Double Bay's Double Feature!

We always love markets and more especially NEW markets at that!  And we are above and beyond excited that the first Double Bay Twilight Markets kicks off with a bang on Thursday 28th November 2013!!!! 

What's so fabulous about these particular twilights we hear you ask? Tis simple!

It's like having your own personal double feature on a Thursday!

Let's explain this to you in easy peasy lemon squeezy terms. 

Firstly, you get your regular Thursday market organic fix

chat with your favourite stallies about what's in season and how best to prepare those all important purchases

stock up on the depleted pantry additions

and get those pre siesta wiggly jigglies out 

Once rested, you return at 4:00pm for some cool family happenings like sharing some incredible food

kick back and listen while the muso plays some crowd pleasers

before going on the hunt for the all important Christmas gifts

whichever way you look at it, it's a win-win so make sure you put the dates in your diary and we will see you there!

Double Bay Festival 2013

With only a few more sleeps until this year's Double Bay Festival, we thought it fitting to share with you not just our own excitement, but what we can expect this year, which we know will put last year's in the shade!

The Double Bay Festival is not just a celebration of all things fantastic, it promotes shopping local

purchasing the all important Christmas stocking stuffers

discovering the unusual for the person that has everything

grabbing a cool drink to recharge

and hanging with friends

What makes this year's Festival even BIGGER we have:

• over 240 participating business and stallholders selling their wares
• Mudgee Food & Wine for the "big kids" to enjoy whilst the little kids have carnival rides, baby animal farm and pony rides
• some of Australia's finest local talent on centre stage so as to get that all important groove on
• roving buskers and street entertainment just to make sure we have all areas covered

So you wanna know more?  Want to see what else we have in store? 

Just click this "link", hit Like, check out the photos, press and everything else that is fabulous and Double Bay Festival and we will see you Sunday!

Need the all important details?

Sunday 3rd November 2013

Times: 10am - 4pm

Bay Street, Knox Street, Cross Street, Transvaal Ave Double Bay

Kid Friendly, Family Friendly, Friend Friendly!

FREE ENTRY!

La Planchette

Vive la France!  Can you give a little bit of history about La Planchette

Absolutely correct! I only started in May this year as I took over from the previous owner.  From this date the main focus has been to stabilise everything that already existed and have a smooth transition with the the new team: products, suppliers and customers of course.

And it's been fantastic to see customers supporting and welcoming us to our three markets: Double Bay on Thursdays, Kings Cross on Saturdays and Marrickville on Sundays.

You are now the "face" of La Planchette and a most welcoming one at that.  Was it a difficult transition with the shoppers continually asking who you were, or is it a once a La Planchette devotee always a La Planchette devotee

It was a really nice smooth transition.  I would say once a quality taste devotee always a quality taste devotee

What would be your best seller at Double Bay Market

Comté is always on the top of the list.  

But is very much challenged by the king of the washed rind, the Epoisses and the very extra creamy Brillat-Savarin.  The goat cheese "crottin affines" are very popular as well.

Can you tell us a bit about saucisson is made and does ageing make a difference to the taste

A "saucisson sec" must be dry by definition.  The dryer the better from a taste point of view.  Age will intensify flavours and complexity.  If you prefer them fresh, no dramas. It has to be aligned by your personal taste at the end.

How would you sum up La Planchette and its divine delights in 5 words

That's a very difficult question!  

I would say:

• Authenticity
• French
• Terroirs
• Excellence
• Fun

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So for some très délicieux French cuisine, we strongly recommend you try as when done, you will be transported & forever enslaved to La Planchette.

Shout it from the top!

keiko

nate

Double Bay Chamber of Commerce

James

@rubyreds

@a_is_for

@sunflowerssavedmylife

Paddo Kids

Can you give us a little bit of background behind Paddo Kids and when it was born

Paddo Kids was created 5 years ago.  I felt there was room in the market for high quality French inspired kids fashion at a fantastic price point.  Why should good clothing be limited to people with a big income!

So I decided to launch Paddo Kids and I've never looked back!

Why kids clothing

As a mother of 2 girls and life long fashion aficionado, I wanted my kids to be well dressed, but was horrified at the cost of kids clothing.  Let's face it, they grow so quickly and as seasons change they often wear items for 6 months max.  Judging from the amount of repeat customers and lovely compliments about the quality, price and style of the clothes, Paddo Kids has definitely found a niche in the kids clothing market.

As fashion is not just seasonal but also always has trends, can you give a brief outline on when (for example) you start to think about upcoming Summer Collections and how you know what is going to be "hot" or not from the mini-me perspective

I like to keep abreast of new fashion trends but I don't want kids to be mini-me's. There's enough time for that when they grow up!  I know kids love to run, jump, and have as much fun as they possibly can.  Paddo Kids clothes are designed for comfort & movement with maximum style.  All Paddo Kids collections start with quality fabric (predominantly 100% cotton).

This Summer, our colour palette features Teal Green, Aqua Blue, Violet and our signature colours of French Grey and Blush Pink.  Not forgetting that girls love to dress up, we also have some wonderful tulle party dresses for the festive season.

You are now a firm favourite where you have a seriously cool and (what could be deemed) almost "interactive" display, where the noticeable absence of the DON'T TOUCH catch cry is a pleasant change.  What makes market life "real" and varied as opposed to the shop front

We've got a great range of Paddo Kids accessories and toys.  I'm happy for kids to come and touch things.  It reminds of of the joy of being young.

I love meeting people and market life allows for that easy, relaxed interaction which you don't get in traditional retail shops.  It's great when kids and adults feel welcome and happy to browse our full collection.

What is it about Double Bay Market (in your opinion) that sets it aside from other markets, most specially from a kid friendly aspect

I love being a stallholder at Double Bay Market.  It's got a fantastic laid back vibe; it's a smaller more intimate market with top quality hand picked stallholders well suited to the area.

The jumping castle, pony rides, animal farm and great quality food make it a perfect outing for young families.

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And with that we thank Paddo Kids for not only being a much loved stallholder at Double Bay Market and giving us a little bit of fashionista insight, but most importantly for sharing some of her love for all things kid-friendly with enthusiasm, chic and interactive heavenly clothing!

Thank to all quarters

As not everyone on the planet shares their love via stgram land, we felt it was 100% overdue to do a thank you to those who share their Double Bay Market love via other social media outlets!

It makes us proud to see these comments flowing in, and trust us, hand on heart, without a word of a lie, the stallies MORE than love to see them too!

So to all our shoppers, our fans and everyone else out in Double Bay Market land we say THANK YOUUU.

Sharing some Double Bay Kid Friendly Love with Krisztina

When did you first discover the wonders of Double Bay Markets

I think the first time I went to Double Bay market was after reading about it on "Ella's List" (programme recommendations for Mothers with young kids) around November 2012.

Although initially my daughter was too small to enjoy the market, I found it a lovely way to spend a chunk of my Thursdays.

Now my daughter loves it as much as I do, especially the animals

and the jumping castle

Who is your favourite stallie and why

My favourite stallie changes by the week!  At this moment, it definitely has to be the French Crepe place.  I had THE most delicious breakfast there last week: bacon, egg and cheese crepe.

The freshness  of the ingredients, great service and value for money are key factors to win me over...and the Crepe stall certainly has it all!

From your personal point of view, why do you think markets like ours are not only a great way to spend a Thursday, but a great place to pick up your weekly shopping

If you're into fresh, organic and often one-of-a-kind types of groceries, then Double Bay Market is a great place not just to hang out, but to also get your grocery shopping done.

Might not be the cheapest, but you'll get your money's worth.

Do you have a 'must buy, can't do without' purchase and if so, what and why

Coffee....I don't think I've ever visited the market without grabbing a coffee.  Again, great taste and service and also very convenient that I don't have to detour and find a coffee shop.

How would you sum up the world of Double Bay Markets in 5 words

Lovely, child-friendly and great for Mummies

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Couldn't agree more!  And Krisztina we thank you for summing up exactly what Double Bay Markets is all about and sharing some time with us for this article and more time at markets!

So spread the news: Double Bay Market is THE family friendly, kid friendly and Mummy-chillout zone to be on a Thursday (and you can also get some seriously good grocery shopping here while you're at it!)

Hands Across The Andes

As you know we are firm supporters of Fair Trade and Double Bay Market is fortunate enough to have Hands Across The Andes as a trader at our markets.

Their products are stunningly colourful, appeal to big kids and little kids alike and have a range as high and as wide as the mountain range they are named after.

So we thought why not share a bit of what Hands Across the Andes' (or HATA) story is about and gain some insight in to Fair Trade and the important role it plays.

For those who may not have heard of Hands Across the Andes, can you give us a little bit of background and history as to how it came in to being and your involvement with them

Hands Across the Andes was established in October 2010 to create a sustainable market for Peruvian handcrafts in Australia.  It was founded by us [Phil Pittman and Gilda Salazar-Leon (Gigi)] to promote the artisans' skills and ensure they receive a fair price for their products.

Hands Across the Andes (HATA) is a member of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand.

Gigi's Story

Gigi is a professional artisan and business owner with 14 years experience in the industry.  Over several years she learned to appreciate colour and composition by working alongside experienced artisans.  She loves the quality of Peruvian natural fibres and the way in which artisans create beautiful products from them.  Gigi wanted to promote her knowledge of Peruvian handicrafts by bringing them to the international market.

During her time in the industry, she noticed the effort invested by the artisans came with very little financial return.  She felt she could help them by advising them on not only how to design and present their products, but obtain a better financial return for all their hard work.

Gigi is driven by a strong social conscience and not only wants to help the women and children who create these beautiful pieces with limited resources, but more importantly guide them in to making choices which will enable them to continue production in a positive and financially viable way.

She believes that HATA can become the vehicle that allows her to support her fellow Peruvians.

Phil's Story

After spending a substantial amount of  time in Peru, which included visiting Gigi's artisan store (located in the Indian Market which is part of Miraflores tourist district in Lima) he began to notice how tourists were completely unaware of the negative impact their bartering had upon the livelihoods of those local stallholders (ie. the artisans).

While many tourists don't think twice about haggling for a "better deal", the knock-on effect to the stallholders and their community is enormous.  It could mean literally mean the difference to the family eating a meal or not.  Given there are literally hundreds of stallholders at these markets, the prices are already competitive so that additional barter really can impact in ways the ordinary person may not fully appreciate.

While visiting the homes of the local artists with Gigi, Phil observed the difficult conditions that they had to contend with, most especially the length of time and skills involved in creating a single item.

Inspired and determined to do something that was "right" for these wonderfully creative people, ie. finding a path so that they received a fair income for all their skill and effort. 

As HATA is Fair Trade, where do you source most of your items from

HATA source our baby alpaca, silk & merino wool garments and accessories from family operated business in Peru.

The key criteria we use to select businesses we work with includes the quality of skill and ensure that all products are produced under Fair Trade principles.

What makes buying Fair Trade so important

The knowledge that you are buying an item that was sourced from an artisan who is receiving appropriate financial recognition for their time and skills.  This then enables them to control their own future and improve not only their working conditions but also their quality of living standards not just for for themselves but for their families and communities.

Buying Fair Trade products also enhances the buyer's understanding of who and where the items were made which is not usually available if buying retail; from that it hopefully garners a deeper appreciation and understanding of time taken and skill required to produce such pieces.

What is one of the more satisfying aspects of selling Fair Trade at Market

Market life allows us to take the time to get to know the shoppers on a more personal level, so they become more like friends.  We especially love it when the children come up and start asking questions, like where do the dolls come from or what animal is that "big one", where one little girl tried to feed him so he wouldn't get hungry!

Initially it's the children who are attracted to all the bright colours and when their parents come to have a look, that's when the magic starts to happen.

If you could sum up the world of HATA in one paragraph what would it be

Increasing the economic value of artisan skills and creating mutually beneficial cultural and economic exchanges

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So keep your eye out for that Llama at our markets cause it is a sure sign that HATA is in town.  We thank Phil and Gigi for sharing their story with us, for their tireless work and to enlighten us all about not only Fair Trade but why it has become an integral part of theirs and our lives.

ps: click "here" to read more about HATA

Yummy Scrummy Cupcakes in Eden

What is the delicious history behind the phenomena known as Cupcakes in Eden

I fell in love with baking in Scotland 6 years ago when I cooked for a Scottish family in a 600 year old house.

It was a very magical time for me, not only was I living in a beautiful land, but I was also baking daily.

I'm not sure exactly when I became absolutely obsessed with cupcakes, but I started working towards opening a cupcake shop when I got back to Australia.

To me cupcakes are the ultimate temptation. They are the perfect size, adorable to look at, taste amazing and can invoke memories of your childhood.

The name Cupcakes in Eden came about because we loving using organic and natural flavours, and just like the apple in the Garden of Eden, you will be tempted!

Your cupcakes are totally cute, sinful and yummy.  Where do you draw your inspiration from

Everywhere!  I have a little notebook of flavours that I add to all the time.  My last idea came about the other day while walking through Hyde Park: a summery fresh flavour of watermelon and mint.

I love thinking about all the yummy flavours and combinations that would make an amazing new cupcake.  I also get inspiration from our Facebook fans who send in delicious suggestions.

You have now experienced the delights of the not so fabulous weather at market, and it was an absolutely sensational debut despite the weather.  How much times goes in to planning, baking and then selecting which little beauties are taken to market so as to go in to many delightfully receiving mouths

A fair amount of work goes in to prepping for market.  I select which flavours I will use well before the day.  We have a rotating flavour board and introduce new flavours each month.

We also do special event flavours, like the upcoming one for Father's Day!  Baking 6 flavours for the markets takes around 7 hours, add to that the preparation, transportation and set up...but it's worth it!

What makes market life tangible for you

I love market life!  Seeing all the local people out and out about meeting up with each other.  And it's great supporting other local producers who are also up for a good chat throughout the day.  

Local markets have a real sense of community.

How would you sum up the world of Cupcakes in Eden in 5 words

Delicious nature in a cupcake

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Beautiful person, beautiful cupcakes, many, many, MANY discoveries to be made and thankfully you can go on your own cupcake treasure hunt each Thursday!

MASSIVE thank you to Cupcakes in Eden for sharing time and some photos with us for our Double Bay Market blogspot!