Long distance winner

My dream 90s goth boots (also fulfilling my Stevie Nicks 70s platform dreams)! $15 from Retro Funk, mentioned in Georgia's previous post.

I have also been in Oamaru since the day after the earthquake hit, hiding out blissfully from aftershocks and broken buildings and spending my money on the amazing cheap secondhand finds here in this little old town filled with elderly folk.

A few of my finds:

my sister calls this 'the Phoebe skirt' - $2 from Vinnies

I Heart NY t-shirt - New York! (surprise surprise)

THESE AMAZING STARS & STRIPES SHORTS were jeans, $6 from Retro Funk

$10 from Retro Funk. I love the bell sleeves!

Stevie vibes floaty 70s top also from Retro Funk. But wait...

+ matching 70s floaty skirt = dress!

Sorry for not-so-great quality, my camera is still in Christchurch, along with those other people who have lost family, friends, homes and jobs. My thoughts are with you all.

I was on Colombo St, one of the main streets, when it hit. I saw the crushed bus in that photo minutes after it happened, and I saw people under bricks, people trapped in shops. I was very very lucky. It was so surreal, like a dream and I was actually unsure whether it was real, like, 'is this really happening, right now?' But I'm okay and my family are okay and my house is okay and I hope it will get better with time.

Stay strong, Christchurch.

Cat and mouse

After the earthquake, I drove down to Oamaru with my boyfriend and his family. It's a tiny little quaint town in the South of the South Island. While Logan went off to do some Freemason-y stuff (top secret, of course), I went vintage shopping with his sister, Jessica-Rose.



In a wonderful junky vintage shop, named Retro Funk, I got this mouse-print dress for a pittance. When I spied the fabric peeking out from underneath a big pile of dresses, I knew I had to have whatever it was.



(Wearing a vintage dress from Oamaru, ribbon belt, Lawrence Arabia tote bag and kung-fu flats from Chinatown in Sydney)

My tote is printed with a passage about the Pink and White Terraces, by the band
Lawrence Arabia. Academic, musical and historic all at once!


Wow, you can really see the difference in colour between the tips and roots of my hair in these photos! Considering it's been over three years since I've had a proper haircut, I suppose it makes sense. I am trying so hard to resist chopping off a few inches of it, as waist-length hair can get very annoying. This hairstyle is one of few that I can do now without getting a headache from how heavy it is!

I'm actually in the airport right now, about to fly to Nelson, another small town in the South Island, with my little brother. We're going to stay with our grandparents in a lovely rural setting, for a few days of rest and relaxation and a break from the constant aftershocks fraying everyone's nerves here. Adieu!

Canterbury Earthquake

On Tuesday afternoon, the largest natural disaster in New Zealand history hit Christchurch, where Christie and I live. A massive earthquake hit just before 1 in the afternoon, destroying buildings all over the greater Christchurch area, trapping over 400 people. Rescue efforts continue, and the current death toll stands at 76, with 240 people still missing amongst the rubble. The central city is basically flattened, and most of the region is still without power or water. The city may remain in a state of emergency for weeks, and the cost of the cleanup is looking at over $15 billion. Large aftershocks have persisted over the last two days.








Christie and I are both fine, as are our loved ones (and, I'm very glad to hear, the owners of my favourite vintage store). My house is badly damaged, with huge holes everywhere and a significant shift in the foundations, but my family are all fine and together. I cannot believe how lucky I've been- I've got off extremely lightly compared to so many in Christchurch, especially those who were badly affected by the September 4th quake too. Miraculously and unlike the majority of the city, we have power and water, so if you or anyone close to you needs to have a quick shower or charge their phones, please leave me a comment.

If you want to help in any other way, here are some links:
Canterbury Earthquake, for info on essential services and rescue efforts.
Quake Escape, for if you have a spare bed or couch anywhere in NZ to help the many left homeless.
Red Cross Donations, for if you can spare even a few dollars for quake victims.
Person Finder, for if you have info on anybody who is missing.

I'm heading down south to Oamaru for a few days, then might fly up north to Nelson to spend time on the farm, depending on the availability of volunteer work and how long university is closed for. I can't possibly imagine most of Christchurch going back to their day-to-day lives after something like this. My thoughts are with all those still waiting to hear, or who have already got bad news about their friends and family members. xo

Ribbon bows

Yesterday was too hot to really do anything except sit around indoors with the air conditioning on, watching The Simpsons and continuing to plow through my atrociously huge sewing pile. Late in the evening, when it had finally cooled down enough to venture outside, Logan and I took a stroll through my favourite suburb. Ohoka is full of amazing historic houses with impeccable gardens, and there's a great walkway which lets you perv into them with reckless abandon. It was immeasurably lovely.




(Wearing a vintage dress, costume-cupboard satchel and Urban Outfitters shoes.)

This amazing 1950s dress is yet another one from my online action bulk lot. I've been furiously hemming and fixing them all, with still more to go! This one had a charming chocolate stain on the front, but it was nothing a little bow couldn't fix.

Jelly shoe lovin'

Marc Jacobs created this beautiful fusion of velvet, platform and plastic sandal for the Resort '10 collection which I long for ardently...

also, sandals with socks á la Tavi Gevinson:

So when I was thrifting a few days ago and found a pair of sparkly, chunky heeled jelly shoes for $2, I got so many awesome nineties teen glitter vibes from them I fell in love!

Later I discovered Georgia had recently bought a pair of pink chunky heeled jelly shoes for $1 and we decided on a jelly shoe dedication post.

The ways to wear (or never to wear, unless you wish to look like a crazy blind old woman/five-year-old, aka me) plastic jelly sandals:

Cheesy teen witch vibes!

Tights from costume store, the dress was thrifted from St Vincent de Paul, the sparkly heart ring was a gift from my little sister, and the moonstone ring I bought via online auction.

More teen witch vibes:

Black velvet and tie-dye + these shoes = eternal happiness!

The velvet peter pan collar dress was thrifted and the hand-dyed socks were a gift.

Girly schoolgirl nun vibes?

Socks - Farmers, cape - handmade by my grandmother, schoolgirl dress - 0$ from free shop, rosary beads - Vast Interior.

and I won't leave out the seventies vibes!

chiffon kimono top - two dollar clothing warehouse

floral velvet skirt - Wild Pair

Every comment is very much appreciated. I wish you all much love and jelly happiness!