2 more sleeps till Piccadilly Xmas Market

Wow!!!  How fast has the last few months gone. Time to start gearing up to one of my favourite times of year, Christmas.

Piccadilly Market's largest event for the year is on this Sunday the 1st December and it is going to be beyond fabulous. Get loads of Christmas shopping done and of course a few special items for yourself.

The weather is forecasted for 28 degrees...HUGE HAPPY DANCE....so the courtyard will be buzzing with stalls, live music and food, even an ice cream tent.

Geelong Revival is also on over the weekend and is a fabulous add for the waterfront. The 2 are a match made in heaven. Men and kids can go check out vintage cars and watch the speed trials and the women can shop to their hearts content at Piccadilly Market.

The ladies however may be interested in the Fashions on the Field.

Parking may be tougher than usual so please be patient and know you may need to park a few blocks away and stroll in the sunshine.

Grab some friends and make a day of it.

See you there.

In The Spotlight : Maisonette

I would like to introduce you not only to a new business to Piccadilly Market on 1st December but a brand new business full stop, Maisonette.

I am sure you will agree that they will be a great addition.


Tell us a little about yourself?
Maisonette was formed when two friends (a graphic designer + a freelance writer/stylist) realised the potential of joining forces to pursue a secret dream they always had. Let's call it divine intervention because as soon as we decided, doors started opening and there was a creative combustion that we couldn't contain anymore. We feel very blessed to even have our humble Webstore and are so excited to watch it grow & see the smiling faces of happy customers.

How did you come up with your business name?

Deb actually had an Etsy store previously selling silk screen art and other kids items. So when we were brainstorming for a name for our joint venture (we knew we wanted something timeless and not too specific so when the store evolves we won't be stuck) after countless ideas, we both agreed Maisonette had a lovely ring to it. Classy yet not over the top. And so Maisonette living was born.

Tell us how your product/range came about?
We spent a lot of time checking out homeware stores online and in Melbourne and decided we wanted a point of difference. We started sourcing for unique handmade items of a very high standard. But mostly, we literally bought stuff we liked.

How long have you been in business for?

We're newbies. Maisonette officially launched in Oct 2013. Welcome

What inspires you?

Awesome photography. Well designed products & furniture. Stunning landscapes and gorgeous homes. Smiles and God.

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?

Yes I think creativity runs deep in our veins. I've always preferred making gifts and cards for loved ones but time doesn't always permit.

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?

Hmmm... Cake is a shared weaknes for both of us. Not sure if that's cool but it gets us into trouble lots! mmmm love cake

If money was no object what would be your dream destination?

I would go chasing the Northern lights!

What are you reading right now?

Real living & Frankie mag

What is your favourite website(s) ?        
The design files
Design Sponge
Apartment therapy
& maisonetteliving.com of course ;)


What is on your Christmas wishlist?
Chloe perfume, A handbag Status Anxiety.
Peace, love & joy for all mankind (and animals)

In The Spotlight: Ronnie Designs

I love when I get to introduce a new business to Piccadilly Market. The lovely Amy from Ronnie Designs is joining Piccadilly Market on Sunday 1st December with her beautiful designs.

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Amy Carmody and I am very lucky to be married to the love of my life Zac. I have the most adorable 1 1/2 year old boy Will, who is continuously making me smile and reminds me just how lucky I am every day. I grew up in a little county town called Timboon and I never in my wildest dreams thought I would end up living in the big city of Geelong! I have a passion for drawing and designing and I love to keep fit with swimming, bikram yoga, netball and running.

How did you come up with your business name?

Ronnie Designs is named after my adorable and very special Miniature Dachshund. I couldn’t think of any better name to title my canvases and print business under then him!

Tell us how your product/range came about?

Two years ago, two of my wonderful sister-in-laws had babies within a week of each other. I felt so incredibly inspired and excited, I wanted to give them something special that no one else could. Being a graphic designer and someone who loves babies I came up with this style of baby canvas. As a result, this created a stir of interest and other friends and soon-to-be mothers wanting them for their children or as gifts. This then led to ‘Ronnie Designs’ and my continuously evolving and developing design range and product styles.

How long have you been in business for?

I have been designing and creating my baby canvases and prints for about two years now.

What inspires you?

Beautiful and creative design. My gorgeous little boy Will and amazing husband Zac.

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?

I have always love designing and being creative, even as a little girl in primary school. Some of my earliest memories are sitting in the lounge room drawing and colouring with my most treasured possession - my 72 Derwent pencil set! My sister used to get so annoyed with me that I wouldn't come and play with her because I was too busy drawing! I love it. I remember how much I loved my Derwent pencils too.

If money was no object what would be your dream destination?

I would LOVE to do a big tour of Europe. I was lucky enough to have a little taste of a few countries a couple of years ago, and it has only made me want to go back and spend more time exploring many more of the countries over there.

What are you reading right now?

I am actually reading 'Up the Duff' - Kaz Cooke. My husband and I are expecting our second child in May next year and I am brushing up on a few things! Huge Congratulations (I am also about to start 'Catching Fire' - Suzanne Collins. I need to catch up before the movie is released in a few weeks!)


What is your favorite website(s) ?          

So many to choose from! But I do love Print and Pattern. I love the fact there is something new and creative posted every day and the books are amazing!


What is on your Christmas wishlist?

I am obsessed with Kikki-K, so at the very top of my list is a 2014 Diary! I would be lost without my yearly Kikki-K Diary!  I too am crazy obsessed with Kikki-K.


Come and see Amy at Piccadilly, these would make awesome gifts for newborns or just a great Christmas Gift.

In the Spotlight: Tea with Mrs Thompson

Another lovely newcomer to Piccadilly, Tea with Mrs Thompson


Tell us a little about yourself?

I'm convinced I was born in the wrong era! I enjoy nothing more than baking cakes & bickies, sitting down with a friend, having a chat over a nice cup of tea and crocheting into the wee hours (I'm quite the night owl). My husband and I recently moved to Geelong for a sea change along with our mischievous cat Milky Joe. Welcome to Geelong

How did you come up with your business name?
Mrs. Thompson was my Mother's imaginary friend when she was a little girl. Dressed in her prettiest party frock with flowers in hand and her best doily hat, Mum would sit down in Mrs. Thompson's comfy, cosy lounge room for a spot of her finest tea. Love this story

Tell us how your product/range came about?
I had started giving my crocheted scarves, slippers & cushions as gifts to friends and, before knowing I had made them, they would often say how they thought I had purchased them at a market...so I thought, why not sell them myself!? Ultimately I want to create products that I enjoy making and like to have in my own home.

How long have you been in business for?
Tea with Mrs. Thompson is a new venture of mine, freshly baked in July this year.

What inspires you?
My Great Grandmothers crafts that I have held onto, vintage craft books and my talented friends.

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?
Ever since I was a little girl my two hands have never been idle. I'll never forget my first trip to Spotlight with Mum! I bought a whole bunch of pom-poms from the big tubs they used to have there and made toys that my brother and I would play with for hours.

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
My husband just bought me a Ukelele for my Birthday! I'm teaching myself to play Pumped up Kicks by Foster the People. Loving your style

If money was no object what would be your dream destination?
I'd have to say a road trip from New York to Los Angeles, with a pit stop at Harry Potter World and Las Vegas so I could recommit my vows in front of Elvis.

What are you reading right now?
Dreams and the Search for Meaning by Peter O'Connor

What is your favourite website(s)?
I can't get enough of Pinterest at the moment...I'm obsessed, Apartment Therapy and The Sartorialist.

What is on your Christmas wishlist?
A weeping pink bottlebrush to plant in my new garden. I hope you get it

Who remembers their first concert?

If you missed my column in Saturdays GT, here it is.

Who remembers their first concert ever? Mine was ABBA and I was so crazy excited. It was 1977, I was 10 and it was a hot Australian summer. I remember feeling quite queasy and my Dad told me it was butterflies in my tummy which did need explanation at the time. It was at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and it was fabulous. I was hooked.

What about the first all out crush on a band or its singer? Mine was the Bay City Rollers but I was not lucky enough to see them live, I did however wear tartan to show my undying support. I am totally putting myself on the line here and telling you that I was head over heels crazy for Marilyn and Boy George. How did I not understand then that they didn't bat for my team but for each others? When I watch the videos now I feel a little foolish. I had a dream that I knew what room number Marilyn was staying in but not what hotel so I went to all the big ones in Melbourne (not that many in the mid 80's) but surprisingly had no luck.

So hilarious now

I was the envy of all when I got tickets to see Boy George and Culture Club and I was right up the front. I was happy but I have never been that crazy screaming kind of fan and it never crossed my mind to throw my knickers either. At this particular concert they had quiet a large space in front of the stage, perhaps a few meters that was unused. I was right on the barricade and seriously spent most of the night helping to pass along girls who had fainted. The funniest thing was that they would be lying there with the St Johns ambulance and when they came to and saw how close they were to Georgie boy they screamed their lungs out and passed out again. It sure was an experience to watch.

My last crazy antic was to express my love for Spandau Ballet. A friend and I managed to get in to the Hilton Lobby Cafe just before all the fans starting camping out the front. We were 17 and broke so drank crazy amounts of water and lived on the free nuts for about 24 hours. The staff were surprisingly nice to us, I think they thought it was cute and we were well mannered. So much so that they arranged for the band to come down and meet us. OMG!!!!!  I remember clearly that Martin Kemp was freshly showered and smelt soooooo good. They were very friendly and gracious and we got all their autographs.

A few nights ago I had the pleasure to take my 8 year old daughters to their first concert/boy band crush which was of course One Direction. My heart sang that night seeing their eyes widen at the wonder of it all. During the opening act Miss L told me she was saving all her screaming for 1D. When the lights went down and the glow sticks were everywhere they both let out an audible sigh of amazement. They screamed, they danced and sung their little hearts out. I was a little teary watching how happy they were. The icing on the cake was seeing 1D drive right by us when they left.

The next morning Miss L was inconsolable. She told me it was one of the best things she had ever done, she loved them so much and was sad she could not go again. Bless her cotton socks.

This was a rite of passage and I am glad I was there for it, it may however take a while to get my hearing back.

The Dyson VS A hate of vacuuming

Who out there loves housework? Not me
Who out there loves vacuum cleaning? Not me
Who even has time for vacuum cleaning? Not me

I feel like my life has been confused with someone else. I come from a long line of aristocrats and I am pretty sure they never had to clean their own homes. Each time I am cleaning a  toilet I let out an audible sigh at the unfairness of it all.

I know people who love to houseclean, they really do, they say they love the instant gratification. You know what?  I would just as easily if not more get that instant gratification from someone else doing it for me.

I do however digress. I was offered the chance to trial 2 Dyson products to see what I thought. I leapt at the chance. I have been hearing all this amazing stuff about how the Dyson is the ants pants of floor cleaners so up went my hand.

Do you know what I really hate about vacuuming? Opening the cupboard door, pulling out the cleaner, pulling out the cord, plugging the cord in and THEN finally starting the chore. Wayyyyy to many steps especially if its a quick clean up.

So, I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this little beast. It is the the latest Dyson Digital Slim™ DC59 vacuum. It is lightweight, cordless, and packs the same power as a mains vacuum cleaner. RRP $649 for the Animal model and $599 for the Multi floor.  if you want to know more you can  find the new Dyson Digital Slim at Dyson.

It runs cordlessly for 20 minutes which is enough time for me to run around the house and do an all over clean. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that if I notice some dirt or there has been a spill, I can grab it and go. Even better that the kids can grab it and go. It feels so crazy lazy to say plugging in a cord is a pain but it truly is. I will put it off and off and the floor gets dirtier and I got more stressed.

It is super strong, the same sucking power if not more than my regular non Dyson vacuum. I can also take it out to the car and give that a quick run over as well.

The door bell rings with unexpected guests and I can do a quick clean on the way to the door...I really can.

It is a life changer.

I also got to trial the The Dyson Cinetic™. It is the only machine with no bags, no loss of suction, and no filter fuss. RRP: DC54 Animal Pro (RRP$1099), DC54 Animal (RRP$999), DC54 Allergy (RRP$899), DC54 Multi floor (RRP$799). Find the new Dyson Cinetic™ here

This is the big mama of vacuuming. It is like all my carpets have had a professional clean, it got in deep and made all the fibres stand up again like new. It has super suction that I have not experienced before. Normally I have to go back and forward a zillion times to get everything up and take the brush off to suck up the remaining ones that just don't want to play nice. With this it just comes straight up so cut my time in half.

With both of them emptying the drum is also very easy.

I am sold. Dyson won the battle of vacuuming.

Dyson and I would like to offer 2 readers the chance to trial one of the above. If you decide you love it and want to purchase one, you will get a 20% discount (WOW!). If not, just simply return to Dyson.

Please comment below with an answer to this question and which one you would like to trial Slim or Cinetic?

What problem do you want Dyson engineers to solve in your home?

Mine would be hanging out my washing...is that possible? and making sure socks did not lose their partners.

Good luck.

You have till Sunday 24th of November to enter.

Did you know?

•Dyson has 1,536 engineers and scientists working on a pipeline of technology that stretches out over twenty-five years. 

•Dyson invests £1.5 million a week on research and development and has doubled the number of engineers employed at its UK research and development laboratories in the past two years.  

•Dyson has expertise in fluid, mechanical, robotic, electrical, thermal, chemical, acoustic, motor, thermo dynamics, testing and software engineering, and is thought to be the only vacuum cleaner manufacturer with an in-house microbiology team. 

In The Spotlight: Oksa

I would like to introduce Oksa who are new to Piccadilly Market for our Christmas event on the 1st of December. If you or anyone you know is pregnant you will want to check out this line of maternity clothing.

Tell us a little about yourself?

I have recently moved to Jan Juc from Sydney with my husband and two children, Oscar (4) and Charlie (2). I grew up in Melbourne and had plenty of Summers in Anglesea so I am somewhat familiar with the area. I love all things active and since acquiring a garden, I spend most of my time weeding, pruning and procrastinating in it!

How did you come up with your business name?

I wanted a name that wasn't related to "mummies", "boobs" or pregnancy. Because our range is more of a lifestyle collection (meaning it can be worn by all), I didn't want to alienate those not pregnant or breastfeeding. My little nephew always called Oscar "Oksa Rockstar which I thought was so cute, so the name was decided!

Tell us how your product/range came about?

It is the same story going around! Whilst I was pregnant with Oscar and working in the medical industry, I couldn't find any nice maternity clothes and more importantly breastfeeding clothes. I bought some garments for breastfeeding from some of the bigger companies (all made off-shore) and after two or so wears of pulling fabric aside to feed, the fabric had stretched and 'pilled'. After Googling "how to start your own clothing line", I was armed with a very talented pattern maker, a few designs and Oksa was born! Cool

How long have you been in business for?

3 Years  

What inspires you? 

 I love looking through different types of magazines and seeing what is currently on-trend in mainstream fashion and seeing which type of fashion would work for maternity as well as breastfeeding. I also have quite classic design taste and pieces that will take you through multiple pregnancies and fashion trends. 

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?

Definitely bloomed later in life and I'd still say it hasn't bloomed as yet! As I said, I just have a very talented pattern maker that can interpret stick figure designs! 

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?

There isn't anything that cool about me to be honest! I even rang my sister to ask and she said the same! I'm a pretty open book so most people know everything about me in the first meeting. Let's just say I like to talk! We best not get chatting then. lol

If money was no object what would be your dream destination?

Right now somewhere hot, because it is coming up to Summer and it's still freezing down here! I'd love to go to South America and Mexico! 

What are you reading right now?

Shantaram- I have been reading it for about 3 months now!  Great book, I loved it

What is your favorite website(s) ?           

Hands down Bom.gov.au- I love weather watching and am constantly glued to the radar!  

What is on your Christmas wishlist?

A little dog- although I am trying to secretly get one before Chrissy!  Me too

Make sure you stop by and say Hi on the 1st.