Nature baby

www.naturebaby.co.nz

Our favourite shop for all the kids basics – merino tops, body suits and pyjamas, Nature Baby is one of the best things to ever come out of New Zealand. Thank goodness they’ve got an online shop because we probably couldn’t manage without them when offshore.

Their organic cotton and merino clothes are made to last (by a collective in India) – our daughter has had oodles of wear from everything we’ve ever bought from there. They’ve been handed down and will be handed back for our next one – all with plenty of life left in them yet.

If you can pay a visit their Grey Lynn and Newmarket shops are a delight to visit. There are lots of toys that aren’t on their web site and they’ve got play areas full of fun distractions so you can shop and browse to your heart’s content. Everything in Nature Baby; cotton, babyfood, nappies – it’s all organic by default.

Just released – their new Kid Nature label. Everything we know and love about Nature Baby, now for big kids too!

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Ruby & Sol - curious collectibles

Ruby & Sol has closed down  – however Sherry is starting up again online at ShopVintage.co.nz with beautiful handmade homewares.

62 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland Tel. 09-378 0357 Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

If you were one of the many who discovered Sherry Roberts’ shop Ruby & Sol in Richmond Rd in February this year, you will be thrilled to know that she is back, this time in the front of a lovely villa in Williamson Ave.

People were so enthusiastic about her first foray into the retro retail market, Sherry decided to keep on collecting and has filled two rooms with wonderful bits and pieces.

“Having a shop with such a loose genre allows me the freedom to collect, play and display and sell anything that appeals to me. I’m not stuck in any particular era although I don’t think anything in here has ever worn a bar code. The recycling aspect of this business appeals to me too.”

You will find furniture, lamps, crockery, glassware, clocks, paintings, photography, mirrors, beautiful little girls dresses, toys, linen, jewelry, handbags, shoes, silk sarongs and scarves.

Just because it was practical and useful didn’t mean it wasn’t beautiful.” Case in point: check out Sherry’s amazing collection of retro kitchenware and aprons.

Sherry is also happy to hunt down that special item that you know is out there somewhere and you just don’t have the time to search for it.

This is most definitely one of the loveliest shops we have ever found, anywhere. And it is refreshingly reasonably priced too. Another excellent reason to visit - you will actually be able to afford something.

The problem you will be faced with of course is narrowing your choice of item down to the very one you like the most. Happy shopping!

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Mrs Jones

Millstream Building, 17 Elizabeth Street, Warkworth
Tel. 09-422 3275
www.mrsjones.co.nz

Tuesday to Friday 10am - 5pm. Saturday 10am - 4pm. Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Mrs Jones is a cornucopia of nice things to look at and buy. We got quite carried away taking photos here and we’ll let them do most of the talking.

This is a quality shop, right (say that in a cockney accent please). There’s a jolly fine collection of Crown Lynn that takes up much of one wall in the back room.

Everywhere you look are highly covetable pieces of art that we, for one, want to buy.

A 1970s New Zealand dining table and chairs. And just look at that photographic print on the wall to the left - can you just imagine that in your living room. Oh my!

The walls are just clad in art - they’ve got a distinctive style in here. And it’s very good.

In the book alcove we spy barkcloth duffel bags. we rub our eyes in disbelief, but it’s true. There they are in broad daylight right next to a picture of a sheep from Onehunga.

Each of the eight sub-rooms has been decorated to set off its contents. One might note the rather reading room -esque wallpaper above.

We liked the vermillion and the cyan walls too. Especially with the hand coloured landscape photographs.

We spent ages and ages in her marvelling at all the lovely eye candy. Maybe you ought to to!

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The Cream of Matakana

30 Matakana Valley Road
Old Dairy Factory, Matakana
Tel. 09-422 7657 / Mob. 021-486 128

Next to the Farmers Market there’s a sign that points down to the old dairy factory, telling us that yonder lie local crafts, jewellery, art and fashion.

We were more than pleasantly surprised when we came in here. Two gorgeous women behind the counter both came out to greet Baby Lovely and admire her hand-made clothes. We had friends in common and lots to talk about.

They’ve been there since easter and are finding their kids area is just taking off.

They’ve got some very cool stock including a rack of hand-knits at very good prices. This one is $20.

There are also some cute little baby-grows, t-shirts for wee ones and adults alike, stylie toys from Europe and yummy local soaps and bathtime treats.

There was a good sampling of art - this lovely painting in the kids area; toys the kids will go ga-ga over; and… hand crocheted blankets - now you simply must have a look at those.

The building is old, wooden and airy; do make sure you look up!

It’s certainly a lovely shop - and a definite to-visit when in Matakana. And if you’re a crafty girl or boy who makes cool stuff, give them a call - they want to hear from you!

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The Stitcher’s Closet

1335 Leigh Road, Matakana
Tel. 09-422 7316
www.stitcherscloset.co.nz

Just by the Matakana roundabout before the hill to Leigh is a cute white cottage that houses a tea house with a roaring fire and good looking lamingtons; and a lovely little shop. The lovely little shop contains everything one would need for quilting, needlework and patchwork.

Sheryl opened The Stitcher’s Closet earlier this year, fulfilling a lifelong dream of having her own stitching shop. Inside is a myriad of embroidery threads and accessories. Through into the next room you’ll find a beautiful array of quilting fabrics, including a good selection of Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett and Freshcut.

Beading and quilt-making classes are held at the shop. Class attendees are very lucky indeed as they get to sample yummy things from the tea house next door.

I know this is a great asset for locals - but also for all crafty girls and boys who go on holiday in this area and need something to keep them occupied while they laze about the beach or bach; or of course if you forget to bring an all-important thread or what-have-you on holiday… et voila! You’ll find it here.

You can also book the classes and buy everything that’s in the shop online.

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Alterknitives

Herne Bay, Auckland
Tel. 09-376 0337
Open Thursdays 10:00am till 4:00pm, and also by appointment
(excluding January)

Alterknitives is a yarn oasis in an area of Auckland where the streets are lined with grand old villas and friendly pussy cats stop to say hello.

For those of you who know and love the wool area at Liberty, you’ll step in here, smile to yourself, breathe a sigh of relief and feel instantly at home.

The neatly arranged shelves stock a wide array of Debbie Bliss, Louisa Harding and the complete range of Rowan yarns. You’ll find cottons, silks, linens, alpaca, fine wools and cashmere.

Cait stocks an excellent range of books for beginners and for the more seasoned knitter. Also available is a very good selection of patterns and knitting-needles.

It’s all too easy to spend an hour here if you’re anything like us.

So do allow yourself plenty of browsing time!

Cait also offers a postal service - just phone and she’ll be more than happy to help.

We think Alterknitives is definitely one of NZ’s loveliest shops. There’s nothing quite like meandering up an old stone pathway to a rose-covered garden studio to go and look at the most gorgeous yarns now is there?

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Camper shoes

240 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
tel. (09) 522 9374
campershoes.co.nz

Happy at last. Camper has arrived in New Zealand. We need never leave again. Now if only Muji would open up a shop or two…

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Salvage

537 Mt Eden Road, Auckland
Tel. 09-630 4054

Salvage is a vintage fabric and trimmings shop which opened its doors at the end of 2005. It is fast becoming known as the place to go in Auckland for a great range of high quality vintage fabrics and accessories for crafty girls and boys.

The stock comes in from a variety of avenues; People bring things into the shop or phone requesting a trip out to collect an estate lot.

Kay recalls one time she visited a home where a room was lined virtually wall-to-wall with fabrics. After two cars-loads full she got everything back to her house for sorting. Finding she had no space left the bath was quickly commandeered and piled high with the new vintage treasures for the shop.

Prices range from a good selection of vintage buttons for 20c each, and you can’t go past the ric-rac at 50 cents a metre.

You can get a couple of metres of really good fabric for well under $30. And there are always treats at the higher end of the scale too.

Salvage is a great asset to Auckland. We’re not sure how we ever managed without it.

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