Florence Broadhurst Beach Range | Recline

Florence Broadhurst is one of my most favourite designers. Her designs are quite spectacular, and just as popular today as they were in the 1960's, if not more. "Cockatoos" in golden yellow is the ultimate summery pattern, and now you can purchase your very own Florence Broadhurst beach accessories from Recline - the perfect shopping destination for your outdoor lifestyle.

The Florence Broadhurst range includes everything you need for a trip to the beach. The beach towel is large and plush with retro loop tassels at each end. It comes with a handy carry strap, and fits comfortably into the matching beach tote. The tote is a generous size, with an inner lining, internal zip pocket, and a magnetic closure. Last, but definitely not least, the beach seat is super comfy, but very lightweight and easy to carry by it's adjustable carry strap.

My girls and I have tested each of these products and we think they're all absolutely brilliant! The quality is exceptional, and I love the cockatoos design. If you want to be comfortable while still looking stylish this summer, these are the products for you, and they'd make fantastic Christmas gifts.

Make sure you check out everything else that Recline has to offer too. Each product is hand-picked to make living outdoors easy and fun.

Patternz Pareo & Peshtemals | Giveaway

I love starting the week with a giveaway, and this one is very timely with summer and Christmas just around the corner. Patternz is a newly launched company specialising in lovely pareo and peshtemals sourced from Turkey and India. Made from 100% cotton with hand-knotted tassels, these traditional Turkish towels are lightweight, extremely absorbent, and dry five times faster than standard towels.

The larger summer blanket makes a great picnic blanket, throw, or even a tablecloth. The pareo can be used everyday at home, and because they take up very little room in your bag and dry so quickly, they're perfect to take to the beach or the gym.

Patternz are giving away one of their super light weight pareos to three lucky Cush & Nooks readers. To enter simply "like" the Patternz Facebook page, and then email me with your choice of colour - baby blue, beige, grey, navy, or yellow. We'd love it if the winners could upload a photo of their pareo to Facebook once they have it and tag Patternz. Competition open to New Zealand residents only.

baby blue

beige

grey

navy

yellow

They're very simple, but beautiful products which will soften with age and use. Pick one up for yourself, or why not get one in every colour for your family's Christmas gifts. Pop over and see the full range here. 

The three winners will be randomly drawn this Friday 14 November at 4pm. Winners will be contacted by email and I will also announce their names on my Facebook page. Good luck!

An Exotic Santa Barbara Beach Home

I've found a beautiful beach abode in Santa Barbara, Southern California, that I would happily call home. It's owner, Gina Tolleson (Miss World 1990), has filled it with gorgeous treasure that she's collected on her travels to India, Morocco, South America, Bali and Africa. She shares the home with her three sons - Carter, 16 years old, Luca, 8 years, and Tiago, 7 years.

I love the exotic, relaxed vibe this home exudes. The white walls and floors are the perfect backdrop for the layers of pattern and colour. Now that the boys are a bit older, interior designer Amanda Masters has been helping Gina make a few changes. They successfully mix Gina's global finds with modern and mid century pieces that tie in with the home's architecture.

A bird's-nest tower that's visible from the beach is Gina's special space to meditate, enjoy a glass of wine, and look at the ocean - no kids allowed! I think all parents should have a tower room like that ;)

Luca and Tiago's room is a really fun space that continues the global theme.

Gina's favourite space (and mine) is an outdoor room that open onto the courtyard. A 40th birthday trip to Rajasthan inspired her to paint the wall hot pink. Along with a bamboo lounger laden with cushions, and Balinese umbrellas, the vibrant colour creates a fabulous setting for a dinner party or cocktail evening.

I love the mix of the wooden outdoor table from India with the new wire chairs. To me this home is the perfect blend of beauty and tranquility, that's what I love!

photos by Nancy Neil