Hello, my dear Frankies! 💜 Do you remember being young and feeling like the whole world was at your feet? Like you could do anything, build anything, become anything? The sad thing is, that feeling can definitely start to fade as we get older. Which is one of the reasons I love writing this newsletter so much. Every week, I get to see people around Franklin building lives, businesses, events, ideas and dreams, and still acting like the whole world is right there for the taking. And this week,...
9 days ago • 7 min read
Hello, my dear Frankies! Before we get into this week’s newsletter, I’ve been playing with a little idea. I’d love to start featuring an Instagram image of the week in Dear Frankie. Just one beautiful, funny, interesting, weird or simply a very-Franklin photo taken somewhere around our little corner of the world. It could be a sunrise on the coast, a muddy rugby sideline, a cute café moment, a local event, a farm gate, a beach walk, a shop window, your dog being a diva in the rain…just...
16 days ago • 9 min read
Hello, my dear Frankies! We made it through the mountains and out the other side in one piece! While we were hiking the pilgrimage trails, my internet connection was patchy at best, so I’ve been having lots of fun catching up on everything going on back in Franklin. And one cool person that I've been getting up to date with, is Katie from Katie Swift Pilates! Did you know we had a One Direction star here in Franklin?! That;s just one of the cool things I learned about her this week, so read...
23 days ago • 6 min read
Hello, my dear Frankies! I'm loving keeping up to date with what's going on back home, even while I'm a whole ocean away! I love getting all the Instagram messages and the emails from Frankie's with the what's going on! And one very gorgeous thing I’m loving - and I'm sure you’ve seen it popping up all over the place - is Plant Lingo! These playful, plant-filled nights are being held every Wednesday around Franklin, and this week we get to share the beautiful, brave story behind them. So read...
about 1 month ago • 7 min read
Hello, my dear Frankies! As much as we highlight all the awesome local businesses and organisations in Franklin every week, it's easy to forget about all the local legends doing important work behind the scenes to keep our gorgeous community running. This week we're talking to an amazing local legend Liz from Aunty Lizzies's Respite Care! I've actually known Liz for a few years now (she can back squat over 100kg at the gym, which is suuuuuper impressive 😂), so I can't mention her without also...
about 1 month ago • 9 min read
Hello, my dear Frankies! I always get a bit emotionally attached to the businesses we feature here on Dear Frankie. The more I get to know the people behind them - the passion, the long days, the risk and sacrifice, the amount of heart they pour into what they do - the more obsessed I become with our local business people. And yep, I have absolutely fallen for No Buttercups. Maybe because I personally have approximately zero design skills, I am always in awe of people who can make a home look...
about 1 month ago • 7 min read
Jo Griffin from Jo Griffin Real Estate Hello, my dear Frankies! Okay, I’m going to say it again: Franklin is full of such cool, brave, inspiring people. Meeting Jess and the team at The Best Bites food truck, and hearing the story of the bravery and sacrifice it took to follow this dream, just felt like such a perfect reflection of our gorgeous little corner of the world. So please have a read, soak it all in, and maybe even feel a little inspired to follow your own dreams too - whatever they...
about 2 months ago • 12 min read
Hello, my dear Frankies! You know how I’m always going on about how talented, brave and just super cool people from Franklin are? Well, this week we’re meeting another one of these gorgeous, talented locals! Franklin’s very own Danielle Davidson. Danielle is a mum, a flight attendant, and an author who somehow manages to write books between flights, family life, and a lot of coffee. She has already written two novels, and her very first children’s picture book is launching on 25 May! Even...
about 2 months ago • 15 min read
Hello, my dear Frankies! This past weekend, something pretty cool happened: Waiuku Softball Club was named the best softball club in the whole of New Zealand!! Which is a massive, massive deal for a gutsy little club that only started five years ago. Seriously...when you stop and think about it, it is kind of mind-blowing . In just a few short years, they have gone from one team of rookie women - more than half who hadn't even touched a softball before! - to a club with 29 teams across all...
2 months ago • 14 min read