“You can always improve your work/life balance.”

The words might have come right out of Oprah’s mouth but in fact they’re from someone closer to home – Kate Nicholson, a Lennox Head resident, and co-creator of O.B Designs (which stands for Odd Bod in case you’re wondering). The company, which Kate founded with Leesa Hallahan, a graphic designer, makes beautiful and functional toys and gifts for children, which are exported around the world.

It wasn’t a career path that Kate imagined for herself – or that her family imagined for her which she growing up in the US. “It was actually assumed I’d become a doctor or a lawyer,” she says, “but then I was travelling around the world surfing after I’d finished college, with no idea what I wanted to do, and I met my husband, who was from Ballina, while I was in Bali – surfing off Lombok.”

But although true love coaxed her to Australia, Kate still needed a way to create a living, and fortunately she’d already discovered that she had a handy knack for buying and selling.

“I actually supported myself for four years buying and selling jewellery,” she says. “I spent my last $500 in Bali and bought and then sold the jewellery at a profit in Florida – after that I funded myself for all my trips in the South Pacific.”

During that time Kate discovered a few important things about herself. “It’s vital to be self-motivated if you’re going to run your own business,” she says, “and you have to be disciplined, and prepared to keep on growing. It was when I realised that I really didn’t know how to expand my business that I found a job working as an international buyer for a water sports company in Byron Bay – and it really taught me how to manage a business.”

When Kate was on six months maternity leave after her daughter Eve was born, she began to wonder if it might be possible to bring her business acumen to her own project so that she could focus on working from home, rather than a full-time job. Coincidentally she’d found she was disappointed by the toys available for children. “Really it was only Fischer Price, or toys that were really expensive,” she says, “so I began to wonder if it might be possible to create a range of kids’ toys that were attractive, functional and not too expensive.”

Leesa and Kate – the O.B. Design creators.

At the same time Kate had become friends with her co-worker Leesa, and when she approached Leesa with the idea that they might work together, Leesa jumped at the chance. “Leesa created some prototypes of our dingarings – and that was it, they are still one of our best-loved products ten years on.”

Now a mum to three children, Eve, Willow and Hunter – who starts school this year, Kate hasn’t been short of ideas for more toys, and with Leesa the pair of them have dreamt up (mostly over coffees) hundreds of designs that are now sold around the world.

To say it’s taken off is a bit of an understatement. What started as a small project with one little warehouse in Ballina has now spread its wings to a giant warehouse in Sydney.

“What a relief that was,” says Kate. “We got to the stage where we just needed to get other people to package and post all the products, and we found it was more cost-effective to do it from Sydney.”

In terms of how she manages the business, O.B Designs has a Shopify website which syncs with her warehouse and accounting software. After ten years of business based in Australia Kate and Leesa are branching into the USA, which for Kate has the added advantage that she can her family more often.

“I often think about how life has taken me on this journey,” she says. “I think a lot of people give up on the road towards building a successful business perhaps partly because they are either creative or good at management and so Leesa and I are a good mix because we are one of each, with a splash of the other for good measure! At the same time it’s so important to remember that there will always be set-backs, there will always be times when things go wrong and it’s how you get over those times that really counts. We are still absolutely committed to the core ethics of the business – providing beautiful, functional and not too expensive toys to the world, and that’s what keeps us motivated.”

It isn’t hard to imagine that in a few years time there’ll be a book about this extraordinarily successful local business, not to mention inspirational quotes a-plenty from Kate Nicholson.

For more information go to: https://www.obdesigns.com.au/

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Are you struggling to catch those restful eight hours of sleep?  With our increasingly busy lives and everyday stresses, a peaceful night’s rest at the end of the day seems more like a theory than a practice. But that ever-elusive rest is now a reality, with Metisa Bamboo and their 100% Organic Bamboo bed sheets & quilt covers range.

Sonia Tribe, from Natures Linen, advises organic bamboo textile is a healthy option to many other fabrics which can irritate the skin or cause allergies to flare up. “Metisa Bamboo sheets are perfect for people who suffer from allergies or skin conditions, the bamboo sheets are hypoallergenic and antibacterial, and are especially helpful if you suffer from lung and respiratory problems,” she says. “These sheets repel dust and dust mites”.

“The best thing about bamboo is that it is such a sustainable and versatile resource,” says Sonia. “It  provides many different benefits because the bamboo functions as a carbon sink, produces oxygen, and controls soil erosion. Bamboo grows in virtually any climate and doesn’t require the use of fertiliser or pesticides to grow which in turn helps eliminate or reduce the amount of chemicals we are introducing to the earth which means we are able to help sustain the valuable nutrients already present in the soil.”

Sonia is a firm believer in giving back to the earth.  “We want Natures Linen to be a leader in sustainable, environmentally friendly products,” she says.

So if you want to buy local go to Natures Linen and view  their range of Metisa Bamboo products.

• Natures Linen have partnered with Afterpay so that you can shop now, pay later, receive your items now and pay off your purchase over four weeks, with no interest and no fees to pay.
• The company accepts all major credit cards and PayPal
• Subscribe to their newsletter and receive 10% off everything you purchase in your first order
• All orders over $150 include free shipping

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Says Lisa:  “For me Mother’s Day is about taking time out to reflect on the importance of the women in all our lives, that have helped in turn make us the women we are.  I love the fact that these subtle pieces reflect, in a soft way, the inner strength we need as women to look after our families and loved ones. These are rough diamonds displaying all the natural colours that are found in diamonds… some are in natural ‘cube’ forms and others shown are polished facet cut stones. The beauty and inherent imperfection of the earth and nature are much more evident in these diamonds and why I find them so appealing.”

HONOURING ALL THE GREAT WOMEN IN OUR LIVES

contact [email protected]
or local stockist Artpiece gallery ..
Sydney stockist  Becker Minty

Or Go to: <https://www.lisablackjewelley.com/
@lisablackjewellery <https://www.instagram.com/lisablackjewellery/>

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Each piece of Lisa Black Jewellery is bespoke, created with the finest gems and Australian 22k gold by a master craftsman in our Byron Bay studio in Australia.  Many items include rare components, ancient and tribal pieces from around the globe. Lisa Black Jewellery combines the magical and the sublime, each piece tells a story and is brought to life by the wearer. Look out for ancient lapis, natural diamonds and spectacular amber pieces.
.

 Dreamcatcher Bangles, ancient Turquoise necklace, Papua New Guinea Tete Seed Earring with fine pearl cluster, Sapphire Malabar Earring, Chalcedony Druse Cocktail Ring, Prehnite and Rose Quartz Mariposa Drop,
Pink Diamond Vermeer Drop, Ancient Chinese Glass Babylon Drop, Papua New Guinea Spirit Neckpiece.

L I S A  B L A C K  J E W E L L E R Y
UNIQUE   EXOTIC  ADORNMENT
TIMELESS TALISMANS INSPIRED BY THE NATURAL WORLD
<https://www.lisablackjewelley.com/> www.lisablackjewelle <https://www.lisablackjewellery.com/> ry.com <https://y.com/>
@lisablackjewellery <https://www.instagram.com/lisablackjewellery/>

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Brands Stevie May, ISLA and Talulah will be offering AW16, SS16 samples, stock, one offs, homewares and vintage at up to 80% off. Prices will be starting at $20.

The post Don’t miss the Locale Group’s local sale appeared first on .

“I’ve travelled extensively this year, which has been great but the most inspirational country was Cambodia,” Lisa says.  “I really loved the myriad carvings and art on the temple walls in Angkor Wat. When I got home I thought for a long time about what I’d seen, and this latest collection of cube or natural diamonds,  is a celebration of the divine feminine that much of the art I saw depicted. I love the fact that the Apsara is both sensual and ethereal. She’s the muse that inhabits the skies but Apsara is also the name of a classic Khmer dance, and to me each piece in this new collection speaks of the angelic in its soft muted colours and sugar candy coating.”

The collection reflects Lisa’s lifelong passion for working with and supporting women’s purposeful action, which she has embodied in a new project, Women Who Wear Black. Begun as a tribute to the myriad of amazing women who have influenced and inspired her creations and our world, this project has been conceived to bring together impassioned women from all walks of life to support other women and children in communities across the world. Lisa Black Jewellery pledges 15% of the proceeds from the Women Who Wear Black soiree sales toward a cause selected by the host. “In the past we’ve supported the Hunger Project and the Anganwadi Project,” she says, “and we invite our peers to reach out to us with ideas and expressions of interest in this work. We are also currently working with a fabulous art director who’s just moved back to the area from New York on our new Look Book, so I’m really looking forward to 2017.”

Lisa Black invites visitors to visit them in our studio by private appointment. Lisa Black has selected pieces at Artpiece Gallery in Mullumbimby, Elements Resort in Byron Bay,the Bangalow Pharmacy in Bangalow, at Becker Minty in Sydney, and at Nili Lotan and Stephen Kahan in New York.

Please visit our website www.lisablackjewellery.com lisablackjewellery , follow us on instagram, @lisablackjewellery, or contact us at info@lisablackjewellery

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Style seems to be a part of the French woman’s DNA – it’s something they know instinctively. It’s my belief it’s because the French build their wardrobe around 10 basic items. It’s all about simplicity – the single piece of clothing and how and what you wear with it. And style is not about being in possession of a black American Express card – the top 10 basics don’t have to break your budget…

1. Cashmere sweater. Nothing says casual elegance louder than this wardrobe basic. It is one of the most adaptable pieces, great under a blazer for a classic corporate look or with jeans for instant street sass. Make sure it’s either navy or black and buy a piling comb to keep it in good condition.
   

   Classic. Cashmere. Chic. Say no more.

2. Many argue the Little Black Dress takes precedence over everything else on the top 10 basics list. This wardrobe staple should sit just above or on the knee and no higher – you’re going for classic look here. Pay attention to cut and fabric. A good LBD can take you from your desk to drinks with a change of shoes.
   

   Timeless, classic & every wardrobe should have one. The essential LBD.

3. Sailor top. The ‘mariniere’ is one of those standby items that can be dressed up or down to suit most occasions. Navy and white stripes are the preference but make sure it’s made of quality cotton. Cut is all important here too – be careful it’s not too tight, nor do you want to swim in it. Gaps should always be avoided.
   

   All the nice girls love a sailor top…simple stripes never go out of fashion.

4. Ballet pumps. Ballet pumps go with everything on the top 10 basics list. Choose a pair in black for universal usefulness. The soles of your ballet pumps should be super thin and they should be cut close to the toes for ultimate chic. Repetto are the brand of choice for that extra touch of French flair.
   

   Flat, black, and just a little special. Dress them up or dress them down…

5. Leather jacket. The best leather jackets are fitted, sit on the hips and have ultra-thin sleeves to the wrist. This is where a good vintage find is the absolute ideal – as a great leather jacket looks lived-in. Stick to either black or tan for a look that endures for more than one season.
   

   Figure hugging, cool as, must have leather jacket…

6. Trench coat. The Burberry trench is the all-time time classic – but if that’s out of your price range there are plenty of other versions with similar lines. However, be sure it is cut in a high quality gabardine or buttery leather. Tan is the only colour to attain that classic finish and versatility to go with all of the top 10 basics.  Gabardine was invented by a young draper, Thomas Burberry, who designed a coat to keep soldiers dry and warm in the trenches.
   

   More at home on the catwalk than in a war zone, the trench coat never goes out of style.

7. This is one item when quality should be the priority, as a good blazer will last a lifetime. A blazer needs to be fitted and should sit no higher than the hip. Navy, black and charcoal grey are the only colours to consider. Avoid too much detail and avoid anything with branding – once again, simplicity reigns supreme.
   

   A classic blazer never goes astray – until your best friend comes over and pinches it from you.

8. No wardrobe is complete without a pair of jeans that make you feel absolutely fabulous. As to choosing between skinny or boyfriend cut, low or high waist? Without doubt, the most timeless cut is straight-leg with a midrise waist. A pair in ink, faded blue and white will see you through anything life throws up.
   

   Jeans mean…well, anything you like really. Jeans go with…well, anything you like really.

9. Black tailored pants in 7/8 cut. Think Audrey Hepburn – fitted but slightly tapering off at the ankle. Perfect with ballet pumps or open toed sandals – just make sure your toe nails have had a pedicure. You know when you have found the perfect pair of black tailored pants as you always seem to be wearing them.
   

   Figure hugging black tailored pants.

10. Flat-heeled boots. Slipping on the perfect pair of flat-heeled, knee high boots is one of life’s pleasures. Choose a pair in the equestrian style for an enduring look and stick to either black or tan. Again, this is a wardrobe basic that can last a lifetime, so it’s better to spend a bit more on a great pair.
    

    These boots are made for walking…and that’s what they’re going to do.

    For Northern Rivers stockists of your fashion essentials, go to:

    Bell & Ford Clothing and Interiors: 3/111 Jonson St, Byron Bay. (02) 6685 7095

    Driftlab: 40 Jonson Street, Byron Bay. (02) 6680 9869 and16 Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar. (02) 6687 0751

    Witchery: 28 Johnson Street, Byron Bay. (02) 6685 7177

    Tupelo Boutique: 3/33 Jonson St, Byron Bay. (02) 6685 6911

    Red Lane Shoes: 185 River St, Ballina. (02) 6681 4714

The post French chic in the Shire – simple elegance at its best appeared first on .

Just in time for Christmas – The Locale Group is holding a massive sale of its Talulah, Isla and Stevie May brands next weekend – so if you’re looking for a must-have item of clothing from a group of local designers don’t miss out!

Stevie May designer Cassie Vecchione is thrilled with the success of her Byron Bay label , which launched with its first collection at the beginning of this year.

“Stevie May was a character that we were talking about in the design room for quite some time before it became a reality,” says Vecchione. “We would talk about what sort of a woman she is, feminine, energetic and creative, and everything about her was cool. We decided as a team that there’s no way we can have this amazingly clear idea of the Stevie May woman and then not follow through with it. And so Stevie May was born!”

Stevie May ‘Block Foliage Top’ rrp $180; ‘Block Foliage Shorts rrp $160.

The label launched at MBFWA – a huge achievement considering the Stevie May brand was just an idea a few short months earlier.  “I was so proud of us all,” says Vecchione, “and then again when we became a Myer brand, which was another massive achievement.”

Stevie May launched its debut collection, ‘Odyssey’, in January 2015. The Australian brand showcased an instantly recognisable aesthetic drawn from the modern bohemian lifestyle of Byron Bay and its design team.

 Byron Bay Clearance Sale
Talulah, Isla and Stevie May brands available
Past and present collections
Up to 80% off
18-19 December
1/64 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay Arts and Industry Area
9am – 5pm

To contact The Locale Group go to: thelocalegroup

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Jewellery designer and horsewoman Jennifer Boyle started out as a photographer, but then she saw the light, and created Dark Horse jewellery…

“I love photography but photographing large events was extremely time consuming,” explains Boyle, who lives on a property not far from Casino.  “If I’d kept going I would never have had the time for my own horses. So the decision to become a designer was partly based on lifestyle because  I really wanted something more flexible that I could work from home with. But having photographic skills helped me immensely with Dark Horse Studio, as I’ve been able to do all my own product and press images.”

Boyle, who has owned horses most of her life, has always been an animal person.  “I’ve also always been very creative,” she says, “and I’ve been able to blend the two.  I thought of the name because I’ve always loved blacked horses – although funnily enough I own several different coloured horses, and none of them are black.”

Dark Horse has been going for five years, and while Boyle has been carefully building her business, she’s also attracted a mass of media attention because of a curious friendship between two of her four-legged friends.  “I’ve got a horse called Champy, and a cat called Morris, and for some reason they made friends,” she says.  “One day Morris simply hopped on Champy’s back, and Champy didn’t mind at all, and since then it’s become a regular occurence.  They’ve been in newspapers and magazines and even on television.”

Morris goes for his daily walk on Champy.

Boyle’s found the antics of her two animal friends a relief to the difficulties of learning to build a business.  “It was hard in the early days,” she says, ” because I was doing everything myself, and it really used to make my head spin. I had to be the photographer, graphic designer, jewellery designer, sales person, book-keeper and website builder – and sometimes I had to be all those things in one day!”  These days she says – “I’ve just got really good at juggling!”

Creating the business has in large part meant working out the market for her unique jewellery.  “I think it’s one of the most fundamental things to work out the best place to market your goods,” she says. “Sometimes places you think will work really well don’t and other places turn out to be wonderful surprises.” In the early days of the business Boyle sold equestrian related items directly to customers at horse events  but nowadays days she’s handling more and more wholesale orders.

“It was always part of the long term plan to be able to mainly sell wholesale,” she says, “and I’m really pleased that the Australian range, and also the merchandise for events and organisations have really started to take off. I’ve progressed into different ranges as well, I still have the equestrian range, but also a Champy & Morris range, Australian animals, farm animals and some dog breeds and I’m always adding more.  I’d like to get to a point where I can donate some of the Australian animal range in particular to help native animal charities on an ongoing basis. It would be great to know that these products have helped animals in some small way.”

“I couldn’t live without my animals,” says Jewellery designer Jennifer Boyle.

A recent growth in the business has been the poularity of her Australian animal range.  “I’ve had a great response to the them,” says the 42-year-old, who was born in Newcastle, but has lived in the Northern Rivers for over a decade.  “There’s really nothing like it, and it means people can buy something small, light, attractive and Australian for overseas gifts as well.”

But no matter how well the jewellery does, and how much she enjoys the process, it’s her animals that are her inspiration.  “It’s my horses and my other animals that get me out of bed each day,” says Boyle.  “I couldn’t live without them.”

For information on Jennifer Boyle go to:

https://www.facebook.com/champyandmorris/

https://www.facebook.com/DarkHorseStudio/?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/jendarkhorse

https://darkhorsestudio.com.au/

The post The Dark Horse range is a runaway success… appeared first on .

There’s no doubt that little Newrybar, nestled in the hills between Bangalow and Ballina has been transformed from the Whitechapel of the Monopoly Board to Mayfair over the past six years or so, with the expansion of the Harvest cafe and restaurant, the opening of Driftlab and the Harvest Deli and weekend bakery (by brothers Zane and Tristan Grier respectively).

The impressive collection of artisans gathered under the Merchants collective label includes Sibella Court of Society Inc, Jai Vasicek, Patterson and Steele, Shannon Fricke Heart & Home, TigmiTrading morrocan rugs, Fate and Fortune stationery, handmade bespoke leather goods by Wolf & Maiden from Cape Town, and clothing from a few handpicked sources, stocked under the Miller Trading Group umbrella, which includes Todd Miller and his artist wife Diana.

Until recently the Newrybar Merchants store was the much-loved Newrybar Antique Store, which is still present, but in a much smaller way, and the current occupiers have kept the charm of the original 1890’s building, carefully blending country charm with a sophisticated feeel within this somewhat unique retail space.  Another Newrybar institute, Beautiflora, with its weekend cart tucked down at the bottom of the old bakery, has also come on board, and as you go into the shop, the first room on the left is a riot of colour – not to mention creating a wonderful fragrance for the space.

Newrybar Merchants will provide an exciting addition to the already bustling village of Newrybar which features the popular Harvest Café & Deli and Driftlab. It will be sure to become a destination for those seeking a unique retail experience in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.

Newrybar Merchants is located at 19 Old Pacific Highway, NSW (the site of the old Antique store) over the road from Harvest Café. Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm Monday – Sunday.

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