anna&sally in the UK
Posted on November 4, 2008
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When my friend Emma said to me she had discovered a new website she thought I might like (called www.notonthehighstreet.com), neither of us had any idea it would be such a perfect launching pad for anna&sally in the UK…yet here Anna & I are - albeit 18 months and 1 new baby each later - expanding into new territory with notonthehighstreet.com as a perfect partner.
Notonthehighstreet.com is a website set up by two friends, Holly Tucker and Sophie Cornish, that represents talented small businesses, their high quality products and personal service. I love it because they only select the most gorgeous, stylish and unique small businesses (hence why we were thrilled to be selected!) so in one easy order you can choose a variety of lovely treats from Britain’s best small businesses- and not least you do not have to battle with shopping on the crowded (and more often than not, lacking in unique boutiques) High Streets!
So why are we expanding in the UK? As you have probably already read, Anna & I have a long history of pottering about together creating things. We did this primarily in the house we shared in Balmain, Sydney- painting old chairs, gardening, drawing, sewing, cooking, hosting dinner and birthday parties. We also naughtily used to love going for walks on dusk so we could admire and be inspired by the lovely gardens and interiors of our stylish neighbours!
Here we are now 10 years later still pottering about but living at opposite sides of the world, channelling our energies into anna&sally.
Having moved to the UK for ‘2-4 years’, my husband and I are now in year 8 of our temporary move and this year welcomed our own little British citizen, Max, to the family. Our plan is certainly to come back home one of these days but for now life is happy and settled in Hampshire after the hectic pace of London for many years. Perfect timing for my ’sea change’…
So, as Anna did when she and her family moved from Sydney to the beautiful South Coast of NSW, I am now following in her footsteps and growing the business, and family, here in the UK countryside.
Watch this space for more developments as our business grows…
Garden Glory: Author- Corrina Tough
Posted on November 4, 2008
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I love gardening and you can find any number of books on the subject on my bookcase. The love affair began probably long before I was really able to understand the true meaning of it. As a small child I would sit at my Nanna’s feet knee deep in dirt and help her garden. She always encouraged me and looking back I realise I pulled out more plants than weeds but she was never cross. I treasure the time I spent with her as she taught me the way to nurture my environment and get pleasure from it (probably unintentionally).
There is so much that can be gained from gardening for both children and adults, such as exercise, fresh air and a sense of satisfaction. There is nothing as satisfying as growing herbs or flowers and fresh fruit and vegies, then picking the produce that was loved and tended to by your family. Having a beautiful garden helps the environment by creating eco systems for birds and insects while also providing a peaceful and calming place to be. It gives children a real sense of connectedness to their environment and also to the food they consume- seeing the process of growth from seed or seedling to mature plant and tasting the freshness of organic produce is a wonderful way for children experience nature.
Even very young babies can experience and learn in the garden as it is a stimulating environment for the senses, such as scrunching leaves, smelling flowers, digging and rolling in the grass. Gardening with your child is a special way to promote speech development through conversation, deepen your relationship and to foster an attitude of respect and care for the environment.
At the moment Ruby has been hassling me to revamp the old vege gardens that have been neglected, so I am working on building a raised garden bed which is based on the French idea of a ‘Potager’ which comes from ‘potage’ French for soup, as historically these gardens contained soup vegetables. Eventually, the term evolved to mean a kitchen garden where everything needed or the household was cultivated. This included flowers, herbs, fruit and vegies. I am quite slow at this but am enjoying the process and hope to keep you updated on my progress with some happy snaps.
My can’t live without garden kit
6. Garden fork, trowel, spade, rake
Playdough
Posted on October 3, 2008
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Author: Corrina Tough
Dough is a wonderful way for children to create forms with soft edges. It is easy for toddlers to use and can be explored by all age groups on its own or with other objects such as; cookie cutters, rolling pins, paddle pop sticks, play scissors etc.
Dough is a calming, settling activity, which aids in the development of fine motor skills (hands/fingers).
Dough can be used for practicing letter formation for 4-5yr olds and is non- threatening in that it can be scrunched and re-done if not quite right. Children can also create shapes and learn colour recognition.
Recipe
2 cups plain flour
½ to one cup cooking salt
1 cup cream of tartar
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 cups boiling water
A few grains powdered food dye or drops of liquid food dye.
Mix dry ingredients, then add oil. Add dye to water and mix slowly with dry ingredients. Knead the mixture as it cools. If it is very sticky add a bit more flour and cream of tartar but be careful not to add too much. (the mixture loses its stickiness as it cools). If stored in an airtight container, the dough will keep a week.
10 ways to use laundry bags
Posted on October 3, 2008
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Author: Corrina Tough
1. Hang a funky bag on the back of the bedroom doorknob to store pyjamas. Curtis and Ruby love putting their Anna & Sally PJ’S into their laundry bag each morning before they get dressed, and then they’re easy to find when its bedtime again! Looks great too!
2. Going to the park, Dr’s surgery, or a friends place? Use A&S laundry bags to carry a bundle of toys or DVD’S to keep little ones occupied- then an easy pack up when its time to go.
3. Use a cushion insert tuck in the cord and viola! An attractive scatter cushion, for the kids bedroom or cubby (good for those of us that are not into sewing).
4. Want an arty display/come storage solution? Hang a row of matching bags or alternate 2 different patterns on a coat hook rack in a hallway, kids room, bathroom or laundry.
5. Going on holiday? Laundry bags are great to pack underwear and small items so they’re easily found, or put your shoes in and keep your clothes from getting dirty.
6. Fill laundry bags with your fav A&S goodies for a special gift wrap.
7. Nature Chic laundry bags are a cool way to carry hat, sunnies, sun block and water bottle, when you make that quick stop at the beach or a walk in the park.
8. Use as an alternative to a Christmas stocking.
9. Make a tray of homemade cookies or rocky road for chrissie and present them in a laundry bag so friends have an edible gift and one to keep.
10. Send Christmas cheer of chocolates and champagne in a Gelato spot laundry bag.
A Children’s Picnic
Posted on October 3, 2008
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Author: Corrina Tough
Some of my favourite memories as a child are the picnics my family went on. I still get that feeling when I picnic with my own children, even if it’s in our own backyard!
Why not make it a whole learning experience? Cooking together is a great way to connect with your children, whilst they develop a sense of independence, knowledge of ingredients, math skills (measuring, volume, capacity) and science (how ingredients react).
If you have a green thumb you might collect ingredients from your vege patch and chook yard, which encourages children to understand the process of ingredients.
Ruby thoroughly enjoys the whole event from cooking, to setting up the place where we eat the meal. Once we start eating, the conversation flows, so it is also a great way to encourage communication!
Here are some recipes designed with child chefs in mind.
Zucchini Muffins
1 lge onion, finely chopped
3 rashers of bacon, finely chopped
150g (1 cup) self raising flour
125g (1 cup) grated tasty cheese
2 cups grated zucchini
4 eggs
125ml(1/2 cup) olive oil
Cracked pepper
Pre heat oven to 200 c. Grease a 12 cup muffin tray. Fry onion and bacon together until golden. Combine flour, cheese and zucchini, then mix in eggs and oil to make a batter. Add onion mixture and stir well. Spoon into prepared muffin tin and bake 15mins or until puffed and golden.
Mountain Wraps
Mountain bread or other flat bread
Variety of shredded and sliced ingredients
Lettuce
Carrots
Cheese
Coldmeat
Tomato
Cucumber
Allow children to assemble, roll up and eat.
Fruit Skewers
Cut a selection of fruit into manageable cubes, children thread onto skewers with an occasional marshmallow for a treat!
‘We find delight in the beauty and happiness…of children that makes the heart too big for the body’ [Ralph Waldo Emerson]
New Studio!
Posted on August 13, 2008
Filed Under News & Updates | 2 Comments
Yey! We have moved into our new studio space at Huskisson. For those of you from the area we are above the café, Fresh at the Bay in Owen Street. Go up the stairs and we are the second door on the left. We even have waterviews and I am so so thrilled! I have been working from home now for 3 years and it was certainly time to give myself and the family some boundaries. I’m enjoying leaving work at the end of the day and “switching off.” I’m enjoying not seeing boxes of stock, the sewing machine and fabrics and watercolours and tissue paper and shelving and delivery boxes and all of the other lovely bits that make up my business. I’ve rediscovered my love for cooking and decorating, not to mention being sane, calm mother and wife.
Here are some pics so far. I’ll add more as we do more. But to be honest, with tax time, new website, new collection, packing orders, renovating with munchkins under foot … it has been a bit slow going. But I’ll get there!
Customers can buy direct from our studio. But at this stage by appointment only. Ring 0402 199 054. If you walk past and I am in - you can pop in and have a shop. But probably best to view our website first to get an idea of what you are after. I do not have display areas set up yet. And am still trying to work on activity stations for Ethan and Elijah, (my two little men) whilst I work.
Sailing
Posted on August 8, 2008
Filed Under Wholesome Living | 1 Comment
We live on the South Coast of NSW at Jervis Bay. Amazing amazing place to live. We spent the day sailing - enjoying a chicken and wine lunch and whale watching. A few pics of a sunny, happy day. Elijah loved helping to raise the sails and steering the yacht. I’m not one to sit still. But I can safely tell you that whilst out at sea…I was completely relaxed and cherished a wonderful day with family and our friends Connie & Colin who took us out for the day.
The Cook & The Chef
Posted on June 25, 2008
Filed Under Inspiration, Media, The Art of Relaxation, Wholesome Living | Leave a Comment
As a family we look forward to 6.30pm on a Wednesday evening on the ABC. This afternoon I was driving Elijah home from preschool and I said, “Elijah, guess what’s on tonight?” With great excitement Elijah yelled, “Maggie! That’s you favorite mum!” The Cook & The Chef is our most fav family show. Well perhaps it is mine and the family enjoys mum sitting down with a glass of red in complete relaxation mode. We love the world that Simon & Maggie create - their passion for cooking is contagious. Somehow, their chemistry just works. It makes us smile and inspires all sorts of culinary delights. If you have not watched this program, please do. You may think I am a big dag but honestly, besides the Australian series Sea Change, you just can’t top it. The perfect mum gift for me would be a six pack of The Cook & The Chef on DVD. When I go to what is known around my home as “Crazy Town!” my husband pops on Maggie & Simon. Their banter is really entertaining and I love the snippets about Australian produce and lovely places and people they visit. http://www.abc.net.au/tv/cookandchef/about/presenters.htm
