Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we know how important it is to pick out a thoughtful card and gift for that special someone. Or in some cases how adding that extra special something and wrapping your gift just the way you pictured it.

We’ve put together a gift guide to help inspire you for February 14. Here’s a selection of some items for that big day all available for purchase from our shop!

1. Full of Hearts, Gift Wrap Kit  – $21.00 NZD
2. Love you Long Time, Gift Tags – $6.75 NZD
3. Puppy Love, Gift Card – $6.00 NZD
4. Stay Awesome, Notepad - $12.00 NZD
5. Full of Hearts, Cupcake Toppers – $12.00 NZD
6. Perpetual Calendar – $28.00 NZD
7. You are my Superhero, Note Cards – $13.50 NZD
8. Love you Sunshine, Print - $25.00 NZD
9. Full of Hearts, Favour Bags – $10.00 NZD

I have a soft spot for products made locally. When you combine that soft spot with cooking and beautiful packaging – things get can get a bit crazy! Over the past year, I’ve been lucky enough to meet Jo from Bees Blessing. And I can guarantee she is as delightful as all their products!

Tonight I made an absolutely delicious marinade for our chicken made with their latest treasure: Lemon & Thyme.  I’ve never tasted anything so tender and full of flavour – it was absolutely fantastic. The chicken tenderloins were only marinaded for 30 minutes before being grilled. Here is what I made this evening (give or take).

1/4 cup Bees Blessing
3 Tbs soy sauce
2 tsp fresh ginger
2 Tbs fresh garlic
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp dried coriander

The chicken was served along side a large green salad made out of:

baby spinach
basil
sundried tomato feta
sundried tomatoes
pine nuts
sunflower seeds

Look for Bees Blessing in a cafe or store near you and make sure to pick it up on your next shop!  I guarantee you won’t regret it!

Happy Tuesday everyone, how was your weekend? Mine was wonderfully relaxing, going down to Wanaka for a mini holiday, enjoying the beautiful views and also working on making Toodles Noodles ribbon bundles next to a roaring fire – the perfect combo!

With the holiday season quickly approaching I thought this would be a great time to introduce some great gift finds to the blog – this week we have The Little White Box, by Renee Coombe, located in Ardmore, New Zealand.

Their philosophy revolves around the little things that provide comfort and character that help make a house your home, and we hope that their handmade wares find a place in your heart.

With each piece being handmade and hand painted you will never find two items exactly the same which makes these beautiful ceramic items a lovely gift this holiday season.  I’ve personally been eyeing up the tea pot for my new home and purchased the lovely doves for my sister-in-law – aren’t they to die for?!

Their items make great cooking, baking, entertaining, housewarming gifts this holiday season – and are of course New Zealand made!  I do hope you love Renee’s work as much as I do, and if you have any suggestions for the next holiday gift post, do let us know! x