I'm a bit of a Geek

2011-03-07T10:28:00.000+13:00

I am safe (saying I am fine wouldn't really be appropriate), my family and I have been so blessed in both of the large earthquakes that have shook Christchurch. We always had power and water, our house is not destroyed. The area I live in is relatively free of damage and reminders of the heartbreaking disaster that has occurred.

It almost makes it worse, to live somewhere where it looks so peaceful, so normal. You can't escape the footage on the news, which for the first week my face was glued too, tears streaming down my face. I feel like my home is not my home anymore. People are trying to stay positive and looking towards rebuilding and restarting. It will probably take years until we are in any way back to normal. However our city will never look the same again, and feeling safe seems like a far off dream.

Thanks to those who have shown concern and support.

Being a student officially sucks

2011-01-24T18:24:00.000+13:00

Link

At the moment I feel my life in a holding pattern. I feel like I'm waiting for real life to begin, real life being when I become an adult, when I'm not longer a student and when I can start putting things on hold (like travel, moving, getting on with life).

Any one who has done postgraduate study will probably know where I'm coming from. I'm currently entering my 7th year of study and I really feel I couldn't stand being a student any longer - If I couldn't see the finish line I would be constantly curled up in a corner somewhere rocking.

I felt like having goals to work towards has been helpful, but at the same time I feel that my life just consists of working towards milestones in my study and nothing else. Hence the feeling of real life being non-existent. It's taken a toll on my life, but at the same time I have to feel like it's all been worth it. One of the only things that stops me quitting is that after all those years I wouldn't have much to show for myself.

I know this is probably not the last time I will feel like this - there will probably be times later in my life where I feel again like I'm in a holding pattern. I think there is this fairytale in my head that everything will be better once I'm done.

Link

So now instead of procrastinating (thank you internets) I should be focusing on finishing my thesis so I can get on with the next stage of waiting to become an adult.

I'm a dirty liar

2010-10-29T12:04:00.000+13:00

I make these big promise of regular posting and checking in on your guys and life gets in the way.

Currently studying for an exam that covers the last two years of my life. I'm am under prepared and probably won't be able to cover half of the material needed. Let you know if I need to change career options in a few weeks.

Possibly back to regularly scheduled programming then who know....

Earthquake - very surreal indeed

2010-09-07T14:09:00.000+12:00

The Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand was hit by an earthquake - one of the places hit the worse was Christchurch, my home town and where I currently live. The reports are a little sketchy I think it's been downgraded and it's been officially reported as being 7.1 on the Richter scale (larger than the one that shook Haiti, yet we are blessed to have gotten off so lightly), we've also been experiencing aftershocks, many being above 3.

Photo:Getty

It's really surreal, there are pockets of horrible damage, building collapsed, streets cracked and flooded. At the same time some places are relatively unaffected, in my house hardly anything fell over, things perched precariously on shelves stayed where they were, the only thing that tumbled was a necklace stand. The rest of the house is relatively unaffected too - we have many treasures from my parents travels, beautiful, breakable and irreplaceable things all of which are fine.

Photo:David Alexander AP

Some people were not so lucky. Their houses are uninhabitable, they are in rescue centres, one which is in a school near my house. Yet I can wander round my suburb and see that people are slowly getting back to normal here, even though the aftershocks are still shaking us.

My personal experience? As I first knew what was happening (shaken awake at 4.35am, it took a second for my brain to realise *Earthquake*) - I was excited, this was something that doesn't happen in in places like this. I think since there was little damage to my house the seriousness of it didn't strike me. The power was out from the time of the quake and I managed to hear some reports on the radio but it wasn't until I was able to see the T.V news report later in the afternoon and the see some of the damage that it really struck home.

Photo - Canterbury University Library (from the UC Website)

The University is closed for a week - to check it's safe and to tidy up, we were due back this week from holidays but no such luck (more of a hassle for us postgraduate students since we never really left). The damage looks horrible though, bookshelves toppled like dominoes.

I think we're going to be okay though. I hope that if you have family here you've managed to get in touch with them and know that they are safe, and that they haven't suffered too much damage.

The news reports and pictures showing the very worst damage can give the idea that Christchurch has been swallowed up by the earth or is lying in ruins so I can understand that a lot of people overseas may have been in a panic (I know my sister over in Germany was!).

Fashion time travel

2010-09-02T19:55:00.000+12:00

Sorry for the long absence, been having crisis of time management and technical difficulties. Laptop is back now and hopefully some semblance of posting will resume.

A while ago (meaning last year!) I went on a trip to Auckland and visited the museum, as is the proper touristy thing to do. I particularly enjoyed their fashion throughout the ages exhibit, and took some photos (horrible inside museum quality photos, photographer I am not) with the purpose of sharing them on the blog but never got round to it. However, no time like the present.

I can't really remember what era each of the picture comes from - silly me, forgot to take notes or some from of reminder, I just thought they were pretty...

The dresses from the earlier periods were all displayed on what looked to be relatively short mannequins, I'm guessing the people were shorter then? Look at that tiny waist - this is the short of dress that I would have liked to go to the ball in... Oh the drama!

1920s! Look at the beading on the number I know something like this would do be no favours but the idea of shimmering away in this would make me feel divine.

The devil is in the details - the draping, the collar, the cuffs. If I could get away with running around in this getup on a regular basis I probably would.

This one was in another exhibit, but I through it in because I thought it was adorable....

I love pouring over fashion exhibits in museums. In 100 years time I wonder how our era will be represented? I wonder if in 100 years time what those little glass boxes that the decades of our centuries will be condensed into will look like?

2010-07-08T19:20:00.000+12:00

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Every time I seem to get into my head that I'm getting back on my feet everything just seems so overwhelming again. I think the six years of continuous study has just gotten to me, I just want it to be over, to be able to not have study nights and weekends, to not feel guilty about not getting enough done.

At the same time I'm scared, I've been a student for so long, when real life begins I won't know how to find my feet, I won't know where to start.

I feel like I can only handle little things at a time, a little bit of cleaning (the room is finally tidy, you have no idea how much better that has made me feel), a plan to be organised (but sticking to a plan is a different thing), but trying to get a hold on my life is another story.

I would love not to feel overwhelmed... to be able to relax without these niggling thoughts in the back of my mind. One and half more years of study and I'll be done. Then 3 months of travel, utter freedom...it will be bliss...I like to dream and plan but I don't want to distract myself from this last dash.

In fact this is a distraction now. But I need it, although sometimes I think I would be better off working from dawn till the wee hours but I would hardly survive. It's the little things right.

What the heck happened??

2010-06-25T10:39:00.000+12:00

Hi guys...

You may be wondering what happened to me, or you may not be, that's cool too.

Well I got busy, and then I thought I would just shut down the blog. I was still reading you guys, but just didn't have any energy to comment - stuff has been hectic y'all.

I had been thinking a lot about privacy issues and having my face splashed all over the Internet, and while I know that people I'm worried about who may come into contact with this may actually not it's still an issue for the job I'm going into. So then I thought, I'll just shut it down...so I made it private while I decided. Hence no updates if you follow through reader and no access if you tried to get into the site.

But....I really didn't want to shut down the blog. Although I am a sporadic blogger I really enjoy having it there, plus it makes me feel a lot more connected to the whole community. So hence I've decided to go a bit anonymous from now on. I contemplated starting a new blog, but I've become attached to this one, and as far as I know no one has really found it so it should be okay.

So I've done a bit of editing, everything with my face on it is gone, and everything a bit too personal is gone too. And that's how it's going to stay. I'd like to keep doing outfit photos, so I'm going to think about how to work around that, (I don't like the idea of a chopped off head kinda of dealy...). Also while I was at it I decided to give the blog a make over, what do you think?

So here's hoping for some regular posting and that you guys are still around, I'll try to make my presence felt a bit more round your neck of the woods too.

Ah fresh starts, feels great.

Buffy Geek

2010-04-27T22:50:00.000+12:00

Bought 3 - One for me and one each for my two sisters. Probably our favourite TV series of all time, countless hours spent watching it.

I might cry

2010-04-05T10:04:00.002+12:00

I realise I'm beginning to lose followers. This might be because I haven't posted in about it a month.

I don't have an excuse. I haven't been particularly busy, or particularly inspired (to write or in my outfits).

I keep dangling the I'm back carrot only to show it's a big lie. I'm losing the following that I was building, like a bowling ball slowly going down the lane and then finally going in the gutter because it doesn't have enough steam ( I played Wii on the weekend).

I'm around, I'm reading but not commenting that's even too much effort. We'll see what happens. Still love you all.

Cluttered desk, cluttered mind?

2010-02-28T10:54:00.008+13:00

Miss me much? My absence from the virtual world has allowed me to take some time to recuperate emotionally and do some deep and meaningful thinking.....Which actually translates to me just generally not doing that much. Taking time out has been good though. I am about ready to immerse myself back into life, and the new shape it will take. Taking time out has gotten me noticing things though. One thing I noticed is all this clutter in my life. So what am I going to do about it?

I look around and see stuff, so much stuff. The idea of de cluttering my life has been more and more appealing. The easiest way to start is with all the physical things that have been starting to feel like they are suffocating me. I had let my surroundings steadily descend into a state of chaos, and my consumerism had run rampant - my unhealthy bank balance from month to month could bear witness to that.

So things need to change. Things need to get organised. Things need to go. I need to be ruthless. I have started this process, in that I have started organised what needs to go. Also things in different areas are starting to look organised. What's good about this process is that once I get rid of things that aren't necessary I can then see what is lacking in my life.

There is also clutter in my life in a not so physical sense, a lack of organisation, a need of more scheduling. I feel a lack of control, and this is MY life, I should be in control, and I'm going to take it back.

So what have I mostly been doing? Cleaning, and more cleaning. What I realise it that before things because lovely and tidy they must go through a stage where the look even more messed up then when you began, such is life.

Things are definitely starting to look up. Expect to hear more from me.

You guys are awesome

2010-02-07T20:58:00.003+13:00

Just wanted to take a quick moment to say thanks for all the support guys - I really appreciate it.

I want to take the time to reply to some of your comments more personally but am a bit busy right now so it will have to wait, just know that I really appreciate each and every one of your little scribblings.

Hopefully I will be back to the blog soon. I am also keeping up with your blogs (even though I might not be commenting as much)

Away

2010-02-01T20:43:00.003+13:00

Going through some personal stuff at the moment so will be a bit absent.

Please stay with me, I would hate to lose you guys just when I'm starting to get this baby really up and running.

I just have to say good friends are priceless in your life, like I knew my friends were great but I only realise how damn freaking amazing they are in times like these.

Talk to you soon.

Explain much?

2010-01-30T09:57:00.003+13:00

Well I thought maybe I should explain a little about my last post, although not within the post because that wasn't really the place.

While this is mainly a style blog and I do try and stay away from personal stuff (I like to keep my private stuff private that's just the way it is) I've been feeling lately that wanted to express things that are important to me.

I'm trying this whole thing about sending some positivity out into the universe. Don't worry I'm not turning into that kind of person (nor is this some new religious leaning), I'll still be a cynic at heart. So expect that if I've found that something has been helping in my life, without going into too much detail I'm going to pass it on. And it's not because I'm trying to be zen or anything, it's because I like you guys and think you deserve it, and really in the end it's more for me, because you guys probably are already in the know.

If you really hate it let me know, I probably won't stop, because hey it's my blog, but I'll put a warning in the title for you so you won't have to read it because I care about my readers.

Be Bold

2010-01-28T21:58:00.004+13:00

Take the time to realise that in your life there may be a situation where you have to be BOLD.

Some people find it easy, for some it is extremely hard.

But you know what? It can pay off it in a big way.

So take the plunge, and assert your self in a positive way. It may feel as scary as jumping out of a plane, but it might just be the best thing you ever did.

You don't need me to tell me what you need to do - you know what you need to do, you just need a bit of courage to do it, so tell your self you can do it and go out and be BOLD!

Curious Geek

2010-01-08T14:55:00.001+13:00

I finally worked out how to see the google search terms that bring people to my blog the other day. There weren't any really funny or strange ones (top one was feminine menswear), although I will keep an eye out. It does appear that I mention Forever 21 way too much....it was right up there too.

Anyway looking at that got me a bit curious as to how people found my blog since I've been getting a few new followers and I'm sure there are a few lurkers out there as well. So here's a bit of a chance for you to let me know how you found 'I'm a bit of a geek' because I'd love to know, and also say hello if you're new or just haven't had anything to say before.

Looking forward to reading your comments guys!

Celebrate anyway you know how

2009-12-23T20:53:00.004+13:00

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Thanks for all the commiseration on my last post, and also the compliments really brightened my mood.

This is just a quick note to say Merry Christmas (or whatever version of the holiday you celebrate) to everyone .
Hope your holidays are filled with love, good food and good company.

Normal service will resume after the holidays I'm off to stuff my face and vege out watch movies.

The tale of my Jeffrey Campbell Potion wedges

2009-12-14T16:08:00.006+13:00

If you remember back to this post I was super excited about the arrival of my Jeffrey Campbell Potion buckle wedges. Well they arrived, and there was a small setback but I didn't want to post about it until I went about fixing things and the story was finished at least in my head.

So anyway, due to the confusing nature of size charts and reading reviews I ended up going for the size 10 ( I am a size 9 in NZ sizing, a size 40 European and a size 7 UK). Most of the US size charts say that a 40 = 10. When I bought a pair of shoes from F21 in a US 9 they were a bit tight and also I had read that JC's can be a bit narrow, and my feet are very wide so I went a size up. My mantra is that you can always make shoes that are too big fit one way or another, but shoes that are too small will always be too small.

Anyway the 10s ended up being too big, - should have gone for a size 9. But not ridiculously big, they were wearable, if that had been the only problem. When I buckled the buckles to the tightest, they were gaping - I mean I could fit both my hands down the side (regretting not getting a before shot of this, but I just wanted to get them fixed as soon as possible). I think this would have been a problem even if I had gone a size down. They were unwearable if left as they were.

So I took them to a cobbler recommended by a friend to see what could be done. The lovely lady took some measurements and told me she could put in extra holes and trim the leather. If you look closely you can see the altered straps (the holes go right to the end. I had to have the top five straps altered, so my feet are suitable fat, I just have skinny calves), I had to have about five extra holes in each strap.

I guess this is the risk with buying online. I know that my calves are relatively skinny compared to my foot size, but I've never had this big a problem before! It was like the shoes had no allowance for the definition of the leg in them, but just expected some sort of barrel shaped leg.
From what I've seen of the shoe on others in a smaller size (what I assume is a smaller size, it fits beautifully, so maybe it's just something with the larger sizes?)

Anyway this is not meant to be bagging the shoe, just a bit of a rant and a detailing of my experience. I love the shoe and they are probably one of the most comfortable and interesting pair of shoes I have after I fixed them and they were wearable. Plus they pretty much make me look like a leggy amazon battle goddess.

However, the second time I wore them, the rubber sole has already parted from the bottom of one the shoes. Which is really not cool for the price of them, if I got them from a physical shop I would be having words, but with international Internet buying it's really not worth it.

And if the sole of your shoe starts parting from the shoe - I do not recommend trying to stick it back with gum as a temporary fix (no matter how good an idea it seem at the time - JUST DON'T DO IT). Now I have the task of trying to remove gum before I can bring the shoes in and have the sole re glued on (an probably explain why there are remnants of gum inside the sole...)

Portable

2009-11-30T23:04:00.003+13:00

Sorry for the radio silence. Turned out I was busier than I thought. Also every time I a come up with a wicked outfit I never get the camera out, so much for my proactive blogging.

I hope that with the new year I can shake off this lethargy.
Hopefully I will be able to blog a bit more now that I finally got my hot little hands on my netbook! I have been waiting patiently for this to go down in price and investigating models, at the end I got a bit distracted by a flirty new HP model, but I held strong! It is a very generous Christmas/Birthday present from my parents (since the two are so close for me)

So now I am typing away at this from bed on my Acer aspire one, which is tiny and I love. Hopefully this will mean that my laziness of not wanting to go to the PC to blog will no longer be an excuse.

Thanks for all the positive feedback about the drindls on the last post - most of you seem to be favouring the mustard colour one, if I have the money and it's still available I may just have to get myself another present.

Here's what I can't get out of my head at the moment. Sometimes a silly fun song that makes you want to dance is just the thing. Plus Katy Perry and the 3oh3 boys - perfect mix.

Little European girl

2009-11-15T22:30:00.004+13:00

Thanks guys for the all the positive comments on Kevin's Movember's efforts - I'll let you know how he goes at the end of the month - remember if you want to donate to him the details are in this post. On to today's post!

After seeing some bloggers rock the Dirndl I have been lusting after one myself. I love the folky details, and being part German it also appeals to have something fashionable and culturally relevant to me.
I discovered Bows & Bandits and have been drooling over their selection of authentic vintage Austrian dresses and trying to decided if I can afford to buy one (their prices are in Euros and the conversion rate makes it pretty pricey for me!). However before we get to that point I have to decide which dress I want to buy!

I'm leaning towards this brown and mustard number I love the little chain details, the zip up bust, and the wide panels of embroidery.

My second favorite is the blue green with pink embroidery.

My third choice is this blue and orange one - I love the colour combination. Although it looks like doesn't have as low a cut front as the rest, so you wouldn't get the shirt peeking out the front effect as much.

What do you think of the Dirndl? What your favorite?

Doing some tidying up

2009-11-11T19:03:00.002+13:00

I've been tidying up some layout things, and finally got round to tidying up my links. So I've added some people and got rid of some dead links. If you'd like to swap links and be on my blog role drop me a line or leave a comment and I can add you.

That's all for now!

Interesting..I think not...

2009-11-10T16:19:00.003+13:00

I have been tagged by the lovely Miss B to share 7 facts about myself. Whether or not these will be interesting we shall see, maybe I will try to be as random as possible...?

I don't drive. I only have my learner's permit. I don't have particular aversion, just have never gotten around to it. Although it's quite necessary for me to get my licence this summer.
I like bananas, but can't stand bananas in cooking, such as banana cake or banana smoothies. It's weird, I'll eat a banana but the flavor in something else is just wrong to me.
I have to have the volume on electronic things turned to even numbers, otherwise it's REALLY ANNOYING
I'm really bad at thinking up random facts about myself...
I only owned one pair of high heels until I was about 19 (bought when I was about 16 for my high school ball), and then I went a bit crazy....
Years of having to hide the fact I was wearing makeup from my mother actually means that now I'm really good at a natural look.
I'm not going to tag anyone specific for this - if you want to do it go ahead - let me know in the comments!

I know I cheated a bit, but I'm really tired at the moment sigh. Plus I'm not that interesting it turns out...haha

I'm a bad consumer

2009-11-05T14:26:00.005+13:00

I went through a fairly stressful time recently and when I go through fairly stressful times I tend to shop. I tend to think that while it can be bad on the bank account and the environment, as far as being self destructive, it's not too bad. Usually I reward myself with something at the end of each year, and also buy myself a Christmas present, and a birthday present (since they happen round the same time). Well Christmas came early this year.

I have been lusting after the Jeffrey Campbell Potion buckle wedge boots after seeing them on many other blogger feet and finally have ordered them. Basically a knock off of the Chloe Sevigny for Open Ceremoy Boots, but at a fraction of the price, they are gorgeous and just what I have been looking for. When they'll arrived is a bit of a mystery, as I've preordered them as they intial run sold out everywhere. Hopefully soon though!

I know sometimes seems a bit ridiculous to get this excited about shoes, but with the hellish time I've been having sometimes it's the little things that make you smile.

Shameless Promotion

2009-10-27T19:17:00.011+13:00

Awhile back the lovely Ms Constantine ran a competition for her new C squared necklaces. Although I didn't win she asked me if she could use my blog name as one of her standard necklaces. Since I love all her products,the fact that she's out there doing what she loves and living her dream I was more than happy to oblige.
These will soon be available in her store. You can also get them with one of the other snazzy sayings on them - or get one custom to say whatever the heck you like - how awesome is that! If that's not quite your thing, there is always the classic nameplate necklace, unicorn, or NARWHAL! plus heaps more, seriously check out her store!!

It's official!
Also she sent me a minicorn! A tiny unicorn it's awesome!

Thanks Ms Constantine! These definitely get the thumbs up! Also they make me happy! I haven't taken mine off since I got it.

EDIT: If you want you own get yours here

Winner Winner

2009-09-21T18:57:00.004+12:00

So who is the winner....?

Names go in the hat - I swear there are more than two...it just looks that way.

Hand goes in - who will it be....?

And here's what you've all been waiting for, the winner is....

Congrats Ms Constantine you are the winner! Are you ready to claim your mystery prize? Flick me an e-mail with your address and ill post you out your parcel. Don't forget to keep it going! Plus guys if you missed out this time, hopefully this keeps going and you can enter it the next time and the next time and the next time (you get the point..) until you win!

Thanks everyone for entering my very first giveaway - it was so much fun I think I will have to do this giveaway thing again!

Don't you want free stuff?

2009-09-19T14:34:00.003+12:00

There doesn't seem to be many entries on the giveaway - I think this might be a combination of people not being sure if they want to continue it on, and maybe because I haven't posted any pictures of the mystery loot.
Just because It's my first giveaway I wanted to try and get a few more people interested so I've decided to extend the date so people can still enter over the weekend and ill announce the winner on Monday - I hope you guys don't mind?

I was gong to try to post some picture, but the data cap had been exceeded and the computer is being exceedingly difficult with everything I try to do - this post was a mission!
But I'll just let you know again that it will include thrifted clothing, some little little knitted stuff in there, accessories (some neat handmade stuff not by me but the lovely Lauren). I've just added the most awesome chiffony type headband too. So there should be a little something for everyone.

So two more days to enter people - for the rules and to enter please check out this post.
After all this is done I promise some real content and photos, but the broadband has been all used up (not by me) and until the 25th my Internet is crawling by at a snails pace. So I also haven't managed to keep up with a lot of your blogs as well unless I'm at uni, while I'm really supposed to be working....
Anyway hop to it and enter the giveaway!

Don't forget!

2009-09-16T11:58:00.002+12:00

I've been super busy so the camera has been gathering dust as have ideas for posts.

So this is just a reminder - if you haven't entered the giveaway hop to it!

Enter here go on clickity click!

GIVEAWAY that's right I said GIVEAWAY

2009-09-09T22:40:00.002+12:00

Recently I was the of winner a giveaway from Lauren at This Little Piggie Went to Market which included many a lovely thing, including some of her handmade goodies.

This wasn't just any giveaway though this is a very special giveaway, it is a pass the parcel giveaway that was started by Vicci at She Will Have Her Way here and then continued on by Lauren here.

The idea of the giveaway is that the winner gets the parcel, takes out what they like/what fits/what's shiny etc and then adds to whatever is left and passes the parcel on as their own giveaway. So it is a bit of a pay it forward giveaway, I thought it was the most brilliant idea, and was so happy to be part of it, and now you can too!

So just to clarify the rules

To enter just comment on this post telling me you would like to be a part
The winner gets to select from the giveaway parcel what they like
The winner then adds to the parcel - whatever takes your fancy
The winner then hosts the giveaway.

Now I don't want to exclude people who don't have blogs from the giveaway I would really like to keep this going, so what I might do is, if someone who doesn't have a blog wins the parcel I might draw another name and make two parcels.

In the spirit of pass the parcel I've decided to to be explicit about what it's the parcel (because in the game it's a surprise! also It's not quite finished yet...), but I will give you a little bit of an idea of what the winner will be getting. The parcel includes some thrifted items of clothes - very fabulous but didn't fit me unfortunately, some lovely handmade items from Lauren - because I felt greedy taking all of them, I have added some more thirfted items of clothing and also some jewelery and accessories - all very neato! There will also be some surprises that I will pick up this weekend. I took into account some of your suggestions on my post asking what I want so hopefully I done good. I might included some pictures later if I feel kind, but think of the surprise people, the surprise!!

I'm going to hold the giveaway for 1 week - so entries will close next Friday *EDIT* ENTRIES NOW CLOSE SUNDAY AND I WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER ON MONDAY New Zealand time, which I think is Thursday for the rest of the world. So what are you waiting for - enter!

Some things are so special

2009-09-07T19:10:00.005+12:00

Nothing beats getting something in the mail. Nothing is better than a sweet sentiment and knowing that something you've said has made someone feel better.

This reminds me that I should be grateful for all the amazing people in my life - and that most importantly I should tell them.

You Bambola are amazing - thank you so much.

P.S if you haven't checked out her blog - go! she is too fabulous for words and so genuine you will love her.

Tell me what you want

2009-09-01T13:24:00.003+12:00

Thanks for all the lovely comments on the post below - the were so sweet, learning to take compliments here!

I'm going to announce a special giveaway soon, that will be a parcel of goodies giveaways, but I'll reveal the details later on the actual post as it is a very special give away indeed. I'm still putting the parcel together so I thought I would would put some feelers out and ask people what they would like in a parcel of thrifted clothes/accessories among other things. Just so I can get a feel of what to look out for.

I will probably announce the giveaway the end of this week or the beginning of next week so let me know soon!

All about me

2009-08-27T12:14:00.003+12:00

[EDIT Again I removed the photo but the sentiment is still the same, the photo is still with me and I still feel the same way about it. I also wanted to keep this here to share the way I felt, hope that makes sense to you guys.]

In case your wondering why there is a huge photo of me and the top of this post maybe I should explain. I am not really a fan of taking photos of my face, and I never smile with my teeth (I had crookedness corrected but still never got comfortable with it). So I don't with portrait shots and usually hate how they turn out.
The story behind this photo is I got up one morning, and had a look at my hair and decided to take a quick snap because this is a style a want to try and recreate (messy bed hair). Having just woken and being slightly sleepy I was really relaxed and for once I took a portrait shot I really liked. I found it strange - this is me, no make up, head messed up from bed, not trying at all, just natural, not stressed, the real me. I can look at this shot and say this is a beautiful woman, and I don't say that out of vanity, it comes from a place of letting go of my insecurities - and being able to share it with you guys. I don't think I'll ever quite capture a moment quite like this again.

Have you had a similar moment?

This is a start of my story in part of why I blog about style and fashion, which I hope to share a bit more about later on.

I also got tagged by Chickie Little to do a meme. So this post is a bit indulgent as it is all about me and I didn't want to do two posts all about me in a row!

What is your current obsession?
Trying to find a coloured leather jacket, a lot of my obsessions are fashion based, because otherwise it would have to school work, and that just gets too depressing. Probably about 95% of my time is devoted to my studies, and I don't get a lot of down time, so shopping helps me de-stress.
What is your horoscope and do you relate?
Capricorn. I like the idea of Chinese horoscopes better, I am a Fire Tiger, Rawr!
What are you wearing today?
Black dress, Purple striped top, purple and black knee highs, purple shoes(with purple laces they are awesome and new!), also a grey cardy. I am so matchy matchy again!
What is the last thing you bought?
The purple shoes, and the same pair in blue...
What do you think about the person who tagged you?
She is adorable, and talented (have you seen her baking and comic strip?). I hope to get to know her better as well :)
What’s for dinner?
Toastie pies. Some people will have no idea what they are, well they are like grilled sandwiches, but with a special appliance the bread is sealed such so you can put more fillings in then like canned spaghetti - this is a very kiwi and Australian thing I think.
What’s your favourite decade, fashion wise?
I am going to be a cheater with this question. I like this decade, because you can combine all the fashion from previous decades an make what you will of style. I think people take a lot more chances now too. Also while most of the fashion is repeating the new ways of combining it always surprise me. I will always have a soft spot for the 80s though because I love graphic prints and bold colours (but detest shoulder pads, my shoulders are broad enough already thank you)
What are your must haves for summer?
Beach trips, cut out swimsuit, blueberries!, crochet vest, more rompers, vests over dresses.
What would you love to be able to afford?
My own car, so I could learn to drive properly, also my own house
What is your favourite piece of clothing from your wardrobe?
Way to many to chose from, so I'll put a couple - cream lace mini dress, new vintage cream and blue dress with low v back, floral black romper.
What is your dream job?
I always wanted to be an actress - fame and fortune, plus was heavily into drama in my younger years
What is your favourite magazine?
um....nothing really, used to read Cosmo, NZ is pretty bad for mags! I think reading blogs has taken over my magazine reading time - much more interesting.
Describe your personal style?
What ever strikes my fancy, constantly evolving. I like to mix and match, and I have a habit for colour co-ordination. I like vintage style but also like ultra modern touches. I think I'm really still finding it.
Which Beatle is your favourite?
Um...I'll go John.
What are you proud of?
I'm proud of being self aware, of the friendships I've made, and being person who is growing.

This has been doing the rounds, so I'm not tagging anyone in particular but inviting anyone who hasn't done it yet to do it if it strike your fancy.

2009-08-24T20:24:00.003+12:00

I was awarded the Kreative Blogger a while ago by the Lovely Lauren (go the alliteration) of This Little Piggie went to Market - Incidentally this is not the only this I have received from her of late - but you will have to wait to hear about that!
This being only my second award ever, it's still a novelty to me and was lovely to receive, but sorry I took so long to get round to it!

About the Kreativ Blogger Award

Nominee Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you for the award

• Copy the logo and place it on your blog

• Link to the person who nominated you for this award

• List seven things about yourself that people might find interesting

• Nominate and post links to the seven Kreativ Bloggers you nominate

• Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated

Okay so here goes:

I don't know if I've ever mentioned in on the blog, but I am half Singaporean Chinese and Half German which is an odd mix, most people don't guess at my Asian heritage, but my sisters take more after that side.
I hate my feet - I inherited awful feet from my mother, bunions are not pretty so I don't like showing them ugh...I think this makes me prejudice about feet in general.
I have a secret obsession with bad reality t.v shows - the bachelor, top model, project runway, survivor you name it. Once I'm hooked I can't stop watching and I'm deeply ashamed of this....
My one party trick is that I can bend my thumb back on one hand to touch my wrist - the back side not the palm side (on the one hand only though - I bashed the hand into a wall once and could do it ever since). This tends to gross people out. You might need a video demonstration to fully appreciate this one, you might get one if you lucky enough....
I really like pickles...just by themselves..my boyfriend finds this really strange.
I used to play the violin on the account of my freakishly long and spindly fingers, but I never practiced and got bored easily but kind of regret not giving it a proper go.
I like slushi drinks - a lot, I used to go mad for them as a kid and still love them, I wish all drinks came in slushi form...when I am in a country with a 7/11 I get as much slurpee as I possibly can. I have a massive sweet tooth and I know its bad for me, plus it makes me feel like a child but I can't resit it!

For my nominees some very creative ladies in many different ways - I know many people have already got this so only do it if you want to!

Annie of Annie Spandex
Ms Constantine of Cupcakes and Mace
Scribbles
Rosina Lee
Chickie Little of Eggshell Green
Amber of History Books

Checking in

2009-08-15T18:08:00.005+12:00

Just to prove I've not fallen into a ditch somewhere. My university work has meant that I have been insanely busy - no time for blog posts, and only a few comments here and there on my must read blogs.
I have a few things planned to post before I realized that everything was happening at once. Things that I will hopefully have time to do once things settle down a little and I have a bit of a holiday (in theory, we don't really get real holidays). Keep getting ideas for posts while I'm supposed to be studying but alas it need to be put to the side!

So keep your eyes peeled, I will be back - thanks for following I'll try to get something worth looking at up here soon!

In the meantime - I keep getting this song stuck in my head constantly it's just so damn catchy, enjoy!

Bit disgusting today

2009-07-27T15:38:00.002+12:00

Getting sick again. Really can't afford it because I have masses of work to do and lots of commitments too! Not much going on in my life - some new purchases which will probably be making an appearance if I ever get an outfit photo soon, but I look kinda disgusting at the moment.

Also thinking about cutting my hair sometime soon - relatively short, to give it a bit of time to recuperate from the constant dyeing. It's not really in the best condition.
I'm a bit undecided though - ready for the change but love growing and having my hair lovely and long, decisions decisions.

Anyway I think I might have a nap. Just thought I might let you know why so silent.

Beginners Guide to Dyeing (clothes) just to be clear

2009-07-19T18:55:00.007+12:00

Dyeing can be scary - and I mean clothes - not as in mortality which can also be scary but is a topic for another day. But it can also be a great way to save slightly stained clothes and inject some new life into lack lustre items.
I do not claim to be a expert, in fact I am a raw beginner, so thought I would share some of my experience of how it went for me and some tips I found useful. So think of this as a Beginners guide by a beginner for beginners.

I used Dylon cold water dye - now I had a look at the site and the dye I used looked nothing like the products on there but I'm pretty sure that it's the same brand so I'll pop the link in any way...
I dyed two items - a pair of yellow shorts and a light green dress, both of which had stains on them that would not go, so I thought that dyeing them a darker colour would save items of clothes that I thought I been ruined.

So firstly - follow the instructions on any dye your using - mine told me to add salt, some will also tell you to add other stuff - pays to check in case you need any extras when you come to mixing it up.
First hint - if your going for an intense colour - use as little water as possible but still cover the entire garment, and go for two or three packs of dye. With my shorts I went for a colour called Mexican Red - I used hardly any water and two packs of dye and still didn't get that much of an intense colour. Also remember the colour mixing rules - so for me yellow shorts + red dye = orangey shorts. Which is was I expecting and didn't really mind because I couldn't be bothered with the extra step of whitening. Didn't get a before shot of the shorts but here is the after shot

Another thing to bear in mind when choosing a colour to dye - since buttons don't dye always consider how the new colour is going to match the old buttons. I'm pretty glad that the shorts aren't too red, because bright red and yellow could possible come across too Ronald McDonald now I think about it. Now the button thing is a bit of a no brainer, but something I didn't consider - thread doesn't dye either - so my red/orange shorts also have contrasting yellow thread, which actually looks pretty cool.

Secondly the dress - I actually didn't use cold water dye. I used regular dye, but instead of boiling the whole thing (because I am lazy) I just used boiling water and hoped for the best. Which lead to kind of dubious results really. Not what I was expecting but alright none the less.

Dress before:

Stains were down the bottom:

Ended up with kind of a marble effect - the dye didn't take as well in some places, might have been because I didn't move it round enough in the beginning stages because I was a bit distracted. I also used an old pack of dye, just one pack and hardly any water, so there could have been lots of reasons. However, I actually kind of like the marbled effect.
I used Dylon dye again, a colour called Windsor purple - so purple + green = blue. Also you can't quite see it in the pics but the stitching is all still green and looks really neat.

Some hints overall just from how I did it, not gospel by any means:

Don't panic, get too excited over the initial colour, just like with hair dye, most of the colour is going to wash out and the final colour is most likely going to be much lighter
WEAR RUBBER GLOVER - dye stains are not fun
Moving the garment around a lot in the initial stages will ensure an even coverage and a better end result
I leave my stuff in longer than it says on the packet - that's just me, I do the same thing with my hair dye
Make sure you give it a wash SEPARATELY after you've dyed it, even if it runs clear after a rinse there will still be more dye left in it

So hopefully that's some help. Overall I had lots of fun and it was great to see the end result of my labours. Would definitely do it again, and it helped saved two items of stained clothing, can't even see the stains anymore!
So guys any dyeing tips of your own? Thinking of dyeing an item yourself?

P.S - thanks for all the lovely comments of the last couple of posts - nothing like compliments to give a girl the warm fuzzies!

Have a look

2009-07-16T10:39:00.002+12:00

I know I promised the next post would be about dyeing, and it will be this is not a proper post - just drawing you attention to a giveaway and an awesome creative blogger and her Etsy store.
Erin is having a giveaway of $35.00 credit to her Etsy store Love Erin Designs which has some seriously covetable jewelery! So hop away and enter here

Going Natural

2009-07-14T15:32:00.006+12:00

This is another long over due post. You've probably heard about the the lovely Scarlet Johansen appearing on the cover of French Elle make up less. Other celebrities appeared in the magazine sans makeup - beautiful ladies showing their natural beauty.

After the beautiful Eyeliah posted some gorgeous makeup-less pictures of herself and said how great it would be if others would take part as well.

Well here is my offering, me, without make up, in my most comfy clothes with a bit of a ridiculous look on my face.

[EDIT: I removed the photo not because I was ashamed but because because of the new anonymous nature of the blog. I didn't want to delete the whole post because I really like the sentiment of what I had written so I left it as is minus photo]

To tell you the truth, I don't wear make up daily at all, so this really wasn't too much of a challenge for me, taking a nice close up photo was more of an issue really. I usually only wear make up when going out for the night, because it's fun, and when I'm dressing up it makes it all a bit more glamorous and adds to my outfit.

When I think about it I've never really been complimented extra when I've been wearing makeup compared to when I'm not, so I don't really see make up as something that I need to be beautiful, but rather something that adds to an overall look - like an accessory, that's why I would wear bright eye shadow over something nude.

The only thing I have a real issue with - the bags under my eyes, I usually tend to cover those up, because because come up to me and ask me if I'm feeling alright...but that just means I need more sleep.

So in short, make up is fun, but I don't think that anyone should let us think that we need it to be beautiful - we're already beautiful just the way we are.

May have built them up a bit too much

2009-07-02T22:03:00.007+12:00

After the comments I think maybe the earrings won't live up to the hype - it seems talking about something before you actually post the pictures may build some expectations - I hope your not disappointed. Any way I got my butt into gear and took some photos which were surprisingly hard to do, consider a)crystal glares from the flash, and b) I can't take photos without a flash to save my life, they come out all blurry...

Although it looks kind of cool - like they have a little light in them. Long story short, they were given to us at Christmas by my sister's fiance's sister in law (that was a mouthful) and are originally ornaments, now they are earrings. Although since they are crystal I am paranoid about dropping them on the floor and smashing them!

Also some more picture - from my recent dyeing adventures. I didn't get any from when i did my shorts but I was doing a dress today and got some in between shots, will show the finished product later.

Dye in ready to be mixed

Dye mixed - with a knife - a bit weird I know, but I needed it to open the dye tin, and then I used it to stir. Plus I thought the dye on the the knife looked pretty cool so snapped a pic of it. Now I'm going to go terrorize some children...

Compelled

2009-07-01T21:42:00.002+12:00

My followers seems to be growing more over a short period of time, which compels me to post, due to time constraints however I can't really do much of anything substantial. Usually I take an outfit photo when I come home but it seems the clothes are always coming off before the camera is coming out nowadays, perhaps I should try to catch a snap before I go out hmmm.

Anyway, just to let you know I'm not dead what have I been up to?
I made some earrings - out of some Swarovski Christmas tree ornaments, which I will take some photos of to show you, not a huge effort, but neat all the same.

I also dyed some shorts, which will also make an appearance, along with some recent buys.

I feel like this post is like a promo for a T.V show - coming up soon on I'm a bit of a Geek...tee hee.

On a side note. I went and saw Transformers 2 the other day. Short and Sweet - it was good, better than the first one. My favourite part - the old transformer - if you see the movie you'll know what I mean. Also Bumblebee, I love him, I wish I had one of him.

Bloglovin?

2009-06-29T18:51:00.003+12:00

Want to follow me on Bloglovin? If that happens to be your cup of tea - I added the little button just to make it easier for you, just head to the side bar and there it is. Follow away!

Quick note, those are always the best

2009-06-24T15:02:00.009+12:00

Just a quick note to say - thanks for all comments on the post bellow guys, and for sharing how you get yourself motivated to get things done, been a bit quite because have been trying to get something massive done in relation to university. Promise something a bit more interesting from me soon - I am the worst of bloggers my apologies - I am also the worst of uni students at present too. Have been trying out some of your tactics though, hopefully they will help.

Have a finger sprain too which does not help with the typing, my poor little pinky is bruised and swollen, it looks like a fat little slug... ouches.

In the mean time I'll leave you with this - it makes me happy

Nothing gets done

2009-06-17T15:52:00.002+12:00

Posing a question to the blog'o'verse - what motivates you to get things done, when you have no energy, no motivation, and no idea where to begin?

I feel like a tiny little ant standing at the bottom of a little mountain sometimes.
Staring up wondering exactly how the heck I'm going to get to the top.
I know I should buckle down and get to it, but it's just not coming.

Oh how much easier it is just to look at one...more...website....

Hope you guys are being much more productive than I am.

On a much more positive note - I have new followers! I love new followers - welcome! Make yourself at home, don't mind the mess. I'm thinking about doing a giveaway soon as well to jump on the bandwagon and to celebrate when I get my work done - so look out for that in the next couple of weeks - it will be a surprise I promise you that!!

Lust have

2009-06-13T14:41:00.006+12:00

These are the lovely Jeffrey Campbell - Lite, aren't they gorgeous sigh. This is what comes from spending hours browsing the Solestruck website - I end up desperately wanting shoes that I can't afford. With shipping cost + currency conversion + poorness of me = I don't have enough money for these beautiful babies. But they desperately want to be on my feet I know they do.

I'm not going to have the money anytime soon, so I'll just have to stick with having these on my desktop and wishing. I keep hinting to the boyfriend to buy them for me, but he actually has less money than me so really this is a fruitless task.

To be blissed out

2009-06-09T14:41:00.002+12:00

Just for a minute I want to forget all the things I have to do this week - and just float, and be blissful, with no stress. Just for a minute please, switch my brain off.

Sorry if I made you dizzy

2009-06-08T13:50:00.005+12:00

I've been playing round with the header - so you haven't been going crazy, things have been changing. As in, yes the photo did change, and no you were not imagining it the photo then became a different size. I'm not quite sure if it's right yet, but it will do for now.
Expect it to be in a bit of a state of flux, it's how I things, change is good.

What do you think of the new header? It was originally just a shot of my socks and shoes for an outfit post but I thought it was a pretty cool perspective shot - me looking geekily at my feet if you will. Plus the inner geek at me loves the idea of a head with knee high socks and matching purple shoes.

That is all for now - longer post later....with outfit photo!

P.S - If you following me on twitter - I've protected my updates so leave me a comment so I know you're a reader and I'll accept your request - If you want to follow me my username is imabitofageek.

What a lurker I am and 'The Fame'

2009-06-02T10:12:00.003+12:00

I am a terrible blog lurker - I have all my lovely daily read, which I check in on almost religiously apart from when I am rushed off my feet, which is most of the time actually. However, I really use them as a way of distracting me from all the horrible amounts of work I have to do. Still I am a lurker, I read, I laugh I enjoy, but I leave without commenting! I just don't think to do it, I guess because I try to conserve my time, clickity click and on my way. Which is horrible of me! I should show my appreciation of the effort that is being put in.
I try honestly I do, sometimes I actually do remember to comment - and sometimes I think I've commented but I actually haven't, and them sometimes blogger will trick me with it's tricky technology and make me thing my comment has gone through when it hasn't - not that is completely not my fault!

So any way long story short, or rather short story long - expect more comments from me. Because I love all your blogs!

On another note - completely unrelated I bought Lady Gaga's CD 'The Fame'. I'm a little undecided on it. I liked what I heard on the radio so I thought I would give it a go. I think it might take a little while to grow on me. It's a bit of a mix really, good dance music, which is what I was looking for. I haven't bought a CD in a long time, so I had some pretty high expectations I guess. Well see how me and the Lady go getting to know one another. Has anyone else had a listen to the CD - what did you think of it?

A little tip for all of you - getting enough sleep will make your body love you - sleep deprivation will make you do silly things like leave you keys in the fridge and be late because you can't find them in the morning. *Sigh* sometimes I hate being a student.

Winter is really here

2009-05-26T11:26:00.002+12:00

I put the winter sheets on last night - I can't hide from it anymore - on the upside, it was super nice and suggly.

I am getting over one of the worse colds I have had in a long time. I wasn't aware that my body could produce so much mucus. I was a truly disgusting sight. I wish winter was over, I really loathe it. Probably because it has been raining here for like a week. We get horrible rainy days where the wind blows and it's freezing, and you have to run like a mad person to avoid getting swept away - I believe in other countries it would be called a 'typhoon'.
Now if we had a nice winter that was a little bit chilly, with a sprinkling of snow that allowed me to wear cute little dresses and tights, and high heeled boots (without tripping and killing myself on slippery walkways) maybe I would enjoy it a bit more.

Until winter agrees to cooperate I will continue to despise it. Bring on spring!

Forever 21 why do you do this to me

2009-05-24T20:41:00.004+12:00

Photos via the Forever 21 website

Forever 21 ship internationally - and if you order over $100 they offer a special shipping price for international orders - as if I needed any more incentive...the shipping price was the one thing holding me back, my bank account is going to suffer.

On another note - had an interesting experience today. Saw a movie of an opera performance of Madame Butterfly. It was good, different than an actual opera experience, but still a nice experience. Then went out for dinner and ate way to much rich pasta. Mmmm life is good.

Awesome giveaway you should totally enter

2009-05-21T22:26:00.005+12:00

If you guys didn't know Eyeliah at Style Symmetry is celebrating her 1000th post - yay for her! What makes it even more awesome for her readers is that she is celebrating with an awesome giveaway - with two options of some really niffty stuff (one being a cute romper and some other goodies, and the other being a vintage dress, and a hot electric blue belt to name a couple of things!)

So hop here and have a look see! Who doesn't like free stuff! While your there check out the rest of her blog, she really is one awesome lady plus she loves America's Next top model - what's not to like!

Bad Blogger

2009-05-19T13:45:00.003+12:00

I am a bad blogger - I don't blog, plus I am lazy with leaving comments on my fellow bloggers sites. Bad blogger... bad blogger I chide myself, much like a naughty puppy. I am so busy it's not funny though. I am so far behind in everything it's like I am behind in stuff I don't even know about yet - that's how efficient I am at being behind in stuff.

On a more exciting note - I bought the boots from the post below!! I was going to buy them online - but as the shopping gods would have it, just before I was going to buy them, I walked into the store to try them on one more time, and they were on sale - $100 off! I love the shopping gods. I am now a lover of Dr martens too. Well made and comfortable, they wrap my feet in buttery leather all day and do not cause any pain what so ever. They first time I can say that about a heel - no matter what height (I have feet issues - slightly flat feet, bunions, thanks mum, callouses too...). While I was looking for a flat boot I am glad I went for a slight heel - wet weather is no one's friend - and rubber sole - awesome!

Other than that and being a bad blogger. Nothing further to report. Please go out and enjoy life for me - I have a cough that is threatening to separate my throat from the rest of my body...not pleasant!

Peace out.

Things are a bit different

2009-04-27T15:17:00.005+12:00

Photo via drmartens.com

At the moment I am lusting after these, these are a gorgeous boots - and they are doc martens. I have been toying round with the idea of getting some classic doc marten combat style boots and while looking at them came across these beauties. They are a bit more purple than the picture suggests in real like, and are uber comfortable - super well made too. However quite over the price range as to what I was going to spend on a pair of boots. Doc's come with a massive price tag in New Zealand because we get them from England, so the exchange rate means they are very pricey indeed. I am in love though...

On an side note you may have noticed things look a bit different around here. I've gone through and changed things around a bit, to fit more with where I see this blog going. Things are going to change a bit more soon.

I've been finding a bit more time on my hands - may have been because there were holidays?
I've really been missing blogging. Thinking about it has been proving a good distraction from work which has been really hard to get into while on holiday mode.

Well I really should do some sort of work today, I am trying really hard!

Quick - but not less for it

2009-03-01T20:46:00.004+13:00

Just a quick post to say a huge THANK YOU for all the brilliant advice you guys gave me, I was going to say thank you individually to each of you, but time had not been on my side lately. What I am deciding to do will end up having to take a back seat (and may end up being unnecessary) as I am buried under mountains of readings that I have to do for my course.

Anyway once again - thank you for the advice, it was really helpful and appreciated!

That's all for now, expect more later

Peace out my lovelies

Grumpy Today

2009-02-19T21:12:00.005+13:00

That is what my dog looks like when he's tired and grumpy, and it perfectly expresses how I feel today. Major lack of motivation, although it's getting a bit better now.

Everything on the computer is taking too long, the data allowance has all been used up, and I have to wait till the 25th until everything returns to a normal, less infuriating speed.

Tidying up left me a little bereft, I am a hoarder from way back and very sentimental. I forced myself to be brutal though, and much of my prized possessions (read junk) got tossed. I was telling myself over and over, I can hold onto the memories without holding onto the stuff.
Although I still kept a few things, because the hoarder in me will not die without a fight.
This clean up has left me with positive feelings also, I think I finally got out of a cycle that left me with so much junk. It used to be I would have a tidy up, and keep some stuff, and throw others out. However, next tidy up, the stuff I thought so important to keep would be chucked and new stuff would take it's place. Not this time though! I have never got rid of so much stuff at once in my life!

Next step the wardrobe - this I am going to find infinitely harder than knick knack and keepsakes.

In other news - last post I had a record number of comments! (It was like 10, but this is a big step for me). So I just wanted to thank all you lovely people for speaking up on my blog. It must be the new layout. Also in the process I discovered a few new blogs that I will be getting up to date when the internet is revived. I will also be updating my links with many new exciting ladies!

Peace out my lovelies

Happy Friday the 13th!

2009-02-13T11:18:00.003+13:00

In case you didn't know I am a huge fan of the morbid and the macabre! So Friday the 13th is exactly my kind of day. So much better than Halloween in my opinion.

Me an my friends regularly have Friday the 13th parties - that's how we roll.

So go out and do something morbid

Peace out my lovelies

Just a thought

2009-01-22T14:44:00.002+13:00

Sometimes I get caught up in a frazzle, because I feel that there is so much to do that I am not doing.
Lately I take a minute though, and stop. I ask myself is all this stuff I feel I need to do important? To tell you the truth I often find that most of it is not.

So I'm going to try and not get so caught up in my crazy little world or feeling like I should be doing certain things, and focus on what is important.

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-05T16:22:00.002+13:00

Or should the title really be Resolution? I don't generally make these, I find that I never keep them and also that having to make resolutions about your life only once a year seems pointless to me. If you want to change something, it shouldn't matter when it is, just because the new year brings to mind imagery of new beginnings and all that jazz, doesn't mean it's the only time to make decisions about how you want to live your life. Although I can see how it could be an appropriate time - that is me trying to appease those who disagree so I don't offend people who think of New Year's Resolutions as something akin to religious traditions.

So after all that I do have one that I made, just to jump on the bandwagon.
Be kinder to everyone, myself included. Because everyone needs a bit of kindness once in awhile.

Peace out my lovelies

I'm Back!

2009-01-04T16:59:00.002+13:00

Back from holiday, tired and just on the mend, I got sick the first day out and am just coming right now, man I have awesome timing...not!

Starting work tomorrow so just need a bit of time to re-energise myself.

Hope your new year was rocking and that 2009 is looking bright for you. I am so looking forward to this year!!

Peace out my lovelies

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

2008-12-23T23:35:00.003+13:00

Well since working in the mall, next to a speaker that plays Christmas carols on repeat, I had a plethora of lyrics I could have chosen to title this post. Why did I choose that one - because it suits my state of mind, I am indeed simply having a wonderful Christmas time. Finishing wrapping gifts has put me in a very good mood!

I am off down south to Temuka tomorrow, So I will be out of touch for a little while, but after Christmas I will try to be a more prolific blogger, I have so much I want to write about but can't get my head straight.

So this is just a little note really to say I hope that you are all having a wonderful Christmas time and partaking in your Christmas traditions (lovely ladies down below in the last post in particular, thanks for sharing!)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night

First ever bloggy award

2008-12-18T15:22:00.005+13:00

I got this from the lovely Andrea. Isn't that neat? This is what it's all about:

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Well I'm not sure to pass this on too, and I think most of the people I would pass it on to already have had it! So I guess I'm giving it to everyone who reads this - there probably isn't 8 of you though haha! But I think that hopefully I've made some kinda a connection with a few of you and would love the share this with you! Sorry for the Hiatus - have been feeling like crap, but had the best sleep last night, and has made me want to take on the world!

Peace out my lovelies

I'm not dead

2008-12-11T12:42:00.002+13:00

Well I'm not really, although I do believe I am slowly morphing into some kind of creature of the night. I laze in bed till late hours and do not become alive until late in the night, subsequently meaning I get to sleep at a very late and unacceptable hour.

However, I have been engaging in very un creature of the nighty type activities, namely I have been smiling and making small talk with frazzled Christmas shoppers as I wrap their presents. It's good, although I've already had a few people whom I would have rather not wrapped for. So apart from wrapping, and sleeping, my life really hasn't been filled with too much....hopefully that will change soon - something exciting on the Horizon maybe?

Oh and as an aside, listening to Christmas songs, especially modern Christmas songs, on a loop does not put one in the Christmas spirit at all....how is your Christmas shopping going?

Peace out

P.S I have negleted some comments etc, I will get to these I promise as I love all you lovely people.

Needing motivation to dress

2008-11-27T16:12:00.005+13:00

Venezia - Carnevale 2008, originally uploaded by zipp0san.

Lately I haven't been taking any outfit photos. I have stalled at bit on that front, which is odd because I was so excited in the beginning when I joined wardrobe remix and then started this blog.
I guess the point is that since my holidays started I have lived in my slob clothes - which is really not good enough. It seems that if I don't have a reason to dress up (maybe not as extreme as my masked friend in the picture) then I actually just don't dress.

Take today for example, it is about 4pm now, and I am still in my jammies, and robe. I spent the day watching Mama Mia on DVD with my mum (I got it for her for her birthday, and we saw it twice together in the cinema). So I didn't have a reason to dress because I wasn't even leaving the house. Although I did have the best intentions, I was going to go on a picnic that got canceled because of the weather.

So looking at my slovenly ways I have decided that it is just not good enough, I have so many beautiful clothes that deserve to be worn, and this should be reason enough to wear them. Just because no one in the outside world will see them it doesn't matter, the will be fulfillment their purpose. In fact what is the point in having all these clothes and barely wearing them?? Tomorrow I will make an effort I promise you, although I am going out tomorrow it is irrelevant, I will be dressing up just for the sake of dressing up.

I also think that this will help with my lack of motivation to get going with all the little odd jobs before my summer jobs begin. Also soon I will have have to wear a dreaded uniform for one of my jobs....only for around two weeks, but two weeks too long I say!

Now I know all you fashionable people nearly always look your best, but what motivates you to dress up, or dress at all? (Those jammies are so comfy...)

Peace out

Some new things, and some things new to me

2008-11-18T13:43:00.004+13:00

I finally got round to uploading photos and all that entails, so here are some things that are making me happy at the moment for you guys to have a squiz at.

Firstly these shoes! There is a bit of a story behind them too. Firstly I saw these in black and fell in love with them, but they were a bit too expensive for me to justify buying them. However the other day I say them on sale, 15% off, and was so tempted. Then I saw them in another store for 25% off! But they didn't have the black, only the cream. So after some thought, I finally decided that the cream ones were awesome and different, and with the extra saving they were totally worth it. So now they are mine mwahahahaha and I love them.

Also I do believe I promised some photos of my thrifting trip. Here are pictures of the scarves. The orange and black one is huge, and it has a print of straw hats and flowers on it, how sweet is that! The green and blue one has these weird little round flowers on it which appeal to me for some reason, and the colour was just perfect.

Also here is the little dragonfly broach - it's wings are so sweet and delicate. My boy picked it out for me from a little bowl of them

Also randomly, I went a bit overboard at the shops the other day, and got this on impulse - for $6 yeah! It was 70% off, and looked really cool so I grabbed it in like 2 seconds flat. It wasn't until I started wearing it that I started to really like it. I call it my kissing elephants bracelet

I also bought some bras, and other random things, but not really interesting enough to share with you lovely people though.
There are more photos to come, photos of clothes that I promised some other bloggers I would post up, haven't quite got round to taking the actual photos but it is in the back of my mind!

Peace out

Vintage fun

2008-11-06T20:39:00.003+13:00

Just a quick post to tantalise you!

I went vintage shopping today for the first time in ages, and as soon as my exams are over I am going back!
Due to the glowing review from Andrea I stopped by Two Squirrels on Cashel street (in Christchurch) and had a look around. I was not disappointed, while they are still building up all their treasures, they still have many lovely things to peruse. I ended up buying 3 vintage scarves, which I will post very soon, and had my eye on a couple of dresses, and an awesome zip up shirt, but my budget is a little tight. Oh! I forgot to mention the best part - they are running a competition to guess how many walnuts are in the huge glass jar, and if you guess right you can win a gift voucher! I hope I win, I hope I win!!

I also went over to Tete a Tete their sister store and had a look round. There is waaaay more stuff here, it is packed to bursting! They are a few items here too that I am dying to get my hands on, the vintage dresses are to die for. They also have a large selection of vintage jewelery, and I looooove vintage jewelery. I got a small little dragonfly broach here, but wanted sooo much more. There was a gorgeous butterfly broach that I fell in love with - and a pearl ring in a silver setting, but they were both waaaay out of my price range at the moment. However the boy was with me, and possibly got some good ideas for Christmas presents - here's hoping!!

Any way as soon as my exams are over I will be going back to both stores and having a nice long look around, and buying something beautiful - perhaps a dress to satisfy my obsession or a lovely little piece of jewelery. I promise some photos of my goodies soon, just so busy with study right now to get the camera out and load photos on my ancient laptop.

Almost forgot about the cupcakes

2008-11-01T23:57:00.004+13:00

Well here they are - a bit later than promised but these are my lovely cupcakes! I meant to make them look a lot better, but it was pretty hot and the icing started to get a bit too runny....I was going for a snail shell look, but on closer inspection they just look like swirls. They are very tasty though! I will post the recipe when I get round to it, but I seemed to have misplaced it since I used in, which is not surprising considering the unorganised mess my life is at the moment.

Eat anything delicious today?

Peace out

From Harry Potter to Harvard

2008-10-29T23:56:00.005+13:00

I came across this when I was late night browsing on hagebutten. Secretly I love the Harry Potter book, well not so secretly really but never really knew much about J.K Rowling apart from whatever the token information in the media was. This is a very good watch though, I would have loved to have heard a commencement speech like this at a graduation (I haven't actually attended my own).

What's interesting is that this year in one of my classes we were talking about how failed experiments are never talked about, and only successes are published. The point one of my lecturers was making is that there is so much to be learned from failure as much as there is to learn from success, and we should never discount what we have leaned just because we have appeared to fail. Well a bit of late night rambling, but you'll understand when you watch the clip. It's quite long, around 20 minutes, but well worth the watch

I tried to embed the video but it wont work so you can watch it here

So guys what did you think?

Peace out

Fashion inspiration

2008-10-27T21:37:00.005+13:00

At the moment I am going gaga over zebra print, I've never been a big on any kind of animal print, but have developed a soft spot for zebra print, I just love how it looks. Recently I bought an 80s zebra print dress, and some awesome zebra print tights which I still have to wear, although the weather is getting a bit warm for that.

I also love coloured zebra print just as a side, my favourite at the moment is turquoise and black zebra print, I think I'm a little bit attracted to the tackiness of it all, but I have seen it done well.

Also don't you think this photo is gorgeous? I love zebras in general, and this photo is gorgeous - another flickr treasure. Just look at those eyes - inspiration all in its self.

Injuries are no fun what so ever

2008-10-22T10:52:00.005+13:00

I was meaning to get into taking some photos for some posts I wanted to do but that may need to be put on the backburner.
Why you might ask? I seemed to have injured my neck in some way that is unknown to me. After my heavy exersise tuesday - heavy exercise for me is attending a step class in the morning with my mum and then playing indoor netball at night- I started to feel a bit of a twinge in my neck, that lead to not being able to move my neck forward or backwards too easily without that twinge getting a bit more persistant, and too a relatively unrestful night, with my neck protesting everytime I moved. Wow that was a long sentence...forgive me for my horrible writing style. So anyway I woke up this morning and I am still in bed with the laptop, I should get up soon, to see how bad the neck is, but I really don't want too.
Although it's not because I lack things to do, I have a list infact

Bake a million white chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate ganache
Organise my study notes and write out a study plan for my exams
Finishing marking lab reports for my lab course
Wash the Basil
Wash Basil's bed
Take Basil to the park
Bake bread
Clean wardrobe and organise where surplus is going too
Take some photos for blog

So anyway that might get put on the backburner for a little while, although I don't really have that much time...Well it's still bad, I was planning on going to the doctor tomorrow anyway and maybe he can help me out with something, I love my doctor he is the tops, and he always recomends the best things for all my health problems. Anyway send me good healing vibes!

Peace out

Do people really do this?

2008-10-13T20:15:00.005+13:00

Right now I am watching people do yoga with their dogs on T.V, and if you wonder how that goes, they just seem to be putting the dogs into positions, and the dogs don't look that happy to me. Looking down at my little man stretched out on the bed nibbling on his rope toy I vow to never put him through something like that.

Sometimes new age is crazy - and I'm sorry but dog yoga? Some things should not be done.

Oh god now they are moving on to doggy massage, what's wrong with just a pat or a belly rub? Basil seems just fine with a sratch behind the ears.

It seems my pooch is destined to be unpampered, due to the fact that I am neither rich nor stupid.

Starting things off

2008-09-21T20:30:00.000+12:00

Well lately I've been getting into reading blogs a lot, I usually use them as a way to procrastinate and they fill this requirement quite nicely!
So I was thinking maybe I would give this blogging thing a go myself, so this is it. As to what it is about, I guess I'll well be mainly fashion based but then again I'll probably talk about what ever I want to get off my chest - hopefully it will interest someone, possible someone in the same boat, or someone who can relate. I'm not really up with the play on all the technology, but i'll be trying my best. I apologise in advance for any spelling mistakes, or incoherant sentences - I'm not too fussed about that stuff, I have to worry about that stuff enough in essays!
So I promise to provide at least something interesting to read, and some pretty pictures to look.