Be still my heart...

Are you sitting down? I wasn't when I opened the press kit,  and saw that Deadly Ponies Mr Chain Mail comes in dusty rose pink for Summer 2012/13, and I spilled my tea all over my new (coincidentally) dusty pink Topshop tuxedo pants. Did you know that tea is an actual dye? I didn't either, until now...

But I can't be grumpy because LOOK at how beautiful she is! A lovely (*&%@*!) friend beat me to the punch with the royal blue version this season, but I'm already planning my SS wardrobe around owning this little number.

Hands down, Deadly Ponies are my favourite local accessories brand, I'm crossing all my fingers and toes that they one day branch into shoes too...

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Currently...May

Photographing: Delicious winter foodie treats…take a Beaunz holiday next month if you’re on a diet…

Saving for: The amazing blue angle table lamp from Douglas & Bec

Eating: Casserole with dumplings

Coveting: Nick von K 'Birds of a Feather' earrings.

Drinking: Super-duper strong Dilmah tea with a cinnamon stick…mmm.

Watching: Children’s films from the 80s – anyone else still creeped out by Dark Crystal and Return to Oz?

Reading: Screenplays of the above films….just as creepy as onscreen.

Listening to: Ladyhawke ‘Anxiety’ – lovechild of The Cardigans and Beck.

Wearing: Bed socks already…eek…

Talking about: Baz Luhrmann does F. Scott Fitzgerald

Waiting for: Headlines magazine Winter 2012 – my first issue as editor!

Smelling: Vicks vapour rub

Searching for: A new winter tellie obsession.

PS: Don't forget to like Beaunz on facebook, I put lots of little Beaunz bites on there too.

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Almost too pretty to eat...almost...

So, you may already have read about my obsession with macarons, so it is with great excitement that I discovered the J'aime les Macarons online ordering service! A box of 12 assorted macarons can be sent anywhere in New Zealand, with a delivery time of around 2 days from order. How are these for flavours?


Chai Tea & Marshmallow
Apple Praline
Cherry Cheesecake
Sea Salt Chocolate


And that's just the beginning. Have a look at the J'aime les Macarons website for all the details. 


It is some serious eye candy...and I want candy.


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Get your Art here, now

MoAD (Ministry of Art & Design - one of our design industry's best kept secrets) is holding a market day at Tyler St Garage tomorrow, from 10.30am - 2.30pm. They'll be selling jewellery, ceramics, textiles, limited-edition T-shirts, leatherware, object art and prints, and you can even pick up some yummy treats while you're there, from the City Farmers Market. Validate your parking ticket at the Farmers Market and you'll pay just $6 to park between 8.30am and 2.30pm. Bargain!

MoAd will be holding the market on the last Saturday of every month, so if you want to get your own products into the lineup, email a short description and a selection of up to six images to info@moad.co.nz. And if you see me there, come and say hello!

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Deep pockets are this season's must-have

I know it's odd to have a 'favourite' charity, but hands down, mine is the Breast Cancer Research Trust. Not only are they raising money to fund the concrete goal of curing breast cancer by 2018, their ingenious ideas mean that donating is never boring.

A couple of my favourites so far have been the Trelise Cooper caravan and the Fight for a Cure boxing tournament (from which we came away with David Tua signed boxing gloves), and I think this Zambesi designed Fiat 500 will give them a run for their money.

You can see it at the BCRT Fashion Showcase this week, where it will be auctioned for the charity. The Champagne and cocktail fundraiser showcases nine New Zealand fashion designers, and attendees will receive a $50 voucher from each of them. At $55 a ticket, that's a mighty return on your investment! Visit www.breastcancercure.org.nz or call 0800 227 828 to book.

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Wanted : Magpies

If I was to get a job working at Antique Fabric and Lace, or if I just lived around the corner from it; my home, my daughter and probably even my car would be bejeweled and beaded to within an inch of their lives.


This Aladdin's cave of haberdashery couldn't possibly be more crammed with delights. Every square centremetre of wall space, floor space and even some of the roof space is pinned and rolled with lace and sequins and beaded trims. I made the mistake of taking my daughter and lost her several times amongst the rolls of fabric. Thankfully her squeals of bead discovery acted like echo-location, and I somehow got out of the shop having only spent $30. 


If you're a magpie like me, the trip out to Onehunga is more than worth it as long as you have at least an hour of browsing time. Once you're done, you can recharge with the yummy chicken pie across the road at Delicious while you enjoy your purchases all over again.


I'm off to find a home for my new twinkly beaded stars and...I'm thinking the mirror in the bathroom.


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Huffer to the rescue

I didn't think my love affair with Huffer could get any deeper...until they brought out my favourite tee as a hoodie, just as the temperature drops into single digits. 


As I sit here typing, it is so cold that I'm cradling a mug of tea with the other hand, and my knees are shivering under the table. Although technically it's still autumn, winter is definitely making its imminent arrival felt. 


Pah, nothing a little Huffer hoodie couldn't fix.


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Colour punch love

Early in the week I went to a hair trade event for Redken, to learn about their new colour techniques and also see the results from their latest colour range, Chromatics, first hand. Chromatics is another of the ammonia-free, odour-free permanent colours, which is great to see that more and more professional hair brands are embracing this trend.


The colour I was most taken by was the glorious red above. It shimmered and sparkled like a ruby, setting off her beautiful blue eyes and, if you ask me, stealing the show.


You couldn't fade into the wall in this head of hair, it's like a style sucker punch to the eyeballs. The only question is...are you up for it?


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Lovers, dreamers ... me.

Lomography clearly had lovers and dreamers like me in mind when they fancied up their la Sardina camera with rainbows. Every day is a happy day when you're shooting it through this little ray of sunshine. 

I don't need it, I may never use it, but somehow I can't stop thinking about it and how it would make me smile every time I saw it in my handbag.


Wanting something doesn't always have to make sense.


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Calm on the surface

One of my favourite things about living in Auckland is never being more than a few minutes drive from water.


This week, I am three-quarters of the way through a mammoth creative task (I promise to share more soon) and tonight I was desperate for a few moments of calm with my daughter, before heading home for the nighttime routine and requisite glass of Baileys on ice.


Auckland weather obliged, and we spent a gorgeous few minutes with the ducks down at the Chelsea Sugar Refinery. Heavenly! I was even inspired to write another film, and this is where I put in a petition to extend the day to 26 hours. Anyone else with me?


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Spikes and sparkle a happy girl make

I have been trawling the internet and local shops, looking for fabulous shoes to wear to a masked ball this weekend, and came across these shoes from Romwe.com, which I couldn't resist sharing.


Completely inappropriate for a ball, of course, but I'm trying to find another excuse to buy them. Here's what I've come up with so far...


I need these shoes because:


1. They're sparkly
2. I wouldn't need to carry pepper spray
3. Elvis Presley would approve


And wouldn't you know it, the last available pair is in my size. I'd call that fate!


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Watch out wolves

Image credit: Steven Chee for Fashion Quarterly

I have been looking for a dress to wear to a certain local celebrity's 40th birthday bash next weekend, and came across this gorgeous cherry red Black Tie Dress by Liam, the little sister to Ruby. 


I love its deep cowl backline, which could double as a hood in the likely event of a rainy evening, and the saucy thigh splits would make for great stepping-out-of-limo paparazzi shots.


All in all, the perfect party dress. Will I? Won't I? That would be telling...


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If Superman sat for Picasso...

Polygon Superhero by James Reid

The very first piece of art I remember seeing and loving was Picasso's Woman with a Mandolin. I was primary school age, but loved flicking through the art almanacs at my Auntie and Uncle's house. Minoring in Art History at University only fueled by my love of early 20th century art, in particular Cubism and I often wish I could time-travel a-la Midnight in Paris and sit for Picasso. I would give up ice cream forever in exchange for a Cubist portrait. Possibly even ice cream AND cupcakes.

I love love love this modern comic-book-Cubist take by kiwi artist James Reid - he's even done Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Danger Mouse (hello children of the early eighties) versions.

Hey James, what's your definition of superhero? A woman that can give up ice cream and cupcakes?

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Cinemust : Good for Nothing

Usually the words self-funded (by a husband and wife team) and Western would send me running from the box office, but after seeing the trailer for kiwi film 'Good for Nothing' I can't wait to watch it on the big screen this week.


Barren, beautiful scenery (shot in central Otago), a typically quirky kiwi take on the genre which has earned it the description 'pavlova Western', and what looks to be a stellar performance by male lead Cohen Holloway all combine to make this my current must-see.


Have any of you seen it yet?


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Words to live by

Fortune Favours the Brave print on Etsy

If you want anything really meaningful in life, something that will make a significant difference to your satisfaction and happiness, it generally means taking a leap of faith.


Without going into too many details yet (I'm brave, but not fearless!) I have taken two huge leaps of faith lately, and look forward to sharing the journey with you as they evolve, one way or another.


Watch this space...


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Beaunz is like a box of chocolates...

I know it's a little odd; posting a recipe when I'm hardly a culinary cognosenti, but Beaunz is about the good things in life, and this dish fills my mouth with joy each time I make it. Bursting with flavour, filling, warming and best of all it cooks, unwatched, in a single pot. Once you know the basic recipe you can play around with the proteins and veges to keep things interesting, but I have posted my favourite version, which is loosely based on one I tore out of a magazine years ago. If you're time poor and hungry or just plain uninspired, this dish is your friend.


Ingredients (Serves 2)
Tbsp chopped fresh ginger
3 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
1 chili, chopped (red looks prettier but any fresh chili is fine)
Bunch of coriander (Chop the stalks finely and keep separate from the leaves)
3 rashers bacon, chopped (I use chicken bacon)
1 chicken breast, cut into slender chunks (or you can use raw prawns - just add them halfway through cooking)
1 spring onion, finely sliced
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
Tbsp oil
1 cup Jasmine rice
2 cups boiling water
1 lime (don't substitute for lemon, just leave it out if you can't get a fresh lime)


Method
Put oil, ginger, garlic, chili and coriander stalks in a cold pan and heat until sizzling. Add bacon and fry. Mmmmmm...warning: burns tongue.
Add rice and cook until nicely coated and semi-transparent. Turn down the heat to medium, add the soy sauce and sugar and mix well.
Add the chicken and toss, then immediately follow with 2 cups of boiling water. Stir to combine, then cover with lid and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. You don't need to stir or anything half way, this is usually when I bath my daughter.
Once cooked, stir through the spring onions and half the chopped coriander leaves.
Serve into bowls and top with a squeeze of lime juice and the rest of the coriander.


Enjoy!


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Shopgirl : Miss Crabb

Tash, Miss Crabb, Ponsonby Road

Today is my first Shopgirl post, which will feature stylish shop assistants from all over town. 


How cute is Tash? She's in head to toe Miss Crabb of course, including the 100 year skirt in lilac, and a coat from last season which is being recut in a longer version for Winter 2012. It has an extra panel in the right side, which gives it a lovely lopsided fit. Her shoes are from Topshop, and that gorgeous lipstick is M.A.C. She looks cosy and fresh at the same time and has inspired me to pair lilac and khaki, a combination I hadn't thought of before.


Thanks Tash!


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la Cigale...c'est genial!

My Saturday mornings are usually spent choosing olives, dolmas, stuffed peppers, Turkish dips and baklava from the Parnell markets. Throw in a coffee and an almond croissant from the cafe, some feijoa chutney, half a dozen mini ciabatta and some strawberry and vanilla whoopie pies and you have the makings of a weekend feast. Somehow it all feels less calorific if bought from an outdoor market - don't you think?


If the markets themselves are too busy, there's a secret little park just up the road where you can hide away and picnic to your hearts content, still within earshot of the saxophonist. 


As the weather cools down, I've also started craving the yummy slow-cooked dinners on offer at the la Cigale bistro, open Wed - Fri nights. Dinner is served onto big communal tables, and the loud, tuck-in atmosphere is the closest thing to European entertaining I've found since coming home.


All in all, la Cigale is a little jewel in the middle of town, and though the locals may rue that their market has become a tourist destination, this is one secret that shouldn't be kept.


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Femme feline...and a clever little tip

M.A.C for Jonathan Saunders SS2012

This makeup is beautiful on so many levels. Natural brows, soft buffed skin, delicate Barbie doll pink lips and of course, those incredible feline eyes. 


Now, let's be clear, I'm no more liner-skilled than the next Beaunz belle, so I asked my lovely friend Daniel Sandler how to achieve this at home without looking like my daughter did it. I could have kept his answer to myself, but here you go....and there are heaps of other tips on his website too.


Daniel recommends putting your mascara on first, so you can rest the liner pen on your lashes and avoid any smearing disasters. Then line up your credit card at the corner of your eye and using it as a guideline for your liquid liner, to get a perfectly straight feline flick. 


Me-ow.


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Bare Beaunz : Charlotte

Charlotte wearing Juliette Hogan AW2012

Charlotte Ryan's sweet, girl-next-door voice takes me from breakfast to lunch every weekday morning on bfm's Morning Glory. 

She's my cool barometer; edgy without being scary, funny without trying, and in person she has an easy, off-beat sense of style that you can't copy, dang it. I love that her playlists range from one musical extreme to another, so you're guaranteed to hear something new on her show. Her potty-mouthed 'fancy new bands' intro never fails to make me laugh, somehow even the f-bomb sounds civilised coming out of her mouth! 

I was so excited to interview Charlotte for Bare Beaunz, and she even shouted me a Kokako smoothie while we chatted. Over to you Charlotte...

I just bought...

Last weekend it was International Record Store Day, so to get behind it I bought two new pieces of vinyl. I got Toy Love: Live at the Glue Pot, and The Modern Lovers. I try to buy all my favourites on vinyl, as I love listening to them that way.

I'm about to buy...

Literally, after this I'm going to the vege shop to buy Asian greens. I’m really into cooking, and I’m making a Malaysian dish from Nadia Lim's new cookbook for dinner tonight.

I wish I could buy...

A holiday to Europe with my family and friends. We'd all go to Greece and the Amalfi Coast, that would be awesome.

When I was a kid I wanted to be...

A singer or a teacher. I’ve sung for years in choirs and things, but I'm a very shy performer, which is a problem. I actually started out training to be a teacher, but I realised two years in that it wasn't what I wanted to do. So, now I educate people about singers and musicians instead.

I never leave the house without...

My iPhone, a bottle of water, and my favourite red lipstick of the moment, Topshop ‘Rio’.

If it wasn't so naughty I would...

Eat at restaurants every day. I love Coco Cantina, The Engine Room, Mexico and pretty much anywhere Japanese.

At home I am usually...

Listening to music or the radio. Playing Strawberry Shortcakes or having pretend tea parties and picnics with my 4 year old daughter. Working - I do most of my freelance work at home, and cooking / gardening - I love cooking a meal or pottering in the garden to wind down after a busy day.

My fashion sense at school was...

Always in line with my music obsession at the time. In my early teens, I loved hip hop so I was really into baggy hip hop pants. Then I moved into liking skateboarding, and went  through a grunge phase - I was obsessed with Kurt Cobain.

If I had one magic power it would be....

To grant wishes. 

The last time I (really) laughed was…

Last weekend, at a friend’s dinner party. There were eight of us old friends, and it was brilliant - so much great laughter...and wine.

My secret pleasure is...

Op shopping and finding the untouched gems. I love driving to The North Shore and having all the time in the world to fossick through drawers and boxes in second hand stores.

I'm happiest when... 

I’m listening to an amazing album and cuddling my little daughter. I have been listening to the new Opossum and Lawrence of Arabia albums over the last week - they are awesome. 

If I died tomorrow I would be remembered for...

Saying ‘Totally’, 'Awesome' and ‘Yay’.

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