The Four Sisters' ladies came together to create our very own Four Sisters' signature cocktail using our Prosecco.

Introducing our 'Blush Pink Mimosa'. Give it a try Sisters, you won't be disappointed. 

Recipe 

1 cup of pink lemonade (or traditional lemonade)

2 cups Four Sisters Prosecco

Fresh raspberries and strawberries

Lemon or lime slices

Mint to garnish (optional)

Makes 4 cocktails

 

Instructions

Step 1:  Pour your pink lemonade into a large jug.

Step 2:  Top up with Four Sisters Prosecco.

Step 3:  Add your fresh raspberries, strawberries and a slice of lemon or lime.

Step 4:  Pour into 4 champagne flutes. 

Step 4:  Pop some fresh mint into each glass and serve! 

Tip: Adjust the ratio of the lemonade or Prosecco to suit your taste. 

Being a mum is the most rewarding thing in my world…but it’s also the MOST challenging thing.

For many years I was very focused on my career, so I always knew that when I had my kids I wanted to be able to do both…. continue working and growing my career & also be there for my kids.

It’s not quite as easy as it sounds…Here’s the six lessons I’ve learnt along the way….

1. The Guilt NEVER Stops

Something happens the moment you become pregnant, you enter the world of “mum-guilt.” It doesn’t go away…ever…. but talking to other mums (the like-minded ones not the super-mum kind) and putting things into perspective does help. I just accept the guilt now, even joke about it. I’ve learnt not to compare and do what’s right for me & my inner sanctum.

2. Quality over Quantity

I used to find it so tough not being able to be there for every milestone or event…. missing school events because I was travelling for work or in the office..…But I’ve since learnt that these moments are not what matters. The moments the kids remember are the intentional moments, the moments, I’m genuinely present with them.

I make it a habit to spend quality one-on-one time with my girls where all devices (including my mobile) get put away and I’m fully present and in the moment with them. These are moments we both remember!!

3. Go for Happy, Not Perfect

I learnt pretty quick that dropping my “display home” standard & gourmet meals cooked from scratch was a must for my sanity and those around me. We’ve mastered quick, healthy meals for during the week (of which we all help out to prepare, including my 13-year-old) and the house is tidy enough....just don’t look too closely.

4. Set Boundaries….it’s ok to say No

How many times have we heard this?!

This one took me some time, as a “previous people-pleaser” & all-round high achiever…but now before answering I remind myself that by saying yes to something or someone, what or who am I’m saying no to. This has made it easier for me to say no more often…and not feel bad about it!

5. Find your people….the like-minded ones…

The best friendships are the ones that understand you….my closest and most trusted friends understand that I may not check in with them every day or even every week given some days I’m struggling to keep my head above water between family commitments and work but I know they’re always a phone call anyway if I need them & they know that I’m always a phone call away if they need me too!!

6. Take Time Out

We can’t do it all & there’s no use trying…., like many mums, I learnt the hard way.

Eat well, exercise and rest…. and taking some me-time to do whatever recharges your batteries (for me it’s quiet time to read & getting some daily exercise in) …. I know that I’m the best version of me when I get this time for myself, so I try really hard to do so. It’s not possible every day but I’m getting better at making it more of a priority.

7. Communication is King

I’m lucky to have an incredible partner, who supports and shares the load. The key to what makes us work is open communication at all times. He can’t read my mind, so rather than expect him to (and get grumpy when he doesn’t), I let him know what I’m thinking and where I need his support & he does the same with me!

- Mel

We can all benefit from our Sisterhood. A “sister” might be a related sister, a friend, best friend, your mother or even your mother in law….could even be your hairdresser or work colleague. It’s someone that you have a special bond with, someone that motivates, inspires, supports or cheers you on when you need it not. 

Our team at Four Sisters have collated our favourite top 10 sisterhood quotes that define sisterhood for us.

All women can benefit from the power of Sisterhood.

1. “Sisters are like flowers in the garden of life, they bring beauty and joy wherever they grow.”- Louisa May Alcott

2. “A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.” Isadora James

3. “Sisters make the best friends in the world.” Marilyn Monroe

4. “A sister is a forever friend, a lifelong companion, and a constant source of love and inspiration.” Maya Angelou

5. "A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves —a special kind of double." Toni Morrison

6. “Sisters are like stars, you may not always see them, but you know they’re always there.” Unknown

7. “A sister is a dearest friend, a closest enemy, and an angel at the time of need.” Debasish Mridha

8. "Sisters are for sharing laughter and wiping tears." Unknown

9. “For there is no friend like a sister in calm or stormy weather.” – Christina Rossetti

10. A sister is a forever friend. Unknown

"A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves —a special kind of double." Toni Morrison

Women need women in their lives that will support them unconditionally. We can all do our best to support one another whether it’s at work, home life or socially.

Women alone are strong but collectively we can create impact.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” -  Helen Keller

“And unfathomable change can happen when women support each other. In a society where we are often undermined, undervalued and unsupported, we need each other more than ever.” Says Mariah Maddox – editor of Motherly and author.

Here are a few suggestions on how to support the sisters in your life. 

Celebrate each other’s accomplishments

Give your sisters praise for their achievements. Show her that you’re proud!

Celebrating another woman's success will raise her up and empower her. Women rise by lifting each other up.

Show genuine support

Listen to her story so she feels heard and offer honest, positive feedback and support.  

Encourage women to be their best

All women deserve praise and encouragement. Sometimes it only needs to be a few words like ‘great job’ or ‘I really appreciate you’. Words of encouragement boosts confidence.

Be open-minded

No two people are the same. We all have our differences which should be celebrated. Understand that all relationships will have varied dynamics. Also understand we all have things going on in our own lives that we’re not always aware of.

Be vulnerable

Story telling helps us connect. Be vulnerable to share your stories with your sisters and also be open to others being vulnerable with you.

“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another, we’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” – Serena Williams

We often reach out to our sisterhood to share their stories, their learnings and reflections, here’s one on The Road to Courage from Natalie Heslop.

STEP 1: MOMENTS OF RESPITE

The days of keeping busy are over…

Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, once said: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”

We need moments of respite or time out! Moments when we can centre ourselves, reflect, renew, and recharge.

It can take the form of simply having five minutes of guided meditation, enjoying an afternoon cup of tea, or even playing your favourite music and don’t forget the joy in having a dance in front of the mirror.

A break every 30 – 60 minutes is typically suggested, especially for people who spend most of their day sitting or are otherwise inactive for a significant portion of the day.

To further expand on those moments of respite, heart-based or “being present” experiences help centre ourselves and “fill our bucket”.  For instance, taking a walk-in nature with a friend can lead to a lasting memory of the shared experience, even if the conversation or activity was not exactly memorable.

STEP 2: MOMENTS OF COURAGE 

Now that we have mastered moments of time out we’re ready to create moments of courage: try stepping outside your comfort zone and taking risks, setting goals, and working towards them, and surrounding yourself with supportive people who encourage you to be your best self.

 These moments can bring us back to our true selves, allowing us to remember our strength and resilience.

Remind yourself of who you are.

Life can only become memorable when we step into our heart space and act on our true impulses.

Whilst sipping on a cup of tea or wine ;) reading these words, give yourself the opportunity to savour the essence of who you truly are. 

Identify your strengths, conquer any fears and make a conscious decision to create more moments of respite and courage in your daily life. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

- Natalie Heslop

Have you ever panicked when the doorbell is about to ring and your guests are early?  You have been flat chat running from one thing to the next and now you find yourself in a mad rush to get some kind of order together.

Or perhaps it’s those ever-growing mountains of washing (dirty and clean) that are endless and making your sofa their best friend?

Those domestic chores can seem overwhelming and it’s hard to take on when you have the choice of seeking out some sunshine and a little “me time” versus the daily household grind.

The meaning of “Home” is a safe haven and comfort zone. A place to live with our families and enjoy with friends. A place to build memories, a place where we can truly be ourselves. The space we live in impacts how we feel and how we function. There can be so many benefits to living an uncluttered life within our homes. With a less is more approach we can promote our wellbeing and reduce our stress levels.  We can find more time and space to do the things we love.

The meaning of “Home” is a safe haven and comfort zone. A place to live with our families and enjoy with friends.

 Fortunately, there is a wealth of information and support available with many great tips and ways to create our own home sanctuaries. It’s important not to create pressure for ourselves, it can start with something as simple as 5 mins a day.  An organized home gives back in spades in creating a calm oasis and making every day life so much easier.

The KonMari Method created by Marie Kondo encourages tidying by category. Keeping only those things that speak to the heart, and discarding items that no longer spark joy.

Home Page – KonMari | The Official Website of Marie Kondo

Courtney Carver shares an honest and meaningful approach to a simpler life in her book from The Simplicity Space

Beginner Minimalist? Start here and experiment with this roadmap. (bemorewithless.com)

While Chantel Mila has inspired millions with her cleaning hacks for a fast clean and healthy home oasis. "I am a really big believer that coming home to a clean home is a form of self-care. In the same way that we put on our face masks and wash our hair, changing your bed linen is a form of self-care because it gives you a more restful night's sleep. Decluttering your home is a form of self-care because that environment that we surround ourselves in plays such a big impact on our mood and how we feel."

Chantel Mila | Home Tips (mamamilahometips.com)

An organized home makes things easier to find and carves out more time for us to do the things we enjoy.  So, when that doorbell rings you are looking forward to spending time with those you love and treasuring having them be a part of your little sanctuary.

Our homes can be just like that little seedling that is planted in Spring and with a little love, nurture and care lead to something bright and beautiful to enjoy every day.

What wine goes with what glassware can be confusing…. when it comes to selecting the correct glassware for your favourite wine you can make it as simple or complicated as you like (similar to selecting a wine).

If you prefer a more relaxed approach we would suggest purchasing 2 different styles of glasses - one for your sparkling wine and one universal glass to cover your white, red and rosé wines.

Classic style flute
It’s not complicated and very elegant. The height of the flute allows the bubbles to travel through a larger volume before popping at the top

So, let’s start with the sparkling wine glass. You may be drinking Four Sisters Prosecco, Australian sparkling or Champagne so you need a glass that covers all styles of bubbles.

To start out I would suggest a classic style flute, it’s not complicated and very elegant. The height of the flute allows the bubbles to travel through a larger volume before popping at the top - and who doesn’t love that?

If you’d like to take it up a notch and spend a few more dollars, I would suggest a tulip shaped sparkling glass. This style is definitely on trend and for good reason. It captures the aromas and allows for optimal concentration in the glass. The tulip shape encourages the bubbles to travel to the top at the correct speed, purely to enhance your experience. Basically, the wider the glass, the more aromas the glass is able to capture.

Classic tulip sparkling glass
It captures the aromas and allows for optimal concentration in the glass. The tulip shape encourages the bubbles to travel to the top at the correct speed, purely to enhance your experience.

A glass of sparkling is well known as a celebratory wine for events and special occasions but can also be served at the start of a meal as an aperitif before eating.

Serve sparkling (including Prosecco) 3-7°C Serve Champagne at 8-10°C.

Universal glass
The stem is medium length and the deep tulip style bowl permits aeration when swirled.

Now, let’s move on to the universal glass.

There are so many different styles of universal wine glasses but if you were just looking for something simple I would suggest an all-rounder that’s dishwasher safe. The stem is medium length and the deep tulip style bowl permits aeration when swirled.  As mentioned, it’s a universal glass so you can use it for whites, rosé and reds alike.

Serve white & rosé wines at 7 – 12 °C.

Serve red wines at 12 – 20 °C

Glass washing tips

Hand washing is always recommended but most glasses are dishwasher safe (please check).

Polish when the glass is hot with a microfibre cloth or towel for the best shine.

Enjoy!

Summer reads – the perfect time to unwind, escape from your reality and slow down the pace.

We reached out to some of the ladies in our Sisterhood and asked them for their TOP 5 favourite Summer reads… We hope this brings you inspiration for your Summer holidays. Enjoy!

Such an old book that I’ve read many times. Stunningly written, takes you on an emotional journey.

KRISTINA

A Little Life, Hanya Yanagihara - Captivating, devastating and beautifully written.

Honeybee, Craig Silvey  - Beautiful and terrifying. The perfect portrayal of people at their best and worst.

Boy Swallows Universe, Trent Dalton - A touching and thrilling book, I grew attached to the characters.

Hello Beautiful, Ann Napolitano  - Emotional, moving, represents flawed individuals making up family love.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman - A tragic yet hilarious human story, loved the characters

Shantaram, Gregory Roberts  - Such an old book that I’ve read many times.  Stunningly written, takes you on an emotional journey.

MEL

The Happiest Man on Earth; by Eddie Jaku  - One of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever read. Everyone should read this book at least once….

From Scratch, A memoir of Love, Sicily & Finding Home; by Tembi Locke  - This beautiful memoir had me laughing & crying all at the same time.

Seven Days in June; by Tia Williams  - Spicy & romantic…could not stop turning the pages…

The Alchemist; by Paulo Coelho  - A book that’s 25 years old+, with a simplistic tale of following one’s dream

Lessons in Chemistry; by Bonnie Garmus  - I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s on the hit list for Summer based on all the great reviews

TRACEY

488 rules for Life by Kitty Flannagan’s - The thankless art of being correct. I like the way Kitty uses a dry clever wit with observations of the every day.

The First Wife by Jill Childs - A page turner with a twist.

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller - This is part of Reese Witherspoon Bookclub. About the myriad loves that make up a life.

Able by Dylan Alcott - An inspiring guy and I have actually seen him present. This is definitely a great read and was summed up best as “proving that for every one thing you can’t do there are 10,000 other things that you can”.

All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days by Rebecca Donner - Truly captivating! A true story of the woman at the heart of the German Resistance to Hitler.

SARAH

Scar tissue by Anthony Keidis - One of my favourite books. A very charismatic, unique individual with enough stories to last many lifetimes.  A thrilling read even if you’re not familiar with his music.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - This is incredible! I believe the book is far more detailed and more brutal than series which I haven’t seen. Truly captivating in every sense of the word.

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini - A best seller and for good reason. It’s about a family of Afghan refugees who escape war and oppression by living in the US. A must read – it puts life into perspective.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo – I love a good thriller / crime novel and for me this was exceptional A very fascinating, intelligent read (part of a series).

Fifteen Seconds of Brave – My most recent read and well worth it. Shared stories of resilient people  and their words of advice. Very heart warming.

Loyalty is an admired virtue that we can seek from and provide to others. We can find it in so many places. Among our Nation, our family, partners and friends, even our pets. Why do we hold loyalty so close to our hearts?

“People tend to define loyalty by what it is not (for example: not being betrayed, cheated on, or abandoned), but loyalty is much more than the absence of mistreatment,” says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University. Loyalty is faithfulness, dedication, honesty, trust, and support in a relationship, says Dr. Romanoff. It requires an emotional commitment and engenders a sense of identity”.

Loyalty is a wonderful gift. Finding that person who holds true belief in you. No matter whether they agree with your position or behaviour they can always be counted on to be there right by your side. It’s that friend you can be your true self with.

Hachiko: Waiting for a train

World-renowned symbol of canine loyalty, Hachiko the Japanese Akita met the evening train every day for nine years, nine months and fifteen days, patiently waiting for his owner who had passed away at work. (source)

With such a treasured gift it’s important to return Loyalty and not take it for granted.

Do you have a loyal friend? If you do then hold them close as they are a wonderful gift.

- by Tracy