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

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 ...

About "The Blue Tree"

The Blue Tree www.thebluetree.co.nz is an online boutique for Fashion and Fashion-Related Products. 


The Blue Tree is based in beautiful Golden Bay, New Zealand, is owned and operated by me, Lisa, and created from my love of life, creation, design, fashion and art.

An Online Boutique

However how unromantic it seems, I cannot help but enjoy spending time in front of my computer and (a bit more romantic?) my sewing machine. Art, fashion, fabrics, clothes, crafts and music are other passions that have always been profoundly present in my life. Once I started admitting that out loud I realised I had to do something with a combination of these. I jumped off the deep end and started building this web shop to share my passions with the rest of the world.

It had to make sense though. It shouldn’t just be a place where people can go to buy clothes online. I wanted it to be a place for creativity: where creativity is present, stimulated and part of a mindful existence. To me living mindfully not only relates to ourselves and our own lives but also affects everyone and everything around us.

I also wanted to create a platform where other entrepreneurs could benefit from the opportunities the internet has to offer. I feel strongly about supporting New Zealand-made products and local businesses. I also believe it would be great if we all supported small businesses and (since I identify with them so easily) especially those run by women. 

Pre-loved, Vintage and Retro Clothing and Accessories  

I have taken on the role of selling and displaying pre-loved, vintage and retro clothing. Sourcing clothes that are in great condition is a real adventure; mending and upcycling them is too. 

New (Hand-Made) Clothing, Jewellery, Stationery and other Fashion-Related Products

As said before, thebluetree.co.nz is a platform where other entrepreneurs can benefit from the opportunities the internet has to offer. We sell Fashion and Fashion-Related products made by local businesses and female entrepreneurs from all over the world. (And... we are always looking for new products, so please feel free to contact us when you to sell through us). 

After a year of putting things in place (time flies when you're having fun) and together with my family and friends creating what I had in mind, summer 2011 marked a new beginning: The Blue Tree was a fact! 

The Blue Tree: Online Boutique for FASHION and those fashion-related products that stimulate your imagination & creativity and make life so much more fun & original ...

Go on ... Enjoy Your Uniqueness so we can enjou YOU! "