Christmas Countdown Offers x

We'll be organising offers and gifts with purchase in the lead up o Christmas from today onwards. Keep your eye on our site each day x

Celebrating - 500 likes on Facebook xx

We've reached 500 facebook likes!!!

To celebrate and thank our loyal followers we have a $50.00 voucher for our online store to giveaway.

Enter: FB500 at the end of the checkout to use the voucher

Shop online here

xx

Online Offer! Enter: PANTS

We have an online offer for our beautifully soft pants. Enter: PANTS at the end of the checkout to get $40.00 off a pair.

Made in New Zealand from 100% certified organic cotton, these are cut to perfection and ideal for trans-seasonal weather. They're available in Black, Navy Stripe and Grey Marl Stripe and in all sizes at this stage.

Offer runs until midnight, Sunday 10 November 2013.

Follow the link here to pick yourself a pair xx

Good - No.33

Thank-you Good magazine for featuring our wreath print 'Heidi Dress' in your latest issue.

Made from premium certified 100% organic cotton, and available in either Black or Melon x

Shop the look online here:
http://belleandbeau.co.nz/collections/summer-2013-14

Schrebergärten - Tempelhof, Berlin

Apparently there are about 1.4 million community gardens in Germany, 833 in Berlin alone!(thanks wikipedia).
Here are some of my favourite snaps from one we visited at the Tempelhof Airport land. I don't know for sure, but I think it may even be a guerrilla community garden. Berlin you're so cool.

BHAVA

I've just discovered this shoe brand, BHAVA. The shoes are made from hand-woven, organic, recycled and cruelty free components. And the designs are rad!They ship worldwide from their online store. Shop here.

Summer is coming

Summer for the 2013/14 season has begun to drop into our stockists, with the full collection being available in stores and online from Labour weekend, October 26th 2013.
The 'Lucy Maxi' is being finished now, it's this seasons cut and stripe design of a Belle + Beau summer fav.
Here's a snap in Navy x

End of Season S A L E ! ! !

It's nearing the end of Winter (in the world of retail anyway) and I am also heading off for a while to explore Europe. So now is definitely the time for the Belle + Beau online store to have a sale.
A new item is being added daily so keep your eyes peeled for daily posts as to what's on offer and how to get the discount.

First up was the Layered Maxi Dress - Was $179.00, Now $89.50
Only one Medium left already - At the checkout enter: Tuesday50 to make it yours.

Added today was the Frenchie Tee in the classic Black/ Natural colour way - Was $109.00, now $54.50
Enter: Wednesday50

And a heads up for tomorrow, it will be the Hooded Poncho in Grey Marl - Was $229, now $114.50

Enter: Thursday50

Happy S A L E shopping x

Meat Free Monday - 08.07.2013

Made this last week. Was bloomin delicious! Converted a Pumpkin hater with it too.
Originally off a favourite kiwi site www.healthyfood.co.nz


Pumpkin, Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry

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• Ingredients:
• 1 clove garlic

• 1 red onion, sliced

• 800g pumpkin, cut into cubes

• 1/2 small cauliflower

• 400g can chickpeas

• 2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste

• 2 teaspoons fish sauce (optional)

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

• 1/2 cup vegetable stock

• 400g can lite coconut milk

• 70g cashew nuts, toasted

Method:

Gently fry the garlic and onion in a spray of oil until soft. Add the curry paste and stir well. Add the coconut milk, stock, sugar and fish sauce. Bring to a simmer, then add the pumpkin and cauliflower. Simmer for about 30 minutes, until the veges are tender. Add the chickpeas and cook for 5 minutes more.

Serve the curry with rice. Sprinkle the cashews over the top.

Sans (ceuticals)

I want this:



And this:



And this too:



I want to smother myself in the goodness that is Sans (ceuticals). It's a beautiful brand with beautiful products for your skin and hair.
Meaning 'without' in French, Sans in the perfect name for beauty products created without chemical ingredients. The range is produced by Lucy Marr of Lucy and the Powder Room and has been developed by scientists using 'high-quality, pure and effective ingredients' from natural sources such as; Bamboo, Goji, Ginseng and Papaya.
And the packaging is just as perfect too. I can't wait to try the range for myself and get the lovely bottles in my bathroom.
For more information and stockist, check out the site here x

Mango and Banana Yoghurt Gelato

A favourite blog of mine for great healthy food options is Julia and Libby.
Right now they are in the middle of a 'Sugar Free Challenge', removing the refined sugar from their diets and encouraging others to join them.

Refined sugar sneaks itself into so many of the readily available foods we buy. The obvious options including; biscuits, jams and sauces and the not so obvious including; cereals, bread, yoghurt and tinned fruit. With increasing societal issues with obesity and diabetes and my own growing interest in the not so natural ingredients being added to our foods and their effects on our body, I'm really enjoying the information coming through in this weeks blog posts.

For more information on why sugar is maybe not so sweet check out this article here and for  alternative sweet snack options to typically sugar laden recipes check out this Julia and Libby link here.

This is my take on the on a delish sweet fix, sans refined sugar. It's originally a Donna Hay recipe, but easily adapted to be sugar free by using an organic yoghurt which is free from any additives including sugar. Enjoy x

Mango and Banana Yoghurt Gelato

Ingredients:

• 2 Bananas - Peeled and chopped
• 3 Mangoes -Peeled and chopped
• 1 Cup (280g) Thick Natural Organic Yoghurt

Method:

• Place the banana and mango in a sealed container and freeze for 2–3 hours or until frozen.
• Place the frozen fruit and yoghurt in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
• Serve immediately or place in a sealed container and freeze.
• After freezing allow to soften for 5 minutes before serving. 

Happy Birthday Queenie!

Happy Birthday Queenie! If you didn't already know it's actually not her real birthday. She shares that with me on April 21. But in Kiwiland we are all very happy to celebrate it now and break up the beginning of Winter with a long weekend.
Enjoy New Zealand x

Running for Life around New Zealand

This guy I know (he was my neighbour for just shy of a year) is circumnavigating New Zealand's beautiful coastlines for charity.

Brando Yelavich took off in February 2013 from Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northern most point on his journey around New Zealand's 6000+km of coastline. Since then he has run, walked, swum, climbed and kayaked through idyllic beaches, native bush and some of the most isolated locations of the country. He is living off the land fishing and hunting for wild rabbits, goats, birds and anything else he can catch to keep him going on his journey.

Along the way he has been helped out by many kind kiwis offering him assistance from a place to stay overnight to boat rides over some of our heftier rivers and harbours.
He's giving back just as kindly too. Not only is his mission raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House charity (you can donate here), Brando's been stopping in at schools along his route talking to kiwi kids and inspiring them that despite personal challenges like Brando's own with ADHD and Dyslexia, that they can do anything if they set their mind to it.

Check out his Facebook page here to see his updates, photos of the journey and if you can take the time to post him some support we recommend you do that too. This kid has a heart of gold and deserves to succeed in achieving his goal.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningFullaNZ
Donate: http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/AroundTheCoast/

Keep it up Brando, we think you are great x

Amitiwi Swimwear

I adore this twist style bandeau bikini from Australian label Amitiwi ! The print by artist Osmond Kantilla is so beautiful and I love its eco credentials too.

Amitiwi pieces are made in Australia from the highest quality swimwear fabric (80% Nylon, 20% Elastane) and are hand printed with inks that are are 100% solvent free, eco friendly, are run proof and extremely durable.

Additionally Amitiwi support Australian indigenous art by using traditional printing methods by local Tiwi artists and provide support to traditional art practice, artists and Indigenous communities in regional and remote areas of Australia.
Shop online at www.amitiwi.com.au or www.thebeautifulthink.com.au

Pictured: Amatiwi, Seaspray - $120.00AU

Article - Gorgeousosity

I was interviewed by Erin for the blog Gorgeousosity the other week and it was posted here today. Check out what I had to say below.


Belle + Beau

Hello Belle + Beau! Don’t you love the name? It’s the moniker for an Auckland-based sustainable clothing brand created by Claire Shewan. Claire uses organic cotton and organic merino produced locally in New Zealand to create her line of womens wear.

 Erin: Why was it important for you to use certified organic cotton and merino for your range, and what does that actually mean?
Claire: I use organic fabric certified by the ‘Global Organic Textile Standard‘ (GOTS) because it’s an internationally recognised certification body that offers credibility to environmental and ethical claims. Organic crops aren’t Genetically Modified (GM) and are grown without the use of chemical fertilisers, insecticides or pesticides. Organic cotton is grown by conserving bio-diversity, the use of beneficial insects and planting, crop rotation, weeding machines and more hands on labour than conventionally grown cotton crops.

Erin: Why do you feel people need to start considering how eco-friendly our clothes are?
Claire: I think a lot of people now understand the benefits of eating organic food and supporting organic agriculture and this applies to the clothing industry too.
But the importance of choosing clothing that supports sustainability for the environment, local economies and fair working conditions is either unknown or overlooked.
The production of cotton is the second highest contaminating crop grown and accounts for 25 percent of the world’s insecticide and more than 10 percent of the world’s pesticide use. Some of these chemicals are considered the most toxic in the world. These chemicals leach into the soil and over time destroy the natural fertility of the soil. To continue using the same soil for cotton crops the chemicals used on the crops are then increased. It doesn’t end there either. These chemicals are washed into waterways and enter the ocean and rivers or evaporate and spread again with rain. The residuals of these chemicals are also absorbed by cotton farm and processing workers and can remain on finished garments to be absorbed by your skin during wear, even after washing.
There are also the synthetic fibres such as polyester which essentially are plastic. Its fibre is derived from fossil fuels and has led to cheap disposable fashion that will take decades to breakdown in landfill.
I think it’s important to be aware of the consequences of our consumption and make the choice to be part of the solution not the problem.

Erin: What made you decide to become a designer?
Claire: I’ve always designed and made many of my own clothes and after graduating from AUT with a Bachelor of Art and Design I worked for a company who manufactured in China and India. Clothing would regularly be sent from the manufacturer to our office with the residue of kerosene and other chemicals evident. I hated it and felt guilty each day, only able to imagine the working conditions these products could have come from. I had been researching organic textiles and sustainable fashion since my last year of study, so I decided to give the industry a go and produce a brand that was true to what I believed in.
Erin: What are you aiming to provide/achieve with Belle + Beau clothing?
Claire: I want to provide a brand that consumers can trust in its claims with regard to sustainability at the same time as creating beautiful products that remains relevant to the Belle + Beau customer each season.

Erin: What new items have you just added to your range?
Claire: The Winter 2013 collection is currently being dropped into stores and becoming available online. Each collection extends on the last, so I have twisted some of the favourites from previous seasons with new fabrics or colour ways and increased the organic merino styles available for this winter. My personal favourites are the Layer Maxi in Navy - I’m going to live in this – the boxy cut of the Boxy 3/4 Tee and Boxy Tunic Dress, and the Curve Hem Poncho in Black Organic Merino.
Erin: Why do people like Belle + Beau?
Claire: The fabric I use for a majority of pieces within the range is a luxuriously soft, organic cotton jersey. It constantly gets great feedback for being comfortable and gentle against the wearers skin.
Belle + Beau customers also love the casual styling of the designs. I’m selling for the majority in New Zealand at this stage and I guess it suits our uniquely kiwi, relaxed way of life.

Erin: Where can we get our hands on Belle + Beau?
Belle + Beau is available in store at:
The Oyster Inn – Waiheke
Kakariki the Health Store – Mangawhai
Or online at www.belleandbeau.co.nz

Cara Delevingne

I have a Girl-Crush on Cara. My favourite model in the whole, wide, world! . . . I wish we could be friends.

Winter 2013 - Quick Look

Last week we worked with some very talented people to put together the Belle + Beau Winter 2013 lookbook. Below is quick look at the first few images sent through by our photographer Olivia. You can check out her other talented work here or on her blog Make Believe x

Sneaky - sneak!

This happened last night.

We shot our new season lookbook and had this cute little visitor at the end of the night. Hey Bunny!

Lover-ly

It's Valentines Day tomorrow and normally I'm not bothered about this overly commercialised day. However, this year these Nature Baby cushions have got the best of me. If I got given one of these cute little heart print cushions I would not be disappointed! They're made from organic cotton and filled with organic wool, you can get them in store or online here. If hearts are just too cheesy for you then there are a range of other equally lovely prints including a bunny, a mushroom and a pear to name a few.

Our picks for a more environmentally friendly 'V Day' also include locally grown flowers (ask your chosen florist), handmade chocolates (Bennetts are our favourite), or a thoughtful homemade picnic spread somewhere special. Take this advice and you won't go wrong . . . Promise x

Meat Free Monday - 04.02.2013

Grilled Cumin-Lime Zucchini Quesadilla

I stumbled across this recipe on Pinterest today. It's from a very good looking food blog called Naturally Ella by Erin Alderson. Her site is right up my alley being both vegetarian and neatly laid out with the option of selecting recipes based on the ingredients seasonal availabilty. The photos a clear and sharp and everything looks so incredibly delish!
This Quesadilla is my pick for this week check it out on her site here. I think I might put ours on the BBQ with some corn too (You can't beat corn sprinkled with salt, chilli flakes and lime juice in the summer)  No doubt I will be posting a few more of her creations in future.

Ingredients

• ½ medium zucchini
• ½ tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoon cumin
• ¼ teaspoon chilli flakes
• ½ lime juice and zest
• ½ tablespoon honey
• 2-3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
• 2-4 8″ or 10″ whole wheat tortillas

Instructions

1. Cut zucchini in to ¼” slices and place in a large bowl. Whisk together ½ tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon flakes, ½ lime zest/juice, and ½ tablespoon of honey. Pour over zucchini, cover, and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
2. When ready to cook, light grill to medium heat. Place slices on grill and let cook on each side until browned, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully cut in to small strips. Layer strips on half of the tortilla and sprinkle mozzarella on top.
3. Return to grill and cook on each side until tortilla is crisp and cheese is melted. Serve with greek yogurt mixed with lime juice and cilantro.

Textile Infographic

This is a great little infographic from Australian magazine Green Lifestyle. It gives a snapshot into the reality behind clothing production both in Australia and globally. Have a look and inform yourself.