fringe festival 2010 - family events

It's almost that time of the year again - the Adelaide Fringe Festival hits town on 19 February, and this year there are 37 "Family" events in the program. If you missed the release of the Fringe guide in last week's Advertiser, never fear, click here for a rundown of the "Family" events, which appear to cater for a variety of tastes and ages.

friday focus - the white shed

Regional South Australia has a number of must-visit homewares stores (think Balhannah By Design), and now, thanks to mother-of-two Letitia Linke, the Yorke Peninsula can boast its own homewares store to rival anything on offer in Adelaide. The White Shed, located on the Linke's farm just outside of Maitland, is a homewares and gift store which offers an Interior Design consultancy service. I caught up with Letitia to find out more about her new venture, which will officially open on 5 February.

Why did you launch this business and how did you get started?
I have always had a huge interest in beautiful homes and interiors and decided that I would like to do what I love. I undertook an Interior Design course by correspondence, which involved designing a retail space - that was how The White Shed was born. There are so many amazing homes and beach houses on the Yorke Peninsula, but there was a major lack of stylish, modern homewares available locally.

What items/services do you offer?
The range includes Modern and French inspired cushions, throws, clocks, ceramics, wicker, glass jars, hurricane vases, picture frames, tea towels, placemats, mirrors, baby's bibs, boutique baby singlets, hair clips, jewellery, olive oil, soaps ... just to name a few! I offer colour and decorating consultations which can be for just one room or an entire home. I can also source items for clients to meet their personal requirements. Mail orders are welcome.

How do you manage juggling mum duty with running your business?
I am lucky to have two very low maintenance boys! Ollie is now at Kindy and Tommy in day care on Tuesdays, which is the official day that the store is open. I am also open by appointment, and this works well as other mums can ring up and make a time when I am here with the boys, and they are more than welcome to bring their children with them.

What do you love about living on the Yorke Peninsula?

The beautiful countryside, beaches, easy going lifestyle and the fact that we are so close to Adelaide, yet far enough away! There are great people here too.

Where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration comes from some amazing stores that I have bought from in the past! I have tried to pick all of the best items (in my opinion) I've seen and bring them together in The White Shed.

What is your favourite room to decorate/design?
All rooms ... even a bathroom can be changed dramatically with a few accessories!

What items in a room do you think are splurge-worthy?
Definitely cushions - they can have so much impact. Also, good quality fabrics.

What kind of questions should a potential client ask before hiring a designer?
Ask to look at some photos of their previous work. The most important thing for a designer to do is capture the client’s likes and style, rather than force their own style on them.

The White Shed

Lot 805, Clinton Road

Maitland SA 5573

08 8832 2936 / 0439 532 836

christmas pageants

Yes, it's that time of year already (where did 2009 go?), and in South Australia we are fortunate to have a number of Christmas pageants to take the children to.
It's only one sleep until the Credit Union Christmas Pageant in Adelaide - I doubt any of us expected the scorching heat that is forecast for tomorrow (39 degrees Celcius), but for those of you who will still be brave enough to attend, click here for details of the route, hot weather tips, and start and end times. I have such fond memories of attending the pageant as a child - all of us cousins used to pile onto the back of my grandfather's flat-bed truck which my uncle would have parked in a prime position earlier that morning. I'm now looking forward to creating similar memories for my children!

South Australia is fortunate enough to have a number of other pageants on offer - here is a list of some other pageants on offer this year:

• Murray Bridge Christmas Pageant & Fireworks display - 21 November
• Glenelg Pageant - 22 November
• Norwood Christmas Pageant - 28 November
• Port Pirie Christmas Pageant - 5 December
• Meningie Christmas Pageant - 6 December
• Port Broughton & District Community Christmas Pageant - 12 December
• Tailem Bend Christmas Parade - 18 December

This list is not exhaustive, and I'd love to hear from you should you be aware of any other pageants on offer in South Australia this year.
The Adelaide Christmas Pageant also marks the opening of the Magic Cave in David Jones - I didn't take my little one last year until the week before Christmas ... big mistake! We lined up as soon as DJs opened, but still had to wait in line for 2 hours. I must admit that I still prefer the old John Martin's Magic Cave, but perhaps that's because my memories of it are through the eyes of a child. My tip - if you really want to experience the Magic Cave, try and get there earlier than the week before Christmas when the last minute rush begins. Try and take hubby (I called mine to duck out of work and meet us there) or a grandparent as support, as inevitably your child will need a toilet-stop/nappy change/run around whilst waiting to see Santa, and having someone to hold your place in line (or, better still, do the running around with child!) will make the visit all the less stressful.

Also remember that a lot of local shopping centres have a Santa in attendance for photos - this can often be a less stressful option than the Magic Cave or other department store Santas.

Let the countdown to Christmas begin!

image from www.planbooktravel.com.au/