LIFE

Thailand | Bangkok

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Hi!

I have been a little MIA as of late, Blackbird Goods has been sucking up most of my extra time, But I am back! And thought I would share a few snaps from our trip to Thailand. 

We embarked and ended our journey in Bangkok, beautiful, crazy Bangkok. With The Monocle Guide to Bangkok in hand, we were insanely excited to eat and experience all Bangkok had to offer, while of course chucking some work in there. Well it may have been a bit the opposite, there were far too many great things to be found ( that will soon grace the shelves of Blackbird Goods ) and we seemed to run out of luck with establishments, arriving too late or on the wrong day. Note to self, always check before you venture across the city. Nevertheless, Bangkok is an incredible city, always bustling with people, smells, plants and delicious food. And it’s always a bonus when it’s Chinese new year.

Next stop, Krabi and Koh Lanta.

More soon

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Christmas Foraged Wreath

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Last week we threw a little Summer Night Soirée at Blackbird Goods , we drank bubbles, met new people, found out the name of our local barista and I demonstrated a foraged wreath.  It was such a great night connecting with our community and all the people who support Blackbird and Blackbird Goods. Thanks so much to all the babes that made it out! We may need to extend the space to fit you all next time!

Okay, so I am a total sucker for a good wreath, believing that they are not only a great decoration for Christmas, but a great way to slow down and celebrate the change of seasons and milestones in our lives. Wreaths are such a great way to bring a festive feel, in a subtle and ‘grown up’ way. So, for this wreath, I bought a large wire round from a local emporium as my base, but you can make it out of willow or another bendy branch. Next, using florist wire ( also from the emporium ) I attached evergreens ( unsure of the names sorry! ) to a little over half of the round, bulking it out a focal point with a piece of budded yarrow and some dried Corokia. But really, just get out there with your secateurs  and a thoughtful eye and you can create magic! And I would love to see what you end up making!

I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas and relax with delicious food, family, friends and some sun!

Make sure you pop into Blackbird Goods if you are in Napier for the summer! Until then you can find us on Instagram, just follow @blackbirdgem !

Until next year! x

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Blackbird Goods feature for Homestyle Magazine

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Images by our ever talented gal pal Heather Liddell

For those of you who have been following our journey,  you would’ve seen that we opened our very own bricks & mortar a few months ago, and we are so very proud to have Blackbird Goods featured in the latest issue of Homestyle Magazine ! It’s so nice to see the shop in print, to see our hard work come to fruition! ‘Cos it wasn’t that pretty when we moved in (cue images of dark grey, coffee stains with a flaking fire engine red feature wall) Luckily, Resene to the rescue!

After pulling everything out and cleaning off coffee grime, our next port of call was to block out the wall of red. Red is one of those colours that seeps through when you are going white, often leaving a pink tinge. So we painted a coat of Resene Stack over the lot which covered it nicely allowing us to power ahead with the white. We also had a large chalkboard wall to cover, sealing it with trusty Resene  Sureseal.

Next up we bought back our old favourite, Resene Black White, we knew it was the only choice for walls, giving us the gallery like feel we were after. We wanted the shop to feel open and fresh, to have space to let each item breathe and shine. Resene Black White went over the walls, bar our panelled back door and panel which I wanted to feature. ( You can see that a little in the top image ) we painted that in Resene Antidote, a new favourite, it’s a neutral almost nude like putty. I loved it so much we also painted our gallery like plinths in it too! The idea with the plinths was to  feature different products, to show them off in isolation to the rest of the mid-west general store type feel. Our floor to ceiling  shelves were made by the handy father and husband, Metal frames painted in Resene Flat Black, mirroring our giant industrial windows painted in the same. The pine shelves were stained in Resene Iroko, and the stain echoed in our large plywood counter.

When it came to the exterior we wanted to give a nod to the heritage of our city of Napier. An art deco feel, but bringing it into 2015. After multiple tests to find the perfect earthy, slightly muddied green we landed on Resene Siam.

All in all we are pretty chuffed with the outcome, and we hope you like it too!

To read more about the shop, our influences for the design and our journey between work and life go pick up a copy of the latest Homestyle! Or come and chat in store at 25 Dalton Street, Napier.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for my wreath DIY later in the week!

Until next time

RITUALS | Skin Care Routine

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I often get emails asking me what I do for my skin care routine, and until now I havent really thought it was worth sharing, but on the approach to the big 30 this year, there has been even more of a focus on my own regime, and therefore something that may be worth sharing.

I have always tried to look after my skin, always wash my make up off – even if it meant using gallon bottle water, behind the tour van, somewhere between Salt Lake and Sacramento. I now try to wear sunscreen on my face any time I step outside the door ( Dear skin, Please forgive me for the summer I thought it was a great idea to lie in the sun covered in baby oil.  ) But sometimes you just have to do a little extra to give yourself a fighting chance at growing old gracefully.

So here is what I do,

Every morning I steam my face and wipe with a knitted cloth,  got mine from Father Rabbit . It’s such a great way to wake up your face and clean off that sleepy feeling. I then spritz with a Rose Water Toner, I have mixed up my own, but am busting to try Petal Head’s Face Mist. Then comes the magic. Tata Harper’s Rejuvenating Serum. Oh man does this stuff work. Serious anti ageing miracle worker. If I am headed out the sunscreen I use is Coola Organic Suncare, with it’s amazing matte finish.

My night regime varies. But mostly I use Burt’s Bee’s Cream Cleanser, Although they have recently changed something in their recipe and I am not loving it as much, so on the hunt for a new one. Recommendations welcome. Then I lather on Health Yeah’s oil recipe and maybe another bit of that magic serum. In winter I have also been using Coconut Oil to combat that dry winter skin or Millstream Gardens Galens Cold Cream ( these guys also do all the most amazing salves and natural remedies )  Finishing off with Petal Head Spice Rose Lip Balm.

Once a week I like to do a mask ( Welcome to my exciting Friday night ritual, face mask, nail painting and netflix. ) For this I love May Lindstrom Honey Mud,  I also use this or my cleanser twice a week, mixed with a little sugar as an exfoliant. And once every few months I treat myself to a Holistic facial at Tonic Room.

I am of the belief that skin care is one of the things worth saving your pennies for and investing in. You have to live with and see that face everyday! …Also, sometimes it is just nice to treat yo self.

Care to share your favourite products or routines?

Until next time.

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