birthday!

Wearing: Vintage 50s Alice Edwards Ball Dress (Trade Me)
Vintage Red 60s Mary Janes (Ziggarat, Wellington)

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I'm sure we are all gearing up for the New Year! In between the two holidays was my birthday. I find that my birthday is often a strange day in which I try to keep occupied and not think too much. It's not that I mind getting older (I am now 28) but that I think there is an element of pressure for it to be an amazing day. Something about my perfectionist nature.

So yesterday, I started with a champagne brunch cooked for me by my darling bf. One of my best girlfriends came over to help me with the champagne (my bf doesn't drink it) and we had a lovely time being served croissants with grilled haloumi and crepes with lemon and sugar.

Then my friend and I went into town shopping. I bought the gorgeous red 60s mary janes in the pictures. They are the perfect shoes. Perfect. Then she left and I continued on a vintage dress hunt and ended up buying two gorgeous dresses (not the beautiful one above - that is a recent treausre from Trade Me).

To finish the day, my bf and I went out for a delicious dinner and then we went to see The Lovely Bones at the Embassy Theatre (where they held the premiere very recently) and finally we wandered home. It was weird weather all day. Misty. Humid. Windy. The worst weather for my hair - I ended up looking like I had a bad 80s perm!

It is a lovely day here today and my bf has been taking pictures of me in items I am going to list on Trade Me at the end of the week. I couldn't resist putting on this dress for a quick photoshoot (it will definitely not be for sale anytime soon!).

x

jess chambers

I went to see Jess Chambers last night at San Francisco Bathhouse. It was lovely. Cabaret seating. Candles. Bubbly. Perfect. Well, ok, our table was wobbly. But that made it an adventure. And we were in the front row!





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let's rock around the clock

Inspired by the Dear Creatures range
Wearing:Vintage 60s dress (thrifted and altered by me)

Black Opaque Tights

Vintage Red Boots (thrifted)

I have been tagged (for the very first time) by the ever lovely Cécile of L'armadio del delitto to answer 35 questions. This tag has certainly been doing the rounds! Here are my answers:

1.Where is your phone? Pocket.
2.Your hair? In a ponytail.
3.Your Mother? Recovering.
4.Your Father? Grumbling.
5.Your favourite food? Sushi.

6.Your dream last night? Strange.

7.Your favourite drink? Coffee.

8.Your dream/goal? To run my own little vintage clothing business.

9.What room are you in? My office.
10.Your hobbie? Reading, thrifting, writing.
11.Your fear? Of being trapped in a life I do not want.
(12. is missing)
13.Where were you last night? Home.
14.Something that you’re not? Loud.

15.Muffins? Strawberry and white chocolate.
16.Wishlist item? Anything and everything 60s.
17.Where did you grow up? New Zealand.
18.Last thing you did? Sent an email.
19.What are you wearing? 60s dress, tights, boots (above).
20.Your TV? On a ledge.
21.Your pets? Sadly, none.

22.Friends? Amazing.
23.Your life? Lucky.
24.Your mood? Content.
25.Missing someone? Always.

26.Vehicle? My own two legs.
27.Something you’re not wearing? A hat.
28.Your favourite store? Tete a Tete Vintage (Christchurch)

29. Your Favourite colour? Blue and Red (dependent on mood)
30.When was the last time you laughed? Last night.
31.The last time you cried? Last week at work.

32.Your best friend? England.
33.One place that I go to over and over? Salvation Army.
34.Facebook? Sometimes.
35.Favourite place to eat? Home.

I'm supposed to tag ten people but it's highly possible the ten people I choose have already been tagged! I invite every one of you who would like to do this to please do and let me know in the comments when you have posted your answers on your blogs.

Thank goodness for Friday and all its frivolity.

x

fly away through the midnight air, as we head across the sea, and at last we will be free

Wearing: 70s babydoll dress
Red Hair Bow (gift from jessmary)
Heeled Oxfords

November was a crazy month. Writing, sewing, whirlwind trips. Now for December. This time of year is so fast, yet the end of it cannot come quickly enough.

Next weekend I am going to Palmerston North to help a friend who is organising a 'Frock Swap' and then the following weekend I am going on a thrifting mission with a friend up the coast and we are also having a girl's night consisting of watching 'It's A Wonderful Life' (which I've never seen) and drinks and nibbles. Of course, tis the season for festivities so there are of course other dinners, brunches and parties to factor in.

The dress I am wearing is one of many that I altered in the weekend. I always seem to have a neverending pile of things that need to be altered and the weekend just been was successful in downsizing that pile. It feels like I am the proud owner of many new vintage dresses!

It was the final day of Nanowrimo yesterday and I am a little sad to say that I burnt out over a week ago. There was just so much going on that writing ceased to be fun and rather became an added stress. I am so happy that I participated though. Anything to get the words flowing. To write is to breathe. I think I was suffocating before.

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i am your shadow; you were my sun, you made me and I followed you

First of all, I apologise for my lack of posts. I promise this will change come the 1st of December! (Though I must admit to a slight halt in Nanowrimo proceedings). I thought today I would post a quick Trade Me update (NZ readers only - however, if you are overseas and are really interested in something I do have a Paypal account and we could maybe sort something out). The first and third picture were taken with my bf's camera and the middle one was taken a week ago with my new camera (which I am sadly still a little scared of - I only have the large zoom lense that it came with and am in desperate need of a 'normal lense' - oh, and a tripod!).

I have had a very busy week, which included two days down in Christchurch. I flew down Wednesday morning and spent the day with my Mum (it was her birthday). We had such a good day, starting with a spot of thrifting - a $1 sale at the local Salvation Army (I went a little mad!) - followed by a movie at the Art Centre movie theatre (An Education), and then a trip to my favorite vintage store in Christchurch (where I 'vintaged' my Mum up - I bought her a 60s dress and some vintage heels, which she left wearing!) and then finally we concluded with tapas at a local restaurant.

I spent the night and then my second and final day was spent with the lovely Andrea of A Cat of Impossible Colour. It is such a nice experience meeting bloggers in 'real life' (actually, Andrea is the only one who I've met so this is based on one experience only). Brunch, thrifting and a glass of wine in the sunshine = the perfect day. Thank you Andrea!

Then it was back to Wellington on Thursday night and back to work on Friday - which felt like another Monday (not the best way to end the week). Today in contrast has been a very lazy relaxed day, consisting of far too much bad tv and takeaway coffees and chocolate danishes. Oh, but I did manage to take some photos and get my listings up on Trade Me of course! Along with much washing of all my precious new vintage acquisitions.

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend

x

vintage patterns and writing challenges

Yesterday I took a break from the computer and went to a Fabric sale at the community centre in my suburb. I didn't intend to spend any money but of course, put me in a room full of vintage fabric and patterns and I go a little crazy. These patterns were only 30 cents each.

I also bought a whole lot of pretty fabric that I just need to wash and then hope to spend my christmas break trying some of these designs out. Counting down til December!

My writing has been scaring me a little these last couple of days. My novel is taking me to some very dark places and it has taken a lot out of me emotionally. It's strange sometimes the words that come out of us. The different selves. The exploration of things we really know little about and yet feel compelled to write about.

When I was eleven I wrote a poem and the first line 'I look at white and think of black/of death, murder, suicide and no turning back' has ensued a morbid fascination with the horrible things that we do to ourselves and to others.

However, I am pulling myself out of it this morning and am concentrating on some of the happier moments the characters in my novel experience.

To close, I will give you a snapshot of me today:

Wearing: Vintage Lady Bond Blue striped shirt (thrifted)

Vintage skirt shortened by me (thrifted)
Black tights (thrifted)
Black oxford heels (thrifted)

alone in my mind

I'm sorry in advance if I neglect my blogging duties over this month. Just know I really appreciate all your lovely comments! I will every now and again post little excerpts from my work in progress. I am finding Nanorwrimo great fun but challenging for my creatively stunted brain. I am also in the midst of planning many trips for next year (lots of my friends are getting married) and have so many thrifted finds that I want to fix up and sell (an update this weekend). Oh, and if any of you NZ readers are in Wellington, please stop by and visit me at the Mighty Mighty Market tomorrow! My friend and I have a stall.

As you can imagine I am feeling slightly overwhelmed by this lovely adventure we call life.

x

tangled up in blue

I have always wanted to be a red head.

That is why one of the characters in the novel I am writing for Nanowrimo will have to be instead. Writing is strange. At times stilted, then fluid. I am man, woman and dog. Delving into hidden facets of my mind. I am afraid of what will fall out.

Image taken from here

let me see through your eyes

I just bought this off Trade Me. It's a Canon EOS 1000D. I have wanted one for the longest time.

x

dreaming of a night sky

The sky is darkly pretty tonight. I love how it is light and passionate yet yields a kind of fury.

x

road to recovery

Wearing:

Floral blouse (thrifted, but originally from TopShop)
Vintage blue skirt (thrifted and shortened by me)
Vintage 60s Heels (thrifted)

Listening to: The new Fat Freddy's Drop record - it just sounds better on vinyl!

My name is Laurel and I am a thriftoholic.

I am from a family of addicts with various afflictions. I thought that I had escaped, but alas I suffer from a neverending desire, thirst, hunger for a bargain. I dream of thrifting. I think about it multiple times a day. I cannot go a week without a fix. At times, not even a day.

I am currently trying to find a support group of others who suffer from this disease. Please post a comment so that I do not feel so alone.

Now, let me introduce you to my new best friend. She is a little shy so she won't let me show you all of her just yet. But let me just say she is beautiful. She is gold and shiny and perfectly made. She was born in the 1950s. She loves to dance and twirl around and around in her full skirt but for modesty's sake keeps her underskirt close.

She hasn't been out in public for a very long time so needs some time to adjust to this new era that we live in. But I have a feeling that she is going to fit in very well.

x

dreaming of faraway places

seeing the sunset
in the same sky;
but across the ocean
and far from home

seeing new stars
in the same sky;

you are shiny and
different
but i miss the
southern cross

soaking up the same sun

but on the other side of the world;

you are not as intense

but rather

hot and delicious

swimming in the same sea
but on the other side
of the world;
you are warmer
but still salty

the same but different
different but the same

wish i was there
wish you were here

images all my own

the answer is blowing in the wind

It is another stunning Spring day here in Wellington. It is official. I am so ready to move. In order to get outside photos today I have had to run out every time there is a break in the rain and attempt to get shots that do not have my skirt blowing up to my waist.

It has been a tough challenge.

I am now ready for a glass of red wine and some mindless movie watching.

Check out my listings on Trade Me here.

Etsy is still on my mind but as I am trying to get the money together for a number of flights I have to book for next year (many many weddings) Trade Me is a more regular source of income - for now anyway.

x

queen sophie-ann

Evan Rachel Wood. Vampire queen. A retro vampire queen no less. Wow. Evan gains my undying respect and admiration yet again. She is one sassy blood sucking fiend.

It's no secret - I am a fan of True Blood. It's by the creators of Six feet Under (oh how I love that show - two more seasons to watch!). It's a little weird. It has vampires. A kiwi and an aussie take on two of the leading roles. It's dark. Quirky. And more than a little addictive.

And when Evan turned up with her bold red lips and pin curls I actually shrieked. Yes, I did.

She is so versatile. Every role is different. She is for lack of a better word, fabulous.

I also loved her in Across the Universe.

Images taken from here and here.

pipe dreams

Swinging between days where anything feels possible and those where it seems that you are clutching to a pipe dream. The light vs the dark. The sun vs the rain.

Stuck in an inbetween wonderland.

x

the reminder

Ooh, I am listening to the new Feist album. What's another word for wonderful?

I am actually just replaying it over and over and over again (my friend gave me a copy last night). Listen here.

So yes, this maybe a result of seeing 500 days of Summer last night. Andrea - you are so right. The soundtrack was the hero for me too. I thought that without the music I might have left feeling a little let down.

But Summer's wardrobe was as amazing as hoped. I would wear every single adorable outfit she dons in the film. Zooey is even more beautiful than usual in this role. And Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character, Tom, is adorable. I fell a little bit in love with him. More so than Summer, which was natural considering the slant of the film.

I'm not going to do a full review - I'm just going to say that for me, it was a lovely little escape, a touch heart breaking and both visually and musically enchanting.

x

image taken from here

500 days of zooey

I know posts on 500 Days of Summer are popping up on blogs far and wide and I really can't add anything to the mix that is in any way original or eye opening.

I just want to say I am looking forward to sitting in the delicious Embassy Theatre this evening and watching this lovely little film with a glass of red wine and some adorable young ladies (you know who you are!).

Oh, and this dress alone makes me swoon.

x

put your right foot in, put your right foot out

I took my time walking to work today. I stole my bf's camera and saw my little journey through new eyes. Though the darkened sky kept me on edge as I waited for the downpour that thankfully didn't come.

I enjoy my morning meandering. It gives me time to think and reflect before I get to work. Most importantly, I like to breathe in the fresh air that is so lacking in an air conditioned office.

It's the only time during the day that I am guaranteed quiet time. It is me and my music and my thoughts. Sometimes the walk is like a one on one counselling session. But it allows me to work through what I don't want to take to work with me. This is the same on the way home.

x

singing in the rain

I have not been feeling very inspired fashion wise the last few days. Spring sporadically disappears. Though the light in our hallway would dispute that...

I spent most of yesterday taking photos and loading things on Trade Me. I do have some items for Etsy as well but by the time I got all the measurements, photos etc. done for Trade Me I had no energy left for Etsy!

Instead, I spent the evening hemming vintage dresses and skirts, sewing buttons onto thrifted cardigans and coats and dancing to Rock Around the Clock in my living room. I love domesticity.

Now, I am going to indulge in watching 'Across The Universe' and drinking hot coffee on this windy Wellington day.

x

blueberry nights

Today the sun came out and flashed its lovely golden self. It was still cold but walking home I felt like spring was really here. I could smell the faint sweetness of a distant summer.

I am a summer girl through and through. I hate the cold. It gets into my bones and squeezes off the circulation to my feet and hands. My skin turns purple. Orange. Weird distorted colours.

In the sun I am happy. I am free.

Let me put flowers in my hair and run barefoot through the sand. Let me be a cliche.

Until then, I am content with the sweet blossoming of spring.


I love this dress

x

trade me!

I decided to list a few things on Trade Me - so for all you NZ readers out there, here is a look at some things I am selling. These are just a few. Click here to go to my listings:

OohLaLaVintage

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