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

Kingfisher Blue

Yesterday I walked on the beach when I saw a small blue bird in the corner of my eye... a New Zealand Kingfisher... A beautiful little colourful bird dressed in an outstanding mix of colours. Looking at it flying back to it's nest, it's blue feathers reflecting the sun, I remembered this conversation I had with a friend the other day about animals and fashion.

I tend to dress in basic colours such as shades of black, grey and brown and only occasionally add a dash of red, purple or green to brighten up the lot. I've had times in my life where I needed to have more colour in my clothing, but nowadays I seem to only choose those basic colours... My friend on the contrary loves a colourful outfit. Orange, red, purple, pink ... I think I've seen her wearing all colours imaginable and they all seem to suit her very well. "We're just like different animals", she said. "I'm more of a bird, able to fly away after drawing all the attention, while you are more of an animal living on the ground either having to hunt or being hunted". I completely forgot to ask her how she saw me: as a hunter or as being hunted...

On that particular day I wore a mustard yellow top which she thought looked very good on me and she advised me to wear it more often... I have tried, but very time I put the top on I feel different... Distracted by my own appearance, as it feels, so out it goes and back on goes one of my favourite black merino tops. Back to the fields. And, again wondering what I should be doing there, hunt or run... I must not forget to ask her!

Anyway, inspired by the kingfisher and it's beautiful blue wings, I focussed  a bit more on the blue things surrounding me. So keep an eye out for some Blue items that I will be uploading soon... Beautiful blue dresses, warm woollen cardi's with pacifica blue trims and a funky little top with blue flowers printed at the trim. I love them all, but my all day favourite has to be "Behind Blue Eyes "... Both the original version and Limb Bizkit's version  have filled my work space several times by now.  And for the Dutch readers ... Blauwe Ruis...

I just love Blue today!

I might even wear some blue for a change ...