Grow and Gather
Garden designer turned flower farmer, Helen Leighton takes a dreamy approach to floral design in Albany, Western Australia.
Writer - travel, sustainability, wellness, people, gardens, growing flowers and anything that piques my curiosity.
With over 20 years across journalism, lifestyle writing and communications work, I have a focus for telling stories that inspire, that honour the natural world and enhance our lives on this planet.
Garden designer turned flower farmer, Helen Leighton takes a dreamy approach to floral design in Albany, Western Australia.
Dairy Flat Farm is an overflowing feast for the botanically-minded senses. The interiors, art and furnishings of the lodge are just sublime. Dreamy. Then there's the regenerative farm on the grounds including the extensive vegetable gardens, (which supplies the award-winning Lake House restaurant) the orchard, olive grove and vineyard.
Supermarkets are replacing Vietnam's traditional markets and hawkers, writes Sarah O'Bryan. Vietnamese street life and shopping habits are on the verge of change as many traditional markets are closed and street vendors banned. People have shopped for centuries at local markets in Vietnam and from street vendors, a highly visible part of the streetscape with their conical hats, poles and baskets.
The sight of child passengers riding motorbikes without helmets is all too common in Vietnam. But International nonprofit Asia Injury Prevention Foundation is working with government and businesses to change the status quo.
The whole concept of a bride carrying flowers is rooted in ancient symbolism and a little bit of practicality. Flowers were used to ward off evil spirits or signify fidelity, fertility and a long happy life. They were also carried to disguise body odour... nice!
Imagine hearing that 6000 roses - of the most beautiful variety - could potentially be bulldozed. Up until two years ago, a very busy rose farm on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, grew the most divine old-world roses. These stunners were in hot demand by florists all around Australia.
Finding the right balance of luxury and keeping kids happy is a cinch in Bali and that doesn’t mean compromising on style and staying in a theme park resort. But I’m pretty sure you can do that too!
I don't think you could ever tire of rolling down a French country lane through ivy-covered woods, with glimpses of a stunning french chateau in the distance. In fact, it's not hard to see how you could fall in love, dream of buying it and live half the year in France.
Imagine if you could fill your day doing the flowers for a beautiful Irish country house where you source everything from the expansive gardens - both walled and wild. Well this is what Iona ... gets to do for the iconic Ballymaloe House in south west Ireland.
One of the best things about a visit to Vietnam is the abundance of fresh and visually stunning tropical fruit.
Known for creating and running some of Melbourne’s most successful cafes – in possibly the world’s most competitive café scene – Diamond Rozakeas is an inspiring and multifaceted woman who operates from a seemingly perfect mix of intuition, creativity and hard work.
It's party time in Cork next month. The Guinness International Jazz Festival hits the town on the last weekend in October and does nothing short of turn the town into a musicians Mecca and a swinging party.
It's that moment when your kids are dancing in the piazza with the locals or when you're all in a gelato haze completely captivated by the rolling Tuscan hills when a wave of relief and exhilaration hits you. Your crazy plan to bring the little darlings halfway across the world has paid off.
Once an isolated fishing village, Lorne is nestled in an exquisite setting of rainforests, stunning coastline, cascading waterfalls and these days is known for a fabulous cafe culture.
Port Fairy isn't a secret anymore, but if you haven't been, it's time you paid this little secret a visit.