for my friend Jess. Gorgeous photography by Rhea Tasvinda captures the sweetness of the afternoon in all its steamy gloriousness. Jess gives us the goods on the lovely event she created (omg - the cake!):

Party: Jess's baby shower

Organised by: Jess

Location: Mackay, QLD

Theme: Tropical, relaxed afternoon with friends and family.
Photography: Tasvinda Photography

Australian online stores for kids Boxing Day sales 2015

It's Boxing Day! Which means it's time to make some serious savings on all your favourite Australian brands and online stores in the sales. Some start right away, some you'll have to wait a little longer for, but here's my round-up of some great sales to get you started:

Sneak peek: Tickle The Imagination magazine Issue 22: metamorphose

The new year is only 10 days away! As 2016 approaches, many of us are thinking of resolutions. 'Metamorphose' is an apt theme for the brand new Issue 22 of Tickle The Imagination magazine - full of ideas to inspire change and transformation. There are also lots of fun DIY craft ideas for summer holiday fun.

I love the beautiful cover with succulents potted in glass jars, encouraging us to 'turn your recycling into something lovely'; this is just one of the lovely and easy-to-achieve DIY and craft tutorials and other goodies that you'll find in Issue 22. Here are a few more of my favourite articles from this issue.

Dyson V6 Absolute cordless vacuum review

Cleaning the carpeted stairs in our home is one of the banes of my life. I dread the thought of clunking my heavy vacuum cleaner up and down the stairs, precariously balancing on a tread and inevitably falling/hitting the wall/scaring the kids. Nightmare. So I procrastinate and never do it; unless people are coming over. And that makes for an un-pretty situation re: the stairs.

Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity to receive and review the new Dyson V6 Absolute cordless handstick. It has a trigger control and futuristic style that reminds me of a Ghostbuster's GhostZapper gun. Or maybe a robot's hair dryer. It looks cool, but will it solve my procrastination issues around the problem spots in our house and car, and will I ever have clean stairs without the effort? Read on for my experiences using the V6:

Bondville Christmas Gift Guide 2015: For Her

I've scoured all the Australian designers and online stores in the Bondville shopping directory and chosen my favourite gift ideas for this Bondville Christmas Gift Guide for a Sister/Mum/Grandma/Bestie/Cousin/Gal Pal. I'll have one of everything please:

Better Homes & Gardens Live Sydney - 30% discount

Have you snapped your tickets yet for the Better Homes & Gardens Live event in Sydney this weekend? If not, I've got a fantastic 30% discount offer for you below. The BH&G Live show is being held for three days from tomorrow, Friday 13th November until Sunday 15th November 2015 from 10am - 5pm at Sydney Olympic Park.

I got a sneak preview of some of the activities that will be on during the show at the launch event recently at The Greens in North Sydney. Here's part of the delicious spread:

One Fine Baby Sydney this weekend

Hands up who's coming to One Fine Baby this weekend? I'll be there Saturday morning to meet some of the lovely brands that I write about, and scout for new products to showcase here.

I'm also meeting up with the folks at Dyson, and getting in on the VIP experience action (so lucky). Did you know that tickets are free if you register before 5pm on Friday 13th November 2015. Tickets at the door are $15. The family and lifestyle fair runs from Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th November 2015, from 9am - 3pm. For more information and to register, check out the One Fine Baby website. If you see me, please stop and say Hi!

Image: Steph Bond-Hutkin | Bondville

Tickle The Imagination magazine Kids Issue 21: Sprout

I know I'm biased as it's the Kids Issue, but Issue 21 of Tickle The Imagination magazine is my favourite yet. It's full of ideas for creative kids' bedrooms, study spaces and toy rooms, party ideas, a recipe for healthy doughnuts, DIY craft tutorials for softies and fabric lunch sacks, interviews with creatives and much more. Here's a sneak peek of some of the kids' inspiration in this Australian-published and printed craft and lifestyle magazine:

Adam Liaw Asian Cookery School masterclass + Win a cooking class

We've got a well-used wok in our kitchen, a steamer I have used only once, and all the right condiments for Asian cooking; but I find myself falling back onto the staples - fried rice, stirfry, and sometimes wonton soup. Lucky, then, that my cooking inspiration has been given a big boost with a private masterclass with Adam Liaw at the gorgeous Williams-Sonoma Sydney Cooking School kitchen at Bondi Junction.

Ten of us eagerly absorbed every word, then were put to work creating Steamed Ginger Chicken, Rice Paper Rolls and Nuoc Cham from Adam's new book Asian Cookery School. So fun! Read on for photos and your chance to win a spot at a masterclass with Adam Liaw to experience for yourself.

The place-settings were gorgeous, with calligraphy by Anastasia (The Articulate), sitting on denim napkins.

Tickle The Imagination magazine issue 20: Cocoon + Bonus Gift

The brand new issue of Tickle The Imagination magazine, issue 20, arrived just in term to coincide with chilly Sydney weather. The Cocoon issue is all about cosying up at home, reflecting, organising, and creating, which is exactly what I feel like doing at the moment. Here are some of my favourite spreads from the new issue - grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy:

Bel Kurtz bedroom decorating workshop at Incy Interiors Chatswood

If you've looked for inspiration for children's rooms online in the past 12 months, chances are you've come across the work of interior stylist Belinda Kurtz of Petite Vintage Interiors. Bel's work has featured here on Bondville as well as many, many blogs, Instagram accounts, Facebook pages, Pinterest boards and more - her style is much-loved, and she will be in-store at Incy Interiors Chatswood Chase this Sunday to share her style.

Such Great Heights new home decor, women's and girl's clothes

Such Great Heights dominated the cool kids' interiors scene in Australia with the original a-frame Wonder Tent play tent (which has been copied left, right, and centre) that converts into a simple and chic clothes stand. The family has since moved to New York City where they have landed with a splash launching new tent designs, home decor and all-new gorgeous clothing for women and girls in collaboration with some amazing artists! Kill me now!

fete press magazine Issue 11 for Kids

There is much excitement in the kids' design/interiors/fashion/lifestyle world about the launch of the brand new fête press magazine, the Kids issue. Issue 11 is dedicated to celebrating parenthood and includes bedroom tours, kids' fashion, lunchbox solution, party ideas, a huge giveaway and more. Check out this sneak peek for some gorgeous spreads all delivered in fête's signature clean aesthetic:

Dan300 x Eubi portable mobile charger

Oh look - technology that's not ugly! In fact, it's downright cute. This is a universal portable mobile phone and tablet charger by Australian design powerhouse Dan300 in collaboration with Melbourne-based Eubi.

Tickle The Imagination magazine Mother's Day bundles

Still stuck for a gift for Mother's Day? Bondville sponsor Tickle The Imagination magazine has three great offers for the craft-loving, design-savvy Mum:

Offer 1: 1 year print subscription, gift-wrapped issue 20 and embroidery hoop kit gift, $59
Offer 2: Mother's Day Bundle - 6 of the latest back issues, $51
Offer 3: 1 year digital subscription and back issue bundle, $19.95

Image: Tickle The Imagination magazine

Tiff Manuell art clutches and bags

South Australia-based artist Tiff Manuell makes the most amazing clutches and bags, as well as some great fashion, accessories and artwork. They are fun, cool and truly pieces of art.