Fashionably Green

So you’ve  swapped plastic grocery bags for cotton bags, eat organic or free-range when possible, accepted those free energy-saving light bulbs from your local Council, buy and wear used clothing and shoes and installed solar water heating and/or a wetback. What's next? If ’Going Green’is the thing to do, why not incorporate it in your outfit? Green is usually not the first one to pick, but with so many shades, textures, patterns and fabrics available in tops, jackets, bottoms, dresses, accessories, and shoes, there will be no excuse to why you shouldn’t be able to work green into your looks.

Let's go Fashionably Green! 

Green top: $19, size XS, 8, (34/36) Green Top - The Blue Tree

Little Floral Dress: $27, size S, 10, (36)  Little Floral Dress

Stunning Green Hat: $40, circumference 55-58 cm   Green Hat

70S Glitter Top: $21, size 14 Medium-Large 70S Glitter and Glamour Top

And something I came across and pinned on the wall, so I remember ...

The Walk

Shoes and boots remain an all-time favourite, so they will be featuring again. I can tell you much about my love for shoes and boots, this time just a focus on what you can do with shoes and boots: Walk and Dance ... The Time describes it quite well in their song: the walk! Enoy!

Legs have it ... Also in the workplace. Wear a skirt!

The people who know me, know I just love wearing skirts. It took me a while to find the right brand and size of tights, but since I've got those, I wear my skirts all year round. To me skirts are very practical and easy to move around in and simply make me feel good. At home, at work and when I'm going out. And, they're very good at  showing off  my favourite pair of boots or shoes!


But, it's not just me who loves skirts...I recently read an article about fashion and performance in the workplace and the results of the latest research show that you're much better off wearing a skirt. The skirt gives you a better first impression than a trouser suit or pants and shirt and therefore more success in the workplace. Out goes the believe that women should dress like men to become equals. Women were considered more confident and more likely to earn a higher salary when wearing a skirt instead of trousers. Hooray! Let's embrace our female persona and  conquer the world! Legs have it!


And while browsing for some beautiful skirt-photographs I come across these ... Beautiful women in beautiful skirts...

Photographs taken by "The Satorialist" 

http://www.thesartorialist.com/

And for those who got inspired: Some new skirts in store at "The Blue Tree" 

Black Sheer Skirt

Denim Mini Skirt

Black Embroidered Skirt

Fuchsia Mini Skirt

Silk Floral Skirt

Silk Batik Skirt

Spring is in the air: Natural materials

How great to feel spring. Cool starry nights and wonderful sunny days ... I cannot do but love spring! It makes me wanting to be outside more; enjoying the sun, absorb its warmth  and feel alive. Luckily the dogs force me to go for a walk every day and I do get the chance to admire what nature brings us. Hence the choice of featuring clothes made of  natural materials this time, with a focus on silk. Can't wait for summer, I guess ☺

Brown Tunic

David Lawrence Cardigan

Purple Evening Dress

Pink Blue Dress

Fuchsia Silk Dress

Soft Yellow Dress

The boots are made for...

Coming from a Dutch city and moving to rural New Zealand meant a lot of changes, but it also means that I was not used to taking off my shoes before entering a house. It did not take me long to get used to the custom, but it took me quite a while to make sure that I was wearing appropriate socks. Mismatched pairs, holes and just utterly ugly socks have been shown on many occasions. And I must admit, I still forget sometimes... I love wearing shoes and boots and consider them as a vital part of my outfit. So ... when you come to my house ... please wipe your feet before entering my kitchen, but unless they're gumboots... please leave those shoes on! They're meant to be seen! 
Coming soon:

Vintage Brown Boots

Kathryn Wilson Booties

Nine West High Heeled Boots

Replay Boots

Snake Skin 30's Lace ups

Indie Minnie Cooper Brogues

Just my cup of Tea...

I was wondering... what does inspire me the most? Music is still a big one, but I seem not to be able to go past my surroundings as my biggest source of inspiration. But, hey, I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, so it should be inspirational. And ... This is probably the most beautiful time of the year, with strong contrast between cold and warm. Especially when the days are dry and sunny. In the morning the fields are covered in a white layer of frost and the snow clad mountains bathe in the purple light of the sunrise. In the afternoons layers of clothing are being stripped of because the sun warms  everything up to a degree that it almost feels  like spring. I also notice that I struggle to focus on work, just because I'd like to be outside and enjoy the weather before it changes again. When I'm behind my computer I find myself looking if my Facebook friends are displaying more of their amazing pictures of this amazing place and time. I wondered... am I addicted to Golden Bay's nature? And, how would those feel whop would love to be here but have to leave the place to earn some money elsewhere. Would they have withdrawal symptoms?
And so I keep thinking and looking around, sipping my cup of tea sitting in my sunny garden. And while the mind is wondering I smell the sweet fragrance of my Daphne plant. Thoughts of florals, shabby chic, silk, retro and vintage, feminine and Chinese brocade pop up... Yes! Let's get back to the computer and get more great clothing online!

Crossroads dress

Blue Dress

Vintage Red Polkadot Overdress

Retro Floral Dress

Living in Golden Bay ... We're going on a Field Trip

One of the nice things about living rural and especially living next to a farm is that you have things such as extensive views, no direct (suburban) neighbours and lots of animals to interact with and to look at. For instance the five sheep on the field adjacent to ours... I always thought sheep are quite boring (I know ... Babe-lovers believe sheep are quite intelligent, but I have never had that experience personally) until I noticed something odd the other day. The sheep were actually playing a game together. They were running and chasing each other and every time they changed roles. I just had to watch, smiled from ear to ear and once again enjoyed the fact that I made the decision to move to the other side of the world and settle here in Golden Bay.

I actually do that quite a lot; smile about what I see around me and enjoy the fact that I moved to Golden Bay. Almost every day I go through a moment that I  realise that I just love living here, whether it is because of something I see, someone I come across or something that happens to me...  I know this place is quite far from what could be called civilisation, but it has so many things I really love. Beautiful beaches, National Parks , waterfalls, a great Movie Theatre , all sorts of sports classes,  The Mussel Inn, amazing (inspiring) people ... not much else I could want at this stage of my life.

And -which is also very important- ... I love the Golden Bay dress code! The Mussel Inn website says "No need to get dressed up - in fact there is no dress code - although it would generally be more appropriate if some clothes were worn - the atmosphere is laid-back and  family friendly", and in a way I think that goes for the whole of Golden Bay. Laid back is the key and no judgement is made and all is possible and will be done!

So whatever you choose:  dress up or not; only dress up for Friday Get-Together; have a wild-at-heart bohemian style; only do vintage and retro; go for full-on city style or wear your farmer gear day in day out... It's all good! And because of that, it's almost as living in a big city where you come across everything possible and very many beautiful outfits and people. I think it's great that people in a small place still understand that  Fashion and Beauty is not about the latest trends, it's about personal style and feeling good!

But... we all need inspiration sometimes, so just to inspire those who want to go on a field trip... have a look at the following outfits!

 Brown Cord Blazer

 Orange Plaid Skirt

Green Vintage Winter Dress

Skylark Dress