2013: Plans & Dreams

♥ Build a team of amazing contributers to regularly share exciting content here (email me for info)
♥ Find my dream job in a PR/ marketing/ communications/ social media role
♥ Run 500kms total before the end of the year (More news on this goal soon)
♥ Finally start watching Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead
♥ Move to one of the inner-city Auckland suburbs
♥ Convince Jeremy to finally read Harry Potter (such a crime that he hasn't yet!!)
♥ Create an editorial calendar and stick to it
♥ Learn new recipes and improve my baking
♥ Spend more time with family

2012 has been a great year and I'm so excited to see what 2013 has in store! I just know it's going to be a great year. Sending love to you all wishing you the happiest new year! I'll be back some time in early January xx

2012: Food snaps

It's no secret I can't help myself when it comes to food photos. Whether it's a foodstagram or a snap for the blog - the food that I eat and the food that I like is pretty well documented. Moving to Auckland has made my love for food particularly fun, with so many amazing places to explore here. So far I've featured the Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar, Bluebells Cakery, Cosset, Delish Cupcakes and Agnes Curran with lots more plans for features coming up in 2013.

2012 Outfits

2012 has been the first year where I've really started to share my outfits on here more regularly. I don't consider myself a 'fashion blogger' by any means but it's fun to document what I wear and share it with you guys. Looking back on these pictures it makes me really realise how mild our winters are in New Zealand. Not a single outfit with thick coats, scarves or multiple layers, the joys of living down under! I look forward to documenting more of my outfits in 2013 :)

2012: A Year in Review

2012 has been a big year for Jeremy and I. It's been full of mostly highs (holidays, opportunities and moving to Auckland) and one big low (the death of one of our cats). Here's a look back on some of the moments that have made 2012.

1. Taking part in a photoshoot for photographers A Couple of Night Owls and the amazing pictures that came from it. See the results here, here and here. 

2. Throwing a garden party baby shower with Ilana for one of our best friends - Emma from The Humble Sparrow. 

3. Holidaying in Queenstown for Jeremy's birthday. A Helicopter ride to the top of the Remarkables, beautiful sights and sounds, amazing food and exploring one of the most amazing parts of New Zealand.

4. Collaborating with Kopie Photography for a few different photo shoots: There is Thunder in Our Hearts, Little Miss Sunshine, Wild Thing, Blue Baby and Smokey Eye. 

5. The hardest part of 2012 - losing our cat Ziggy. Read some of our favourite memories with him here. 

6. A wine tour on Waiheke Island with Jeremy. More info on this to come soon!

7. Visiting Taste - The New Zealand food festival. Lots of delicious food and cocktails, perfect weather and live music.

8. Attending different events around the city - for example the Celine Rita show.

9. Celebrating the festive season and my favourite time of year at the Franklin Road Christmas lights.  

Lonely Hearts AW13

Well friends, this is my last proper post of 2012! Next week Jeremy and I are going away on holiday and I have some 'best of 2012' type posts scheduled but otherwise I'll be getting off the computer and enjoying my summer break.

These pictures are from our visit to the Lonely Hearts studio earlier in the week when I tried on a few of their AW13 pieces. Lonely Hearts are one of my favourite New Zealand labels and they're also sponsoring an instagram giveaway which you can enter here. If you're not one of the lucky winners you could always check out their online store to snap up a piece or two for yourself!

The Department Store

The Department Store is one of my favourite shopping destinations in Auckland. Situated in Takapuna, the three story building is a wonderland to walk around in and stocks the very best in fashion, beauty and interiors. This week we paid a visit and spent far too long browsing every nook and crannie and soaking in all the amazing items in store. I spotted so many things I wanted to buy for myself that my wish list is now over flowing! If you're ever in Auckland I definitely recommend dropping by :) You can also visit The Department Store blog here.

Dizzy Little Dotty Giveaway! - CLOSED

Merry Christmas friends! I'm excited to let you know that the lovely Lauren Carney from Dizzy Little Dotty is offering one of the above 'Bear in the Woods' t-shirts for one of my blog readers this festive season!

To be in to win it's as simple as possible, just:
♥ Leave a comment on this post (please leave your email address if you don't have a blogger acc)
♥ For a second entry, 'like' my Facebook page & leave an extra comment

I'm about to go away on holiday so the entries will be open until January 2nd 2013 and the winner will be announced then!

All the best!

Edit: Giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Brittany from Itsy Bitty Things.

Summertime Stripes

Urban renewal shorts | Cambridge Satchel | Mink Pink Top & Belt

Today Jeremy and I tackled our Christmas shopping and I'm happy to report that we've bought everything we needed to and wrapped it all! Success! The weather here is seriously heating up so I'm wearing summer outfits and letting my wild and wavy hair run free (it always feels more acceptable in the summertime? Maybe because I tell myself it looks beachy??) 

We also stopped by our friends at Lonely Hearts and had a play around with their AW2013 collection. Pictures to come soon! But in the meantime, they're sponsoring a giveaway via instagram. To enter all you have to do is 'like' this picture + the Lonely Hearts instagram account. And you heard it here first: there are 2 more sets up for grabs - coming soon!  

Agnes Curran

This week is going to be a busy one - I've got meetings upon meetings scheduled and amongst it all we're also trying to finish packing our house (we're moving out in a few days) and our Christmas shopping isn't complete yet either. So it only seemed right to kick off the week with a little bit of down time in one of our favourite Auckland cafes - Agnes Curran. Catching up with friends over coffee and red velvet was the perfect start this week needed. Cross your fingers for me that I get through my long checklist before Christmas! 

December Wish list

Classic Link necklace | J Crew

Ring set | Beach Shop Fashion

Turquoise Butter London nailpolish | Tintin Style

Alice McCall dress | ASOS

Ink Island Panel dress | Sabo Skirt

Meadowlark Cat Ears ring | Style Milk

Anywhere Karen Walker sunglasses | Open Sky

Tropical dress | Sabo Skirt

Too Much Fun dress | Modcloth

So I guess I've left it a little late for any Christmas gift guides or wish lists this year. 2012 is disappearing so fast! You can still see my gift guides from previous years if you'd like - they're all saved here. So instead I thought I share with you all the things I'm wishing for to add to my summer wardrobe this year. 

Hope you're all having a nice weekend! My husband is working as an extra on Power Rangers (it's like a childhood dream come true!) so I'm home by myself watching dvds in bed and catching up on housework x 

P.S Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

Hair Inspiration: My Little Ponies

I've always wanted to do something with my hair but since my natural colour is so dark it's tricky to know what I could try that would still suit my skin tone. So this week I paid a visit to the D&M salon in Ponsonby and we decided that I'd take some style inspiration from My Little Ponies and dip dye my ends purple. I know it doesn't look very purple just yet, but it'll take a few sessions before we get the bright shade I'm aiming for (doing it in one go would cause too much damage to my hair).

In the meantime, what do you think? I'm so excited for this change and can't wait to have bright candy coloured ends once the process is complete!

Twenty Seven Names + Cameo Cats

I've blogged before about my love for New Zealand designers Twenty Seven Names and I have to gush once again about how amazing they are! I've always swooned over their clothing but never owned a piece myself but I knew when all these cameo cat designs were released I would have to save my pennies to treat myself! Finally this Christmas my wishes are coming true and the Present Tense Dress will be wrapped and under the tree for me. I couldn't be more excited! I love that I get to combine my love of cats, New Zealand designers and clothing all in one gorgeous dress.

Bluebells Christmas Cupcakes

Ahh I love this time of year! Our tree is up and decorated, we've been listening to carols and watching our favourite festive movies, our shopping list is almost complete and gingerbread lattes have become a regular drink of choice. On my way home today I stopped by one of my favourite Auckland cafes - Bluebells Bakery and bought one of their corporate boxes as a pre-Christmas treat for Jeremy (and I guess kinda for myself!). This time of year makes me so happy :)