It’s D’s 30th birthday next week, so this week I thought I would share some of the ideas I have for him…

Weekend: D already makes a pretty mean coffee on our coffee machine, but he is always looking for ways to improve – to make the perfect cup of coffee at home. There are plenty of home barista courses out there, but I would like to give D a gift certificate to one that D can take our machine to. No point learning new skills if you can’t do them on your own machine! These two Sydney options caught my eye – Sydney Coffee Centre and the Coffee Institute.

Friday: D has already received a tent as an early birthday present. But he doesn’t have any other camping gear, so I was thinking of getting him a sleeping bag (I like the look of this double one) and a self inflating mattress to keep him warm and comfy when we go camping.

Thursday: D has just gotten into fishing and has been talking about maybe going out on a boat sometime, so this half day fishing tour through Red Balloon sounds perfect!

On the day of the experience you leave the wharf at 7am or 12:30pm (D’s a sleepy head so he would be on the later one!) for a five hour fishing charter on 34’ Seatamer sport-fishing flybridge cruiser. All rods, reels and bait are provided, and the crew will give fishing advice and tuition, if required.

And if D does catch any legal-sized fish they will be cleaned and made ready for him to take home!

Wednesday: D really enjoys cooking – he doesn’t do it all the time, but has a few dishes he has mastered perfectly. He is a fan of Jamie Oliver – his food and the man – so I’m think about giving him Jamie’s new cookbook Jamie’s 30-minute meals (to help him increase his repertoire!) and Jamie’s biography The Jamie Oliver Effect: The Man, The Food, The Revolution

Tuesday: I just discovered the site work is not a job., a concept and design studio dedicated to inspire you to live a creative life and fall in love with your work. I think their work is not a job hoodie sums up perfectly the lifestyle D and I are trying to create with our new site AND he also needs more warm stuff for winter!

Monday: D’s favourite restaurant in Sydney is Vini. Its one of those places that changes its menu daily to make use of seasonal produce and it has never let us down! In our old life we used to go there about every 6 weeks or so, but we haven’t been since we started living more frugally. I think as a birthday treat I will treat him to a visit.

With Australia Day mid week I thought it was appropriate for this week’s gifts to be Australian related…

Saturday: The Beer Lovers Guide to Australia provides a snapshot of the Australian beer industry, breweries and bars. A range of well respected Australian writers and beer connoisuers guide you through the world of beer:

*Dr Peter Aldred – What is Beer?
*Andrew Perry – The History of Beer
*Matt Kirkegaard – The Australian Craft Beer Revolution
*Ian Watson – Tasting Beer
*Paul Mercurio – Beer & Food
*Laurie Strachan – A Menu of Beer Styles

P.S. There is even a Beer Lovers Guide iPhone app

Friday: Help save the northern hairy-nosed wombat, which is one of the world’s most endangered species. At last count there were only 115 individuals living in a single isolated population in Western Queensland, Australia.

You can donate to the Wombat Foundation or buy these three fabulous children’s book which follow the adventures of Willit the wombat.

Thursday: I’ve just recently discovered Bluecaravan, an ethical online design market based in Australia.

It’s all about lovely, interesting and edgy products – beautifully finished, made with heart, and bought directly from the designer/maker.

Here are a few items from Aussie designers that caught my eye:

*Anything from The Dharma Door – I particularly like this Dragonfly and Butterfly Garland

*From Interro a very cool wallet made from new RED seatbelt webbing

*Gorgeous handmade toys from Flying Star Toys – this elephant is a favourite!

Wednesday: The Australian blogger community is rallying around one of its own. Lori is from the Random Ramblings of a Stay at Home Mum blog. Under tragic circumstances her husband passed away on January 10 this year. This has left Lori with no income. She has two small children (aged 3 years & 16 months).

A Facebook auction has been set up to raise money for Lori and her children. You will find plenty of fabulous gifts to bid on, including toys and weekends away.

Tuesday: know someone planning some Australian travel?? Why don’t you buy them a Journey Jottings journal so they can summarise their trip and create a visual keepsake.

Monday: Make Me Iconic’s goal is to bring icons of Sydney and Melbourne to life and into people’s homes. Take your pick of cushions, artworks, mugs, tea towels and toys.

Make Me Iconic is all about giving talented, young designers a chance.