Black Swan Blog

Brand spanking new cute little filigree earrings are making their debut in the blackswan felt shop today!
They’re NZ$19.00 per pair, and available in four colourways; semi-translucent black, white and blue, and mirror finish acrylic. Hooray for new things!

If only it were like this in real life, instead of endless hours in front of the computer screen! Although, I guess apple Z would be kind of tricky… (click on the image for some behind the scenes pics on flickr, for a sense of scale).

Bicycle, bicycle, I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike!

I’ve had Queen’s song rattling around in my head for the last few days, ever since I picked up my new bicycle, on loan from a friend while she’s overseas. It’s been quite a novelty biking to work, as I haven’t been on a bike for over 10 years(!), and I’m enjoying the leisurely commute into the central city despite the erratic Spring showers. The photo above, taken in Oamaru, actually sums up quite nicely two of my favourite things at the moment, as my other recent addiction is custard buns from Japan’s Bakery on Gloucester St. Hopefully all the cycling will help to offset the buns!

I’m also getting excited about Frocks on Bikes coming up next month! Oct 24th was meant to be another appearance at Craft 2.0 in Wellington for the black swan, but unfortunately (or perhaps somewhat fortuitously) due to air fares that have doubled in price since the last trip, it’s now going to consist of an afternoon cycling around town in a frock and heels! You can find more info about the event at www.frocksonbikes.org.

And for fellow bike nuts, check out the super stylish bikes from Pashley in the UK, how to look good on a bike at Cycle Chic from Copenhagen, or these cute keep calm prints from Pleasebestill…

Christchurch seems to be settling into some lovely Springtime weather now, and with vibrant colours blooming all over the place I decided to satisfy my girly urges and add a stack of botanical photographs to my stock library. I’ve been hanging out in particular to take some kowhai photos, as I wasn’t quick enough last year to catch them in flower, and this year I just happen to be living in a house where there’s a tree right outside my window! Complete with regular little feathered visitors…

The Botanical Gardens are also gorgeous at the moment, awash with colour everywhere you look. I popped in the other day on a “work” related trip (honest!) but have to admit I did get a tad distracted…

And a touch of pink in amongst the yellow, while I’m being all girly…