SO yus the wedding anniversary weekend was awesome!

We were on the top floor at the Langham, where once you get out of the lift you walk in to a big old fashioned lounge with butlers.  BUTLERS.  and through the lounge is the hallway to the rooms.  I went to our room to get changed for dinner and ricky stopped in the lounge to have a drink while he waited for me.  While i was getting changed ricky called my cellphone and was all excited and GET OUT HERE NOW!!   All the drinks and canapes were free until 7pm and the butler was all over it, he refilled our glass every time it got below half way.  AWESOME.  "We shall name him Jeeves."  And the canapes bar consisted of trays of sushi, cheeseboards, fruit, kapiti ice cream, all sorts!  So by 7pm we had probably had a bottle of merlot each and were both full to the brim with cheese.  Suddenly our dinner plans didn't seem so important anymore!

Decided to give ourselves a tour of the hotel.  Thought we might have a drunken workout while dressed to the nines (why not?)  but there was a lady there already and seemed surprised by our entrance like she had been caught doing something she shouldn't.

Many bars, many drinks later I dragged ricky to Showgirls (because he has never been before) - I thought it was a great idea but ricky wasn't very impressed.   We went back to the hotel where there was a bottle of champagne on ice in our room but we instead decided to dress up in our hotel bathrobes and raid the lounge freezer for free mini tubs of Kapiti icecream to take back to bed.  We fell asleep still in our robes with full glasses of champagne next to the bed!   Woke up still fully made up and realised that we had both just fallen asleep while talking!  what dicks! 

from there we went home to apologise to our cats and give them lots of treats.  They both had a big sulk and didn't want to know about us.  Then we went to breakfast in Kingsland and then to dressmart where ricky bought me new underwear (yus!  much needed!).  then we went home, ordered curries and fell asleep at about 4pm - intending to get up and go to the movies, but of course we never did!

How are you bitches?


Today I feel prettymuch amazing. Libeau amazing. If there was a pole nearby, it would be quivering with anticipation. Ems left a dress at mine over the weekend (my house = her other home) and I am rockin it today. Many compliments, I likey!

Teri is wearing a hoodie I recognize as Katie’s in her new profile pic. I am not the only one rocking the interwardrobe vibe :D TERI DID YOU WATCH THE MAN O WAR?

In my end of the world: Mr Lee is working insane hours for the next 4 weeks, which is beyond a joke. We just about never see each other, and when we do he is overtired and snappy. SUPER. Excuse me Boston, I would like my husband back, please?

Best thing this weekend, skyping Katie!! Despite my slow as put put internet connection, it was nearly as though she was there. Breakin my heart! Counting down the days to the baby shower EXPERIENCE! Superamazingfulwin! Katie is leaving her job and will be a FREE WOMAN by then! Love it!!! Can’t wait! So excited!

Sam is coming back in November. Thank god! Staying as long as she has, she has become part of the scenery here again! It has become normal! A cruel and unusual torture!

Chantelle looks super hot. I can imagine her behind a bar in germany. Jesus, they have no idea what’s about to hit them! We have to get to Germany!

In other news, Leah and I start burlesque classes in 2 weeks! Oui oui!

Happy birthday ricky baby!

Friday night recap

The story behind the photos (we should have taken so many more).

Ricky and Emma and I had drinks at our place and headed out. On the way, emma asks if i have invited Sam along. No, I say, because she isnt back from Htown until sunday. No, says Emma, she is back secretly! Well hello hello! Just so happens that she was hanging out across the road from the bar where we were right then, so we thought we had better go and inspect the situation. We arrived, yelling rape. We had drinks and tried to drag Sam out, but she was sick and would not be persuaded, despite our best efforts!


From there we stumbled to Lara and Finn's. Emma and I were pouring wine enthusiastically in the general facial direction.  Not being fussy.  It was getting messy. It was only 7.30.

Logan was at Finn and Lara's, when we arrived. More drinks. The Distillers were queued on the soundsystem. Cue also, pelvic thrusts and hoochie dancing. In all the enthusiasm my dress managed to split up above my arse. Weak as shit dress.  Didn't like it anyway.

This is the part where it becomes obvious that I am drunk.


Finn pops off to find me some safetypins to fix my dress (those crafty punks) but instead I wandered into Lara's room and took off my dress, and asked for a new one. Emma decided to take off her pants too. I have vague memories of this. Lovely Lara dressed me in new clothes, and even put some new shoes on Emma.

At this point we decided to line our tummies, and went to the Ponsonby food hall for dinner. I had a sweet giant garlic pita with hummus. but what? Tummy says no. This was one of those sickeningly dizzy i-don't-feel-so-good moments. Too much gravity. Tummy decided that it wasn't interested in food, and good ol' ricky helped me vomit my guts out in my new dress. In the loo, I might add. Well aimed.


Logan, sober driver, took me home. Thank god.

Emma however valiantly offered herself as stand in wife to Ricky (after Logan also left) and continued to soldier on to the gig, with Finn and Lara.


All I know is that the following hours involved:
Emma starting a fight to protect ricky.
The invention of the double Filet of Fish burger (a genius idea)

The Rar files, Katie, Teri, Chantelle, this is dedicated to you.

New shit, $16. Choice!  Go Trademe:

Birthday was completely amazing. Lots of food, wine, tattoo (yaaayyy), Peter Alexander jamies (yaaaaaayyy), car (Yaaaaaaaaay) and a day with Katie in Wellington (YAAAAAAAAAY). You are looking at one incredibly spoilt girl.

Tonight Leah and I are having soup and wine and she is bringing me books and I am giving her movies. Homely fun.

Friday Sam Rulz is in town and we are going to tear Auckland a new one. Ricky’s cousin from Norfolk Island is in town too, so we are going to take him out and basically scar him for life.


Sunday is Katie day! Katie is in town which means nothing less than mocktails, shopping and fabulosity.


In other news, it is Tuesday and I am on day 2 of diet (take 687). In the weekend I accidentally had the misfortune of stepping on some scales. Why? Was I hungover? Still drunk? (quite possibly). Why would I want to know such a thing!? Alas. Last night I attempted a yoga DVD, with cats winding themselves all around my limbs. Apparently it is quite exciting when I am in some strange position with my head upside down and obviously seems like a team sport!


How are you?
 
x

Awesome

This graffiti is on the gate of the house nextdoor to me.  Freakin awesome!!

Presents from Dad in Norfolk Island (cardi - angora, embroidered with pearl buttons) - AWESOME!

Emma's bubba:  super awesome!!

Blonde Phase 1: Getting in touch with your inner Ginga

I like my hair, it's fun!  This is the closest I have had to my natural hair colour in a LONG TIME.
Thank you Chanty! <3

Blonde ambition

Bleached my hair this weekend.  Black was angry and didn't want to leave.

result = ginga.

Today I am hatbound.  I have been acting as though all my hair has fallen out.  Ginger hair doesn't mix well with PMS!

Luckily Chantelle is all over it like a little rash and is taking to it tomorrow.  Wish me luck!!

Self indulgence

Favourite purchases of late:

My biggest fashion faux pas:
Declaring in a work newsletter that I would never wear black skinny jeans. WOW was I wrong. Less than a year later it was egg on face for me, from the coworkers that remembered that overtly judgmental statement. Whoops!


In totally self absorbed news
I am going back to Blonde, thanks to the very lovely Mrs Durrie Flynn! I am just about as excited about this as one person can be! While I adore black on so many other people, the reality of my own black tresses are a far cry from what I had envisioned! I am hereby accepting my hair for the fine little mop that it is (not luscious and thick a la the Betty Paige’s out there) and going back to what I do do well.

2010 Louis Vuitton line-up (sans makup)

The Meat Debate

As a lifelong vegetarian, I find this one a bit awkward to bring up, but: I am trying to get my head around the concept of eating meat.

This is about a deal that my husband and I struck a long time ago, and thus I feel quite bound to keep. The deal is that if he gives up smoking that I will take up eating (some) meat. My husband loves to cook, and while he has embraced vegetarian cooking and does so amazingly, he does sometimes wish that I would share some of his more meaty creations. I don’t know whether I agreed to this as an alcohol infused challenge (very possibly), or whether I was just making a point about just how much I would like him to give up smoking. This has always been more of a “long term” plan, along the lines of babies and house buying. Things way down the track.

First off let me get this straight. It was more of a “ha ha if you ever stop smoking I’ll take up eating meat. “ more of a “That’ll be the day” conversation. But over time that conversation seems to have become a reality. Now he has started talking about actually stopping smoking (in the soon sense), with all intentions of making sure that I adhere to my side of the agreement. What have I done!

I have never been a staunch political vegetarian, in fact having been raised vegetarian, the political side of the lifestyle is not something to which I have given much thought. I don’t think I have any big issues with meat eating aside from the treatment of the animals involved (most commonly inhumane). It is of most importance to me if I did decide to eat meat, that the animals I ate had lived the happy little lives of creatures in a picture book. Sorry, but that’s the way it has to be.

That being said, when confronted with the idea of “just eating some meat, then” – I do feel a bit queasy. Images of animals being slaughtered and detestable living conditions and what not. I do find it a hard image to set aside!

In the back of my mind I keep thinking that he might not really give up smoking (he has yet to even try) but what if he does? Gulp.

So, in lieu of this, I have been doing some research about free range farming, specifically for pigs. Being the most social (and possibly the most intelligent) of commonly farmed animals, it is horrific that pigs are subjected to the kind of solitary, confined, and cruel lifestyle that is practiced nearly everywhere. This morning I walked past an organic butcher in Grey Lynn, that displayed a “Freedom Farms” logo on the sign outside. I looked up Freedom Farms (http://www.freedomfarms.co.nz/) and had a good read.

Overall I have to say, I was pretty impressed to see that the pigs (or ‘piggies’) seem to be treated very well (SPCA endorsed) – and even seem to be able to have the happy little piggy lives that I like them to have in my head (before they hit the meatworks that it) however I still can’t shake the idea of the actual slaughterhouse.

I really really – really do love the idea of my husband giving up smoking for his own health, but giving up my reasonably clean moral conscious isn’t so appealing!

To be continued!

Frocktails to Die For

I looked forward to Frocktails all last week. Off the huge success of Mollies’ first Frocktail fundraiser in 2009, this promised to be a night of sheer fabulosity.

This year local interior and fashion designers collaborated to transform Mollies suites into six different worlds, which guests were invited to explore:

• ‘Folk’ Greenwich Village Coffee Shop in the 1960’s

• Wild at Heart

• Alice in Wonderland

• Bordello Chic

• Gentleman’s Club

• The Boudoir Lounge

 Basically, it sounded incredible.

We pulled up not so fashionably early, but thankfully it meant that we managed to secure a park before the street became clogged by European cars and expensive looking people movers. The exterior of Mollies was decorated with fairy lights, and at the door were 2 geisha girls, greeting guests.

Inside, Mollies had been transformed.

Guests mingled around the main areas, the terrace bar – which was for the night a Folk café from the 1960’s –filled with flowers, littered with fairy lights and smelling of clove and orange. The “Worlds” we were told would not open for 45 minutes, but it didn’t stop people from showing themselves around – we followed a trail of guests upstairs only to discover that it was the models’ hair styling room!

MCs Samantha Hayes (TV3) and Antonia Prebble (Outrageous Fortune) welcomed everyone and saluted the nights cause. They invited the owner of Mollies onstage, who was greeted by her very wet kitty cat, who had obviously come in from the rain to explore why her home was filled with people! A fashion show proceeded, where the most enthusiastic applause went to an unsuspecting waiter who was evidently restocking the bar with champagne, and had unwittingly chosen the runway as his chosen route through.

Then the individual worlds finally opened.

I couldn’t wait. Sera Lilly’s Alice in Wonderland suite was our first port of call. My husband hadn’t eaten and was very keen on the idea of canapés, but it seems that he was not the only one! As we walked into the suite, a waiter walked out with a tray that was empty save for a sprinkling of alfalfa sprouts! Culinary disappointments aside, the room was stunning. Candle lit, as were most of the suites – and decorated with huge bouquets of flowers. A tower of teapots were displayed on the table top, and complimentary cocktails were served in fine china - a personal fantasy of mine! Several girls in cream full length, romantic Sera Lilly dresses mingled and lounged on the couch. The door to the Premier suite’s bedroom had been closed when we first arrived in the Alice in Wonderland room, but at some stage it opened. Almost immediately guests started making their way into the bedroom for a nosey at the bathroom. Not because these rooms were decorated in Sera Lilly’s Alice in Wonderland theme – they weren’t. Really, I suspect that people wanted to get a glimpse at what the bathroom looks like in a suite that costs upwards of $800 a night. Frankly the rather regal looking bed is what sold me. Ricky is under strict instruction that should we ever be in the position where we are able to book a room at Mollies for the night, the premier suite is the only way to go!

On the trail to find food for Ricky, we wandered down the hall towards the Gentlemen’s Club. Sera Lilly’s Alice in Wonderland girls were in the hall just ahead of us, and managed to get the last of the canapés off an incoming tray of food. Foiled again! Ricky pondered that perhaps we were travelling in the wrong direction as the food seemed to be running out just as we arrived.

The gentlemen’s club with designer Michael Pattison was our next stop. This room was a rich combination of grand armchairs, cigars and moody lighting. Here we met DJ Dan Auks, who gave Ricky the last serving of mini burger and fries. Success! With Ricky’s hunger satisfied we trailed outside to a courtyard with an open fire and beautiful French looking garden furniture. It was a very cold night and had been previously raining, however everything looked so ethereal it seemed like something from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mollies certainly know how to throw a party.

From there we made our way to the Boudoir Lounge, where an artist was painting a very French masterpiece as guests mingled with more cocktails. Models lounged in their gorgeous 1920’s satins and pearls. Here another group of people mingled in the bathroom, exploring the facilities of the beautiful suite out of personal interest.

Our last visit was to the Bordello Chic suite, and what a laugh! Greeting us were several particularly fabulous looking, rouge lipped women, who I got chatting to, before noticing my husband’s slight discomfort and realizing that the room was filled with scantily clad men holding peacock feathers (to tickly guests with as I found out) - wearing only tight boxers with the NZ Flag on them! Unsurprisingly, Ricky was keen to move on.

We sat down with our drinks back in the main Folk area; where there was live music playing, and had one last visit to the Alice in Wonderland room before deciding to call it a night. Poor Ricky was designated driver as he had work first thing on Sunday morning – I bet he regretted making that decision! It was only 10pm but what a sensory overload. I was absolutely buzzing. Such a fantastic night!

I wore:

• Black Lucky 13 Dress with Red ribbon bows around waist and halter neck. Old faithful!
• Red nails.
• Red lips.
• Gold glitter eyes.

So now we are home. 6 weeks and truly settled back home in NZ. It is much colder than Norfolk but the past month has been full of excitement.

Here are a few of my favourite things from the past month:

• Hearing Tuis in the garden. Wowee, nostalgia. Nothing like a year out of the country to spark the patriot within. Although being patriotic towards NZ is so unusual here it seems that it is un-Kiwi to love NZ. Anyway. I love it. Just saying.
• Over enthusiastic reunions with girlfriends: well, to be honest I can’t think of a time that we have been un-enthusiastic when together. Our love is one of obnoxious fabulosity. When we are together we are ourselves, amplified.  
• TradeMe for vintage purchases. My god, how good is this? In the past month I have bought all of the following from trademe, the gross cost would be under $150.  Perfect for the girl on a budget!

• Overtalented friends. I love this. Ricky and I have agreed to buy this from Finn Fair (it will be my birthday present to myself). I love it. Kill then Love. From an old movie called The Most Dangerous Game, which stars Fay Wray.

  

Frocktails to Die For. Fabulous fashion show at Mollies Hotel this Saturday, to raise funds for the Auckland City Mission. Local interior and fashion designers will transform Mollies suites into six different worlds, based on 'A World We Dream To Live In' from Sera Lilly's 'Alice in Wonderland' room, to Kingan Jones' 'Glam Rock'. Guests will be invited to explore the worlds while enjoying drinks and canapés. Basically awesome! I can’t wait!

  

Shanghai Lils reopening. I AM SO EXCITED! I want to live there and never leave!!!! Look at it!!!! Let’s go soon!

  Also: This is Crystal Renn. How could I not know about her? She is amazing. Full curves, full glamour. And my god she is babin. I like!

  

 

















 That’s all for now. Have a nice week! xo

For Katie: 7 strange things about me

1.  I shake my head to get to sleep.  Have done so since I was a baby.  I don't do it all the time, but I still do it if I'm having trouble getting to sleep.

2.  I have unusually large feet.  If I was a dude, I would be hung.

3.  I love tomato sauce.  Love love.  I drown everything in it.  If there is nothing around to eat it on (carrot sticks will do) I will eat it with a spoon.

4.  I don't drunk-dial.  I drunk-shop.  Online.  Expensive dresses.  Impulse buy.  This is why Ricky cut up my card...

5.  Long after I finished school I found out that I was thought of by some people as a bully.  I had no idea!  Jesus, I really didnt know that anyone else cared what I thought about them.  Now when I think about it, i feel terrible!

6.  People ask me all the time what I am so happy about.  Huh?!  I think my blank expression is a smile.  Go figure.

7.  When I am really tired I sing.  I don't even realise I'm doing it.  Again, when I do this people comment that I must be really  happy about something.  I'm usually just really hungover and trying to keep myself awake.

La la la!

Apologies for the absence, moving countries is all consuming!  Today the cats are going to the vet for their vaccinations and 1st of 3 pre flight inspections.  Dread.

Anyway on an uncanny note, through a series of unrelated events it has unfolded that the house that Mr and I have taken the lease to in Auckland is in fact, Micaela and Dan's house (Sacred tattoo).  I found out when I bought a piece of furniture from Micaela off Trademe for our new house, and the pickup address she gave me was indeed the very same house that Mr and I will be making our home back in Auckland!  How very convenient!  We have since arranged to buy her fridge, washing machine and vaccuum.   And anything else that they don't want when they leave the country.  The best bit is that they will all be in our new house when we arrive!  yahoo! 

I am running late for work, again.  Better update next time!

Also new obsession:

Japanese furniture.  Again, I didn't see this coming, it just overwhelmed me one day.  I also love the bright colours of mexican decor.  I see our new house as being a culture clash fest. ha ha.

We just got this for our new house..

It will go quite well with this (which I can't afford now but will do as soon as we both have jobs)

Yus.  New stuff!

Guys, I just watched 500 days of summer and am now completely in love with Zooey Deschanel.  This is a reignited flame for me, but now i LOVE love her!

Sigh.  This unforseen turn of events has now become the inspiration for my "coming home" wardrobe.  I am starting back at my old job, and they have seen all my old dresses.  This simply will not do!  Here are my two must haves for the new working year:

You will be mine.  Oh yes, you will be mine.

When in a grumpy mood, I like to entertain myself with lists.

Today’s list is about my favourite person in the world. 

Things I love about him (in no particular order)

• His goofy, infectious laugh.
• His honesty.  Whether you’re his best friend or worst enemy, he will never say or do anything behind your back that he wouldn’t to your face.  And don’t ever ask him to lie!  Sometimes his honesty gets him in trouble.  Sometimes people don’t like what he has to say.  But at the end of the day, you know you can trust him, 100%.
• His unashamed refusal to be anyone but himself.  Love him or hate him, he is who he is.
• His love for adventure. 
• His understanding about the fact that sometimes I can take life too seriously, I am competitive, I get caught up in the rat race.  He knows when to step in and make me take a step back.  Remind me about what really matters in life.  Work is not always one of those things.
• His ability to live in the moment.  His desire to make the most of now.  It is easy to focus on the future and lose sight of what is in front of you right here and now. 
• His mop of hair.
• He still brags about me to strangers.
• He pushes me to relentlessly pursue my goals.
• His devilishly handsome chin.
  
• The way he sings.  Loudly, proudly, and often out of tune.
• He shares my ridiculous sense of humour.
• He likes to brainstorm with me about what will be our next adventure together.  He asks where do I want to go and what do I want to do.  And he means it.
• His love for cooking.  His desire to feed all of his friends!
• His love for our cats.  They are equal members of this family!
  

He humbles me.  Inspires me.  He makes me want to be more than I am. Lucky girl.