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PARTY TREATS

CELEBRATE IN STYLE WITH THESE LOCAL DELIGHTS, ALL GUARANTEED TO PUT YOU IN THE PARTY MOOD.

DREAMY ICE CREAM Dave Griffiths is a small-batch, traditional ice-cream maker who is passionate about all-natural ice cream. His Dave Ja Vu Ice Cream is ultra-rich, perversely creamy and comes in delicious flavours such as Passionfruit and Honeycrunch. Dave Ja Vu is available at Sorensen’s Glasshouse & Gardens and Caffeine & Gasoline, both in Leura, and Carrington Cellars & Deli in Katoomba. @_dave_ja_vu

WHAT A CRACKER Beris and Laura Anderson, the Wentworth Falls mother-and-daughter duo behind Moreish Menu, hand-make lavosh crackers in five gourmet flavours – Fennel and Oregano, Garlic and Rosemary, Chilli and Sesame Seed, Sichuan Pepper and Plain. Using quality organic ingredients, the lavosh is hand-rolled and snapped into large shards that are perfect for your next grazing table. moreishmenu.com.au A REAL CORKER No party is complete without the mandatory bubbles and this local Prosecco-style drop, Prozzante, from Megalong Creek Estate is sure to have you dancing all night long. megalongcreek.com

ALL WASHED UP Dish-drying will never be dreary with these fun, locally designed tea towels by Kara Cooper of Mount Vic and Me. Featuring everything from native flora and fauna to pop icons and even your favourite pollies, friends and family will be happy to help out with the washing up at your hen weekend or dinner party. mountvicandme.com

GIRRRL POWER

BEAUTIFUL BARN STAY Escape to the country with your girl gang at The Black Barn, Little Hartley. It’s a unique getaway featuring sweeping views of the countryside, fireside fun, funky architecture and luxurious fittings and furnishings, not to mention sheep! You’ll want to stay forever. @the_black_barn

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN Katoomba’s legendary Paragon is back! With its signature selection of house-made chocolates, decadent high teas and delicious hot chocolate, the Paragon is the place to indulge your sweet tooth. Plus, check out the range of bonbonniere and gifts. @new_paragon_katoomba While we love all things weddings and romance at Blue Mountains Love, we’re also staunch feminists. So, we just couldn’t resist singing the praises, however badly or loudly, of this little literary gem from Blue Mountains writer and illustrator Ailie Banks. Jacqueline Forster caught up with Ailie to learn why being a bitch is the new black. What was the inspiration behind The Book of Bitch? Just before making the book I had started full-time therapy, so was in a pretty reflective state of mind. Thinking deeply about my childhood and growing as a young girl into a young woman, ‘bitch’ was a word that just kept popping up. I noticed the word was often thrown at me and the women around me for a whole mess of reasons that didn’t quite make sense. Once I dug a little deeper, I realised I had to redefine what being a bitch looked like in my eyes. Why is it important to celebrate being a bitch? Because more often than not women are called ‘bitch’ for being opinionated, strong-willed or angry (most often for completely justified reasons), and the word is used to stifle and silence them. I don’t want a little word like ‘bitch’ to be an oppressive label anymore; I think it should be a sign that you are shaking the feathers of old establishment. What are your views on marriage? I think any celebration of love is a great thing. I won’t pretend I don’t have some issues with the history and practices of the institutional side of marriage, however these days I feel people are using marriage to celebrate a partnership together with family and friends. Personally, it’s not for me, but I love to see people celebrating each other in beautiful ways, so please send me invites – I’ll wear a nice suit and throw confetti, I promise. The Book of Bitch, published by Allen & Unwin, can be found at littlelostbookshop.com.au in Katoomba, RRP $16.99.