However, due to circumstances beyond our control, Gifts in a Bag is ceasing trading until 2010 where a relaunch is anticipated and the business will be bigger and better than ever!

So please don’t forget about us and check back again in the future.

I’m looking forward to it.

Amy xx

I just wanted to share this gorgeous blog with you which is written by my friend Ros who is a very talented florist in addition to being a gifted photographer.  In her latest post she has some pictures of spring posies she recently made for her sister-in-law which I just love and therefore couldn’t keep to myself.

I’m seriously thinking about putting my order in. They are gorgeous!

Ros took the photos for our website (which we think are rather lovely) and also runs a business called Pink Blossom Tree which produces environmentally friendly flower gift cards. Make sure you check it out.

Amy x

All this suddenly hot weather has got me moving quickly from the cozy hot Winter drinks to dreaming about tall cool sparkling drinks.  Ones that you can sip through a straw to the truly mesmerizing tune of rapidly melting, softly clinking cubes of cold cold ice.

Have I got you heading for the freezer yet?

On the way, if you had received one of our Dine me gift bags, you would be able to grab a classic ‘Love’ or ‘Dew Drops’ cordial from Alchemy cordials (made in Capalaba, Queensland) and use it to make a fabulously refreshing beverage.

I like using lemonade or sparkling mineral water but of course you could always dive into cocktail mode and add a little ‘Love’ to a tall glass of champagne or even indulge in fresh sorbet with a dash of ‘Dew Drops’ and good squeeze of fresh lime.

Oops, I’ve been a little over descriptive in my enthusiasm for the subject of this post and have been made a slave of my now over-active saliva glands.  Which means, that I must cut my cool drink reverie short…and turn it into reality.

Right then, I’m off to grab a Summer drink…and then I might visit the beach…and have some fish and chips…even though we’re yet to hit the end of Winter.

Amy x

The Sunshine Coast has got to be one of the most beautiful places in the world to live. On this lovely winter’s day I’m sitting here looking outside at the sun shining and the gentle breeze blowing just thinking how lucky we are to be living here.

I can’t believe this is winter! Where we moved from a couple of years ago it was freezing as well as windy and so cold - we’d be wearing scarfs and big coats everywhere we went. Here - you can wear shorts and a singlet during the day and think nothing of it. People are at the beach sunbaking, swimming and eating gelati while walking along Mooloolaba Esplanade.

In also love that you can take a drive and just spend the day doing whatever makes you feel relaxed - especially on your day off work. Just last week, my husband and I climbed Mount Coolum on a whim just to get out of the house and some fresh air and exercise. I highly recommend it and there’s an amazing view at the top where you can stop, take a breath and enjoy!

Sunny Coast people also make it a great place to be, they’re friendly, laid back, and happy to have a chat about their lives. In sourcing our bag suppliers we have met some amazing people who are really supportive of Gifts in bag. We also love the opportunity to support the people who have worked hard in developing their product for us all to enjoy.

I couldn’t think of a better place to be right now and am so pleased to call the Sunshine Coast home.

Sue x

Rhonda and her husband live in the Sunshine Coast hinterland and she says that her blog is all about living simply and being content and fulfilled doing that.

After reading through her blog, I’m thoroughly inspired and more excited than ever about the benefits of buying local products and supporting local business.

Rhonda has been offered a book deal through a New York Literary agent which sounds very exciting and  I’ll certainly be looking out for her book when it’s published. Until then Down to earth will be well and truly entrenched in my bookmarks toolbar!

You can read more about Rhonda in her interview on Blog Chicks or of course go direct to Down to earth.

Amy x

And that got me thinking about all the wonderful things we can do all year round whether we live here, or are visiting. Here’s my top 5 list. 

1. Eat gelati icecream - it’s never too cold. I read today in the Sunshine Coast Daily that Caloundra has the best gelati in the state according to Ekka judges. You can find it at Milano Gelataria, 82 Bulcock St, Caloundra.  You know where I’m headed this weekend.  Review to come!
2. Go for a beach walk - this is a winner any time of the year.  We can walk on the beach eating a gelati icecream - bliss.
3. Visit a strawberry farm - There are plenty of strawberry farms (almost 180 I believe) on the Sunshine Coast and some allow you to pick your own buckets full.  Just imagine how many smoothies can be made from a bucket of strawberries! I recommend buying strawberries at the farm gate, it is an experience as well as supporting local industry. Just take a detour when you next see one.
   
4. Visit the hinterland for a cosy pub dinner in front of a fire - Take a trip up the range to experience the cooler temps, especially at night, and cosy up with a pint and a hearty meal in front of a crackling fire. We recently visited the Penefathings Inn in Montville and felt very cosy indeed.
   
5. A cup of tea and raisin toast and a good book - one of my favourite Winter past times.  Can you seriously improve on this combination? Unless it’s to change the cup of tea to coffee or hot chocolate.  Come to think of it, any type of hot drink, raisin toast and a good book equals utter contentment. Which is where I point out that our Drink me gift bags include fabulous tea / coffee from local suppliers. You can’t go wrong with that!
   

Ok now that I’ve just put together my top five list, I’m seeing that it’s mostly revolving, well actually all revolving around food. I can see why I now have to work that little bit harder in Spring to become tog-worthy by Summer.

Let me know what you like to do in Winter on the Sunshine Coast (amy@giftsinabag.com.au).  I’d love to add to my list.

Amy x

The markets were teeming with people and seemed to be more vibrant than ever. I went and checked out the Fat Hen Farm stall and had a chat with Alan Wood in between the myriads of people who were literally going nuts over their olive products.  I think one lady bought the entire supply of olives out while I was there! There was plenty of ‘yums’ being voiced from appreciative visitors as I stood there waiting to take a photo.

Fat Hen Farm have a huge range of olive based gourmet products as well as a range of skin care. We are lucky enough to have been able to include some of their hand made gourmet products in our Dine me bags including black olive tapenade with chilli & garlic, marinated olives in basil, garlic & balsamic vinegar, dukkah (egyptian spice mix) and lemon myrtle infused extra virgin olive oil. From personal experience, it all looks and tastes amazing.

The Fat Hen Farm is based in Kilkivan, Queensland. Alan and Bronwyn Wood run 180 acres of mixed farming including Wiltshire Horn Sheep, beef cattle, fodder crops and of course olives.

Stay tuned for more stories about the Fat Hen Farm and our other suppliers as we spotlight the amazing products that are available - and the people who make them - on the Sunshine Coast.

Amy x

In case you don’t have a chance to see a copy of the paper, I’ve uploaded a pdf of the story which you can download or you can see the online version at the Daily’s website.

Our goal is to support local business big and small - especially in today’s economy - and really showcase the gorgeous and unique products that are made here on the Sunshine Coast. It’s really exciting to see that message starting to get across.

Amy x

I also love the few trees we have around the coast with leaves that do turn those glorious red, gold and amber colours.  There are a row of three as you drive into Palmwoods - just before Brady’s Fruit shop.  A little Autumn display of joy.

In our opinion, Autumn is the best time to bunker down at night, or during a rainy overcast day, with a handmade pottery mug filled with a steaming cup of tea (from Eumun-tea) or coffee (Dakibomon) and a good book. Oh and of course a homemade biccy to nibble on.

If you haven’t already guessed, we think that our ‘Drink me‘ bag is the perfect Autumn treat.

Amy x

This is the same sort of feeling we are aiming to capture with our bags - beautiful handmade unique products.  We like to think that our products have a little more ’soul’ than you would find elsewhere.

This Mother’s Day why not take a trip down memory lane and give her something a little different, and a little infused with love.

Amy x