INFUSED M A G A Z I N E
A Gorgeous Excuse A Gorgeous Excuse to catch up with the girls
to catch up with the girls
is here for 2020!
What Women Want
Girls vs Globe
The benefits of ladies-only travel
6/
10/
FO O D & BEV E R AG E
SPRING BOO K REVIEWS
8/
T RAV EL
SEPTEMBER/2019 6/FOOD & BEVERAGE
10/ BOOKS
Winemaker Kate Day talks about the kinds of wine she thinks women will enjoy and why.
Spring books to sink your teeth into.
12/HEALTH & WELLNESS
8/ TRAVEL
Practical steps to achieve a positive
The benefits of women-only travel.
mindset through Spring and beyond.
14/ LIFESTYLE Finding the time to catchup with the girls.
Dear Reader, This is an exciting issue of Infused, as we are announcing a new series of events coming in 2020. Fourteen years ago our CEO, Alison Dean, and her team, came up with an idea. They booked an entire floor of a luxury hotel in the city and filled it with pop-up shops, workshops, samples and beauty experiences. Then they brought in several hundred women to come and enjoy a unique shopping day with their best friends, all topped off with a high tea, sparkling wine and a goodie bag to take home. That event has grown and expanded and changed over the years, and, in order to stay relevant and special, recently we surveyed hundreds of our friends to see what they’d like to experience with us in the future. In 2020, we’ll be bringing you a new series of more intimate, premium events with all the things you’ve told us you love, but also extending beyond the high tea experience. The market stalls will be hand-selected. We will be running mini-workshops on food, beverages and fashion, allowing you to share fun and interesting experiences with your friends. Quality entertainment will be there to complement your special day. And, yes, there will be good food and good wine. We’ve realised that we can offer a truly special experience if we pare things back and keep high quality.
food, wine, shopping and indulgence with those special women who make your life better. Our new logo, with our new brand A Gorgeous Excuse, promises just that. We’d love to have you along to enjoy one of these new experiences. So if you’re curious, click HERE to find out more. Enjoy $20 off tickets to A Gorgeous Excuse events by the High Tea Party with code EARLYBIRD. We hope you’ll join us!
So that’s what we want to offer you – another gorgeous excuse to catch up with your girlfriends. A date for you to book in, to make sure you all take time out from your busy lives and have a lovely day of
Want to say hello, have a question or feedback? Drop us an email at admin@thepeppermintgroup.com.au
What is... Choose from three experiences: BEAUTIFUL BRUNCH 11:00 am to 2:00 pm LONG LOUNGING LUNCH 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm AFTERNOON INTO EVENING 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Included in your experience: Enjoy a glass of bubbles on arrival, while browsing our hand picked fashion, accessories & design stalls. Move to the Grand Ballroom for lovely food, wine, entertainment & a gift to take home. During your time, take advantage of access to our Lounge area to enjoy informative workshops, nibbles & drinks. EACH SESSION LASTS 3 HRS, INCLUDING BALLROOM EXPERIENCE & LOUNGE ACCESS.
e c n e i r e p x E s A Fabulou Relax in the Lounge...
with a drink, nibbles and workshops, all within a beautifully appointed space.
Shop! Browse our hand picked fashion, accessories and design stalls.
Great Food & Great Company
Enjoy a moment with your friends and family.
Where & When
Brisbane 14 March Sydney 21 March Gold Coast 16 May Adelaide 13 June Melbourne 11 July Perth 22 August Sydney 31 October Melbourne 5 December
Earlybird Offer
Enjoy $20 off Code: EARLYBIRD
www.agorgeousexcuse.com.au
FOOD & BEVERAGE
What
Women
Want
Winemaker Kate Day talks about the kinds of wine she thinks women will enjoy and why.
Apart from a limitless shopping budget, more time in the day, and a Gerard Butler look-alike (with the bank balance to match), many women really just want a great night out. A night with good conversation, fabulous food and a luscious wine or two to match. Now, I can’t help with the Gerard Butler look-alike, but I can help with the wine selection, which most of us worry about sometimes, since we don’t want to make the wrong choice. And, let me tell you, choosing an “old faithful” you have been drinking for five years might not be the best answer.
I want to open your mind to trying new wines and, in doing so, joining me on a wine adventure. It’s not about being connoisseurs or speaking “wine language” that frankly no one can understand. It’s about being introduced to wines that are outside the box. Learning about different regions and which grapes are grown in that region. What are cool or warm climate wines, and what should we expect from them? And simple things, like how to say the name of a specific variety so you don’t feel ridiculous in a restaurant or bottle shop when choosing a wine. To give you some background, I am a winemaker, not from a fourth-generation winemaking family who has had wine running through their veins from birth, but a humble “Shire” girl from Cronulla who was more used to sand and surf than grapes and vines. So I, too, have been on a wine journey and am constantly learning and embracing my deep running passion for good wine and food. In conjunction with my wine consulting business I also make a brand with my sisterin-law called Two Pairs. The story behind it goes a little something like this: Kathryn (aka Kate, that’s me) and Katherine (aka Nina, that’s her) share more than a name, having married identical twin brothers after both studying winemaking at University. I am sure you get the gist. Trust me: it gets a lot more complicated after a few vinos!
Together we make a Grenache from McLaren Vale and a Pinot Gris from the King Valley. Our style is to make approachable, sippable and non-fussy wines that hold their own with food or similarly are perfect for sipping with friends. Grenache is a fabulous grape that’s often overlooked or blended away when not treated with the respect it deserves. It’s bright and vivacious with cherry, strawberry and spice –what’s not to love about that? And that’s before you’ve even have a taste. On the palate it’s not too heavy, but approachable and lush. Easy drinking perfection with or without food. The Pinot Gris from the King Valley is lively and bright. Served chilled as an aperitif it’s more Pinot Grigio in character, with zesty pear and citrus aromatics and clean lines. If you desire added texture and depth, drink it slightly warm to unleash more Pinot Gris characters and layers. Or enjoy it chilled, poolside in the sun! These wines are exclusively available via Naked Wines Australia who are generously giving all Infused readers $100 towards their online order for the month of October (t&cs apply, see link for details). So you can sip, swirl and begin your wine journey with me. Click here www.nakedwines.com. au/100wine
Kate Day, trained winemaker, viticulturist and wine industry consultant, has 17 years of industry knowledge. Her span of work and experience extends from France, Australia, America and New Zealand, with her consulting business seeing her represent clients globally.
TRAVEL
FEMALE
The benefits of women-only travel
F
ifteen years ago, Hayley Morris was running a small travel agency in a Victorian country town and realised something. A lot of the (male) farmers were unable to leave the farm for long periods but their wives were keen to travel. Hayley had an idea and was the first travel agent in Australia to apply for an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act in order to market tours exclusively to women. These days, Hayley runs Sisterhood Women’s Travel out of Melbourne’s CBD, has dozens of international trips every year and employs several tour guides. And it’s one of many womenonly travel agencies in Australia. So what makes them so appealing? According to Andrea Powis, founder of Travelling Divas, being with a group of women means you can “slow down while we watch local people navigate the trials, tribulations and happiness of their daily life”, whereas men might be more inclined to focus on the architecture or rush through a destination.
Friendly
Also, some women might find themselves in a situation where they don’t have a partner to travel with, or that partner is not as intrepid as they are. They might find that friends are caught up with family or other commitments and they don’t want to travel by themselves. In these cases, a women-only travel company might be the perfect solution. These companies offer small groups to allow women to get to know each other and support each other, and they often include lots of experiences and off-track activities. In my experience there’s something different to be gained from travelling with my girlfriends than when travelling with my partner or family. There are a lot of laughs and there’s a sense that we’re there to enjoy ourselves and not look after other people. For whatever reason, we just seem to be more relaxed when going away together. So if you’re keen and just lack a travel buddy, or if you have a female travel buddy and you’re not sure what to do, maybe check out a women-only travel company! Traveling Divas Sisterhood Womens Travel
BOOKS
September book reviews
Spring books to sink your teeth into THE TESTAMENTS BY MARGARET ATWOOD
The 34-year gap between the original (The Handmaid’s Tale) and this sequel is not much of a problem thanks to the hugely successful TV series adaptation of the first book, which has kept the characters and plot fresh in our minds. Of course, you have to remember that only the first series of The Handmaid’s Tale was faithful to the book and this sequel has nothing to do with subsequent TV series, which are the products of the producers’ imaginations. I am happy to report that I was as riveted by The Testaments as I was by the original, and I loved reading about the fates of the original characters. This is Atwood at her finest – absorbing, thrilling and making
THE WIFE BY MEG WOLLITZER
Joan is married to successful novelist Joe, but she’s made choices over the marriage that have contributed to a less-than-happy life. The question is, did she really have much of a choice about how she acted? Would she have had a better life if she’d been braver or was she, in fact, as brave as she could have been? This book was chosen as our latest book club pick. It was a terrific one for book club because there is a lot to discuss – we had fun picking apart the choices of the characters and discussing who we liked and who we didn’t. Also, the book moves along at a cracking pace and was really easy to read without sacrificing beautiful writing. A great read with lots of ideas, it also made me laugh. I couldn’t put it down.
CITY OF GIRLS BY ELIZABETH GILBERT
It’s New York City in the 1940s and Vivian is a young woman determined to experience everything she can. She works for her aunt as a costumier for a downand-out theatre company and drinks in life greedily and foolishly, as only the young can. This book is a great romp through a place and time that must have been incredibly vivid and interesting. Elizabeth Gilbert is a fantastic writer and I don’t think this book will disappoint, although I have to confess I didn’t find it as enjoyable as her previous novel, The Signature of All Things. However, I don’t regret reading it and I’d certainly whole-heartedly recommend it.
JUST ONE WISH BY RACHEL JOHNS
Rachel Johns is best known for her rural romances, but recently she has been venturing into more general fiction. Just One Wish is her latest non-rural family saga. It’s the story of three women: Geraldine, her mother Marie and grandmother Alice. Geraldine is trying to navigate work and her complicated lovelife; Marie is seeing the world through new eyes and possibly upending everything she once held dear; and Alice contemplating the decisions she made that have flow-on effects to her daughter and granddaughter. It’s got lots of action and unexpected twists, the characters are zany but loveable and the story moves along really quickly. The perfect holiday read!
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Spring Alive!
START THE DAY RIGHT Start your day with positive affirmations. Talk to yourself in the mirror, even if you feel silly, with statements like, “Today will be a great day” or “I’m going to be awesome today.” You’ll be amazed how much your day improves. Also, making a mental list of each thing you are looking forward to leads to a feeling of anticipation that creates momentum for the entire day! BE KIND TO YOURSELF Nobody is perfect. You’re going to make mistakes and experience failure. Instead of focusing on how you failed, think about what you’re going to do next time—turn your failure into a lesson. CHALLENGE YOUR NEGATIVE SELF-TALK Negative self-talk can creep up so easily. “I’m so bad at this”, “I shouldn’t have tried that”, or “I’m a failure”. Over time, these thoughts can cement your conception of yourself. Aim to catch yourself doing this, say "stop" and then challenge that negative self-talk with more positive messages. For example, “no-one gets it right the first time, keep practising!” and “Just because it didn’t work out the way I expected does not mean I’m a failure.” BE PRESENT Try not to get caught up in what has happened in the past and try not to worry too much into the future. It makes you miss what is happening right here, right now. Mindfulness exercises can be great to teach yourself to live in the present moment.
Practical Tips to Achieve a Positive Mindset through Spring and beyond By Dr. Natalie Flatt SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUPPORTIVE POSITIVE FRIENDS AND DITCH THE TOXICITY When you surround yourself with positive people, their positive words will sink in and affect your own line of thinking, which then affects your own vocabulary in both work and social situations. Your overall outlook to life will change and you will walk away with your bucket filled, not to mention plenty of laughs, which is a natural endorphin release! SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE. The simple act of sending a thank-you note can be empowering and raise your selfesteem instantly. Not only does it feel good, it will strengthen your relationships and real substance connections, because people like to feel appreciated. AIM FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE A healthy body will support a healthy mind. Look at how you sleep, what you eat, and your activity levels to identify anything that could be sapping your energy. To create that motivation for change, your body needs to be prepared.
BECOME MORE APPRECIATIVE List five things you appreciated about your day. You can include anything that makes you feel happy or grateful, such as a wonderful conversation you had, something beautiful in nature that day, something funny your child said or your success at work. This basic exercise can transform a bad mood into a calm, optimistic one instantly! And, finally, here’s a recipe for a delicious but healthy cake that is sure to boost your mood as soon as you smell it cooking in the oven!
CARROT CAKE BANANA BREAD WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Ingredients
(cake) • 2 cups white, spelt, or oat flour • 1 tsp baking soda • 1 tsp cinnamon • 3/4 tsp baking powder • 3/4 tsp salt • optional 1/8 tsp nutmeg • 1 1/2 cup mashed, overripe banana • 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave • 1/4 cup milk of choice • 1/4 cup oil OR additional milk of choice • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract • optional, crushed walnuts, coconut (frosting) • 1/2 cup cream cheese • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract • 4 tbsp powdered sugar OR stevia to taste • 1/4 cup silken tofu OR more cream cheese • up to 2 tbsp milk of choice, as needed for desired thickness Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease a 9×5 pan, or line with parchment. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. If desired, you can add half a cup of crushed walnuts and/or a handful of shredded coconut. Whisk liquid ingredients—including carrot and banana—in separate bowl. Pour wet into dry and stir to form a batter. Smooth into prepared pan. Bake on the centre rack for 40 minutes, then do not open the oven door at all but turn off the heat and let sit in the closed oven 10 additional minutes. If still undercooked at this time, simply turn the oven back on and continue baking—checking every 5 minutes–until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out mostly clean. Let cool. Cover and refrigerate overnight. For the cream cheese frosting, blend all ingredients together in a small food processor. Add pumpkin seeds, or shredded carrot and or cinnamon and walnuts for garnish. Taste and texture are much better the second day (and even better the third day as it gets sweeter). ENJOY! (Extracted from www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com )
LIFESTYLE
Lock it in!
Having trouble finding the time to see your girlfriends? Lock an event in! Does this sound familiar? A WhatsApp conversation with a group of girlfriends discussing when the next catch-up should be, and the conversation goes on for weeks, with people coming and going from the chat, with dates they can and can’t do (no, that’s my kid’s birthday/my wedding anniversary/the school trivia night/a soccer presentation) and eventually someone proactive sends a survey and after about a month of to-ing and fro-ing you FINALLY lock in a date – three months in advance??? There are six in my group of university girlfriends and all of us have families, jobs, other friends, community commitments, study, and we live all over the place. So getting together is a massive effort. We have to lock in a date about two months in advance and we only see each other about once a year. But it’s always so lovely to catch up. My mum always used to say (in the 80s, when these things were done) that the hardest part about planning a dinner party was picking up the phone and organising it. But, think about it, back then you would choose a date, phone a few friends, and whoever could make it would come. I would argue that it’s even harder today because we don’t pick the date in
advance – we start the process by texting or messaging all our friends and saying “When are we all free to catch up?” And we start the merry-go-round of dates that people can’t make. It’s a nightmare. So my answer is to pick a date in advance. You might choose an event, like a concert or speaker, or you might choose a night to have people over for dinner. Send the date out there and ask people to come along. If some can’t make it, they can come to the next one, which will be easier to arrange because you’ve got this fabulous new system! And my next piece of advice, of course, is to consider one of our Gorgeous Excuses throughout the year and invite your best girlfriends to come along. It’s the perfect way to lock in some time to spend with your lovely friends in high style. But whatever you do, make sure you spend time with your best mates regularly. It’s good for the soul.
T he
High Tea Party
Melbourne!
Final event for 2019 Enjoy the VIP Luxe High Tea Experience & fantastic Christmas shopping!
14 December 10:30 AM | 12:30 PM SOLD OUT
2:30 PM | 4: 30 PM NEARING SOLD OUT
$
79
Promo Code:
2019