Hometour X Blackbird Goods X Biskit Cafe and Kitchen

Its a kidless non teaching day for me today. I love these days. To put that simply, the kids are at kindy and I don't have any teaching! yahoo. Although the husband has roped me into helping him on the farm for a couple of hours. All good if it means that I can put my boots and jacket on and get out the door with out having to come back in the door  three times to go toilet and various other things and without having a pocket full of snacks, and generally a few odd raisins still left in my pocket by the end of the day!





Trying to get back to normal on the blog this week after a week off, first up is this gorgeous apartment on Sydney's Bondi Coast belonging to Australian actor Simon Baker Denny.





The white walls and stained floor boards are a winner for me but its actually their choice of furniture that has drawn me in. A great eclectic mix demonstrating how older piece can look in a modern apartment. This apartment is actually up for sale and was found with thanks to Est Magazine.





Secondly, no introduction needed to these guys really... but, the super talented Gem and Nathan of Blackbird Goods have hit the onlines shelves and looking mighty fine must I add. Pop over here to check out their new online store. I have my eye on those super awesome slippers!






Lastly, I have recently come across Biskit Café and Kitchen, situated in Aucklands, Parnell. (Dam you Aucklanders getting all the goodies!) Serving a mix of Western and Japanese cuisine, Biskit is the prime spot to sit and watch the world go by with amazing food and coffee in hand.

Happy Tuesday.

Amy x

Frankie Wears - Dear Fawn


I haven't written a Frankie wears post for a week or two now. Partly due to the weather. This weekend has been the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the winter sun. Especially when you are dressed as a fairy. This was at the old run down train station down the road. Amazing to explore actually.


I am obsessed with this new brand, Dear Fawn. I wish I had captured Frankies face on camera when she opened the parcel. She has hardly taken the dress off and I will definitely be ordering more. Dear Fawn have the most delicious girls dresses, perfect for those little fairies. These would also make amazing little flower girl dresses and I see that they have just recently added gorgeous winter brim hats to their site.




You are best to order Dear Fawn dresses through their facebook page, which might I add, are incredibly well priced. Also pop over to their Instagram to keep up to date with all their news. How I am going to stop Frankie from trying to wear this to kindy, ill never know!

If you want to find out more about being apart of our Frankie wears series, flick me an email on miloandmitzy@gmail.com

Amy x

Sunday with Milo and Mitzy and Opera Kitchen

I have been avoiding blogs and emails this week. I needed a week off after such a busy but fantastic event that I hosted along side Opera Kitchen last Sunday. Sunday with Milo and Mitzy and Opera Kitchen was something that I had been planning in my head for quite some time. The idea was to host an event where people could come, listen a a couple of speakers, drink good wine and coffee, eat amazing food and shop from a very select few stalls.


The event came together nicely. We had Claudia and Nick of Father Rabbit on board which was super exciting.  Claudia and Nick stayed in the amazing new lodge at Craggy Range and tiki toured around enjoying what Hawkes Bay had on offer.  Claudia was there as our guest speaker. She gave us a very real look into Father Rabbit and how it has evolved from the beginning through to where it is today. It was a very inspiring talk with many people mentioning to me that they were feeling super motivated after hearing her speak. After this we listened to Jennifer who is the woman behind Opera Kitchen and the other Eat Drink Share eateries in Hawkes Bay. I was very fortunate to work with Jennifer on this event. She is an incredibly driven lady who runs four eateries very successfully. Not an easy task.




After listening to Claudia and Jennifer, guests were free to shop from one of our 6 stalls. We had Father Rabbit, Homebase Collections, Ottoloom, Mekka, Nikki Gabriel Knitwear and Goblin Babywear. Each stall was set up beautifully in the Parlour Projects Gallery. Guests also indulged on the most divine dessert table put together by Picnic and were treated to delicious Rod McDonald wine and O Pure water.

Call me crazy but Im actually thinking of hosting these events in other cities. If you have any ideas for me on venues or you are keen to collaborate on this in any way, flick me an email. Im all ears. I have had so much positive feedback. I cant thank everyone enough who were involved and to all that attended. Im so greatful and feel so lucky to have the opportunity to host such things.

Apologies again for completely ignoring the blog this week. I will make it all up over the weekend.  Enjoy.

Amy x

Images taken by myself and Anthony Chiappin

Home tour + Jamie Kay

Thursday already? Heck time flies. I have been busy gearing up for Sunday with Milo and Mitzy and Opera Kitchen with guest speaker Claudia of Father Rabbit. Its all coming together so nicely but I do feel I deserve an hour of quiet time on Sunday evening with a good book that's for sure!
 





 
This beach courtyard house in Victoria, Australia has caught my eye today by the insanely talented Auhaus Architecture and interiors firm. Photography by Derek Swalwell, styling by Nina Provan. Modern and industrial mixed into one. And using indoor outdoor living to the absolute maximum. That is everything that I love.



And secondly today, have you had a chance to pop over and check out the new home ware range from Jamie Kay? Its all looking so good. I am loving their new range of cushions as seen above.

Amy x

Home tours meets photography session

I thought I would start off the week with a bit of home tour love and a little bit about the photos that I have been taking lately for both Milo and Mitzys instagram and the blog.
 




 
A gorgeous gorgeous home found thanks to Desire to Inspire by design firm, Alexander & Co. I would totally recommend spending some time over on Desire to Inspire if you are seeking inspiration for a new build.
 
 
I have been working this year on taking my own photos as you might well have figured out. I am using these mainly for my instagram. Being the fussy over the top person that I am, particularly when it comes to photos, I always very hesitant to use my own as I am clearly no photographer. However, to stay fresh and ahead in this game, I think it is essential. Hence the reason I purchased a new camera, a Canon 70d which I fought until the very end to win on a Trade Me battle. And heres the thing, I still don't know how to use it but when I get the time, I sit there and watch youtube clips to better my skills.
 
 
My focus at the moment is taking product shots, I also am taking the photos for our Frankie wears along with a few interior shots from my own home and I take my camera when I head to visit stylish eateries as you know I am all for amazing café interior.
 
The biggest thing that I have learnt is that the lighting is key. So here I was trying to stick my products beside a window but then I found it was too bright on one side of the photo and not bright enough on the other. Its been all about playing around and experimenting for me.

These shots here that I have taken have been edited for instagram purposes. I am still getting my head around editing and getting the exposure right as well the brightness and contrast etc. If you can recommend any great editing programs, let me know.
 
 
The other thing I wanted to add in here is that photos are crucial. If you own a store or you are designer of some sort yet you are not great at taking photos, I would highly recommend paying for some photos. The amount of emails that I have had from people who have great products, yet have just taken a quick phone snap on their kitchen table, I cannot count. And it is no offence at all but myself, along with a lot of other design bloggers, I would say, are very fussy about the images featured on their site. SO on that note, whilst I am still learning, if you would like to find out more about getting me to photograph some of your products, drop me an email for information and prices, miloandmitzy@gmail.com
 
Amy x

Kitchen Love




Totally my kind of kitchen. A little bit country, a little bit industrial, a lot Cool! With thanks via The Generalist.
 
Amy x

The wedding of Kendel + Tim by Melissa Mills Photography

You all know that I am a massive fan of Hawkes Bay based photographer, Melissa Mills. I have worked with her on several occasions here and here. When I came across her amazing images for the wedding of Kendel + Tim, I just had to share. Yes yes a bit different for me as I am not a wedding blog, but these are too good. And I do get inquiries from readers re Hawkes Bay based wedding photographers. So if you are in the market for a photographer, Melissa is you gal.
 





Incredibly natural photos which is exactly what I love. The most amazing light, a beautiful bride and groom and im a wee bit bias as my brother in law is in the bridal party also. Be sure to touch base with Melissa here if you are looking for photographer for any wedding or family photos. Super talented is all that I can say.

Happy Wednesday.

Amy x

Biasol Design Studio X Duffle & Co

 
Morning to you all. I trust that all is going swell. I am busy getting everything finalised for the event that I am hosting next Sunday with Opera Kitchen. I am very much looking forward to Claudia of Father Rabbit speaking to us about running a successful business here in New Zealand. See flyer for more details above.
 



 

 
First up this morning, I have been admiring the work of Biasol Design Studio for some time now. The Melbourne based, internationally recognised company are known for working with a holistic approach, allowing them to tackle the  hardest of challenges. The work that I admire of there's is in hospitality. Always on the look out for amazing café designs, Lucky Penny by Biasol Design Studio ticks all of the boxes for me.
 

 
 
 
 
And secondly, I am pretty mad about leather and in particular, tan coloured leather. Im always on the hunt for great leather products. I am also always on the hunt for cool presents for the husband. So when I came across these guys, Duffle & Co, it was a win win all around. I am head over heels for these two above overnight bags. Handcrafted in India using 100 % leather, these bags are an absolute timeless classic. And believe it or not, AMAZINGLY priced considering the time and materials invested. I will definitely be grabbing one of these for my husband and filling it with goodies for Christmas. (Yes I know, I know, long time away! One can plan ahead right?)

Amy x

Annabell Kutucu

I have always adored Annabell Kutucu hence the reason I am head over heels for this newly transformed apartment in Vienna...