I’m a forever curious person, and I love discovering new places, purposeful products and things to do with my kids. So just for a bit of fun, I wanted to share some things I’ve loved over this past winter. Let me know which ones you love too!
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
This year I have committed to learning to be a better cook at home (my actual goal is to learn to ENJOY cooking instead of dreading what to make night after night)
Hand-in-hand with this goal is to reduce the amount of processed and pre-prepared foods my family eats.
I saw this book recommended time and again, and decided to buy it for myself for my birthday this year, along with a great set of kitchen knives.
I’m still working my way through the book, but it’s a great guide to understanding the foundational elements to cooking, so that you don’t have to just follow a recipe, but you know the reasons behind each step, and can gain confidence to make your own tweaks. Will I be the next Masterchef contestant? Who knows, watch this space! Ha ha
Odder
On the theme of books, this is another one sitting on my nightstand. My boys and I have always had our own “Book Club”, which is simply bedtime stories. Whilst my eldest has grown out of this, my youngest and I still love reading together.
Odder is just such a beautifully written book, that is comprised of poetry style storytelling about a little otter pup, and is just a joy to read together for parents with children of any age. We both cried at the end of this one, and wished we could keep reading more and more.
Alpine Coffee Table – Coco Republic
Ok so this was a bit of a splurge, but towards the end of last year we did some renovations, and I searched forever for the perfect statement table for our front lounge room, and absolutely fell in love with this travertine table from Coco Republic. It is perfectly oversized, to fit beautiful objects and have our family albums on display (my boys were just looking through our latest album today so it’s great to have it out rather than hidden on a bookshelf somewhere), a spot for coffee chats with friends, and big enough for jigsaw puzzles (we have already done so many on this table especially during all those rainy cold days we had this winter). My recommendation is to make a little space in your home, that is dedicated to a fun activity or displaying a few special family keepsakes. This can even just a be tiny corner or a little shelf on the wall – somewhere that signifies the importance of moments spent with family and friends.
Saardé Hand Cream
Every winter my hands dry out (I mean, who’s doesn’t?), and I’m forever searching for a nice hand cream that is made with high quality ingredients, smells good and actually absorbs nicely. This one is deeply moisturising, and one that I will be using well into Spring and summer too.
I randomly discovered Saardé in St Peters recently, and fell in love with their range of homewares and linens too. They have some really unique pieces that make great gifts, and such gorgeous colours in their range. If you’re not yet organised for Father’s Day, this might be a good place to look.
Tide Detergent
Ok, so this might be pretty silly but I almost squealed when I saw this in Woolies a while ago!
Tide is the brand of detergent that my Mum has always used (along with most Canadians), and the smell is immediately and wonderfully nostalgic. The smell of fresh laundry is the best, especially when it smells like home.
Prana Chai Tea
I am a coffee lover, but have only recently discovered how good chai tea is, especially the sticky chai blends. This one is just so comforting and as been the perfect drink for winter evenings spent by the fireplace (or more realistically sitting on the computer editing). My daily habit has been firmly formed over winter, and I will be taking this one into Spring as well! It’s so so good!
I hope you’ve found something new to try out! Be sure to let me know if you find something you love too.
Want to know more about me?
I am a natural light maternity, newborn and motherhood photographer based in the Sutherland Shire, Sydney, known for modern minimalist style and my dedication to creating beautiful, timeless images.
I offer a comprehensive service to put together cohesive outfits for your family photos, ensuring your images are timeless, reflect your personalities, and fit seamlessly with your home interiors. To learn more about the experience, visit the website or contact me at hello@sarahvassallo.com.au.
