SUMMER GLAMP Add luxurious touches to make sleeping under the stars extra special

Be sun smart and position seating areas in shade under a tree or market umbrella

Summer glamp HITCH YOUR CARAVAN AND HEAD TO THE COAST, BUT BE SURE TO PACK LIFE’S LITTLE LUXURIES SO YOU CAN CAMP IN FINE STYLE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Photography BELINDA MERRIE Styling SAM VAN KAN

ABOVE Mimosa ‘Woolamai’ round market umbrella, $165, I/N: 3192696, and 20kg timber umbrella base, $77.77, I/N: 3190287, and ‘Somerset’ timber folding chairs, $85 each, I/N: 3190111. Marquee 4ft (122cm) bi-fold trestle table, $42, I/N: 0247220. Tablecloth, see page 15 for DIY instructions. Glasses, Kmart, kmart.com.au. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

A handy ‘camping kitchen’ can stash all your culinary bits and bobs – see page 20 for DIY instructions

Coleman ‘Fast Pitch’ 4.2m x 4.2m portable dome gazebo, $249, I/N: 0109213. Marquee 4ft (122cm) bi-fold trestle table, $42, I/N: 0247220. (In caddy) Boxsweden 35cm x 25cm x 13.5cm organiser drawers, $16 each, I/N: 0252074. Esky ‘Rugged Arctic Pro’ 120L cooler with fitted accessory pack, $349, I/N: 0133335. Cooker, for similar try Gasmate portable single burner BBQ butane stove, $24.95, I/N: 0035119. Lantern, for similar try Click rechargeable LED camping lantern, $25, I/N: 0346163. Tent, Coleman, colemanaustralia.com.au. All other products, stylist’s own.

Camping in a beautiful spot away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life can be a great way to recharge. Sleeping under the stars doesn’t mean roughing it, though – you can create a chic home away from home in the open air without compromising on comfort. Be inspired by our fun, practical and pretty ideas for the ultimate outdoor site, complete with a deceptively simple menu (see next page) that can be prepped on a camp stove or hotplate. You’ll wonder why you ever holidayed indoors!

Sweet decorative touches can make your holiday even more special!

Mimosa ‘Somerset’ timber folding chairs, $85 each, I/N: 3190111. Lytworx filament solar and USB LED festoon lights, $69.65, I/N: 0201015. Marquee 6ft (183cm) bi-fold trestle table, $59, I/N: 0238950. (On table) Matador premium stainless steel skewers, $11.90/pack of 6, I/N: 3170665. Citronella round terracotta candles, $9.90/pack of 3, I/N: 0289145. Tablecloth, for similar use Wagner 3.65m x 2.74m heavy duty canvas drop sheet, $44.95, I/N: 1660158 (see below for DIY instructions). Glasses, cutlery, drink dispenser, Kmart, kmart. com.au. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Transform a drop sheet into a practical tablecloth using leftover interior paint! We brushed on stripes in silver green Dulux Light Ceramic, to complement our vintage caravan

Globe light, for similar try Solar Magic ‘Pattern’ 5lm LED bollard solar light, $11, I/N: 0185911

Chilaquiles are traditionally served for breakfast in Mexico and the USA, but also make a delicious brunch or supper with crunchy salad and slaw. Leave chillies and hot sauce on the side. These can be made over a campfire or a hot barbecue grill

Camp skillet chilaquiles Corn, bean and coriander salad

Mexican green coleslaw

Timber picnic tray table kit, $25.44, I/N: 0212277. Matador enamelled cast iron skillet, $35.95, I/N: 3171792. Wagner 3.65m x 2.74m heavy duty canvas drop sheet, $44.95, I/N: 1660158. Plates and dishes, Kmart. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Camp skillet chilaquiles

SERVES 6

n 2 tbsp olive or vegetable oil n 1 medium red onion, finely

chopped

n 2 cloves garlic, crushed n 2 tbsp Mexican seasoning

or taco spice mix

n 200g jar taco sauce n 2 x 400g cans diced

tomatoes

n ¼ cup semi-dried tomato

strips, chopped

n 230g bag white corn

tortilla strips

n 4 eggs n 80g Danish feta or grated

Mexican cheese

n Chopped coriander,

to sprinkle

n Hot sauce, sliced jalapeno

and lime wedges, to serve

1 Heat oil in a 30cm cast-iron skillet over a medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes until soft. 2 Add Mexican seasoning and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add sauce, tomatoes, 1/2 cup water and semi-dried tomato strips. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in tortilla strips until coated. 3 Make 4 holes in mixture then break eggs into holes. Sprinkle crumbled feta over. Cover pan and cook for 8-10 minutes or until eggs are just set. Season and sprinkle with coriander. Serve with hot sauce, sliced jalapeno and lime, if desired.

Corn, bean and coriander salad

SERVES 6

n 2 x 400g can corn kernels,

drained

n 400g can black beans,

rinsed, drained

n 1 bunch coriander,

leaves picked

n 1 small red onion, finely

chopped

n 1 small red capsicum,

finely chopped

n 200g grape tomatoes,

halved

n 1 avocado, chopped n 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced

(optional) DRESSING

n ¼ cup olive oil n 2 tbsp red wine vinegar n 3 tsp caster sugar n 1 tbsp chipotle hot sauce

1 To make dressing, combine all ingredients in a screw-top jar. 2 Combine corn, beans, coriander leaves, onion, capsicum and tomatoes in a large bowl and stir to combine. 3 Spoon into a serving bowl, sprinkle with avocado and jalapeno (if desired) and drizzle with dressing. Serve.

Mexican green coleslaw

SERVES 6

n 2 tsp olive oil n 1/2 cup pepitas (see Tip) n 1 tsp Mexican seasoning

or taco spice mix

n ¼ tsp ground sea salt n ½ tsp caster sugar n 1 lime, zested (reserve

juice for dressing)

n 1 bunch coriander, rinsed n 600g green Savoy cabbage,

trimmed, thinly sliced

n 1 small green capsicum,

finely chopped

n 4 green onions, thinly sliced

DRESSING

n ¼ cup olive oil n 1 tsp habanero hot green

sauce or other hot sauce

n 2 tsp honey

“Colourful, nutritious and packed with flavour, a TexMex menu is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser”

Kerrie Worner, contributing food editor

1 Place oil in a small frying pan over a medium-low heat. Add pepitas, Mexican seasoning, salt and sugar. Cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until starting to toast. Remove from heat and stir in lime zest. Cool. Season. 2 To make dressing, combine all ingredients and 2 tablespoons lime juice in a jug until smooth. 3 Thinly slice some coriander stems and roughly chop the leaves. Combine cabbage, capsicum, onions, chopped coriander stems and leaves in a serving bowl. Add pepitas and stir in lightly with dressing. Serve. Tip: Pepitas are huskless pumpkin seeds available in major supermarkets.

Keep in mind...

n Never place food directly on a painted tablecloth; always use plates or serving platters. n Remove butane cooker from camping kitchen before use and follow manufacturer’s instructions for its set-up, use and storage. n Ensure festoon lights are hung at a safe height – ours are set up for photography and inspiration only. n Never leave lit candles unattended.

RIGHT Tablecloth, for similar try Wagner 3.65m x 2.74m heavy duty canvas drop sheet, $44.95, I/N: 1660158. Gazebo, for similar try Havana 4m x 3m semi permanent gazebo, $699, I/N: 0182364. BELOW LEFT Barbecue, for similar try Jumbuck 2 burner hooded portable gas barbecue, $239, I/N: 0348701, and portable gas barbecue trolley, $99, I/N: 0175300. Lantern, for similar try Click rechargeable LED camping lantern, $25, I/N: 0346163. BELOW RIGHT Mimosa ‘Woolamai’ round market umbrella, $165, I/N: 3192696, and 20kg timber umbrella base, $77.77, I/N: 3190287. Timber picnic tray table kit, $25.44, I/N: 0212277. Mojo ‘St Tropez’ outdoor mid back chair cushions, $39.15 each, I/N: 0271557. Storage basket, for similar try Boxsweden 25 x 25 x 17cm mesh storage basket with wooden handle, $15, I/N: 0285298. All other products, stylist’s own.

Position the gazebo on a flat, level surface and not in an area exposed to excessive wind – ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for set-up and safety

Start the day with morning coffee freshly brewed on a versatile portable barbecue The livin’ sure is easy here! See page 21 for how to make these comfy leaner-loungers

Storm trooper

Save yourself bucketloads of stress by keeping this remarkable rescue tape at the ready

Storm Tape can save the day by patching a tear in your tent

Simply cut the tape to size or grab a patch, peel off the backing, then get sticking

selleys.com.au

Take emergencies in your stride with Selleys Storm Waterproof Tape, which can save the day at home or in the great outdoors. Perfect to keep in your backpack or car glovebox, this clear, removable, airtight and waterproof marvel sticks to both wet and dry surfaces*. The 1m x 75mm roll of tape also comes with four handy 75mm round patches.

Storm Tape is designed to work on a wide variety of materials, making it a must-have for all kinds of adventures. Quick and easy to use, just cut it to size, peel away the backing and press it firmly into place. By sealing up leaks for at least 48 hours, it will keep you out of trouble for more than long enough to sort a permanent repair*.

PERFECT PITCH

When you’re wrestling with pitching a tent while it’s raining, it’s all too easy to accidentally put a peg or a pole through the wall – and that can really put a damper on your camping trip. Luckily, all it takes is a piece of Storm Tape to instantly solve the problem.

MAKE A SPLASH

Nothing takes the air out of a pool party like a child’s favourite inflatable toy going flat. Transform teary scenes into sunny smiles once again by sticking on Storm Tape – its adhesive stays airtight in fresh, salt and chlorinated water.

Selleys Storm 75mm x 1m clear waterproof tape with 4 x 75mm patches, $18.98, I/N: 0328981

SCAN THE QR CODE See how easy it is to patch leaks fast with Selleys Storm Tape, at home or away. selleys.com.au