Hi my name is Anne-Marie and this blog is mostly about my latest venture Return To Eden as well as sharing a little more about myself. I live in the Waikato in New Zealand after moving from the hectic city life in Auckland where I was bought up and lived most of my life. I have travelled over seas and as a teenager lived in a few different place abroad including Australia, but I truly do love New Zealand for it's beauty and it's easy going culture. Due to my fiancee's work we had to move to the Waikato in June of 2010 and so we moved to a semi rural area and with the change of lifestyle came my change in career.
I have had five children who are now embarking on their own life journeys other than the baby who is 15 years old and still at home and goes to high school. So now I have the time to fulfill some of my dreams. I have trained to be a nurse and I have studied a Bachelor of Science and worked in accounts however my true calling in life is to be creative and that is where I am at now.
One thing or another has led me to start up my own children's clothing label which, for a number of reasons I have called Return To Eden. To do so I have had to learn how to sew (professionally other than just the odd set of curtains), use an overlocker, convert patterns, design patterns, embellish and a range of other techniques. As well as source the materials from all over the globe as well as locally. I am very busy with it all but I am also very passionate about it so I am loving it.
I believe that one of the gifts we are born with is the ability to appreciate beauty - and that can be in any one or all of the five senses that we posses. Things can look, taste, sound, feel and look beautiful to us. For most of us one of the most over whelming moments of experiencing beauty is when we lay eyes on our babies. I am sure we have all experienced that feeling of watching them sleep and thinking how perfect and beautiful they are.
We endeavour to teach them and share with them the beauty of life. We want them to be free to grow and be the beautiful person that they are. And we want life to be filled with rich and rewarding experiences for them no matter how complex or how simple. However, we always want them to have happiness and love.
When I first thought of Return To Eden, I had in mind the book/movie The Secret Garden - a place where children go to be free of any worries, have the freedom to be who they are, where it is beautiful, where they can play and be happy and the world is a wonderful place full of promise and strength for them - where they can celebrate their being a child. I thought of beautiful flowers, colours and textures. It evoked the image of crisp cottons, soft cottons, satins, silks, muted earthy colours, fun colours, girly colours, pretty and elegant. But also to be unique and embellished with flowers, crystals, beads, embroidery and ribbons. To use materials sourced worldwide from right around the globe but only materials that are of quality. Also to use organic where possible to protect this beautiful world that we live in.
I hand make everything myself and many hours are spent on each garment - from sourcing the materials to creating the embellishments to finish the item. I ensure there is the finest workmanship and thoroughly check all items. I offer the personal touch and want every customer to feel not only happy with their purchase but to also know that their item was created with love. I want the customer to feel special and thrilled to have their little one (who will also feel special) wearing a Return To Eden piece.
I chose the name Return To Eden as it also refers to the garden (keeping in mind The Secret Garden) and the beginning of life - a place that was natural and untainted. It reminded me of the life of a child - the birth of that child, the beauty and their precious innocence. As an adult we realise the ups and downs of life and ohhhhh how at times we long for the simplicity of being a child and with such basic needs. My hope is that by experiencing Return To Eden you will enjoy it's beauty and feel the joy of being oh so girly again.
Return To Eden does offer a few items for boys as well and they will promise to be funky and cool but also unique - they will celebrate the wonder and energy of being a boy. Oh and most of all comfortable for all that rugged play.
I hope that gives you a little more insight into what Return To Eden means to me and if you have any questions please feel free to email me dreams@returntoeden.co.nz. Thank you so much for your interest and for taking the time to join me.
I hope over the days, weeks and months and hopefully even years, you will find something of interest and perhaps even inspiring that can help you realise your dreams also.
Anne-Marie
