The Inspiration - The Vintage Kitchen

So Luke and I are looking at buying a house at the moment (scary I know!). Naturally, this has got me thinking a lot about how many pretty things you can put in a house. I find this prospect rather exciting. Although we've put a few special touches in the place that we currently rent (for example, hanging pictures and hats on every possible hook or nail etc), I've never owned a house and faced the challenge to "make this you." As with clothing, I feel that interior design and decor can be an expression of yourself.

Without even really thinking about it, I found myself looking up vintage-inspired kitchens. After all, we do spend quite a lot of time in this room. Yes, yes, I know - I'm getting ahead of myself - but it doesn't hurt to look, right?

Love! All the bright happy colours! How could you walk into this kitchen and not smile?

A little more sedate, but I really like the china on display and the red flowers growing over the sink. Also, just because it's vintage-inspired doesn't mean you can't have modern conveniences (aka dish-drawer).

Look at the old-fashioned sink - I mean look at it. The lime hue is just wonderful, and goes perfectly with the crisp white and wooden floorboards. I also love the little quirky touches, like the pears in bowls above the sink and the green kettle on the stove.

 If Barbie had a vintage kitchen, this would be hers. I'm not a huge fan of pink, and I think it'd be pretty hard to convince your husband that he wouldn't lose any masculinity points by cooking in this kitchen, but this is still very cute.

 Lime again. Wow, I really want a lime kitchen now, with wooden floorboards and white cupboards. The combination is so fresh.

This is actually the real deal right here. I love that it was called a "minimalist kitchen". I mean, look at that little table - what is that? It's like all set up for a TV dinner, minus the TV.  And the racks for chopping boards. Ideas that obviously came and went.

 I would never think to put red, mint green and aqua together, but it really works. I think the big bunch of yellow flowers ties everything in nicely, don't you? Hmmm... I'd say that my dream kitchen needs a chandelier.

Simple and cute. Love the blue painted shelf and the wooden benchtop.

 I adore the brightly-coloured containers on the left, and the bright red chairs.

 Okay, so I kind of have a thing for matching tins and containers - I think it's because I always loved the ones that my Gran has for sugar, cookies and flour. So this photo makes me very happy. So far, we own matching ones for tea, coffee, sugar, utensils and bread. Now I want one that says cake, and I also want it always to be magically full of cake. Too far? Okay...

Okay, now I really want a blue fridge, don't you? I mean, what's with all the boring white and steel, people, when you could have a blue fridge? Bring back the blue, I say, and other colours while you're at it.

What I love about this photo is that they've kept the cupboards the same. We have these cupboards in the kitchen of our rented flat, and it's quite encouraging that you don't necessarily have to take them out and start again. A little bit of paint and TLC can go a long way.

 Small and cute.

White with accents = always classy.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed looking over some pretty kitchens as much as I did, and that it inspired you a bit; it certainly inspired me. My conclusion is that vintage kitchens always have flowers. And it's the little touches that make the difference. 

Until next time :)

The Verse - Genesis 37-50

So as you know, 5 weeks ago I started a chronological Bible reading plan. Last week I finished off the story of Joseph. It was so great to read it again. I heard a sermon on some of the chapters a few years ago, during which the pastor pointed out that unlike us, Joseph didn't know that his frequently terrible circumstances would turn out as well as they did. When we read about him in jail, we have a tendency  to think: Don't worry Joseph, just 2 more paragraphs and you'll be free - but Joseph didn't know that! He just trusted in God. Plus, we don't know how long he was in jail for. Anyway, Luke is doing the same Bible reading plan, and he pointed out that in his MacArthur Study Bible there is a table showing how Joseph is a type of Christ. I had heard this before, but never in the same detail that MacArthur has gone into; and well, I just thought it was so neat that I wanted to share it with you.

1. A shepherd of his father's sheep
Joseph: Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. (Gen 37:2)
Jesus:  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
 
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (John 10:27-29) 

2. His father loved him dearly
Joseph: Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. (Gen 37:3)
Jesus: ...and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:17)


3. Hated by his brothers
Joseph: But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.(Gen 37:4)
Jesus: "...For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." For not even His brothers believed in Him. (John 7:4-5)


5.Sent by father to brothers
Joseph: And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. (Gen 37:13-14)
Jesus: For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers... (Hebrews 2:11)


6. Others plotted against him
Joseph: Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dream. (Gen 37:20)
Jesus: So from that day on they made plans to put Him to death. (John 11:53)

7. Robes taken from them
Joseph: So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. (Gen 37:23)
Jesus: When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took His garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

“They divided My garments among them,
    and for My clothing they cast lots.”

So the soldiers did these things... (John 19:23-24)

8. Taken to Egypt

Joseph: Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?" (Gen 37:26)

Jesus: And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called My son.” (Matt 2:14-15)

9. Sold for the price of a slave

Joseph: Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.  

Jesus: Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver Him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. (Matt 26:14-15)

10. Tempted

Joseph: And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” (Gen 39:7)

Jesus: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matt 4:1)

11. Falsely accused

Joseph: Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home,  and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”

As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled.

Jesus: Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put Him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward. (Matt 26:59-60)

12. Bound in chains

Joseph: And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. (Gen 39:20)

Jesus: And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. (Matt 27:2)

13. Placed with two other prisoners, one who was saved, the other lost

Joseph: And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. (Gen 40:2-3)

Jesus: Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Him. (Luke 23:32)

14. Exalted after suffering

Joseph: And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” (Gen 41:41) 

Jesus: Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:9-11)

15. Both 30 years old at the beginning of public recognition

Jospeh: Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. (Gen 41:46)

Jesus: Jesus, when He began His ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli... (Luke 3:23)

16. Both wept

Joseph: Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. (Gen 42:24)

Jesus: Jesus wept. (John 11:35) *You have no idea how hard my year 8 class searched for this verse when we got to choose our own Bible verse to memorise.

  

17. Forgave those who wronged them

 Joseph:  And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him. (Gen 45:15)

Jesus: And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide His garments. (Luke 23:34)

18. Saved their nation

Joseph: And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. (Gen 45:7)

Jesus: "...She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matt 1:21)

19. What men did to hurt them, God turned to good 

Joseph: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Gen 50:20)

Jesus: But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Cor 2:7-8)

Wow! I mean, that's detailed. O.O Pretty amazing, huh?

Until next time :)

    

The Dress - Watermelons

Time for another example of an outfit I wear to work. Remember how I was looking for a pencil skirt a while ago, then gave up and bought the complete opposite - a circle skirt? I mean, talk about jumping from one extreme to another. Well, while I was in Australia over Christmas I found it... that is, I found the perfect pencil skirt. I was shopping with my good friend Emily in Chadstone (the biggest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere - seriously, you can get so lost there; luckily I had Emily as my guide). Anyway, we were in Myers and I stumbled across this skirt. Tried it on, and goodness gracious, it actually fit!

Skirt: Tokito City

It's ribbed around the top, which means it fits my hips like a dream. Plus, the cute skinny belt is a nice touch. I've always seen this brand in Myers, and I like their clothing, but up until now I've never bought any of it.

Stockings: Lynette
I think these stockings were Lynette. I bought them for Art Deco weekend, but the weather was way too hot to wear them. There is something just so elegant about seamed stockings, don't you think? And I believe... (prediction being made) they're going to come into fashion. Unfortunately, these ones have already got a hole in them, which makes me very sad. Long nails + thin stockings = not a good combination.

Blouse: Tokito City
What's that on my blouse? Why yes, they are tiny slices of watermelon. Aren't they cute? I also love the sleeves on this blouse. So fun. It's also a kind of material that doesn't need ironing. Yay!

Until next time :)

The Holiday - Easter Break Part 4

One of the great things about living in a country is that you have licence to be a complete tourist and actually want to visit all those touristy places that are on the top 10 lists in Lonely Planet guides. Moreover, when you have friends and family, seeing the sights is a must. After all, New Zealand has such a beautiful landscape in such a compact area that it would be a shame not to see at least some of it while we are living here.

Well, when we went up to the Wairarapa with my parents, I thought it was the perfect opportunity (i.e. having a car) to see some of these beautiful places. A while back my friend Carolyn showed me some awesome photos that she'd taken while visiting the Putangirua Pinnacles, so after our little tour of Martinborough and Greytown, that's where we went. The weather couldn't have been better for it. So be prepared for a lot of photos of rocks and scenery - don't say I didn't warn you!

 
Pretty amazing, huh? Are you starting to understand why they're called the Pinnacles?

For some reason, the tower-like pinnacle reminds me of Hogwarts - does anyone else see it? No? Just me, okay then.

At this point I felt like I was walking into Jurassic Park, and kind of half expected to see a brontosaurus munching away at a nearby bush. Overactive imagination? Moi?

 I think these rock formations are a result of extremely rapid erosion, and are possibly a result of the global flood.

Family photo times :)

 Yes, I did all that walking in a dress and pearl necklace.

So if you're ever in the area, it's definitely worth a look.

Until next time :)

The Song - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

I love the Andrews Sisters - just put on one of their songs and I can't keep my toes from tapping.

The Andrews Sisters were a group consisting of three sisters: LaVerne Sophia Andrews, Maxene Angelyn Andrews and Patricia Marie "Patty" Andrews. Throughout their long career, the sisters sold well over 75 million records.

Patty, the lead singer, was just 7 years old when they started to perform. Interestingly enough, they started their careers as imitators of the "Boswell Sisters". They shot to fame with their recording of Bei Mir Bist Du Schon. During WWII, they also entertained the troops.

Their 1941 hit Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, which you can listen to below, may be considered an early example of rhythm and blues or jump blues. Well, it always makes me want to jump up and start dancing!

The song is ranked #6 on Songs of the Century.

Until next time :)

The Review - To Kill a Mockingbird

So for about 2 weeks now, I've had the real urge to watch an old black and white movie. I don't know why - I just have. Maybe they had to be better actors back then, and now we're so distracted by colour and spectacle that we don't mind so much if the acting is second-rate, or perhaps we don't even notice.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying there are no fine modern actors, because there are - plenty of them! But I don't know, there's just something about the old movies, don't you think?

So Luke's parents bought me the movie To Kill a Mockingbird for my birthday last year. I read the book in school, and had always meant to get around to watching the movie. Well, now I can say I finally have.

I was always the kid in school who, generally speaking, actually really liked most of the books on the reading list. However, at the time it was incredibly uncool to say, "I really enjoyed reading To Kill a Mockingbird." So I kept my mouth shut, and would instead have discussions over cups of tea with my mum, who also read it in high school.

For those who haven't read it, To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper Lee. She won the 1961 Pulitzer prize for it, and interestingly enough it's the only book she ever wrote. The plot and characters are loosely based on the author's observations of her family and neighbours, as well as on an event that occurred near her hometown in 1936, when she was 10 years old. 

 The main character is a 6-year-old girl named Scout, and most of the story is told from her perspective. There is so much warmth and humour to both the book and the movie, despite the heavy themes of race, prejudice and justice.

The movie itself was shot in 1962, but it was shot in black and white for stylistic reasons. It stars Gregory Peck, who plays the part of Atticus Finch wonderfully. He also looks extremely handsome in those glasses, and now I kind of want Luke to get a similar pair. 

As always, the book is better than the movie, but if you've never read the book or seen the movie then you really should do one or the other. Luke (who hasn't read the book) thoroughly enjoyed the movie, so that goes to show you don't have to have read the book to like the film.

Atticus: They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.

On a side note, I also really love the emphasis on the importance of a father figure in the book. However, I did at times wonder how on earth the kids got away with running into town every 5 minutes unaccompanied. Well, I guess the world was different back then.

So have you seen or read To Kill a Mockingbird?

As always, here's the trailer:

Until next time :)

The Holiday - Easter Break Part 3

Yes, my Easter break posts continue. I hope you like looking at pretty buildings, because there are a lot in this post.

So on the Monday, the four of us - Mum, Dad, Luke and myself - drove out to the Wairarapa. You have to drive through the Rimutaka Gorge, which is really tortuous. You can kind of make out the road in this photo, snaking along the side of the mountain. Someone commented to me the other day how Pacific light is different - that it's brighter. It's something I'd never really thought about before, but it's certainly true, and you can definitely see it in this picture.

We stopped in Martinborough and had a walk around the township. My mum bought me an awesome bag in an antique shop - I'll have to show you some time. By the way, how cute is this post office?

We then drove on to Greytown, which I had heard was particularly nice. There were soooo many gift shops - I think we got a bit gift-shopped out after a while. We also found Marilyn Monroe.

So many beautiful old buildings... the main street seems as if it has been practically untouched since it was originally built.

We stopped for a bite to eat. Dad and Luke went for the chicken burger. This photo makes me smile.

Then I found a moa. :) The orginal "Big Bird" - man, I wish these were still around; they were such awesome creatures. And I would also like to ride one. 

More cute buildings.

Note to self: must one day own a house with window pot plants - is that what you call them?

There was a small roadside store selling strawberries - which became our mid-afternoon snack.

Yum!

This tree is a gum tree. Make that a very, very, very big gum tree all the way from Oz. I think it was about 150 years old.

Our new home - I wish. So cute! If only we could find something like this here in Wellington. 

Until next time :)