My beautiful dad.
The beach houses surrounding the house we stayed in. The agapanthus grows wild in front of these houses. I would love to see them flowering.
The gardens in this small sleepy beach side town are to-die-for. 
Table set for Dad's Birthday lunch.
I spotted this cute beach shack when I was out picking flowers and loved it. In New Zealand I've noticed they paint many of their houses black and white which I love.
I had a bath in this huge clawfoot bath every day we were there. I love the little vintage butterfly prints on the wall.
When we eventually renovate the kitchen in our new house I definitely want to have a cabinet built just like this one which was in the kitchen at the beach house. It was so perfect for all the plates, platters, cups etc. 
The beach in front of the house.We've just returned home from a week in New Zealand where we celebrated my father's 60th Birthday. After spending a few days in Auckland we caught a plane down to Napier and drove down to a beautiful beach house my parent's have been frequenting over the past 12 months in a sleepy beach side town in Hawkes Bay. We spent 3 days here with my parents, brothers, cousins, aunty & uncle and our grandmother. It was the most wonderful holiday with lots of laughs, lots of tears and lots of reminiscing. Mum cooked an amazing lunch for Dad on his birthday. I went down the street and picked some gorgeous roadside flowers which I arranged for the table. It was the most amazing week away from work and the craziness of life. Happy 60th Birthday Dad. You are one in a million and we all love you so much.
If anyone is interested in staying at this beautiful house click HERE for details.
28 comments:
Lovely pictures Anna, a well deserved rest for you I'm sure. You're father must have been so pleased to have all his family with him for this happy occasion. Enjoy your weekend.x
Absolutely gorgeous!
I think I might incorporate your kitchen cabinet photo in our new kitchen… and have an extra shelf in our overhead cupboards … Not sure if this is the standard but our rental only has 1 shelf which means a lot of wasted room above the cups and glasses :( ...
Thank you :)
B is building a house
hi anna,
your dad is quite handsome. he reminds me of ralph lauren.
agapanthus grows like crazy here in southern california. most people rip it out of their landscapes b/c it is too ordinary. no kidding.
~janet
Hi Janet,
It's actually not the first time someone has said that about dad!! Isn't that funny about the agapanthus!
xx
Anna
Your getaway looks fabulous! One look at your father and it's without question he is handsome and takes care of himself. Happy Birthday to your father! He reminds me so much of Ralph Lauren, as someone above posted! What a great holiday...those are the types of getaways that should be cherished! Thanks for sharing.
So beautiful and from where I sit in New England, it is all so exotic in a faraway land that I want to visit someday! what a gorgeous spot and I love the bathtub, what a relaxing spot!! We just celebrated my Dad's 80th in May!!
Anna:
Absolutely beautiful is right, you have impeccable taste!
I thought about my lake house being in a perfect spot…
This puts it to shame! And what a view! To die for!
Extremely jealous!
Caroline
Hi Anna, I think David has always been a bit of a stunner. Don't tell him that though! I always love going to NZ as it is always so green and such a scenic part of this world.
Love that kitchen cabinet in the beach house - its gorgeous!
Have a great weekend.
Pam
ok - I actually thought this was a fashion post until i read the caption, "my beautiful Dad".
The weekend sounds fabulous - I long for a little getaway with family, Your pics erally capture the spirit of this place..
and that cabinet is fabulous..
Vie
A well deserved break I'm sure! I bet it was lovely for your little ones to have some great mommy time too! Beautiful pictures Anna, hope you are well! xx
What a beautiful house! I love New Zealand- it is one of those places that I will continue to revisit because it is just like heaven on earth- so gorgeous!
Your Dad has a very Ralph Lauren style & grace about him...
Oh I wish I could stay there...what a magical wonderful family time you had! thanks for the story and pictures..lovely
xoxo
Kit
I promise I won't tell him Pam but he might just read your comment as he is one of my biggest blog fans!!!
xx
Anna
Lovely holiday in a stunning spot - thanks for the link to the house - we're in Auckland so just a quick skip down there - NZ certainly shines when the sun's out... glad you had a lovely holiday - and a lovely time with your Dad - looks like he might have to start his own blog! Ann x
The beach is beautiful, Anna, and I like the simplicity of your table setting for your Dad's lunch.
wonderful place, we've just spent time there in May, our friend is from Napier, so that was the 1st time we spent there as well - its gorgeous! hope you had a nice break Anna. Great wine from that district...
Funny, at the grocery yesterday, a nice man told me he was a "Great Grandfather" and I said, how lucky! He told me the key was to "Choose your parents wisely!" I can see you have chosen a wonderful Dad.
Happy 60th to Mr.Absolutely Beautiful Things Dad!
pve
jeaaaaalous!
i would love to spend a weekend there.. or two :)
happy birthday to your dad!
House looks amazing! If only it were a little nearer to London..
Wonderfull Dad.
Beautiful place and lovely blog.
Besitos.
xoxo
Happy 60th to your dad, Anna! What a magnificent way to celebrate... I hope you had plenty of relaxation as well. Indulging in those baths would have been a good start.
Such gorgeous photos Anna.. I spent 2 years in Hawkes Bay recoving from a gut wrenching divorce and spent many days lying on the sand at Waimarama healing my heart. It really is an amazing place to be, and I'm so glad you & your family had a gorgeous time there. Happy 60th to your Dad too!
x
Wow, what an amazing array of photos. Your Dad is so handsome. I loved reading about your holiday.
beautiful pics Anna - what a gorgeous house! lovely!
happy birthday to your dad!
Wow, just so beautiful! If only the flight wasn't so very long from here.
What a gorgeous and fantastic way to celebrate your father's 60th. Beautiful setting and sounds like loads of fun with family and relatives. Love the floor to ceiling shelves.
oh it sounds like you had a wonderful time - we love waimarama and staying at black barn is THE best thing.
My Home town! I am from Hawkes Bay NZ. We love that place that you stayed. All of the Black Barn houses are amzing. you should def come back! Love your blog!
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