karen elson

Karen Elson rocks and just look at how darn cute she is with that guitar!

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what i love

I can feel Spring a little today. My office is warm. The sun is streaming in and hitting my computer screen. I can smell coffee. I feel like closing my eyes and curling up on my chair and listening to the many records I have purchased lately - Francoise Hardy, Edith Piaf, Joni Mitchell, She and Him (Volume 2), The Mynabirds. I also have two Patti Smith albums on the way. Oh I do love vinyl! However, it really isn't that practical that I have this sudden impulse to buy records when we are supposed to be downsizing our belongings, not increasing them! But in winter especially I am obsessed with the simplicity of purchasing online and honestly, I just love getting packages in the mail (who doesn't really??).

I also received two gorgeous vintage blouses yesterday and yet another cream dress to add to the collection. My summer wardrobe continues to expand whilst it is difficult to get dressed on the winter days that are still in swing.

I am now just waiting on this lovely dress from Q's Daydream....

One day I will buy winter clothes - preferably by next winter (though I say that every single year.....)

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Je t'aime... moi non plus

The International Film Festival is on in Wellington at the moment. I am going to see Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque) next Tuesday at the Penthouse Cinema. I am so excited!

I have just got back from a lovely mini-break in Melbourne (with a bypass in Christchurch where I got to spend one last day thrifting with Andrea). I am finding it difficult to get back into the rhythm of work and not much play. However, I do feel like it is a downhill freefall from now until December. This will be when I resign from my job, the beginning of a long and hopefully warm summer and finally preparation followed by the actual reality of moving permanently to Melbourne.

For now, I am whittling away time reading, listening to music, and buying far too many summer dresses than is appropriate in the middle of winter.

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cherchez la femme

I love this dress. I feel like I have been transported back to the 60s (which of course is where I would very much like to be!). I was taking photos for my Trade Me listings (the usual Saturday drill) and decided that I wanted to play dress up even though I will not be leaving the house today. So I paired it with my new sheer polka dot tights and these cute little oxford heels (which you can't really see too well).

I am listening to old records that we found yesterday at the Salvation Army - Dionne Warwick, Connie Francis, Dusty Springfield, Nat King Cole - and wasting away the afternoon all dolled up with nowhere to go - and happy about it!

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

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PS. I am currently playing around with my blog template. My boyfriend is going to design it for me! So keep an eye out for various states of change - I'm really excited!

Wearing: 1960s Mod Dress ( RedVelvetArt), Black Sheer Polka Dot Tights (Trade Me), Vintage Black Oxfords (Thrifted)

autumn changing colours

I must say - Autumn so far has not been too bad. There have been a few clear sunny crisp windless days that have given me a little light in the darkness of an impending winter. Today was one of those days though there is a chill in the air now as the sun starts its descent.

And anyway, I have not been outside. I have missed yet another Saturday as I have been working on Trade Me auctions since I got up this morning. I have a love/hate relationship with the process. But in the end it is worth it. I love seeing vintage treasures make their way to new loving homes.

I am a ghost in the bloggersphere right now, as I thrift, mend, hem, wash and sell (as well as my Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). Also, on Tuesday evenings I am doing a silver jewellery making course with a friend. It is a very fun creative distraction and I am enjoying learning new skills and all the joy (as well as frustration!) that goes with creating something from scratch.

On a side note - the dress above was one that I was going to sell, but I have decided to keep it. I really love cream right now. Cream and navy and all things neutral. Simple. Classic. Pretty.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend.

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Wearing: Vintage Cream Dress (thrifted and shortened by me), Vintage Woven Belt (thrifted), Vintage Hair Slide Bow (thrifted)

time and place and beauty

As the days get colder and the nights get darker I revel in simple pleasures:

coffee ... always coffee

early nights and pretty bedrooms

warm luxurious capes

reading in secret places

red wine and great hats

crisp crunchy autumn leaves

Of course I dream of warm days when the sun beats down and I wear my hair in braids and dance in little summer dresses and walk in bare feet and lie on the grass thinking of nothing and everything.

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All images taken from weheartit.com and juliette hogan

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you But in your dreams whatever they be Dream a little dream of me

I love red. It is bold. It is bright. The colour of life. Passion. Anger. Love. There was a time when I wore red every single day in some form. This was the dress that started it all. It was also the dress that led me to vintage. So, it is a special dress. And today I felt the desire to wear it.

Another day of hot Indian Summer. An idle day of wandering into town. To the Farmer's Market. Thrifting. Takeaway coffee. People watching. Lounging in the hammock reading 'Norwegian Wood' by Murakami. Day dreaming. Reflecting. Hoping.

The perfect Sunday.

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1950s Reproduction Dress (Devol - Wellington designer), Vintage Black T-Straps (Sally Jane Vintage), Cameo Necklace (Pre-loved Clothing Sale)