Stuff to do this weekend

A nice little collection of things to do this weekend for you but my pick would definitely have to be Outer Base, the free party for the whole family happening at Leigh Sawmill on Sunday afternoon. It's a Base FM gig so expect some really great music and good chill times.


The Grey Lynn Community Festival is another event worth leaving the comfort of your couch for. 


And then there's a whole bunch of different things happening at The Cloud on Queen's Wharf on both Saturday and Sunday.


The Coatesville Market is back this weekend. Maybe hit it up on the way up to Leigh!

Leigh Sawmill Cafe - Hopefully Sunday's weather is just like this! (If I ignore the forecast maybe it'll go away)

Outer Base - Outdoors & Out Of Town

This amazing new event was created in part because a lot of the Base FM DJs have kids now but still want to hang out with their friends, listen to good music, get their dance on and have family time all at once (who says you can't?!). And really, what could be wrong about getting out of the city on a Sunday afternoon and going somewhere that feels like a holiday. 


Outer Base happens the first Sunday of every month (that's this weekend people!) at the wonderful Leigh Sawmill Cafe, features some really great DJs and is all for free. Fun for the kids, fun for Mum and Dad, fun for your whole crew...ticking all the boxes right? Definitely my pick for the weekend.

At The Cloud this weekend

Go down to The Cloud on both Saturday and Sunday to see Prestige Dance Crew do their thing (after we saw them last time Haeata tried to crab walk everywhere for a week), join in a haka workshop and experience 200-plus marimbas, xylophones, ukeleles and recorders. Not sure what that last one is about but it sounds interesting at the least!

Be there at 10am if you want to catch the pōwhiri. Check out this pdf for more information about stuff happening down at Queens Wharf.

Live music at Freyburg Square

High St fashion event First Light is on tomorrow from 12pm - 10pm. It's all free and while you may or may not feel like a "purveyor of style with substance" (I'm sorry, that line's been making me chuckle all morning) there is some really great music happening in Freyburg Square so you should go check it out for that fact alone.

Base FM's Bobby Brazuka is starting the party with Jennifer Zea at 12pm. Think bossa, samba and soul all tinged with hip hop. In other words, we'll be unashamedly getting our dance on in the middle of the day.

Lewis McCallum, Issac Aesili and the Sweet Mix Kids are all included in the line up and that's all before 5pm. 

Really good free music in the middle of the city? Summer must be on the way!

A full schedule of acts and more info about First Light can be found at the High St. District Gazette.

Coatesville Market

This Sunday head a tiny bit north for the first Coatesville Market this year since Winter ended (damn that feels good to type/say/sing loudly and obnoxiously). Good chance to check out Fernielea Cafe ... I keep hearing lots of good things about it and I'm super curious. Check out that Kid's Menu. It has...gasp... real food on it. 

West Lynn Street Party

Everyone knows Grey Lynn/West Lynn throw the best parties so I don't feel like I need to say much more besides Thursday 29th, 4 - 8pm, Richmond Rd Shops, live music (including The Ukeladies), Pacific Island food, BBQ outside Little Grocer, organic candyfloss and good times all round. 

Free Tempo Dance Festival preview

The upcoming Tempo Dance Festival looks amazing but the ticket prices don't exactly make it a kid-friendly excursion. Lucky for us there will be free preview at the Auckland Art Gallery tomorrow! Starting at 12 you can catch tasters from three different dance shows in the North Atrium. Check out the Tempo Dance Festival website for more details on the different shows.

Autumn Story - Firekites

We're all about getting our dance on here at Tiny Thrills but sometimes we like to take it easy. The chalkboard animation for this video is so cool (love the giant cat) and I think I'm going to have to add this nice sleepy song to Haeata's bedtime playlist.

Emelia

We met Emelia at the Winter Garden cafe in Wynyard Quarter. Her dress and cardie are both from Savemart. I love all the layers under the dress. Get a full years wear out of those summer dresses!

Grey Lynn Community Festival

How was your weekend people? Sunday may have been kinda crappy but wow, how amazing was the weather on Saturday?! We spent the whole day outside on Ponsonby Rd for the Ponsonby Market Day. Lots of great live music playing on every corner and free samples of delicious food every couple of metres. Magic! (photos to come)


Here's hoping Auckland puts on another fantastic day next Saturday because the Grey Lynn Community Festival is on! Not to be confused with the popular Grey Lynn Park Festival which is on later in the year, this still looks like it's going to be a fun day. 


It's being held at St Josephs School on Great North Rd and there will be live performances, craft stalls, food and activities for kids. And since Grey Lynn has adopted Manu Samoa as their team for the World Cup there will be a special focus on Samoan culture. 

Stuff to do this weekend

It's a good weekend to be in Ponsonby. All Saints Church is holding an old school church fete and Ponsonby Road will be full of stalls for Ponsonby Market Day. Lots of really, really good live music happening too. My personal highlight for the weekend will have to be Isaac Aesili doing a set at Conch Records on Saturday. I recommend getting a slice of mushroom pizza from Il Buco next to Conch while you let Isaac serenade you.


Another market worth checking out is the Pre Loved Kids Market in Orewa. But don't let Saturday morning tantrums tempt you into trying to trade your kids in, this is just second hand clothes, toys and furniture.


The Blingling Bros are holding a free circus tricks workshop down at the Wynyard Quarter. These guys are pretty entertaining so go along and watch even if your kids are too small to catch a ball, let alone juggle five.


On Saturday you can catch New Caledonian hip hop dance crew, Posue performing at The Cloud and then head back again on Sunday for some Burundian beats. It's all part of a carnival type event called an Auckland Cultural Mosaic and it's all free.


And if the weather turns out crap (please don't, it's looking so promising right now!) there's always the Auckland Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery and my new discovery, the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum (turns out Haeata is actually a 60 year old man and loves looking at boats).

Ponsonby Market Day

So much good stuff going down at this market. Isaac Aeseli and Rachel Fraser are doing a DJ/live vocal set to promote their upcoming album release in store at Conch Records from around 12.  Isaac never fails to get me up dancing and Rachel is an amazing singer so it'll definitely be worth checking out.


Wellington eight piece all girl band, St Ruperstberg will be playing at 2pm somewhere along Ponsonby Rd. Check out their band camp page for a listen. 


I feel like I may have seen something about a Tahitian cultural dance group performing as well but I can't seem to find that link now. 


And of course there will be great markety goodness to be had at the stalls! 

Blingling Bros Circus Workshop

The Blingling Bros are holding a circus tricks workshop as one of the free "Workshops At The Wharf" events down at The Wynyard Quarter this Sunday from 12 - 2. We saw these guys perform as part of the Pick & Mix series at the Aotea Centre and they were definitely one of Haeata's favourites. They blend hip hop, basketball and jokes about "Cirque du Bro-leil" into their act and there is not one single creepy clown.

Old School Church Fete at All Saints Ponsonby

All Saints Church in Ponsonby is holding a traditional church fete this Saturday. I'm going to assume that as well as white elephant stalls and jars upon jars of piccalilli relish there will also be toffee apples, Glenda's prize winning scones and paper cups full of delicious diabetes inducing coconut ice (oh my god want some NOW). And who knows, maybe donkey rides and a coconut shie! 

Spring Pre Loved Kids Market

hahaha, the name of this market CRACKS ME UP. 

But ahh, it's from 9 - 12 at the Orewa Community Centre and as far as I know they are just selling clothes, toys and furniture. There will be no pre loved children for sale. And for reals now, I'm sure there will be some pretty sweet bargains to be had. Just not the ones implied. 


Contact natashagoodasnew@yahoo.com for more details

Ironique, Mt Eden

We ended up in Ironique on Mt Eden Rd a few weeks ago when my sister was up and looking for somewhere with a good selection of gluten-free treats. They had at least three different gluten-free things on the counter and a big courtyard out the back so we decided to check it out. My sister loved her cake and her lemon tea while Haeata loved the big box of toys, all the space to run around and the resident sparrows. The amazing iron work on the doors and sinks made for a cool surrounding too.

I spotted no less than three high chairs waiting in the courtyard and there was a changing table in the bathroom so perfect if you've got really little fluffy lovers. 

I also spotted some pretty amazing burgers on near by tables so might have to revisit for lunch one day. 

Ironique

448 Mt Eden Rd

Book Of The Week

Back at the beginning of this blog I started a "Book Of The Week" feature but had kinda let it lag big time...until this book arrived in the mail a few days ago! Apparently it's a classic and has been translated into many, many different languages but I'd never heard of it. A friend of mine who doesn't have kids sent it, probably thinking it's hilarious. Which it is. 

Huia

This little ball of cuteness and serious style is my friend's daughter Huia.
Huia is rocking a cardie from actual Kathmandu (as in, Nepal) bought at Save Mart. The Hat was just $15 at an asian store and Huia's mum made that awesome vintage looking tutu.

Music or animals

Where The Wild Things Are - Max Costume

I've been wanting to make a Max costume for Haeata since, well pretty much since I knew I was pregnant. Now that she's two it's oh so much more relevant. These instructions from Small Magazine require minimal sewing skills and the results are pretty damn cute. All that's missing is the crown but you could give your kids some cardboard and get them to make their own sweet wild Max crown.

Max - More style and bad assery than you. And pretty good with interior decoration too.

Auckland Cultural Mosaic Carnival at The Cloud

So, apparently for the last two weeks there have been family fun carnival type happenings going on at The Cloud. I had no idea but then only an insane person would've gone anywhere near The Cloud two weekends ago. This weekend however things should hopefully be a bit less crazy down there. On Saturday New Caledonian Hip Hop crew Posue is performing along with some other groups (ahem...Morris Dancers. Oh my god I'd pay to see that battle!) and then on Sunday there will be Burundian beats, a Niuen choir and a pipe band. Check out this event guide PDF for more info.

Sun Ra - Pink Elephants

Because it is NEVER too early to get them into Sun Ra. Or trippy 1940's cartoons.

Stuff To Do This Weekend

My pick for the weekend has to be Pirate Day at the Maritime Museum


But with the Heritage Festival starting this weekend there is a whole heap of markets and festivals happening all over Auckland. Check it out:


Vintage cars and pony & cart rides in Mangere Bridge
Live music and a "celebration of working class roots" at the Onehunga Heritage Festival
A Garden Hunt for kids at Highwic


Have a look at the Heritage Festival website for lots more stuff and guided walks all over the place.


I'll have a full review up next week but if you're at the Wynyard Quarter make sure you stop by the Winter Garden for some Kokako coffee. It's only there for six weeks and it's definitely worth checking out. 


And as usual I fully recommend the Auckland Art Gallery and the Auckland Museum

Winter Garden cafe

Ugh. Do I for reals have to call it the "HP Winter Garden"? Can't we just call it the "Kokako Winter Garden"? So much cooler! I know, I know, the place is packed full of really cool HP technology but big corporate branding in a cafe name is kind of dorky y'all. But if you can ignore the name, this place is definitely worth a visit. I'll have a proper review up with proper photos next week but I just wanted to throw these phone pictures up now because the place is only open for 6 weeks!

Wynyard Quarter, right next to the playground.

Pirate Day

The Voyager Maritime Museum is celebrating International Pirate Day this Sunday from 10 - 4. There'll be swashbuckling, face painting, story time and apparently real cannon fire. Sounds like a good time! 


Best of all, it's all free for Aucklanders. Just take along proof of address (most places accept Auckland Library cards as proof). And hell yes you have to dress up!

Winter Garden (serving Kokako Coffee!)

The Kokako Winter Garden cafe is now open in the Wynyard Quarter! Alright, alright it's actually called the HP Winter Garden but seriously? You actually want me to call it that? Anyway, It's located right next to the very cool playground so I imagine we'll be going to check it out very soon. Meanwhile, have a look at this great time lapse video of the cafe being constructed. I love how this part of the waterfront is such an integral part of Auckland already. 


(Edit : Check out a couple of snaps we took at the Winter Garden last week here)




HP Winter Garden | Time-lapse from Fifty Cent Mixture on Vimeo.

Look Up

I couldn't choose between these equally too damn adorable shots so you get both!


Cardigan: $8 from Wairau Hospice Shop
Leather look leggings : $10 on sale at Pumpkin Patch
Hand-knitted socks: $6 (new! Thanks Someone's Bored Nana) at Takapuna Hospice Shop
Leather boots : $2 at Takapuna Markets (these boots feature heavily you may have noticed. Because they are the score of the century and I dread the day she grows out of them.)

Kiddy Kapa Haka

"Timana timana nga whetu.." Briar swears these are stars and not suns. 

Crayola colours get even MORE realistic!

From my new favourite tumblr person Vibrant Thang

A Puzzled Tame Tiki

On Friday night I went and saw my friend Kahu in a play at the amazing little Letham Gallery in Ponsonby (shh, don't tell anyone I didn't watch the rugby). The play was great, Kahu was a treat to watch as usual but the exhibition lining the walls was the real surprise. A slightly subversive kiwiana collection of colourful and sometimes quite funny pieces. I'm planning on taking Haeata there just so she can see the Buzzy Bee Transformer. 

Going Global Music Summit

The Going Global Music Summit is on at The Cloud today and it's all free. The seminars may not be of interest to your kids but from 6pm there's lots of free music on including the Sami Sisters, The Vietnam War, Zowie, Collapsing Cities and heaps more. Maybe rug the kids up in their jammies and go catch an hour or two? 

(Other) Stuff to do this weekend

Te Wao Nui, the amazing new space at the Auckland Zoo opens this Sunday


There's a Moon Festival happening in Northcote (moon cakes and dragons!)


Giant finger painting at Aotea Square!


Titirangi Mums Craft Market is on this Saturday - live music, face painting, coffee, food stalls...


And I'm happy to now be able to list both the Auckland Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery as places you can go check out every old weekend!

If you do venture into the CBD make sure you check out some of streets that have been transformed into shared spaces - Fort St, Elliot St, Lorne St and Darby St. So much more attractive and pedestrians have the right of way! 

Eden Espresso Bar

Back in January, 2009 I left North Shore hospital with a shiny brand new three day old baby. Before I even went home I stopped by my favourite cafe in Takapuna for some Eggs Ben (9 months is a long time to go without your favourite breakfast!). This cafe was a favourite partly because of the good food and atmosphere but mostly because of the wonderful manager, Zafer. A truly attentive host and a skilled barista, he always made sure every customer felt welcome and appreciated. He even carried Haeata back out to the car in her capsule that day!

Zafer isn't at that particular cafe anymore so I was over the moon to run into him the other day and find out he's now pouring exquisitely good coffee and making a new set of customers feel welcome at Eden Espresso Bar in Mt Eden. 

This is a European style Espresso Bar so there aren't chairs and tables, just bar stools and a bar. Not what you may typically think of as a kid-friendly cafe but Zafer loves kids and understands that parents/aunties and uncles/grandparents need good coffee too so he's made it as accessible as possible. There's plenty of room to get at least two or three pushchairs in there and some books on the bar to keep kids entertained while their parents wait for their espresso. Zafer said he gets a lot of parents coming in and picking up a coffee on their way to the near by playground.

With blackboard painted walls, beautiful art work and a stylish industrial feel the cafe is a nice place to hang out too if you're lucky enough to get a seat at the bar.

The cafe is attached to Eden Coffee so you can pick up 1kg of Organic Fair Trade beans while you're there!

Did I mention Zafer does great Fluffies too?

New Kicks!

So happy with this score! Chuck Taylor high tops for just $40! Definitely worth the trip to Mt Eden. Go check out Eden Shoes,  they have a huge range of Converse for adults and kids, and some pretty sweet steals.

RWC Opening Night

One of the mums from a great family friendly Auckland Facebook group just posted this really helpful list of vantage points in Auckland to watch tomorrow night's fireworks from. Check the group out. We're having an interesting discussion right now about whether or not it's a good idea to take kids down to the waterfront tomorrow. Just how crazy is this thing going to be? 

• Pt Erin
• Mt Eden
• Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, Orakei
• Mt Victoria, Devonport
• Parnell Rose Gardens
Viaduct Harbour, Bastion Point, North Head, East Coast Bays, Tamaki Drive, Orakei and Princes Wharves.

K Road Block Party for Tonga

Tonga's 90 piece brass band is going to be performing. I don't think I really need to say anything more. 4:30 - 8pm on Friday, sounds like more fun than "Party Central"!

Pacific Showcase

Opps, this has been going on for the last two days and I've just caught on now. The last day of the Pacific Showcase is today down at The Cloud. Performances, art, FOOD ... good times. 

Te Wao Nui

Te Wao Nui, the new Aotearoa themed section at Auckland Zoo is opening on Sunday at 12 . We had a little sneak preview a few months ago and it was looking amazing. The plants are all native and there are over 60 different species of native animals in there. You can walk around inside the bird enclosure. Can't wait.

Moon Festival

Thinking you might need to cleanse your palate with something totally un-rugby-related by Saturday? Check out the Moon Festival at the Northcote Shops from 10am - 3pm. There'll be food stalls, lots of traditional dance performance and face painting throughout the day. Personally, I LOVE a good dragon dance and that has been scheduled for 1:30 so we might have to go down there after lunch for some moon cakes and tambourine shaking dragons!

Nissa

Nissa was visiting from Queenstown and was nice enough to take a break from climbing to do a little vogueing for the camera.

She's wearing Nature Baby leggings, a Trelise Cooper Kids dress and a faux leather jacket from Pumpkin Patch. Her Mum said she found the jacket on sale for about $20. I'm in love with the mix of colours and prints, designer and chain store. So much fun!

Finger Painting at Aotea Square

I love the amount of free Arts and Crafts sessions for kids popping up in the CBD at the moment. On Saturday we made taniwha masks in the Wynyard Quarter and then went up to the new Art Gallery (so in love) and cut shapes out of paper and drew in stencils. 


This Saturday there is a free finger painting session happening in Aotea Square from 10:30am - 12 to launch the ASG Parent and Child Show. Get your Jackson Pollock on and we'll see you there!

Animated Sheet Music - Miles Davis "So What"

Who needs cartoons?!

Brobee and Questlove drum off!

Milan

Milan here is rocking his Ramones Tshirt with Cotton On jeans and Chucks. 


We met Milan and his Dad hanging in the playground in the Wynyard Quarter. Amazing space by the way. About time Auckland!