Yes Please | GIVEAWAY CLOSED

yespleaseGIVEAWAY Handcream

I love gifts, both the giving and of of course the receiving! And with the approach of the husband and I’s sixth wedding anniversary, gifts have been on the brain! Here is a few ideas for him and for her!

 FOR HER | For the urban jungle this Brass Spray Mister from Father Rabbit & Modern take on traditional yearly gifting with a Leather& Wood Chair from Indie Home Collective

FOR HIM | Nothing says I love you like an axe! This one is from Father Rabbit,  or  steak knifes for that matter, these are from Tessuti.

FOR BOTH | Day dreaming of building a home is one fo our favourite past times, and this is the perfect book for it. Modern Originals available at Everyday Needs.

But nothing goes past the perfect hand cream, and here is your chance to win one! The most delicious smelling and nourishing hand cream by Ingrid Starnes available from the your one stop gift shop The Family Company.

All you have to do is head over to The Family Company, and tell us below what you would love to give or receive from any of their range! Winner to be drawn next week! Entries for New Zealand residents only.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

Until next time

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Before & After | KITCHEN

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For those of you who saw the sneak peak, but didn’t see the February March edition of Homestyle Magazine, here is the final reveal of the Blackbird reno kitchen!

Although we were lucky to start with such great bones, like with the rest of the Blackbird Reno, the pennies have been tight. First things first we removed those hideous electric blue light shades ( in fact they came out the second I walked into the house ) and ripped up the faux timber board lino. Then off came the cabinet doors to be re painted in Alabaster by Resene and finished with our signature leather pulls. The new bench top was fashioned by my father out of Plywood. We bought a pre loved goose neck tap off Trade Me, Sink from the local wreckers yard, and tiled our own subway tile splash back. The fridge and dishwasher got a fresh coat of blackboard paint and the walls a bright white of Resene Alabaster. Up went the new lights and a few shelves ( thank you handy husband, I will keep you on. ) So after a lot of elbow grease and out of the box thinking we are done with the kitchen! Hooray!

Next stop Bathroom & Laundry!

Until next time

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RITUAL | Te Mata Peak

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Photos by Myself & Heather Liddell

Today I want to introduce a new series on Blackbird called Ritual. A little glimpse into the simple and somewhat menial tasks that make up the day to day life. The rituals.

My morning walk, beauty routine, trip to the Farmers Market, these are the things that in their repetitive nature almost create a sense of calm in my life.

Anyone that follows my Instagram knows that I am  fan of Te Mata Peak. And that most mornings are spent with my friend Heather, dogs in tow, weaving through one of the many tracks, winding their way around the hill and through the Redwoods. There is nothing like a jaunt up the Peak to get the day or week ( or ‘life’ for that matter ) into perspective. Maybe it’s the grandeur of the Mountain or the smell for the damp ground, but it gets me every time.

What are some of the rituals in your life that keep you sane?

Until next time

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