Mother’s day is quickly approaching, and I thought it would be fun to put together a list of some of my favourite places and gifts within the Sutherland Shire. Many of these businesses are woman owned-and run-small businesses so I know there is a lot of love and care behind everything they do.
Take these as suggestions for your Mum, or send this post to hubby to give him the hint for your Mother’s day gift, or just check out these hidden gems just for fun with the family this Autumn.
1. Hutwoods
www.hutwoods.com.au
Becky from Hutwoods creates the most exquisite candles using natural soy coconut wax and wooden wicks. The cedar leaf & vanilla bean is a favourite, and comes in the most stunning brass vessel.
2. Savannah Interiors
www.savannahinteriors.com.au
The littlest most beautiful homewares shop – a hidden gem down in Woronora. Sharon & her daughter Heather have a stunning curated collection of homewares and gifts, and not only that, they are both amazingly talented interior designers and offer design services!
I’ve been working with Sharon & Heather since last year when we started our renovations – from selecting our timber flooring, interior paint colours and exterior trims, our kitchen refresh, and helping me hone in on the new style and source furniture, rugs and artwork. They are angels for an indecisive mind like mine, and so wonderful to work with.
3. The Boatshed Woronora
www.theboatshedworonora.com.au
While you are exploring Savannah Interiors, make sure to book in for lunch at the Boatshed at the same time – both located in the same spot. The boatshed is such a tranquil spot on the river. I’ve been going here for years and years, and with the (fairly recent) new owners the food, the interiors and menu have been refreshed and elevated. The perfect spot for brunch with Mum. Or bring the family and send hubby and the kids off in a kayak for a paddle on the river, while you enjoy a long black and a good book in peace.
4. Indigo & Wolfe Jewellery
www.indigoandwolfe.com
Dani is the amazing talent behind this gorgeous boho jewellery brand, and has been a photography client of mine for many years – from family photos, to now photographing her beautiful products. I love seeing the gorgeous pieces with each new drop – each and every one would make a perfect gift (for Mum, or for yourself!)
Indigo & Wolfe is a local business, but she is stocked in many boutiques across Australia, as well as online. My favourites are the Soleil yellow gold plated hoop earrings and Handcrafted Moon Shape 18kt Yellow Gold Plated Necklace
5. Cool4School Kids
www.cool4school.com.au
Between the school run, pilates classes, long days at the computer editing, and a busy life in general, I always have to have a water bottle within arm’s length.
There are so many options these days, but my tried and true has been the Montii Co bottles from Cool4School. Anna is a local mum in Menai who runs Cool4School, and is always so helpful in choosing the right bottles, lunchboxes and bags for me and my family. The quality and range of fun colours is amazing, and she offers free delivery for locals too!
I’m currently eyeing off the MontiiCo Fusion in the 1 litre size so I don’t have to constantly refill, and I love that I can choose different lids for it. My pick would be one for Mum and one for me in matching colours!
6. Sutherland Shire Farmers Markets
www.shirefarmersmarket.com.au
Ok so this might not be a great secret, but I’ve only recently had time between kids Saturday sports to check out the farmer’s markets more regularly.
There are a great selection of stalls from fresh fruit & veggies, artisan bread and baked goods, meats and cheeses, and insanely good pasta sauces.
A beautiful gift basket for Mum would be so easy to put together with all the yummy market produce and treats.
7. Flour
@weareflour_
The sweetest little bakery tucked away in Caringbah South, a perfect spot to chill with a coffee. Such a great selection of pastries to choose from, all with the most perfect instagramable aesthetic. Pick up some freshly baked sourdough and some almond croissants to add to Mum’s gift basket and a cinnamon scroll to eat on the way home.
8. Jansz Tasmania
www.jansz.com.au
Ok, so this one isn’t from the Sutherland Shire, but technically you can buy it at bottle shops in the Shire so it still counts. Plus it wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without a champagne toast to the amazing Mums, right?!
I have a friend who knows just about everything about champagne and sparkling wines, and has even travelled to France for tasting purposes, so I trust her recommendations 100%. She first introduced me to Jansz Tasmania, who are solely devoted to making sparkling wines.
The Premium Cuvée is my favourite, but the seasonal release of Premium Rosé would be my pick for Mother’s Day lunch.
9. Hazelhurst Art Gallery & Cafe
www.hazelhurstcafe.com.au
The cafe at Hazelhurst was on of those lucky finds when my eldest was a baby. I used to go for lunch with my mum’s group, and it was a place we could have a nice lunch and coffee, while the kids played on the grass nearby and within sight.
Over the years I’ve had celebrations and catch-up’s with friends at the cafe, and even booked the kids in for pottery classes.
It’s a lovely secluded spot that makes you feel miles away from everything else, and has the coolest, artsy interiors. The naked seafood sushi is my current favourite on the menu, paired with a mojito.
They offer gift vouchers, sothat would be my choice as I’d imagine it would be impossible to get a booking for Mother’s Day.
10. Cape Bailey Walking Track
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Whether you want time out for yourself, or an outing with the family, we are lucky to have so many scenic walks around the Shire. The Cape Bailey walking track is a great one for all ages and fitness levels, and has gorgeous scenery all the way along from the stunning ocean views the entire walk and the sandstone cliffs of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. I have walked this one a couple times with my boys, and if you time it during whale migration, you are likely to spot quite a few whales splashing around. The lighthouse It’s 8km round trip, so I recommend bringing along those water bottles and a yummy picnic lunch (see above for suggestions on where to get those from!)
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list, and maybe found a few new things to check out. Please DM me on insta and let me know if you do end up finding a some new favourites!
Wishing all the mum’s and mums-to-be a wonderful Mother’s Day this weekend!
xx Sarah
Sarah Vassallo Photography
Sutherland Shire Motherhood & Baby Photographer
Explore our portfolio to view the images we can create to document your beautiful moments of motherhood www.sarahvassallo.com.au
For more information and to book your session, contact us here.
Many of them my faves.