Here Comes the Sun

Contributor | Homemade Herbal Teas

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Sat, 18 May 2013 02:57:00 +0000

Hi lovelies, It's Nicola from Eat Well NZ here to share another guest post with you. Today I'm sharing how you can grow and make your own fresh and delicious herbal teas. While I do enjoy standard herbal teas from the supermarket, there is something quite therapeutic and relaxing about making your own fresh concoctions. There's a lot of love going into growing and tending your plants, then picking and brewing them. Plus you can get the most benefits out of using fresh herbs and ingredients like ginger and manuka honey to add to your teas. The smell is also amazing as you brew them.

Growing your own herbs for a tea garden is super easy and you can use them for plenty of other non tea related uses too! The good news is you don't need a lot of room and I grow mine in pots on the patio as it's convenient to just pop out the door to grab a bunch (plus because I see them every day I'm less likely to neglect them!).

To get started on my garden I planted the following:

Lemon Verbena - this herb has a refreshing, lemony flavour and an amazing fragrance. It's said to be good for digestion as it stimulates the production of bile . Keep protected from the cool in winter months. This herb can be grown inside too.

Stevia - up to 300 times sweeter than sugar but with no calories, stevia is an excellent natural sweetener for teas. Growing your own is fairly easy, but be sure to bring it inside in cooler weather as the cold will kill it. I left mine out in a frost and it didn't make it!

Peppermint + Mint- Any mint plant seems to be super easy to grow. If it starts to look a bit shabby, just cut it all back and it will regrow. Peppermint is especially good for digestion and helps relieve bloating and nausea.

Chamomile - this is also super easy to grow and will in fact grow like weeds! Don't buy roman (also known as lawn) chamomile - the variety you want to get is officially known as Matricaria chamomilla as it has medicinal properties. This herb is an excellent relaxant. I sometimes drink chamomile before bed to help me sleep. You use the flowers from the plant to make tea, which you can use fresh or dried.

Plant your herbs in good quality potting mix to get the best results.

My favourite drink to make at the moment is a lovely mixture of herbs plus fresh ginger and honey. It's a lovely warming drink that I imagine would be equally nice served chilled with ice for those of you in a warmer place than New Zealand right now!

Lemon Verbena, Mint, and Ginger Tea (for one serve)

1 tablespoon lemon verbena leaves
1 tablespoon mint leaves
1 thin slice of ginger, chopped in four
1 teaspoon manuka honey
1 slice of lemon

Bring a jug of water to the boil, and pour into a mug. Chop the herbs finely. This helps them release their flavours. Place the chopped herbs and ginger in a mini sieve and place on top of the mug of water. Make sure the cup is full enough so that the herbs/ginger are immersed in the water. Leave to stand for 5 minutes. Add the honey and stir, and drop in a slice of lemon. You can squeeze in some extra lemon juice too if you like. If your'e not a fan of ginger you can leave it out, or reduce it.

Drink warm, or refrigerate for a cool drink.

If you're keen to know more about growing your own herbal teas, I'm in the midst of writing up a little freebie about what herbs to grow and their health properties which I'll post a link to on my Facebook page. If you head over and like me there you'll be able to get a copy when it's done :-)

Nicola Graham
Eat Well NZ
Here Comes the Sun Contributor

Sydney - Day Two

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:58:00 +0000

Just thought I would share with you a few of my tourist-y snaps from my quick trip to Sydney this week. It was only my second time ever in the city so it was fun to explore the iconic locations and unashamedly click away like a tourist. A few of the highlights include this big brunch, spending time with my good friend David who recently moved over, wandering around by the opera house and the harbour bridge, discovering hidden alley-ways and macarons and vanilla tea at the Ladurée cafe.

All in all, an amazing (but over way too quickly) trip!! Thanks to Boohoo for inviting me to be a part of it and thanks to everyone who made it memorable :)

Giveaway | Stickygram Fridge Magnets

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:46:00 +0000

Todays giveaway is sponsored by the lovely folks at Stickygram. I'm sure most of you would have heard of them by now but if you haven't - Stickygram is basically a quick and easy way to turn your instagram pictures into fridge magnets. You can purchase them in a pack of 9 magnets for only $14.99 + free shipping and I've also got 3 sets to giveaway today as well!

How to enter:
• Leave a comment on this post! Nice and easy :)
• For a bonus entry share a link to this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook + leave an extra comment

Giveaway is open to all readers, international included. 3 winners will receive one pack of Stickygram magnets each. Winners will be drawn using random.org on Wednesday 22 May 2013.

Good luck!

Sydney - Day One

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:01:00 +0000

As I mentioned a few days ago I'm in Sydney this week on a quick blogging trip! I'm here with Boohoo to view their latest collections, meet the team and celebrate their first year of being in New Zealand. Right now I have a couple of hours of down time in between events so I'm quickly blogging from the hotel while I have a moment. It always feels so efficient to blog pictures only a few hours after you've taken them!

Anyway, today has been a great day - the collections were beautiful (lots of amazing sports-luxe pieces coming out soon!) and it's been fun to mix and mingle with other bloggers and media. Tomorrow I have the day to explore the city so I'll be heading into Surrey Hills for breakfast and some vintage shopping!

P.S Last time I came to Sydney was a few years ago for a different blogging related trip. You can see a couple of pictures here and watch the TV commercial I was a part of (with some other well-known blogging faces) here.

Weekend Bliss

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Sun, 12 May 2013 08:07:00 +0000

This weekend has been the picture of perfection; for once the rain disappeared and we had bright blue, clear skies to enjoy. We didn't take blog pictures, I didn't catch up on my emails and I barely spent a second on the computer. We cooked pancakes with friends, had people over for dinner, watched Arrested Development, exercised and ate Japanese.

It was so nice and relaxing and exactly what I need before this crazy week ahead of me. I'm heading to Sydney with Boohoo for a couple of days which is exciting, but more on that soon!

Tell me about your weekend :)

Contributor | Photoshop Picture Editing Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:10:00 +0000

Hi folks...this is Jenni from JARFLY! I'm here once again as a contributor with a simple photography tutorial. In today's post, we are going to explore some very basic tools in photoshop that can help spiffy up any photo in need of a little TLC.

The first time I opened up Photoshop I thought, "No problem...this will be easy! I mean all the gals on the blogs use it...it can't be more difficult than operating a microwave." Yeah, not so much.

Turns out, Adobe Photoshop is complicated. The program has many layers and limitless ability to make your picture sparkling with beauty or one hot mess. However don't be scared, anyone can learn it with patience and gumption. Before we jump to the video tutorial I've prepared...here are a few tips I've picked up while learning Photoshop (I'm no expert, but I think you'll find it helpful just the same).

Tip # 1: Take A Good Photo...FIRST!
Have you ever tried to cake foundation over a blemish on your face only to have it look more monstrous than before? Me too...I've totally been there. The same principle can be applied to using Photoshop...it cannot "save" a bad photo. It can help it some but in the end, in cannot make a bad photo good. The best thing you can do while on the quest to create a beautiful image is to take a great photo BEFORE you ever upload it to your computer. Pay attention to the light, adjust your camera settings accordingly and don't stop shooting until you get the image you desire.

Tip # 2: Don't Start With People
I found that editing my first picture in Photoshop was really overwhelming. I believe this was because it was a portrait of my friend. I think it's best to start your learning curve out with pictures of objects...rather than people. The simplicity of it will be less intimidating...don't ask me why but I've found it to be true! If you've never opened the program before, start with a still life photo (like below). It will probably save you some headache.

Tip # 3: Over-Editing Beware
This tip goes for no matter what stage of Photoshop expertise you find yourself in. Does your mother-in-law suddenly look plastic? Are the colors in your photo neon-crayola and look like a Katy Perry music video? Does your best friend have Twillight eyes? This is all a good indication that you have over-edited your photos. Here's the key to good editing: good editing isn't noticeable. I suppose you could say the same for good make-up (to use another cosmetic analogy). As you practice editing photos in Photoshop you will develop a natural eye for knowing when to stop and when to go a little further. Just remember, less is usually more!

Now that we have those mini-tips out of the way, let's get to the important stuff. I thought the easiest way for me to show you how to use some basic Photoshop editing tools was to record it for you, so without further ado here is our tutorial for today!

Once you get comfortable in Photoshop (And Lightroom! I use both) the world for creativity opens up immensely...but remember to always always always start with loving and understanding light and manual camera settings while you shoot! Thanks everyone...leave any questions you may have in the comments section below :)

Jenni Kupelian
JARFLY
Here Comes the Sun Contributor

Giveaway | Celine Rita Prize Pack

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:02:00 +0000

Todays giveaway is sponsored by one of my favourite New Zealand brands Celine Rita. You might have seen one of her designs before in this beautiful instagram by Gary Pepper Vintage or when I blogged about the Celine Rita summer fashion show. I love supporting kiwi fashion and am very excited to have a little prize pack to giveaway from the latest (French inspired!) collection.

What you could win:
♥ Comme Ci Comme Ca 100% Merino Wool Top (worth $129 NZ).
♥ Mandarin, Lime + Bergamont Soy Candle (worth $39 NZD)

How to enter:
♥ Like Celine Rita on Facebook
♥ & Leave a comment on this post

Giveaway is open to all readers, international included and closes on Friday 17 May 2013. Limit one entry per person, winner will be contacted via email. Good luck!

Remembering the Good

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Just a little reminder I made for myself as we're heading into the colder seasons here in New Zealand. I'm definitely more of a summer person but I like to make the most of winter so it's good to think of the positives and to enjoy it rather than hating it!

What Life Looks Like

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:38:00 +0000

Just a little look at what my life has been like lately: (all pictures via my instagram @herecomesthesunblog)

♥ Top row: Hanging out with my cat / Swooning over Sally Hansen / Breakfast at Cereal Killa
♥ Middle row: Breakfast in bed / Popcorn on a rainy day / Bubble tea date with the flatmates
♥ Bottom row: Another visit to Cereal Killa / New phone case & sunshine nails / Pretty cafe decor

Bricklane

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:50:00 +0000

Striped top from Sabo Skirt | PU Overall Dress c/o Market HQ | Shoes c/o The Horse

Here we have the very last pictures of my ombre hair! As much as I enjoyed doing something a little different with my hair it feels good to be back to my dark chocolate colour again (which you'll see in my next blog post). I'm also debating getting a fringe again but it's so hard to decide since it took around a year for mine to grow out. Feel free to take a vote on this, there are some pictures of me with a fringe here. I just can't decide what to do!!

Grateful

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Sun, 05 May 2013 00:47:00 +0000

Small things I am grateful for today: Having a cozy house and friends to fill it / Rain on my window/ My cat sleeping on my feet/ Reuniting with old friends & making new ones/ The window seat in my bedroom/ A hot cup of green tea/ Thick socks/ Breakfast dates and good coffee/ Honest conversations

Origami

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Fri, 03 May 2013 23:52:00 +0000

Cameo top c/o Market HQ | Skirt c/o Boohoo | Cat ring c/o Grand Bazaar Accessories | Sally Hansen nail polish

This origami shaped top is one of my newest and most favourite additions to my wardrobe. It's a little different to anything else I own and I love that it's a bit of a twist on normal peplum. Unfortunately I got caught in the rain right before we took these photos so I'm sadly displaying a bit of a drowned rat look as well :( Haha, oh dear!

Contributor | Essential Hair Tools 101

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:40:00 +0000

Hello! My name is Jo and I blog over at Lost in the Haze. Today I decided to do something a little different.. This may have been partially (or slightly more!) influenced by the fact that both myself and my partner/photographer are slightly under-the-weather this week, but who am I to let that stop us posting ; )

Today I'm here to talk about hair. Or more specifically - the essential tools for creating good hairstyles.

1. Bobby pins.
Every girl knows this. Bobby pins are an essential to creating gorgeous hairstyles and preventing flyaways. Hey, even guys like them too - mostly for their other uses though, including picking locks or pushing that tiny little button that removes your iPhone sim card. You can use bobby pins to create pin curls, or even to hold braids in place - like I did for my last tutorial on twist Heidi braids.

2. A teasing comb.
A teasing comb is my go-to tool when I want bigger hair. I find that my hair grips quite well, so I usually don't even have to use hairspray! I'll reach for my teasing comb whenever my hair is looking the slightest bit flat. I'll backcomb it for that perfect amount of volume - and even more so when I'm creating one of my signature beehives (see above!)

3. Blowdryer.
A good ol' blow wave is the perfect way to get salon ready hair! I'll admit - my blowdryer skills are definitely not the best, though I'm determined to practice! Use a round brush and gently turn it in as you dry, and you will get the best curls you've ever seen.

Thanks again for reading! Hopefully I'm feeling in better shape before my next contributor post - I love creating hair tutorials to share! P.s. Be sure to come and visit me over on my fashion blog!

Jo Fletcher
Lost in the Haze
Here Comes the Sun Contributor

Taste of Autumn

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:56:00 +0000

Glassons Merino Top | Supre Skirt | Boohoo Shoes | Romwe Necklace

The seasons have been so strange in New Zealand this year! We had a summer that dragged on forever (not complaining) and now we're in the midst of an Autumn that feels like it's not quite fully committed. The weather has been slightly colder but I'm still waiting on the trees to turn bright orange, red and yellow like they would normally already be at this time of year! And I'll admit it- I'm even ready for our first morning frost. I've stocked up on a few of these merino tops from Glassons so I'm all ready for the colder weather to fully kick in. As much as I love summer I have to say I'm really ready for coat and beanie season now!

I'm not quite sure how this post turned into a little rant about New Zealand weather, sorry for that! Anyway on another note, can you believe it's May already? This year is going fast! I have an unexpected (but very exciting) trip to Sydney coming up in two weeks, but more on that soon :)

Husband Style

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:58:00 +0000

5each t-shirt | Just Another Fisherman Beanie | RPM jeans

One of the down sides to always being the one being photographed is that it doesn't give me much time to brush up on my photography skills. Because Jeremy is always taking pictures of me he's learnt so much over the last year but sometimes I need a good excuse to get behind the camera too. So on the weekend while we were at Cornwall Park shooting this outfit we did a bit of a swap and I got a chance to brush up on my skills as well. Not to mention I happen to love what Jeremy is wearing in these pictures!

Gardenia

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:13:00 +0000

Fourty Two Shirt c/o Amber Whitecliffe | Country Road Waxed Jeans | Marc Jacobs Sunglasses

Here's something you don't see on my blog very often - me wearing pants!! I've always been more of a skirt/dress girl but I thought it was time for me to splash out and try something new. I got these jeans from Country Road last week and I've been thrashing them ever since! Also this Amber Whitecliffe shirt is an exciting new addition to my wardrobe. I love supporting New Zealand designers and this floral shirt is so soft and comfortable, I know I'll be getting a lot of wear out of it next Spring!

Little Things

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:19:00 +0000

The best thing about forgetting to check the mail on a Saturday is opening the letterbox on a Sunday expecting to just clear out junk mail and finding two unexpected packages waiting for you. This happened to me this morning and I discovered these cute little animal rings sent to me by Grand Bazaar and a Leah Goren iPhone case I treated myself to from Society6. Such a nice way to brighten a quiet Sunday morning at home!

Contributor | Top Places to Visit in the UK

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:58:00 +0000

Hola, it's Mandy Faith from ManD again! To give you a little insight on my life, I'm a full time student currently studying in the UK. For the past few months, I have been happily travelling around the region and would now like to share with you some beautiful places the Great Britain offers!

#1. Bath

Bath is famous for its wonderful Roman building. I particularly love the structure of The Royal Crescent (picture above)! In Spring, people enjoy picnics and beautiful weather on the front lawn.

#2. Bilbury

Bibury is a charming Cotswold village with typical English cottages. It is one of my favorite places as it offers great tranquility and the locals are just as friendly!

#3. Bristol

I am currently residing in Bristol and every time a friend comes by, the Clifton Suspension Bridge is never missed. Simply hop on to the city sightseeing bus and the driver will tell you what's best!

#4. Edinburgh

Edinburgh is fun, historic and peaceful all at the same time: fun with its cool shops and good food, historic with its beautiful Edinburgh castle and peaceful with its much slower pace of living than London. Consider renting an apartment for a group of 4-5, it is very affordable!

#5. London

Need no saying, London is where everyone heads. Funny enough, I find it much more attractive than Paris. The street performances, the diversity, the sweet trail from the Westminster Abbey to the Tower Bridge... all sights are so worth capturing. Though, beware of pickpockets!

#6. Weymouth

Lastly, Weymouth is a quiet seaside town perfect for retirees. It hosted the sailing events for the London 2012 Olympic Games! Be sure to visit the chesil beach and have a cuppa for teatime, you'll definitely enjoy it.

That's it for this time! You can check my site for more travel pictures. Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead!

Mandy Faith
ManD
Here Comes the Sun Contributor

We Are Golden

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Sweater & skirt c/o Chicwish

Just dropping in to say a hello! It's been a bit of a cold and rainy week here in Auckland but in one (short) pocket of sunshine we managed to snap a few quick pictures. Today is a public holiday in New Zealand and Australia (Anzac day - commemorating our soldiers who have served and died in war) so I'm enjoying a little down time, catching up with friends and thinking about my Granddad who drove an ambulance in Egypt during WWII. Hope you're having a good week :)

30 Days of Wellness | Update

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:25:00 +0000

I thought it was time I should check in regarding the April 30 Days of Wellness Challenge and let you know how I'm going with it. You can read my first post about this challenge and see my goals for it here. Like with any challenge of this kind I've had some successes and some not-so-great moments as well.

Where I've done well:

• As part of this challenge I set myself a goal to do a plank every day. I began the month only being able to last 17 seconds and I'm now up to 1.10 so I'm loving seeing the improvement!

• I aimed to cut down on my coffee intake and up my green tea consumption and I've done pretty well with this. I've been drinking around 3 coffees per week and 2 green teas per day, so I'm happy with that.

• I've run over 50kms this month and I'm tracking to end the month around 65 in total. I was aiming for 80kms in total but considering how bad the weather has been here I'm still counting this as a positive!

Where I've struggled:

• I somehow completely forgot about my goal not to have fizzy at all this month (I think you call it 'pop' in the states?) and I've probably had it at least 5 times which I'm feeling bad about.

• I've also had a little trouble learning to say no when I'm offered treats I don't really need. So i've probably eaten more cake and chocolate this month that I'd be willing to tell you.

And that's kinda where I'm at! I definitely have some strengths that I'm grateful for (e.g I genuinely love fresh fruit and veges) but I just need that little burst of extra motivation at the moment as well. Because it's getting colder in NZ at the moment it's easy to feel a little lazy and to crave comfort food.

Are you taking part in this challenge? How are you doing with it?

His & Hers | Sunday Morning Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:11:00 +0000

Him: RVCA snapback | Rhythm jumper | Billabong chino's

& a chai latte

Her: Denim shirt c/o Boohoo | Skirt c/o Chicwish | Just Another Fisherman beanie

& a skinny latte

This weekend has been a good one. On Friday night we had wine and cheese with friends, on Saturday night we went to a Mexican themed house warming and by Sunday morning we were ready for a quiet break with hot coffee and some precious down time. The weather is kiiinda getting a little more Autumn-like here now (although our trees still haven't turned the red and golden colours that I love just yet) so we're enjoying the re-introduction of thicker layers to our wardrobes once again and warming up with our favourite hot drinks. Such a perfect way to end the weekend :)

Behind the Scenes of Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 01:05:00 +0000

If you've ever wanted to know what my blogging regime looks like, this is it! You'll usually find me wrapped up in one of my favourite cardies (this one is by Staple the Label & I got it from Market HQ), cup of tea in hand and happily tucked up in bed. I love blogging from the comfort of my bedroom and especially in our new house as it's so light and bright. Today I'm editing photos for the week ahead and planning out my schedule for the next couple of weeks as well. I love feeling this organised! The only thing that would make this better would be if my cat came in from outside and joined me for a cuddle x

Contributor | The Multiple Talents of Concealer

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 01:48:00 +0000

Hello everyone! It's Gabrielle Houghton and in this weeks contributor guest post I’m showing you the many talents of our faithful friend, concealer. Here are my top three alternative ways to use this multi-use product!

1. As an eyeshadow primer:

Simply swipe concealer over your lid, before applying your eyeshadow. Depending on how oily your lids are you may want to set this with a translucent powder. This will give your eyeshadows more vivid colour payoff.

2. As a base for lipstick:

This is handy to do especially if you are applying a lipstick in a shade that is lighter than your natural lip colour, or if you are applying a sheer colour. With a light hand, cover lips in concealer using your finger or a foundation/concealer bursh. Dont feel the need to be precise with the application, as it the concealer shade should match your skin. Follow up with your favourite lip colour.

3. To define your eyebrows:

Use concealer as a ‘reverse liner,’ drawing around the edges of your eyebrows to tidy up the shape. Angled brushes are good for this. Remember to blend out the concealer into your foundation.

Have fun playing around with your concealer in new ways... hopefully some of these ideas and tips were new to you! Have a good weekend, all x

Gabrielle Houghton
Here Comes the Sun Contributor

Society 6 Wishlist

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:02:00 +0000

Top row: Meow art print / Aqua chevron throw pillow / Bears throw pillow

Middle row: Daisies art print / Black cat iPhone case / A lot of cats art print

Bottom row: Classic chevron throw pillow / Red cat throw pillow / Chevron iPhone case

I can't believe it's taken me this long to become obsessed with Society6. I have to admit I've spent far too many hours trawling through the site and falling in love with almost every item. These are just a few of the items on my wishlist and I have to confess, I’ve already purchased the Leah Goren iPhone case pictured in the middle + these four throw cushion designs as well. I can’t help myself!

Welcome to our Home

noreply@blogger.com (herecomesthesun) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:13:00 +0000

Welcome to our home! I have a proper house tour planned soon (just waiting on some furniture we ordered to arrive) but in the meantime I thought I would show you a few of my favourite corners. We're having fun setting everything up and making it feel like home. We have plans to start a vege garden soon (so excited for home grown beets and chillies!) and we're enjoying all the clean white spaces, wooden floors and bright natural lighting. This is probably my favourite house we've ever lived in!