Green Living Life Better

Home » Giveaways

Showing posts with label Giveaways. Show all posts

12 Days of Christmas | Winners + Moodboards

As promised, I have put together a list of the 12 Days of Christmas winners. I was blown away by all the entries! Special thanks to those who left lovely messages in their emails and sorry I couldn't reply personally to all of them. Of course I couldn't have done it without all the wonderful companies who participated, along with their generous contributions. I'm sure you'll agree the prizes were all fabulous and I hope that those who were lucky enough to win, gain lots of enjoyment from them!

Kauniste - Sophie Abell, Tracey Currington, Rebecca Barrow
Superette - Tracy Kavanagh
Paper Plane Store - Julia Paraha
The Fairy Light Shop - Fleur Maggs, Angela Smith
MintSix - Saralaya Frost

Tessuti - Lorena Barnes

The Wooden Horse - Emily Burn
Perch Home - Tania Hitchcock

Pencil and Hammer - Kristina Martin
George Art - Mary Rodgers

Indie Home Collective - Jacqueline Johnson
Good Regards - Sharon King, Gretchen Rowe, Frances Sandford

Tuturu Home - Tonya Drabble, Anna Mantell, Mel love
George & Willy - Savanah Ganly
Jamie Kay - Rose Dowall
Koko Classics - Jaimee Viner

I also want to thank my friend, graphic designer Heather Mason, who created the gorgeous 12 Days of Christmas artwork, and to those companies who provided exclusive reader discounts during the series. Remember that the special offers from Paper Plane Store, LET LIV, Pencil and Hammer and Jamie Kay run right through to the 31st of December.

I have a couple of Pinterest moodboards for you today, both of which include pins of our home. It's been pretty cool to see them popping up around the web, via blogs that have shared the Adore Home feature. The level of excitement is growing in our household, with the kids finishing up school and kindy, and we're off to visit Santa today.

I'm looking forward to winding down, spending time with the family and recharging the batteries but I'm also really excited about 2014. This moodboard features my favourite colour palette.

I'll be back tomorrow with some Instagram love!

12 Days of Christmas | Art Print Giveaways!

I hope you're enjoying your weekend. Thanks to those of you who are continuing to check in on the blog. You're certainly onto a good thing, as I have two more lovely giveaways for you today! Back in August I introduced you to Pencil and Hammer, an online art store here in Auckland specialising in typographic art and quirky illustrative prints. The collection is constantly growing, and these new black and white prints are among my current favourites.

To be in to win an A3 print of you choice, email me at steve3star@gmail.com with PENCIL AND HAMMER in the subject line, and let me know your full name. Please note that the print is unframed, and the offer excludes personalised ones. In addition to the giveaway, Pencil and Hammer are offering 10% off all prints, to worldwide readers from now through to the 31st of December 2013, along with free shipping New Zealand-wide. To redeem, enter dcchristmas at checkout. Shop the full collection here, and make sure you sign up to their newsletter to stay in the loop!

These next artworks from George Art are just delightful. Part of a project called Prints George, they have been lovingly created by Auckland mother of two and freelance graphic designer Georgia Williams. Featuring geometric alphabet letters in cute colour combos, layered with sweet little illustrations, I think they would be the perfect addition to any nursery. They would also make a very special Christmas or new baby present!

Signed and dated, the 8" x 10" (unframed) prints are available to purchase on Felt and Etsy. If you'd like to enter the draw to win on of these gorgeous prints in the letter of your choice, simply email me as above with GEORGE ART in the subject line.

Entries close on Wednesday, 11th of December and the winners will be selected via random.org, and contacted via email, so that we can arrange your choice of prints and shipping. All winners will be announced on the blog at the end of the series.

Please note that this competition is open to New Zealand residents only, and that we will do our best to ensure the prizes arrive prior to Christmas.

Update: These giveaways are now closed, and the winners have been notified. Thanks to everyone who entered and to both companies for their generous prizes!

12 Days of Christmas | The Fairy Light Shop Giveaway!

You may have noticed all the fairy lights popping up around my home lately, from photos posted on the blog and Instagram. I've always fancied the look of decorative string lights that you see in Scandinavian interiors, and since discovering The Fairy Light Shop here in Auckland, I've become obsessed! The onset of Christmas has further fuelled my excitement, and I can't wait to share the love with you today.

The Fairy Light Shop was founded by best friends Belinda Gregg and Kristina Ercolano, who together run La Lumiere, a fairy light hire company. Having travelled the world together, Belinda was previously a successful television director and producer in London, while Kristina worked as an Art Director for commercials and feature films. Their combined talents and passion for decorative lights has resulted in them becoming Auckland's leading fairy light hire and design specialists. If you are planning a wedding, corporate event, birthday or any occasion that deserves the magic and romance of decorative lights, then these are the ladies to call!

For those wanting to inject a bit of fun and sparkle into their everyday spaces, indoors or out, The Fairy Light Shop can help. They sell a gorgeous range of lights and lanterns, sourced from around the world, and while Christmas undoubtedly calls for fairy lights, there is no reason why you can't display these lights all year around. I know I will be!

As you can tell from these photos I've taken of our home, the LED Fairy Lights are one of my favourite products. I love how they add a delicate touch of background ambience to any room. The flexibility of the wire, which is available in silver and copper, means you can be as creative as you like, winding them up and over shelves, around pictures, or even stuck to a washi-tape Christmas tree, as we've done above! Also available with a battery pack, there is no limit as to where you use them. The lights are available in white or warm white, and also come in a range of colours.

If you're after something a bit different, take a look at the gorgeous range of Decorative Lights. These cute paper lights are a hit in both my boys' rooms. The Reindeer are perfect for Christmas!

Two more of my favourites include the Orchid Lights and Bamboo Lanterns, which are pictured below, taken during a recent photo shoot at our house for The Fairy Light Shop. Both evoke a feeling of summer, perfect for parties and entertaining, or whenever the mood takes you!

Next on my wishlist is some string lights for outside, around our Pohutukawa tree! All available to purchase online, this is just a taste of what's on offer. To see the full product range, which includes lamp shades, lanterns, outdoor lights, solar fairy lights and string lights, take a look here. To keep up to date with news and products, follow the Fairy Light Shop on Facebook.

As part of our 12 Days of Christmas series, The Fairy Light Shop would like to gift two sets of lights to two lucky readers!

The first name drawn will win a set of the Warm White Silver Lights valued at $59 and the second will win the Bamboo Lanterns valued at $75. To enter, simply email me at steve3star@gmail.com with THE FAIRY LIGHT SHOP in the subject line. Please also let me know your full name. Entries close on Tuesday, 10th of December and the two winners will be selected via random.org, and contacted via email. All winners will be announced on the blog at the end of the series.

Please note that this competition is open to New Zealand residents only, and that we will do our best to ensure the prizes arrive safely, prior to Christmas.

12 Days of Christmas will continue over the coming weekend, so keep an eye out for more fabulous giveaways!

Update: This giveaway is now closed and the winners have been notified. Thanks to everyone who entered and big thanks to the The Fairy Light Shop for the beautiful prizes!

12 Days of Christmas | Paper Plane Giveaway + Exclusive Reader Offer!

It's no secret I love the store Paper Plane, but if you are new to the blog or need reminding, take a look at my interview with them earlier this year. Both a retail store (located in New Zealand's Mt Maunganui) and an online shopping destination, Paper Plane was founded by Timothy John and Krista Plews, and the interview with Krista will give an idea as to why Paper Plane is so awesome on every level - the design, products, customer service - the list goes on. So when Krista said they were keen to come on board for 12 Days of Christmas I was very happy. When she told me what they'd like to offer, I was ecstatic, and I know you will be too!

Before I reveal what it is, I thought I'd show you my favourite picks from the latest arrivals online at Paper Plane.

1 Mint Memphis Cushion
2 Lemon Palm & Leather Shopper
3 Organic Turkish Throws
4 Washable Paper Carry Bag
5 Paper Plane Candles
6 Reindeer Hide
7 Organic Turkish Towels
8 Kid You'll Move Mountains Print
9 Pink Memphis Cushion

Okay, here goes....

Yes, that's right! One very lucky reader will win a Sidekick Low Stool by Timothy John, in the colour combination of their choice, valued at $399!!

To enter, simply email me at steve3star@gmail.com with PAPER PLANE in the subject line. Please also let me know your full name. Entries close on Monday, 9th of December and the winner will be selected via random.org, and contacted via email straight away. All winners will be announced on the blog at the end of the series.

Please note that this competition is open to New Zealand residents only, and that we will do our best to ensure the prize is shipped and delivered prior to Christmas.

In addition to this amazing giveaway, Paper Plane has very kindly offered all readers far and wide, an exclusive 10% discount when shopping online, valid right through to the 31st of December. Combined with great international shipping rates, this is a fantastic opportunity for worldwide readers to take advantage of all that Paper Plane has to offer. Just enter the code DESIGNCHASER10 at checkout.

Update: This giveaway has now closed, and the winner has been notified. Thanks to everyone who entered and massive thanks to Paper Plane! Remember you have until the 31st of December to take up the exclusive offer above. Happy shopping!

12 Days of Christmas | Superette Giveaway!

The 12 Days of Christmas series got off to a flying start yesterday. Judging by the number of entries flooding my inbox, you're all as excited about this as I am! Today's giveaway is from our friends at Superette Home, and once again, I'm happy to tell you that it's open to worldwide readers!

As mentioned in my recent interview with Superette founder Rickie Dee, the Nuffield Street store in Newmarket was about to close down and undergo a huge transformation, to make way for Superette Space, the new lifestyle, homeware and furniture collection, launched earlier this year at the flagship Ponsonby store. Now reopened, and bigger and better than ever, I have some exclusive photos to share with you.

Talk about some serious eye candy. Perfect for Christmas shopping, it would be near impossible not to treat yourself to something while you're there!

The store is located at 35 Nuffield St, Newmarket. If you're outside of Auckland, remember you can also shop the range online.

And now for the bit you've all been waiting for! The fabulous prize includes one Framed Super Pretty Print and one Peach Triangle Pillowcase Pair, from the brand new Superette exclusive home range, valued at $218....

To enter, simply email me at steve3star@gmail.com with SUPERETTE in the subject line. Please also let me know your full name. Entries close on Friday, 6th of December and the winner will be selected via random.org, and contacted via email straight away. The winner will be announced on the blog at the end of the series.

Please note that this competition is open to worldwide readers, and that we will do our best to ensure the prize is shipped and delivered to the winner prior to Christmas.

Updtate: This competition has now closed, and the winner has been notified. Thanks to everyone who entered and big thanks to Superette for the gorgeous prize!

12 Days of Christmas | Kauniste Giveaway!

I'm delighted to be launching The Design Chaser 12 Days of Christmas series today, to celebrate the festive season! It's been an incredible year on the blog, and this is my way of thanking all of you who follow along and show your support. Over the next 12 days, I will be bringing you an incredible line-up of giveaways and exclusive reader discounts, from some of my favourite New Zealand-based interior and homeware stores.

There is however one exception! Kauniste comes all the way from Finland, and I'm thrilled to be kicking off the Christmas series with such an exquisite range of products. Derived from the Finnish word Kaunis, meaning beautiful, Kauniste unites the talents of young Scandinavian graphic designers and craftsmen, to combine fresh colours and design ideas through traditional methods of painting, illustration, and screen printing. When I first came across the stunning Sokeri Print by one of the designers, Hanna Konola, it was love at first sight! You may recognise it from the gorgeous cushion that graces our living room sofa.

Hanna is a talented Helsinki-based graphic designer and has studied in Finland, Norway and Japan. I love her Japanese minimalist inspired design, and the linen-mix fabric, which gets better with age. Designed to last, the Kauniste products will keep bringing joy to your home for years to come.

The collection features a colourful range of textile products including cushion covers, bags, aprons and blankets. There is also a gorgeous range of trays, made form Finnish birch veneer. All products are produced using water based, solvent free inks. The Kauniste Shop is located in Helsinki, but you can see the entire Kauniste collection and shop online here. You can also follow them on Facebook, Pinterest and Tumblr!

Now for the really exciting part! Kauniste have very kindly offered three prizes for three lucky readers. Each winner will receive a Kauniste 2014 Wall Calendar, beautifully illustrated by Hanna Kanola, and a Kauniste Kitchen Towel of their choice. See the full range here.

Bright and playful designs of the Retki Wall Calendar which tells the story of 'a journey in the forest'

Choose from a gorgeous selection of Kitchen Towels

To enter, simply email me at steve3star@gmail.com with KAUNISTE in the subject line. Please also let me know your full name. Entries close on Friday, 6th of December and the three winners will be selected via random.org, and contacted via email to arrange shipping. All winners will be announced on the blog at the end of the series.

Please note that this competition is open to worldwide readers, and that we will do our best to ensure the prizes arrive prior to Christmas.

Updtate: This competition has now closed, and the winners have been notified. Thanks to all who entered - we had an amazing response! And huge thanks to Kauniste for their generosity.

Interview | Rickie Dee of Superette

A while ago I was asked to write a guest post for Superette. Jumping at the chance to contribute to what is one of Australasia's leading online style destinations, I also took the opportunity to set up an interview with them. Founded by James Rigden and Rickie Dee, two friends who bravely threw in their 'nine-to-fives' to set up Superette, the business has now been going strong for over a decade. Their first store, operating out of an industrial warehouse in Auckland's Freeman's Bay, was built upon the philosophy of creating an inspired retail space of sought-after and unique products that go beyond clothes hanging on rack. Now with three retail stores and a rapidly growing online store, they still handpick each season's selections based on fashion and objects that they desire for themselves.

Staying true to that philosophy has paid off, earning them a huge cult following and most recently, the launch of Superette Space at the Ponsonby flagship store in April this year. The carefully curated selection of new lifestyle products, includes homewares and furniture, as well as a capsule collection of Superette's own designs including art, studded taxidermy skulls, pillows, and hand painted deer antlers.

There is just so much home goodness on offer that when I was asked to pick some of my current must-haves for the guest post, it was really hard to choose! It also brings me to some exciting news. Superette have just announced that they will be introducing the Superette Space concept to their Nuffield Street boutique in Newmarket. Hooray! Closing today, the boutique will be taking over the space next door and undergoing a serious transformation. Reopening on Saturday 16th of November, you'll find all of the lifestyle range including boutique bedding, throws, cushions, prints, limited edition coffee table books and much more. Also look out for some new and exciting international brands, two of which are Scandi favourites of mine. I'll hand you over to Rickie, and let her tell you more about it....

You've come a long way since opening the doors to your first retail store in 2001. What have been some of the biggest highlights to date?

There have been many highlights over the past 13 years. Each and every time we open a store has to be a major one though. We love the process of creating a new and exciting space for our customers. I Love working in a creative and busy environment each and every day so I guess you could say that is a highlight and the fact we are still doing what we love after 13 years. The website side of our business is the newest addition and is at a pretty exciting stage as it's growing so fast each and every day.

Have there been any major hurdles or challenges along the way, and if so, how did you overcome them?

We started the business when we were very young so have learnt a lot along the way. I think sometimes learning from mistakes is where we have gained the most knowledge from. Starting so young meant we had no real concerns if the concept wasn’t to work but at the same time we had to learn as we went along and at times it meant we didn’t get taken seriously.

In addition to your three NZ retail stores, you have an E-boutique and huge online presence. How has social media helped grow your brand?

Social media is a big part of our business and we focus on it daily. It has helped to build a strong Superette culture and lifestyle. We can also interact with our customers more frequently and in real time.

How would you describe your personal styles and how is this reflected in your overall aesthetic for the store and your product range?

Everything we buy in store we have to love and our buying has always stayed true to this.

Who are your favourite designers, both locally and abroad?

I am a big fan of Bassike. They offer a great range of everyday essentials that work in so well into my busy family lifestyle. We have just worked on a Co Lab collection with them as we all love it so much here at Superette. I love a good leather jacket and West 14 gets it right every season with great cuts and detailing. I find each season I justify to myself why I need another one! Then Ksubi is great for their tees and denim.

From Superette Space I am a huge fan of Kip and Co bed linen and the new Bloomingville homeware. Then we have just received the cutest range of Varpunen Saks (from Finland) in cute geo shapes. Perfect for on decks with towels in or for hiding away kids toys.

You recently launched Superette Space, a range of homewares and furniture. What have been the most popular products so far?

Our Superette range has been a hit, with the prints and pillowcases being a complete sellout! This is something we will continue to build on each and every season due to its success. Kip and Co, Pony Rider and the recent arrival of Bloomingville has also been very popular. This section of our Ponsonby store has in fact been such a huge success so we are about to expand our Newmarket store (open 16th November) to house the same concept. Perfect in time for Christmas.

With the expansion of Superette, how have your roles changed? Are you still in charge of the buying etc? How many staff do you now employ?

We now have around 30 staff at Superette. My main focus from the start of Superette has been the buying and stock and it still is today. I have learnt to multi-task very well with work – and still love working on the shop floor too, so you’ll usually find me here once or twice a month. I am a pretty busy person but love it this way.

What's inspiring you right now... travel, designers, websites, magazines etc?

Blogs, magazines and travel are always my places for inspiration.

What's next for Superette? Any exciting projects or collaborations in the works?

We are focusing on the expansion of our Newmarket store currently have exciting Co Labs being released with designers every month. Pretty exciting!! We do also have a few other things in the pipe of which will come to life in 2014.

Rickie Dee and James Rigden in the Ponsonby Superette. Image courtesy of Superette, taken for Urbis Magazine.

Huge thanks to Rickie for this fantastic interview. I'm sure if you're in Auckland you'll join me in visiting the Newmarket Boutique when it re-opens! For all store locations take a look here, or shop online here.

Before I go, I'm thrilled to announce the winner of the Cultiver Giveaway. Congratulations to Jaydn Claire Hammond!! Thanks to everyone who entered, it was an amazing response, and big thanks to Cultiver for their generosity.