Test driving the new Hyundai Tucson

Although I'm in my (ahem) mid-thirties, I've not been driving that long. I only got my license when I was 28, prior to that I was the quintessential public transport and taxi queen. I just wish Uber existed back then!

My first car was a small second-hand hatchback and while I loved her, I always knew I needed to get a proper grown-up car. My husband encouraged me to 'size up' and we shopped around for a car which looked cute (my priority) and was safe, fuel-efficient and drove well (his priorities)! We ended up at Sunco Hyundai at Maroochydore and chose a Hyundai ix35, at the time one of the most popular SUVs in its class, and it has served me incredibly well for three years now.

As an already happy Hyundai customer, I was thrilled when the sales team from Sunco Hyundai gave me the chance to test drive the new Tucson recently - how lucky am I? I promise I told them that I'm not a revhead car buff, and any review I shared wouldn't be as comprehensive or informative as a CarsGuide article!

I would be lying if how cute a car is didn't make up 90% of my opinion of it! 

Whilst I love my ix35, there's certainly something awesome about stepping into the newer version - this year's Hyundai Tucson is like my current car, but luxe. From the moment I collected the Tucson and got the full tour of how all the great gadgets worked, driving this vehicle felt like an experience, instead a 'daily drive'.

On top of the standard features which you can read about here, the Elite Tucson model comes with extras that I just love, such as a panoramic sunroof, full leather interior, large multi-function screen and reversing camera.

Reversing cameras... how did we ever live without them? This colour screen is a fantastic size.

Yeah, this stuff doesn't matter so much to me, but my husband loves that he can track fuel economy really easily using the Mode button on the steering wheel. Me, I just like knowing how many kms until my petrol tank is empty. #livingontheedge

Hello soft sumptuous leather. 

All the boot room I could possibly need for a weekend full of shopping!

The 60/40 split-fold back seats can give even more room than the spacious boot provides, and I know from personal experience with my ix35, the removable roller blind over the cargo bay keeps everything right where you put it, and shields shopping and luggage from prying eyes. 

Apparently the Tucson is a five-star ANCAP recipient - that means safety first, folks. Again, that's husbo was interested in, and I'm sure if you were a mum carting precious little ones around, that would be important to you too.

For more on the new Hyundai Tucson, visit Sunco Hyundai's website. Thanks to Ky, Collin, Leah and the Sunco team for the opportunity to take it for a spin!

*Sunco Hyundai kindly loaned me this vehicle. Like everything you'll find on Katy Potaty, thoughts and opinions are all my own. For more info, check out my disclosure policy. Please check the suppliers' website for car specs.

5 of the Best Blowdries on the Sunshine Coast

Today is the first is a little series of posts I'm sharing about Spring hair and beauty. Let's all agree that I'm no beauty blogger - I don't know how to contour, Kylie Jenner's lip kits are well beyond my lippie-application skills, and I may have the world's most boring hair. But I'm interested in it all. I have friends with fabulously bouffy hair, and I really appreciate a good brow. So here's hoping I learn a little sumthin' sumthin' when I write these posts!

My locks are limp. Always have been, and probably always will be. I send texts on the regular to my bouncy-haired best mates, saying 'Nah, not coming tonight, I've hurt my neck blowdrying my hair upside down', and 'My hair doesn't want to come out and play with your hair tonight, it's feeling insecure'.

If you're too lazy to lift a brush, or like me, just don't have the skills to create Victoria's Secret-worthy bounce in your limp locks, the solution is a salon blowdry. Once the sole domain of the rich and famous with private stylists on call 24/7, the professional blowdry is fast becoming the quickest way to freshen up limp locks - especially if you've got a BIG weekend coming up. Best part is, the professionals can really make a blow dry last, sometimes up to four or five days with the right products!

Whether you're after a glam retro beehive, Gigi-style blowout (always my goal!) or a casually undone lob á la Jennifer Lawrence, check out my favourite lock-lifting blowdries on the Sunshine Coast, and swish your way through the day in style.

Heads in the Cloud, Buderim
This smart salon doesn't just boast an adorable name; it's practically a description of how high they can get your hair with the magic of their driers! With brushskills that are recognised around the world, head stylist Sam Rizzo can really make you feel like a Texan beauty queen, and he's recently been crowned 2016 Creative Artistic Ambassador for Keune Haircosmetics. The locally owned salon is also often searching for hair models for training, competitions and photo shoots - who knows, you might end up on the cover of one of the world's big hair glossies!

Evalyn Parsons, Moffat Beach
For the coastal Southerners who like to channel a big-haired Southern Belle, the team at Evalyn Parsons know how to transform - and you won't be left waitin' around either, darlin'! Their Glam & Go services will pack a punch, transforming you from drab to fab in under 20 mins for just $30, or if you need a little more work, upsize to the 30-40 min Style package for only $50.

House of George, Maroochydore
The goal: thicker, fuller hair with volume that lasts. The action: book a blowdry at House of George. New salon manager Samantha joins the George team with a wealth of knowledge from her UK-trained background, and official ghd educator. Anyone who can wield a straightening tongs with that much experience definitely knows how to add shine, body and ontrend style to every 'do! PS it's part of the cutest old Queenslander, and their barista serves fab coffee too, so every moment at House of George is totally Instagram-worthy!

Image credit: House of George

Uptown Hair, Nambour

Never fear, hinterland readers – you have follicle friends in your part of the world too! Rhonda and the team at Uptown Hair will give you a big city blowdry, with classic regional Queensland service with a smile. Uptown has won Sunshine Coast Business Awards Excellence in Business awards for so long now, that they were inducted to the Hall of Fame - really speaks of a loyal customer base, doesn't it! What really sets Uptown apart is their attention to detail: complimentary beverages served with tasty cookies, stylists who don't treat you like the next part on the assembly line, and plenty of advice on styling your hair at home. Pricing is super reasonable too, so there's no excuse not to pop in and freshen up before you hit the rapidly growing nightlife in the sugar town. 

Universal Hair, Maroochydore
Another Maroochydore salon makes the cut, with Universal Hair consistently nabbing places on 'best salon' lists. With experts in upstyles, braiding and curling, you'll be ready for your big night out in now time. Or if it's a seamlessly smooth blowdry you're after, the soft results from their iron-free blast dries will have you craving such straight hair, you'll be back to book in for their Perfection or Keratin Fusion permanent straightening treatments!

Got a great blowdry salon I missed? Let me know in the comments?

Are you a fan of the salon blow dry?

A favourite Spring outfit

After a Winter of cool weather (ok, 10 degrees is mighty cold for a Queenslander), aren’t we all daydreaming about those balmy days at the end of Spring? This feminine-yet-tomboyish outfit would be perfect to wear on bike rides, to brunches and on picnics…

Fate Lilibeth chambray dress from Birdsnest, Amity necklace from Indera Beads, Longoria Fedora from Blue Bungalow, Philly Putty crossbody Louenhide bag, Chill Leopard sandals from Freya and Sabine.

I wear similar spins on this outfit pretty regularly, adding or subtracting a stripe sweater tied around my waist, a kimono, or mixing up the sleeveless shirtdress to one with a print. Simples.

Coffee and cuddles with @traineemama and the twins at @ohdarlingcafe; I feel like we've definitely seen the last of the winter weather! Summer vibes in today's #everydaystyle, wearing @wardrobenoosa chambray dress and @rockmansfashion fringed kimono. 

Is there ever really a day when a chambray dress ISN'T suitable? Unlikely. Today's @stylingyou #everydaystyle for a trip to the closest Westfield to spend the last of the voucher I won in a competition hosted by @prettychuffed a year ago. 😂 I managed to score plenty of @typoshop goodies (in previous post), a large lantern from @duskaustralia and the latest Bill Bryson book, The Road to Little Dribbling. Throw in a tasty lunch at Schnitz and a great coffee, and I'm pretty happy with how my Sunday panned out. What did your Sunday look like? 

Dinner out at @helloharryb with some babes because it's Monday. Who even needs a reason? Today's @stylingyou #everydaystyle is a surprise @suzanne_grae find - this casual shirtdress is cool as a cucumber and goes with everything - perfect for today's @foxinflats #Darecember prompt, #printmix. My Kate Spade bright geo cosmetic clutch throws up some print clash no matter what I'm wearing! 

Another Summer Sunday wearing another chambray frock from gorgeous little Noosa boutique @goddesshq with my lovely new @louenhide Sydney bag-in-a-bag (scored as a prize at the @stylingyou #everydaystyle lunch last weekend - thanks @irismaystyle). This sunshiny yellow and tan is perfect with light denim for a morning strolling through Caloundra Markets with @brigalo before going home to relax, then heading to Noosa this afternoon to celebrate Christmas with the @livinglovingnoosa girls. (This photo couldn't be squintier, but I'm having an awesome day, so whatevs.) 

 Do you have a go-to outfit this season?


Don't forget to sign up to get Katy Potaty via email to go into my September subscriber draw to win a luxe Glasshouse candle!

The winner of my August email subscriber giveaway was Louise Mc. I've emailed you, Louise - so holler me back with a postal address! Congratulations!

Instagram ate my photos

Instagram is my favourite social media channel, for two solid reasons.

It's just too easy, I can just take a picture, add a mildly-amusing caption, and boom. Done. No sitting down at a computer, logging into Blogger, editing (apart from a quick caption scan for typos) or typing with both hands required. It's just so user-friendly. 

And it's engaging. It's the fastest way for me to see what my besties are up to at any given moment, and I can comment on huge brands' fashion photos and they can respond almost immediately. 

I love the beautiful little community I have on Instagram.

But right now, I'm trying not to pick up my phone and check into Instagram, because it ate over 200 of my recent posts. Posts about fun times with my friends, posts about coffee, and posts that featured gifted product or were sponsored. All goneski.

So, it's been a pretty cruddy day. Work is overwhelming at this point in the school term, and I've spent all day getting 'undeliverable' emails from Instagram Support. Everything I've posted in my Insty feed since December 27 last year has completely disappeared, and as there were posts for both sponsored and gifted product amongst the random coffee, puppy and baby photos, I'm sure you can understand my devastation. #sendhelp #sendcoffee #sendtissues

A photo posted by katy_potaty (@katy_potaty) on Sep 6, 2016 at 9:32pm PDT

I know it's not just me, that thousands of other people are dealing with this first world problem, but I'm praying that my Insty feed will be restored sooner rather than later.

I promise I'm trying to think positively about it (now, that is - yesterday I was ready to murder over it!), but in the meantime, there will be minimal Instagram cruising, and a lot of puppy-cuddling and coffee-sipping.

All without me taking photos of it!

Have you ever lost some of your social media and thought you'd just DIE?

6 life lessons from Empire Records (advice for teens who didn't get to live through the 90's)

I was involved in a long Empire Records 'quote-off' with Brooke of Blonde Ambition last night (you know, where you riff back and forward with quotes from - usually - a cult movie), and it got me thinking that 1995, when Empire Records was released, was a pretty intense year for me.

I was 14, and in my second year of high school at one of the more exclusive private schools on the Sunshine Coast. My father had just left my mum, brother and I, to live a jaunty life of new women and weekday yacht sailing. I wore a back brace all day every day (thanks scoliosis), had a very small group of friends, wasn't invited to many parties, and whilst I had discovered boys... they had not yet discovered me.

I struggled to express myself verbally, so when Empire Records hit the screen, with all the angst that only the 90's could offer, I felt like I'd found characters who were as messed up as I was. (Disclaimer: in hindsight, I had a pretty good life. Thanks Mum.)

Working in a high school now, watching teenage girls struggle with all the same kinds of dramas that my friends and I went through - but with the added stresses of technology and early sexualisation - I wonder how teens these days manage to express themselves without such killer lines as 'We mustn't dwell... no, not today. We CAN'T. Not on Rex Manning Day.'

Here are my top life lessons for teens, as taught by the indie kids of Empire Records.

AJ: I don't feel that I need to explain my art to you, Warren.

Sometimes we just need to do something that other people don't get. Whether it's creative or enterprenerial, teens these days have so many avenues open to them, and I know that a lot of adults in their lives will question some crazy decisions. I can pretty much guarantee that this generation of youngsters will all own businesses and be creating cool stuff WAY before we ever got around to that!

Gina: Well, Sinead O'Rebellion. Shock me, shock me, shock me with that deviant behaviour.

We've all been there. But I REALLY want to impart one of my most important life lessons with young girls... do NOT cut your hair after a break-up or massive change in life circumstances. Just don't. Take a month, then go crazy. There's nothing worse than missing a boy and missing your locks and not looking like yourself, at the same time.

Joe: Gina, you'd better go home.

Gina: Am I fired?

Joe: Have I fired anyone today? No. Why would I start with you?

Kids, remember this - sometimes you'll mess up. Sometimes you'll mess up real bad, and it'll hurt the people who care about you the most. The thing about being a teenager is that usually, those people who you hurt, won't make snap decisions about the rest of your future. They'll still love and accept you, and want to help you through this awful hormonal time.

Corey: So this how your life's gonna be now, hey? You're just gonna screw every 'has-been' until your tits fall down and they don't want you anymore?

For me, the dynamic between good-girl Corey and fun-loving free spirit Gina is my favourite part of Empire Records. They secretly love each other in a weird 'I wanna be you' kind of way, and the movie ends with both girls understanding and appreciating some of those differences.

Also, safe-sex lessons. There are plenty of safe-sex cautionary tales in this sarcasm-fuelled relationship.

Lucas: Warren, look what you took. (flicks through the CD's that Warren stole from the store) Rap, metal, rap, metal... and Whitney Houston.

The recalcitrant shoplifter Warren is a kooky kid with some eclectic taste in CDs, and I guess his message to the youth of the 90's is that you should love what you love. If you like weird ukelele music from Eastern Europe, like it hard. Don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't like it. Same goes for fashion and style, do your own thing, try something that your friends aren't trying. We're not all meant to be clones... even as teenagers searching for our clique.

A.J.: ...you know, I got to tell her that I, uh, well, you know, that I uh...

Joe: love her.

A.J.: Yeah, now how do I do that?

Joe: You say I love you. What do you want, written instructions?

Here you go, the love story we all wanted to be a part of. The shy from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks artist boy loves sweet super-smart rich girl Corey, but doesn't know how to tell her.

His tough-love boss Joe is here to tell him that it doesn't need to be hard. It really doesn't. Sometimes we (and I clearly mean ME) overthink things to the point that they can't be said, and unless we have written instructions, the words never come out.

Be your own tough-love boss, and make yourself say the things you feel. Even if they come out awkward (and they 99% will come out awkward, move on).

Which 90's movie coaxed you through the awkwardness and pain of your teen years? Any of your fave Empire Records quotes that I missed?

Sunshine Coast Cafe - Bohemian Bungalow, Eumundi

A recent birthday celebration for my aunt had the extended family coming from across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to one of my favourite Coast towns, Eumundi for a long leisurely lunch together. Some of these uncles and aunts hadn't seen me since I was a teen, so I had a lot of fun surprising them!

Bohemian Bungalow has become quite the institution already, with a famous Sunday session featuring an ever-changing roster of bands, duos and single artists from 2pm to wind down your weekend; and a gorgeously eclectic decor which will have you going for a stroll around the restaurant to check out their treasures.

I wore a favourite Passion Q split-sleeve dress from Whitehaven Emporium - these guys do the best boho-style prints ever - with Spendless Shoes Wisdom boots, an old French Connection belt and tassel necklace from Whitehaven Emporium. 

Such a cute and colourful place to catch up with friends or family

How adorable is my dad here, catching up with his nieces. He's the cutest guy around. #biased

Even high above the kitchen, there are little vignettes to find - this race of handpainted horses was so quirky.

I know a certain BFF of mine who would've liked me to snaffle some of those antique biscuit and cake tins.

What's a birthday creme brulee without a scoop of vanilla bean icecream and a candle?

We had such a lovely lunch here, the birthday girl has even popped back a few more times since then to enjoy the atmosphere.

Do you like your cafes quirky and unique? Any other eclectic places in South East Queensland worth a try?

What I wore: Port Douglas holiday part 2

If you've only just stopped by, you might like to click back to this post, it's Part One of What I Wore: Port Douglas holiday... this one is a little more pictorial, because I've been busy and working hard, and have no words left.

Now, it wouldn't be a tropical holiday for me without some poolside relaxing. Yes, we have a pool at our home, but it's nowhere near as relaxing lounging in the water when you have a houseful of chores just metres away. I love laying by a pool that is a LONG way from my dirty laundry and a dishwasher that need stacking, so holiday pool time is my favourite.

I love swimsuits. For a curvy girl with bumps and dimples in all the wrong places, I give little thought to how people see me when I'm on the beach or lounging by a pool. I hope that never changes. (That said, outside of a watery environment, I'm crazy-insecure about my body. Go figure.) This gorgeous new Capriosca Cancun Twist Bandeau One Piece* with the moroccan tile-inspired print is probably my favourite one-piece of ALL. TIME. SERIOUSLY. The team at Sequins and Sand are so helpful too, you can email or call Anita and the team and get so much great advice on sizing and fit, which is so useful when buying swimwear online.

I adore the glam print, the ruching, the DD shelf bra that actually does what it's supposed to, and most of all, the removable and adjustable straps. I mean, you guys surely know how I feel about tan lines. I was so hesitant to take the straps off, because there's nothing cute about hauling a bandeau top up over and over again by the pool, but the shaping of the cups means that I didn't even need them! And that means I can wear this swimsuit under so many of my strappy, strapless and off-the-shoulder beach and pool dresses. Hip hurrah!

On our actual wedding anniversary, we had a super-relaxing day of strolling around Port Douglas. I wore one of my favourite off-the-shoulder tops (of course I did, I'm original like that) with super-tropical-cute palm-print shorts from Witchery. These shorts are brilliant for Summer holidays, because there's no ironing required, and they wash and dry so quickly that you can wear them more than once... which I obvs did.

When on holidays, wear no makeup and let your hair air-dry. Please, for the love of relaxation, do it.

Speaking of relaxation... my husband enjoyed his first pedicure ever! I'd been telling him for ages just how relaxing they were, and my dad (who doesn't exactly has attractive manfeet) has been waxing lyrical for years to BB about the pleasures of someone else attending to your feet, and I finally managed to persuade him to give it a try. BB has quite nice feet, I think, so I knew he'd have nothing to be self-conscious of.

And now he wants to get one at least monthly. Can we just say 'I told you so' already?

By the second last day of our trip, I was all but forgetting to take photos of our holiday, I was just in full-blown vacation mode. It wasn't until I saw other people snapping away on the Cairns-Kuranda SkyRail that I remembered!

Kuranda Scenic Railway Station is flipping adorable. It's just like the railway stations you imagine from the books The Railway Children, but with excellent coffee available. Nawwww.

This lame tourist photo at the railway station features pretty much the exact same off-the-shoulder top and shorts situation from a previous day, albeit with the coral version of the Katies top. What can I say? When I find a good thing, I stick to it.

Taking the obligatory arm-out-the-window photo as we rounded the bends of the Barron Valley meant that I had quite the conniption as BB risked the life of my iPhone.

Food, food, food. One of the highlights of any trip to Port Douglas for us is dinner at Bucci Italian. The blue cheese and cauliflower arancini were a hit, and the roast pumpkin gnocchi (below) served with little dollops of the most delicious goat's cheese... I can't even.

After all that cheese, I was feeling VERY cheesy and loved up. (You knew there was a bad cheese pun coming, admit it.)

Apparently I'm going through an off-the-shoulder phase. Who knew?

What it's actually all about for me. You can take away the sunbathing and afternoon cocktails, the excuses to wear tropical-print clothes, the food (although please don't take away the food), and my anniversary trip to Port Douglas is really just all about spending time with this silver fox. 

Happy Anniversary, BB. You're the cheese to my pasta. 

* Thank you so much to the team at Sequins and Sand, for gifting me this gorgeous swimsuit, and helping me find my perfect style and fit. Big big love.

Homewares favourites - I carried a watermelon?

It's so ok to break the 'seasonal' rules. I mean, yeah I put a very Summery watermelon print doona cover on our bed this morning, and yes, I know Autumn is well and truly here. But whatever. We snapped up the doona cover from Target for under $20, and I am NOT waiting until December to throw a summer vibe around my bedroom again.

Target Watermelon doona cover - fruity as a Christmas cake, and on sale now

l

All the other styling pieces (knit cushion, orchid, frames, etc) are from Home Secret at Kawana. The books on my bedside are Watermelon by Marian Keyes (of course) and Green Sparkly Earrings by Melanie Shankle (of The Big Mama Blog).

In other homewares news, here are a few things I've found around the interwebs and am loving right now.

Etc and Co's gorgeous copper candlewick trimmers come in matte black and copper, and are such a perfect gift for the woman who has everything - including designer candles!

Zanui have an awesome-sauce 50% off sale on Florence Broadhurst homewares right now -  you said 50% off WHAT? Yeah, just gimme all the Florence cushions and be done with it. #loveflorence

For the barest wall in our house - the hallway - I'm contemplating a big ol' canvas with a simple but strong statement. This May and Belle Wander print is probably perfect, and large enough at 50x70cm to make a decent impact in a small space.

This tray from Hunting for George would suit literally every room in my home... Fruit, jewellery, candles, or I could actually use it to carry coffee and tea things, how novel!

Now, I never really got into our Adairs purchasing debacle on the blog, because my mother always told me that if I have nothing nice to write, don't write anything at all. But I'm almost willing to forgive their poor customer service of 2014 just because some of their new stuff is fantastic. In other news, what's the official age when you start obsessing over words like 'microplush' when you're shopping for bath mats? I think I've hit it. 

Have you discovered anything that I HAVE TO HAVE in my house right now? And is it just me, or are there SO MANY fantastic homewares stores popping up? #ineedabiggerhouse

If you're going to do something, do it right (or #viplife)

I've discovered that I'm a complete concert snob.

I love music, and gigs and festivals are always bound to make me get pumped up and create playlists to have on repeat until the date comes. But then the sun rises on the day of the concert, and I totally freak out. The mass of people, the weather uncertainty that comes with any outdoor event, and so many other things combine in my mind until my brain is a swirling mess of worst-case scenarios and all I want to do is go back to bed and hide under the doona.

Now, I've not always been like this. In fact a very large portion of my late teens and early twenties were spent chasing gigs - the bigger, the better. The thing is, I'm older and wiser now, and a lot more risk-averse. I like a solid, staid life with plenty of routine and only the occasional event or adventure to trip me up.

Based on this boring old Grown-up Katy's need for some semblance of order, in the last few years I have discovered a great way to have my concert and see it too... VIP baby!

After my husband bought us tickets to enjoy the Caloundra Music Festival in the Kings Club section a couple of years ago, I've developed quite the taste for standing on the side of the stage, or being in a Reserved Seating section with our own bar and gasp! clean toilets.

Throwback to #viplife with Trainee Mama and Pete Murray, because hanging at the Artist's Bar is where it's at.

I enjoyed another reminder of my highfalutin tastes on the weekend just gone when Brooke (of Blonde Ambition) took me as her date to see Bryan Adams at Sirromet Winery. Platinum seating, no less. (Her brother Michael was unable to use his birthday-gift tickets, so we got lucky!)

Hostess with the mostest, Brooke of Blonde Ambition. And I mean, really. You can't visit one of the most popular wineries in QLD without actually sampling the wine, amiright?

Ok, so my outfit photo isn't the best. I swear, I didn't wear a sign. (Although the emotional woman a row in front did, and MY WORD she was in love with Bryan. Cue tears.)

I actually wore Jag denim shorts, Mink kimono from Myer on SALE now), Lorna Jane tank, Adorne necklace, Sussan fedora and Spendless gumboots. (And those boots were SO comfy. Surprisingly!)

I love when my mildly-fashionable friends try to be all stylish. Pffft.

A Day on the Green also featured support acts The Superjesus and Baby Animals, and whilst we missed most of The Superjesus' set, I was MIGHTY impressed by Baby Animals. I always am. Suze DeMarchi can do no wrong, her vocals are outstanding, and she rocks tuxedo trousers like no other 52 year old woman on the planet.

All this to say that I can no longer schlep it at festivals and concerts, because there's something refreshing about not sharing my personal space with complete strangers, even if they do have the same taste in music as me.

So, who's got front row tickets to Chris Isaak, and nobody to go with? ;)

Seriously though, thanks for the invite Brooke - and Happy Belated Birthday Michael!