I used to go the Gym. Now I stack firewood

What moving from the city to semi-rural life taught me about movement, work and slowing down. By Karen Hobson, Founder of The Eumundi Trading Co When we lived in Brisbane, exercise was something I had to schedule around work, work travel, family and life.  I went for walks. I worked out in hotel gyms. I travelled internationally  a lot for work and being an office worker I made time to move, even if it was a walk at lunchtime because walking to the kitchen to make a cup of tea 10 times a day doesn't really cut it.  Now, living a semi-rural life in Eumundi, movement seems to find me. I stack wood. I dig holes. I shovel A LOT of dirt and push that dirt in a wheelbarrow. I weed garden beds. I haul bags of soil. I build gardens out of rocks from the fill that gets delivered.  I walk to collect kindling. I move pots, prune branches, rake leaves and spend entire afternoons doing jobs that somehow leave me more tired than any gym session ever did. Oh and did I mention I've launched 2 online businesses that I've never ever done before,  so I never have to go back to corporate life?   The funny thing is, I do not really think of it as exercise.

Why Choosing the Right Candle Matters: A Guide to Cleaner-Burning Candles at Home

There's something magical about lighting a candle. The soft flicker of the flame, a beautiful fragrance drifting through the room, and the feeling that, somehow, life has slowed down just a little. For me, candles what makes a home feel warm, cosy and welcoming. They're lit while reading a book on the verandah, enjoying a cup of tea after dinner or creating a little ambience before friends arrive. But not all candles are created equal. Over the past few years, I've become far more interested in what candles are actually made from and what I'm putting into the air at home, and the truth is that the cheapest candle isn't always the best choice for your home. Here's why I believe that candle ingredients matter and why we only stock natural beeswax or soy candles with natural fragrance: A candle is more than just wax and fragrance. The quality of the wax, the wick and the fragrance oils all influence how cleanly a candle burns and how nice the scent is.  Indoor air quality experts recommend paying attention to candle ingredients and ensuring rooms are well ventilated while candles are burning. 

The Modern Australian Farmhouse Look | Creating a Warm and Timeless Home

Farmhouse style has become one of the most popular interior design trends of the past decade. Scroll through social media and you'll find countless images of timber beams, oversized kitchens, barn doors and sprawling rural homes. While these spaces are undeniably beautiful, many are inspired by American farmhouses that bear little resemblance to the way Australians live. Australia has its own landscape, climate and lifestyle. Our homes are shaped by long summers, outdoor living, native gardens and a connection to the land that differs from many overseas interpretations of farmhouse style. According to Karen Hobson, Founder of The Eumundi Trading Co, the modern Australian farmhouse is not about copying another country's design trends. It is about creating homes that feel relaxed, practical, welcoming and connected to their surroundings.