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Make the most of winter outdoor living

The cooler months are ahead of us, but in Queensland, our winters are normally beautiful sunny days with the perfect temperatures to be outside. Winter simply doesn’t stop us from doing what we love - spending time outside.

For many of us, our outdoor spaces are our little oasis. It’s a space where we come together with our friends and families for Sunday lunches, afternoon drinks, a place where we can escape the inside and enjoy the fresh air. To make sure you make the most of it this winter, here are some simple ideas to allow you to enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s sunny and warm or dark and cool. Being warm and comfortable for your afternoon gatherings is so important. This can easily be done by adding some throws and cushions. Adding textiles this way to your outdoor space will also help create a personal style, and is an easy way to connect the look and feel from inside to outside. Outdoor spaces are all about the ambience we create using different furniture and textiles. Another easy way to create the right vibe is through adding lanterns and solar lights. Don’t be afraid to go over the top, they can be easily placed in clusters on the table, on the ground or even hung from trees and plants! Adding lots of mood lighting through candles and lights set the perfect scene for any social gathering. Wintertime is the perfect time for campfires and what better way to enjoy the outdoor than in front of an open fire with some music playing in the background. Pack a basket with drinks, snacks, and marshmallows. Put some chairs around or throw down a picknick blanket, add throws and lots of pillows to make it comfortable and snuggly for everyone. Add some magic through lots of candles and mood lights, and for some added atmosphere, make sure you turn your tunes on. Updating your outdoor space doesn’t have to be difficult. The key thing to remember is that it needs to feel cohesive with your indoor space and reflect your personal taste and style. By adding your personal touches and creating the right ambience, this space will become the most lived in area of your home! Words by Karin Falk-Baker. Communication & Interior design Manager at Ikea Logan

SOLARVET $24.99 LED lighting chain with 24 lights, outdoor solar-powered/ball white

FESTHOLMEN $8.99 Cushion cover 40x65 cm FEJKA $10 Artificial potted plant 12 cm

BORRBY $9.99 Lantern for block candle 28 cm BOYSENBÄR $5.99 Plant pot, in/outdoor light grey 12 cm

SKARPÖ $69 Armchair, outdoor

KROKHOLMEN $69 Coffee table, outdoor 73 cm All products available at IKEA Logan. ikea.com.au

LYDERSHOLM $35 Rug flatwoven, in/outdoor, medium brown 80x150cm

POLARVIDE $5 Throw, grey 130x170 cm

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Footy, Family & Fulfilling My Passion

Gold Coast SUNS player Lucy Single sits down with Get It Magazine’s Holly Bartter to chat about the AFLW community, where she finds inspiration, and balancing work and play on the GC.

Just 18 years old, Lucy Single’s football journey began at Miami State High School, when she was asked to make up the numbers to qualify as a team in 2016. “My friend and I decided to try it out as a bit of fun, not knowing we would end up winning the AFL schools cup championship,” Lucy recollects. It was a significant moment for Lucy, who says her newfound joy for the game resulted in the continuation of her football experiences, which lead her to where she is today. In 2021, Lucy made her AFLW debut with the Gold Coast SUNS in round one against the Melbourne Demons. She’s played every game since, predominantly positioned in the midfield. “Being drafted for the SUNS was a dream come true and the experiences I have had this season will stick with me for the rest of my life,” she shares. As a new team member, Lucy has enjoyed the unique camaraderie that the sport provides. “After I was drafted, I felt as though I had gained 29 new sisters. It was a bit daunting being one of the youngest in the team but the older girls welcomed me with open arms,” she adds. As for the greater AFLW community, Lucy says it’s both supportive and exciting. “It is so important to have this network in my career in order to grow AFLW connections.” She highlights the change in the women’s football space in recent years, which has seen increasing numbers of women drawn to the game.

“Even close friends who have never touched a footy have joined their local football club! “That’s thanks to the exposure women’s footy has gained. The growth of women in sport inspires me day to day, so I can watch my younger sisters and future generations gain just as many opportunities as men receive.” Now in her off-season, Lucy is working closely with her coaches to maintain her strength and skills. “I’m currently doing two field, gym and running sessions per week,” Lucy explains. And when she’s not on the field or in the gym? “I’m currently working as a guest service agent and studying a bachelor of education, and when I have some time off, I will usually try to spend the day relaxing and recovering!” A Gold Coast girl, Lucy has several favourite places to relax and unwind. “The Gold Coast is special to me - I absolutely love to go to the beach, or I will head to Springbrook and go for a bush walk.” As for international travel when it’s back on the menu again, Lucy is keen to explore. “I would love to go back to Osaka, Japan where my mum was born and also take a trip back to New Zealand.” While she’s only just beginning her glittering sporting career, Lucy’s favourite moment so far was kicking her first-ever AFLW goal against Carlton. “My teammates all got around me and I was lucky enough to have done it in front of a home crowd.” At the end of our conversation, Lucy shares with me her favourite quote: If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life, and there’s no question that Lucy is following her passion and purpose all the way.

BEING DRAFTED FOR THE SUNS WAS A DREAM COME TRUE

Blair Athol Boutique Hotel & Day Spa.

All Things Inverell Inverell

Tucked in a valley by New South Wales’ Macintyre River, Inverell (also known as the Sapphire City) boasts a pioneer history, established gemstone production and a bounty of discovery, dining, and historical experiences to be enjoyed.

Perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer stay to truly unwind, Inverell is a must-visit for boutique shopping, outdoor adventures, dining and much more. As its nickname suggests, Inverell is known for stunning sapphires, quartz crystals and other gemstones. Feeling handy? At Inverell, you’ll get the chance to fossick for your very own fortune whilst taking in the sights and sounds of scenic surrounds to a tranquil backdrop of Australian country. Dive into Inverell’s rich history at one of its many heritage sites, like Inverell Heritage Self-Guided Tour, Inverell Pioneer Village, or soak up some creations at Inverell Art Gallery. Inverell is also home to several memorials including the Myall Creek Memorial, the Kurrajong Memorial and the Inverell and District Bicentennial Memorial, where you can take a quiet moment to learn and reflect. Or,stretch your legs along the 5k WWII memorial walk finishing up at Lake Inverell and take in the natural beauty and history at your own pace. If you’ve got retail therapy on the mind, start at Billabong Blue Sapphires or Envy Blue Sapphire Jewellery, where you’ll find everything from rough stones to finished products - the perfect souvenir to remember your trip by. Ellati Fashion and Vivier Boutique offer a wide range of women’s clothing and accessories. Setting out to get active? Try your hand at Inverell Paintball, get competitive (or play just for fun) with some bowling at Tenpin Inverell, or cool down on the water with Joey’s Kayaking Tours. You’re sure to work up an appetite touring Inverell, and there’s something on the menu for everyone. Enjoy a range of hot meals (and even pizza) at the Inverell Road House Sea-Salt Diner, grab and go with a freshlybaked snack from Macintyre Hot Bread or LB Hot Bread Bakery, or take your time over a well-deserved coffee at Fill Coffee or Hey Joe Espresso Bar. From family-friendly accommodation to a romantic weekend away, Inverell provides a place to stay for every budget and travel style. Looking for a little opulence? The Blair Athol Boutique Hotel and Day Spa is for you - set on a glorious 54 acres. Or, a range of caravan parks like Inverell Caravan Park that deliver a quiet location with ensuite powered sites, air conditioned cabins and a pool - furry friends are welcome of course! For those planning ahead, don’t miss out on Brighter Access Sapphire City Festival held each October, with a host of activities including a flower show, festival parade, fireworks, race meeting, art competition and more - the perfect month to visit for a taste of the very best of Inverell. With so much to see and do just half a day’s drive from the Gold Coast, a trip to Inverell is an idyllic way to explore more of NSW - so hit the road and set your sights on our very own Sapphire City. inverell.com.au

Discover

the new dining at

Convenient, community focused and close by, it’s no wonder Q Super Centre is a favourite shopping destination for so many locals. Q is the centre that has everything you need in the one location. With 3 major supermarkets, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi there is also an extensive range of specialty stores offering gourmet fresh food, cafe and restaurant dining options. The centre has recently added to the wealth of dining options so now you will be simply spoilt for choice.

Black Swan Coffee House P 5572 2262 Mo Mo Pho Vietnamese Kitchen P 5572 0989

Wishbone Rotisserie P 5554 6609 Siam Street Thai P 5664 3623

Return to Eden

If you’re looking for the perfect place to rest, relax and rejuvenate, look no further than Eden Health Retreat. It’s called Eden for a reason.

If the past 18 months have drained you of your energy and get-upand-go, perhaps it’s time to treat yourself to a week at a health camp. And where better than Currumbin Valley’s very own fivestar Eden Health Retreat.

At first, it’s almost too much to absorb. There’s the sweeping, tree-lined driveway, offering the way to a new, improved and more relaxed you. There’s the Pilates and yoga room, which promises hours of stretching, breathing and meditation. Or there’s the twelve impressive new cabins, nestled neatly into the hillside, with their sunset-facing balconies just beckoning you to stop and drink in the view.

Take your time

The clock certainly slows down at Eden. When everyday life speeds past so fast, here, time almost stands still. There’s time to breath, to smell the rainforest, listen to the bird call and feel the sun dancing upon your skin. There’s time to think, and most importantly, time to put yourself at top priority. Since its reopening and extensive refurbishments, Eden has also overhauled its weekly programs. Now, you can choose the type of day you’d like to experience, whether it’s active, relaxing, pampering, nourishing, or a mixture of everything. An active day includes a rainforest walk to soak in the benefits of biophilia, weights or boxing classes, followed by a well-deserved session in the sauna and steam room and a deep-tissue massage. Or if relaxation is your top-priority, then don’t miss the mediation and mindfulness classes, and stretch out those tight muscles at the yoga and Pilates classes. Book in for a facial and body treatment, or just lie by the glistening pool.

Feed your body and soul

If you’re feeling burned out and exhausted, then you can forego the morning’s Qigong relaxing but invigorating session and sleep in. Then join the rest of the guests and head to the new, architecturally-designed kitchen and dining room and watch your morning feast being prepared. Head of Food and Nutrition, Georgia Barnes, serves up some seriously delicious dishes, mindfully created to nurture, nourish, inspire and educate you and your tastebuds. All meals are glutenfree and the ingredients are locally-sourced as much as possible, making the most of our sumptuous Gold Coast source of organic fruits, vegetables, seafood and white meats. While coffee is off the menu, there are tasty alternatives to help you kick or cut down on your caffeine habit. The team also use a small amount of organic dairy, plant-based proteins, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Vegan and vegetarian options are available on request, plus there’s cooking classes and nutritional talks, so you’ll be able to continue this new, healthier way of eating once you return home. Your meal will taste all the better by enjoying it with a side serving of a seriously impressive view over the Currumbin Valley. Whether you decide to get involved in meditation, mindfulness talks, flying fox or the don’t-miss-it Club Mud, you’ll always find time to sit in solitude and stillness in your luxurious cabin. The new cabins and lodges vary in their design and facilities, but they all have one thing in common – they’re the perfect place to take some time to yourself. The new lodges offer luxurious beds, decks to enjoy the sunshine with a book in hand, deep bath tubs and spectacular views. It’s the perfect time of the year to relax by the fireplace, or let the time slip past, forget real life, and take pleasure in doing absolutely nothing. Facts: Prices begin at $2,940 for a seven day, six night package in a deluxe single cabin, to $5,580 for a seven day, six night stay in the new Cascade Lodge, which boasts a private balcony, fireplace, reading area and lounge.