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!

All ye faithfull

Today's outfit was a little bit inspired by Marianne Faithfull, a little by Zooey Deschanel, and a lot by the nice weather we had today after days of rain!

This amazing 60s shift is part of my most recent vintage haul. On Trademe, which is the NZ equivalent of eBay, there was a vague but promising auction. It promised 'gorgeous old dresses' and very little other detail, with one blurry picture of a pile of clothes on a bed. I took my chance, and won the bidding, and it was so worth it! Six 1950s dresses, four from the 1960s, plus two skirts, a top and a nightie from the same era! Amazing! Some of them are too small, so are going to my local vintage shop, but some of them are just right! Opening the package was like Christmas, my birthday, and a costume cupboard all rolled into one.



(Wearing a vintage dress bought online and t-bar flats from Emporium Vintage)

I did something pretty wild today. Bought my first ever makeup! I got undereye concealer and lip stain from The Body Shop and two-dollar-shop liquid liner. As you may be able to tell, I don't have the steadiest of hands, but I did my best. I'm sure I'll get better with practice!


Can you see my little gray cat in the background?

Nationally

My dear boy and I spent our weekend on planes and in bars, travelling to Auckland and Wellington from our hometown of Christchurch, to see The National. It was an amazing trip, full of (free!) gin and tonics, kittens, long walks uphill and coffee. I bought my first ever Crown Lynn piece, sung a line of Mr November with Matt Berninger, was surprised by a visit from Sufjan Stevens, got very sunburned, and ate a billion roti. It was an amazing weekend.





I wore my new red velvet shorts a lot on our trip. I picked them up in the childrens' section of my local thrift store, along with a sweet swiss-dot ballerina skirt, for $1. I think the staff must just chuck anything whimsical and zany in that bin, because I've had lots of luck there in the past with adult-sized clothing. Anyway, countless shop assistants, cafe staff and complete strangers admired them openly and asked where I got them. One Regina Spektor-lookalike even offered to buy them straight off me for a hefty sum. Unfortunately, I love them just as much as everyone else appears to, so no deal.




Wearing thrifted shorts, a thrifted embroidered blouse, thrifted sunglasses, UO shoes, and a vintage necklace. Photos by Logan.