Nice things happen in our shop. I was having a chat with a couple of young 'regulars' one of whom was married at Little Cove last weekend. A lady in the shop later said to me that she was in Noosa to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary - they thought they had booked into Berardos but there was a wedding reception on there (they had actually booked at Berardos on the Beach). I told her that Kate had been that bride. One bride starting out and one celebrating her 50th, both at Berardos and both in our shop... nice.

I've been thinking about friends a lot lately.Old.New.Getting to know.Well worn. Someone once said that some friends are for a day, some for a year, some for a lifetime. I hope you have many in your life. Now and forever. But, remember, to have a good friend you need to be a good friend. So lovely to have drinks last night Janet.

HEARTS AND MINDS ART IS NOW ON FACEBOOK: Just search Hearts and Minds Art. Hopefully you'll all go on and Like us and leave happy comments. Thanks!

I guess my posts are generally about people, community, the world, being happy with yourself and life. This one is about a connection. Hearts and Minds Art's shop in Hastings Street has always stocked 90% Australian/Queensland Made and is proud to profile local artisans. We have now entered into a working relationship with an awesome local furniture maker (Tim Scarce from Green Cathedral). He will be making an exclusive line of funky oak stools just for us. Welcome to our world Tim and Sal and we look forward to offering these and some of your other beautiful products

NOOSA RIVER, NOOSA, SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA .... can't get much better than this any time of the year. And we live and work here, so how lucky are we.

GOODBYE EUMUNDI

After several years, Hearts and Minds Art will no longer have an outlet at Eumundi. We have decided to concentrate on our gorgeous shop in Hastings Street, Noosa Heads and our new online presence. We have met some truly wonderful people at Eumundi and thank them for their help and friendship. x

Story to share

People often buy our photo jewellery because maybe they've been to where I took the photo(Venice, Noosa..), or because they dream of going there. Such is the case with Sue W who came into our store this week. A while ago she bought our Streets of Paris ring (featuring my Montparnasse street scene). A year to the day (!) she was on her way to Paris with a girlfriend. Totally unexpected. Awwwww..so nice. Don't just follow your dream, chase it.

OK..I am a blogger. I am a photographer. I am a retailer. I would NEVER go into someone's store and take photos of their product, unasked. NEVER. As a retailer I don't care if you are a blogger "doing an article". It's rude..and illegal. Please ask the retailer if you can take photos and, like me, they will probably be more than helpful with artists' information etc. But, like me, they do have to protect their artists' product copyright so due credit has to go with a REQUESTED photo. Thank you.

Yippee...another great Festival in Noosa this weekend. It's the International Food & Wine Festival! 20,000+ visitors are due to descend on our gorgeous little town to cook, taste, imbibe, be mesmerised at gourmet workshops, go to chef book signings, spot celebrities and try out all the fab Queensland produce. Hearts and Minds Art at No.1 will be open late 'til 8 Thurs, Fri & Sat. Bon Appetit!

I read something puzzling in a well-known decor mag. When describing a child's room ".....without any signs of patronising childrens decor...". The room described belonged to a 10yr old boy, and showed a plain green doona on a single little bed with a padded green backboard. One tin soldier stood on the windowsill and there was a blue rug on the wooden floor. Nothing else. Mmm.. what's wrong with kids 'decor' - a finger painting, a pile of stuffed toys,or a few Batman cars. Sorry, I don't find any personal creative kids work or decorating 'patronising' at all.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Can you believe my mum is in her early 80s?! I hope I've inherited her looks. Fantastic! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all you mums and step-mums out there. I am a mum to three gorgeous boys (who still give me hugs when I get to see them) and stepmum to Greg's four children. No, we're not the Brady Bunch and are never all together. Phew! But how lucky am I to have them in my life ... and a wonderful mum too. Give your mum a hug. xx