An avid reader, our founder Sharnee often draws inspiration from literature she stumbles across. Last year on a cosy rainy day, she spent the whole day lost in her latest book club novel, Daisy Jones and the Six. She was so enamoured with the story that she channeled it straight into the rug design she had been working on. And so our Topanga rug was born! Fast forward more than a year and it seems like the rest of the world has also fallen in love with this story. The book has been adapted into an enchanting TV show, set to become a cult classic.
Daisy Jones and the Six is a captivating novel that takes readers on a nostalgic journey through the 70s music scene, and the setting of Topanga adds a dreamy, idyllic quality to the story. Our Topanga picnic rug embodies all the major themes in the story - romance, artistry, bohemia, and a free spirited lifestyle. When we picnic on this rug, we are instantly transported to back to a time and space where social media didn’t exist. We are inspired to take polaroid pictures, play guitar in dappled sunlight and to listen to the great musicians of the seventies era.
Here are some retro activities for a Topanga picnic:
1. Share music
Get all your friends to create individual playlists of 3-5 songs. Line these playlists up on your portable speaker and let the music wash over you as you watch the clouds move across the sky.
2. Have a polaroid photoshoot
You can find polaroid cameras for relatively cheap on Facebook marketplace. We love shooting in colour and capturing each special moment from our picnics. Try to have fun with the shots and set up some silly poses with your friends.
3. Read old novels from the 70s
We love these books:
Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Sophie’s Choice by William Styron
4. Get stuck into some magazines
When was the last time you bought a magazine? Magazines were the Instagram of the seventies, providing fashion inspiration and insight into life... There are still some great publications around these days to get stuck into on your picnics. We love Womankind, Frankie and Vogue Australia. Spend an afternoon reading magazines on your rug, and an evening cutting out inspirational quotes and images to stick into your journal.
Picnicking with friends is such a perfect way to connect with nature and tap into our inner bohemian. The Topanga picnic rug is sure to add a touch of magic to any outdoor gathering. Get yours here.
