All posts by Gem Camille : BLACKBIRD

MAKE IT // Family Recipe

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food IMG_9924 IMG_9926 IMG_9927 IMG_9929I remember being small, slightly chubby, covered in flour and sitting watching my mama make these on cold winter nights. They are dumplings that taste like home, that remind me of my mama and papa, and my brothers who live far across the seas. Caramel apple dumplings, how long it has been, How much I have missed you and how delicious you still are.

Until next time.

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HELLO STRANGER // Christen Peters from Two happy hearts

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I am beyond excited to introduce my first ” HELLO STRANGER “, This will be a reaccuring post, introducing people that inspire me ( and I hope inspire you too! ) and that I also think are pretty neat.

Christen is a dear friend of mine, Living in America, But married to a good kiwi boy. We had the pleasure of a short but sweet time with them in the summer when they were visiting from the States. She writes and posts lovely outfits, DIY’s and more on her cracker of a blog Two Happy Hearts, always on my daily read list. And if that is not enough, she also makes beautiful, vintage inspired clothing with her adorable twin Kylie for their label Midnight & Dawn. Sheesh.

What do you do 9-5? Well, I usually wake up at 4AM to do my coffee shop gig. I make (and drink!) coffee all day, so I can’t really complain about early mornings! Plus, I’m a morning person by nature so I can function surprisingly well at 4AM.
 
 
What do you do with the other hours of the day? Once I am home from work, I usually focus on creative endeavors. Whether it’s styling outfits for a blog post, sewing clothes, taking photos, or doing DIY projects…I’ve usually got some corner of my apartment in shambles while I work on something fun.
 
 
What did you want to be when you grew up? I’m pretty sure, like most girls, I wanted to be a ballerina. But since I am not coordinated/graceful in the slightest, that didn’t really work out. And then I wanted to be a veterinarian for a while, which I still think would be a pretty wonderful job!
 
 
What are your favourite online places? I am constantly on Pinterest! I’ve been looking up recipes like crazy lately, and Pinterest is the place to find tons of delicious dishes. 
 
 
What are your favourite real life places?love the South Island of New Zealand. My husband and I did a two week camping trip down there, and it was just breathtaking! Milford Sound is probably my favourite place on Earth.
 
 
What are the tunes you are listening to? I’ve been listening to a lot of Tegan & Sara, Best Coast, Tilly and the Wall, and Lana Del Rey lately.
 
 
Who are your influences? I am very influenced by 50s/60s fashion. I love all the classic beauties like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Edie Sedgwick. I don’t know how you couldn’t draw inspiration from such women!
 
Until next time.
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RAGS // Mix & Match

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J A C K E T  //  Red Herring – Thrifted   :   T O P  //  Thrifted   :   P A N T S  //  Thrifted & Altered
B O O T S    //  Asos    :    W A T C H    //     Cotton On    :    N E C K L A C E  //    Max

This is my first outfit post, and I am going to be honest, I am terrified. Thought I should get it out there.  Start this on the right foot and all. Good, I feel a little better…. Now I wasn’t always a fan of anything but head to toe black. But I am branching out. My wardrobe tends to lend itself to a high amount of thrifted, with a few staples from places like Glassons and Cotton On, and speckled with some delicious high end. But I’m not going to lie, I get pretty chuffed when I work out the cost of my entire outfit for the day only cost me $120. Not too shabby.

Until next time

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HIM&HER // Four Years, my love.

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On a very rainy and stormy day, on the seaside of small town, I married the most brilliant man I know. Nathaniel. Now four years on, a few tattoos, wrinkles and one mustache later, her is still the most brilliant man I know, Still the love of my life, Still the babe of all babes.

Here is to another year of great times, hard times, laughs and home brew.

Love you Babe.

Your Blackbird.x