The day of love – Valentine’s Day – is about showing appreciation for a special someone usually by way of chocolates, flowers or love letters.
But just how South Australian is your gesture going to be on February 14? Well, we reckon it should be fully and passionately South Australian. Just like we encourage you at Christmas and Easter to shop local – we’re doing it for V-Day as well.
Why? Because shopping local keeps jobs here in our state, it supports small businesses, producers and craftspeople. So we’ve scoured the SA online marketplace – Shop South Australia – for a few gifts for him and her that are sure to be cherished this Valentine’s Day.
Swap the typical red roses for something a little wilder. East End Flower Market, based on Grenfell Street in Adelaide’s CBD, has a passion for wildflowers, which are sourced direct from growers in the Adelaide Hills. Vibrant and pastel-coloured flowers are also sourced from markets each day, resulting in bright and longlasting bouquets that can be complemented with a card and personalised message.
A card is the simplest of gestures. But depending on the message inside it can also mean the most! A good option for those wanting to express their love in the written form. Adelaide-based illustrator Doris Chang is behind Little Sister Co, designer of greeting cards, art prints and textiles. The ‘cheesy’ card, below, is illustrated by hand in watercolour and ink. Everything is better with cheese on it.
Alongside flowers, jewellery tends to be another Valentine’s classic. Glenelg jewellery maker Vanessa Stephens is behind Ocean Haze, a collection of delicate pieces inspired by the beach and the environment. Her earrings and necklaces are contemporary in style, featuring recycled sterling silver, fine silver, and freshwater pearls. They’re crafted with both traditional and contemporary techniques and packaging is made from recycled products! Ocean Haze donates 10% of its profits to the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
“A sparkling opening of pink grapefruit and spiced pink peppercorn with a soft rose heart and a delicate skin-musk dry down”. The description of this Freedom Eau De Parfum is romance in itself! One Seed Perfume is made in Adelaide using all natural ingredients with at least 80% organic content – so better for the environment and those with sensitive skin. Natural fragrances tend to create more complex scent profiles that change slightly depending on the skin it sits on. So each perfume will be slightly different depending on its wearer!
A good gift for the gin connoisseur. 5Nines Distilling is a small-batch distillery in Uraidla in the Adelaide Hills. These guys are relatively new, establishing the distillery in 2016 and have since been trying to achieve perfection, more specifically 99.999% perfection (hence the name). At the moment they stock three spirits, a rare dry gin, a sticks and stone (navy strength) gin and a wild citrus gin. To create, the base liquor is blended with Adelaide Hills spring water and gently infused with indigenous botanicals sourced from bushland in the Flinders Ranges, and around the globe.
Suit-wearing gentlemen will appreciate these traditional leather cufflinks made with a personal touch. Craftswoman Pauline Van Houten is behind Vantler Leather, a leather accessories brand that was inspired by Pauline’s own love for gift giving. Read her story here. Vantler Leather pieces are handcrafted in Pauline’s home studio using full grain leather, with the cuff links available in five different hues. They can be engraved with the wearer’s initials, offering a personal touch and a gift to keep for the long haul!
The perfect timepiece for stylish gents, Blaax watches are minimalistic in design and range from the more casual tan genuine leather straps to sleek black leather bands. Watches are not only practical (obviously) but they can add life to every day outfits and allow the wearer to express a little something about their personality.
Chocolate is a no brainer for those with a sweet tooth or those looking for a small and simple gift. From boxes of assorted truffles to chocolate covered almonds, caramels and fruit and nut assortments, there is plenty of choice. Haigh’s also has a special Valentine’s Day collection featuring special packaging.
Shop South Australia is home to a unique collection of over 300 South Australian gifts and goods from more than 70 local makers and producers. Choose local and Shop South Australia.
‘Tis the season of giving, but instead of presents why not celebrate this Christmas with a gift that gives back to fellow South Aussies?
This festive season Brand South Australia is proud to show its support for some of the state’s leading charitable organisations by encouraging people to visit Shop South Australia and donate to its member charities and foundations.
Members of the public can visit Shop South Australia’s newly created ‘Donate to Charity’ category and choose from more than 40 of Brand South Australia’s charity members to gift a direct donation.
Shop South Australia is a free platform allowing users to link directly to the charity’s own website to complete their donation, enduring all funds go to the chosen foundation.
Donators can choose from charities across a range of sectors including animals, arts, children, community support, environment and health.
Brand South Australia’s general manager corporate partnerships, Nicola Martin, says the not-for-profit organisation is pleased to support its member charities this festive season.
“We have over 40 charities and foundations that are part of our membership program, and hope that people’s generous donations will help support the vital work that they do,” she says.
Membership and Sponsorship with Brand South Australia offers unique business opportunities to connect with significant South Australian businesses and industries.
Reckon you’re a fair dinkum South Aussie? Well, prove it!
Saturday, October 27 is I Choose SA Day, an annual celebration of all things South Australian, from Balfours frog cakes to the Mall’s Balls and bung fritz.
But there’s way more to it than that. I Choose SA Day is the day to back your state by choosing local products, goods, services, destinations and activities.
And it won’t be hard to do. SA is home to some of the world’s finest produce and best holiday destinations you’ll find. Our state’s playground comprises some of the oldest vineyards in Australia, funky cellar doors and laneway bars, pristine beaches and coastal hideaways, and stunning natural environments that will take your breath away.
If every SA household put a modest $2.30 a week towards buying local food and beverages, it could support up to 600 new local jobs. So let’s do it on October 27. Look for the State Brand to ensure the company you’re buying from or dealing with employs locals and contributes to the growth of our state.
So no matter what sort of South Aussie you are – a foodie, a sports nut, a dog lover, a beer drinker, wine aficionado or traveller – we have you covered.
HOW TO CHOOSE SA IF YOU’RE…
A foodie
Foodies need not be reminded how good SA has it when it comes to gastronomic delights. Our state’s capital is home to Orana, the best restaurant in Australia as crowned by the prestigious Good Food Guide Awards.
Then there’s the slick Japanese-inspired Shobosho on Leigh Street in the CBD, stunning South African cuisine at Africola, and the New York-inspired bar and grill Sean’s Kitchen in the Adelaide Casino, just to name a few.
But the big foodie event on October 27 and 28 is CheeseFest+FERMENT. Head along to Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka in Adelaide to get a taste of all things fermented (e.g. cheese and wine!) You’ll find the I Choose SA toasties, including the delicious classic toasted sanga made with Skara Smallgoods ham, La Casa Del Formaggio mozzarella, and Spring Gully pickles.
In other foodie news, I Choose SA events are also happening at the Adelaide Central Market with cooking demonstrations by Sprout Cooking School.
We’ll also celebrate the launch of the SA strawberry season, with a live auction hosted at the central market by real estate industry’s Anthony Toop on October 27 from 11.45am.
Place your bid on a tray of the season’s first strawberries and show your support for local growers, with all proceeds going to charity.
At Plant 4 Bowden a chef from Jessie Spiby’s restaurant My Grandma Ben will also put on cooking demonstrations.
Pop into your local Foodland to find delicious SA produce and if you’re at the Happy Valley and McLaren Vale stores, spot foodie Bree May cooking up a storm. A number of farmer’s markets are up and running across the state weekends, offering fresh produce from the farm.
I Choose SA toasties (including The Classic, pictured) can be found at CheeseFest+FERMENT on October 27 and 28.
A shopaholic
There’s no better way to choose SA than at the checkout.
Hit Adelaide’s main shopping precinct, Rundle Mall, to drop by a number of local boutiques and gift shops stocking SA wares, clothing, jewellery and gifts. Adelaide Arcade and Regent Arcade towards the mall’s eastern end are excellent places to browse through small stores stocking local art, makeup, homewares, skincare and gifts.
Womens fashion hub BNKR in Rundle Mall is home to brands under Australian Fashion Labels, one of Adelaide’s greatest fashion success stories. Head to Ebenezer Place in the East End to find more small boutiques.
If you’re not in town for I Choose SA Day or shopping from home is more your style, then hit up Shop South Australia, Brand South Australia’s online marketplace listing only local brands.
A party animal
Head to the buzzing Peel Street in the city’s West End, enter into a battle of the whisky and rums bars on Vardon Avenue or check out Adelaide from a few storeys high at one of the city’s rooftop bars, such as the Mayfair Hotel’s Hennessy or 2KW Bar and Restaurant. Think you’ve seen it all? Here’s 11 bars you might have missed.
Fancy some live music or a bit of a boogie? As a UNESCO City of Music, Adelaide knows how to play a good beat. Head to one of our many longstanding live music venues such as The Gov, The Grace Emily, Jive, Fat Controller, Crown & Anchor, The Exeter, Adelaide Uni Bar or The Jade Monkey.
Pink Moon Saloon on Leigh Street is one of Adelaide’s funkiest laneway gems. Photo: SATC.
A wine aficionado
With Adelaide, South Australia, a member of the global Great Wine Capital Network and home to some of the country’s oldest vines, our state produces some of the best drops on the planet.
Our wineries are often headed by multi-generational family businesses producing the highest quality wines.
Twist the top off a Coopers, crack the can of a West End or knock the froth off one of our characteristic craft brews.
SA is home to a large gang of brewers – both large and small scale producers – who are pushing the boundaries with brewing and experimenting with new flavours.
If you’re a traditionalist, we recommend the classic Original Pale Ale by the biggest Australian owned brewery, Coopers. If you’re thirsty for something a little funky, here’s 10 SA beers you really need to try.
The Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery on the banks of the Murray River at Murtho is another must-visit. Photo: SATC/Adam Bruzzone.
A sports nut
You’re scoffing down a Balfours pie at Adelaide Oval every fortnight during footy season and sipping on a West End Draught in the peak of summer at the Big Bash League.
You dust off the deadly treadly at Tour Down Under time, you’ve watched the Adelaide Bite baseball team swing a few and you’ve been decked out in pink at Priceline Stadium in true Adelaide Thunderbirds style.
But aside from professional levels, SA also is home to a family of grassroots sporting clubs that often make up the fabric of our suburbs and regional towns.
So head to the local cricket and cheer on your team, have a swing at your local golf club, hit your local swimming centre or go for something a bit niché. Archery anyone?
A café crawler
Treat yourself on October 27 to a latte, cappuccino, flat white, espresso, long black – however you have it – at one of the dozens, probably even hundreds of cozy cafés throughout SA.
Many of our cafés use local milk from brands like Fleurieu Milk and Tweedvale, and coffee beans roasted locally too. Ask where the muffins, biscuits and slices are made and chances are they’re baked on site or locally. We did all the hard work for you when we hunted down the best coffee spots across the state. Check out our story here.
Avoiding the delicious pastries at La Moka on Peel Street is impossible, just do it. Photo: SATC.
An adventurer
Pack the swag, check the tyre pressure and stock the Esky. SA’s landscapes are a camping, fishing, 4WDing, mountain biking and bushwalking playground.
If going off road is your thing, check out these Top 6 4WD and camping spots in SA, including spots in the Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, and Limestone Coast.
SA is also renowned for its mountain bike trails, some of them more suited to skilled downhill riders, others appropriate for young families. We also have the Murray River, an ideal spot for water sports, while the state’s coastlines provide some of the top surfing spots.
Want to really lift your heart rate? Go shark cage diving in Port Lincoln and swim with great whites.
Lincoln National Park on the Eyre Peninsula offers a 4WD experience. Photo: SATC.
A dog lover
Take your furry pal to one of these dog-friendly venues we’ve scouted out or treat your pooch to a little something from your local pet supplies store.
Check out SA business Doggy Grub, who make ready-to-eat dog meals made with 100% natural and human-grade ingredients and deliver straight to your door.
Is your four-legged friend easy to please? Hit your local butcher shop and pick up some raw meat bones for them to chew.
A traveller
Keep the tourism dollars in SA by choosing a local holiday destination for a weekend away.
Explore your own backyard by visiting quintessential country towns, camping under the stars, or even booking a night in a luxurious city hotel.
Jump aboard the SeaLink ferry and fall in love with Kangaroo Island, home to a gin distillery, honey farms, Australian sea lions, cellar doors and conservation parks.
Shuck fresh oysters while paddling your feet in the sea off the Eyre Peninsula’s Coffin Bay, throw a line off the jetty along the Yorke Peninsula, sleep under the stars in the Flinders Ranges, or head underground at opal town Coober Pedy.
You can experience the best of SA and book your next local getaway with RAA Travel.
A Pure Coffin Bay Oysters boat among the pristine waters of the Eyre Peninsula. Photo by Mark Fitzpatrick.
A local business owner
The best thing you can do to show your support for the state, and let consumers know you’re local, is to grab some of I Choose SA merchandise and run your own activities in store.
Get in touch with the I Choose SA team at ichoosesa@brandsouthaustralia.com.au and let them know what you have planned for the day.
Westfield Marion’s Food Hall will also celebrate I Choose SA Day with kids cooking classes, live music and face painting.
Monarto Zoo is the largest open air zoo in the world and will provide a full day of wonder. Photo: Zoos SA.
However you spend I Choose SA Day in 2018, we wanna hear about it!
Snap your local purchase, destination or activity and use the #ichoosesa hashtag, and follow us on Instagram @brandsouthaust, Facebook @brandsouthaustralia and Twitter @brandsouthaust.
Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.
There’s a saying that’s been floating around recently: “people don’t buy from businesses – they buy from people.”
And so, with the brand new Shop South Australia up and running, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on the people behind the local brands and businesses you can shop from on the purely SA online marketplace.
The first maker we’d like you to meet is Kyrie from Kindred Self.
A former graphic designer turned counsellor, Kyrie had the “strong inkling” that one day she would work in “some kind of healing modality”.
Kyrie was first introduced to essential oils 15 years ago when her specialist informed her that she had breast cancer – and handed her a tissue infused with lavender oil.
From there, the connection to essential oils became stronger and, fast forward 12 years, Kyrie set out to create her own range of essential oil products.
Kyrie, left, with her one of the handmade essential oil products.
How did the idea for Kindred Self come about?
After completing my formal counselling studies, I reflected on my personal experience of using essential oils for emotional support when I had cancer, and all of a sudden, the connection between counselling and aromatherapy seemed so obvious to me. And so, in a very organic way, the Kindred Self product range for self-care came to be.
What sets Kindred Self apart?
As a counsellor, my point of difference is how openly I connect with people by sharing my passion for oils, my life and personal insights. I often find myself at markets or in the shop having deep conversations and the essential oils are the gentle segue for this to happen. Feeling supported and heard is a big part of the Kindred Self experience.
What do you love most about being based in South Australia?
Adelaide is the perfect place for small start-ups, especially if you benefit from a bit of old-fashioned marketing such as ‘word of mouth’!
What have been some highlights for Kindred Self so far?
The biggest highlight is watching my little business grow – literally. When I first started, I leased a vestibule of an old church hall in Croydon. From there I moved into my shopfront in Grange. In October, I move into a much larger space in Port Adelaide, which feels extremely grown up!
Another highlight is witnessing my customers resonating with what my business is all about. My products are ‘heart crafted’ in small batches – a lot of time and love goes into what I do, and that energy is felt by many who come into contact with Kindred Self. I receive so much support and positive feedback from the community, which is so encouraging for me.
Kyrie outside her shopfront in Grange.
What’s next for Kindred Self?
Quite a lot actually! I’m about to setup a new workspace in Port Adelaide called Urban Wellness. This space will be HQ to Kindred Self, but also a shared space for likeminded wellness practitioners. The space will be a haven to connect, share, cultivate, heal and be well.
I’m also about to launch a spring/summer workshop series focusing on creative self-care, which will run at a few locations around Adelaide from October to February, and I’m developing some new products to launch in the new year.
A hug in a bottle, this pulse point roller is a blend that can improve sleep quality and ease symptoms of fear and anxiety.
It’s a synergy of lavender, cedarwood and chamomile that can be rolled onto the soles of your feet as you jump into bed, supporting a more restful sleep!
Shop South Australia is home to a unique collection of over 300 South Australian gifts and goods from more than 70 local makers and producers. Choose local and Shop South Australia.
Blue skies, sunlight and blooming backyards are three signs of spring that have us preparing to store away those woollen jumpers with joy.
A spring clean of your home is one way to prepare for the sunshine season, but without knowing where (or how) to start, we decided to call in the experts.
Meet: Caroline Owler and Nadia Yelland, professional home organisers and stylists, and founders of Adelaide-based home decor styling consultancy, Edited Interiors.
We asked the duo to share their ultimate editing tips for every room in the house incorporating their favourite picks from the new Shop South Australia marketplace to spruce up your space for spring.
Caroline and Nadia from Edited Interiors.
Meeting after their children started school together, the pair quickly discovered a shared passion for creating stylish and functional interior spaces.
With seven children between them, they understand the importance of having an organised home and life.
Kitchen
• Do a stocktake of mugs, cups and saucers. Spoil yourself with new items but be sure to donate excess crockery.
• Give the pantry a good clean out. Wipe down shelves, cupboards and doors, and check expiry dates on all products, discarding any that are out of date.
• Group together key ingredients for your favourite weekday meals. Grouping products together makes cooking dinner (and writing the shopping list) quicker and easier.
Living areas
• Give your sofa an update by adding new cushions. Add a throw rug to create extra layers of cosiness.
• Edit your collection of books and magazine. Pass on, return and donate those you no longer wish to keep.
• Burn scented candles for warmth and ambience. Insider tip: Etikette’s candles are scented based on SA destinations including Seacliff, Heysen, and Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas.
Sonia Bavistock is a fashion and lifestyle blogger and also has her own social media management and copywriting business. Sonia is passionate about all things South Australia and can often be seen dining out with a glass of wine in hand.
Shop South Australia is home to a unique collection of over 300 South Australian gifts and goods from more than 70 local makers & producers. Choose local and Shop South Australia.
One online place where South Australian gin, chocolate, wine, jewellery, skincare, clothing and homewares can all be found? We know. Legendary idea.
Brand South Australia is proud to launch the new look of its online marketplace, Shop South Australia, in celebration of the abundance of talented makers and producers we have right here in SA.
The overhauled marketplace is home to a collection of more than 300 local goodies and gifts from over 65 brands.
You’ll recognise a few, from the legendary Fruchocs makers Robern Menz and chocolate heroes Haigh’s Chocolates, to the warm and snuggly woollen quilt and pillow makers, Mini Jumbuk.
Other brands include Ambleside Distillery from Hahndorf, McLaren Vale’s Fox Creek, fashionista Naomi Murrell, botanical beauty company Yard Skincare, and East End Flower Market.
There are goodies and services for her, him, the home, kids, babies and everyone in between.
Just a few of the goodies that can be found on Shop South Australia.
Shop South Australia is a product aggregation site, allowing users to browse for local products and services before being prompted to purchase directly from the vendor’s website, ensuring profits remain with the maker.
Brendan Carter, owner of Gumeracha’s Applewood Distillery and wine label Unico Zelo, says the marketplace will help grow awareness of the great products that hail from SA.
“To have our meticulously crafted products sitting alongside some of the best in the state is a brilliant opportunity,” he says.
The local shopping ethos of Shop South Australia aligns with Brand South Australia’s popular I Choose SA program, which encourages South Aussies to support local jobs by buying from local businesses, retailers and suppliers.
After something special? Visit Shop South Australia and don’t forget to use the #shopsouthaustralia hashtag on social media when snapping your purchases!
Shop South Australia is home to a unique collection of over 300 South Australian gifts and goods from more than 70 local makers & producers. Choose local and Shop South Australia.
Winter – it’s the coldest time of year when South Aussies turn into a glove wearing, red wine sipping and fierce footy barracking bunch.
The winter months bring no shortage of activity across the state with festivals, events and attractions lighting up the city and warming our regions.
From underground outback bakeries, to spotting southern right whales off the coast at Victor Harbor and cradling hot chocolates in cosy cafes, there are hundreds of ways to enjoy the chilly months in South Australia.
1. Get lost in a bookshop
There’s nothing quite like the alluring smell of a book.
In the leafy suburb of Stirling in the Adelaide Hills, you’ll find Matilda Bookshop, a small independent store stocked with new releases combined with something a little bit different.
O’Connell’s Bookshop on Bank Street in Adelaide is another oldie but goodie, with a selection of rare and unique stories to devour.
It’s also Adelaide’s oldest antiquarian and second-hand bookshop.
2. Drop a line
It takes courage to climb out of bed at 4am and have the boat in the water by the crack of dawn when the fish are biting.
But it’s worth the effort, especially in winter – the prime time for King George Whiting.
The Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Limestone Coast and Kangaroo Island are the go-to spots.
The underground bakery at Farina. PHOTO: Rob Fairweather.
3. Visit the Farina Bakery
The ghost town of Farina, 55km south of Marree in the state’s Far North has a population of zero, but it’s bakery is roaring hot.
Fresh bread, hot pies, pasties and buns are sold to scores of visitors, who can also explore the town’s ruins, some of which are undergoing rehabilitation.
4. Sip a red in front of a fireplace
Adelaide is a member of the exclusive Great Wine Capital Global Network (alongside Bordeaux, France, among others) so the abundance of fine wine is being poured out of our cellar doors.
Sipping a smooth glass of red in a comfy armchair by a crackling fireplace? Saturday arvo sorted.
Here’s five fireplaces to warm those hands over, plus another five below!
• Café El Estanco (Greenock, Barossa Valley)
• Bendbrook Wines cellar door (Hahndorf)
• Lost in a Forest (Uraidla)
• Ruby Red Flamingo (North Adelaide)
• Wirra Wirra Wines (McLaren Vale)
The Belgian chocolate fountains at Providore. Photo: Providore, Adelaide Central Market, Facebook.
5. Head on a chocolate hunt
South Australia is home to the country’s oldest family owned chocolate maker – Haighs.
Head to either end of Rundle Mall to stock up on choccies then wander over to the Adelaide Central Market.
Here you’ll find Providore and will probably become entranced by the Belgian chocolate fountains.
Twenty minutes up the South Eastern Freeway in Stirling is Red Cacao with its handmade truffles, cakes, coffee, brownies and waffles.
6. Get outside
It can be tempting to stay rugged up with a good book or movie, but when it’s not raining, winter in South Australia is often met with blue skies.
Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard is again hosting Pinot in the Dark as part of this year’s Winter Reds.
7. Hit a wine festival
There is a stack of wine festivals unfolding this winter, allowing wine lovers a chance to try not only the best drops, but local fare and music too.
The McLaren Vale Sea & Vines Festival is on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (June 9, 10 and 11) offering intimate degustation dinners with winemakers and chefs, winery tours and general lounging around cellar doors.
New wine festival on the block – Sip and Sounds – will take place at the National Wine Centre on July 22.
From July 27 – 29, the Adelaide Hills’ Winter Reds will lure thousands of wine lovers to more than 30 wineries across the region.
Wine appreciators can be spotted at the Hot 100 Winter Harvest at the Adelaide Convention Centre on June 29 and 30.
8. Shop (local of course)
Hit the mall, arcade or your country town main street and buy something special.
Better yet, buy something that’s South Australian made or owned.
Looking for the State Brand will make things easier, or head to the Shop South Australia marketplace which will point you directly to all things SA, including wine, homewares, fashion, gifts, skincare and more.
Set in a private coastal garden in Robe, Trader Jack’s provides a unique and stylish stay. Photo: Robe Lifestyle Properties.
9. Travel
With a long weekend and school holidays on the horizon, a winter break is the perfect opportunity to recuperate and reset.
We’ve said it before, but South Australia offers the best playground in the country, with national parks, beaches, bushland and vibrant city laneways.
From former bacon factories to treehouses, shipping containers and fancy retreats, quirky accommodation offerings are on the rise, giving you more options to stay somewhere cool (and affordable).
10. Get arty
August is the month of the annual SA Living Artists (SALA) Festival, Australia’s largest community-based visual arts event.
Dozens of exhibitions and art showings will unfold across the state in a diverse range of locations from slick CBD galleries to regional exhibitions set before vineyard views.
Also, Colours of Impressionism is still showing at the Art Gallery of SA until July 29.
I Choose SA ambassadors Laura and Brendan Carter from Applewood in Gumeracha.
11. Cheers to World Gin Day
Raise your glass to the many craft gin makers in South Australia, including Prohibition Liquor Co in the CBD, Ambleside Distillery at Hahndorf and Kangaroo Island Spirits.
Applewood at Gumeracha has made gin from the hail damaged pear crop and will be releasing it on World Gin Day on June 9 at the Inglewood Inn.
12. Get thinking
We’re about to enter the season of ideas.
Entrepreneurs Week in July is once again showcasing the state’s most innovative start-ups, technologies, workspaces and ecosystem leaders.
The week of e-week events will keep you busy, as will Hybrid World, a digital entertainment and technology event that gives a glimpse into the future of the industry.
The Festival of Ideas is also unfolding on July 12–15, inviting speakers including scientists, journalists, historians, architects, economists and theologians to explore a myriad of topics.
A whale frolics off the coast of the Fleurieu.
13. Go whale watching
Head to Victor Harbor to spot these gentle giants – southern right whales – which return to our coastlines each winter.
Their annual journey to SA is part of the breeding cycle.
The SA Whale Centre at Victor Harbor is a good one to visit for families, featuring interactive exhibits, artefacts and displays.
14. Celebrate the shortest day of the year
The winter solstice is the one day of the year with the least daylight hours and this time it will fall on Thursday, June 21.
The winter solstice brings out a range of events celebrating the long night and first step towards spring.
What you might be a little less sure about is what you’ll be buying your mum this Mother’s Day, which is just around the corner.
As the breakfast in bed and handmade cards day approaches on May 13, we’ve searched through the Shop South Australia marketplace to find the perfect gift for all types of mums.
Shop South Australia is a one-stop shop featuring only South Australian artists, designers and makers.
To celebrate Mother’s Day, Shop South Australia is running an Instagram competition giving you the chance to spoil mum with a gift valued at over $400! Head to the Shop South Australia Instagram page for details. Competition closes May 8.
So whether your mum is into fashion, likes a nice glass of red or is candle-obsessed – we’ve got Mother’s Day 2018 covered.
What to get for the mum who loves …
1. Fashion
Naomi Murrell – this Adelaide fashion and accessories designer is behind a range of delicate yet quirky pieces.
Featuring dangling star rings and colourful frill earrings, the jewellery collection complements the fashion range of cherry reds, classic tees and polka dots.
Wine Parcels – This box of goodies is perfect for the mum who appreciates a good drop of red (or white) and a few nibbles to go with it.
The Regional Tastes Parcel favours the Adelaide Hills, featuring selections of produce from vineyards, orchards, strawberry fields, olive groves and dairy farms.
BoxSAlicious – these gift baskets and hampers are made with the best of SA gourmet food and wine.
The carefully selected goods in each pack are from a selection of regions including Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Limestone Coast, Clare Valley, and Riverland.
Plus, what is better than a present that you can “share” with mum.
Gemma Vendetta Cosmetics – Gemma’s beauty essentials are 100% certified vegan and cruelty free.
Her SA-made products are high quality without a compromise. Gemma, who is an I Choose SA ambassador, also has an interesting background, as her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2016 inspired the mineral-based product launch.
Yard Skincare – born from a desire to find a natural cure for teenage acne, this skincare brand features face masks, exfoliators, hand creams, cleansers and lip balms.
A lot of time and research has gone into this Adelaide Hills-based product range that is natural, organic and vegan friendly. Oh, and it smells delicious.
Will you be one of 90,000 festival goers who dance the world away in Botanic Park at this weekend’s WOMADelaide?
The four-day open air festival is back from March 9–12, but aside from the beats, street theatre and visual artists, be sure to check out WoMade, a South Australian-only design market featuring some of the state’s best creators.
The market will showcase fashion, homewares, accessories and goodies designed and handmade locally.
So do your bit in choosing SA by stopping by WoMade.
Stallholders include Bluebell Design, the Butcher Byrd, Colour This. Design and Print, Delilah Devine, Hello Cactus, Hey Reflect’o, Julie White, Naomi Murrell, One Thousand Lines, Renee Damiani Jewellery, Shanghai Lil & The Scarlet Fez, Squink, Wonder What You Were and Wrappa Reusable Food Wraps.
Adelaide-based artist Julie White creates these beautiful bold and original silk scarves and specialty socks inspired by native flora and fauna, deserts and the sea.
She recently gained a Master’s in textile print at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art and her label is renowned in Adelaide fashion circles for its individuality and colour.
Julie White’s new Gone Troppo collection will have you missing summer. Big time.
Just looking at Renee Damiani creations will make you feel happier.
The playful, bold and original jewellery pieces are guaranteed conversation starters and once you purchase your first pair of earrings it’ll be hard to stop.
The jewellery line is handmade from Renee’s Adelaide studio from a mix of hand-dyed plastic tubing, PVC, acrylic, plastic bubbles and polymer clay.
These one-of-a-kind eco-conscious accessories are festival gold.
Designed in SA, handcrafted using recycled textiles and made in Cindy Choua’s home studio, these earth-friendly clutches and zippered pouches are essential for carrying your coins, festival passes, lippy and other essentials.
Many of the fabrics are vintage inspired, mixed, and clashing – exactly how it should be at WOMAD.
A post shared by Cindy Choua (@wonderwhatyouwere) on
Can’t wait until WOMADelaide to check out an array of local artists and makers? Head to Shop South Australia, Brand South Australia’s online marketplace.
Visit I Choose SA to find out how you can support our state by choosing South Australian businesses, products and services.
What better way to support a South Australian artist, than to wear their work.
The Brand South Australia team has linked up with local artists Emma Hack and Vans The Omega to launch funky t-shirt designs for the I Choose SA campaign.
Visual artist Emma Hack’s print comes from her Geometric Collection, while street artist Joel Moore, behind Vans The Omega, selected one of his graphic prints currently on show at the Published Art House.
Emma has become one of Adelaide’s most prominent creative minds over the past two decades, and is renowned for her works in skin illustration and body paint.
Joel, an internationally recognised street artist, has splashed his signature style not only in Adelaide, but across the globe.
His creations are bold and perfectly balanced between shape and colour.
Guys and gals can grab the limited edition tees exclusively for $34.95 on Brand South Australia’s newly launched online store Shop South Australia.
The Vans The Omega design.
Shop South Australia also stocks State Brand and I Choose SA merchandise, along with an SA online marketplace featuring products from more than 40 local businesses.
The marketplace allows shoppers to find the best products from SA’s top local brands in one online location.
Brand South Australia CEO Karen Raffen says the team is thrilled to have the local artists’ work printed on the I Choose SA tees and launched on the Shop South Australia.
“We wanted to make it easy for consumers to support local businesses, so the marketplace is a natural progression of the I Choose SA campaign,” she says.
“South Australians are passionate about supporting local, plus when we choose local businesses, we’re helping support jobs in our state.”
Check out the cool tees here or visit the marketplace. Or do both!
Visit I Choose SA to find out how you can support our State by choosing South Australian businesses, products and services.
South Australian News 