favourite things #3

Organic bananas. If you're dubious that organic doesn't taste any better then non organic.... then get your laughing gear around one of these... and be prepared to have your taste buds prove you wrong. Liberty seem to have the cheapest all year round $2.99 kilo from memory.

Salt water sandals. In red. From here. Couldn't resist after seeing these three ladies sporting theirs. Douglas sandals here in NZ also do similarly cool sandals and slides here and Soul sandals in Hamilton do some nice styles too.

Burt's bees lip balm. Feels a little like chapsick and better than Lucas paw paw but without the nasty petrochemicals. Tastes/smells divine. Works well when all the other hippy stuff slides straight off. They have quite a big range available at most Life chemists. Men will go for this stuff too as it's not got a lot of shine.

favourite things #2

I am an op shop whore to the core, and an eco consciousness lass too, but I still have the tendency to go weak in the knees for things of exquisite hand crafted beauty, usually procured at considerable expense.

So, in appreciation for hand crafted finery, made to the highest quality and standards...

here are a few acquisitions that are making my heart sing...

Paton's delicious crepe wool. $7 a ball.

Long lasting quality, smooth finish and less likely to pill than ordinary 4 ply.

Knits like butter on a pair of steel needles.

Why would I ever knit with anything else again?

Shown here in a deep slate grey/ liquorice. A spring Cardigan for the wee lass.

Issac Ibbotson earrings. Sterling silver forged and beaten to perfection. A birthday gift from my man. Available here. I am an earring addict and since the arrival of this pair, several months ago, all my other pairs have been relegated to the back of my drawer.

I have several pieces made by Issac. They are contemporary takes on timeless classics.

His swamp Kauri rings are quite something to behold.

Deep mahogany brown oiled biker boots.

Handmade in Italy by these folk.

The anatomy of this boot is exceptional. Balanced yet edgy. Modern straps fastened with stainless studs and slightly Victorianesque with the curved edge detail on the toe cap. They are my new ten year pair of boots (that's how long my last pair lasted me) and I'm planning on getting at least that out of these gorgeous puppies.

An expedited lay-by from here.

Much could be said about attempts to reverse the trend of cheap, toxic and badly designed and disposable purchases, and efforts to support businesses whose ethos is built on sustainability. But, there is never any moral high ground on such matters and so I try to simplify the dilemma by sticking to these rules...

Never buy on impulse. Question the need. Consider longevity. Where possible it ought to be maintainable and repairable. Function before form (but only just!) Buy once and buy right (within your means).

After all, there is nothing quite like the smell of a long loved piece of leather and the characteristics of metal worn smooth over time. Patinas that develop given the chance. A measured materialism, with an heirloom approach.

What are your favourite things?

favourite things

From now on there will be regular postings showcasing the various 'favourite things' that I have in my life. They will be things that I cherish daily and feel I couldn't possibly live without in order to qualify. Suffice to say, they will be accolades of relatively superficial things, things I could live without in theory, but in reality would flatly refuse any suggestion to do so, as their pleasures and joys are too great to go without.

First up for this week we have.. this will be a contentious one.. some of you will shriek and cringe... be warned.. but there is cuteness...

Insane amounts of this particular peanut butter. Not just any will do. It has to be Pikos's own special blend of organic peanuts (no other ingredients) roasted with their skins on to a chunky consistency. And it has to be smeared on in an almost half inch thick spread. With butter.

Twice daily at least. Toast, cruskets, crackers, in the groove of celery. The whole family is hooked. This jar lasts us a month and costs as shown $14.20. We used to get a dollar refund on the jars but without expressing anger and getting political that doesn't happen any more... But we still luuurvveeeee it. A lot. Actually given a bigger budget I would have almond, and cashew butters too. I think this kind of nutty protein is vital somehow for my constitution. Dont get me started on Tahini.

Miso soup. 

Salty. Refreshing. Uplifting. Better than another coffee or if its too early to drink.

Pretty bowls optional but recommended.

Supermarket bought individual packets or the tubs of Amano miso from Piko are the ones I use. Granted I don't know enough about miso to claim to be a connoisseur but I have tried the various Amano varieties, both red and white and they all hit the spot.

The kids are getting their heads around it slowly. The seaweed still spooks them out and its a hot drink that doesnt go down as well cold.

Lastly (they wont always be food related)...

Dark and strong doesn't last long.

Eat at room temperature. Be stealthy and hide it in your nicker draw if you must.

Richfields is one of my favourites. The squares are easy to snap with fingers, and its silky on the tongue. Whittakers is a bit too dry for me. Green and Blacks a close second.

And then there's serious boutique varieties. Mr bought me a set of darks from different cocoa plantations, which made for subtle detectable differences, gorged slowly with great awareness. That was truly ambrosia.