IzzyWest.Co

I’m Izzy. My mission is to enjoy life beautifully. Capturing Moments | Mother | Dream Home | Flower Grower | Focus on Longevity

31/07/2026

Foraged in the Red Zone yesterday, gathering wild grasses, seed heads and branches to bring along to our All About Flowers gathering.

If you don’t know us? We’re a group of flower-loving ladies who meet once a month at the Canterbury Horticultural Society in the Botanic Gardens. Some months it’s hands-on making, demonstrations other months it’s just flowers, chitchat and a cuppa. This month my friend and co-host Yvette Edwards taught us how to work with dried materials, and honestly it’s such a beautiful thing to be doing in the depths of winter.

This wild, textural wreath is what I came home with, all foraged branches, dried hydrangea, wattle, seed heads and grasses woven together.

Fancy learning how to make your own? Yvette’s running a dried wreath workshop in August in the Kiosk at Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Head to the Canterbury Horticultural Society website to book it. You can also find more info on our All About Flowers group page for details on our monthly meet-ups.

Would love to see you there! Yvette Edwards Debz Eagle

christchurchflorist driedwreath

07/07/2026

Floral brain turned on, tidy wires, tapped stems, it’s all part of the wiring techniques paper, I’m studying via the NZ Open Polytechnic. Fancy trying it out? I would recommend it. Alm

25/06/2026

This month’s I offered to host our All About Flowers gathering at home, with florist and stylist Yvette .stylist walking us through her autumn table styling using pears, daffodils, and peach chrysanthemums. Always inspiring to see how seasonal pieces come together. Also love the simple elegance of this table scape. Thank you to everyone who joined us! 🍂 If you’re interested in joining the group, you can find more information

06/05/2026

My mother-in-law Adie passed away on Tuesday. It has been heartbreaking to experience the loss of someone we love dearly, and our family is deeply saddened by her sudden passing. Adie was a bubbly kind woman; she always had a smile and loved having a laugh over a glass of Chardonnay. Adie spent months creating the most beautiful knitwear for her grandchildren, I’ll always remember the moment she gave it to me at my baby shower and how blown away I felt, that she dedicated so much time to make me something so lovely. Adie always made me feel welcome in the Weston family from the day I met her 17 years ago. Without Adie, I wouldn’t have my family. I am forever grateful for her and for the family she has given me.

Here’s a collection of photos of Adie and our family. The last one is a funny photo of my mother Kirsteen with Adie my mother in law at my dress up horror birthday party. The Obituary of Adrienne Weston from the Press today:

“Adie passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at Christchurch Hospital, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, aged 75 years.

Dearly loved and devoted wife of David. Dedicated mother of Nicholas, Timothy, and Anna; and mother-in-law of Isabelle and Jamie. Adored grandmother of Adaline, Raphaela, and Leo. Loving sister of Charmaine, and auntie of Christopher, Scott, and Phillip. A treasured friend of many. Messages to the Weston family, c/- PO Box 4472, Christchurch 8140. A private family service will be held, followed by a celebration of Adie’s life at Elmwood Trading Company, 1 Normans Road, Strowan, commencing on Friday, May 8, at 3.00pm. All welcome.”

27/04/2026

Would you take a 6-year-old hiking in the rain and wind?

As parents, I believe it’s important to nurture a little grit in our kids and help them appreciate the world they live in. Let’s be real; they have it pretty good! That’s why we hike when it’s not perfect weather! Unfortunately, last week it was raining and there was a chilly wind, so we came prepared. ❄️💦

Raphaela (6) and I set out for an unforgettable overnight hike—just 2.5km to the cutest little hut in Canterbury, Rod Donald Hut! This is the perfect first hike for families!

Normally, the views over Little River and Port Livy are stunning— but we couldn’t see much. We shared a cosy night around the fire with marshmallows and she chose a hearty breakfasts - a pancake marshmallow sandwich.

Did you know there are over 900 huts to discover in New Zealand? That means more fun and more adventures ahead for us exploring beautiful NZ!

Have you got a recommendation for overnight hike for families?

17/04/2026

How to Get Your Kids to Help Cook Dinner!

I decided to make cooking a family affair by letting my kids know that if they didn’t cook something healthy, there would be nothing for dinner. I helped them find a healthy recipe they could manage and provided guidance only. The result? A delicious meal and a tremendous boost in their confidence, as you can see in the videos!

Here’s the Mango Chicken Curry recipe from my kids (Raphy literally licked the bowl!) credit:

Ingredients:
- 100 grams dried red lentils (½ Cup)
- 250 grams carrots (2 Medium)
- 500 milliliters chicken stock (2 Cups)
- 2 cups mango (Cubed flesh, frozen is fine)
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- 1 large onion (finely diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped/minced)
- 2 cm ginger (peeled and finely chopped/minced)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- 500 grams skinless chicken (cubed into bite-sized pieces)
- ½ cup coconut milk

Instructions:
◦ Rinse the red lentils and place in a pot.
◦ Roughly chop the carrots and add to the lentils along with the stock. Cover with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes.
◦ Add 1 Cup of the mango (if it is frozen let it soften for a few minutes in the hot liquid). Transfer to a blender or food processor and blitz into a smooth orange sauce. You can also use a stick immersion blender for this.
◦ Heat oil in pan. Sauté onion until lightly coloured
◦ Add garlic and ginger, sauté for a further 1-2 mins
◦ Add all the dry spices and cook off for 1-2 mins (cumin, turmeric, cardamon, cinnamon)�
◦ Add the lentil carrot and mango sauce to the pan�
◦ Add the diced chicken, gently simmer for 30 mins. Stir every 10mins or so.
◦ Add the remaining cup of cubed mango and the coconut milk (optional) simmer for a further 5 mins, to heat through�
◦ Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve �

Encouraging kids in the kitchen not only teaches them valuable skills but also creates lasting memories and fosters a sense of pride in their cooking achievement.

Happy cooking! 💚

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93 Carlton Mill Road, Merivale
Christchurch
8014

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