May 31, 2009

RAW beginnings

Fresh starts n new beginnings. That's the attitude of the month it [almost] being June and all!

This year I set out with the mentality "It's going to be an awesome year". Not every day is a good day but I am a firm believer that if you are passionate about something you'll make it work and be prepared to accept character developing situations *:-)

So June is a big month, first its my Mummas birthday tomorrow (Happy birthday Mum!) and we are halfway through 09. At the start of the year a dear friend Rita and I started a Raw Vegan adventure. I was quite scared to start with - I mean, giving up meat, wheat AND dariy? and not eating ANYTHING in its cooked form? whack! But it changed my life. For 3months I was the happiest and healthiest I had been in a long time ANNND I got a bit trimmer too! So with this being the year of making good things happen the lovely Reetz and I are gearing up for another RAW adventure.

Did groceries today: (this makes my heart sing, heck that's A LOT of foooooood!)

Now, for fashion land. Part of the raw inspiration comes from the dear Cam introducing me to rawmodel.com. This brilliant wealth of information is churned out by raw model Anthony Anderson and is full of inspiration! Take a look around his site and to make things even more awesome he is a contributor to another great raw site welikeitraw. [Also, if your interested in RAW check out welikeitraw's community space giveittomeraw]

Wish us luck!

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May 30, 2009

Stoop sale a hit!

Follow the yellow brick road to the stoop sale - St Kevins Arcade, Auckland City.

Today I headed along to the stoop sale organised by the delicious Juliet Stimpson and Georgie de Salis *:-) Like the poster said, its a garage sale without the garage! The sale was a massive hit with the possibility of another hitting the rumor mill.

The A Team - Juliet n Georgie

WOW! 1/2 an hour before closing and the store was still packed!

I loved the swing tickets! If only I was a size zero but still.. cute!

Juliet showed me just how much more awesome the swing tickets got! I don't know who Patricia is but I think she is awesome! If you purchased a stoop sale item and aychblog is on your ticket a massive helooooooo!

Not for sale but... mmmmm greenery!

Cuppa?

Check out these racks!



Fancy feet *:-)

Wouldn't be a fashion kid sale without some yummy offcuts!

So stay tuned for further updates on this delicious style of pop up store *:-)

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May 29, 2009

I've got you under my skin...


Thoughts on the latest Air New Zealand TVC? AGRRR demeaning much?

Interesting how the ladies can be checking out the boys with no fuss but if there were more fellas checking out the ladies it'd be considered sleazy.... jah?

But do check out the behind the scenes clip:

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May 28, 2009

A wee chat - I love you dear readers!

Ok, so weird distorted looking up my nose kinda shot but I strangely love this photo!

Its been a totally exhilarating week in zee blogosphere [although judging by my absence who would have known!]

First up, I'm going to be writing weekly pieces for the delicious new Kiwi site Designer Direction. Check out the lovey intro here.

Lots on so dear readers stay tuned *:-)

Ooo and along with a new bi monthly knit club [more info soon!] and French classes, shall we organize another clothes swap party soon? jah? x

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May 27, 2009

Celine Rita AW 09 @ Sale St

Designer Celine Chapman and models.
Celine Rita Winter 09 Fashion Show @ Sale St Bar
Photo: Hannah McArdle

Whoooohooo! Read my review at Designer Direction *:-)

Feeling like quite a grown up blogger now...

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You made my day - Ana Richards

Bringing back the "You made my day feature" this week - I've been convicted that we need more smiles in our world. So here goes!

[Left] Ana's thrifted tote / [Right] Hannah's ultimate travel bag
Photo: Hannah McArdle

A wee after work drink with the lovely Ana at Cassette Nine a few weeks back - Look at our bags! Collection much?

I love it when your totally in tune with each other - ya know when your thinking of someone and they msg you jah? Ahh love it!

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May 25, 2009

aych is for HELLO! by Juliet Stimpson

Second installment of our new weekly feature:

"aych is for..."

At the start of every week we will publish a visual piece by someone who is engaged with fashion, community and who we find inspiring!

This weeks piece "aych is for HELLO!" is by Auckland based creative Juliet Stimpson.

At the moment Juliet is creatively listing things on her trademe store, creatively trying to keep warm in her cold flat and creatively creating. Maybe she will start knitting outfits FOR seals instead of just using them as an inspiration point...


[click to enlarge]

aych is for HELLO!
By Juliet Stimpson

Here are five of the things I love most about Juliet:

1. She is an amazing knitwear designer. Texture much!
2. Inspiration is always found in the cutest and quirkiest places with this gurl.
3. Juliet is half the brains behind the "Stoop Sale" this Saturday - the other half is the equally delicious Georgie *:-)
4. The way ideas jump out of her brain, float around and then magically form into well thought out and innovative design solutions/marketing campaigns/ideas for stores/art displays/different ways for living life.
5. Her gorgeous curls!

If your keen to be involved drop me a line and I'll send you the specs *:-) Enjoy!

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May 23, 2009

If you sell FAIRTRADE - I'll buy it!

IF YOU SELL FAIR TRADE - I'LL BUY IT!

This evening I got to attend a fairtrade fortnight "GIRLS ONLY Fondue night" = so awesome. We drank fairtrade tea n coffee n made fondue from fairtrade chocolate *:-) ANNND we hung out in community and learned to knit = even more awesome!

Deliciousness that means a fair wage for those who sell it.

Mmmmm Fondue!

My MAD knitting skills - one peggy square done!

There's heaps of projects around that call people to knit these wee 10cmx10cm 8ply squares that then get sewn up to make a blanket for someone who needs it. I think the plan is to put the squares we knitted tonight together to help someone out - maybe as our skills progress we can be more usefull!

This is a watch this space kind of post... an inspiring and empowering night all round. MAD SKILLS!

And mega thanks to Christiana for hosting us. If your keen to check out whats going on in your community promoting fair trade click here.

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May 22, 2009

David Shearer says HELLO!

I was a little freaked out to come home to find this in my hallway - David Shearer was obviously in the area...

aw... lovely.

Campaigning is in full force for the Mt Albert by election - Melissa Lee sends me mail and David Shearer makes house calls. Both Melissa and David have been hanging out at the Mt Albert train station in the mornings too catching conversation with local comuters. Ahh this is hilarious. [More soon...]

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Thanks John!

[click for a clearer image]

Ahhh feeling the love *:-)

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May 21, 2009

Stoop Sale

Stoop Sale
[click to enlarge]


Whooohooo! What are you up to next Saturday? [30th May, Queens Birthday Weekend] Whatever it is, cancel! The ever stylish and super chic Juliet and Georgie are having a "Stoop Sale" outside Flat 28 in St Kevins Arcade (down the stairs, on the left).

The lovely Juliet tells me garments are mostly vintage but also some European chain stuff like H&M and Zara with a few "high fashion" pieces in there too - anything that doesn't sell will be on Juliet's trade me store - a bonus for those not around Auckland *:-)

Rumor has it that there may be a chance to buy some baked goodies and home made lemonade too!

Like the poster says:
"LIKE A GARAGE SALE BUT WITHOUT THE GARAGE!"

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Little Brother has arrived!

Barkers - High St, Auckland City.

Wow, totally forgot to say that the Little Brother range is now in store at Barkers! Check it out, buy up large, rah rah!

Barkers - High St, Auckland City.

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May 20, 2009

Kagi POPS UP!


Just to add to the list of pop up stores around Auckland City at the moment - Kagi has opened a pop up store @ the corner of Commerce and Customs Streets.

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May 19, 2009

Recycled Rainbow Windows

Howies window on Bristol and Carnaby Street, London.

Love Howies! And I love hanging out on their site and reading the daily blog entries. This window is at their Bristol store promoting new range of board shorts made from 100% recycled polyester microfibre - Delicious.

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May 18, 2009

MOURN

MET Ball - Shalom Harlow.
Coat by Nina Ricci.

MET Ball - Rhianna.
Suit by Dolce & Gabbana.

O so the MET Ball seems like FOREVER ago BUUUUUT I've been hanging onto these pics to show you alongside Jes Chang's AW 09 collection entitled "Mourn". DESIGNER MUCH!

Jes AW 09/ Mourn.
Photographs
© Brian Foose - Used with permission.

Jes AW 09/ Mourn.
Photographs © Brian Foose - Used with permission.

To see more pics from Jes click here and to contact Brian Foose click here.

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May 17, 2009

Ladyhawke - My Dilirium



I LOVE the illustrations by Sarah Larnach in Ladyhawkes "My Dilirium" *:-)






Images - Youtube

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May 16, 2009

NZNTM - Best episode so far!

After this episode only five girls remain in the hopes of becoming...

Nu Zilands Nixt Top M
odul.

NZNTM - TV3

The six remaining girls were flown to LA where they met with NEXT Model Management, had a $70 styling challenge and a photoshoot with [Tyra voice] "world renowned fashion photographer Nigel Barker".

There was a bit of discussion about model size after both Ruby and [the now eliminated] Teryl Leigh were measured at NEXT Model Management. Both girls accepted that in the modeling world that's how it is and a few inches needed to be lost. I've got strong opinions about this but I'll try not let it taint this review!

The Cover Girl commercial was HILARIOUS! Each girl did a short clip for a TVC and boy was it entertaining!I reckon the winner of the NZNTM competition needs to have a well rounded skill set - from shoots to catwalk to representing a product/designer in a campaign. Some contestants "easy, breasy, beautiful Cover Girl" sound bites were quite painful,... "eeezy, breezy, boutiful cova gerl.." - definitely the kowi-ism of the night! As expected Ruby aced this exercise - Geez I think I'd buy anything that gurl sells!

Nigel Barker - Image throng.co.nz

Then the photo shoot with Nigel Barker. Boy this fellow is a looker..! Nerves were showing and a few girls bombed out in this shoot (with Nigel referring to Hosanna's poses as crazy) but a couple of girls got a huge hug *jealous much?* The lovely Nigel said that "New Zealand's Next top Model ranks right at the top, your girls are beautiful" Gee thanks! But the Nigel quote that has caused a stir:
"If everything was perfect, it'd be boring"
I agree 100 per-freakin-cent! Perhaps I've been a consumer longer than I've been "in" fashion... but at the end of the day that sort of opinion has to count for something huh?

After taking a look at the images [thanks TV3 - but they are in black and white?!] I have decided I actually like Ruby's shot.. Here they are: [in order of the ones I love]

Ruby - Image TV3

Laura - Image TV3

Victoria - Image TV3

Christobelle - Image TV3

Hosanna - Image TV3

Teryl Leigh - Image TV3

Is the point of modeling/ doing a photo shoot to sell the garment/product/lifestyle to the consumer? Surely it needs to make said product desirable? I don't find depressed looking skeletons in awkward positions at all captivating or attractive- and this seems to be the art direction for 98% of high fashion shoots. But hey I'm a modeling world outsider... BUT I AM A CONSUMER. Interesting situation huh?

I'll leave you with a couple of *memorable* quotes from Teryl Leigh:
"It was hard to be flirty.. how am I meant to flirt with the camera?" TL
And my fav:
"My whole like biggest dream is to go in a stretch hummer limousine.. What the hell! Like going from where I live in Otara to LA... come on man!"
There was a noticeable tension between the bottom two girls - will be interesting to watch the group dynamics next week!

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