Favourite Finds

Boy, it's been a while since I've done a "favourite finds" blog post, but I've been really busy pinning, posting, saving, coveting, discovering, watching and learning, so there's lots to show you. Friday seems like the perfect day to share some of these things with you, and you may even decide to try or check them out for yourself over the weekend.

I recently pinned this gorgeous kitchen and shared it on Facebook. The beautiful Morris & Co wallpaper was originally designed in 1876, but still looks amazing in this modern day space. I love it teamed with the crisp white tiles - green and white is a favourite kitchen colour combo of mine, it's so fresh. The wood and copper accents help to bring out the blush of the flowers. Old and new, it's the way to go.

In my job I use a camera a lot to take 'before' and 'after' photos of our clients' spaces, as well as pics for our Instagram feed. We have a large SLR camera that we use for work purposes, but more often than not it's just my iPhone that gets used for everyday snaps. I recently came across the Olympus Pen E-PL7, and it's now high on my wish list.

As well as looking super cute, it's small and compact enough to carry in my handbag, while serious enough to take some great photos. The LCD screen flips down, and can be turned around around making it the perfect selfie accessory (not that I'm a selfie kinda gal).

Definitely my favourite new app is PocketYoga. For just over NZ$5 you can download the app to your phone and/or tablet and be ready to practice your yoga anytime, anywhere. I absolutely love it! You can choose between different practices, different durations and different difficulty levels. Wherever you are, home or away, just roll out your yoga mat, make your selections and you're ready to go. With soothing background music, let a calm voice talk you through the practice. Once downloaded you don't need wifi to use the app, so it's great to take on holiday with you.

I came across these wise words earlier this week and I knew I had to share them with you. So true, and such good advice. Make sure you follow this link and read them all.

Every year on my birthday, I always ask for the same thing - no fighting from my kids, and pizza and bubbles for dinner (I'm easy to please). This Friday Night Pizza is the best, and since it's Friday you should make it tonight - everyone will love you for it. If you live in Napier, pop into Vetro for your prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, and other cheeses. They also sell the delicious Pizza Pazzi bases. Or if you can't be bothered cooking, just buy the whole thing from Pizza Pazzi.

If I'm not drinking bubbles with my pizza (sometimes I'm the responsible driver) I'll be drinking my new favourite, Höpt Soda. My friend Mandy introduced me to it, and it's so delicious. I like to pour mine into a wine glass or one of our crystal tumblers, and have even tried it with a splash of gin (when I'm not the driver, of course) - yum! There are four delicious flavours. I have now tried them all and my favourite is Pear & Basil.

I'm currently saving for a pair of Juliette Hogan Japanese Denim Ankle Jeans. I'm a huge JH fan, and these jeans are the perfect length, just above the ankle. They look fab with heels, ankle boots, sneakers, and even my fave pair of Havianas. Can't wait to get them in my wardrobe.

Last on my list to share with you today are my two latest TV obsessions. I had heard a lot of hype about the series Breaking Bad, so over the holidays I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I'm now midway into season 3 and am well and truly hooked. Sometimes I cringe, but you just have to keep watching to see what happens. 

And new to TV One and OnDemand is the series Blindspot. We've only seen one episode so far, but already I love it, and am intrigued to see the mysteries unravel each week. Check it out this weekend, and let me know your thoughts on it (and any of my favourite finds).

Favourite Finds

Happy Monday everyone! I have one daughter back to school tomorrow and the other two next Monday, then work life will get much easier for me :) In the meantime, check out some of my favourite recent finds...

I have Jen of Interiors Addict to thank for my first find - a Marble Macbook Skin. I've been looking for some kind of cover for my Macbook Pro for a while now, and this was the perfect solution for me. It comes all the way from Canada, but shipped relatively quickly, and was so easy to apply. You can see (below) that I chose a white marble skin, but they're also available in black marble - very cool!

These wall murals created in France are quite stunning, don't you think?! There is a range of equally amazing scenes to choose from, you can see them all here.

If you're interested in creating your own personalised wall mural (and purchasing it closer to home) our super talented sign writer can create photos and murals printed on a self adhesive material that is applied directly to the wall. He created this old fashioned world map for his son's room, and can do the same with any image you choose, as long as it's a reasonably high quality. If you live in Hawke's Bay contact me and I can help you order one.

Inspired by industrial crates these Bias Shelves look fantastic hung on the wall or used as a side table. Made in the US by Evan Clabots and Louis Filosa, they do ship internationally, and although NZ is not listed on their shipping page, you could try getting in touch for a shipping quote.

Last, but not least, this Chocolate Pumpkin Bread looks delicious! Pop a slice in the kids' lunchbox, they'll never know that they're eating veges :)

Favourite Finds

I've been compiling a few of my recent favourite finds to share with you all. I'm really smitten on the range of Yvonne Ellen homeware - a truly unique range of upcycled vintage pieces. Yvonne sources all her pieces in the UK and the designs are hand applied in London. I love it when you take something old and give it a new twist.

This one will go down well with the kids, especially if you have kitten-loving girls, like me. This little black & white tabby cat pillow is super cute, and would look great on your little one's bed.

We have some coffee-lovers in our family, and I'm all for recipes that don't take too much time (the kitchen is not my natural domain!), so Nigella's one-step, no-churn coffee icecream is a winner in my book.

With the warmer weather approaching I am definitely going to try these yummy, healthy, and quite beautiful fruity summer striped ice cubes. A combination of frozen juice, coconut milk, and smoothies, you can layer them however you want. Pop them into some sparkling water, or have them on hand for a mini smoothie whenever you want.

These last products I'm really excited about. As soon as I saw them I knew I had to have the monitor stand, keyboard tray, and mouse pad (at least). The Grovemade Desk Collection is not only stylish, but ergonomic and practical.

The monitor stand raises the screen 4" from the desk surface for a better view and reduces neck strain. The mouse pad is buttery soft and gets better with age, complete with a pen holder and a cork bottom to stop it from slipping.

A whole range of accessories will make yours the best dressed desk in the office, and help you declutter and stay organised.

Available in maple and tanned leather, or the darker version of black and walnut. My favourite item is the keyboard tray for your Apple wireless keyboard. Flip up your keyboard to reveal a storage tray that will hold your business cards, pen and spare batteries - so handy for when your wireless mouse or keyboard run out. I want!

Favourite Finds

I think you're going to love my most recent "favourite finds"... These Thomo & Coach Timber Boxes are super cool. The boxes are hand crafted and designed by Melbourne based company, Thomo & Coach - Anoushka Thompson and Steve Gourlay - and custom painted by Sydney graffiti artist, Roach.

Lea Korzeczek and Matthias Hiller are the founders and creative directors of Danish company STUDIO OINK. One of their specialities is creating customised interior design concepts, and their 'marvelous all-in-one bunk bed' is pretty spectacular. A bunk bed, playground, dressing room and storage space, it features two secret staircases and a lockable trapdoor. The built-in wardrobe is accessible both ways and there is even a pull-out guest bed for sleepovers. Wouldn't this be every kids' dream?! Not to mention an excellent use of space.

Last but not least, have you been to visit my GREAT.LY boutique yet? It's filled with products that I've hand picked from the amazing GREAT.LY makers. I will be regularly adding new pieces, so make sure you keep stopping by. Some of my latest additions...

Bonjour artwork by Xavier&Me

Kite rug by Xavier&Me

Composition 5 Print by Jaime Derringer

Favourite Finds

I have some amazing finds to share with you today - this collection might just be my favourite so far! Starting with this stunning Cole & Son Palm Jungle wallpaper. I found it in blue in a tiny London bathroom featured on Design*Sponge. But it's available in a range of colours, including gorgeous emerald green.

I'm a long time Donna Wilson fan, and I was seriously swooning when I came across these divine This Way That Way bean bags of hers recently. Made from pure wool they're the ultimate in cool and comfy occasional seating - yes, I want one!

Speaking of swooning... the range of jewellery by Sarah & Sebastian is absolutely divine. I have pushed several pieces right to the top of my wish list - the gold truss ring and bangle, and the pinky swear ring.

And last, but not least, I've discovered a fab new blog to follow. Cocorrina is a beautiful blog by graphic designer, Corina. Her story fascinates me, as she has done the opposite to me, switching from interiors to graphics; and she lives in Kefalonia Island, which is like heaven on earth (check out her Instagram)! Corina creates lots of brilliant wallpapers that are free to download.

This one below has the option of a black or white background, words or no words, and one for your phone too - aren't they great?!

I hope I've inspired you, and apologies to your wallet if you're rushing off to buy luxurious bean bags and jewellery - totally worth it, I think :)