she will have her wedding

2011-05-24T19:51:00.000+10:00

On the morning of my wedding day I will not be enjoying a delicious breakfast in bed. I will not be basking in the morning sunshine, contemplating the day ahead. Nope, not me. Instead I plan to get up at dawn for a run, and after a rushed breakfast I will be dragging my brothers and sisters out of bed and heading to The Riverside. Why? Because we only get the venue for all of the Saturday and till midday on the Sunday, which means all decorating has to be done on the wedding day, We plan to get married at around 2pm, and I hope to have the reception venue decorated by 10am!

To save money and my sanity I have decided on a simple table theme of old boys and girls annuals (does anyone remember those?!) and mismatched glass jars, kinda like this:

From here.

To prevent decoration burnout, and to keep things on schedule my "team"and I are also going to put up a couple of large scale decorations, hanging from the small stage and the peaked roof, instead of multiple small things. I am super excited about our main and (depending on the size we make it) possibly only ceiling decoration...a giant mobile of origami hearts!

YAY!

Look at this beautiful flock of origami birds!

I like the idea of hanging them from a branch, or a twisted piece of driftwood?

Here's a good use for some of the hearts post-wedding.

I love the idea we will make hundreds of hearts, and hang the mobile like a huge cloud of love over our guests!

The origami hearts will also tie in with our invites.....oooohhhh...the suspense!

(I have no idea where I got the last few pictures, sorry)

And the winner is...

2011-05-16T20:16:00.000+10:00

The Riverside community and cafe! We are hiring the hall on the property, and the wedding will be catered by the award winning cafe, with food grown on the grounds and locally sourced meat etc...Yay!
Riverside appears to essentially be a commune, the hippy sort, which has been in existence since the 1940's. I never knew it was even there until I stumbled over it in a random web search while panicking about our lack of venue. Mum and Dad visited it for me and pronounced the staff lovely, and Mum stated the decor didn't make her "want to puke"....charming.
In fact, the surroundings are lovely, the food is excellent and we hope it will great place for our reception.I have all sorts of plans for the decoration, including an installation of sorts...

I am not sure if this particular cow comes standard,time will tell..but aren't the views of the mountains lovely?!

Lets start with the where.

2011-05-10T19:24:00.000+10:00

Our wedding is going to be held in New Zealand, in the Tasman region. This area is known for its national parks, lovely beaches, stunning scenery, and best of all mild climate! The cherry on top for us is that my parents happen to live there...and have an extensive garden....

That extensive garden will hopefully be the key to saving money, as not only are we having the ceremony there, but we are also gathering and DIYing all of our flowers. This will be a big job, but I plan to rope in a few people to help me out!

With that plan in place, I began looking for a reception venue in the area, and that is where I ran into trouble!

Originally I wanted to hold the reception in the small seaside town of Mapua...near my parents and a convenient place for all of our out-of-town guests. This was a big Fail!

The first venue double booked us, then tried to charge us extra to book the following weekend. Because the location of this place was so good we hoped that third time would be the charm, and I flew to NZ to meet with them and sign a contract...and then barely four days later, once I was safely back in Australia they emailed me and informed me they were selling up! I was so annoyed, as they would have known at the time that they were going on the market, yet the owner stood next to me and watched me sign a contract for the end of the year. We have now realised they did this because they wanted to sell the business as a going concern...complete with our "future business". Needless to say, we cancelled our contract and eventually got our money back!

So then the hunt really began. I saw some awful places, too tacky for words. Some places were so lapse in their email communication that I gave up, and some venue managers were just plain uninterested and rude.
I was looking for a place with some character, and nice surroundings. If I had REALLY wanted character I would have defiantly gone with The Playhouse. The staff were super friendly and helpful, and the food was very tasty, but I sadly couldn't ignore the inside cave decor. Another option was the Moutere inn, but I wasn't so keen on having to organise a caterer, we may get some local brews from them though. Founders park was also an option, but as cute as it is, it is just too far from the ceremony location. After emailing more than fifteen possible options, I finally had a shortlist, all meeting the character/low budget requirements!
Mum and Dad went and checked them out for me, and they came up with a winner.....

Hello old friend.

2011-05-09T10:45:00.000+10:00

So, I'm back! I thought I may just stop blogging for good, but I found I have missed it.
So much has happened since I was last here. A friend has been buried, and a number of our friends have fled Christchurch, with no plans to return. I sold my wedding dress, and made the donation to the Red Cross. Since then there has been the horror of Japan, the death of Osama Bin Laden, Kate and Wills getting married and the controversial refugee issues here in Australia, just to name a few.
Things are going well for us. Dickie has celebrated his 30th and I my 28th. We have a number of NZ friends moving over here in the coming months, something we are both looking forward to. Ironically we are now planning our move back to NZ, sometime before our wedding!
Yes, that's right, we now have a date...and a reception venue...and a photographer....and a celebrant.
I will start again with the wedding posts tomorrow, but today I just wanted to say Hi :-)

I just don't know what to do with myself.

2011-02-25T14:01:00.001+11:00

I just returned from New Zealand, where I saw firsthand the devastation caused by Tuesdays earthquake in Christchurch.

A city I used to call home, and that most of NZ friends and family still do has been decimated. Iconic buildings and areas lost. The death toll keeps on rising, including now people I know. As a nurse, it was frustrating for me to be watching the news unfold from my parents home in Nelson, yet be unable to get there to help. I took the first possible flight to Christchurch the next day, but by then they were standing down all volunteer medical staff. So, to do my bit I am auctioning off one of my wedding dresses, with all proceeds going to The Salvation Army Quake appeal. Please help me with this by posting about this on your blogs/facebook/twitter...the dress can be sold to both New Zealanders and Australians...

If you want to donate, the agencies are listed here.

Works in progress.

2011-02-16T22:51:00.000+11:00

Here's the DIY so far. I made ribbon "flowers" by hand sewing wide running stitch along one side, I then pulled on one end to gather it all together in a rosette and stitched the two ribbon ends together. Once I had a wee pile of these, complete with seed beads sewn into the centre, I started to put things together!
The "leaves" are made by using blanket stitch to sew two pieces of felt together, and the "veins" with running stitch. I have made all the corsages for the grooms party and my dad, and am now using the pieces from the top picture to make some hairpieces for my bridesmaids....

From here.

from here.

Where is the DIY post I promised?

2011-02-09T04:12:00.000+11:00

Well, it's not here yet, but it is one step closer, as I have taken the photos required!

Instead I have a post about hair.

Those of you who have followed for a while, or those that have been lucky enough (?!) to meet me in person, know that I have thick curly/wavy hair.

I prefer to wear my hair out, it just feels more pretty to me, so of course it would stand to reason that it will be out on my wedding day.

Kind of like this...

Or this....

Pretty....

Unwedding.

2011-02-01T23:42:00.000+11:00

Just because I can, this is not a wedding related post. Instead just a handful of my favorite pictures from my last trip to New Zealand....

Lake Tekapo.

Arrowtown.

Drunken sisters.

Storm on the horizon, West Coast.

Franz Josef glacier.

Lakeside bathing beauties.

Lost in thought, West Coast.

So sorry about my absence....

2011-01-30T19:25:00.001+11:00

Once again I have managed to use up our allotted Internet. It happens. I promise I will load photos of my DIY next week!

In the meantime, I love this idea for the wedding altar....

So much!

I may steal this idea too. Both of us want to have all of our place cards and signs done in ink stamp letters. The idea of stamping the paper napkins really appeals to me, pretty AND practical...

Whoops.....

2011-01-25T19:03:00.000+11:00

Well, I kinda brought another wedding dress folks....

Dickie was amazingly calm about the whole thing! I have brought a beautiful dress from Australian designer Matthew Eager. I couldn't help myself, I look so pretty in it....if I do say so myself!

So now I have to sell the other one to keep within our budget!

Ooops...

Need to make!

2011-01-18T11:05:00.000+11:00

Did I mention that I plan to make my two bridesmaids dresses? I know, I can hear the screaming from here...but don't cry for me yet....

Each of my bridesmaids are a completely different shape, and one of them is particularly body conscious (I don't know why, I think she is beautiful). So to prevent the inevitable horror that dress shopping would be, I have decided to make them an infinity dress each. That way they can have a dress made to their size, and can wear the straps any way they please! I made a couple over the holidays, and once you have it figured out they are actually pretty darn easy to sew, about an hour, including cutting time.

At this point I am planning on making them in navy, though I am tempted by different shades of blue, or maybe even floral.....

That aside, I have now decided I shall make them hairpieces too!

I finished sewing the buttonholes for the grooms party last week....sooooo fiddly but worth it. As soon as my camera is fixed I shall take a photo, but in the meantime here is the picture I used for inspiration...

(I don't know where I found this picture..if you do please tell me!)

So for the girls I thought I may do something similar...I love the look of these...

From here.

And in other news, I still have not found another reception venue!

Love it!

2011-01-15T04:04:00.000+11:00

From here.

A foot up the hill.

2011-01-14T09:27:00.002+11:00

So after much discussion (ie Dickie giving into what I wanted because I did all the work...), we have decided on our colour scheme! Its a little unusual, I haven't yet come across a wedding with this colour scheme on any of the blogs I trawl through daily. Having said that, while we may have chosen some base colours, I have no intention whatsoever of having a wedding where EVERYTHING has to be the same EXACT shade. So it all matches and makes the guest feel like they have taken drugs.....

Nope. That is not my plan. So here it is...........................

Both from here.

The basic colours are light blue and pink, cherry red and navy.

I know there will be heaps of other colours in there too, in fact, I'm sure I will lose track of these colours altogether, as I have a whole pile of retro dinnerware and tablecloths which I plan to use!

But these are the colours Dickie will be wearing, as he already has a vintage navy pinstripe suit, and he is going to look mighty dapper!

I will wear touches in my hair and I hope to get some awesome shoes....(Ruby red sequins?!)

Other than that it has been a fairly crappy week here. The bloody venue double booked us, so I told them to shove it and am now looking for a new one......

This morning the storm that has been threatening Melbourne for days has finally broken. It is PISSING down outside!

But I have just finished a long night shift, so I best go to bed before I start hallucinating.

And everyone, please, please spare a thought for our neighbours in Queensland...it really has gone to shit up there.

Night....

Love it! Colour insipration boards

2011-01-07T22:24:00.001+11:00

all from here.

Flower power.

2011-01-01T21:04:00.000+11:00

We are planning to commit one of the biggest DIY wedding sins (according to the magazines/books/websites I have read). We are going to do our own flowers. And by we, I mean me and my lady friends, because Dickie is fairly useless in that area! Everything I have read by "the professionals" so far states DO NOT DO YOUR OWN WEDDING FLOWERS. Apparently it is the sure way to disaster. But I hate the look of overdone, fussy flowers, not to mention they will not suit the vintage/homemade theme of our wedding.

To hell with them, I am going to do it anyway, just like Pretty Little Pictures did for her wedding...and how lovely do they look!

So, as we are getting married in the same area my parents live, and they happen to have a garden bursting with flowers, and we happen to be getting married in spring, I thought..."why not?".

While I was in New Zealand I hit up all the local op shops, and buttered up all the little old ladies I could, in an effort to get some cool stuff...and it worked! Not only did I get a free veil (more on that later), but I also got a huge Thai silk 80's style wedding dress for $10. It had rips in the armpits so was unwearable, but I have all sorts of plans for it....I have cut off the lacy hem (metres of it!) and will be using it to wrap the stems of my bouquets, fastened with vintage brooches. The flowers on the tables will be informal bunches in old preserve jars, which I got for free from the local recycling centre, so the total flower cost should be less than $50 (I will need some florist tape, osmosis plus the cost of the old dress). Three bouquets, four buttonholes, and twelve vases for the tables....phew!

Here's some looks I love...

From here.

I LOVE this one from here. A great tutorial for the DIY girl!

Here is my mock up of the reception tables...setup in my mothers art studio before I left New Zealand a few weeks ago....

Happy new years everybody!

Dress.

2010-12-23T10:31:00.000+11:00

I already have my wedding dress. Yep, that's right, I brought one less than a month after the proposal!

I counted up the other day, and I tried on over sixty dresses before I found the one, both here and in New Zealand. I tried on vintage dresses, secondhand dresses, full frou frou wedding dresses, and simple Ivory dresses from non-wedding shops....here's a highlight reel of photos I managed to sneakily take....

this one had the most amazing back on it...lace with tiny buttons.

I liked this one...but the ribbon was in a weird place.

I think the look on my face says it all in some of these photos. I truly underestimated how time consuming and energy draining wedding dress shopping would be, the dresses are so heavy and difficult to get into! Dickie and I are having a simple ceremony by the beach near Nelson, so a huge train was out. I want to be able to pee without needing help from my bridesmaids, so endless petticoats were also a no no. I eventually went for a simple, flattering ,beautifully sewn Melbourne made dress (not pictured!) that I can now go accessory mad with!

Love this!

2010-12-22T10:25:00.000+11:00

We plan for our wedding to have an offbeat vintage/retro feel, as we are not very "traditional" people.

I just adore the look of this wedding...read about it here.

I love a bit of cake.

2010-12-21T22:08:00.000+11:00

While this amazing cake isn't my cup of tea, my mind boggles as to how it was made..and more importantly, what it tastes like?! The brides on offbeat bride are a fascinating lot, with some really great ideas..a few even I might use!

engagement.

2010-12-21T11:48:00.000+11:00

This is just a brief little story to bring you all up to date.....

This time last month The Boyfriend and I flew back to New Zealand to attend his sisters beautiful beach side wedding.

Much fun was had and much drinking was done.

The next day I was a little worse for wear.

On the way home The Boyfriend INSISTED that we stop at a picturesque river, stating he wanted to take photos. I initially refused to get out of the car, then refused to walk down the bank, but he persuaded me.

Once down on the shore he drew a heart in the sand while my back was turned, but I thought little of it.

He asked me to stand in the heart...but I refused to do that as well!

Finally the poor boy gave in, dropped to one knee and proposed.

And I said "are you serious?"

Followed by "yes!"

So The Boyfriend will now be referred to as Dickie ( an old nickname) being as he is no longer just a boyfriend. We have been together seven years, and I had long ago given up any hope that we would be married, as it was something Dickie was not keen on at all. I so believed it was not on the cards for us, that for the previous six months he had been making the ring box right in front of my eyes..and I never even clicked!

So, now that the deed is done I am planning the wedding.....

Disappearing act.

2010-12-20T18:09:00.001+11:00

Yep...I disappeared. I'm sorry. I have missed you all and feel oddly out of sorts that I haven't read your blogs in so long! Like many, I got tired of blogging. But I am back again...with some news.....I 'm engaged and am planning my budget wedding (hence the new title)!

A special thanks to the lovely bloggetts who noticed I was missing :-)

2010-10-01T18:20:00.005+10:00

I am just so frustrated with my computer at the moment. So frustrated that any minute now Melbourne dwellers could see a UFC (unidentified flying computer) launched from our balcony. Or maybe I will just beat the living crap out of it in the living room ,then throw nasty computer confetti over unsuspecting passers by. Blogger is point blank refusing to let me post in the updated mode...it just keeps loading, loading and loading. Bastard.
That's not even the end of it, as my damn computer keeps picking up viruses like a player getting STD's. No sooner have I wiped one and it picks up another one. It must be consorting with unsavory laptops while I'm asleep.

In an effort to escape from this ongoing laptop angst (and the AFL final) The Boyfriend and I borrowed a friends car and spent last weekend at Lakes Entrance. A good decision it seemed, as not only was Melbourne hit with AFL fans over the weekend, it was also hit with cold weather. While we basked in warmth and sunshine!

The first day was spent driving, arriving in time to watch the sun set over the lakes. Beautiful.

I wore loose clothing for comfort. My favourite (and only!) pair of jeans, a pair of sandals and a newly thrifted lilic top (50 cents) that had a seaside print and gold buttons as a shoulder detail.

Fittingly though, on return to Melbourne we found out that the AFL match was a draw, so they are playing again this weekend. And my computer was still being a bastard.
What a hard life for me...not!
*SIGH*

Sunshine

2010-09-23T11:04:00.000+10:00

A Saturday wander down the Balaclava end of Carlisle street. Lunch was a huge feed of mexican at Blue corn. Didn't find anything of interest, but loved being out in the sunshine with The Boyfriend and pals!

One of our close friends has just accepted a job in Alice Springs, we are so happy for her, as it is her dream job. But also sad, as we shall miss her terribly :-(

Jeans: $29 Sussans

Jacket: $24 Valley Girl

Silk top: $5 Thrifted at Salvos Oakleigh

Fake fur collar: Thrifted

Bird brooch: $1 thrifted

Fake Rolex: $1 thrifted

Sunnies: thrifted

Bag: thrifted

2010-09-16T22:32:00.000+10:00

From here.

Don't you love the light in summer? The slow dreamy sunsets on lazy evenings, when it seems perfectly acceptable to do sweet FA?

From here.

That type of hazy light has been creeping slowly across Melbourne recently. The evenings seem longer, and the wind less cold.

From here.

Not long now....

From here.

It doesn't rain, it pours.

2010-09-13T17:07:00.000+10:00

Not only are members of my family suffering from the ongoing effects of the Christchurch earthquake, but on Friday my sister and her husband were woken up by a car crashing into their house.

The occupants of the car, and my sister are fine, but really, what can you say?!

Lets hope these things truly don't come in threes.

In comparison my life is rather dull! Latest news is last week i got offered a new part-time job, which I start tomorrow. My new fitness plan is going really well, I am now up to week three of the "learn to run 5km in 8 weeks" programme. Its so much harder than I thought it would be, but as I have inadvertently started up a running group, I am finding it great to exercise with others.

Amazingly enough, through a complete quirk of fate, The Boyfriend and I have scored tickets to Falls festival this new years! We are so excited, and to continue the theme we have decided to go camping for christmas as well. Of course, this now calls for me to plan a "festival wardrobe", I love a challenge!

My day off on Thursday was spent in always colorful St Kilda. Its been such a long time since I was last there, over winter this seaside suburb tends to wind down a bit, but even then its odd that I haven't been there for so long. I hit up the op shops on Barkley and Carlise streets, coming away with a fake fur collar (love!), a lacy off-white frilly cardigan and a lipstick case. Combined with a yummy curry lunch and plenty of sunshine, it turned out a lovely day.

I am starting to join the 'wear a belt' brigade, this soft leather one was picked up a while ago, it has a wee duck on the silver decoration.

Ring $1

Jade Buddha necklace $3

New lipstick case....$2

Black jersey dress $35 Supre

Cream cardigan $7 thrifted

Fur collar $6 thrifted

Leather Oroton purse thrifted years ago...

Love my new collar, will be wearing this until the weather gets a bit warmer!

Hope all is going better in your various corners of the world...

I really meant it.

2010-09-07T11:37:00.000+10:00

Excuse the tiny little pictures!

These two jersey maxi dresses have made their way into my wardrobe.

Both from Supre.

They are a very flattering style.

Both were only $35.

I may buy some more.

And I am very pleased.

2010-09-06T10:54:00.000+10:00

The last few days have been distinctly uneasy for us. Early Saturday morning we were woken with the news that Christchurch had been struck by a 7.1 earthquake, but because the phone lines were overloaded we both waited anxiously for hours to hear from our families. Thankfully there has been no fatalities yet, but the destruction is widespread and some areas destroyed. My sister was evacuated in the middle of the night from her boarding school hostel, as part of it had collapsed. Two good friends of mine were on night shifts in the local hospitals, and they both report widespread panic amongst both patients and staff, with some staff running out of the hospital, and are yet to return.

The Boyfriend and I have been obsessively watching the news all weekend worried about the ongoing aftershocks, wondering if another big one is on the way. A concern which will be foremost on the minds of all those still living in Christchurch. Lauren has blogged about her frighting ordeal, and Andrea has reflected on her close call, having left Christchurch just a few weeks ago.

Pre-earthquake I spent Friday op shopping down Chapel street, overpriced but hard to resist. The only thing I brought was an amazing wedding card album from 1955, which has the original invitation, all the acceptance cards, then all the gift cards from Bev and John's wedding. The cards, letters and messages are delightful, a piece of someones family history, which seems a real shame to have thrown away. I will post pictures later this week!

It has been noticeably warmer here recently, so I have been able to shed the heavy winter layers.

My dress was $6.99 from Savers in Frankston. It is 100% wool, yet so soft and light I can see myself wearing it in summer too. The cardigan is a staple in my wardrobe, also wool, I wear it all the time. The tooled leather belt was $3 from an opshop in Sale, rural Victoria, and you have all seen my clogs before!

2010-09-03T13:22:00.000+10:00

As I have mentioned before, I LOVE maxi dress in summer. This year will be no exception. I usually only have one or two in my wardrobe and will wear them to death (literally, until they fall apart at the seams), but this year I am planning to completely revamp my summer wardrobe. I hope to fill it with weather appropriate maxi dresses and skirts, to be worn with my way over-posted about clogs or cute sandals...

(from here)

I am craving the maxi skirts like this one, and the middle dress both from the Valerie Tolosa spring summer 2010 collection. The fitted top and floaty bottoms is the look I hope to pull off , as I think a baby doll or very loose maxi is not especially flattering. Particully on pear shaped women!

(from here)

I must admit I am not a huge fan of the cropped denim jacket, I find it a bit boxy on me. The idea of a fitted blazer with a soft jersey dress is genius though, I love the way it drapes and flatters the figure! The back detail on the middle dress is also beautiful, I just can't go past a good back detail...

News.

2010-09-01T12:45:00.000+10:00

(image from here)

I am a generously proportioned woman. I have never been thin. I was a fat baby, that turned into a fat child, and am now a fat adult. I am not obese, I do not have so much weight to lose that people would think I am amazing for losing it, but it still has to go. Every year I promise myself that I will finally wear a bikini on the beach, and every year I fail.

So this time I have decided not to do it alone, and have joined the 12 week body transformation to kick start a new, healthier me. So far we are running through the planning stages, and I have found people amazingly supportive. I feel that the tasks we have to do prior to starting the challenge are well thought out and really make you re-evaluate your lifestyle and choices. For too long I have been a couch potato, sustaining myself on food and excuses.....so its time I changed that! My aim is too lose 15kgs over the next six months, with an ultimate goal of 20kgs. This would get me within a healthy weight range. Time will tell!

So this brings me to another long term goal of mine. Running.

I have always envied those who can run for miles, they seem almost god-like to me!

Due to this I have also started a running programme, and I have to say I am loving it. I feel much better in myself, and its something I can see myself sticking too, unlike all the gyms I have wasted money on over the years.....

So there it is. My current plans. I hope to post here about my journey, plus my usual posts over the coming months. Wish me luck!

lazy questions.

2010-08-25T23:35:00.000+10:00

My computer access is limited at the moment. So I am going to take the easy way out and answer the open questions Porcelain Complexion posted a few days back!

1. What is your worst habit?

I think its probably a toss up between biting my nails,reading all the time and losing my patience...

2. Whats three things you cannot live without?

Aside from the usual family/friends/partners I would have to say I would find it terribly difficult to live without hot showers (I throw a tanty if my showers are cut off), lip balm and something to read!

3.What is the most important life lesson you have learnt so far?

Woman's intuition exists, listen to your gut feeling...its usually right.

4. Who is your style icon?

That's a hard one, I really couldn't say that one particular person is a style icon to me. I tend to admire anyone who wears clothes that really suit their figure, flattering yet individual dressing. Anyone who can consistently pull this off is clever in my books, and I always hope I can learn a thing or two from them. I can't stand seeing people blatantly "trend bashing" when it just doesn't work...

5. If you could go any where, where would that be?

America. Although I have been there before I have always wanted to go back. Small town USA fascinates me, with its vastly different cultures, people and landscapes. Oddly enough I have little to no interest in the large well known cities. Maybe this is due to a steady diet of sappy American T.V as I grew up? Who knows. The Boyfriend and I plan to go back next year..I'm so excited!

6. What is your most prized possession?

My health. Almost impossible to get back once its gone.

7.What will you never wear?

Shorts. I have very heavy legs, they do not suit shorts.Ever.

8. When are you at your happiest?

On days spent with The Boyfriend when we just explore and enjoy each others company. Or sitting in the sunshine in the morning enjoying my cup of coffee...

Saturday.

2010-08-23T14:10:00.000+10:00

The moose head is still cluttering up my lounge. Spent the day shopping in the rain, then dinner out with the boyfriend.

Award week!

2010-08-20T00:00:00.000+10:00

This week both Porcelain Complexion and Perfectly Indecisive have passed on the versatile blogger award to me! Thanks ladies!

So seven facts about me....

1) I have double jointed thumbs. Its my party trick. I can eat and drink with them tucked back for hours...it really freaks people out!

2) People always think they know me, or that we have met before, even when I'm sure we haven't. Either I have very early onset dementia or, as I am frequently told, I have 'one of those faces'. This happens to me several times a week, it happened twice yesterday alone!

3)I have a truly excellent sense of direction and can successfully navigate myself anywhere...no GPS required.

4) I bite my nails. When I was small mum put that yucky tasting nail polish on them to try and stop me. But it didn't work, as I liked the taste!

5) My favourite food is ice cream. Love the stuff.

6) I was a vegetarian for two years.

7) I am a prolific reader, usually 2 -3 novels a week. I read on the tram and in my break, and have also perfected the art of reading while walking. I'm terrible, if i don't have a book I will read whatever I can get my hands on, including labels and dockets...sad....

Most bloggers seem to have done this one, so instead I will put out an open invite to anyone who wants it!

I make great chicken soup.

2010-08-17T23:53:00.000+10:00

Not a word of a lie. I really do. I'm no masterchef, but I am a pretty good cook. Mum taught me how to cook when I was very young. I have absolutely no recollection of learning, but can remember cooking dinner for the family when mum was pregnant with my youngest brother. So I would have been about eight or nine? Dad was a farmer, so not only could he not cook he was also far too busy!

Anyway, back to the point, I make good chicken soup.
Because I like you all so much (even you Gemma) I will share my recipe with you....

Ingredients

4-5 chicken frames (preferably organic free range, just ask at the butchers/supermarkets)

1.5 Litres chicken stock (I love Massels)

1/2 a bunch fresh lemon thyme (or just thyme if you prefer)

optional other herbs eg lovage/tarragon/oregano/basil

2 finely chopped garlic cloves

Olive oil
1 chopped leek

1 cup chopped celery

2 cups chopped root veges eg potato/kumera/carrots

salt and pepper

Saute the garlic in a large soup pot with some olive oil till soft (1-2 mins). Add vegetables,chicken frames and thyme then cover with stock and simmer for approx an hour. Remove the frames, pull off the meat and return to the pot. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve (with some simple homemade bread..)!

Really this is a very simple soup, it is the quality of the stock, chicken and herbs that give it its great flavour. I often add whatever veges I have around, and sometimes pasta or barley. We have got in the habit of making vege filled soups and stews each Sunday, which we freeze in portions for lunches over the week. On my day off last week I made this chicken soup which went down well, as we all had the flu....

Moose baby.

2010-08-16T19:25:00.000+10:00

I mentioned before that The Boyfriend was busy making a HUGE papermache moose head mask, much to my distress. The mask was being made in honor of The Moose and Mountie spectacular at The Local, and it turns out it was a hit! There was a whole pile of Canadian food and boutique beers on offer, plus of course alot of red and white themed stuff. To fit in the theme The Boyfriend got it in his head that he needed a moose head, and you can't just buy such specialised things, you have to make them! He started off by making a wire frame, using my swiss ball as a base. Several layers of papermache were applied inside and out and then painted with some leftover house paint. Eyeballs were made using ping pong balls and eyelashes from a piece of elastic. Hes a handy fellow...

They had really cheap "tasting boards" of beer, $7 for five tasters...mmmm.
Not surprisingly my favourite was a deep dark beer with chocolate and coffee flavours.

Dress: $7.99 thrifted and altered by me ( I took it up about 20cms)
Belt: thrifted
Tights: $10 Target
Shoes: $40 Number One Shoe Warehouse
Beanie: thrifted

Wednesday.

2010-08-13T00:32:00.000+10:00

Had a short course to attend, boring old basic life support. Broken record. I wish they could at least put out new DVDs each year! Rain was pouring down, looks like the spring rainy season has arrived in this fair city.

To alleviate the boredom I brought some deep red lipstick from the Body Shop and ate croissants....

I have recently have been thinking about getting a new tattoo, or covering up the one on my ankle. I found this article, reblogged by Porcelain Complexion, very useful....if only I had read it years ago!

Dress: $5 thrifted

Jacket: $80 Retrostar

Cardigan: $20 LWR

Tights and clogs seen before....

Sunday.

2010-08-11T01:47:00.000+10:00

During the week I don't often see The Boyfriend. He works during the day, and I work afternoon shifts,so the only time we meet is when we are sleeping. On the bright side, if I miss him too much then I can just take a day off! Because of this we try to spend some quality time together in the weekends. Sunday was one of those days.
The Prahran markets, grabbing lunch down the laneways in the city, checking out the Sunday craft market and checking out the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria). Very nice indeed!

The Boyfriend had never been to the NGV before and he was so fascinated. He just couldn't believe how old the art works were, he was peering up at the canvases like he expected to find a "made in china" sticker...
One of my favourite installations was the never ending ladder....

I wore the newly thrifted blazer and singlet from my last post. Initially I had my hair out and my bowler hat on, but the wild wind quickly destroyed that plan.....its so inconvenient when the weather destroys your outfit plans. And if that's all I have to worry about then I think I'm doing OK!

Singlet: $4.99 thrifted

Jeans: $29 Sussans

Blazer: $6.99 thrifted

Clogs: $145 Urban Jungle

Necklace/purse/scarf all thrifted

Op-shopathon

2010-08-09T11:47:00.000+10:00

In my humble opinion the best area for op-shopping in Melbourne is Frankston. Technically, of course, Frankston is actually considered a separate city, but as it is only an easy train ride away I choose to ignore this fact. There is at least nine op-shops there to my knowledge, if there is any more then they are well hidden!
Leona and I drove out there on Saturday and shopped up a storm. I left with two dresses, a wool blazer, singlet top and a maxi dress pattern. Leona left with two bags of stuff!
But to find the good, you also have to trawl through the bad....

That's not even half of it! No, no and no is all I have to say. The most evil of them all is the pale long sleeved dress. I look like I need to be rushed to hospital and given a blood transfusion...stat! While I'm aware of the vampire obsession that is currently sweeping the world, I prefer not to look so pale I glow.

Ironically I only took two pictures of the items I did buy....

I have an unhealthy obsession with blazers. They tend to fit me oh so well, and I find that I just can't say no.
This wool one with satin lining called out to me, and is now sitting proudly in my wardrobe (with my other seven blazers...).

Yes. This is just a black singlet. But its an awesome one! The material is quite thick and ribbed, and so soft. I am not a fan of the thin jersey material that singlet tops are made out of these days. They show EVERY lump and bump, and I think don't really flatter anybody. I like a bit of length and proper material that feels, well, substantial. This one has a low scoop back, and was made by "Fabulous beaute inventions"...that's right, beauty with an "e"....

Frankston put on a lovely sunny winters day for us. In fact both of us enjoyed our little road trip so much that this time next week we are heading further down the Mornington peninsula to the hot springs. There we plan to immerse ourselves in hot water, have a sleepover somewhere quaint, eat nice food and, of course, check out all the opshops! Yay to girly trips!

Clear out

2010-08-06T22:18:00.000+10:00

I have just been through my closet and taken out anything that I don't LOVE when I put it on. It was surprising how much clothing I had, that I loved in theory, but hated on my figure. I am beginning to think of warmer weather, and am not in a hurry to make the same summer clothing mistakes I made last year. I totally misjudged Melbourne's weather, and thought it would be similar to New Zealand summer, so the humidity completely threw me off. Often it was a struggle to even leave the house, as I knew I would overheat within minutes. This year I plan to fill my wardrobe with more natural and easy care fabrics, no polyester blends for me!

I also hate my heavy legs, which maintain their pudgy paleness all year round. Just to spite me I think.
There is now only five short dresses in my wardrobe, and I plan to fill the rest with lovely maxi dresses.
I have been trawling the net for inspiration pictures, bring on the summer breeze....

I luuuuurrrvvveee this maxi. I have a similar pattern, so I may just make one.

From here.

This outfit is amazing, I have put red lipstick on my list of must-haves!

From here.

From here.

Hold on summer...I'm coming!

Product review: Kosmea

2010-08-04T23:49:00.000+10:00

I have never mentioned before my interest in living a more eco-conscious lifestyle. I'm not sure why, guess it just never came up?! I have always been sympathetic towards environmental issues. But as I age I find myself more and more concerned about where things come from, the impact they have and where they go once we are done with them. Due to this I have been on a mission to "greenify" my life piece by piece. Beauty products are something I use a lot of, yet up until a year or so ago I never really thought about what was actually in them, or what they were tested on.

I have dry skin, with constant, irritating breakouts on my chin. Now in my late twenties I am starting to notice fine lines around my eyes, and, thanks to my job, dark circles lurking under them.

Alas, I am a bit vain. So I have spent alot of time and money trying to fix, or at least slow down these issues. In the last few years I have tried Olay, Garnier, Palmers, Proactive, and Nivea just to name a few. None gave me the skin I was after, and some even gave me a rash! I then tried a range of "natural" products, without much success.

Eventually I settled on organic rosehip oil. It ticked a lot of the boxes (made in Australia, not tested on animals, no unpleasant ingredients) plus it kept my poor skin soft and hydrated. Still I was not happy, I needed more!

TA DA!

May I introduce Kosmea's eighth natural wonder revitalising facial serum. This stuff works miracles. My skin feels great, my breakouts are almost a thing of the past, and the lines seem to be fading. I put this on my face every morning before applying some of my faithful rose hip oil (for extra moisture...it is winter), and again every night before I go to bed. I had seen and read occasional reviews about Kosmeas products, which of course all said they were great (like reviews/ads tend to). This serum often got a special mention, but at $60 a bottle I wasn't convinced. On a buying splurge a few months back I did end up purchasing a bottle, and, unlike other purchases I have never once regretted it. And I'm only halfway through the bottle...

So that's it. My first product review. I am of cour not being paid/forced to do this. I really, really like this product! I hope if you try it you love it too...not that you need it ;-)

To be or not to be.

2010-08-03T23:25:00.000+10:00

For some time now I have been contemplating shutting my blog down. It appears I am not alone as quite a few blogs I follow have been voicing a lack of interest in posting. Then I have to wonder, will I regret it? I love the online world, its so interesting to hear from people living in far away places, and I would really miss all the blogs I read every day. Technically of course I could keep my blog site so I could still follow others, and just not continue to post. I have also pondered starting a new blog, one that would be much more well rounded, and not just sporadic clothing posts.

On that note, I have decided to give she will have her way a makeover, a new look and hopefully a new start.

I really only get dressed in street clothes two maybe three times a week, and am often too lazy to take any photos. As a nurse, most of my week consists of PJs and my uniform in a constant sleep/work cycle. Not very attractive stuff! Hence my infrequent posting. Time to diversify!

Changes are afoot.

2010-08-03T00:58:00.001+10:00

I am having a mid-year crisis. Stay tuned...

I have no excuse.

2010-07-25T21:06:00.000+10:00

I'm just slack. I had very much neglected the blog this week!

In my defense I have been busy. I have been entertaining my NZ friend Alicia (this includes copious alcohol consumption). Organising a New Zealand road trip for me and some other friends in November. Going to a birthday party. Reorganising our flat. Most unfortunately I am also having to watch The Boyfriend make a giant moose head. Don't ask! If he is successful I will post some pictures....

Jacket: ? Supersavers

Dress: $6 Savers

Watch: $1 Camberwell markets

Tights: $10 Target

Two of my favourite things.

2010-07-19T11:21:00.000+10:00

This weekend I have been wearing two items from my wardrobe non-stop. Number one of course being my new clogs. I can't recommend them enough, they are the most comfortable shoes I own!

Clogs are also super practical in the awful rain we have been having recently, as they keep my feet high and dry. Aloof above the puddles. I foresee that not only will I be wearing these shoes to death, but I may also buy another pair......

This is the pair I now own....

CIA ( clogs in action! )

These may also find their way into my house....

You may have also noticed my new (to me) fake fur jacket! I picked it up for $20 at an opshop down Chapel street on Friday afternoon. I have never really been a fan of fake fur (or real fur for that matter) but recently I have found it creeping into my wardrobe. Starting with the collar of this jacket and now my new full-blown fur find. It feels rather luxurious, and guilt free....no animals were harmed, and I am preventing a still usable fabric from being thrown into a landfill!? The jacket appears to be handmade, and was much loved by someone at one point, but now its my turn........

And the winner is!

2010-07-18T16:40:00.000+10:00

Drawn in a very scientific manner out of my hat....

KELLY of BLACKDOG FINDS!

Congratulations Kelly, whats goes around must come around, as I won a cute little necklace from Blackdog finds a wee while ago.....

all mine.

2010-07-16T23:32:00.000+10:00

I got them!Those clogs I have been lusting after are finally mine! beautiful patent leather, and they are so very comfortable. Its love at first wear. But this blog is turning into the clog chronicles, so I had better talk about something else...

The most amazing fake fur coat came into my possession today. Twenty dollars from the Brotherhood of St Johns,and it fits perfectly, no need for any alterations :-)

Will post photos of my new treasures later....

and remember the giveaway closes tomorrow!

Dress: $10 Poppies vintage

Boots: $10 DFO

Watch: $1 Camberwell markets

Tights: $10 Target

Ups and downs.

2010-07-14T13:05:00.000+10:00

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY!

Have had a fairly crappy couple of days, nothing huge, just lots of silly little things.

My mood was greatly improved though after a phone call from a good friend in New Zealand. She's coming over for a visit!Yay!!! On the ongoing clog saga...I went to go get them yesterday, but the store was closed! I better like the damn things when I finally get them....

Dress: thrifted $1

Hat: $10 Sportsgirl

Clogs: $59 off Ebay (they are a bit too big, may be selling them in the future)

The end is nigh.

2010-07-11T19:04:00.000+10:00

I can almost see it. The light at the end of my clog-related tunnel that is. Last week I noted a new shop down Geville street, with clogs in the window.....

Unfortunately the doors were firmly locked and no one was home.

Today I completed my usual Sunday ritual of Camberwell markets (Clothes and other precious things) and Prahran markets ( fruit and vege). Afterwards I decided to check out the above mentioned shop, Urban Jungle, and not only did they have HEAPS of clogs, but they had the exact same pair I was going to order online!

The size I need will be arriving in store on Tuesday, so I bet you can guess where I will be that morning....

My friends will be glad they are working, as I think they were publicly embarrassed today as I was squealing and jumping for joy. Generally making a spectacle of myself :-)

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY!
see the post below...

Very warm wool jacket: $10 Retrostar sale

Dress: $20 Bardot

Tights: $10 Target

Leather boots: $10 Retrostar sale

Pashmina: $? Chinatown, New York.

Watch: $1 Camberwell Markets

Good things take time, so they say.

2010-07-08T17:18:00.000+10:00

Its been such a productive day! I've cleaned out my wardrobe, done the washing, made the bed, tided our lounge, and ate some very bad McDonald's. Best of all I have finally organised the promised giveaway!I love the stuff I have managed to put together, and I hope the winner does too :-)

Before I get too carried away here's what I wore today. While cleaning I also stumbled across the perfect new picture-taking place, so hopefully I will have slightly better inside photos from now on?!

The weather in Melbourne has been possibly slightly warmer the last week or so. I keep seeing bloggers on this side of the world talking about summer not being too far away...wishful thinking? Perhaps....

So many "forgotten" items were found in my closet today. This homemade, fully lined silk dress is one of them. Does that mean I have too much stuff, or a short attention span?!

Dress: $5 Camberwell markets
Shoes: $20 Barkins
Necklace $20 Etsy
Most likely fake Rolex: $1 Camberwell markets
Tights: $10 Target

I know I swore black and blue that I wouldn't be wearing tights this winter. But I took the advice of This Little Piggie and brought some cotton tights. Finally, tight related comfort!

I am still lusting after a pair of clogs, but these will do for now. At this point I have found four possible suppliers of my future clogs, Funkis, Nordic Fusion, Tessa Clogs and Clogs of Sweden. Not to mention ebay. I will have clogs by summer!

NOW IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

The lucky winner will get:

A cream leather clutch

An embroidered black silk sleeveless top

A cute 80's cotton knit - size 10/12

A marbled scarf

Beaded blue necklace

90's bright floral sundress - size 10/14

And a pair of original vintage aviator's with the tag still attached!

All thrifted here in Melbourne...

Its packed up waiting for its new home!

This giveaway is open to anyone and you can enter up to two times

* Follow my blog, then leave a comment on this post.

* Post about my giveaway on your blog. Then leave me a comment and link on this post.

Entries close Saturday the 17th of July.

Good luck!

Red again.

2010-07-07T00:13:00.000+10:00

What a busy weekend. On Friday (I know, not really the weekend) I was supposed to go the the Peninsula Hot Springs with a friend of mine, only to find out she was in hospital with some mystery virus!Rather than luxuriating in the springs we spent the day in the emergency room, but it seems all is well now...
As I had a two for one voucher The Boyfriend and I drove out to the springs on Saturday. They were amazing, and I hate to say it, a bit nicer than the ones I have been to in New Zealand. With multiple small pools hidden in bush, and lovely views, it was very relaxing. The evening I went out with friends to The Local in St Kilda East. Its great for all you social drinking needs, as not only is there more beers than you could throw a stick at, but my friends inform me it is also a champion place to pick up single men...
Sunday was spent once again at the Camberwell markets, where I picked up a few new treasures, including a Rolex and a perfect seventies suitcase. I plan to use that suitcase on a mystery trip I am planning for the hardworking boyfriend...

Dress: $6.99 Salvation Army
Shoes: $40 Number One Shoe Warehouse

I still have a giveaway in the works, I have collected all sorts of goodies. At this point I am too lazy to take any pictures of it unfortunately. Rosina Lee isn't though, so go check out her giveaway, the bracelet is amazing!

korean for dinner.

2010-07-04T20:26:00.000+10:00

This is what I wore out with friends. Our Friday night dinner is an ongoing standing date, consistently somewhere down Chapel street, and always somewhere delicious and cheap! I attend sporadically because I am often working, but it is great fun when I do. This week we went to Haruaki for their great bibimbap, which I fully recommend! I was having a bit of a blah day, so I dressed for comfort...

Top: $6 Salvation Army

Jeans: $29 Sussans

Necklace: $7 Spotsgirl

Shoes: $5 Country Road outlet

2010-07-01T22:33:00.000+10:00

Lost internet access again....

Singlet: $1 Camberwell markets

Jacket: Nelson Recycle Centre

Jeans: $29 Sussans

Shoes: $10 ?

Wool bowler hat: $10 Sportsgirl

Loops in my head.

2010-06-26T01:03:00.000+10:00

"Wandering eye", by New Zealand band Fat Freddy's Drop has been stuck in my head all day. I don't actully have a wandering eye, as I have a perfectly good boyfriend at home, and I'm too lazy to trade him in. I do, however, have a hankering for warmer weather, and this is one of those songs that scream "summer" to me......

Welcome to my wardrobe.

2010-06-22T23:40:00.000+10:00

Please welcome the newest addition to my wardrobe, a stunning yellow vintage wool coat! I brought it on Saturday from Retrostar in central Melbourne, $89 that I don't regret spending. I am still tossing up whether the collar is real or fake fur ( I like to think its fake, but I have been outvoted), and it brings up the moral question...is secondhand fur OK?? Other than that I love the pattern, over sized yellow buttons and cool stitching details across the back...yay!

The last photo? This is what happens when your boyfriend really doesn't care if you are actually IN the photo when he takes it. Good thing he has a day job!

Jeans: $29 Sussans

Boots: $10 Retrostar sale

Top: made by me

Necklace $4.95 Sussans

2010-06-18T09:46:00.000+10:00

I haven't been feeling so flash this week. Yesterday was the only time I managed to actually get dressed in anything half decent, and it was only to go to the doctor! I hate going to the doctor by the way, it can be immensely frustrating to pay bucketloads only to be told what you already know. Oh well.

I've been meaning to do a giveaway, but keep putting it off as I feel so cruddy. So keep your eyes peeled.

I better narrow down the pile I have saved or else it will cost me a fortune to send.....

Wool Jacket: 25 cents (part of a $5 bag from the magic Nelson recycle centre)

Jeans: $29 Sussans

Merino Cardigan: $20 LWR

Scarf: thrifted

Flats: $10

Boots: $10 Retrostar warehouse sale (secondhand)

On its way to me.

2010-06-16T11:29:00.000+10:00

I have just purchased this statement piece from Mistyorcutt.

An unusual necklace may be what my wardrobe need to make things more interesting!?

2010-06-14T01:11:00.000+10:00

I want this so bad. But unless I get rather serious on the dieting front it will remain a dream...

The dress that never was.

2010-06-10T11:01:00.000+10:00

So this is the dress I brought off Etsy. My heart still breaks a little when I look at it, but I just can't reconcile myself to the length. It is too short so the dress and I are not meant to be. I have only recently discovered that I am actually tall. One would think that I might have figured it out years ago, like when I stopped growing for example, but this is not the case. For almost my entire life I have believed myself to be average to short. It wasn't until a month or so ago when a friend looked at me like I was slightly retarded and said "But Vicci, you are quite tall...". Thats when I finally understood why jeans and maxi dresses were never long enough...all these years I thought it was because my generous bum was using up the extra fabric, it now appears that is not the case. I am simply fairly tall. In my defense, I am the oldest of five children, yet all my siblings are taller than me. I have forever been told that I am a midget, and short. Now of course I realise that they are just extra tall! Its funny how you get perceptions about yourself, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. I blame my family and their brainwashing!

Go here.

2010-06-09T12:17:00.000+10:00

If your ever in my part of the world make sure you visit the world-famous-in-Melbourne Shanghai Dumpling restaurant. I promise you won't regret it. Not only are the dumplings awesome, but they are also cheap ...double yay!

Fancy that.

2010-06-06T19:30:00.000+10:00

On Friday the weather was foggy and cold, perfect for staying tucked up indoors. I used the day to do some general tidying, including going through my pile of "saved" clothes, carefully stored in my wardrobe. I had been saving the clothing to possibly sell on Trademe, or at one of the markets here in Melbourne. But when I looked through them again I realised there was a few things I wanted to keep....

One of them was this 100% silk dress I thrifted for a $1 at Colac in country Victoria. I was pretty excited when I found it (as I am about most things...) but once I got it home I never wore it due to its unflattering mid-calve length. I loped off about 30cm and properly hemmed it...what a difference it made! It will get a lot of wear, as silk always feels lovely, and the heart shaped mother-of-pearl buttons running up the back are so darn cute! I am very pleased.

Finally how sweet is this wee plate I picked up at Savers on Monday? I love the poem.

Layer cake.

2010-06-01T10:22:00.000+10:00

Top $20 and jeans $29 both from Target (oops). Freaking awesome wool blazer thrifted for $12 at Value City Super Savers!

I just love the embroidery on the sleeves of my new blazer, it makes me feel like a sailor!?The photos aren't great, I got the boyfriend to take them as we were running out the door to dinner.

I went on an across Melbourne tram/train trip to Value City Super Savers last week, and after walking through dodgy neighbourhoods and getting attacked by a rouge umbrella I deserved this blazer...it made the trudge worth it!

A few of you asked me last post how I managed to survive the colder weather with bare legs. Simple!

Underneath my dress I was wearing a long sleeved fine knit merino top, plus I had thick merino/possum socks on to keep my toes toasty, and the blazer is a wool blend. With wool as my base I can feel almost too warm, and am thankful for my bare legs! Just to make sure, I take a warm scarf and gloves with me at all times. Because I like to layer up with lightweight but cosy items it means if I get too hot walking all over the place I can just take them off and stuff them in my handbag. I hate carrying bulky jackets all over the city! Melbourne is getting pretty cold now, with a vicious icy wind blowing off the sea, and rain is always threatening....so its ALL about the layers ladies!

2010-05-30T12:38:00.000+10:00

Dress $5, and boots $45 both thrifted. Blazer gifted from K. Necklace $4.95 from Sussans.

Wish upon a star....

2010-05-27T11:58:00.000+10:00

I just adore this dress. I have had an identical one, but white on my wish list for ages...taunting me. The only thing putting me off is the length, as both these dresses would end at the rather unflattering mid-calf area, which would probably mean I wouldn't wear it? I have thought about taking the length up through the waist, but then I think it would sit funny. So, if anyone out there is shorter than me and looking for a "sailor" themed dress, then this one is looking for a home!

At only $18 this is a steal, and if the postage is reasonable then I think it will find its way into my closet! Wool, with a fake fur collar and lining it is sure to keep me toasty this winter, and it has enough length in the arms to actually COVER my wrists...an ongoing issue I have with coats.

I just can't get over the colour of this dress, I love it! It is currently top of the list of "possible dresses to wear to Shirley's wedding". The dress I got off Etsy a few weeks back turned out to be too short, but is otherwise perfect, I almost cried when I realised. A minimum of 60 inches is required to cover this girl properly!
Unfortunately this dress is only 55 inches long....but it looks like it has a decent hem on it...or maybe I could add extra contrast fabric at the bottom and make a matching sash? Is bright yellow too much for a wedding? What do you guys think?

This wool jacket has also caught my eye, I was seconds away from buying it the other night.....pastel plaid with three quarter length puff sleeves and a "flutter" at the waist? Sign me up! I am just waiting for some extra measurements and then it may also find its way into my closet...

Do I need an antique puzzle map of the United States? Quite possibly not, but I still have it in my favourites!

Meet number two on the "possible dresses to wear to Shirley's wedding" list.
At $50 with postage its a bit more than I am wanting to pay for a dress that may not be right. I am still a bit nervous ordering anything off the internet.....
If only I could try it on, because then I would happily fork out the money, as it has an awesome back detail!

And, just to prove that I do ACTUALLY buy things off Etsy, not just keep an ever expanding wish list, here is a pattern that is on its way to me. I thrifted the perfect material to make the long version of this dress a few weeks back, an amazing inky blue colour...

So that's all for now, I will keep you updated on weather or not I purchase any of these goodies! And I intend to take pictures of the dress I got a few weeks back too, because even though it is too short, it is lovely.....

Mr Postman.

2010-05-26T12:46:00.000+10:00

Frantic morning spent in the damn post office, of all places. Why does everything have to be so difficult?!

Afterwards I went out for lunch with a friend, to sooth my frazzled nerves.

Cord blazer $5 thrifted, top $18 Target, jeans $29 Target, lace loop scarf $2 thrifted.

North of the border.

2010-05-23T21:25:00.000+10:00

Saturday was spent in a previously unexplored suburb of Melbourne, the oddly named Northcote. Mainly because I live on the south side of the CBD the other side seems like a slightly different country to me, I really should venture there more often. Plus the zoo is on that side, which has been on my "to do" list for like a year............
Anyway, I was lured to Northcote with promises of secondhand shopping, and while I wouldn't class them as opshops there was some excellent vintage stores that I will be visiting again soon! All I ended up getting was a hoody for The Boyfriend and a large piece of forest green knit material for myself. I have a couple of sewing projects in mind at the moment, and I fully intend to take pictures, am having some pattern issues though!

Northcote is a interesting suburb, with a mixture of slightly rundown homes and grand public buildings. It was first settled in 1839, which would explain all the older style villas, and throughout the 1950's the area had an influx of Greek and Italian migrants. The 1980's saw the more artistic folk from Fitzroy moving into the area due to cheaper house prices, which would explain the eclectic mix of shops on the high street...

It was a beautiful afternoon, perfect for wandering with friends. At one particularly strange vintage store, which was crammed to the rafters with amazing crap, the saleswoman refused to let more than a handful of people enter the shop, and followed us anxiously like a mother hen. None of us ended up buying anything from her place, due to a combination of her paranoid rudeness and the rather high prices!

This shop was much better, heaps of stuff, I would like to go back and sift through it again sometime soon. There was an interesting rack of vintage dresses...

The town hall and council buildings, really well preserved, and had excellent clean toilets....the toilets were so space age that I found it all little confusing.But don't worry, I figured them out!

Before all the shopping the important matter of sustenance had to be dealt with. We all met up at a small cafe that was recommend in this years cheap eats, but I have forgotten its name! I had the Austrian breakfast, which was a delicious pasta like thing with two types of cheese, bacon, onion and herbs......mmmm..........

Plus two yummy ice chocolates, I hate when you order an ice chocolate or hot chocolate and it tastes just like plain old milk. When I order chocolate I WANT IT TO TASTE LIKE CHOCOLATE! (rant over...) Thankfully these were perfect :-).
The day was rounded out with a yummy Sri Lankan dinner (with very strange ordering policies) and then mulled wine to combat the chilly autumn night.
Today I went to the Camberwell markets, but didn't have much success :-(
And this coming weekend I'm off to the Arapiles.....

Hope you all had a good weekend :-)

On my way.

2010-05-21T00:51:00.000+10:00

Silk top $10 Jeanswest, Jeans $29 Target.

Going....

Wool blazer thrifted for $5, badges all thrifted.

Going...

Sunnies gifted, wool scarf $2 Camberwell markets.

Gone. To go get some veges, and some elastic for a sewing project. Exciting stuff!

New boots!

2010-05-17T21:09:00.000+10:00

It was beautiful, crisp autumn weather on Sunday. The perfect day to spend mucking around in central Melbourne. The buddha festival was on, its always interesting to learn something about a cultural group different from our own.

A huge altar was setup in Federation square, where people could light incense and place flowers.

There was also lots of yummy vegetarian food on offer!

Mmmmmmmmm dumplings! Can't go past a good dumpling...

Roti with curry sauce.

Afterwards we went to Retrostar, where I was super excited to discover they had a sale on all the leather cowboy boots! I love them because they are cosy warm in winter, and fit my wide calves. In the very top picture I am wearing my brown ones, but in this picture (check out our shopping trolleys!) I am wearing my new gray ones! They blend in with my winter white legs a little bit better too...

Delicious mini cupcakes from Little Cupcakes, raspberry and white chocolate are my favourite by far!

New boots!

Once we had stuffed ourselves full of food it was time to buy our fresh veges for the week (never shop on an empty stomach!). This time we decided to go to the Queen Victoria Markets, being as we were in the city anyway. The Vic markets are world famous, and a major tourist draw for Melbourne. We usually get all our meat and veges from the Prahran Market, as it is smaller and closer to our place, but a change is as good as a holiday! Or so they say...

By then we were all tuckered out, so we went home to put our feet up!

What I won't wear...

2010-05-10T18:16:00.000+10:00

This is what I planned to wear today. Dress $2 and jacket $7 both thrifted, tights $8 from Target and boots $15 DFO. Before I even left the house I had replaced the boots with flats, as I have dodgy knees and these just make them so much worse! Within the hour I had also removed the tights, I tried, I really tried, but I just can't stand wearing them! It will be bare legs for me this winter, unless I can find a TRULY suitable pair.

So this is what I actully wore. Sooooooo much more comfortable! I am getting to old to wander around feeling uptight and wretched.

A close-up of my cute little necklace, thrifted from the Camberwell markets this weekend.

So what clothing can you guys not stand, no matter how hard you try?

The one that got away.

2010-05-06T11:58:00.000+10:00

When I saw this dress on Etsy yesterday I almost wet myself in excitement. I had to have it, and promptly emailed the seller begging her to find out the postage costs for me. But alas! She promptly emailed me back with postage costs, but she also pointed out the measurements of the dress, and thank goodness she was so honest, because it is too darn big for me! I am still sobbing quietly into my coffee as I write this....
I find it so hard to get maxi dresses long enough with room for my generous rear...
So, any ladies out there looking for a nice long maxi dress with room for bust or belly do head over to DianaDwain's etsy shop (Before I cave and buy it anyway...maybe I can alter it?!)

What I wore...

2010-05-05T10:11:00.000+10:00

To K's going away party. This dress is a simple jersey halterneck number that I got for $27 at a shop down Bridge road . The only point of difference was that it had a wooden beaded collar piece that you can see in the first photo. I wore it with a cropped black blazer and some simple black sandals, As I had spent the whole day shopping for K's present I just wanted something comfy! To make my outfit a little more special I wore an armful of braclets, also useful to defend myself against muggers! I always wear bracelets on my left arm...

So, even though this outfit was quite simple and easy to wear, I got HEAPS of compliments on it...almost enough to give me a bit of a big head!

Hope you are all having a good week :-)

Scent-sational

2010-05-02T21:44:00.000+10:00

From Here.

I read an article recently about scent. It focused mainly on the participants own personal favourites and why they chose them. But it got me to thinking, what smells trigger memories for you?

For some unknown reason I have a fondness for Night Magic perfume. As far as I remember I got given some by my friend in high school (her mum was an avon lady), and to this day the smell reminds me of high school and family road trips to Dunedin (For the bagpipe championships...where my siblings played, not me!)

From here.

Knight's castile soap also brings back memories. It always reminds me of the back porch tub, on the farm I grew up on...that and Sunlight soap, mum always had bowls of it everywhere.

From here.

My signature scent is very simple, and a little unusual. I get compliments on it all the time, people have even stopped me in the street to ask about it!

From here.

The Body Shops coconut perfume oil! The fragrance lasts all day, and it means I always smell like a summer holiday...yay!

Winging their way to me.....

2010-05-01T20:26:00.000+10:00

The post will be exciting this week...I am waiting on these clogs (the first thing I have ever brought off ebay!)

This beautiful dress is also on its way to me from Florida. Its the first time I have brought any clothing off Etsy, so I am excited to see what it looks like! It may be a contender to wear to the wedding?

I love country opshops.

2010-04-28T23:14:00.000+10:00

On our weekend road trip we drove through many small, and slightly abandoned looking towns. Don't get me wrong...I love small towns, they feel so familiar. You can imagine yourself buying a cheap cottage, growing prize-winning flowers, chatting with the neighbours...owning all the cats you want.

The feeling that time forgot these places is strong, prehaps thats why they feel so comfortable?

In one of these tiny quiet towns we stumbled across a goldmine! An opshop that is. An old weatherboard church, damp and musty, complete with a pair of fragile elderly women minding the piles and piles of stuff that people no longer want. I love opshops like this! The forgotten ones, the ones that really only true bargin hunters will visit, because they are too "dirty" for many of todays vintage hunters.

I was like a child, giddy with excitement! I brought some sweet old fashioned glass dishes, a pair of old girls annuals, a 90's style floral rayon wrap dress, a fluffy beaded 80's jersey, a black patent leather handbag (in perfect condition), some retro wallpaper and best of all a lightweight navy wool blazer with gold buttons...all for $11! I'm all about blazers at the moment, comfy, flattering and warm...what more could a girl want?

It really was a somewhat run down opshop.

Look at all that treasure...

The road trip was part of a surprise weekend away, all planned by The Boyfriend.

Why? Because its my birthday! I am now 27......

Roses R Red giveaway!

2010-04-24T20:35:00.000+10:00

Pop on over to Roses R Red and help celebrate her BLOGGERVERSARY!

Rose's blog is super cute, full of shopping, travels and vegan recipes, your sure to find something you like!

convertible dress.

2010-04-22T23:46:00.000+10:00

The Boyfriends sister is getting married in New Zealand later this year...so of course I shall need an outfit.

Its over six months until the big day...but I don't want to feel rushed! So, after much thought I have decided on a convertible dress, like the lovely number above from sixtwentyfour on etsy. I am beginning to think that I could make one myself, so I can save some pennies for something else? I have found the pattern here, now I just have to find the time and energy...good thing I have six months!

Thankyou!

2010-04-22T12:01:00.000+10:00

I just want to say thankyou to my followers and those who leave me lovely comments! I appreciate it!

The last dinner party.

2010-04-21T11:02:00.000+10:00

Last night I made the (short) journey to K's house, for our last dinner party.

K is punishing us and leaving to go back to her home planet, though she swears she will be back. I met her at work (she is a fellow agency nurse) about a year ago now and it was friendship at first sight, she will be sadly missed, and will leave a big hole in all our lives.

More mirror photos, different location this time! Taken in the lift in my apartment building.

As predicted, alot of wine was drunk which resulted in alot of silliness, including K wearing metallic tights on her head...for some time I might add! As more wine was consumed, we included props in our pictures, and then found the cupboard under the stairs...

I am unsure how much we drunk, as K kept declaring the wine tasted like vinager and throwing it out, I know nothing about wine, in fact good wine would be a waste on me, as I think it ALL tastes bad!

I am a spirits girl through and through.

Then I began the slow, slightly intoxicated, trip home.

On the way I saw the secret late night world of the public transport system...

Lost looking backpackers, a VERY drunk woman with no shoes, a couple trying their best to make babies on the train, a young irish woman sobing down the phone ("BUT why don't you love me?!!!"), and my personal favourite, a guy dancing to his ipod music on the platform...

But I was not clever enough to get a photo of him ( and don't worry, someone helped the backpackers...)

K's final hurrah is on Friday, so I have to buy a new dress, waterproof mascara and a box of tissues.

And now I am off to find some painkillers...

I need to find the camera tripod.

2010-04-15T11:01:00.000+10:00

This is what I wore to go clog hunting. I had lulled myself into a false sense of security, believing that the perfect" not too hot, not too cold" autumn weather was going to last forever. I was wrong. Its been overcast and freezing all week. I have now realised that I have no suitable winter jackets, as the ones I thrifted I have managed to shrink (its a personal gift of mine). So I threw this fluffy drapy cardigan over jeans and a singlet, its amazingly cosy! A pretty neutral outfit for a drab day, but I was nice and warm and thats whats counts :-)

The clog hunt didn't go all that well, they only had backless styles and I want ones with straps, but they are super comfy, so I am planning to buy a pair online...

I'm on the hunt

2010-04-13T11:55:00.000+10:00

I am heading into the maddness of the city centre to get me a pair of Funkis clogs...if I can find them!

I like these...

And these...

Etc etc......!

Second best

2010-04-09T10:17:00.000+10:00

This is my consolation prize. Despite three messages, including some begging on my part, and a sneaky attempt to just buy it anyway, I have heard nothing from the owner of this photo off etsy. Incidently the sneaky attempt to just buy it anyway didn't work, the shop has no polices re international buyers, but it would'nt ship to my address. I am gutted, but oh well life goes on.

So I brought the above photo instead, which I think is just so cute! I have the perfect frame for it...

I have been doing stuff.

2010-04-08T10:21:00.000+10:00

Like going to the Melbourne Garden Show.

There was some amazing displays and sculptures...if only we had a garden!

I brought a new dress. And then The Boyfriend shrunk it in the wash, its now only suitable for a small child.

I didn't really love it anyway!

I borought this dress for $8 at the Camberwell markets. The picture is really terrible, but it has fish all over it.

These boots are my latest favourite thing! I got them for $15 from DFO. Its really hard to find flattering ankle boots when you have heavy legs like me. I have been looking for ages, but even the most expensive boots still made it look like someone had cut me off at the knees! Then a couple of weeks ago I had been shopping all day and was tired and crabby. Just as I walked out of DFO I tried these on...and like a miracle they were everything I had been looking for....and 80% off. Yay!

Over easter we had a pinic on the Yarra.

And on Monday we went out for dinner!

Sneak peak.

2010-04-02T13:00:00.000+11:00

Now that we have moved to our new place I have finally been able to unpack all the stuff we have had in boxes for months. Its so nice to finally have a room big enough to put all our stuff in!

I brought this bowl when we were in Bright a few weeks back, it cost a whole $4 from a little op shop there. Originally I was going to get a gold fish...but after spending a bit of time on google I decided that it was too much of a commitment, so the bowl became a teranium instead...

"Herbert" our cactus is currently slumming it at the moment...I plan to put him in a teranium too(whether he wants go or not). The small watercolour painting was picked up at an op shop in Apollo bay and is of the Todd River, in Alice Springs. I have a soft spot for the Alice after I worked there a few years back.

A complete viewmaster set from the US.

A framed illustration from a book about the dreamtime, published in the 70's.

A tiny asian landscape in a glass box...priceless!

On another note, we got two full moons this week, they were stunning!

I want it, I want it!

2010-03-29T13:50:00.000+11:00

I want this postcard so bad I can taste it (though i'm pretty sure it won't taste that great...)

As I impatiently wait for the seller to get back to me (goodness knows if they will post to this far flung corner of the world!) I am imagining it framed on my wall....

I hate waiting.

A little known fact.

2010-03-24T01:48:00.000+11:00

From here.

There was only one thing I wanted to be when I grew up.

Not a model,

a singer,

Or an actress.

I wanted to be a... a STORM CHASER!

I am fascinated by storms.

The idea of following them for a living seemed so exciting...still does( though im sure theres a lot of waiting around involved, and very little money). When I travelled the US I wanted to spend some time in tornado alley...but we never got there. Of course I realise that twisters cause death and destruction to those caught in their path, and they should never be treated lightly. But the amazing power of any storm always pulls me in. I am super excited when I know one is coming, and I hate sleeping through them.I just want to be outside, geting lashed by the wind and rain just to see whats going on! I adore thunder and lightning. As a kid I had a tape which just played the sound of rain and thunder, goodness knows where I got it from, but I loved it (weird kid). Of course, growing up in a country that doesn't have massive storm cells, let alone twisters, meant I had to be satisfied with lightning and water spouts. As far as i'm aware there is no money in storm chasing in New Zealand either. So I became a nurse instead.

“The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, The answer is blowin' in the wind”

Bob Dylan (American folksinger)

from here.

2010-03-19T23:03:00.000+11:00

We have just got back from hanging out with friends, managed to win a free dinner at Temperance through their "facebook fridays" promotion. Yum! Will be entering every friday from now on!

I am wearing dress $45 from Target, shoes $20 from Barkins, and necklace $4.95 from Sussans.

Now we are off to bed, early start tomorrow!

Ramblings

2010-03-19T15:12:00.000+11:00

Yay!14 followers! Now im well into double figures :-)

Have been on night shifts, so outfit photos are not happening...unless you want to see my uniform!

We move tomorrow, so excited...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

A good girl guide is always prepared.

2010-03-15T20:31:00.000+11:00

I WAS actually a girl guide, but as I grew up on a farm, over an hour away from the nearest headquarters, so I did it all by correspondence! Every month I would get a huge package full of things to make and do, and letters from all the other correspondence girl guides, it was like christmas. Once I had done what I needed to do, I put my letter in with the others and sent it to the next girl...

I was pretty bored today, there is not much work for me at the moment, so the days are long...

As we are moving in the weekend it seemed a good idea to sort out all my clothes. I have so much more than I thought I did! I quickly got sidetracked though, and played around with some cooler weather outfits (even if it was 30 degrees today!). Alas my camera died once I took these photos, so this is all you get!
I am so excited to start layering my clothes again. It's hard to make one piece of clothing look interesting, as then its all about the accessories, which i'm not great with!
Im wearing my Jeanswest "tummy tuck" jeans, embroided black silk top $15 from the Round She Goes market, shoes $10 from Barkins, merino cardigan $30 from LWR, and red wool blazer $1 from the Nelson dump!
My necklace is $4.95 from Sussans, and all my bracelets are thrifted. Last, but not least, the tie dyed orange silk scarf was $3 from the Sallies...wow, what a lot of stuff!

So...we haven't spoken in a while.

2010-03-10T00:06:00.000+11:00

Yes. It happend again. Our IHF (internet hoging flatmates) once again downloaded piles of god-knows-what and used up all the broadband. So once again I have been unable to access my blog, and even worse, unable to keep up with my blogroll! I hate when this happens, because it takes HOURS to catch up on all the blog updates! To remedy this The Boyfriend and I are moving into an AMAZING apartment in central Melbourne, with views that you just want to stare at all day....and we will have non-internet hoging flatmates!

Speaking of The Boyfriend, this weekend was (almost) all about him, as he has now reached the grand old age of twenty nine. I organised a long weekend away in the Victorian high country as part of his birthday present.

The extreme weather poor Victoria was battered with mostly seemed to pass us by, with the exception of some rain. We stayed in a little cabin near a river, at one of the local camping grounds, so were safe and warm, overnight at least!

Just to make up for my, probably unoticed, extended blog absence, I am going to go nuts and post oddles of photos from our weekend.

You may require a snack to get through this....!

Why did we make a detour just to get a photo with this sign, beside a blink-and-you'll-miss-it town?

The Castle. And to feel the serenity...

Dinner in Beechworth.

Post dinner.

Cute little shop windows. Beechworth is so quaint, as many of the old buildings have been lovingly maintained.

Mmmmmm honey...ever tasted macadamia and ginger honey? I have!

100% thrifted!

A lookout on the way to Bright.

Gum forest, and boulders that The Boyfriend desperately wanted to climb.

More huge boulders. I had planned to spend a day spotting The Boyfriend so he could go climbing mad, but it was too damp to scale anything!

Ropers lookout, near Falls Creek in the Alpine national park.

It was freezing out there, with strong winds bringing thunder and rain, but the views were stumnning, and so worth the tramp to get there.

All the trees covering the nearby mountains were dead (unsure why), hence the reason they are white...

The Boyfriend especially like the hedge maze we visited near Bright, it was so complex that we had to cheat!

Today was spent driving back to Melbourne, we stopped at several op shops on the way, and I came away with a few treasures, including a brass/tile bracelet and a fish bowl...SCORE!

Four funky ladies!

2010-02-20T19:22:00.000+11:00

Last Saturday we met up at K's place for some home made tapas and drinkies...mmmm

I wore a new dress from Bardot, $15 and my much loved $40 platform heels from the Number One shoe warehouse. The dress is jersey, and the only way I managed to wear it without looking like a badly stuffed sausage was with my also new, and amazingly awesome, body stocking. I can not believe it took so long for me to buy one of these things....seriously, even if your a skinny wee thing they will make you look better. Trinny and Susannah were right.

For some reason I like this picture, outside Luna park in St Kilda.

G looked very elegant and upper class, I especially liked the braid along her hairline! She reports that her dress is from asos.com, and shoes from ninewest.

K was wearing a backless jersey dress, $20 from Landes, and shoes $5 from an outlet store.

I did'nt get a full length picture of N, so you will just have to take my word for it that she looked fabulous! She was wearing a top from Marrickville, skirt from asos.com, thrifted shoes and a vintage bettina liano belt (she has one of the smallest waists I have ever seen in real life...).

As for her friend there...I would suspect his outfit may well have been thrifted....

Happy valentines day!

2010-02-15T10:03:00.000+11:00

We don't tend to buy into the gifts etc for valentines day, but still its nice to say to The Boyfriend, love ya lots xoxoxo

After six years together we can still stand the sight of each other, an achievement I say!

2010-02-11T13:55:00.000+11:00

As I mentioned in the previous post, last Sunday was spent trawling through the Camberwell markets.

These pictures were taken as I was waiting for the tram, a very long wait! I'm wearing my current "go to" dress, a super comfy thick T-shirt material dress from Shantons in New Zealand. The weather here is just so humid that a basic comfy outfit is key!

For those of you who live in Australia, or may visit Melbourne one day, the Camberwell markets are a must visit. Whatever you may be looking for i'm sure you would find it there, or at least something equally perfect!

A couple of days later I wore the same dress...again....to do a bit of afternoon shopping with K, an american friend of mine. Like me K is an agency nurse, so we have the ability to pick and choose when we will work, which is great if you are in the mood for shopping! K is a generous soul, so, just because she "felt like it" she brought me a handbag I had been lusting after for a while, I love it!

K trying on an indecently short dress...

Once the shops had closed we holed up in a bar, drinking jugs of cheap beer and people watching. We discussed politics with an irritating young guy, witnessed a shoplifter getting arrested, and got asked for drug money (request denied).

After a feast of $4 pizzas at The Lucky Cock I weaved my way home...

And was slightly worse for wear the next day...

Sultry summer days and my FIRST EVER blog award!

2010-02-08T12:59:00.000+11:00

Yesterday was sweltering. Seriously, by eleven o'clock I was melting. The morning was spent scouring the Camberwell markets with G and N, before the heat made my pasty self beat a hasty retreat for shade. And for reasons unknown to me I had put sunscreen all over myself, except for the large tattoo on my shoulder, which is now rather sore. Stupid. I didn't have much luck at the markets, though my new "stop buying crap" policy may be the reason for that. I only brought two dresses, the one i'm wearing above for $2, and a stripy number for $8. The one above was terribly stained and I was worried it couldn't be saved, but a soak and a wash later and its perfect! I love a bargin. Once the heat was bearable we went to St Kilda for dinner, G looked super cute, and The Boyfriend rather dashing (but he thought his photo was a bit dodgy...)

In other news I got passed on an award from Rose at Roses r Red

Its my first one, thanks so much!

I would like to pass it on to:

Lauren at This Little Piggie

Claire Marie at Mamushka Marie

Ashley at Yammering Muse

Megan at The Green Violet

All hail the boyfriend jacket!

2010-02-06T21:08:00.000+11:00

Ahhhh, Savers, what would I do without you? This week has felt so very long, as I have been working ten hour night shifts. Thankfully I am a bit of a night owl, so its not too hard to stay awake. The hardest part is getting my brain to work in a coherant manner! To treat myself for all my hard work I emotionally blackmailed The Boyfriend into driving me out to Frankston for a shopping fix...

I have travelled the length and breadth of Victoria trying out all the Savers stores, and my favourite - by far - is the Frankston one. Not only is it TWO levels, with an ESCALATOR, but it is full to the brim of unwanted goodies. Like a kid hyper on candy, I always promise The Boyfriend that I will "...only be an hour...", but we both know I am lying...

One of my new years resolutions was to streamline my wardrobe. I have so many lovely things, but don't wear a lot of them, because they just don't "click" with each other. Hence the ongoing lack of any interesting outfit posts. So my aim is to collect items of clothing that I absolutely love, and that can mix and match with each other. Today I found one of the items on my "Things I want" list, a boyfriend blazer.

This beauty is satin lined silk, with cute cream buttons, for a whole $8.

The very best thing of all? Its tag says it was custom made in Dallas, Texas!

SCORE!

On a sadder note, tomorrow is the one year aniversary of the Black Saturday bush fires. Our thoughts go out to all those who were affected by this tragedy.

Getting out in Geelong.

2010-01-28T13:01:00.000+11:00

The Geelong botanic gardens are small, but lovingly cared for and make for an interesting visit. We made the trip out to see them last week, as well as spending some time checking out the local opshops, much to The Boyfriends horror! As it was a pretty warm day I wore a thrifted floral dress and my much loved vintage cowboy boots. I'm currently on the hunt for the perfect pair of flats...but i'm not having much luck.

These amazingly detailed sculptered bollards are scattered throughout the city, showing characters from Geelongs past and present. They really are fascinating!

Is it weird that The Boyfriend is almost dressed in camouflage gear?

After exploring the gardens I dragged The Boyfriend to an area that Google told me would have alot of opshops. And Google was right! I spent about an hour going through four different shops ( I am the queen of power shopping, otherwise The Boyfriend gets crabby) and only came away with one item. But what an item it is, a sweet soft cream wool jumper with a huge bow at the collar...i'm sure it will make frequent appearances as the weather gets cooler! By then we were baking in the heat ,so a wonderful, cooling dip in the ocean was called for before the drive home. I love day trips!

What I wore...

2010-01-21T13:20:00.000+11:00

To go shopping! ( and get some groceries, but thats not nearly as fun...)

Sorry about the changing room photos, I was too lazy to set up the tripod *blah*

I'm wearing my FABULOUS high waist slim leg "tummy tuck" jeans from Jeans West. I can't recommend these enough, especially for those of us who are a bit more generously proportioned! Some days I just don't feel like wearing jeans because I feel like a badly stuffed sausage, but these jeans always feel so comfortable.

My top is a simple cotton singlet that I got at the $2 shop In Christchurch. I loved the fabric, but it was way too big, so I took it in around the waist...very comfy on a hot day. My shoes are from the Number One shoe warehouse, necklace from Country road.

And no, I din't buy a single thing on this shopping trip!

Brunswick.

2010-01-17T14:46:00.000+11:00

Yesterday five of us spent the day shopping down Brunswick street. Its a pretty popular area in Melbourne, with lots of boutiques and some high end vintage stores. Overall a bit pricey for me at the moment, but I still love to window shop!

I wore a strapless maxi dress that I brought at Farmers in NZ last year, very comfy on these hot days!

My bracelets are all thrifted, and my necklace from Country Road. The sunnies are from Postie Plus in NZ, and I was wearing some black jelly sandals which KILLED my feet!

A vintage hat display at Hunter Gatherer.

G checking out a very expensive dress.

These amazing mosaic couches are dotted down the street.

Near the end of the day we refueled ourselves at Little Creatures home of yummy food and all sorts of beers...mmmm

Only a couple of us actully brought anything, but it is always lovely to spend a day with friends :-)

How I spent my holidays.

2010-01-16T00:40:00.000+11:00

Now I am back in the hustle and bustle of Melbourne I thought I might reminisce about my New Zealand holiday. I hesitate to call it a "summer", as it was cold enough for the woolies for most of it. Tomorrow I am shopping up a storm with the girls in Fitzroy, but for now, here is how my NZ days were spent...

Kayaking on the Motueka river

Swimming in the freezing Riwaka cystal pools.

Forever driving up and down the South Island.

Building sand furniture ( the boyfriend and my brother made the couch, I built a nifty wee side table though!)

Took pictures of myself looking like a knob, something every girl needs.

Beat off other shoppers at vintage clothing clearances.

Drank copius amounts of alcohol, and met up with old Christchurch friends. Then sucessfully pimped those friends out. Priceless. I am a truly awesome wing-woman.

I also babysat a horse. Threatend to beat the crap out of assorted siblings (then begged them to let me crash at their houses). Spent hours looking through the clothing bins at the recycling centre ( Nelson, NZ ). Did some sewing. Visited every market I could. Suffered a night of sub-zero tempertures in Hamner.

A great holiday!

Mellow yellow

2010-01-14T23:06:00.000+11:00

I love this room! from here.

Beautiful bed from here.

Over the holidays I stumbled across a great book at my parents place, an interior design book from the 80's. Alot of the pictures were only good for a laugh, but there was one particular picture that has burned itself into my brain. I wish I could have put it up here to show you, but i'm not that clever!

It was of a large bedroom, with cream walls and wooden floors. There was only two pieces of furniture, a bed and a small wooden table. The thing that really caught my eye was the bed, which was heaped with linen and pillows in differnt shades of yellow. Now that we are back in our flat I am attempting to make my bed yellow, by dyeing an old bedspread. It seems to be impossible to buy a yellow duvet, so its DIY for me!

Hope to show you photos soon!

A new look

2010-01-14T13:38:00.001+11:00

I feel that a new year needs a new look to the blog, but I find it so terribly hard. Everyone seems to have lovely, and completely individual blogs, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to do it. But this is my latest offering!

I'm back!!!

2010-01-12T21:39:00.001+11:00

Dress: $2 from the $2 op shop in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Shoes: $15 Country road.
Necklace: $5 Country road.

My month long absence is over! I am back, and have of course made a new years resolution to blog more often. We will have to see how that pans out...
We flew in from New Zealand two days ago and are having a terrible time adjusting to the heat in Melbourne! 43 degrees? Insane!
Hence my glowing face...
It was so hot yesterday that the when we went to see Avatar the projector overheated and we all got refunds. Apparently the aircon unit that is attached to the projector just couldn't handle it. So I have seen half of the movie...I hope to see the rest when the weather is more reasonable!
As mentioned above, I got the dress at the $2 op shop in Christchurch...this has been a favourite of mine for years, there used to be more of them, but I guess they didn't do to well, as now there is only one. Despite this it is always good for browse, I usually find something :-)
I had to alter the dress quite a bit, as it was very loose in the bust and a very unflattering length, but I am pleased with the end result.
I hope you all had a great Christmas and new years! I am so glad to have high speed Internet again so I can catch up on what you have all been up to!

New Zealand bound!

2009-12-12T02:11:00.001+11:00

Picture from here.

On Sunday we fly to New Zealand! Yay! Christchurch first and then off to the Nelson region...where it will hopefully be sunny....

Picture from here.

Oh, how I have missed the Alps...
I will be making the long drive from Christchurch to Nelson on my own, as the Boyfriend has to venture down south to see his family. I am looking forward to it though, the scenery is stunning!
Before we leave Australia I am hitting up the retrostar sale...hope to take some photos...we are getting there early to get the best bargains!

Easy come, easy go.

2009-12-08T00:50:00.000+11:00

Sunday was spent hitting up the markets for our final christmas presents, it was hot and I think i spent the day in a state of mild dehydration...

I started out by wearing the above dress, brought for $4 a few months ago. It was longer and white, but I shortened and dyed it. This was my first outing in this number, but after half an hour I decided I didn't like it. Now it is languishing in the "send to the op shop" box in our hallway...
It just made me feel so blah.

So I swapped it out for this dress, $8 from Savers Dandenong. I love the colour and the fabric, it made me so felt much better!

Later, with our car crammed with people, a road tip was made to the Dandenong ranges. Ice cream, olives and freshly squeezed orange juice were consumed in vast quantities. A huge amount of time was spent in the fantastic Mangana, where we managed to complete our christmas shopping! It is the most amazing shop, seriously, we spent HOURS in there!