Shoes with a sunroof

Although I love to share my finds on Beaunz, I also take great delight in being able to respond 'Oh these? 10 years old' when asked where I bought a pair of shoes or an item of clothing. The sad thing is most of my wardrobe is that old, with a toddler there are few excuses to splash out on designer threads, but at least it means I don't often meet my fashion doppleganger at events.

When I asked moochi PR Manager Rebecca where she got her amazing cut-out brogues at the showroom day, I expected her to say they were vintage moochi, but no! They will be in store in the next couple of weeks and are part of the new season collection.

I love the way Rebecca has styled them too, by knotting her billowy pants at the ankle for maximum visibility. I'm checking the website daily to see when they become available, and if anyone else buys them too, I'd love to see photos of how you style them (you can post them on my facebook page). I'll be pairing them with cropped jeans and my Therese Rawsthorne twist shirt...then a maxi-skirt and snuggly jumper...then leopard print tights and a slouchy t-shirt dress...the options are endless! And best of all, as the weather warms you'll get that delicious tickle of sunshine through the cut-outs.

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moochi moochi blues

moochi Spring mood boards

Well, Beaunz belles, it's been awhile! And who better to coax me out of my frenzied screenwriting haze than one of my favourite local brands, moochi. I was invited along to their Spring showroom day (complete with chocolate brownies made by Kellie's mum, yum!) and what a breath of fresh air it was at the end of a (rare) wet and windy week.

There were too many beautiful things to only show one photo, so here are a few. Keep your eye out for new arrivals from next week onwards, instore and online.

Gorgeous, slinky blue pyjama-style blazer.

This look took me back to eating grilled squid at sunset on Oia, Santorini.

Amazing ombre-texture pumps that remind me of this gorgeous knitwear by Alexander Wang.

I'd like to buy both of these and belt them over a breezy summer maxi.

And of course, I had to finish on Kellie's mums delicious brownies. I have a few more goodies to post about (come back tomorrow for the cutest shoes I've seen in months) but the others you'll have to wait until I have purchased them first, just in case you beat me to it.

It's good to be back :)

x

Bare Beaunz : Kellie

There aren't many local designers who can state (proudly, and rightly so) that 90% of their product is manufactured in New Zealand, and it is precisely that 'slow' approach to production that gives the moochi brand it's timeless, quality appeal.


As the driving force behind moochi, Kellie gives off the quiet confidence of a woman who knows her aesthetic inside out. Rather than churning out trend-driven separates that wallow in Tatty's after a season or two, her clothes tend to stay in their wearers wardrobe until they fall apart at the seams. I have three moochi dresses that saw me through my pregnancy yet still hold their shape, and in fact I'm wearing one as I type (grey, with fabric covered buttons and a sweet little lace trim).


I'm excited to have Kellie on Bare Beaunz today, so I can hopefully absorb some of her innate sense of style by virtual osmosis...and yes, Beaunz belles, that beautiful necklace is current season, but be quick! Over to you, Kellie...

I just bought...

A giant 'T' (it's over a metre wide!) from am old French light box sign that will sit on my kitchen wall. We also won a bidding war tonight for a flock of bright yellow resin birds for my wall!!! What the...?

I'm about to buy... 

Some cool bamboo plants for the new Japanese Garden we have created on one side of our house. 

I wish I could buy... 

A Bach! We spent a month on Waiheke this summer and I loved how I felt as I unwound from my life.

When I was a kid I wanted to be...

A red head with long curlie hair and freckles!

I never leave the house without... 

My moochi clutch wallet, as it holds my iphone, cards, MAC gloss of the moment and keys. All in one tidy place, a priceless accessory, as I would loose my head if it was not screwed on!

If I wasn't so naughty I would...

Be much skinnier! Why are some of us born with huge amounts of discipline while others of us are not?

At home I am usually...

On the go. With two kids there is never any down time.

My fashion sense at school was...

My good friend would say glamourous. I used to go to centre point fabrics and buy Vogue Patterns and fabrics, but I never sewed anything much myself, my mum had this amazing dressmaker who was such good value, I had some amazing 'designer ' get ups! I did not learn to sew properly until fashion school. 

If I had one magic power it would be....? 

To stop the clock. I am always late; always over promising what I can achieve. This is done with the best of intentions and I would love to be able to follow through and make everyone happy by getting everything done. Fashion and parenting are so full of deadlines!

The last time I (really) laughed was…? 

With my son tonight when I tucked him in and he was winding up my daughter who was taking things all too seriously, as we girls tend too. Did you have a brother who knew just what buttons to push to make you go crazy? I had one and it was classic to see my son do just the same thing to my daughter!

My secret pleasure is...? 

If I told you it would not be a secret.

I'm happiest when...? 

I remember to be grateful for all the good in my life. Why are we always so busy that we forget to enjoy things? 

 If I died tomorrow I would be remembered for...?

My made up stories at bedtime and my relentless desire to get things right.

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It's one for the money...

Moochi Blues Boot

The colour blue is something I can't get enough of this Autumn, mostly in varying shades of royal and navy. On a completely random note, did you know that blue is the most commonly chosen toothbrush colour? Mine's red...go figure.


Back to the shoes. It wasn't enough for Moochi to make a pair of boots in the perfect shade of midnight blue suede, they had to go and add a sassy little tassel detail that makes it impossible to walk away. I promise I don't have shares in Moochi...but I'm thinking they have invested in mindreading technology that somehow knows what I want, even before I do...


x

Starry-eyed surprise

How sweet is this star detail? You'll find it on the skirt of the Moochi 'lass dress' from their forthcoming AW collection. 


Without it, I would probably have skipped straight past this dress and onto a sparklier number, but the addition of teeny star cut-outs elevates this dress to something altogether more special. I can't wait to wear it with grey suede ankle boots and a snuggly cable knit jumper, although with the stars right at my inquisitive toddler's eye level I'll have to wear my fancy knickers too.


x

I blame Cinderella

Moochi silver loafers, in stores later this month

The lesson was clear; to win the heart of Prince Charming and live happily ever after, you need those bloomin' glass slippers. 

Said footwear, however, are sneaky little so-and-sos that change their spots every season. Last winter, it was the grey suede Dicker boot. This summer, the sequin Converse, and next season… schizer…where do I begin?

From the beautiful blue Julie loafer by Kathryn Wilson, to the custard and crème Isabel Marant Betty sneakers, to the divine Alexander Wang kitten heels I left my soul in at Workshop, who could possibly choose just one? I’m hoping I don’t have to, if I finally get funding for my screenplay I’ll be writing it in at least one of the above.

One thing’s for sure, I’m getting in early so I don’t miss out on these modern day Cinderella slip-ons from Moochi. I figure by the time I wear them to work (with cigarette pants and a white button down), to dinner (with black skinnies and the new NOM*d lace collar vest) and around the house (pyjama pants disguised as real pants) the cost per wear will be mere cents, and together we can live happily ever after…until next season.

x

Saturday Scrapbook : Dreaming of a white Christmas

Miss Marc Headphones from Shopbop.com

One of the things I feel nostalgic about is the cold, sometimes snowy Christmas you get in Europe. Wrapping your hands around a steaming cup of mulled wine and perusing the Christmas markets is so traditional it feels like you're in a Hans Christian Anderson fairytale.

The last Christmas I spent in London, it was so cold and snowy we finished a packet of toffee pops and a bottle of Champagne before even getting out of bed, and that was just to stumble up to our local pub for a 7 course Christmas lunch. Needless to say, we were in bed again by 4pm (it was dark anyway, and Santa Claus the Movie was on - the real one, with Dudley Moore). So, although my photos of the day are beautiful (it was the only snowy Christmas Day I spent in London), I actually found myself wishing for strawberries and cold chicken salad in the sun. 

So, today's Saturday Scrapbook celebrates a different kind of white Christmas. One that can be enjoyed wherever you are in the world; the white Christmas wishlist.  

White bag from the Saben colab with Madeleine Harman

Moochi Hideaway Hat

Snowberry Instant Deep Cleanser from MyBeautyStore

Karen Walker Double Frill Cuff Shirt

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Bare Beaunz : Farran

My dear friend Farran is a woman of contrasts. Steely strong and determined on the outside, but a marshmallow inside. Sweet and kind but then razor sharp with her insights. She tells it like it is, and even if I don't always like the message I love that I can trust her to be honest, and that she has my best interests at heart.

Farran has one of those 'looks' you want to study. Her skin and hair are so pale and delicate they are translucent (straight out of a Mill & Boon), and she has eyes like five carat sapphires. Her style is unique, feminine and cool. Whenever we have plans to meet, I look forward to seeing what she will wear. Give me Farran's wardrobe over Kate Moss' any day! Over to you, Farran:

I just bought...?
Moochi orange suede peep toe platforms (with contrasting heel). I love the colour, the 70s style and the fact that they make me a lot taller. I wasn’t looking for shoes, but as soon as I saw them I bought them. 

I'm about to buy...?
I’ve seen this really cool lamp on the Urban Outfitters website. The base is a woman’s leg with a fishnet stocking, and the shade is yellow with black fringing. Very Elsa Schiaparelli. 

I wish I could buy...? 

The beautiful diamond ring you wrote about the other week.

When I was a kid I wanted to be...? 

A banker. I was obsessed with money when I was little, I even had a play bank. I was always meant to be rich. Hmmm.

My fashion sense at school was...? 

The same as now. I have always liked a mix of classic with quirky.

The last time I (really) laughed was…?
Today, when you were trying to take a photo of me.

My secret pleasure is...?
Eating a block of chocolate in one sitting (any flavour will do, I'm not picky)

If I died tomorrow I would be remembered for...?
My compassion for others and my tendency to tell the truth, even when it hurts.


x

Moochi gives you wings

Moochi Ballet Cardi

I only went to one ballet class, aged 5, and cried so much I was never taken back. I was an 80s tomboy, and just the thought of wearing a tutu was traumatic. (I lived in blue spandex tights, puff painted jumper and a bandana à la Ralph Macchio - how about you?) My mum must have looked longingly at those head-to-toe pink, piggy-tailed little darlings; I blame her for letting me dress myself from a young age. (Although, apparently my sister trumped me by wearing a nightie and Mum's veil to a birthday party. I'm sure I've since seen Kate Moss in that look!)


Fast forward a couple of decades, I'm happiest in a dress and utterly enchanted by this video. If I won lotto I would order every item, in every colour (husband...if you're reading...feel free to dance around the house in just black pants. Thanks xx) but in actual fact, it's easy to add subtle ballet chic to my wardrobe even without a Chloé budget. 


I think the prettiest thing about women is our delicate little shoulder blades, which remind me of angel wings. Ballet dancers always show off this beautiful part of their body, so my first stop is something with a scoop back. 


I immediately fell in love with Moochi's Ballet Cardi, soft and pretty in dove grey rayon. Whenever I see buttons down the back of clothing I can't help but imagine that it will be someone else undoing them for me...oh la la.


Not a real angel then...


x