Youthful skin and natural rose oil

I've been sent a lovely product to trial - La'Bonic Organic Skin Savers, Pure Natural Rose Oil.  It's a long lasting skin repairing and smoothing cream with essential natural ingredients.   I'm on day two so will give it a week or so for another full report but first thoughts are that it isn't overly greasy and is a really lovely texture when smoothing into your skin.   Another big tick for me is that it is not tested on animals, and uses organic oils.   Now I know there are a lot of these sorts of products on the market but I am always keen on trying out new skincare.  A 50ml jar of this cream goes for $NZ55 and can be bought online at La'Bonics online store.  I would recommend trying this one.  Give up that Nivea and Oil of Olay - they test on animals!!

Ria Hall and Hailwood

I wouldn't normally envisage a pleated striped skirt and patterned top working so well.  Hailwood the Kiwi designer (shop based on K Rd, Auckland) really does have some great pieces.  I should shop there more.  A few years back I bought a long, blue and white striped (love stripes!) top and I have worn it to death.  Ria Hall pulls this look off perfectly at the 2012 Vodafone Music Awards.  I have hips as does Ria from what I can see, so you definitely need some height with this combo by wearing reasonble high heels or boots.

Image: zimbio.com

Grace us with your memoirs Ms Coddington

I'm part way through this fantastic read - a must have for all fashion followers.   'Grace - A Memoir of Grace Coddington'.  What an amazing life she has led, very jealous, things just seemed to fall into her lap.  But I won't spill too much.  Buy your copy now from Amazon or from your local bookshop.

Artstation for all art lovers

I've signed myself up for a two-day silk screen printing course for the weekend, I can't wait!  I have so many ideas I want to release onto fabric and paper!  Artstation is based on Ponsonby Road, Auckland and has lots of different creative short courses including photography, life drawing, abstract painting, and sculpture.  So many great courses to do!  I have been checking out amazing cushion covers by Bonnie and Neil and Rachel Castle and want to attempt some of my own designs taking a little inspiration from what they have done.  Will post some pics of my results :)

Image: www.bonnieandneil.com

Meadowlark - rings, charms, necklaces

For a New Zealand jewellery brand, Meadowlark would be up there with the best.  Designers Claire Hammon and Greg Fromont create wonderful contemporary pieces that I've never seen before.  Using precious stones the jewellery has a modern, 'rock and roll' feel to it.  I love the chunky rings with unique settings.  My favourites are the Deco Cocktail Ring and the Byzantine Cocktail Ring.  Rings can be customied with stones such as onyx, Thai garnet, blue topaz, smonkey quartz or amethyst.  The have a great collection of other pieces as well which you can check out at their website or in stores at Walker and Hall or Suprette (Auckland).

Deco Cocktail Ring

Byzantine Cocktail Ring

Images: www.meadowlark.co.nz

Deals @ www.boohoo.com

Have you started noticing frequent advertising in the mags about a store called Boohoo?  As I sit at my laptop an advert just came on the TV - "visit Boohoo.com". So, I just did the old Google and had a bit of look at the site.  Initial thoughts - it's not completely my taste and style but it could be one of those places that you could find the odd bargain.  Currently 10% off everything with free shipping to NZ.  Personally, I think there a plenty of other online stores that provide a more unique and stylish range.

Image: www.boohoo.com

LeeAnn Yare Collected @ The Bloc

I've always had a very strong interest in interior design and that has increased now that I own my own house!! One Facebook page that I particularly love, and is written by a local-based interiors stylist is LeeAnn Yare and her page Collected.  She even has a small concept store 'Collected @ The Bloc' on Normanby Road, Mt Eden, Auckland.  I popped in one day over the holiday break and came out with a bag full of items!  The place is just full of colourful, funky things.

Image: http://www.facebook.com/collectedbyleeannyare

Hussy 'Sparkle' dress

This is what I'm contemplating right this minute, a long sleeved number from one of my favourite designers, Hussy.  We have a wedding to go to in Byron Bay in March and I want something a little bit different, short-ish with some sparkle.  This ticks most of the boxes.  Only trouble is I have to buy it online from Oz.
(apologies on the quality of the image!)

Image:  www.hussy.com.au

Ankle boots for summer

I managed to hunt down a great selection of ankle boots at Urban Outfitters (online store).  I couldn't decide between the following options so I ordered both!  Option 1 - DV By Dolce Vita Ciaran Back-Zip Ankle Boot and option 2 - Dolce Vita JuJu Suede Ankle Boot.  Which ones should I keep??

American Apparel red bodysuit - yes a bodysuit!

I didn't think I'd say this, but I am interested in a red bodysuit.  I had one back in the early 90's as a young teen and haven't worn one since!   However, I love red and when I saw this pic of Sienna Miller at the launch of her and her sisters label Twenty8Twelve I thought ok, I want to get me one.  Having already been on the American Apparel website a few times, I have spotted a suit that is either exactly or very similar to Sienna's for $US28.

 Image: http://store.americanapparel.net/

Image: www.styleblazer.com

This Sass and Bide post says it all...

I totally agree with this statement!

Image: Sass and Bide Blog

My new home!

Finally, all those years of dreaming about owning my own house - here it is, a fanastic little do-up for me and my boyfriend, with heaps of potential.  Renos here we come!

Kenneth Munnchen at The Keep

Reviewed a fantastic artist last Thursday night at The Keep, on K Road, Auckland.   Read my review for Thread here

Here is a little taste....

I'm back....in time for Spring!

Where have the months gone!  Months of hibernating and I'm back with a post for the start of spring..... looking forward to the summer...

Inspiration via Karla Deras

Time for a Triwa

After spending 7 years with my little silver Storm watch I thought it was time to upgrade to something a little more chunky, stylish and unique.  In a recent trip to Melbourne I came across this awesome watch by Swedish label Triwa.  I want more than one!!

Zara heels

After a bit of bargaining with the ebay seller, I managed to buy these fantastic heels from Zara. Piccie thanks to www.dirtyhairhalo.com

Gorman now in Newmarket, Auckland

The wait is over!  After years of seeing a best friend in some fantastic outfits from Gorman (she lives in Melbourne) I can now relax that we have this shop in Auckland.  Love her quirky designs and it's about time we got another Australian designer in town.  To find it online go HERE or visit the store on Nuffield St, Newmarket.

Image: Gorman

The Bowie Pant, Maurie & Eve

I am very very excited to have nabbed one of the two pairs of Bowie Pants by Australian label Maurie & Eve, that will be arriving to the store Area 51 in May!  I found these gems on a blog and thought I must have those!  So I searched and searched as they sold out in Australia.  So my toll calls to Oz and time spent researching was well worth it.

 These are another pair of amazing pants that I would also like to get my hands on - but they are from Celine, and doubt anyone in NZ even stocks this label.

Two Dimensional Life of Her

Went to a fantastic live theatre performance on Friday night as part of the New Performance Festival at the Aotea Centre - Two Dimensional Life of Her, by Fleur Noble.  It was a great visual experience of 2 & 3D visual effects, see my review and awesome photos here on Thread.

Hair up...

I was lucky enough to spend my Christmas holidays with my family which meant the chance to do my sisters hair for a wedding she was attending.   It's a little hard to see from this photo but there are around 3-4 french rolls over the crown of the head.  A few bobby pins later and ta-da....