Monday, September 19, 2011

Awesome New Boon Colours

We just adore Boon inc products here at Naked Baby!


I was so excited when I some some sneak previews of the new colours and packaging.  And now that they are here I just cant stop looking at them. 


They look fabulous on our studio shelves, and from the moment we popped them up on the website they started to fly out, so I know you love them as much as I do!












Thursday, August 25, 2011

Food Glorious Food

Ok time for me to make a naughty confession, I just cant help it, I love (no ADORE) watching Jamie Oliver cook.  I am not sure whether its just because I am fantasizing about someone cooking for me or the fact that he makes food look so good!

I have been working my way through his cookbooks lately and I am just obsessed with his sirloin steak and bok choi recipe.  So healthy and easy but tastes like heaven!

Anyway I am starting this diet that helps with Polycystic Ovaries.  I went on this diet to help get pregnant with Kahu and hubby and I have decided no 2 is not going to happen without help.  I have never really been a dieter or watched what I eat... Like I am totally obsessed with pasta, and this is definite no-no in my new diet.

I figure that by writing about it on this blog it might help me stick to the diet, it is after all for a good cause.  I am going to write up my weekly meals here with links to where I get the recipes just in case anyone else is looking for meal inspiration!

Basicially I have to get rid of all estrogen causing foods like potatoes, rice, wheat, sugar, banana's to name a few.  The whole diet is pretty much food from the garden and land and nothing processed. 

Tonights meal inspiration comes from the yummy bucket of carrots we got given from hubby's parent's vege garden.  Carrot and Coriander soup. (ps I will pop some bread in the breadmaker for the boys, but I will give it a miss!).  For the chicken stock when we have a roast chicken I always boil the bones with a few left over veges and then freeze it for soups!



http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7003/carrot-and-coriander-soup

Monday, August 1, 2011

UbaBub... I am in love!

I have been coveting Ubabub cots for a while... I must say I adore them.  They are the funkiest cots I have seen and I am sure they will be a treasured item passed down the generations... now all I need is another baby to put in it!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Long weekend here I come!

Wow what a busy and eventful week.  I dont mind saying that I am more than ready for this long weekend!

Mr & Mrs weather, can you please provide, warm days, lots of sunshine and no wind.  Child & Hubby, can you look after yourselves, and maybe even bring me breakfast in bed after a nice sleep in.  Shops can you provide me lots of things to observe through your windows as I aimlessly wander past, thinking about nothing in particular.

I hope that your weekend is as awesome as I am dreaming mine to up to be!


Awesome queenstown photography by Simon Myers! Check out his site! 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Bright new day!

Well after my disastrous day yesterday (which believe it or not actually got worse after I blogged about it), today seems like the light at the end of the tunnel!

We managed to get all household chores done without incident, had a great playdate and even managed to get out for a walk in the glorious sunshine!  The boy is sound asleep and I a managing to catch up on some emails and orders from yesterday and today.  Phew... huge sigh of relief.

I even got a chance to make myself some yummy lunch... anything other than eating on the run is usually considered nothing short of a miracle in this house.

I am loving omelette's at the moment.  Just nice and simple with mozarella (dripping of course) and some yummy herbs out of my garden.  Here's how I do mine!

  • 3 fresh free-range eggs 
  • Tablespoon of water
  • Sea salt
  • 1 tsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbs chopped fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, basil, marjoram 
  1. Lightly whisk eggs and water in a bowl. Season with sea salt and some freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Place the butter and oil in an omelette pan or a small frying pan over medium-high heat (the oil prevents the butter from burning as the pan needs to be quite hot). When the butter starts to froth, add the egg mixture and, as the base begins to cook, use a fork to draw it aside and allow the uncooked egg to run beneath.
  3. Continue doing this until the omelette is set but still soft.
  4. Scatter the herbs on top, then grate some yummy mozzarella cheese, fold over one side of the omelette and carefully ease onto a plate. (I like to pop mine under a grill to really melt the cheese!)

    If your day has been really crappy a nice glass of wine and some good bread, makes this the best lunch ever!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Kitchen - What I am dreaming of!

As well as running Naked Baby, my little company.  I dream of being an interior designer (just for fun!).  I just love our old house we bought and although she is run down and was neglected over the years, we have been dreaming of the way she will look when are finished. 

We are saving up our pennies and dreaming up ideas for our new kitchen. 

I have found such a cool idea on Design Sponge, turning some old Mason jars into some very funky lighting.  I can tell I will be scouring Trademe over the next couple of months to find some cool old bottles and create something similar for our feature lighting. 

There are so many awesome ideas out there creating some funky one off pieces out of trash! One person's trash another's treasure!



Days like today...

Last night my husband and I tucked in our much loved little boy... this morning we woke up to, hmm how to put this nicely, a monster child.  He smiled sweetly and greeted us with the usual "hi mummy", "hi daddy" and we both got one of his amazing cuddles, that makes us both melt. Little did we know that this adorable little boy was soon about to change...

It started with the breakfast I lovingly made being thrown on the floor.  The washing I folded, tipped and dragged all over the living room.  The clothes I put away, pulled out and dragged all over the floor.  The freshly made beds, now look worse than they did when I started.  The handbag I packed with nappies, snacks and whatever else we mums cart round dispatched to "better" places.  Cars being "crashed" into walls.  His entire bedroom being thrown down the stairs (maybe a slight exaggeration here but not far from the truth). Toilet paper being unraveled.  And the list goes on.

Anyway we finally made it our Plunket check up, with the house more or less tidy and handbag in tact.  The Plunket nurse asked all the usual questions.  How is he developing?  Is he speaking well?  Eating properly? Putting on weight? Behavior normal? etc etc. I respond with everything seems to be progressing well, and sprouted on about what a great little guy I had and how well he was learning, you know the proud mum!

She sweetly smiles at me asks if we can weigh and measure him... Well this signals my child to again turn into a monster.  He promptly tells the nurse "No I am not taking my clothes off, I am leaving".  As he throws himself screaming at the door I try and coax him in numerous ways to take his kit off and get on the scales.  He went stiff, then threw himself all over the floor telling me to "leave him alone" and "go away".  Anyway you get the picture, he screamed the place down.  At this point I am now more than slightly embarrassed.  I quickly get his clothes on and apologise and try to make a hasty exit.  The very patient nurse asks the monster if he would like a toothbrush?  He turns around, stops crying, smiles sweetly at her, takes the toothbrush and says "Thank you toothbrush lady, of see you later".  Tantrum forgotten, he happily walks out the door with his new prize and tells everyone he meets on the way out "Thank you toothbrush, see you next time", smiling like he is this well mannered, angelic child. 

Now I am sitting here, silently hoping that those noises coming from his room will soon stop, so I can get some work done.  The joys of being a stay at home mum running a business!  Days like today test my patience, make me want to run screaming for the hills and down a whole bottle of wine! 

Monday, May 30, 2011

Hazel the Humpback!

Looking for a project this winter?  I think I have just found one for you.

Wow I just LOVE this!  I am not a knitter but I think I may need to learn.  I pretty much have to admit that this is the funkiest piece of knitting I have ever seen!



This awesome idea comes from Beck Brittain and you can also download the template to make it as well!

The Measure Designs

The Measure dresses have arrived!  Oh my gosh the wait was certainly worth it!  They are devine.

These are truly statements pieces.  Team them up with merino and knits for winter and then wear with light weight cottons in summer.

I just love clothing ranges that will get passed down, although I can quite imagine, these will be put away for when your daughter grows older as keepsake pieces.  (I am thinking about getting the pinafore framed!)


About The Measure

I believe in little joys and hidden exultations. I believe in climbing trees as much as possible. I believe the ocean is more exhilarating than the Taj Mahal. I believe in the transformative power of clothing, and I strive to give you special pieces you and your daughter will cherish and hold dear.
I try to create clothes that are suitable for playing in the yard as well as visiting grandparents, clothes that walk a fine line between modern and vintage, and will be wearable for years. Most of my dresses are built to grow with your child, becoming a tunic and later a top as they grow taller. Comfort is never sacrificed for unique detailing.

Striving for sustainability, many of my dresses are made with 100% upcycled, repurposed men's button-up shirts. Always offered in colors that are easy to find (white, blue, white and blue stripe, grey, black, and off-white) they are also available in any print an Oxford is made in, depending on the availability in my inventory. I would love to take a treasured piece of Dad, Granddad, or Brother's clothing and transform it into a special heirloom for your little miss, one both you and she will treasure.

http://www.nakedbaby.co.nz/search/?search=the+measure&x=0&y=0

Monday, March 28, 2011

Bathtime fun!

I have been coveting these Frog Pods by Boon for a long time! I am happy to say we now own one and it was totally worth it!  It is so cool, that I have decided Naked Baby needs to stock them.

Kahu loves his new Froggy! I love it too, it not only stores his bath toys, it also holds his bath wash and shampoo AND my bath scrub thingy.  The back of the Frog or scoop as its really called comes of the base of the frog and you can scoop all the toys out of the bath, the water runs off and they dry out! Fabulous.

Here are some piccy's of it in action in our bathroom.

http://www.nakedbaby.co.nz/shop/whats-new/frog-pod/



Thursday, March 24, 2011

Nappy Time

Ok so I have been pretty useless at updating this thing lately!  Not enough hours in the day and increased hostile situation negotiations (full blown 2 year tantrums!) 

Do you have those moments as a parent when you suddenly realise how funny your conversations with your child actually are?

I was full swing into a 1/2 hour heated discussion on the reasons why my son couldn't sit in his pooey nappy all day long and simply must let me change it, when I burst out laughing.  For me "poo wrangling" as I call it is a daily activity.  My son HATES his nappy being changed, he kicks, screams, and worse... grabs the offensive nappy and flings it poo and all across the room.  I need octopus hands. 

Today I thought better I reason with him and tell him all the reasons why he should let me change his nappy, only after 1/2 an hour did I realise how ridiculous my conversation would seem if any other person heard it.  Burst out laughing I did, and so did my son.  These are the moments I love. 

Anway below is a wee piccy of Kahu at his grandparents farm (notice nappyless) and the nappy's which have never looked better, drying in an open paddock!


Friday, February 18, 2011

Bellamy's organic baby food & formula

I just thought I would share a little something about where the idea for Naked Baby came from.  When Kahu was quite young he started to self wean, I found it a really difficult time.  I wanted to give my child the best possible start in life, and even though breastfeeding had started out on a very easy and natural road, at some point he just started not wanting it anymore.  I tried everything, and he screamed, bit me and blatantly refused.  This was distressing for both of us. 

I started pumping breastmilk so that at least he was getting it in some form, and I think with the stress and guilty feelings, the milk just stopped coming, and I couldn't pump anymore.  I went through all kinds of feelings from thinking I was a terrible mother, a failure to my child etc, it took me a while to feel ok about bottle feeding Kahu.  Eventually I decided that the main thing was my baby was getting the right nutrients and felt all the love that I had in my heart for him.

I looked at all the different baby formulas and decided that organic was the only way to go.  I found the brand Bellamy's in Australia and realised it was not available here.  So I decided to start selling it and set up a website.  Of course my ideas grew and Naked Baby developed into a eco baby boutique.

I loved that Bellamy's had a great philosophy behind their brand, as they played a big part in the inspiration for Naked Baby I thought I would share a little about their company as well.


"The Bellamy’s Organic story began almost twenty years ago...

Once upon a time in Tasmania, a new mother and organic farmer, wanted to provide her four children with convenient, nutritious meals that tasted as good as those she could prepare in her own kitchen.  She believed that organic foods are most beneficial for babies and young children as they are vulnerable to harmful substances that might be in their food.  So she set about developing recipes and sourcing ingredients from Australian certified organic food producers, to be prepared into babies' first foods.

The first offerings were Bellamy's Organic Babyrice and Baby Porridge.

Today, Bellamy’s Organic proudly produce a wonderful range of family-friendly cereals, pastas, milk drinks, and snacks.  These include the ever popular toothiepegs teething rusks, freeze-dried Fruit Snacks, and new Pinkies fruit bars!

Most importantly, it is still a company operated by mums in Tasmania, producing nutritious and convenient food for families."

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Orange & Prune Muffins.... mmmmmm!

 

I had a craving for something sweet today!  I thought it would be fun for Kahu and I to do some baking so we made these.  Oh they are so yummy I am sure that Mr Naked Baby will be having a few when he gets home... I wonder if this means I will get a shoulder rub tonight?

Ingredients
  • 1 orange
  • 1 large egg (We love free range ones!)
  • 1/2 cup sugar (this is optional)
  • 1/2 cup of dried chopped prunes
  • 125g Butter
  • 1/2 cup of plain yoghurt (I added some honey)
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
Preheat oven to 200
Grate rind into blender, take off bitter white orange pith, then roughly chop the rest of the orange.
Add orange flesh, egg and sugar into the blender (or food processor) adn mix for approx 2 mins, until smooth.  Add prunes, butter, yoghurt and milk, pulse a few times.
Pour mixture into a bowl, sift flour, baking soda and baking powder and combine, mixing well.
Bake for 15-18 mins until golden brown adn well cooked, Cool in tin before serving.

*can substitute prunes for sultanas or the like

Check out the rest of our recipes at www.nakedbaby.co.nz

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Naked Baby Headquarters!

Here is a little preview of the progress on Naked Baby's new studio!  We are hoping that we will be ready to open our doors at the end of Feb and we will have a little party to celebrate!

Mid painting!  Thanks to my brother and Sarah for donating their time to help paint!

Here is some of our stock, more in there now and this photo is taken before we have put up any of the shelving.

 Touch ups part way through!

We are currently making all the shelving etc out of preloved materials (there are some funky ideas thrown in here!)  I really am excited about it and cant wait to show you all the finished product!

Holiday

I set myself a challenge this holiday, and that was too take and use cloth nappies while on holiday!

I must say other than a few occasions where it was just too difficult things ran rather smoothly.  I had so many comments while out and about when Kahu was flashing his rather cute Tots bots easyfit in their fun summer designs!

We rented a 2 bedroom apartment on the Sunshine Coast (which unfortunately was not so sunny!) so we had a laundry, which made washing nappies easy as!  My parents (who were pro's at the old square numbers) could not believe how nappies had changed and how easy they were to use.  

Kahu did have a go at swimming in them... here is the result! (as you can see there is a reason Tots Bots make swim nappies! But you get an idea of how much liquid these nappies can take! Hee hee)


And below is a sneeky shot of Kahu opening his Christmas present from Nona & Grandad!

 We just love Cloth nappies here at Naked Baby!  Please contact us anytime if you have any questions or have any brands you would like us to try!