Almost autumn

wearing:

cream coloured coat - my mother's wardrobe

60's minidress (once was a maxi) - Salvation Army store

crochet cardigan - Wanaka Recycling Centre

brown leather boots - secondhand store

sunglasses - retail, cheap

vintage camera bag - markets

Yesterday was definitely an almost-autumnal day. Not the warmest or driest of days, so I wore this creamy-coloured and practical coat with a very handy hood to keep myself dry during the occasionally rainy patches. The day involved finding a couple of lovely things at a vintage sale and lunch at Burgers & Beers on Colombo St.

This dress has an amazing collar and cut-out back, it's a shame you can't see them in these photos! It was made in New Zealand by 'American Lady', and I have another dress very similar to this but blue (worn here) with the same label, but can't find anything about it on the internet. Do any of you lovely ladies  know anything about this brand? I love these dresses to bits and want to know more!

Adieu, adieu

Yo! Let's go back in time for a minute. The day before I left Christchurch, I managed to take some time out from going insane due to packing, and took my bike for one last spin into the central city to see Christie. We wandered around the gardens and caught up on everything we needed to before my departure - mostly just how much I knew I'd miss her. And I still forgot to give her the present I got her in Vietnam last year, despite it being in my satchel the whole time.

(Wearing vintage Horrockses dress from Recycle Vintage, vintage belt off another dress from Emporium Vintage, Datter arrow pendant, 1950s school satchel from the costume cupboard and sparkly Goldenponies oxfords)

I picked up this amazing Horrockses dress for a steal when I was in Wellington to see Beirut the week before I moved there. It was love at first sight- it's made of a beautiful heavy fabric and fits me utterly perfectly. I can't work out what era it's from though- the label is completely different to my other Horrockses dress, it just has the brand name on a dark navy background and no other details. It does have a metal zipper and an in-built petticoat though. Is it a convincing 80s-does-50s, or actual 50s?

(Christie is wearing a children's dress from The $2 Clothing Warehouse, a 60s fluttery blouse from a market, baby necklace from Quick Brown Fox in Melbourne, and the regular Converse and tights.)

As usual, Christie looked ridiculously babin' in this adorable dress from the kids section of a thrift store! I adore the little smocked American flag detailing. I miss this lady, but I know we'll have plenty more time for adventures when she comes to visit me here... ahem.

Un peu Français

Last weekend I attended a beautiful wedding at an amazing home in Akaroa. I love weddings - seeing people so happy, delicious food, champagne and the excuse to dress up! A perfect moment, drinking champagne on the balcony on a beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze, listening to Edith Piaf and looking out over spectacular Akaroa Harbour. Apparently people thought I looked quite French. Quite fitting as Akaroa is a quaint historic French settlement and the streets still retain their original names - Rue Lavaud is the main street!

wearing:

dress - Farmers

bow wedges - borrowed to match my bag and lipstick!

bag - vintage, from my Aunt

silver bracelet - a birthday gift

Recently

Ah, man, I'm living the life here. Seriously, I'm riding the wave of blissful unemployment and couldn't be happier. I manage to fill in my days doing the things I love, hanging out with awesome people and literally being happier than I've ever been before. Sorry, you're all probably sick of my ranting about how sweet my life is, but... yeah. Not sorry.



I spent a day with Natalie-Jean from A Lesson In Whimsy earlier this week, and we had such a nice time looking around vintage shops and getting milkshakes.



And yesterday I met my friend Hannah in town and we walked to Oriental Bay. It was my first time there, and we got cookie dough icecream and sat around in the sun for ages.


I've also been doing a little bit of shopping, if you can believe it. I'm finally reaping the benefits of my hectic work schedule back in Christchurch! Here we have a 70s floral croptop sent to me by Camelia, a Swonderful skirt from Recycle Boutique that my mum got me, the perfect red 1950s dress, and a vintage embroidered dirndl that I picked up from a junk shop near my house- the label says Edelweiss! It had a broken zipper so I got it for a great price, and today when I was buying a replacement zip for it the goat herd song from The Sound of Music came on over the store sound system. Coincidence... or something more sinister?


I also got this weird, creepy bunny money box from a garage sale down the road this morning. It was 50c, and I couldn't bring myself to leave it behind. It's joined all my other weird whimsical animal-shaped homewares on my dresser.


And I got this perfect 1950s party dress off Trademe for a song. I think I'm gonna wear it to Bon Iver, so you'll be seeing more of it soon.






(Wearing a vintage 50s gingham day dress off Trademe, a belt from my friend Margot, necklace I made from my mum's wisdom tooth and shoes from Emporium Vintage)
And some wonderful outfit photos from Kita. Tonight we're making cookies and playing Trivial Pursuit!

Inspiration: Miss Peggy Lee

Sophistication, glamour, class, style, an amazing voice and fantastic eyebrows - Peggy Lee had it all and more! I am currently in total adoration of her. Her style is fantastic, let alone her incredibly sultry singing voice and classic beauty! I love the beautiful 40's and 50's fashion she wore, especially the beaded dress in the first photo and the adorable circle skirt in the second photo. Her always immaculate blonde curls keep my daydream of being blonde well and truly alive. This woman is truly inspiring.

A video of Peggy performing 'Why Don't You Do Right' in 1950:

(the way she sings is truly worth watching, she is captivating)

I myself love jazz and she is a massive inspiration to me as a singer. If only I looked immaculate and waltzed around in beautiful 1950's gowns all the time like her!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our readers!

Share something you love with us in a comment below!

(PS. Peggy could definitely be my Valentine!)

xx

Christie