As a shopkeeper, you get to meet all sorts of people….some people come in and wander quietly, others you strike up a conversation with and then leave and then there's the ones that you know you are going to be friends with… Well I have been so fortunate to meet Zoe from Buderim and her beautiful family (even her husbo dropped in once to buy her a surprise pressie…).
I created a new "In Your Home" feature especially so I could go to Zoe's house and have a sticky beak! Aren't I terrible muriel… (I'm also looking for the next Lovely Bird Customer to interview too… so watch out!)
Zoe has seemingly effortlessly, decorated her house to perfection. She's nailed it. I've nearly photograph every nook and cranny of the house and there is not one single bit that isn't styled gorgeously! The whole bloody house is magazine worthy. She has a natural affinity with interior design, both aesthetically and function.
I asked Zoe a few questions so we could get to know her a little better…
Tell us a little about yourself (yes a very daring and unique question, watch out George Negus)
"I am from a tiny coastal town in Victoria called Point Lonsdale. I grew up there, got married there (to my gorgeous Andrew), and had our three children there - Ned, Audrey & Sam. We moved to the Sunshine Coast four and a half years ago. Andrew found his dream job and it appealed to us as a beautiful coastal and relaxed area to bring our kids up in. We wanted more family time. I absolutely love living on the Sunshine Coast… NOW…. but I found the first year incredibly difficult. It was a saviour that I met a few like minded people (whom are now very close friends) at the end of our first year here. From there, things only got better!
Tell us about some of your fondest childhood memories….
"All my memories involve my family. I had and still have, a very close family. I feel very fortunate for that. Mostly, I remember days at the beach…..lots of days at the beach. We did typical things like walking and riding to school everyday, tad poling with friends and really just having a completely carefree life in an ace seaside town!
Talk to me about your pets…..
Sadie
We have FIVE pets. Sadie is our black labrador retriever - she's 5 mths old and sooooo energetic (there's a word). Then we have "the girls" Bella, Faye, Olivia & Cheeseburger, our beautiful egg laying hens. Guess which one her youngest ratbag got to name… he hee heeee.
I LOVE THEM and everyone loves their eggs. ( I know for a fact that Zoe the chook whisperer had her girls laying within a couple of weeks of getting them, normally it can take 2 or 3 months for them to settle in, I think we must do a follow up chook whispering interview too!
a couple of the girls
Give me five words to describe yourself….
Creative
Emotional
Thoughtful
Stubborn
Nurturing
Do you have any good secrets?
Welllll I love watching my washing dry on the clothes line. (so sad I am aware) - love it Zoe
What is your favourite book? The Bridges of Maddison County and Homespun Style by Selina Lake
Do you have any amazing talents? Chook Whisperer
What are your life Guide Posts?
"Everything happens for a reason" I can always apply this for both good and bad stuff! Zoe and I met on the same day she was trying to find someone who knew how to crochet - I've since taught her and she has made more rugs and things than me! :)
Can I steal your kids? There would certainly be times I'd say YES! but for the most part NO WAY! (I have been known to razz up her youngest wild man Sam a little when he visits the shop… he heheheh)
If your house was on fire, what would you grab? (presuming of course, you're family are patiently waiting for you outside the house) The obvious stuff, photos, quilts (that have been handmade by my mother in law and me), crochet rugs and my iPad!
And my yellow sunbeam mixmaster - I travelled the country searching op shops looking for one and finally found one in Katherine NT. She, Katherine (the mixmaster has a name, bless) has travelled 16,000kms in the caravan to sit on our kitchen bench!
Katherine the vintage Mixmaster
What would you do on a day off? This is very rare for our busy family of five, but if I had a whole day to myself I would drive to Noosa and lie on the beach for a few hours. I'd then get a campos coffee @ Hard Coffee, do some retail therapy in Lamington and go to Bistro C for a mango daiquiri and their Asian Chicken Salad. Then I would mosey home via Perigian Beach for a bit more retail therapy and then I would save the best till last and head to THE LOVELY BIRD and sit and crochet with me for an hour or two! (awwww bless).
What are you favourite online hangouts and blogs?
I love Pinterest (massive time waster but also brilliant for inspiration) also I love Kara Rosenlund, Posy Gets Cozy, Cuppa and a Catchup and Hugo & Elsa.
What are you favourite Sunshine Coast Shops?
The Lovely bird, Lamington (noosa), The Sculptured Leaf, Noosa Classics and Fave place to eat are Hungry Feel (buderim), Bulli (Marcoola) and The Velo Project (Mooloolaba).
And that is all we have time for tonight peoples…. Zoe, you are so lovely, kind and gorgeous! I'm really lucky and blessed to have you in my life. Your continual support at the shop is appreciated, every little pop in you grab something - that's what keeps me going! Thank you for letting me & everyone into your amazing home… You have a gift my darling and hope that you could maybe wave your magic wand on my house! :)
I did take about 4 gazillion photos… so I'm going to pop them all in a gallery below! (click on them to view them bigger). Enjoy, let me know which photo is your favourite… such a hard decision!
