Happy Halloween Weekend (Part 2)

Image: Nicole (third from left) 

I asked a LEGITIMATE NORTH AMERICAN by the name of Nicole about her experiences with this fabulous holiday: 

What year was your most memorable Halloween? 

2009 (pictured). Haha I am hardly recognizable! 

Favourite costume ever worn? 

Probably when I was like 3, there is a photo of me as a pumpkin. My mom thought it was cute and dressed me up in it. 

Best candy ever received/ party attended/ decorations seen? 

My next door neighbors in America hired out an actor to dress up as a scary witch to jump out and scream at you as you approached the door. As a kid it scared the hell outta me, but retrospectively I giggle (and when I see neighbor kids go there now I laugh) 

Do you think you will celebrate Halloween this year in NZ? 

This year I don't think so. However, if the opportunity comes up I have some tricks up my sleeve for a zombie costume!

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Mohecan doo UPDATE

My hair is officially long enough to sort of braid! 

Watch out Anya, I'm a have your locks in NO TIME! 

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Happy Halloween Weekend!

Image: My fave Canadian Stef as Miss Piggy and Kermet

Happy Halloween Weekend! 

Here in Nouvelle-Zelande we don't get into this holiday nearly as much as our North American friends. A few years ago I spent a semester abroad in Toronto and couldn't believe that for the entire month of October every store was packed with orange and black decorations! Even the plastic bags at our local supermarket went orange for the month! 

I think we need to reclaim this opportunity to dress up! 

Image: Becky, Carly and I celebrating Halloween in Toronto

All holidays taste better with Yogen-Fruz!

Tonight I'm dressing up as GLITTER for a friends Halloween doo. 

When else do you get the opportunity to douse yourself in a can of $6 spray on glitter? AMAZING! 

I've just put the finishing touches on a batch of spider web cupcakes and have candy ready for trick or treating neighbours... but totally wish I was celebrating the weekend in North America.  Auckland doesn't even compare.

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Calling every fashion kid and fashion grown up in Auckland..

What would you say if I told you that for a morning you could spend time with Patty Huntington, Murray Bevan, Rae Begley, Marc Moore and Dan Gosling? 

Not only spend time with them but listen to their pearls of wisdom on building a brand and have the chance to ask them some nitty gritty questions? 

I would squeal! And squeal I did when I received an email from FINZ about their upcoming panel discussions over the first three weeks in November. 

Week one sees the branding giants I mentioned above nut out the logistics of:

"Creating international brands; the new media landscape; engaging with media and consumers; fashion without borders; faster transmission; access all areas; controlling your image; experience marketing; integrating publicity and sales ..." 

The names on this panel are Australasian fashion royalty. Patty Huntington especially is one of my all time fashion idols, as a journo so fierce and on topic. Murray  Bevan (who I not-so-secretly think is one of the most good looking faces behind the NZ fashion industry) is the owner of fashion PR firm Showroom 22 and has an air of excellence about him that I find incredibly inspiring. The ethos behind Rae Begley's Australian PR firm Little Hero is fun and intuitive - a lesson many aspiring fashion related brands could learn from! Marc Moore and Dan Gossling need no introduction as the co founders of Stolen Girlfriends Club, the badass fashion forward label born in Aotearoa.

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

Weeks 2 and 3 tackle other issues surrounding apparel export with details to be released soon.

GET IN EARLY TO NAB A SPOT TO WEEK ONE!

NZ$30.00  |  non-members NZ$20.00  |  finz-members CLICK HERE to REGISTER ONLINE

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Hairspiration

Image: Chris Lorimer and I // Thepeople.co.nz

This week's hairspiration is a mashup of PR babe Chris Lorimer of Ciel PR and Project Runway finalist Anya Ayoun Chee! I have always been worried about keeping my hair super femme but I've decided to throw caution to the wind.. these two kids look delicious... maybe I can get there too?

Image: Anya Ayoun Chee // Mylifetime.com

I think I want to grow my hair super long like Anya (pretty sure she has extensions though) so in my inbetween stage I'm going to style it like Chris :-)

Image: Me yesterday before being M.A.C-ed over 

I've had my hair chopped to keep length through the back but the sides super tidy. Next decision, what colour to go? I've been toying with the idea of going turquoise but thinking I'm going to need a little more "sensible" over the coming months with work commitments... AHHH!

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That time Ruby Frost and I hung out...

Just before fashion week this year I got an exciting call late one night asking if I had a couple of days free to work with Ruby Frost on her latest music video entitled "Porcupine". 

OF COURSE I SAID YES! Within an hour I was sketching away with Ruby and her creative team and set to work on creating a 3m long dress with Morticia Adams as a starting reference. I was SO nervous to be working with such a babe! Legitimate stardom! 

Coupled with Ruby's talent was the daunting task of working on a project directed by Ralph Matthews and Clairë Littlër. Such talent! Ralph nailed the direction when he told the peeps over at Cheeseontoast:

"Ruby’s character is based on a fantastical old world female goddess, and the interweaving images, drawn from the natural world, echo her attempts to isolate and protect herself.”

I asked Ruby what the reaction to the new single and video has been like so far:

"So far the reaction to Porcupine has been really cool. I didn't know what to expect, but some new radio stations have been keen to play it like George FM and even ZM which has never happened before in my musical journey!

And people have been excited by the clip; the best reaction was when I played it to my brother and he freaked out at all the animation. I was really lucky to work on the clip with some very talented friends, everyone worked really hard and it's come together perfectly - from you making my incredible show-stopping dress to Ralph nailing all the animation... I'm so happy with it and think it conveys the dark, prickly meaning of the song really well."

Without further ado, check out Porcupine below:



I am beyond impressed with the final product!

Ruby Frost is playing a Bowie themed gig tonight at The Basement from 9pm with Glass Owls, Salvi Stone & DJ Andrew Tidball. Also, this Sunday at Viva Waitakere with Artisan Guns and Lisa Crawley at around 5pm. 

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For info on colaborations or to chat about a project idea drop me a line: hannah@aychblog.com

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My M.A.C-a-licious Morning

I was super lucky this morning to be picked up by an Audi driver courtesy of M.A.C and whisked off to a one on one appointment with M.A.C Senior Artist Amber D at the sparkly new M.A.C Botany store to preview their holiday collection entitled "Glitter and Ice"! 

Image: Amber D et moi

Amber D made me feel like a rockstar! You may remember her from such awesome reality TV appearances such as Halloween Face Off (with Snooki!). Remember to vote for her so she can make Snooks look awesome for Halloween! CLICK CLICK CLICK...

How pretty is the brand new Botany store? Located on Fountain Lane North within Botany Town Centre, the store sits on a fashion arm of the complex adding the finishing touch to the newly completed $6.5 million revamp. Can you see the super delicious models inside the window werqin' their skates?

Part of the holiday range that I will be putting on my list for Santa are these delicious "Dazzlespheres". 

Packaging imitates a Christmas decoration and is filled with either metallic pigments, dazzleglass lip gloss or nail lacquer from the seasons colour palette. SHIMMERING SPLENDOR! 

p.s. Santa, can I have dazzleglass lip colours in every shade? kthnxbi. 

Did you notice the handles of the brush set are clear and glittertastic? #iNeed.

My sweet ride! The babin' Jerome kindly took this pic. I can't believe my life... so so so fun!

Look how pretty Amber D made my eyes! I was kindly sent home with a little love package so I'm going to be practice practice practicing some fabulous eyes over the next few weeks :-)

Thanks M.A.C Botany for such a fun morning!

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Do good and look good doing it!

Have you seen FCKH8.com's latest range of blingin' merch? 

Moolah raised from these tees goes towards supporting LGBT organizations who carry on the fight for equal rights! Get all Tweety and Bookfacey about the cause!

Do good and look good doing it! 

((I'm going to be werqin' a "Born This Way" tank allllllll summer!!!)) 

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A very nervous 80 minutes

I Love this incredibly moving montage of the tense Rugby World Cup 2011 Final! XX

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Sometimes we all need a little bit of glitter

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The night we WON!

Image: Captain Richie McCaw holds the Webb Ellis Cup // Getty Images

For the first time in 24 years New Zealand has won the Rugby World Cup! Already a rugby mad nation, we became even more obsessed as we hosted the competition this year. An electrifying one point win over France set Auckland city alight this evening - I've never seen anything like it!

Image: Queen Street, Auckland

Hi fives, hugs, random bursts of song and the occasional Haka between groups of friends and among strangers. ABSOLUTELY MAGIC! Main streets were packed with fans all filled with untamed joy!

Image: Quay Street, Auckland

Even the traffic control signs showed their excitement!

Image: Quay Street, Auckland 

Image: Waterfront, Auckland

Crowds crowds everywhere! 

Even police officers were beaming as they kept an eye on the festivities :-)

Image: Graeme Henry ((ON THE TELLY!))

Coach Graeme Henry flashes a rarely seen grin post game. 

Image: Gary et moi

The fabulous Gary being an awesome RWC volunteer guiding supporters along the fan trail. He gave us glow sticks!!!

SO MUCH JOY!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ALL BLACKS!!!

And congratulations New Zealand!!!

WE DID IT!!!

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Get out of my closet bitches!

My fave MTV girl Snooki has teamed up with M.A.C in this year's Halloween Face Off! 

Image: James Gager (M.A.C Cosmetics Creative Director) and Snookie

Senior M.A.C artists were flown to NYC to compete for the chance to do Snooki's Halloween makeup in web series hosted by the queen of tanning herself Miss Snooki.

And guess who is one of the contestants? Our very own Amber D from New Zealand!

Image: Amber D

I got to ask Amber what it was like working with Snooki:

"The M.A.C Halloween Face Off was quite possibly one of the most terrifying experiences of my life (fitting for Halloween I’m sure)!  We didn’t know what was going to happen from minute to minute… nor what Snooki was going to do to us next!  So it was absolutely a laugh and cry a minute, every minute.  Snooki definitely kept us on our toes and it was exhilarating not knowing what on earth would happen next.  She really is something else… I’ve never seen shoes so blinged-out in my life… total madness!"

Check out EPISODE1:

And EPISODE 2:

YOU have the chance to vote for YOUR fave artist on the M.A.C Facebook page:

CLICK CLICK CLICK AND VOTE FOR AMBER D!

Amber D is SUCH a babe and one of the most delicious makeup artists I have ever met!

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Boom Boom Boom // Even brighter than the Moon Moon Moon

I love these two Katy Perry covers by Boyce Avenue!

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iConic cupcakes

Image: Mocha Cafe

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All Blacks FOR THE WIN!

What an incredible weekend of Semi Final games in the 2011 Rugby World Cup!

New Zealand will face France next Sunday night in the Grand Final and Wales and Australia will battle it out for third and fourth places. 

In case you missed Sunday night's tense game (where the All Blacks dominated the Wallabies) or haven't really cared about the tournament until now, here are a couple of key moments and names to banter around the water cooler this week:

 

Image credits: Figures 1-6, Fairfax Media. Figures 7-8, Getty Images

Two friends and I hung out at the All Blacks hotel on Sunday night to give them a cheer on their arrival back to base camp. We tried to blend in but I think everyone could tell we were about to wet our selves with excitement! 

To see the entire team in the flesh (sans Nonu and Weepu) was nothing short of legendary! The mana and awe inspiring presence that All Blacks captain Richie McCaw holds is absolutely magic. What a great man. What a great TEAM!!!

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A cuppa with Zac, Ma'a and Kevin

A massive game of rugby is set to hit TV screens around the Tasman tonight as the All Blacks and Wallabies battle it out to decide who will play France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final. 

I'M SO ANXIOUS! GOOD LUCK to the boys in black! 

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Buy a lipstick and save a life

This amazing video capturing a one of a kind dress by Nicola Formichetti modelled by Lady Gaga premiered today on the M.A.C VIVA GLAM website and M.A.C Facebook page celebrating Lady Gaga's little monsters and their involvement in helping raise $55 million dollars for the M.A.C AIDS fund. Awesome!

The M.A.C AIDS fund has raised $224 million dollars to date with their target of $250 million in sight. Mother Monster has excitedly proclaimed:

“The M·A·C AIDS Fund has raised $224 million to date. Go out and buy a lipstick for your girlfriend, your boyfriend, your mom or your sister - $26 million to go, little monsters!” 

Check out the design process with Nicola Nicola Formichetti:

Inspiring! What I love about the M.A.C AIDS Fund is their grassroots involvement with those not only affected by AIDS but those who are affected by lack of access to medicine and support services. Check out this rad blurb from the VIVA GLAM site:

"The M·A·C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M·A·C Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. MAF is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, MAF is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS by supporting diverse organizations around the world that provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. To date, MAF has raised $224 million (U.S.) exclusively through the sale of M·A·C’s VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass, donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS."

 I am constantly inspired by creative genius and lived expression of deep devotion. Big hi five to M.A.C, Mother Monster, Nicola Formichetti and little monsters everywhere who are looking pretty while making some moolah to bring life giving medicine and supportive services to those living with AIDS.

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Feathers, leather and COLOUR!

Bloggy friends!

Last week I went along to First Thursdays and enjoyed the craft markets, instalations, gallery spaces and music on hand. My fave instalation was by artist Luu who creates a delicious line called Cosmogonica that includes beautiful dream catchers and terraiums.

I snapped these pics at Tiny Space on Cross Street. Total side note, but isn't Tiny Space the most yummy Auckland vintage store? Back to Cosmogonica...

The inspiration behind the line reads: 

"A concept based on Sacred Geometry, the structural basis of everything that exists in the Universe, such as symbols representing Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Spirit, Consciousness, Balance, Energy, Love, Light, specific geometric shapes that support energy which is a manifestation of Creation... also called MERKABA.

 The mere fact that people include these symbols, shapes, patterns and colors in their environment, life, home, even on their clothes, generates a positive and high level vibration that without notifying it awakens the consciousness of everyone around, helping us to rediscover our origin."

I need one of these uber cute feather garlands! I have been told if one of these is strung across your desk productivity and good energy will flow :-)

Image: Luu

Also on my list of must haves is one of these gorgeous dream catchers. I  remember having many pretty dream catchers hanging in my bedroom window as a child. Pretty purple and white feathers... *sigh*! 


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You can become a fan of Luu on Facebook, check out her website here and make purchases via her felt store here. Also check out Tiny Space to see her wares in the flesh!

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Unicorn-arama

I just turned my tumblr into a unicorn shrine!

CLICK CLICK CLICK!!!

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A little frosting goes a long way

After lusting over the devine looking vanilla cupcakes I posted a couple of days ago I decided to get my bake on and made these vanilla cupcakes with pink vanilla frosting. 

Delicious!!! 

I need to learn how to properly pipe the frosting on but I figured creative rules are there to be broken right? 

A friend of mine is throwing a Halloween party and I'm tres excited to help her make sweet treats for the event. I'm thinking choc chip vanilla cupcakes with spider web frosting?

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My life would be perfect right now if you were in it...

Image: Mommyster

 

3x image = 3x food lust!

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