04/10/2025
A Cute Little Ōtautahi Story ✨
We spent the last week of the school holidays in Christchurch, it was super cute and equally chaotic! We’ve got SO much going on in the background right now (total madness), and I can’t wait to share more soon.
But back to Christchurch: it was a relaxed week overall, even though I was too preoccupied to make it to any of my favourite op shops, eekkkk! 😅 I did, however, make time for a super cute exchange.
I caught up with my beautiful friend Becky. Frankie and I often house-sit for her and her husband Phil over the summer holidays, and Becky’s just taken a huge leap, she’s moved her beloved bespoke cushion business out of her home and into the funkiest little store, literally around the corner from her place.
This is a massive milestone for her. She’s spent the last ten years building her business, and now she’s finally got her own bricks-and-mortar store, a dream come true! The shop is in one of those gorgeous black-and-white villas in her oh-so-boho Ōtautahi suburb. One came up for lease eight months ago, and she jumped on it. And just look at what she’s created, it’s magic.
Now, the story gets even cuter ♥️
I’ve known Becky for decades, she’s actually the older sister of my best mate, Emma, but somehow we’ve never really hung out! I know, madness. I photographed her wedding to her amazing husband Phil two years ago, and Frankie and I have house-sat their home for the past four summers, but life’s been busy and proper catch-ups never happened. Still, she’s family, and we love her dearly.
So while we were in Christchurch, I asked Becky if she’d be up for a little exchange. Sean and I don’t have family support, and carving out alone time is almost impossible. I offered to photograph her new store in exchange for her having Frankie for a sleepover, and she was keen! But no one was more excited than Frankie.
Now, Frankie hasn’t had many sleepovers, she’s got one bestie in Dunedin who she’s basically glued to, and I’m often woken at 6 a.m. by her arm reaching over me with her iPad, planning playdates. You know the deal - next thing you know, her friend’s dad is also in bed messaging back, and boom, it’s a family conference call at dawn 😅
(Love you Tess & Carl) 🧡
Anyway, Frankie was so excited about staying with Becky and Phil, even though she’d never technically met them! She’s spent time in their home, sure, but never actually met them in person. Still, she was buzzing.
When I dropped her off, I felt completely at ease, I knew she’d be surrounded by colour, creativity, and love. And sure enough, Becky had a surprise up her sleeve… she made a cushion with Frankie at her new store! 💛
Now, Frankie has always loved sewing, but me? I’m the most violent sewer you’ll ever meet. 😬 At her old school in Ōamaru, she’d just started learning before we moved to Dunedin, and her new school doesn’t offer it, so it’s been on pause. But that night, something reignited in her.
On the six-hour drive home the next day, she was silent the whole way, then suddenly said, “Mum, I want to start a business like Becky’s. I’ve got ideas and I need to write them down right now. You’ve got a sewing machine, right? Can I have it?!” 🥹
Cue me, one hour later, violently wrestling the sewing machine and several YouTube tutorials before admitting defeat. So, I’ve found a local sewing teacher in Dunedin, and Frankie will be starting lessons soon!
So to you, Miss Becky Lee, thank you. You lit a spark in our girl. We love you endlessly. 💕
These are the photos I took of Beckys store, and photos I took of her wedding and photos I took of her home!
Please give her pages a follow, it helps more than you know!
Becky Lee Interiors
And over on Insta
https://www.instagram.com/beckyleeinteriors?igsh=NHpxZ3hnaHZsaHN2
Becky’s store is at
69 Rutland Street
St Albans
Christchurch 🌿✨🕺
ps - check comments for the sweetest clip of Frankie at Becky’s 🧡🕺🤭✨🌿
