Boy, it's been a while since I've done a "favourite finds" blog post, but I've been really busy pinning, posting, saving, coveting, discovering, watching and learning, so there's lots to show you. Friday seems like the perfect day to share some of these things with you, and you may even decide to try or check them out for yourself over the weekend.
I recently pinned this gorgeous kitchen and shared it on Facebook. The beautiful Morris & Co wallpaper was originally designed in 1876, but still looks amazing in this modern day space. I love it teamed with the crisp white tiles - green and white is a favourite kitchen colour combo of mine, it's so fresh. The wood and copper accents help to bring out the blush of the flowers. Old and new, it's the way to go.
In my job I use a camera a lot to take 'before' and 'after' photos of our clients' spaces, as well as pics for our Instagram feed. We have a large SLR camera that we use for work purposes, but more often than not it's just my iPhone that gets used for everyday snaps. I recently came across the Olympus Pen E-PL7, and it's now high on my wish list.
As well as looking super cute, it's small and compact enough to carry in my handbag, while serious enough to take some great photos. The LCD screen flips down, and can be turned around around making it the perfect selfie accessory (not that I'm a selfie kinda gal).
Definitely my favourite new app is PocketYoga. For just over NZ$5 you can download the app to your phone and/or tablet and be ready to practice your yoga anytime, anywhere. I absolutely love it! You can choose between different practices, different durations and different difficulty levels. Wherever you are, home or away, just roll out your yoga mat, make your selections and you're ready to go. With soothing background music, let a calm voice talk you through the practice. Once downloaded you don't need wifi to use the app, so it's great to take on holiday with you.
I came across these wise words earlier this week and I knew I had to share them with you. So true, and such good advice. Make sure you follow this link and read them all.
Every year on my birthday, I always ask for the same thing - no fighting from my kids, and pizza and bubbles for dinner (I'm easy to please). This Friday Night Pizza is the best, and since it's Friday you should make it tonight - everyone will love you for it. If you live in Napier, pop into Vetro for your prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, and other cheeses. They also sell the delicious Pizza Pazzi bases. Or if you can't be bothered cooking, just buy the whole thing from Pizza Pazzi.
If I'm not drinking bubbles with my pizza (sometimes I'm the responsible driver) I'll be drinking my new favourite, Höpt Soda. My friend Mandy introduced me to it, and it's so delicious. I like to pour mine into a wine glass or one of our crystal tumblers, and have even tried it with a splash of gin (when I'm not the driver, of course) - yum! There are four delicious flavours. I have now tried them all and my favourite is Pear & Basil.
I'm currently saving for a pair of Juliette Hogan Japanese Denim Ankle Jeans. I'm a huge JH fan, and these jeans are the perfect length, just above the ankle. They look fab with heels, ankle boots, sneakers, and even my fave pair of Havianas. Can't wait to get them in my wardrobe.
Last on my list to share with you today are my two latest TV obsessions. I had heard a lot of hype about the series Breaking Bad, so over the holidays I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I'm now midway into season 3 and am well and truly hooked. Sometimes I cringe, but you just have to keep watching to see what happens.
And new to TV One and OnDemand is the series Blindspot. We've only seen one episode so far, but already I love it, and am intrigued to see the mysteries unravel each week. Check it out this weekend, and let me know your thoughts on it (and any of my favourite finds).
It's all over people! The Block Villa Wars had their live auction on Sunday night and all four houses sold, leaving each team with over $100,000 profit - fantastic! Before we get to that, here's a quick recap of the final reveal - the front yard.
Cat and Jeremy: 1st place | 18 points
The double bay windows at the front of Cat and Jeremy's house create a lovely, grand entrance, and it looks fab leading around the side of the house to the outdoor room. It was nice for these guys to finish on a bang with one more win, giving them the most room wins this season - five in total.
Brooke and Mitch: 2nd place | 15.5 points
Brooke and Mitch's front yard is a pretty good representation of what you'll find inside - simple, clean and tidy. It looks really smart, in fact all of the houses have fantastic street appeal.
Sarah and Minanne: 3rd place | 14.5 points
Sarah and Minanne's house colour - Dulux Pukaki - was my favourite. The soft blue grey looks gorgeous with the white trim, and it's pretty without being overly feminine.
Jamie and Hayden: 4th place | 11.5 points
Last again, but I struggle to see the 4 points difference between their front yard and Brooke and Mitch's. Anyway, congrats to all of the teams for finishing and doing so well at auction, it was such a great result.
I was really happy to see Cat and Jeremy win the People's Choice award, which saw them take away, not only the golden hammer, but also the Honda Jazz RS Sport Limited. I love these two, they remained positive and unflappable throughout the whole crazy experience.
But it was Brooke and Mitch, whose house was auctioned first, who made the most money over their reserve - $1.35 million, making them New Zealand's season four winners. The $190,000 they get to keep over their reserve price, and the extra $100,000 prize money, means they can go ahead with their move to Queenstown. Congratulations!
I was so pleased to see Jamie and Hayden's house sell successfully for $1.335 million, earning them $160,000, and second equal place. I was most nervous for them as their home was the most controversial, but they stuck to their guns and designed a home that represented their style - well done.
Cat and Jeremy sold their house for $1.320 million, also $160,000 over their reserve price, which meant they came second equal with Jamie and Hayden. That's an amazing deposit for a house in their home town of Taranaki.
Last, but not least (except in stature), Sarah and Minanne sold their home for $1.272 million leaving them with $123,000 in prize money. Coming in last didn't dampen their spirits in the least, and why would it when they walk away with that much money.
This season saw such a high standard of homes and it was reflected in the prize money the teams all won. Does that tempt you to sign up for season 5? Go on, I can't wait to see you.
Wowza, a lot went down on The Block Villa Wars last week. It was pretty huge with contestants needing to completely finish their interiors, which included their kitchen, dining room, and their entrance. Somewhere in the middle of all that craziness, Sarah's boyfriend arrived looking dapper and got down on one knee to propose - so sweet! Then a bombshell was dropped when not one, but two teams were disqualified from kitchen and dining reveal. More about that later, first to the entrances...
Entrance - Cat and Jeremy: 1st place | 18 points
Cat and Jeremy had the largest entranceway and they created a beautiful first impression with panelling on the walls and a statement art piece by Trent Davis on the far wall, which is framed by the doorway.
I love the panelling, it adds subtle texture, and the shadows cast by the light adds subtle pattern. Each team had to use a rug they'd made in a previous challenge, and although none of them are very nice (sorry guys), a rug is a great addition to an entrance, leading you into the home.
Entrance - Brooke and Mitch: 2nd place | 17.5 points
It's nice to see Brooke and Mitch using a statement piece of art. The trio of lights and the character villa features are beautiful.
Something's not quite working for me with the console table and the art. I love the idea, but they seem to be fighting a bit, and the styling on the table is too small and bitsy. Perhaps a large solid vase picking up one of the colours in the painting would've been better.
Entrance - Sarah and Minanne: 3rd place | 14 points
There's a big jump between the top two teams' scores and the bottom two, and I'm not sure that it's justified. Although a little bare, Sarah and Minanne's hallway was really nice. I would've painted the front door a nice bright colour. That wouldn't have cost them much (and I know money is tight), but would've created a bit of 'wow'.
Once again the villa details are gorgeous, and I like their choice of light. A long Armadillo runner and a huge piece of art would make this hallway look amazing - that's what I would add if I was to buy this house.
Entrance - Jamie and Hayden: 4th place | 13 points
Once again, is that a harsh score? I think Jamie and Hayden's entrance and hallway should've scored higher if you're comparing them to the top teams. I do think those dark floorboards are going to be super hard to keep clean, but the David Trubridge light and the round mirror are great.
I also like the bench seat - they look great and are super handy in an entrance for putting your shoes on and off. They styling on the bench is a bit under whelming though.
Kitchen/Dining - Brooke and Mitch: 1st place | 19.5 points
Brooke and Mitch scored the first perfect 10 of the season for their kitchen/dining, the judges loved it. The wood is a nice contract to the white and adds warmth. I like the open shelves, that's a great place to style some favourite bits and pieces. We have very similar in our own kitchen (see more below).
The dining table is bespoke, built by Brooke and Mitch's builder and gifted to them, but this is what got them disqualified, as it's against the rules. Their builders are allowed to make furniture for them but they must pay for their labour and the materials.
Kitchen/Dining - Cat and Jeremy: 2nd place | 17.5 points
It's lovely to see how the houses all flow now that they're complete. Cat and Jeremy re-did their fireplace from living room week, and it looks so much nicer tiled in a white brick look. They continued the tiles on their kitchen splash back.
Unfortunately the tiles are what caused Cat and Jeremy to also be disqualified. They used a New Plymouth tiler, and to help them out he only charged them $1. I can see why these rules need to be enforced, otherwise all the teams will start to do similar things and what is the point in having a budget. What do you think?
Kitchen/Dining - Sarah and Minanne: 3rd place | 16.5 points
Although they came third on the leaderboard, Sarah and Minanne walked away with the $5,000 this week, which they desperately needed. Of course they would've preferred to have won the money fair and square, but I really like their kitchen and they deserve a win.
I love the choice of pendant lights, and the tiles add some subtle pattern and texture. The bench top ties in with their bathrooms, and there is a lovely flow between the indoor and outdoor cooking areas.
Kitchen/Dining - Jamie and Hayden: 3rd place | 7.5 points
We sort of knew this low scoring was going to happen, even Jamie and Hayden said the judges would hate their kitchen. They haven't backed down from their bold style, and the splash back was certainly controversial.
I think the black cabinetry is pretty cool, and although I love the braveness of the splash back, I don't actually love it myself. I worry that they will have limited buyers on auction day as they are appealing to a younger market who may not be able to afford the house. I hope they prove me wrong as I'd love to see them walk away with some cash at the end of this.
Now this final pic is my own kitchen. Don't you think Brooke and Mitch's open cabinets, Cat and Jeremy's high wooden shelf, and Sarah and Minanne's hexagon splash back could all merge together to look like mine? :)
