by Amber on September 29, 2009
This is the post in which I dip my toes in the DIY waters. Naturally it’s in a cheap, cheerful and shamefully easy manner.
I took last summer’s plimsolls and gave them a wash, becasue they were showing the signs of too much adventuring in beer halls. The laces were excruiciatingly grim (ewww not showing you), so I removed them and looked around for something better.
Spying 1 metre of royal purple ribbon, I snipped it in half, sealed the ends with a lighter to prevent fraying and threaded the lengths into the sneakers. Voila!
They’re pretty much Lanvins now.
by Amber on July 26, 2009
Twas a perfect sunny day – smack in the middle of winter. Considering the month, what more could you hope for? How about going to the beach and watching whales! I spend half my time at a little place called Omaha, and for the last few days there has been a Southern Right whale mother and calf hanging about the bay.
This afternoon I strolled down to the beach and watched the little-big-family frolic for a few of hours – they were hanging out just off shore. There was lots of wave slapping and sunbathing on their behalf. Um so, this is what I wore when I was watching those gorgeous creatures. I had the hugest grin – marine animals for life!
+ Twin Rivers zip up jumper
+ Merino turtleneck (it’s sunny but not that warm!)
+ Cotton peasant skirt of unknown origin with glitter embellishments
+ Dotti black leggings
+ Vintage lace up boots
No whale photos sorry. If only I was in a boat, sigh. In any case, I consider myself seriously lucky to live such in a beautiful place, plus I had an icecream! Yup, a brilliant way to spend a Sunday. I hope your weekend was just as swell.
This is my latest greatest bag! A sparkling black sequin tote. I bought in Yangshuo, China, mostly thanks to the deadly haggling skills of my Irish shopping companions. I’m totally in love with it – despite how hard it is to photograph. It’s a disco hobo sack!
What’s in my bag? To my surprise, not that much – and it’s all orderly! The only thing missing from the picture is a well thumbed copy of Anne Lamott’s Bird By Bird – my current squeeze read.
Clockwise from top left:
- Moleskine year by day diary. My life is crammed in there!
- Writing instruments.
- Beauty supplies - Lush Jasmine temple balm, Loreal lip gloss, Palmer’s Lip butter, Mac Plush Lash mascara, Copper Eyeshadow from the Body Shop.
- Purse, also from Yangshuo.
- Functional cellphone. I’m not allowed fancy phones until I can stop leaving them under pillows at backpackers and dropping them in glasses of water etc.
- New 50mm lens.
- Moo Flickr cards that I use as business cards.
- Earplugs, in case I ever get stuck in a club or bar with amplification aimed at destroying my hearing. Sadly after a Flying Lotus show earlier this year without plugs it might not be the same again.
- My watch – a 25 year old fake citizen watch from Hong Kong via my dad. I need a new battery for it.
- Violet lighter, in case of fire emergencies. People are ALWAYS going to ask you for a light.
- Asthma inhaler, in case of lung failure.
- 4GB USB stick – essential documents, songs, etc.
What’s in your purse, satchel or manbag?
by Amber on April 10, 2009
by Amber on March 27, 2009
Mini Dress Code! I was in Wellington for work a little while ago; and couldn’t resist going to into the Swonderful boutique & buying an adorable Bon Voyage Papercup tee. Swonderful is marvelous; an adorable wee shop packed with goodies. Also, what a fun name to swirl ’round your tongue! Go visit – 95 Victoria Street.
+ Uniqlo grey merino cardigan.
+ Papercup tee.
+ Waxed cotton skirt with lace edging.
+ Montana boots by Progetto. They are very comfortable to trot around the world in.
I am taking off.
Here’s a better shot of the print, as seen on a tote:
Cuteeeeee!
Apt as I am flying to Bejing tonight, then catching a domestic flight to Shanghai, where I have been warned I will get hideously lost. Excellent, a challenge – I accept.
Au revoir my friends! Or rather, zài jiàn!
by Amber on March 20, 2009
My current obsessions: Karen Walker, jazz classics, delving deeper into the internet than ever before, the Jade Goody story (sad any way you look at it), wholemeal bagels with avocado, eureka moments and creating interesting outfits from the contents of a single suitcase. Empty rooms.
+ Karen Walker Wide Spiderweb shirt in faded black.
+ Dark Gray skinny jeans from Uniqlo
+ Wooden bracelet
+ Suede round toe mid-wedge from Witchery
The perfect tee? Puff printed witty graphics and a cute crochet detail on the back. Tis very well cut too.
The beautiful empty room belongs to Willy & Ali, who have been kindly letting me stay for the last few weeks. I’m realising I don’t actually need so much “stuff” in my life to make it feel full. Feeling mellow and reflective. It’s good.
by Amber on February 25, 2009
This is the post in which I try to turn the somewhat classic tourist snap into a daily outfit. Whatever. It was a fun day and I looked alright. Liverpool was looking pretty good too! Joy.
+ OutdoorResearch down jacket that saved my bones from the cold.
+ Purple ruffle tunic by Max. Flounce!
+ Merino top to keep me snug.
+ Black Lee jeans.
+ New yet beloved Montana boots by Progetto. Handmade-Italian-sexy!
+ Kathmandu travel bag – it managed to hold my life and carry my laptop around all day with no problems.
The cause of my tourism glee? Urban Outfitters! My very first visit to one. Oh my. It was really good. You know that it’s going to be overpriced clone type stuff but it was still loads of fun. I bought a beautiful emerald sweater printed with a horse, but more on that later. My other bag was full o’ HMV goodies… This may surprise you but we have neither store in lil’ old New Zealand. Consumerism ahoy!
by Amber on January 10, 2009
On Thursday I sought refuge in the conditioned bubble that is “the studio”, for it was very sticky and very grim outside. Okay, maybe there were some other obligations too but mostly it was about the HEAT.
Hence, my outfit is simple – a cotton dress and a touch of colour from the scarf. Reflecting on 2008, it appears I have fully integrated scarves into my wardrobe, as per that year’s style resolution. I can’t resist them now!
+ Black dress from Valley Girl
+ Ombré scarf
+ Canvas slip on shoes
+ Faux-bans
+ Map bag
This is an ancient tote (7 years old?), bought at the Aotea Square markets. It has a street map of Auckland City screen-printed on it, which shows the market – how very meta. This year I am also trying to dig new-old pieces out of my wardrobe – seeing this bag was like meeting an old friend.
Of course, it is never too humid for one to flounce!
by Amber on December 13, 2008
Today I went out to a wee farmlet, to celebrate a family birthday. It was about 25 minutes drive from the city. In between socialising, I wandered around, saying hello to the various ducks, pukekos, friendly cats, cows, chickens & bunnies. I took a few photos (it was quite windy) and then dashed inside for cake. Mmm, pecan and caramel is an awesome cakey combo!
+ Grey singlet
+ Black levis
+ Black jandals/flip flops/thongs (oo-er!)
+ Jockey star shirt, from Supre of all places… (I say Jockey because it reminds me of racing horses.)
+ Hippo brooch
My new hippo brooch from Princess C, Lady J And the Upper Crust is so much fun! Taxidermy influences meet a crazed colour palette. You may call her Harriet. (Thanks also to Michi Girl, who were graciously giving them away).
by Amber on November 23, 2008
Late spring. Standing in the dappled light of my front porch. Or, of my verandah as we say around here. The differences in language use between various English-speaking nations really become apparent when you start putting things out on the Internet for consumption, as opposed to just observing.
It’s a wonderful thing though, especially as a writer, you get to tap into a vocabulary well deeper than you ever imagined. A few examples of the variations I love are:
Candy – sweets – lollies. Bodega – convenience store – dairy. Popsicle – ice lolly – iceblock. Comforter – doona – duvet.
But most of all… I love fringe – bangs – iron curtain of hair! This is what started all my musing – isn’t it funny how the two words are completely unrelated? From what I understand fringe was the original term, then bangs developed colloquially, from a use of the adverb bang – meaning abruptly. It obviously stuck. Anyway, here is my new fringe in action:
+ Tempt blue dress
+ Levi black jeans
+ Silver canvas plimsolls (shock, from the Warehouse)
There seems to be about 20 different shade of pink & purple in my hair. If I was to step into full sunlight you’d see a halo of magenta around my crown. Anyway, bangs are fun – it’s amazing how different they can make you look.
Rather a lot of thinking and commentary for an outfit that ended up being very pared back. I guess I’m just fascinated by language and culture. How about yourself - are you a fringe or bangs kind of cat?
by Amber on November 12, 2008
Spring has sprung, or rather, erupted in blossoms. I can now safely venture outside in the mornings without a sweater, which is very, very heartening.
- T-Shirt printed with Holga photograph of Japanese bicycles
- Chunky wooden bracelet
- Navy bangle + ivory look bangle
- Black jeans
- Pink chucks
I think this outfit could be improved if the shirt was more fitted. Since then I have refined my general appearance by layering a long charcoal cardigan over the tee – bringing it all in a bit more. Really, refinement is the point of daily outfit photos – if not on the day, make it the next time you reach for the same look). Remix and experiment – give yourself the opportunity to learn from your errors or capitalise on moments of genius.
That said, I love this new shirt and sometimes I just wear things because they look good to my eye, rather than look good on me. The print is very impressive in person – at 45 by 45 centimetres it is hard to ignore!
The print on my T-shirt - photo by Sam Montgomery.
by Amber on September 29, 2008
T-shirt: Country Road, my very favourite brand for basic tees.
Jeans: Jeanswest. I’m only just embracing blue jean. Usually I look like a bit of a Westie with black jeans and shirts.
Belt: Stolen from my father (along with my socks)!
Safari boots: Vintage… these don’t seem to leave my feet.
Scarf: Equip, very cheap, very versatile!
Working, working… so very utilitarian/comfy. Tomorrow I’m hoping to put a long overdue update on Catch & Covet – lots of new vintage goodies. This meant a long day of photography, measuring and climbing out the window on to the roof to hang out in the sun, hehe. I wore my new magenta scarf, which matches my new hair! It doesn’t quite look like this in real life – it’s a little more brighter/obvious. I love it and can’t wait for warmer weather when I can simply wear a singlet and use my tattoos/hair as a splash of colour.
by Amber on August 30, 2008
It’s nearly spring in the Southern Hemisphere, one more day or so! And for once, it actually feels like the season it’s meant to be. In celebration I’m flinging off my grey felted coat, neatly stacking my muddy boots to one side and breathing a little colour into my design agency uniform. Today it’s a aubergine purple that took my fancy, the shade of my new shoes.
T-shirt: Crystal Castles, available from their myspace page.
Cardigan: Generic noir black cardy
Leggings: Supre
Skirt: The brand is Theatre – I bought this skirt in Bangkok in 2005 and I still adore it!
Shoes: Suede round toe mid-wedge from Witchery. They are lovely ❤
This outfit is perfect for: a) The girl scribbling lyrics out for a psychedelic folk rock band or b) the girl planning a day of antique hunting in small country towns surrounded by pastures or c) the girl prancing around the backyard kicking petals? Answer: All of the above!
