Zoe's South Coast Journal

Cove x Bangalay

Zoe Letts, Textile Sourcing

How best to summarize a weekend full of professional enrichment but also deadset funny moments shared with my Covettes.  Ah, Bangalay Luxury villas and Dining, you feed my soul – literally, the food here is out of this world – they have a star chef in Brent. 

 Being the resident Yank in the Cove crew, I saw the South Coast for one of the first times when I came to Australia on holiday with my then-boyfriend, now husband to Culburra Beach.  We stayed at Dolphin Point and no joke, the dolphins came to play.   It was during those holidays that the raw beauty and depth of Australia started to really filter into my soul. 

Now after living here for nearly 10 years, I can unequivocally say that camping holidays with friends down the South Coast are treasured.  It is in fact how I met my friend Kate Dezarnaulds (Work Life Berry & Work Life Kiama) and her family.  This past weekend, we spent time dreaming up our next camping adventure near the Shoalhaven river  in September holidays. 

We literally blazed into Shoalhaven Heads to quickly style up one of Michelle’s beach guest homes. Ponyrider product perfectly suits this space - this iconic brand is all about bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside.

This past weekend provided an opportunity to meet a lot of remarkable entrepreneurs who have left the corporate consistency in favor of a more fulfilling, yet challenging work life.  After the cocktail hour, sitting with many of you at dinner to talk about your businesses was so inspiring.  Many of you had a “side hustle” before making it your full time gig.  The flexibility, income potential and general spirit of entrepeneurship was truly alive in the dining room of Bangalay Dining.  Being your own boss is not always easy.  But let’s be honest, this new way of working its reshaping the work force.   Know your calling, and build your business around it but know you have like-minded peeps who walk a similiar road.

After perhaps one too many salt-bush margaritas the night before (seriously you have to try one!), we held our AGM out of Bangalay’s conference center.  It was such a gorgeous space to be with your colleagues and talk about what you did right and what you hope for in the coming year – eek, and even a 5-10 year goals got tossed around. 

The winter-y colors and textures around Bangalay resort especially at sunrise and sunset provide the perfect mood board for new collections. Australia does this palette so bloody well! Its no surprise how most households draw inspiration for their decor from the outside. The vision for the rooms inside Bangalay are a testament to that.

If you haven’t already, you must check out Far Meadow Table created by the gorgeous Kate and her husband Ian.  I am still dreaming about their veggie garden and wondering how I can transform my steep hillside backyard.   

 The South Coast is a destination worthy of so many varying occasions - from antics of a girls weekend to inspiring banter with like-minded creatives or making memories with your family. Winter feels like the perfect time to breathe in that fresh, salty air and absorb all the subdued but rich colors of nature and how that can inspire you in your work and home life.

See you soon, South Coast.