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700 posts giveaway and Cooks Hill

On Friday morning we had the usual school routine, hopped in the Corolla and dropped the kids off at school, reminding them about going to after school care until daddy picked them up, and then headed to Kell's to drop Cedar off (along with his car seat). Once he was settled for his morning nap, I headed to Melbourne airport's long term car parking, took the courtesy bus to the terminal and pottered in to check in for my flight. I was quite unnecessarily pleased with how smoothly the schedule worked out!

After arriving at Newcastle airport, I headed straight to the Hunter Valley, spending Friday afternoon, Saturday and Saturday night there. First thing on Sunday morning I drove to Newcastle, intending on at least having a look around before flying home!


Since a friend had pointed me to the area, I stopped at Darby St, Cooks Hill, an inner city suburb. I had stuffed mushrooms for breakfast at 3 Monkeys, which was really tasty! The coffee (with an extra shot) was not strong enough, but a nice flavour. Service was sweet :)

This display was in the window of High Tea with Mrs Woo and it was probably best for me that the shop isn't open on Sundays ;)

This is Blackbird Corner, which the lovely Jane of Kabwares suggested I visit as they stock her funky garden markers (the next pic shows the spoons and forks in their Blackbird Corner home).

I also visited a shop called Blue Star Elements and bought some gifts, some accessories for Sienna, had a long look around and they also let me use their toilet - always nice! There was a retro boutique called Ramjet that had some awesome men's tshirts and I also bought this dress as a special treat for myself... can't wait until it's boots and scarves weather to wear it. Today Kell and I went to Savers and I found a great, really wide, brown belt that will look fab with my new dress, happy days :)



And last, but not least, to celebrate getting to 700 posts, I am giving away 7 things to one lucky blog reader! Doesn't that sound fun?

What you can win: 7 things! Ok, I already said that. Here's the rundown:

1. A Curiouser magnet
2. A Curiouser photography print
3. A blank Curiouser card
4. Another blank Curiouser card
5. An 8"x10" mixed media canvas
6. Something little I will sew for you
7. A vintage treat (I love surprises!)

What you have to do: comment below (thanks to Maxabella's passionate feelings on the matter, I've changed to pop up comments - do you like? I was also thinking of switching to Disqus for commenting, which would allow me to reply...). Oh, anyway, just comment, say whatever you like! As long as it's nice!

When it will be drawn: Thursday 24th March 2011, sometime after school drop off ;)

On the blogging front, the last set of sneak peeks from the Hunter will be up tomorrow...

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the run down of shops, I will be sure to go check them out. Love the dress!! So happy with the sneak peaks, your photography is beautiful, whimsical and timeless. A peice of art. Thanks again for visiting and capturing a moment in time at our place xx Amy.

Scrapping Down a Lane said...

What a lovely bunch of shops.. must check them out next time I'm in Newie. Hope you had a beautiful time in my part of NSW xxx

Natalie said...

yay on 700 posts - you know you rock babe!

Natalie Elphinstone said...

7 prizes for 700 posts. What a great idea! And wow for achieving that milestone - what a great feat! Sounds like you had a great time away :-)

Kate said...

woohoo 700 posts!! love your piccies of Cooks Hill, it is a gorgeous area, lots of funky little shops and yummy food!! can't wait to see Amy's photos tomorrow!!!

dorothybills..... said...

Woo hoo fab give away! Count me in!
Glad you got to stroll around Darby St, it has such a cool vibe for a small street. Oh and I love the pic's of blackbird Cnr which by the way is stocking some of my pouches ( Just about to send more axtually)! Great Photos as always Dan! xx

mezzo mish said...

No way! 700 posts. Aweseome stuff. LOVE that dress.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on 700 posts!

I love reading your updates and seeing how you are, it's been ages since I have seen you or Kell IRL! Cedar and eli are similar ages, so it's great seeing how you are going with your little boy.

Oh and I love that dress! It's gorgeous, and yes I agree, bring on the boots and scarves weather!

I just need to find some boots that fit me, any tips on where you got yours?

Lisa Amiet said...

What a fabulous giveaway. Love your work and could think of nothing that would make me happier than winning your fabulous prize! Keep up the wonderful work xoxo

Kerry Littrich said...

Hi Danielle,
I am the lucky owner of a couple of your red berries pieces which I bought from a cafe in Belgrave a little while ago. Since then, I check in on your blog every few days and love your photography.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Kerry.

sylvia said...

Oh what a lovely place, so inspiring, i feel like i need.to.go.there.right.now.

and the giveaway.... wow! ok, my mind is blank, don't know what else to write.

hugs xx

Lauren said...

Woohooo 700 posts! Congratulations :)

And just incase I hadn't told you this week...you are AWESOME!

Love the Newcastle photos too.

Happy Wednesday xx

janef said...

so glad you got to Blackbird Cnr to say hi to our spoons !!!
think I will have to get there myself one day
j

Kerri said...

Gorgeous shops Danielle and WOW 700 posts! You have been busy!
love your blog and u r so generous with you giveaway!
keep up great work! x

Dolly B said...

Love the pics and congrats on the 700 post. The dress is so pretty and what a fantastic give away, how awsome it would be to win
Cheers
Mary

Leanne J said...

woot woot..yay.. and Pick me.. {waving my hand madly...lol}

oh i LOVE love your work and i wowzeroonis those shops look delicious..yumm.....

woot woot and yay on the 700..OMG that is so amazing..and i well..you know.. i'm in AWE of you.. happy days..

Anonymous said...

Wow! 700 posts, congratulations!
I love stopping by here... love how you always have a little bit of everything... from family, travel, beautiful photography, fashion and scrapbooking..keep it up :)

bappleicious said...

What an amazing effort - your work is just classy.
I was at the Hunter at the beginning of last year at it was a big shame i didnt get to explore and find some of those quirky little shops there. they look amazing.
As everyone has been saying.....PICK ME, PICK ME ( Oh I feel like Donkey from Shrek -hehe ).
Look forward to your next 700 posts :)

simona said...

Thanks for the reminder about this giveaway post. I saw it the other day and didn't have time to comment and of course forgot all about it!

700 posts is quite a big deal I would say, congrats!
Looking forward to more since I enjoy visiting...

Kate said...

Fabulous photography as usual! I cant believe i have read nearly 700 posts from you ... hehe

Sam said...

Just popped over from On Polkadot Lane. Love looking through your work, congratulations on 700 posts!

Mardi said...

Hi Danielle.. 700 posts.. and many more to come !
Im a regular 'popper byer'...I come for my fix of photo inspiration...art....family...and I love that I often get a peak of SA here too..
Mardi x

Leanne said...

Hey Danielle! I love what you do here on your blog!! Congrats on your 700th post! WTG!

Shazz said...

So glad I got to meet you and hang out with you Danielle.
And now so glad that I found your blog.
Now to save up and have you visit to photograph my family.
Thank you for helping make Byron such a magical and amazing weekend I will hold in my heart for many many years to come xo

neenaballerina said...

Just popped over from On Polkadot Lane. Love looking through your work, congratulations on 700 posts!

Belinda Lowe said...

What an amazing effort - your work is just classy.
I was at the Hunter at the beginning of last year at it was a big shame i didnt get to explore and find some of those quirky little shops there. they look amazing.
As everyone has been saying.....PICK ME, PICK ME ( Oh I feel like Donkey from Shrek -hehe ).
Look forward to your next 700 posts :)

Lisa Amiet said...

What a fabulous giveaway. Love your work and could think of nothing that would make me happier than winning your fabulous prize! Keep up the wonderful work xoxo

Dolly B said...

Love the pics and congrats on the 700 post. The dress is so pretty and what a fantastic give away, how awsome it would be to win
Cheers
Mary

Scrapping Down a Lane said...

What a lovely bunch of shops.. must check them out next time I'm in Newie. Hope you had a beautiful time in my part of NSW xxx

Kim said...

Hey Danielle - Jane sent me over to check out your photos of Cooks Hill - your photos are fabulous...and I'm glad you enjoyed your visit up here to Newcastle ..Darby St is one of my favourite places and I have a lot to do with that area over the years..

It was lovely to see you blogging about Darby St. KIM Archer.

dquarmby said...

Thanks Kim, thanks for popping over to check it out :) I had a great morning
on Darby St, would love to go back again!