Auckland
“The Piano Beach” Karekare
Do you remember the beach scene in Jane Campion’s The Piano? It was a cinema masterpiece and something that has always stayed with me. The scene where Holly Hunter’s character, Ada played the piano locked under a box for hours on the beach, was was filmed in Karekare, a spectacular black sand beach on the rugged west coast of Auckland. It’s only about forty minutes from the downtown and I’ve been meaning to visit there since arriving in the country four years ago! I’ve been to the surrounding beaches, the most famous being Piha and then there is Bethells Beach, where Taylor Swift just happened to film her latest clip.
Indie Home Collective Online Store
I love online shopping. I’m not sure if it’s because I spend so much time online and it’s a natural extension from that, but it’s something that I’ve been hooked on from the beginning. I guess it also really started to take off at a very convenient time for me, when I started having children and I didn’t have that freedom to go out and hit the shops. A couple of weeks ago, I got the news that Indie Home Collective was about to open their online store so I waited in anticipation because I knew that the owner, Claudia Kozab would do a mighty fine job with it. She didn’t disappoint.
Springtime…
Two lovely bloggers, Catherine and Anastasia and I thought it might be nice to post today on springtime in our city. I had the grand plan to go to the Britomart Farmers Market this Saturday. Even with the ominous looking clouds and a bad weather report, I still went and sure enough, when I arrived, the grey clouds finally gave away and the rain came down in bucket loads. Not exactly my kind of spring and nor the lovely weather that we’ve been experiencing in Auckland of late. So instead, feeling housebound much of the weekend, I began to dream about spring.
1 Day in Auckland: Interior & Sightseeing
“I will have only one full day in Auckland, can you suggest a day of sightseeing mixed in with some interior shops for me to visit?”
This question was asked by Cyndi, a lovely blogger out of California who will be visiting at the end of the month. I’ve been asked this question a few times before and I have to admit, I’ve been pretty slack with my answers, giving only a few suggestions here and there. Earlier in the year I met up with another blogger visiting Auckland and took her on a mini interior and homewares tour which she enjoyed. We did get a bit carried away at lunch so didn’t manage to see everything intended, but it was fun all the same. So I’ve taken this and coupled it with a few sightseeing suggestions. I hope that by posting this, a few other locals or visitors might add their “must sees” in the comments. We can start a bit of a conversation here for Cyndi and future travellers to Auckland!
Madder & Rouge Auckland
When we first moved to Auckland, Madder and Rouge was one of the first interior shops that I would often visit so it’s such a pleasure to do a little shop tour of this real gem of a store today.
Indie Home Collective
Each time I enter Indie Home Collective, I’m always taken back by the serine ambience that I’m welcomed in to. Perhaps it’s the vast array of green foliage and succulents throughout the store, the muted colours and wash whites or simply that laid back earthy feel. What ever it is, I imagine that if this store reflects the taste of the owners, Claudia Kozub and Neel Giri, then their home would no doubt be a favourite place to visit amongst friends, so that they too could soak up that relaxed vibe.
Father Rabbit New Store | Fog Linen Showcase
Father Rabbit has made yet another smart move, opening a second store in the lovely Herne Bay neighbourhood since opening its flagship store at BLOC late last year (you can read about that here). Along with all of the adorable kitchen and homewares known to Father Rabbit that encourages anyone into domestic bliss, the Herne Bay store is very much a Fog Linen Showcase, after extending their range extensively, a first for New Zealand. I popped into the store yesterday to take a few photos for you, as I know you all love a little shop tour!
A Shiny New Burrow for Father Rabbit
Last night saw the official launch for Father Rabbit’s new store at Bloc, Mount Eden, a space dedicated to a collaboration of design focused brands. I have to admit that I got so caught up chatting to everyone and having a great time last night that I’m really glad I thought to pop in earlier in the day to take some photos of the new store for you.
