December: What I'm Loving + Local Gift Guide
Lockdown has come with it’s downfalls, but if anything good has come out of it, it has been the opportunity to explore new routines and find new local brands that have emerged over the past year. I have become particularly fond of a few new local products, and I love knowing the story or person behind the business. It’s become more important to me now to support aligned businesses with an authentic background or brand story. Here are a few I love (and potentially some gift ideas for the festive season).
Started by a local wahine Ella, shared that she started to wear her boyfriend’s clothing during lockdown and loved the way it felt. So she designed her own range, a unisex approach to activewear.
After doing a pottery course with the lovely Sophie Lemaire-Sicre at The Village earlier this year, I fell in love with her unique and hands on approach to pottery. Her range is so beautiful, and Sophie hosts great pottery classes that are very intuitive and fun.
Her studio is based in Grey Lynn.
Check out her range here.
I use this incense in the healing room and love it for it’s smokeless incense, beautiful authentic scents and it’s home roots from Japan.
Previously I purchased it from local store Everyday Needs, but now Senko Incense have come to NZ and have a range of beautiful incense holders, cones and sticks.
This incense is also in this month’s Self Care Giveaway so make sure you enter to win some for yourself!
Local designer has made this stunning top called NOIRE with handmade pearls in collaboration from Tansey and Portfolio.
“Cut on the bias from a delicate black crepe, with a plunging V neckline and with contrasting white satin piping, this top is built for everyone.
It’s pièce de rèsistance? The 18k gold-filled wire, dotted with fresh water pearls, draped along your back. It also has two gold-filled clasps so it's detachable for washing and you can even turn it into a necklace. We love nothing more than versatility! “
It’s a delicious mash up of textures in a super classic colourway and the December dress-up you need and deserve.
Local girls Jessica Clarke and Emily Blanchett have created a beautiful way to have adaptogenic mushrooms. “Founders Emily Blanchett and Jessica Clarke, old high-school friends were inspired to start Mother Made after spending time in isolation where they had time to reflect on what was really important to wellness and to the environment.”
“We wanted to create a health and beauty brand that made us feel and look better that was uncomplicated and conscious of the planet. We experienced functional mushrooms in LA, London, New York and Australia where they already have gained massive attention for their support in a healthy immune system, optimal wellbeing and a normal stress response. Mushrooms have been valued by many cultures for over 2000 years and for good reason.”
Grace Cryer is a local friend, just returned from Sydney and bringing with her, her amazing new hat brand Grace Street.
All Grace Street pieces are made with love using repurposed and vintage textiles, which not only evokes nostalgia, but also allows each piece to be unique and environmentally kind.
“Grace Street Sun Hats are intended to be your summer companion and I hope you love yours as much as I’ve loved bringing Grace Street to life.”
Here’s to many long, balmy Summer days ahead.
These beautiful towels, are not available for sale yet - but you bet they will be pretty popular when they are released in December!
There’s nothing like a beautifully designed towel to finish off the end of a big swim during summer.
This will also be a great gift for those mums, sisters, friends for Christmas.
Give the gift of health this Christmas! Two friends and local Wahines are delivering the goods when it comes to the most delicious, Cold Pressed Juice. I can vouch for this delicious liquid gold, and would recommend this cleanse to anyone - even those brand new to the cleanse experience.
Each juice is naturopathically designed to be offering you the best nutrient dense drinks to give your body a reset and detox.
Melanie is based in Wellington and created this range to provide an alternative to fragrance. “This is really is at the core of what we do and essential oils are the common element in all our products. I was introduced to them by a friend over 25 years ago and they are so beautiful to work with. Creating blends that not only smell divine but offer therapeutic qualities as well, is so rewarding. I also chose to use coconut wax in my candles which is completely clean-burning with no additives or chemicals added whatsoever. Despite it being slightly trickier to work with, once I’ve discovered it I couldn’t go back to using other waxes. It really does look good enough to eat.”
Poet Botanicals is also featuring in my Self Care giveaway this month so keep your eyes peeled!
Happy Christmas shopping and remember to support local when possible.
Olivia x