Hello Mildred & Co

Botanical Styling by the ever competent Annie O & Red Creative of Studio 46 Delicious cake by the sweetheart that is Bluebells Cakery Photos by yours truly.

Mildred & Co opened their doors this week, their showroom is here.

And it is pretty bangin’ if you ask me.

Setting up shop in a beautiful converted Mechanics garage. Mildred & Co hold brands such as Citta Design, Bluebellgrey, CC Interiors, D.L & CO, Form & Fable, General Eclectic, Joseph Bently and so many more. As well as art work from the talented Evie Kemp, Bailey Collins, Kelly Thompson, Hydrangea Ranger to name a few.

Milly and her girls have created a carefully curated posse of generally beautiful things. It all began when Milly saw a gap in the wedding registry market. A space for a one stop shop with range of beautiful yet functional items. And I can say, when I got married 5 years go, I definitely could have done with Mildred & Co.

Well done Milly, Well done girls. You are champs.

Until next time.BlackbirdBLOG signature

Moving House

We are moving house.

To put what this means into some sort of context. The husband and I, Well this is the longest we have stayed anywhere since 2007. And when we move, We would have been here just under a year. But this time it is not by our own wanderlust. The owners are selling.

So in the days before we go I am focusing on what I love about our little concrete corner. But also the things I will not miss, making it easier for me to part ways.

1  //  I will miss the open sky above us.

2  //  I will not, however, miss the crazy steps that lead to our house.

3  //  I will miss the sunshine in the trees and the birds that visit them.

4  //  I will not miss the dark corners. Even though they are sometimes quite beautiful.

5  //  I will miss the odd but wonderful built in storage that displayed our things.

6  //  I will miss the height of our ceilings that allowed me to giant plants.

7  //  I will not, ever, miss cooking only with a two top element and a convection oven.

So begins the hunt. It is bittersweet. This place is our home now, The first time we have really felt we have had a home. But I do love fresh starts, new spaces and a bit of re-decorating of course.

Until next time.BlackbirdBLOG signature

HELLO STRANGER // Eleanor from Petite Kitchen

Photography by Blackbird

 Meet Eleanor.

The brilliance behind Petite Kitchen. A simple, whole food and clean living website that has grown from the humble little kitchen into seasonal journals and a spectacular blog.

Eleanor is not only a creator of simple, wholesome and delicious recipes. But a mother to two equally delicious children, and the wife to one part of the impressive label I Love Ugly.

I am incredibly honored to know this women, and to be given the upmost privilege of shooting her. Eleanor is quality. Through and through. Furthermore, She is a bit of a babe.

Where do you live? :
Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand.

What do you do 9-5?

I have recently decided to take the plunge and work on Petite Kitchen full time. My days are spent cooking, coming up with new recipes, researching, finding inspiration, replying to emails and enquiries, and mainly working on my seasonal recipe journals. Over the last few months, I have had an overwhelming positive response to my work, and felt this was a true indication that I should follow my dream, and share my passion for healthy wholesome food with others.

What do you do with the other hours of the day? :

I pick up my 5 year old daughter Izabella, and 1 year old son Obi at 3pm, then the afternoons are dedicated to spending quality time with them. In the evenings once they are in bed, my husband and I enjoy dinner together, and talk about our day amongst other things.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I have always wanted to own my own cafe. I love the cafe culture here in New Zealand, and this is still something I would love to do in the near future.  I believe there is a gap in the market for a natural whole foods cafe, which focuses on serving wholesome, delicious and nourishing food.

Favorite online places:
Tumblr, and pinterest are amazing for finding inspirational photos and content. I also have a huge list of food and lifestyle blogs which I read on a daily basis. A few in particular are, My New Roots, Manger by Mimi Thorisson, Green Kitchen Stories, 101 Cookbooks, Smitten Kitchen, Che & Fidel, Bleubird Blog, and A cup of Jo.

Favorite real life places:
My husband and I went to Europe for our honey moon a few years back. We both absolutely fell in love with Amsterdam and Belgium, and I would love to be able to go back there again in the near future. The food, the fashion, and the culture is just incredible, not to mention the beautiful surroundings. I also absolutely love New Zealand, and feel sometimes I forget how lovely our home land is. Its amazing how you only have to drive an hour or so out of Auckland to find your own beautiful slice of paradise.

Listening to:
 I love almost all types of music. But at the moment, mostly listening to Tame Impala, and Chet Faker. I have always had a love for blues and jazz too.

Influences:
My number one influence would have to be my amazing husband. Over the last five years I have seen him build his incredibly successful menswear label, I Love Ugly, from the ground up. He constantly surprises me with how talented and driven he is, and his support with Petite Kitchen has been amazing. I believe his passion has been the number one thing that has driven me to follow my own dream.

Until next time.BlackbirdBLOG signature

MAKE IT // terrarium

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A few weeks ago, I shared photos of the fabulous. Yes, Fabulous, Annie O’s terrarium workshop at Studio 46.

Coming home, I was all inspired to finally getting around to making my own.

I have had the vessel for quite some time, I picked it up at a garage sale in Hawkes Bay for a couple of bucks. And old mate jesus, who I spray painted. And finally I headed to get my little mates to go inside. Coromandel Cacti. Heaven. Rows and rows of succulent & cacti goodness, from the cute tiny to the bloody massive. And all as chip as chips.

I picked myself out couple of Aloe variegata and a big old Sedum rubrotinctum or jelly bean plant.

Both are hardy and robust, so they don’t mind if they are ignored by their plant mother.

I also got me some cacti soil, that has bits and pieces that they like, and some small pebbles.

So, this isn’t a tutorial as such, it is more like a ‘see, I made one, and you can too, and they are nice and fun to have around the house.’ kind of thing.

Brilliant, get your green thumbs out & let them have a party.

Until next time.BlackbirdBLOG signature