Introducing Leven

I'm a firm believer in having a dream, and doing something every day (no matter how small) that will help to make that dream a reality. That's how I got to be working in a job I love, and that's why I get really excited when I hear similar stories of people living the dream!

Leven is a homewares store that you can visit at 14 Empire Street in Cambridge, or online. Here you'll find a treasure trove of beautiful products just waiting for you to discover them. Owner and founder of Leven, Kath Pilcher, had always dreamed of owning her own design store. A break from her career to bring up her young children gave her the opportunity to make a change. She spent a year and half setting up her business and sourcing products from New Zealand and around the globe. The doors to Leven home and design store are now open and ready for you to explore.

You can find some of your favourites in-store and exciting new products - Ashley & Co, Triumph & Disaster, Madam Stoltz, Bloomingville, Jamie Kay, and Boskke, to name just a few. If you live in, or are visiting Cambridge, make sure you pop in to see Kath. Or head over to her online shop right now. And to keep up with all new arrivals and special offers you should definitely follow Leven's Facebook page. Happy shopping.

Christmas Tree | Three Ways

Who's getting ready to put their Christmas tree up this weekend? I know December 1st is the official "tree putting up" day, but that's on a Monday, so surely one day early is OK?! I have friends who have already had their tree up for a week and more - they are true Christmas-aholics. If you feel like doing things a little bit different this year I have three creative ideas...

You can still keep it quite traditional, but take your creativity up a notch. Hide the base of your tree in a lovely big basket, and use smaller baskets to house all the presents.

Flag the tree altogether and attach your decorations to the wall in the shape of a tree. This is one for the die-hard crafty, creative types.

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A simpler idea, and one I would definitely attempt is this beautiful tree made with Christmas themed photography.

What do you think?... will you go traditional or more creative this year?

Me & My Trend | Giveaway

It's alway exciting to meet someone who loves and lives colour and pattern as much as I do. English born, Karina McGregor is the founder of the fabulous online furniture and homeware store, Me & My Trend. After studying surface pattern and design in the UK, Karina then travelled to India where she fell in love with colour and pattern. From there (long story short) she travelled to New Zealand, fell in love again, this time with a Kiwi bloke, and now together they source fun and quirky home and lifestyle products that are fashion forward and all very much 'on trend'.

It's a brilliant website where you can shop by category... "living", "homeware", accessories"...; or by trends..."copper luxe", "scandi pastels", "monochrome", even "as seen on The Block NZ".

It's so great to see very cool, unique products that are destined to add style and personality to someone's home. Here are a few of my faves...

Now we want you to know your favourites. To go into the draw to WIN A SET OF CERAMIC STORAGE OF YOUR CHOICE, simply visit the Me & My Trend website, choose your favourite pattern (maybe gold diamonds, perhaps orange starburst...), then email me your answer and where you would put the canisters - the more fun your answer, the better your chances! :)

You'll get an extra entry for "liking" Me & My Trend on Facebook, and another for "liking & sharing" this post on my Facebook page (let me know if you've done this when you email me). The winner will be notified by email next Wednesday 3 December by 5pm, and announced on the Cush & Nooks FB page (open to NZ & Aussie readers only). Good luck everyone and make sure you sign up to the mailing list to keep up with all new arrivals and special offers.

Competition now closed. Congratulations to our winner, Maree Halcione!