Tag Archives: LIFESTYLE

Farewell 2014

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2014, what a year you have been.

Blackbird became my job, we moved house and literally moved a house, moved cities,  began renovations on our first home, had our Coco Darling, Lost our Coco Darling, Gained 15kgs, Lost 22kgs ( and counting ) Celebrated 5 years of marriage, went to Vietnam,  Opened a pop up shop and got ourselves our puppy Frankie Blossom.

It has been a hell of a year, we have been so heart broken, so defeated, but we have been so happy, so thankful and have become far better for it. In saying that, I am happy to see the back end of you 2014. 2015, you better be a great year.

 I want to thank all you beautiful, wonderful and dedicated readers, I never thought anyone would want to read about my life, our Coco, home renovations or my DIY’s. But you did! And you do! So thank you, I cant wait to share what is happening in 2015.

Wishing you and your families an incredible, simple, beautiful and refreshing holiday season.  See you in the new year!!

Until next time,BlackbirdBLOG signature

MAKE IT | shibori furoshiki wrapping

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Each year I do a wrapping DIY, I am a wrapping addict, I seriously love it. Last year I made paint splatter wrapping but this year, keeping in theme of both a more sustainable christmas, and my continuing obsession with Indigo, I decided to make Shibori Furoshiki wrapping!

Furoshiki is a traditional wrapping used to wrap and transport everything from clothes to wine. There are so many ways to wrap, but I chose the basic wrap.

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For the shibori, I once again used linen fabric, ripped into 40cm x 68cm rectangles ( traditionally Furoshiki is around 68cm x 68cm ) Then using the same dye and technique as my Shibori Wreath I tied each one differently. One in a ring pattern, simply bunch up a small wad of fabric anywhere on your larger fabric piece, and place a rubber band around it. The areas covered by the rubber bands will create small, abstract rings of white. One in a line pattern, bunching the fabric horizontally, then binding every 5cm. One with an accordion fold then binding, and One pleating and stitching every 10cm. But you can choose whatever technique you want. I also left some plain, using the dregs of the dye for a light shade. Once again letting them to dry in the shade, and finally ripping into squares.

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I wrapped following these simple Furoshiki instructions, It is such a great way to give a gift, it feels luxurious and thoughtful, plus they then have a piece of unique fabric to do with as they please!

Happy Wrapping!

Until next time,BlackbirdBLOG signature

Backyard Fire Pit for Homestyle

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Squabs and Throw Cushions made by me, Fabric from The Fabric Store | Festoon Lights available from Flux Boutique | Paint is Blue Bark by Resene | Palm leaf and leather cabin luggage and Acacia round chopping board both from Paper Plane | Leather Moroccan pouf from Let Liv | Lime and Coconut soy candle from J.Danes MAKER | Palm available from Paradise Palms, Hawkes Bay | Plywood Crate from The Ply Guy | Enamel Mugs from Father Rabbit

It is warming up by the day here in the Hawkes Bay, so having a little spot to sit outdoors is  a must have. And although there are plans for a deck, they are on the horizon still. So in the meantime we focused on the awkward little corner in the back, creating a little spot to sit in the morning warmth and somewhere to toast marshmallows over once the sun goes down. With a few simple ideas and a bit of muscle we made one of our favourite ‘rooms’ in the house.

For the ‘how-to’s’ grab a copy of the latest Homestyle Magazine.

Until next time,BlackbirdBLOG signature

Adventure // Vietnam

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After being home for over a month I realised it was time to knuckle down and troll through, edit and post something from our Vietnam adventure. So here we are. I will keep it short and sweet and let the pictures do the talking.

Vietnam is like nowhere else we have ever been. We fell completely in love with the place, the people, the land and the food. Spending most of our time in the beautiful Hoi An, eating, drinking, swimming, getting a HEAP of clothes made, riding scooters to Marble Mountain, My Son, Walking the streets of the Old Town and generally not wanting to come home. Bar the humidity ( hence my very puffy faced photos ) I could be pretty happy living there. It was exactly what we needed to heal and to rest.

We cannot wait to go back.

Until next time,BlackbirdBLOG signature