If I had my childhood again...

Globe Stubby skateboard

If I had my childhood again, there are two skills I would persevere a little longer to master. The first is riding a bike (no joke, if I have to turn my head I can't help turning the whole bike, and if I have to slow down I generally fall off) and the other is skateboarding. 

There is something so cool about cruising down the footpath on four wheels; I wouldn't even need a bevvy of tricks to pull, just the wind in my hair and tuk tuk of concrete joins under my feet would be enough.

One thing's for sure though, skateboards weren't nearly as chic as this Globe stubby back in the eighties. I've got serious design envy! Maybe I should put one away 'for Junior'...

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Freebies I have re-bought : Pureology

Pureology Precious Oil Shampoo

As an unwavering professional haircare convert (don't get me started on supermarket shampoos) there is little anyone can do to drag me away from my two favourites: Kerastase and Pureology. Both pricey - yes, but when you are spending hard cash on having your hair coloured and cut, why wouldn't you take good care of your investment with good products too? Treating $200 highlights with $5 shampoo is like going to Merediths and drinking Spumante with your Beetroot and Duck Meringue.

A few months ago I went to the launch of Dry & Tea in Newmarket (more on that gorgeous place next week) and was given some Pureology Precious Oil shampoo and conditioner to try. I was very sceptical and didn't even put it on my hair for a week, too worried that the so-called 'Oil' would weigh down my fine hair. It didn't. The opposite in fact! My hair has been light, lush and so so strong ever since. I have re-purchased once in 6 months (the bottles last forever as you only need a little) and am totally addicted to my morning sniff of creamy caramel-ly lather, not to mention having hair that feels like silk.

At a recent press appointment, my hair (almost 12 weeks since my last colour and cut - thanks pregnancy) was examined under a microscope and the condition from root to tip was as good and consistent as if it had been cut last week. Not bad for a bleach and blast addict.

What about you? Which hair products do you use and why?

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There's no price tag on swooning....

Great Gatsby costume sketch courtesy of Prada

Fashion illustration is one of my secret (or not so secret) coveted skills. 

I can't draw to save myself, but I find looking at designer sketches even more pleasurable than the finished clothes. Like a visual poem, they conjure so many possibilities in a two-dimensional image. For example; this woman is on her way to a hidden bar to drink martinis amongst the cigar smoke, to a soundtrack of croaky jazz. She is naked under the coat, save for her fragrance of choice; Tabac Blond, and has left her lighter at home in the hope that her lover will smell it when he leans in to light her cigarette. (You can see the others here; I would love to know what stories they tell you!)

I'm already inside out with excitement to see The Great Gatsby, and discovering these Prada costume sketches was like finding presents tucked under the Christmas tree with my name on them.  

Thank goodness oogling via googling is free...

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World's Biggest Waterslide...yes please!

Last year my immediate family was deeply affected by depression, and it was such a sad time for everyone surrounding that person.

Thankfully they were incredibly brave and sought help, and with lots of support have come out of the darkness. Although there is always the risk that it may return, having lived through it once I know we will make it again if it does.

One thing that really struck me about depression is how private and lonely it is, both for those suffering and those supporting. Despite the best efforts of heroes like John Kirwan, there is still so much stigma and misunderstanding around what it is and how it manifests. I for one missed a lot of the signs for far too long, and it was such a relief to finally have it diagnosed and out in the open so we could help them get better.

When googling 'water slides' (to buy one for our back yard) I stumbled across this website called Live More Awesome, which is run by two guys (both survivors of depression) who are building the world's biggest waterslide out in Helensville. There will be three, the longest of which will be 650metres long. EPIC! You can buy tickets to go on them or help them raise the money to build them here. I'll either be heavily pregnant or with a newborn when they open to the public on 23-24 February, so I hope you will go along and have a go in my honour.

And I would love to hear about your own experiences with depression too. Share the pain, feel the love.

xx

Etsy Find: Wild things printable

Where the Wild Things are printable by Olive & Birch

One of my favourite things about preparing for the imminent arrival of Jr is decorating his bedroom. Even though he won't be in it for a few months yet, I have this overwhelming urge to get it finished and pronto!

Who knows if the finished result will echo his personality as it develops in the years to come (although if his in-utero actions are anything to go by, a wriggly wild monster is not too far from reality) but lordy there are so many cool decorating ideas for kids rooms!

One of the best things is being able to purchase artwork online and print it off yourself locally, on the stock you want, to the size you want. I stumbled across this cute print by Olive & Birch on Etsy and am having it printed and framed as we speak. Our first child was nicknamed 'little peach' because her little round cheeks were so edible, and I'm sure number two will be no different!

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Ahhhh....summer!

One of my favourite things to do in summer is buy an old-fashioned scoop ice cream, strip down to as few clothes as possible and splash down the tide line in the late afternoon.

Although technically eating ice cream at 4pm is encroaching on dinner, I've always been one for instant gratification and am quite happy to have my dessert first!

In case you're interested, the flavour pictured is Bayberry, from the Takapuna Beach Cafe, and reminds me of this Jo Malone fragrance. Needless to say, not long after this photo was taken she was nude and smothered head to toe in red goo. Hey, at least the fish got a lick too!

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Portraits of Style

Saben 'Portraits of Style'

A few months ago, I was asked to take part in a Saben shoot called 'Portraits of Style', in which a handful of their favourite fashionistas (who me?!) were asked to dress up a bag from their new collection. Because one of their bags is named after her, my daughter Poet also got her moment in the limelight and boy does she work a pose now whenever a camera comes out!

Secretly 16 weeks pregnant at the time and battling horrific (all day all night) morning sickness, I fell back into the comfort of my Kate Sylvester lambie coat and Love Story jeans. A model I am not, but photographer Mike Rooke was so charming and easy to work with that the shoot was over before Poet could ask for a second lollipop.

I love it when brands do something a little different, a big thanks to Saben for having me!

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Lou's Clues

Brogues by Lou's Shoes

As soon as I started the hunt for cute, cool kids clothing I also began to wish we still lived in Europe. In contrast to the cookie cutter clothes found in most kiwi kids stores, they have brilliant labels like Mini Rodini, Bobo Choses, H&M kids (where I managed to pick up this cool cat onesie for Jr) and Zara kids. Give me a little boy in suspenders and a henley over puppy-print any day of the week! 

That said, there are a handful of local labels doing awesome things for kids, starting with these little boy brogues by Lou's Shoes. If I hadn't already picked up these lambskin booties from Nature Baby (another favourite) I would have a pair on overnight stork delivery!

I'd love to know your suggestions for cool local labels, and as I find them I'll share them too.

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It's Friday I'm in love...

Diemme leopard print pony boots from Fabric

I don't know what it is with me and fugly leopard print shoes...but these are calling for me in the wee hours of the morning when I should be resting up for the pending 'delivery'. 

Look how sinfully soft those inners are! How strokeable the ponyskin! And the snowboot laces give it all a sporty nonchalance that has me imagining an Autumn spent kicking aside crisp copper leaves and collecting acorns to turn into little people.

I'm almost too scared to venture into Fabric in case my size has already found a home...

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Currently...January 2013

34 weeks and counting

So...I haven't been busy on Beaunz lately, but I have been busy growing a baby dinosaur in my belly. As things slow down for me work-wise in preparation for his arrival, I'm excited to be able to devote a bit more time to blogging again. Excuse the newfound focus on all things miniature, I promise to slip in the odd non-baby post too!

Photographing: my growing belly (and using my iPhone to check under the bump for crumbs and rogue stains).

Saving for: new shoes...tune in tomorrow.

Eating: Fruju Grapefruit and Lemon ice blocks.

Coveting: this amazing bed.

Drinking: Barkers lemon and ginger with soda water, fresh mint and lots of ice.

Watching: Girls Season 1 on DVD. Borderline cringe-overload but so addictive!

Reading: Oh Baby by Kathy Fray. Gentle, sensible advice without the bells and whistles.

Listening to: Vetiver

Wearing: Cherry red toes courtesy of Essie Really Red.

Talking about: Baby names...fun until you actually have to decide on one.

Waiting for: Our new arrival of course!

Smelling: Jo Malone Amber & Lavender, a perfectly fresh and soft combination for my contrary pregnant nose.

Searching for: cool, uncheesy boys clothes. Any suggestions?

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