Bliss in a Teacup for Tiny Eyes: She's Here!

I am so excited to announce that the Bliss in a Teacup for Tiny Eyes doll is here and she is a beaut! I am completely thrilled at how she has turned out, it's even better than I imagined and the hand dyed fabric worked exactly as I'd hoped. You can see all the dolls over here on the Tiny Eyes Facebook page and be amazed by Dee's handiwork. Seriously, so so clever. I am blown away by the level of detail that both Dee has worked at, as well as the various designers who created little accessories to go with their dolls. I can't even imagine sewing the mini brooch or stuffed cat that Rhiannon and Emma made, glueing up mini records was about enough for my limited patience for fiddly things. It's hard to pick a favourite, but I have fallen pretty hard for Melissa's Kapa Haka girl.

The dolls are on display at Walton Street cafe in Te Awamutu today and tomorrow if you're in the area, or if not you can always follow along at Dee's Instagram feed - the displays are pretty great. If you'd like to get your hands on one of these beauties, they're going up for auction this Friday over here. Make sure you join the event to nab one!

Snaps.

1. At the florists picking up a birthday bunch. 2. Ursula would be happy for Richard to work a nightshift forever if it meant someone was always in bed. 3. Peak Hour in Maraekakaho (har har). 4 & 5. When the lovely Morven from Antipodes saw on Instagram that I was taking part in a 10 day sugar cleanse, she offered to ship me a case of beautiful sparkling water. 6. Some custom bookmarks for favours and place settings at a fancy party (more on this to come!) 7. Babysitting. The sweetest. 8. New boots for winter, grey suede numbers that I have fallen in love with. 

A few recent iPhone snaps due to busyness and leaving my camera at a friends place for a couple of weeks. They're all taken with the VSCO Cam, an app I have been really loving using lately. The filters are really beautiful and the journal is full of inspiration and tutorials I'm super keen to try out. Happy Monday!

Winter Solstice

The weather here in New Zealand has left no doubts that we're deep in the middle of winter, as did how dark it was this morning when I drove to pick Richard up from his nightshift. For the non-local readers, half the country is covered in snow and the rest of us are battling insane winds or rain. Or both. I've moved my workstation to the dining table to be close to the fire and am planning an inside only weekend. Secretly a bit excited about it, to be honest.

Here's some bits + pieces to keep you warm and inspired over the weekend!

- Beet Bourguignon. I made this winter warmer a couple weeks ago with some garlic mashed potato and it was delicious! Next time I might add some mushroom ketchup or a bit of soy sauce to give it a bit more of a savoury flavour, but other than that it's perfect. Chargrilling the mushrooms before adding them to the stew is genius.

- When I saw a sneak peek on the Boots & Pine Facebook page of the Robber Spring/Summer lookbook I was so excited to see the finished product. What a dream team! It came out today and it did not disappoint. I love that they've used sets of real-life best friends, so many babes. Check it out here!

- Remember how I've been looking for the perfect knitted sweater? Well, Elizabeth at Primoeza creates the most beautiful knitted garments. I love following her Instagram, too. It's full of inspiring images and has a really calm, soothing vibe.

- The Hairpin has been really hitting out of the park lately (did you read the post on eating very specific feelings? So funny.) and these two posts were particularly good. Six Fairytales for the Modern Woman: These themes, numbers 1 & 2 in particular, came up a lot when I was teaching at high school. Lots of girls were amazed that I didn't have kids or that I had kept my last name or that I didn't think getting married was the most important life goal to have. What I tried to share with them, and what I love about this post, is that there is a range of different things you can do with your life. That being a decent, well-rounded and fulfilled person is what is important and that there are many, many ways of that happening without a prince. Secondly, an Interview with a Person Who's Mom Came Out of the Closet: The interviews are one of my favourite things on The Hairpin. I really enjoy the casual, conversational style that really emphasises the humanity of the interviewee and subject - and in this case the normalcy.

- 30 Days of Desserts. Need I say more? Also, lots of these are either sugar, dairy or gluten free, or a combination of all three so there is something for everyone. Bon appetit!

Living Doll

I'm running a little behind on my doll plans for the Tiny Eyes Winter Collaboration, mostly due to indecision and trying to edit down some of the many different ideas I've got mulling about. Even though I've been saying this same thing for a couple of days now, tonight I plan to sit down and do a final drawing out of my doll. I've got some fabric that needs dyeing and then it will be all bundled off to Dee - I can't wait to see her work her magic!

Once I moved past the theme of 'clothes I want' I decided to write down the things that motivate Richard and I as we design for Bliss in a Teacup, and how we want our work to be perceived. I found myself leaning towards natural materials, fibres and textiles. To tradition and handcraft that speaks of warmth and comfort. All with a modern simplicity. Of course there's a little hippiness, and a little witchy women in there, too. I've collected some of my favourite pieces of inspiration here to show you. Pop over to my board to see more!

sri threads // shabd // arts & science // an ambitious project collapsing // victor meeussen 

wiksten valentine dress // orchid grey // one mystery