Christmas Fairy Lou to the Rescue

Some may argue that Christmas is merely a highly commercialised festivity that has lost sight of it's real meaning. Which is probably somewhat true, but deep down, we're all totally okay with that. So as we approach the final week before the holiday celebration of the year, here are a few last minute gift ideas to suit all the loved ones in your life. Even the trendyauntywhohasabsolutelyeverything.

For the Foodie:

Fix and Fogg Smoke and Fire Peanut Butter 

This stuff is the shizz. Created in Central Wellington, the F&F team have really managed to create a unique product in the mass of artisan nut butters. Spread over a freshly toasted wholegrain bagel for a

Summer Fashion Show in the Heart of Rotorua

Over the weekend Rotorua prepared for its premiere fashion event: The Heart of the City Fashion Show. The event was organised by Kharl Wirepa, who I interviewed a while back, and what a bloody good show it was. I've never personally felt a huge fashion and design presence in Rotorua, but after Saturday's showcase of our talented designers, I now feel proud to call my hometown a destination for all things fashion.


The show was a mix of high street and high end, with designers such as Adrienne Whitewood, below, bridging the two styles (her shop Ahu can be found on Eruera Street).

Another designer focusing on her Maori roots was local, Mereana Ngatai. Her interesting silhouettes

Wearing: Stripes and Neon

Saturday night saw a new fashion event for Rotorua, and it was seemingly fitting to dress up to mark the occasion.

Wearing: Shakuhachi skirt, Mahina top, Karen Walker clutch and Pulp Noir heels.

Blog post on the event itself to come!

Lou x

When Huffer makes a print you love, you buy it twice

Huffer fish luck skirt and dress

Lou x

Wanting: Juliette Hogan

Almost midi-length, but not quite. An unexpected shade of lace vibrancy. Equally perfect with a t-shirt and your nicest blouse. The Juliette Hogan Dior skirt ticks every box possible in the bottoms department this summer. Swoon. 

Lou x

Wanting: RUBY Resort 2015

Bennett Knit Dress

Every year RUBY presents a Resort range just in time for summer. The prints are always fun and the silhouettes unique, and this year is no different. The line went live last week and already I've got my eye on a few pieces...

Lush

Dress: Huffer

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens really are the perfect backdrop to any photo, fashion or otherwise. This time of the year the blooms are in full swing, but I found the greenhouses with the succulents the

Wanting: Andrea Moore

Andrea Moore's footwear range isn't huge, but it sure is funky. I first took notice of her shoes at Fashion Week earlier this year in a small brand display in the foyer. None of the pairs could be described as 'boring' with each pair having a modern twist of some sort, whether its an eye-catching print, a hint of metallic, or like the Mixed Media Brogue below, a functional cut out.

Mixed Media Brogue, $298; Image: Andrea Moore

This shoe in particular, which is described as"fascinatingly contrasting" is a great example of

A Conversation with: Jimmy Choo

Last week when I was in Auckland for the Viva Session fashion show, I was walking down Ponsonby Road and literally ran straight into the shoe designing legend himself. He was gracious enough to stop for a quick chat and a photo, leaving me for the rest of the day in a starstruck haze.

Talking shoes with Jimmy Choo

Well maybe Jimmy and I didn't have a conversation so much as a brief exchange of pleasantries, even so it was still a fashion dream come true!

Lou x

PS. One thing I love about New Zealand was that there was absolutely no one around. If this had been anywhere else there probably would have been crowds of adoring fans and papparazzi parading up and down the street. I definitely felt appreciative of our laid back kiwi culture.

Behind the Scenes at Viva Sessions: On The Pulse

Last week Viva Magazine held its annual Viva Sessions at the charismatic venue of the Quay project at Britomart. The room itself was very industrial; however, this contrasted vibrantly with the décor of plants, fairy lights and crystal chandeliers. Thursday's event was the On The Pulse Fashion Show, styled by Viva's fashion editor Dan Ahwa.

The Quay Project's stunning interior; Image: Louise Woolhouse

I was extremely lucky to assist Dan on the day,

Wanting: Olivia Kane Jewelry

This year I've gotten into wearing jewelry a lot more (I guess a school uniform that was strictly enforced for seven years was pretty restrictive). The stuff I wear everyday is largely silver and dainty, which I love, but sometimes its nice to shake things up a little bit and add a statement piece.

The Rose Quartz Double Ring Photo: Olivia Kane

Sofa Styling with Citta Design

Interior design is something I've always loved as its just another element of expressing your personal style. Although different from fashion in that you can't change it everyday, I really appreciate good quality design and in general, just beautiful things

Wearing: Sunday Comfort

It's funny that a few decades ago, the Sabbath was the day reserved for donning your 'Sunday Best' clothes and respectably going off to confess to whatever you'd done wrong that week. Fast forward to

Wearing: Jumpers and Mini Skirts

Sometimes I find black really boring to wear. I know most people pull it off really well, in fact they do it on a daily basis, but I've always felt like black really doesn't do that much for me. However, I'm learning that black

Wanting: Ruby Summer Collection 2015

There's something always refreshing about Ruby's collections. There's generally a fun print (did you see the Celeste skirt from their Tonight Tonight NZFW show?), a few good basics and something unexpected.

Ruby Gossamer Blouse, $199

In Ruby's summer collection, it's definitely the two gossamer

Wearing: Lundi et Vendredi

I absolutely love spring, because it's a reminder that warmth is on the way, and winter is finally coming to its icy end. However, dressing in spring (and autumn for that matter) can be slightly tricky due to the unpredictable weather. Take Christchurch this week for example, around 12 degrees, rainy, cold and pretty miserable. But last week, that's a whole other story, we had a 22 degree day where everyone was walking to uni in t-shirts because the sun was bloody shining up a storm.

Monday's look, with a long sleeved

A Conversation with: Anna Worthington of Cakes By Anna

I had the pleasure of interviewing Anna Worthington, the baker turned business woman behind one of Christchurch's most delicious enterprises, Cakes By Anna.



When did you decide to leap into Cakes by Anna as a full time business? 

I began CBA in September 2012 and went full time with it in February 2013. I was working at a café in the early cake days and was working crazy hours fulfilling cake orders on top of the café job. I didn’t have time to experiment with new recipes or meet up with customers, and I was emailing people back at 1am which I’m sure was really appreciated (laughs). It wasn’t a huge decision for me to make, going full time. I had nothing to lose, and the idea of being free to do my own thing outweighed any

Wanting: Karen Walker

New York Fashion Week has just been and gone, and with it a plethora of new designs and looks to add to the 2016 wishlist. Karen Walker's show, Star City, was earlier this month, and here are a few of the standout pieces. 

Wearing: An aesthetic of colour

Apart from a minor black period in the history of my wardrobe, I wear colour. Very often. There's just something special about how a vibrant shade, in this case fuchsia, can lift your mood, make you stand out from the crowd and be pleasing to the eye.

Wearing: Looking the part at the Farmer's Market

On Saturday I visited my favourite Christchurch Farmer's Market, and I thought I'd look the part by wearing a classic farmer's check shirt.

A Conversation with: Kharl WiRepa of Kharl WiRepa Couture

Any Rotorua local who stepped foot in Supré several years ago, may remember the bubbly Kharl Wirepa. I chatted to the Rotorua designer who is creating fashion frenzy with his line of ready-to-wear and couture dresses, recently shown at New Zealand Fashion Week.

Wanting: Kate Sylvester

As we move into spring, thermals and puffer jackets can be spitefully thrown to the back of the wardrobe to make way for lighter pieces. I love delicate, airy fabrics, but with interesting details, and this Kate Sylvester Carlotta blouse knocks it on the head. I first saw it at Fashion Week, and  it's even more dreamy in person.

Kate Sylvester Carlotta Blouse in Ivory. Image: Kate Sylvester

Lou

Spring Flat Lays

For those of you who follow me on my Instagram account, you might have seen my flat lay post last night.

Yesterday I was inspired by the gorgeous weather and took a break in between lectures to attempt to create some flat lays. Undoubtedly the queen of this Instagram trend is the wonder woman behind the Shine By Three blog, Margaret Zhang.

L-R; Paris House billfold; MAC Crosswires lipstick; Lancome La Vie Est Belle eau de parfum; OPI base coat; Karen Walker necklace and rings; Avene Eau Thermale Antirougeurs day cream; Kikki K notebook; Diva bun decoration.  

New Denim: Hailwood

So after posting a while back about my struggle to find the perfect pair of blue jeans, I finally found them, sort of.

Fit: perfect.
Colour: perfect.
Amount of stretch: perfect.
Length: not so perfect.

Hailwood Vadar jeans, photo: hailwood.co.nz

NZ Fashion Week: Street Style

It's sad to see NZFW come and go for another year; however, it's safe to say that by the end of the week my energy levels were pretty minimal. Here's a look back at three of my favourite street style looks from the week.

Petra Bagust; Andrea Moore

NZ Fashion Week: Day 4

Today started off with the Francis Jerard show, followed by the Miromoda showcase, a display of 14 Maori designers. Two collections that I loved were Bobby Luke's and Hori and Mimi.

Next up was the ConfiTEX show - a range of incontinence underwear and matching bras! Despite this, the sets were all super sexy and If you hadn't known the underwear was lined, you would never have guessed. Designer Frantisek Riha-Scott delivered a stunner show, and the goodie bags were awesome, so extra points for that. 

ConfiTEX

NZ Fashion Week: Day 3

Today I kicked off with the New Zealand Weddings Magazine Show. As can be expected the models were surrounded in gorgeous layers of white tulle, silk and organza with elaborate head pieces to match. The show was a mix of different bridal designers; however, two stand-outs were Natalie Chan and Robyn Cliffe.

Ariel, Natalie Chan

NZ Fashion Week: Day 2

Ok, so I didn't go to Day One, so we're skipping right along to Day Two's events. It was pretty surreal, finally seeing all these models and Instagram bloggers in the flesh. As for the clothes, thank God nothing's available for purchase is all I can say...

Inside the Viaduct Events Centre

Fashion Week Baby!

This week I'm pretty stoked to be up in the big smoke, working behind the scenes at New Zealand Fashion Week! We got our t-shirts and had a quick orientation around the venue yesterday, the Viaduct Events Centre, and it's stunning. You can't go past the living wall of botanics when you walk in; very insta-worthy. I'll be backstage during the week dressing models but in between shows I'm excited to get out and have a wander 'round and just generally soak up the atmosphere.

Pictures to come, but in the mean time check out the slick NZFW t-shirt I posted on instagram this morning.


Lou x

The Runaway Girl Got Lonely

Runaway Girl necklace: Karen Walker, Pineapple Pendant: purchased in Hawaii, Bra: Sample from Lonely

Wanting: Kate Sylvester

I'm a big fan of designers adding little, subtle details to staple pieces to make them more interesting. A perfect example is this Kate Sylvester shirt with pocket embroidery. On sale too, bonus.

Slick Celebrity Style

I find celebrities fascinating, I always have done and I get a lot of my styling ideas and inspiration from the red carpet. I guess really this isn't surprising as most celebrities have teams of stylists and "glam squads" (I'm sorry but I hate that phrase) that carefully map out each of their looks. 

Here are a few of my favourites.

Kristen Stewart at the NYC premiere of On the Road, 2012.

Wanting: Juliette Hogan

This afternoon I had a browse through J-Ho's website (probably not the best idea when on a student budget I might advise), and she just does her designing so well. There's a lot of minimalism but that only emphasises the great attention to every little detail and the tailoring of each piece. I think the stand-out pieces of her collections are her skirts, an area that a lot of designers don't focus on so much, going more for dresses and tops. However, it's refreshing to see new silhouettes and styling that both: a, make you want to buy the piece, and b, offer a new kind of inspiration for my own wardrobe.

Juliette Hogan, $529

If I had to pick a favourite piece though, it would be the Oliver pleated dress (above). The colour is stunning and the styling really shows how versatile a piece it would be. Love.

Lou x

Dream Home

I've always fantasised about what my dream home would look like, but I've never actually seen it in reality - until a few days ago. Whilst on Facebook (aka study procrastination) I found a link to Ben (from a few seasons ago on The Block) and his wife Kylie's new home on the North Shore.

All I can say is... LOOK AT THAT STREAM. 

Denim Nightmare

So the inevitable has happened. My favourite pair of jeans, perhaps ever, are on their last denim legs and I need to find a replacement pair asap. These beauties that I'm speaking of I bought just over three years ago from Zara in Berlin and they are PERFECT. The colour: classic blue, the length: sits just below the ankle (which if you have short legs like me, rarely happens), the rise: mid and the comfort:  indescribable. However, the fabric is dangerously thin bordering on indecent, so the challenge arises.

Comfy Pants

The basis of a good wardrobe, in my opinion, are sleek pieces that work well together. Clothes that look as good separate as they do together. But, every woman needs a few pieces that are just plain comfortable. On the days when its pouring down with rain, you know you're not going to go out for your scheduled run, and you just need something that feels like you're not really wearing anything at all. Cue, COMFY PANTS. Now I'm not saying that these comfort materials need to be unstylish, in fact the opposite, and I found the perfect pair over the weekend.

Wallace Cotton Shani Lounge Pant $54.90

Checked

Hey Team,

Sorry my exams have kept me away for a while, needless to say I'm glad they're over!

Anyway I was in Auckland last weekend and picked up a few things to help keep me warmer down in freezing Christchurch. 

First stop was Country Road, where I picked up a flannel checked shirt that I've had my eye on for a while. I couldn't find an exact link but here's one similar.

Country Road Shirt; $109

Christchurch Things: Botanic Gardens

Apologies for not blogging sooner, this week I've had tests everyday, so between studying, eating and sleeping and the occasional bit of exercise, there hasn't been room for much else! Apart from a quick trip out on Saturday that is, details below.

Huffer Sale

Anyone who's in Christchurch today or tomorrow (i.e Thursday and Friday), head to the uni for the awesome Huffer sale that's on there. I just went by and scored a zip-up forest green hoodie for $20! Pretty stoked with that.

The sale is on for two days only, in the Undercroft, University of Canterbury. 

Lou x

Wanting: Belle + Beau

I spotted this gorgeous Bonnie Blush dress by NZ designer Belle + Beau, over on Father Rabbit (which is definitely worth checking out if you're into interior design). I pastel colour is so subtle and pretty, it would be perfect for dressing up or down all summer. Wish we had dress-worthy weather at the moment though!

Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend ahead!
Lou x

Christchurch Things: Riccarton Farmer's Market

After living in Christchurch for just over three months now, I realised that I do not get out enough, so on Saturday some friends and I went for a bit of an explore.

First stop was the Riccarton Farmer's Market. Nestled in Riccarton Bush, this market is artisan everything, so naturally I was in heaven. There's everything food-wise from fresh fruit and vegetables to Posh Porridge and Grizzly Bagels - whose pesto and walnut bagel I can highly recommended. There's also deli-style meat and cheese stalls and pretty much everything looks delicious so bring your appetite! 

Lou x

                             

                                   

     

The Fresh Prince

Last week I had my first brush with royalty. Well, if you count 'brush' as being behind a fence 15 metres away, I did. As part of his tour of New Zealand, Prince Harry came and visited the University of Canterbury on Tuesday, 12th May. It was raining, hailing and freezing, but a lot of us braved it to get a glimpse of that famous ginger head.
I managed to get a few photos through the crowd, but obviously Iphone zoom + rain + lots of people isn't the best combination, so bear with me quality-wise.

Lou
Ps. Sorry about the kid in the green rain jacket totally blocking my view.

Wanting: COS

COS Tie-waist jersey cardigan

I'm on the hunt for some new knits as summer slowly melts away (insert crying face). Although I love a classic cardy and jersey as much as the next girl, I really appreciate when a designer or store goes that little step further in terms of detail. Through adding an interesting hem here and some gorgeous buttons there the whole look is stepped up a notch.

I've heard of COS a few times on various blogs and style websites and although they don't ship to NZ yet, fingers are crossed!

I think this asymmetrical hem adds really nice interest as well as still being practical.

That's all for today, keep warm out there!

Lou