Project LBD

I'm really prone to anxiety; not only regarding hubby's cancer (that's a given) but pretty much as long as I can remember. I'll wake up in the night in cold sweats, panicking about mistakes made. For example, a colleague and I presented a talk last year for work, at another workplace. It was a disaster. We ran out of time and well...it was just a disaster. It still kills me as I'm such a perfectionist and shudder at the thought of being thought of in a bad light. It was an awful experience. Doubt we will be asked back!  Anyway, let's leave that ( I need to let it go!).

So in light of my anxious tendencies, I need to keep busy and distracted. Work, PhD, home, hospital all take up time and keep me busy but I also need a hobby. I love colouring but I also have an obsession with fashion (hence my love of Instagram and the lovely ladies I've met there!). I'm my dreams, since reading a book called, 'The secret lives of dresses', I've always thought it would be dreamy to have my own boutique, especially a vintage one. This isn't feasible so I'm trying an easy option. I've started my own TradeMe account, and have devised a little logo and name, Little Black Dress. 

I've ordered a mannequin to display the dresses on. I'm going to buy low-price second-hand dresses to see if I can make a wee profit on them. I'm going to launder them, package them nicely, and see how it goes. Just for a bit of fun. I'm looking forward to visiting the large Op Shop, Savemart, to see if I can find some lovelies in need of new homes. I'll post updates! 

Here is my dress form/mannequin that I just ordered. I'll have to name her, obviously:

Love and sunshine xx 

Embracing the curl...or not.

My hair is crazy. It's the progeny of one silky-straight-haired parent, and one slightly coarser-textured curly-haired parent. It's also fine, which doesn't help. As a child, it was dead straight but as I got older, the kinks appeared! Then I discovered the evil hair lightener of the 90s, as a teen, and abused the heck out of it with Sun-In. Poor form. Plus it was cut into a bob with a fringe; two styles not suited to such texture.

But these were the dark days before straightening irons existed. Then, upon graduating with my Masters degree, my parents bought me my first pair of ghd straightening irons (I'd had a cheap pair of Remingtons, prior, but they did not compare). Control was mine and I've been straightening ever since.  

If I do a good job, it looks tidy like this ( this was me a year ago, looking much slimmer in the face!):  

If I get daring, and the moon is in the right phase, I add a wave (after straightening) and it does this:

Here is is just yesterday after naturally air drying:

I do love my colour. Ok, I admit it doesn't look terrible, but it doesn't stay tidy. It ' floofs' out like an electrocuted sheep and I do not feel groomed or neat! I dealt to this before heading out to Star Wars for a date night, last night! 

Just for fun, here's me a couple of years ago rocking long and brunette:

...and here's me just the other day, sporting my usual summer ponytail ( to beat a hot neck and frizz!).

If you know of any good products that might help me manage the curl ( and actually embrace it a bit), do let me know, but I struggle to feel 'me' when I'm curly. It's funny how identity and hair are so intrinsically linked. 

Cheers!

Birdsnest Review

The two Birdsnest items I previously blogged about arrived today, courtesy of my friend! I can't speak highly of both items! The items were beautifully packaged with a sweet note and a chocolate birdie treat as a bonus!

The Eb and Ive Toga cape is one size only. On me it is a large fit but super cosy and cocoony! It isn't at all itchy ( I'm super sensitive to wool) and it's very warm. The pattern is almost Elvish! Love! Excuse my terribly scruffy hair and stare-bear face! It's humid and raining cats and dogs outside today! I had straightened it but it's since gone fluffy so I've yanked it up. 

The Nest of Pambula tree cuff is heavenly. I look at it and am transported to a forest. I have a huge, overactive  imagination; forgive me! It is well-made and fits my in-dainty wrists well. It can be worn pushed up, or looser. The double band is bronze in colour. 

I'll be back to Birdsnest, for sure!!!

Xx

Tattoo Two

Every year, come Summer, I get the yearning for another tattoo. In October, about two years ago, I got my first. It's small, the shortened version of my son's name; the name he is known as, Benji. It's small and simple, and as you can see here and adorns the inside of my left wrist. Very special to me.

The yearning for a second comes and goes but of late it's been rather strong. My husband has a wonderful tattoo; it's quite large and it is on his left calf, at the back. It's a stylised tree, inspired by Māori designs and is also a 'tree of life'.The terrestrial portion and the roots are separated by our son's birthdate. The inside parts have a woven texture, like kete (woven flax baskets). 

I've always wanted to have a tattoo for my hubby, too, especially now that we are in the midst of his cancer journey....and I have an idea. Upon browsing Pinterest I came upon this design [Image credit: Zazzle.com].

It, too, is evidently a tree of life and I love the idea of us having connected body art. I think I love this but of course would modify it to make it unique. This is merely a guide. The artist will do that but I'd instruct him or her to remove the falling leaf and to 'patch up' the hole in the centre of the tree. Considering three birds, too, but am unsure as yet. It's also very Middle Earth-esque, as my hubby pointed out to me, today. Bonus! It's quite fine, though...hopefully doable. 

Position-wise, this too has taken much thought. Ideally I'd like to be able to see it but as it won't be tiny, I think it's best on the back of my neck, low, where I can choose to display it or not. I have no issue with people displaying tattoos; I love them...my wrist one is never covered up by anything (I wear my watch and bangles on my other hand) but for me, this larger one needs to go somewhere else. It's just a personal preference. If I had a model's tone and form, things might be different!  So at this stage, I'm thinking medium in size, and at the base of my neck where it meets the top of my back. I could show it off by wearing a tank top/ dress and my hair up. Sounds good to me. Now to psyche myself up for it! I'll be sure to post about it if and when I do it. 

Xx 

Wrecked frocks and shopping shocks

Hubby had his first chemo back after Christmas (he's up to cycle 6 for stage 4 bowel cancer). I stayed awhile as I usually do but my sore back protested so I headed off to the nearest mall to check out the shops (and to buy him a sudoku puzzle book). 

Do you ever have those 'blah' shopping trips? Firstly, nothing fitted; my festive weight gain was dreadfully obvious, then I lost one of my purchases (thankfully nothing expensive, but I was looking forward to giving kiddo that MineCraft magazine so I'm gutted I lost it somewhere....). I freely admit these are very much first world problems, but ugh.

My mother bought me a beautiful, white summer dress; Espirit, down to $36 from $109. The perfect fit and very summery. I took it away on holiday and yesterday I somehow managed to get about four stains on it. I found some stain remover, applied it and bagged the dress knowing that I would be home today. Something happened overnight, at a molecular level, and upon washing it, where I'd applied the remover, the areas were yellowed and well...wrecked! I went to Espirit today and they had them...but not in my size. I've decided to dye it. I've never dyed a garment before so that will be interesting. I'll do a before and after.

Here is the dress before I inadvertently wrecked it :( 

 

Oh well, onward and upward!

Xx 

Birdsnest

Just prior to Christmas, my colleagues who I share an office with, kindly surprised me with a voucher to spend at the gorgeous Australian online shop, Birdsnest. I'm in New Zealand and they do ship here but I was able to send the parcel to a colleague's parents in Aus for said colleague to pick up for me. To avoid any duties.

I haven't seen my pieces yet, but I am excited! Here's what I ordered (Pics are from the Birdsnest.com.au site - seriously, check them out for well-priced women's fashion. Such a huge variety of styles and labels).

The bracelet is by Nest of Pambula and I immediately fell in love with the Tree of Life situation. Very beautiful. Very Mirkwood. I'm actually in love with the entire Pambula range so will have to save my pennies. The Eb and Ive Togo cape will be perfect for Autumn. I've been after one for ages! I'll do an update/review once I've got my mitts in these delightful items.  So grateful to my kind colleagues!