4th November 2010

Outdoors On Parade are an exceptional homewares store located in The Parade Norwood South Australia. Whether you are leisurely dining, entertaining, planning a wedding or feel like attending a exciting cooking course, Outdoors On Parade has just what your looking.

Outdoors on parade also offer a unique corporate gift service and an interior design service that can give you exceptional ideas for decorating your home. Oodle, there in house designer can assist you whether you need a new nursery, chairs re-covered, curtains and blinds or an entire home or beach house renovation

(SunnyLIFE is perfect for the beach house).

They also offer a wedding registry online, making it easy for your friends and family to purchase the wedding gifts you want online.

And last but not least they stock most of our current SunnyLIFE range. So next time your in SA pop in and say hello!

Joel

Someone in the office asked me today what I like doing best. My answer was simple- going on holidays. But it got me thinking, what are the top five beaches and places to visit in Australia? So I googled and a list of magic holiday destinations appeared, but this was my top five.

Byron Bay New South Whales is the easterly most point of the Australian continent, and one of the most popular surfing beaches in New South Wales. In the last 40 years, Byron Bay has transformed into a popular beach resort and alternative lifestyle. My favorite beach in Byron is Watego’s. Clear blue water, white sand and SunnyLIFE towels.

Whitehaven Beach Queensland is an uninhabited Whitsunday Island near Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach is a four-mile (6km) expanse of pure white silica sand sloping into azure water. The beach, so dazzling that it hurts to look at without sunglasses. Perfect for a day in the sun with a SunnyLIFE umbrella and beach sounds.

Cable Beach, Broome is renowned as one of the most stunning beaches in the world, with twenty-two kilometres of pristine white sands fringing the tropical turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Washed clean every day by tides that can reach over nine meters, its a safe swimming environment which the whole family can enjoy. May sure you take a picnic as you’ll struggle to leave this beach!

Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay New South Whales is renowned as having the whitest sand in the world, the sun seems to reflect off of the water and sand even more so at this beach than others because it is so brilliant. Make sure to take your beach chair as the sand can get really hot.

Bondi Beach, Sydney New South Whales is Australia’s most well known beach, Bondi Beach is a mecca for tourists, lifesavers, surfers and sun worshippers. Bondi is a definitive example of Sydney’s city beach culture being only a few minutes drive from the city. It’s packed, it’s famous and SunnyLIFE is all over Bondi.

So I hope this helps you decide where your next holiday should be.

Enjoy,

Joel

28th October 2010

At SunnyLIFE our business revolves around design, so when I heard about this poster competition in Melbourne I was interested to research further into what these guys are all about.

Positive Posters, a Poster competition for designers would wide was founded in 2009 by graphic designer Nick Hallam. They are a non-profit group of volunteers based here in Melbourne. The competition is held annually and designers and artist are given two months to create a positive design that responds to the theme of the year. This year the competition was based on

‘I haven’t failed; I’ve had 10,000 ideas that didn’t work 
– Benjamin Franklin

We think Mr. Franklin had a nice way of looking at things. So the 2010 competition theme is ‘A Glass Half Full’.
 For those who don’t know, this saying refers to optimism. Some people see situations with optimism (Franklin – glass half full), and some see situations with pessimism (glass half empty).’

Some of the finalist had some amazing concepts that really inspired me.

Take a look and see what you think.

Joel

26th October 2010

So as you all know I love the beach. I basically started SunnyLIFE with the intention of getting to spend more time on the beach doing ‘research’ rather than spending hours in an office everyday.

I’m always looking for interesting holiday destinations that others have experienced. Where have you been on holidays lately that I don’t know about? Get back to me with any holiday guides you can think of. It’s time for me to get away and do some research for next year.

These are some of the interesting places people have been telling me about:

St Jean Cap Ferrat Villa Cote d’Azur France an exceptional property directly on the waters edge in one of the most sought after areas of the Cote d’Azur. The estate comprises the main villa, an apartment, a cottage and guest quarters. The stunning landscaped gardens include a small olive grove and orchard, manicured lawns, lavender beds, a 15 x 7 metre swimming pool, tennis court and private access directly onto the beach. Not bad!

Samaya Seminyak and Ubud Bali, the word “Samaya” is in Sanskrit, a word which refers to the inner sanctum of well being, a reflection of peace and tranquility where one finds refuge, a message conveying “I am with You”. Now with two amazing locations in Bali - Seminyak and Ubud: The Samaya Bali gives you the opportunity to enjoy a beach location and or tropical river location. And they are close to some fantastic night spots and beaches.

Closer to home the Byron at Byron is set within a stunning 45 acre rainforest, The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa provides an atmosphere of lush tranquillity and the opportunity to completely relax and rejuvenate. Located only five minutes south of Byron Bay, the resort allows visitors to enjoy restaurants, shopping and vibrant atmosphere of this beachside township and then retire to a setting of peace and luxury.

Can’t wait to hear about some more.

Enjoy,

Joel

23rd October 2010

Did you know that we are on Facebook? We will be putting loads of info on our Facebook page over the coming months to keep you all updated with what’s going on at SunnyLIFE.

Join us on Facebook and be the first to hear about whats new, whats hot and where people are heading on Holidays this year!

Joel

20th October 2010

Most people have stored away their summer beach towels, umbrellas and chairs waiting for the sun to shine again!

Well here it is!

I just wanted to tell you guys a little about the new SunnyLIFE summer range. Not only are we looking after all your beach and outdoor needs, we are now offering some great indoor products.

Porcelain Votives, Bamboo fruit or salad bowls and beautiful mesh decor that would suit any modern home.

Also with SunnyLIFE you can shop online, which saves you having to go out and grab the products yourself.

We can send them right to your home or office.

Just another way we make summer easy for you.

Joel

18th Ocotber 2010

As SunnyLIFE revolves around design and architecture I think this is something I may have to attend while I’m in Sydney.

The annual Sydney Architecture Festival celebrates the city’s architecture and aims to engage the public in exploring aspects in the built environment.

Something to look forward to.

Joel

15th October 2010

The thought behind the new design for our SunnyLIFE Melamine cake server really came about with the idea of melt in your mouth Pavlova with its soft, marsh-mellow like centre, thin, crisp shell and covered in whipped cream and fresh summer fruits such as Kiwi, Mango and Passion fruit.

So I decided to try one out for myself and thought I’d share it with you.  This recipe seems to take about 3 1/2 hours, so make sure you have the afternoon spare or prepare the day before. Personally I like them on the day they are cooked- its a summer tradition! Find the recipe here at exclusively food, Pavlova recipe.

It’s really easy to follow and taste amazing. I’d love to hear your thoughts? Or has anyone found a better recipe?

Joel

October 8th 2010

It’s getting warmer, the days are getting longer and Friday night drinks with friends can be spent in courtyards around the city testing some of these fantastic summer cocktail recipes.

Together with the Gourmet Traveler I have sourced some delicious cocktails that will impress your guests next time you get together.

Try this one:

Andrew McDowell from Crown and Sceptre in Adelaide came up with the Carpe Diem which is perfect for an afternoon of fun with friends and family.

Or try the White Peach Bellini which Marcus Wards of Boisto’s Liquor Bar in Melbourne likes to drink as it reminds him of his time at the Hotel Caruso in Italy.

And last but not least to try is the Barbados Punch, Alex Swainstons ‘advocate of the sublime’ made her name with this cocktail at Sydney’s Lotus. With the soft tastes of rum, lime and apple it’s the perfect Sunday afternoon delight.

Now I need to decide which one I’ll try first and which of our SunnyLIFE glassware best suits each drink?

Hope everyone enjoys these as much as I did.

Joel

October 1st 2010

Our retailer profile this week takes us up the coast to beautiful Byron Bay, where the people are relaxed, the weather is sensational and the beaches are covered in SunnyLIFE umbrellas, chairs and beach towels. As you know I was there earlier in the year and had a fantastic break.

The Byron Bay Greenhouse located on Fletcher street in the center of town has been evolving for over 10 years, and has since become one of the leading home wares and gift idea stores in Australia. Owner Melissa Graigner sources products from all over the world and stocks loads of beach ‘must haves’

We sat down with Melissa to talk about her summer ahead.

Describe to us what the Greenhouse is all about?

It’s really about a relaxed shopping experience, as a lot of our customers are on holidays they can spend hours wondering around the store taking in all the interesting products we display. We also have an online store so we can send your items home for you, saving you the stress of having to take them home yourself.

How long have you been stocking SunnyLIFE for?

Hmm I think around 5 years? Is that correct? We have been stocking SunnyLIFE for awhile now, and its a best seller at this time of year. Everyone walking past on their way to main beach will pick up some paddles, a beach sounds or an umbrella.

What is your favorite SunnyLIFE item this season?

I’d have to say the Noosa umbrella and beach towel- I just love the design, its so eye catching and would look fantastic on the beach with the pass (one of Byron’s famous beaches) as the backdrop.

Who is the Greenhouse Customer, what are they looking for?

The Greenhouse customer is everyone. Some people are looking to redecorate, some are looking for that perfect gift and others see something they just can’t live without. As we have a price point for everyone it’s accessible to most people.

We hear your opening a new store on the Gold Coast?

YES! We will be opening a new store on the Gold Coast on the 4th of October. We will now be located at the Ferry road markets in Southport. We are so excited!

What’s the best time of year to visit Byron Bay?

Anytime! It’s beautiful rain, hail or shine. Pop past when your in town and say hello.