Francophile: Stationary

How gorgeous are these products from Cavallini & Co? Ive loved them ever since I found them in Passion For Paper in Parnell Road (amazing little shop - exactly how a stationary/paper shop really should be). They products have a lived in, old world feel - without being cliche. And as Im a total Francophile/Anglophile I sooo need to get myself some. I bought a notebook for Brigette for Christmas - accompanied by a beautiful little Noel card (she went to France and Italy this year - lucky thing!) 

 

Ultimate Hamper Indeed!

Why wasn't this under my Christmas Tree?? Santa?

Anya Hindmarch's "Ultimate Girls Hamper" for Selfridges

Let Your Heart Be Light

This is how I wore Christmas...

Festive outfits are a must! White skinny jeans and a burgundy velvet top for Christmas Eve drinks at the local pub, then my cream Karen Walker dress (present!!) for the day. And for Christmas dinner my cream Country Road dress with black stars. Red nails worn throughout of course!! Dressing up for Christmas so helps get you in the mood - I even wore my Clara-esque (The Nutcracker) nightie! 

Starry Night

The famous Christmas lights in Franklin Road, Ponsonby on Christmas Eve....

.. And I promptly fell asleep in the car once we had driven passed!

Joyeux Noel

Une Sleep...

Three Sleeps... So Excite!!

This will be me post work on Christmas Eve! Im tres excited! Going to wrap more presents now - I can't stop buying them for my fam!! Such a good feeling though. x

Festive Wining And Dining

Went to Euro on the Viaduct last night! Had our annual family pre-Christmas dinner. It was tres fab! The interior was gorgeous - they have a chandelier made of antlers! And a massive mirror thats framed by glossy black feathers. The bar is all curved and smooth and wooden.

I had a cosmo as my pre dinner cocktail - they do v good ones (not overly sweet like some places, nor bitter like others). The food was really good also, I had:

- Calamari prosciutto wrap w garlic, date, lemon, extra virgin olive oil & arugula

- Line caught snapper studded w black Alba truffle, ice wine emulsion

And us girls shared an Alaskan Red King crab (Papa had his own) - it was AMAZING. And there's something I love about being dressed up at a flash resturaunt, ordering the most expensive dish on the menu, but having to basically eat it with your hands because of the nature of what it was!

 

I Fly Like Paper, Get High Like Planes

We went to Sale Street bar last night.. It opened not to long ago, and is the "Big, New Bar". The line was 45 minutes long (for a bar in Auckland thats a bit intense.. but we made it). We were really impressed with the interior - its huge and divided into sections really well (bar, dancefoor, loung, eating, leaners, outdoors). The lounge even has really good magazines! Artnews etc. Really fab floral wallpaper by the bathrooms too, will def go back soon and take pictures this time! We also went to Flight Lounge's Christmas party - was a really good night! Gotta dance the night away before Christmas fam commitments intensify. Am not too tired either (three hours sleep?) but am working till midnight tonight. Shall be interesting too see how it pans out!

 

Merci Karen

This just arrived in my inbox. Made me smile. Thought I would pass it on... Enjoy! x

 

Festive Films: The Brits

I don't know about you, but every year around this time there are certain films that I always watch - they are happy, bittersweet, personal classics that always get me in the mood for christmas (usually abit big, eccentric families - probably a reflection on my love for my own!). First up are my favorite British films.

Love actually is without a doubt fabulous at this time of year, reminds you of the importance of your loved ones, and both how much joy and sadness there is to be had in loving someone - definitely reminds you of the important things in life!

Our girl Bridget is also a staple...

Loving: Military Frogging

I'm really warming up to military jackets and frogged details.. Wasn't so keen at first (had Michael Jackson memories) even though some of my favorite designers showed frogged pieces (Balmain, Alexander McQueen).. But having seen them styled so well in editorials (French Vogue) and day to day (Erin Wasson) I really love them now. And maybe it's also because of the Christmas season.. I mean who could forgot the most iconic of all... 

Nine Sleeps...

Clockwise: Burberry, Balmain, Burberry, Karen Walker, Balmain, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Alexander McQueen

It's getting sooo close. We bought our tree on the weekend! Its lovely and full and lush (not mangy like some previous years). We've been threading popcorn onto string for the tree, and going through the decorations. I bought some gorgeous new decorations, very fine wooden cut outs of snowflakes - really delicate and have a real natural, earthy quality. Will post tree photos when its all done!

Hows everyones christmas shopping going? I'm (miraculously) all done (bar one present). Feels v good to have it all out of the way. And I can't wait to give all my gifts out. Yay also to mama paying off my Karen Walker dress that I had on layby (she paid off the remainder for christmas - I can't wait to open it on the 25th!

Getting: Festive

Red. Green. Gold. Sequins. On the tree and me?

Green Marc Jacobs dress, Proenza Schouler sequined tee, Luella skirt, Herve Leger dress, Anna Sui dress, Stella McCartney bags, Chloe Bags... Normal wardrobe basically!

Dreaming Of A White Christmas

For some reason, I always love wearing white at christmas. I don't know if this is from my many childhood memories of The Nutcracker (wafting around in a nightgown with the Sugarplum Fairy). White does have a formality too it (its usually too impractical/high maintenance to wear day to day) and it really suits our Southern Hemisphere summer Christmas. It also has an innocence to it - something I find important when it comes to this time of year (traditional holiday, memories of childhood naivete and dreams, family events etc).

White is perfect for events with the fam:

.. And for fun and play:
I will def be having a white Christmas this year! Really inspired by (featured above) Balmain, Chloe, and Karen Walker. For day/fam going for pretty, youthful smock/nighty type dresses. And for night sleek white body con and silver - very short for showing off my pins!

Two weeks.. Fourteen Sleeps.. Jingle Jingle!

Christmas is two weeks away! Can't believe its come so quick. We have some of our stuff up, but I really must get the rest up (so much for my plan of being festive as of the first of December). At least all my presents are sorted (or laybyed), I've got Mama, Papa and the sister all done! And friend-wise just need to go purchase. Feels so good to have it all done, and love what I've bought - I think they will be v well received. We sat down and planned Christmas Dinner (exciting!) and Im starting to plan festive(ish) outfits for Christmas events (pre-xmas dinner, several fam and friends dos etc). Excite!

One Horse Open Sleigh...

 Getting excited for Christmas?? I am! We are gradually putting up decorations and festive things - and last night we planned Christmas Lunch. Mum makes THE best baked ham I have ever had. She is pure genius. One of the good things about working in retail is that you (well I do) get really into the Christmas spirit - everyone doing their shopping for their loved ones, decorations, Christmas music. I love that air of excitement and anticipation (unfortunately stress is in the air too). Unfortunately us Southern Hemisphere folk cant rug up in big furs and frolic in the snow.. But I could bust out the fur and sheer body suit combo a la Russh? Also, how gorgeous is that ginger bread house painting? Its by Will Cotton - his work is amazing. He's got lots of festive type paintings too (gingerbread, candy canes etc) and I've been looking at them quite a lot lately all in the name of Christmas.

Stocking Up for Christmas?