Gifted | Gifts for Smart Cookies

The other day the courier delivered the most intriguing package. I wasn't expecting anything, what could it be?..

I followed the instructions to tear the tab and all four sides dropped down to reveal a little message. Beneath the card was a selection of individually wrapped, delicious looking cookies from Gifted - gifts for smart cookies!

Made in New Zealand using only the finest quality ingredients, they're the ultimate treat. Baked fresh the day they are sent, these generously proportioned cookies just melt in your mouth - yummo!

The flavours are "to-die-for"! White chocolate & orange, dark chocolate mint, choc-a-block, anzac, hot chilli choc, and my personal fave - salted caramel & peanuts. If you can't decide you can choose one of three mixed selections.

What a fabulous gift to send and to receive. You can order and send a box from anywhere in the world to anywhere in New Zealand. Choose from one of the "ready to go" boxes for special gift days such as Valentines Day, or design your own gift box. You choose your box, your cookies, and your card from a fabulous range. These smart cookies are also perfect as corporate gifts.

With Mothers Day approaching I suggest you get ordering and indulge Mum with her very own box of heavenly cookies. I guarantee she'll love them. These were, quite simply, the most divine cookies I've ever tasted!

Fotographie by Florence Charvin | Weddings

Dael & I count ourselves lucky to have the amazing Florence Charvin as a friend and colleague. Not only is she a brilliant photographer (she's photographed work for us including Meadowood Home), but she's also a genuinely lovely person - just the sort you want to have around on your most special day. Florence specialises in weddings, and loves the fact that they encapsulate so many areas that she's passionate about - people, fashion, lifestyle, interiors, food... She also finds it a privilege to be around happy people and to be a part of their big day.

Before your wedding day Florence will talk to you about all aspects of the day, and everything is really well organised so there's no need for stress on the day. You can tell her if there are any special shots you want - anything or anyone in particular you want photographed.

Make sure you check out Florence's blog as this is filled with plenty of handy tips and inspiration. You may want to read about how to master the perfect pose, or think about including some beautiful props in your photographs.

After seeing Florence's portfolio and talking to her about how she works, it makes me want to get married all over again. If you're looking for the perfect wedding photographer look no further, I highly recommend Florence Charvin. If you live outside of Hawke's Bay get in touch to see if Florence is available. The beautiful wedding of Rebecca and Craig featured in this post was photographed in Auckland.

Florence is also available for commercial and lifestyle photography, as well as portraits. See more of her work on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Mother's Day

To all the mums out there, this Sunday is much anticipated and much deserved. Being a mum is the most rewarding, but also the most difficult job in the Universe! As they grow my three girls (currently 11 years and 9 years - twins) are getting a much better appreciation for me and all the things I do for them, so I'm really looking forward to this year's Mother's Day. 

All I ask for is no fighting from the kids, and no cooking from me (the kitchen is not my favourite place!). But if you think your Mum deserves a little something extra this year I have put together a selection of some of my faves from the Cush & Nooks shop. If there's anything on there you like, why not leave this page open on your home laptop (hint, hint).

blue blue ikat cushion cover | my blue suede cushion cover | you wonderful thing card
gold key tassel | teal key tassel | love you card | shibori baskets | just one thing print
royal blue key tassel | boho tassel necklace | lotus hanging pod chair | thank you muchly card

Vic's Valentines Picks

Valentines Day is looming, and although the Mr and I don't spend a lot of money on February 14th, I always make him acknowledge it, and it never hurts to have a wish list! I usually try and find a cool (opposite of corny) card, and when I saw these ones by Emily McDowell I laughed out loud. Unfortunately for me, and anyone outside of the US, Emily has been inundated with orders, and if you ordered today it's unlikely to get here in time. But keep her cards in mind for the future.

Of course some of my favourite cards are sold right here in the Cush & Nooks shop. These two below would be awesome V Day cards.

These swans, also from Cush & Nooks, are so beautiful. You can buy them separately, but they look so good together - don't you love how their graceful necks create a love heart?! (I have just sold the last prints but will get more in stock, so send me an email if you're interested).

For me Valentines Day is all about the little things - a flower from the garden, a cup of tea in bed. Kikki K have a gorgeous range called the Neon Hearts Collection. I'd be very happy if my cup of tea was brought to me in their Big Heart Mug.

Speaking of little things, here are a couple of small tokens of love that would most definitely be well received (by moi!). Shaun and Angela of Seventy Six Design are truly gifted. The rose gold and white gold frangipani inspired ring on the left, set with diamonds has my name all over it.

Just in case that doesn't happen, I've always loved this Wildfox Sparkle Heart Sweatshirt.

I hope this time next week you'll all been showered with affection by your loved one. And if you're single, listen to Emily - it's so much better than dating some idiot! ;)

Tracey Tawhiao and Autumn Salon

Happy Waitangi Day to all my Kiwi readers. Just a quick post today with a distinct and beautiful New Zealand flavour. Tracey Tawhiao is an incredible artist who I discovered while visiting a favourite haunt of mine - FG Smith Eatery.

Her art featuring amazing Maori designs painted on brown paper hangs on the wall in the cafe, and you can also find it on the windows of Aroha & Friends next door. If you live, or are visiting Hawke's Bay make sure you pop in and check it out - 9a/9b Ossain Street, Ahuriri, Napier.

And if you are a Bay chick, have you got your Autumn Salon tickets yet? A night just for the girls held at Smiths Eatery, there will be food, music, art, performance and free stuff! Stylist, Sarah Bell, with photographer and hair stylist, Pamela Tinning, will be showing us this winter's fashion; Textile designer, Nikki Gabriel, will showcase her new winter collection of knitwear; and Tracey Tawahiao will present her poetry and a new wearable collaboration with Melaina Newport of Aroha & Friends.

Tickets are limited to 60, I've got mine, get in quick to get yours. It will be a fabulous evening.

Painted Valentines by Fane Flaws

With just over two weeks until Valentines Day, who's thinking about surprising their favourite person with an awesome gift of love?! Well, I've got the perfect solution - a beautiful piece of original art by the super talented artist, Fane Flaws. Maybe you could causally leave your laptop, with this post on it, somewhere they'll find it, or email them the link, as a not-so-subtle hint for your V Day present.

I'm a word girl, I love most things typographical, so I really love Fane's set of song lyric paintings. Painted with gouache on brown paper, they are Messages Of Love. Choose from some classic songs by famous songwriters, or you can email Fane your favourite song lyrics and he'll make you a special painting. Here are some examples...

GIVE ME YOUR DIRTY LOVE (like a pink donation to some dragon in your dreams)
- Frank Zappa from Dirty Love

ANCHOR ME (in the middle of your deep blue sea) - Don McGlasgan from Anchor Me

WITH THE POWER OF SOUL (anything is possible) - Jimi Hendrix from Power of Soul

LET'S GET UNREAL (I'm talkin' about the way you make me feel) - Fane Flaws from Let's Get Unreal

WILL YOU STAY IN MY LOVER'S STORY? (if you stay you won't be sorry) - David Bowie from Kooks

Other lyrics available to order:
• ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE - (Love is all you need) - John Lennon from All You Need Is Love

• LOVE ME 2 TIMES GIRL - (Once for tomorrow...once just for today) - Robbie Kreiger from Love Me 2 Times

• I BELIEVE THAT YOU AND ME FOREVER - (Will stand accused of love) - Tom Petty from Accused Of Love

• IF YOUR'E A DOCTOR - (I need a shot of love) - Bob Dylan from Shot Of Love

• I LOVE YOU THEN I LOVE YOU NOW - (I'll love you till the cows come home) - Fane Flaws from Always

• WILD THING YOU MAKE MY HEART SING - (You make everything groovy) - The Troggs from Wild Thing

• I HAVE ONLY ONE ITCHING DESIRE - (Let me stand next to your fire) - Jimi Hendrix from Fire

• I WANT YOU - (I want you so bad it's driving me mad) - John Lennon from I Want You

• YOU THRILL ME LIKE I CAN'T BELIEVE (And more in love I've never been) - Fane Flaws from Mystery

• I NEED YOU MORE THAN WANT YOU (And I want you for all time) - Jimmy Webb from Wichita Lineman

• I DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE MEANING OF LIFE (I just want to love you) - Tony Backhouse & Arthur Baysting from The Meaning Of Life

• AND I'M GLAD (Glad about the good times - that we've had) - Don Van Vliet from I'm Glad

• I JUST WANT YOUR EXTRA TIME (And your kiss) - Prince from Kiss

• I'M A MAN - YES I AM (And I can't help but love you so) - Steve Winwood from I'm A Man

• GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE - Paul McCartney from Got To Get You Into My Life

• I GOT YOU (That's all I Want) - Neil Finn from I Got You

• HELLO I LOVE YOU (Won't you tell me your name) - Robbie Kreiger from Hello I Love You

• AlLL AROUND THE WORLD (Every boy & every girl need The Loving) - Andy Partridge from The Loving

• GIRL I WANT TO BE WITH YOU ALL OF THE TIME (All day and all of the night) - Ray Davies from All Day And All Of The Night

• THANK YOU FOR THE DAYS (Those endless days those sacred days you gave me) - Ray Davies from Days

The lyric paintings are 300 x 300mm and you can choose a white or a black background - unframed $450, framed $550.

Words I love, but I'm also crazy about birds, and have fallen for this set of painted Love Birds. There are only five paintings available - these are mocked-up images which Fane will paint in gouache on paper once ordered. He'll only paint each bird once, so be quick, first in first served.

The love bird paintings are 200 x 200mm - unframed $450, framed $550.

As well as those original paintings, another perfect Valentines gift is this Striped Heart digital print. It's printed on archival paper using archival ink. 700 x 550mm - unframed $450, framed $600. It's such a cool print, beautiful colour and texture.

For all orders email Fane Flaws. For Love Lyrics and Love Birds, order by Friday 8th February, and you'll receive your painting by Wednesday 13th February - perfect!