The Dress - Tropical Sunrise

So I still have a few outfit posts from our old place that I haven't had a chance to share with you yet. These ones still show my "old" hair cut. Oh that reminds me, I need to take some photos of my new haircut. I also need to find a suitable place in the house to take outfit posts... hmmm, so many options.

However, I must say I will miss the front door of our old apartment. I always felt that its wood and 3 sloppily painted cream panels had a kind of charm alongside the cheap lino flooring. Plus, if you got the timing right, there was always good sun. 

Anyway... so this outfit I have named Tropical Sunrise, because it kind of reminds me of a flirty cocktail you might order in the Bahamas or somewhere, don't you think? This outfit is pretty old and was a staple when I lived in Taiwan. Since moving back to the Southern Hemisphere I haven't worn it as much, probably because I can't figure out what cardigan to wear with it. It's still a bit of a mystery... the contrast with purple or pink seems too much, but white somehow doesn't seem to go. Any suggestions?

 

Top: Just Jeans

Great story with this top. I originally bought it at least 6 years ago. Then it got stained to the point where I finally gave up and with much sadness threw it out, thinking I'd never find another similar top of the same colour. The very same day (I kid you not), I went to the second-hand store and found the exact top in the same size! Crazy huh?
 

Belt: David Lawrence

Skirt: Savers

Another good old Savers find. $4 for a fun skirt. Thank you very much. 

Shoes: Clarks

Cardigan: Vintage Market

I've actually since given this cardigan away to a good friend of mine. I just couldn't seem to make it work with anything in my wardrobe. I hope she gets more wear out of it than I did.

So what do you think for a cardigan colour? White? Purple? Pink? I'd be interested to know your thoughts.

Well, until next time :)

The Review - Monsieur Lazhar

So on one of the many flights I took over the summer, I saw some pretty great movies that I wanted to share with you.

The first movie I’d like to introduce to you is a French Canadian film called Monsieur Lazhar.  

Bachir Lazhar, an Algerian immigrant, is hired to replace an elementary school teacher at a Montreal public grade school. The last teacher tragically committed suicide in her classroom, which has left the school and particularly her students psychologically scarred. While the class goes through a long healing process, nobody in the school is aware of Bachir's painful former life, nor that he is at risk of being deported at any moment. Lazhar goes through a steep learning curve in teaching his class of eleven and twelve-year olds; he uses old school methods such as corporal punishment and antiquated teaching terminology. As he progresses through the year, his interactions with both his students and school colleagues show Lazhar that perhaps it is time to move on with his life in every aspect. 

Adapted from Evelyne de la Cheneliere's play, Monsieur Lazhar depicts the encounter between two distant worlds and the power of self-expression. Using great sensitivity and humor, director Philippe Falardeau follows a humble man who is ready to transcend his own loss in order to accompany children beyond the silence and taboo of death.

Simon (Émilien Néron) and Alice (Sophie Nelisse), the main two child actors, are just outstanding in their performances and it is really a very touching film. Sad but beautiful.

The film was nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 84^th Academy Awards. 

 

Here is the trailer for your viewing pleasure:

 Until next time :)

Trip to Europe - London Part One

It's been over 3 months since I went to London for a holiday with my sister, and nearly 2 months since I got back from my massive trip away. And you know what? I want another one. But this is not possible for various reasons, mainly the need to work and earn a living. So instead I will reminisce by going through photos from my trip. Care to join me?

These pictures are from my first night in London. Essentially I touched down mid-afternoon, went to our friend John's place (who, by the way, is the best tour guide ever) and went into town for some exploring.

A pretty sunset at 3:30 PM - crazy, I know! Especially when you come from the other side of the world where this is what the sky looks like around 8:00 PM!

Took a ferry down the Thames - as you do. Look, it's NOT London Bridge - actually London Bridge is pretty ugly these days. This is in fact Tower Bridge.

Because every tourist has to take a photo in a red telephone box. Otherwise you can't say you've officially been to London.

Here's Big Ben. FYI, Big Ben is actually the name of the clock - the rest of the building is the Houses of Parliament.

Pretty. Actually, it was kind of funny - as we were walking towards Big Ben I didn't notice it at all. John and Laura kept saying, "I wonder when she'll notice it?" Meanwhile I said, "Notice what?" and then started listing every famous London landmark I know. It wasn't until we were about 10 metres away that I was like, "Oh that!" Yes, my glasses prescription might need strengthening. I blame jet lag.

Christmas decorations are so much nicer in the northern hemisphere.

The London Eye

Trafalgar Square

Wait, are they M&Ms dressed like Bilbo and Gandalf from "The Hobbit"? Why yes they are.

So what is your M&M colour?

Look at the rainbow colours... so pretty

And Her Royal Majesty in all her Lego glory.

Until next time :)

The Wish List - Winter Wants

Wellington has been blessed with an unusually warm summer this year. Okay, it's got nothing on Australian summers, but I swear 22 degrees here is really warm - maybe because we're more directly below the hole in the ozone layer.

Anyway, I digress. Despite having the perfect summer weather, I still find myself thinking of winter clothes, maybe because my wardrobe is stuffed with summer dresses (thanks to growing up in Australia and having a natural devotion towards pretty floral patterns). However, I appear to be somewhat lacking in winter garments. Since we have just bought a house, I need to be very careful and strategic in the things I buy. Making a list helps keep me focused, and is great for preventing impulse buys.

So here, in no particular order, are my winter wants:

 Lace-up knee-high brown leather boots 

(preferably with a chunky heel of an inch or so)

Specific much? Do you think I'll ever be able to find them? Let the hunt begin!

 Modcloth

 I was thinking some white coloured pattern tights might allow me to bring some of my summer dresses into the cooler months.

 Marc

 Okay, this is the major want right now. Isn't it beautiful? Don't get me wrong, I love my long princess coat, but I need something for jeans/pants. However, it's so expensive I'm kind of scared even to try it on.

 Dead Mans Spex

I've decided that I need new sunglasses, cat's eye style, so I can look fabulous while driving around Lower Hutt. Dead Mans Spex is a really cool shop as they sell vintage glasses, some even new vintage (never having been worn).

 Tara Starlet

I'm decided the best way to beat the Wellington wind is pants! Aren't these great?

Keds

Okay... I kind of need these for a costume. Will explain later. But I think I'd really get a lot of use out of them.

Well, these are my winter wants. So... you know my birthday's coming up soon (joke).

Until next time :)

The House - There's No Place Like Home

I’m here!!! I haven’t fallen off the edge of the interweb, although my absence may appear that way. There's so much to tell you, I honestly don’t know where to start! By the way, didn’t Luke do an awesome job while I was away? I can’t believe he did a fashion post - it shows he really does listen when I rant about my clothes.

So what’s been happening? A month's holiday travelling around the world: London, Paris, Frankston… (Sorry, that was an in joke for Australians who read this blog - my hometown in Australia has somewhat of a “reputation”). Anyhow, where was I? Oh yes, a month’s holiday, going from 2 degrees in Paris to 40 in Melbourne. Talk about climate change!

I'm now back in Wellington, and Luke and I have finally moved into our new house. So exciting! We moved on Saturday 12 January. We said goodbye to our old flat, and passed on our thanks for being the backdrop to so many lovely memories.

So although we moved in 6 weeks ago, I wanted to wait till the place started to look homey before sharing some photos with you. I think you'll agree it's the cutest house ever. And it’s ours, all ours (well technically, I think the bank owns most of it... but still, with each mortgage payment it’s a little more ours and a little less the bank's). It’s a 1940s cottage, and I’m hoping to restore some of that feel through our redecorating. Plans, so many plans! Actually, some of our neighbours refer to it as "The Cottage House" - pretty sure I should put that on a plaque and stick it on the fence.

We now also have a car! Yes, up to now we have been wheel-less, but now it’s time to hit the road! Our car is called Monty... because you know you have to name cars, like you have to name musical instruments and vacuum cleaners (or maybe that's just my family...)

So yes, a new chapter in the life of Hannah and Luke. And I promise to keep the blog updates a little more regular from now on, since I missed you all so much. But for now, please enjoy some house eye candy.

Luke and I out the front. Please note that the garden did not look like this when we moved in.

Actually it looked more like this...

Something I have learned. Gardening = hard work.

 Kitchen. Look at that bench space. I mean look at it!

Yes, that is a Tardis-shaped tea pot. That's how we travel to work every morning.

Dining Room. 

I'm hoping to do some kind of vintage Asian theme in here eventually. This would save me having to repaint the feature wall, and I think it would be really neat.

 I think the lounge is my favourite room of the house. It gets lots of afternoon sun. By the way, all the furniture you see was bought from TradeMe. The couch + arm chairs + rocking chair + TV unit cost us less than $500. Pretty neat, huh? I've actually decided to furnish the entire house with second-hand furniture, just to prove you don't have to spend ridiculous amounts of money in order to have a nice home. 

 Look, a display cabinet for pretty things... Makes me happy. We can finally display the beautiful teapot we got from friends in Taiwan at our wedding.

 Study (Third Bedroom). This needs some TLC. But it's handy if you need a quick reference for the alphabet.

Second bedroom. I'd also like to do something more with this room, but I need to be patient. At least we have a bed for guests. No more sleeping on the couch in the lounge/kitchen = luxury. 

 Our bedroom. Yes, that is my soft toy on the bed. What of it? Those are Art Deco bedside tables I found on TradeMe - aren't they pretty?

 Also from TradeMe, a 1950s dressing table. Isn't it lovely? Hoping to restore it... at some stage.

 Bathroom

 Laundry. :)

And that concludes your grand tour of the Tysoes' house. Thanks for stopping by. We also have a back yard and a garage, but I'll leave them till next time. Oh and yes, I did get a big haircut recently. It was time for a change.

Until next time :)

(Which hopefully won't be too far away!)