Lou's Clues

Brogues by Lou's Shoes

As soon as I started the hunt for cute, cool kids clothing I also began to wish we still lived in Europe. In contrast to the cookie cutter clothes found in most kiwi kids stores, they have brilliant labels like Mini Rodini, Bobo Choses, H&M kids (where I managed to pick up this cool cat onesie for Jr) and Zara kids. Give me a little boy in suspenders and a henley over puppy-print any day of the week! 

That said, there are a handful of local labels doing awesome things for kids, starting with these little boy brogues by Lou's Shoes. If I hadn't already picked up these lambskin booties from Nature Baby (another favourite) I would have a pair on overnight stork delivery!

I'd love to know your suggestions for cool local labels, and as I find them I'll share them too.

x

It's Friday I'm in love...

Diemme leopard print pony boots from Fabric

I don't know what it is with me and fugly leopard print shoes...but these are calling for me in the wee hours of the morning when I should be resting up for the pending 'delivery'. 

Look how sinfully soft those inners are! How strokeable the ponyskin! And the snowboot laces give it all a sporty nonchalance that has me imagining an Autumn spent kicking aside crisp copper leaves and collecting acorns to turn into little people.

I'm almost too scared to venture into Fabric in case my size has already found a home...

x

Currently...January 2013

34 weeks and counting

So...I haven't been busy on Beaunz lately, but I have been busy growing a baby dinosaur in my belly. As things slow down for me work-wise in preparation for his arrival, I'm excited to be able to devote a bit more time to blogging again. Excuse the newfound focus on all things miniature, I promise to slip in the odd non-baby post too!

Photographing: my growing belly (and using my iPhone to check under the bump for crumbs and rogue stains).

Saving for: new shoes...tune in tomorrow.

Eating: Fruju Grapefruit and Lemon ice blocks.

Coveting: this amazing bed.

Drinking: Barkers lemon and ginger with soda water, fresh mint and lots of ice.

Watching: Girls Season 1 on DVD. Borderline cringe-overload but so addictive!

Reading: Oh Baby by Kathy Fray. Gentle, sensible advice without the bells and whistles.

Listening to: Vetiver

Wearing: Cherry red toes courtesy of Essie Really Red.

Talking about: Baby names...fun until you actually have to decide on one.

Waiting for: Our new arrival of course!

Smelling: Jo Malone Amber & Lavender, a perfectly fresh and soft combination for my contrary pregnant nose.

Searching for: cool, uncheesy boys clothes. Any suggestions?

x

Sunday Sounds : Iron & Wine

I love a bit of Iron & Wine, and seeing the latest Twilight film (don't judge me, I can't help myself) reminded me of how pretty this song is.


Perfect for slowdancing with all the lights off.


x

NZFW : Day Three

What I wore - Day Three (sore feet and the start of a cold)

Today felt like everyone stepped it up another notch. Fashion finally found the flamboyant fabulousness I was looking for! 

Key colours: black, blue and buttercup yellow.

Textures: understated; today it was more about prints and colour.

Outfit I wanted to rip straight off the model: The blue rose print dress at BLAK (actually the first 10 outfits at BLAK), and the beautiful yellow dress at Salasai .

Most fabulous fashionista off the catwalk: Colin Mathura-Jeffree! After playing it safe Tuesday and Wednesday, he finally went a little crazy today and I loved him for it. See a pic below.

Favourite makeup look: the BLAK models were gorgeous, both hair and makeup.

Favourite catwalk styling: The urban navajos at Salasai.

Highs: the street fashion was the best it has been all week, plus sitting next to the lovely Charlotte Ryan at BLAK.

Lows: fashion burn-out.

Backstage at BLAK. 

 Lauren Gunn's gorgeous hair for BLAK.

Black roses for the BLAK front row. 

Colin Mathura-Jeffree and Nick Klarwill 

Photographers' Pit at the end of the runway 

 Models getting ready at Salasai

I'm playing hooky tomorrow and missing the last two shows, but I will post some more pictures over the next few days.

x

NZFW : Day Two

What I wore - Day Two (a little Spring colour)

Day Two and everyone seems to be hitting their stride. The energy back stage was brilliant today, and the textures being created with model hair were divine...see below. The evening finished with Trelise Cooper, who brought much-needed 5* glamour to FW Day 2. Two down, one to go!

Key colours so far: cherry red, jade green, English mustard yellow, periwinkle.
Textures: velvet (yes!) including beautiful black velvet lace at twentysevennames, open-weave knits, more fur and lots of shine.
Outfit I wanted to rip straight off the model: I would quite happily have worn most of the outfits shown today, although I felt most affinity with twenty-seven names.
Most fabulous fashionista off the catwalk: Samantha Hayes, gorgeous with her flame red hair over a yellow knit. Best star quality so far, without looking over-styled.
Favourite makeup look: I couldn't get a good shot of it, but I loved the twinkling green in the corners of the Riddle Me This models' eyes.
Favourite catwalk styling: A tie: toffee apple red rubber sandals and grunge-beanies at twenty-seven names and the gorgeous, whimsical brides at NZ Weddings.
Highs: the Blue Sky fashion show, with Ingrid Starnes and twenty-seven names. Great food, fresh coffee and a genius venue that let almost everyone sit front row.
Lows: Maybe I'm getting old, but the music at most of the shows is way too loud, I noticed a lot of gritted teeth. I also wish the models looked like they were having a little more fun (Penny Pickard excepted, she positively bounces down the catwalk).

 Yummy breakfast canapes at Blue Sky

Pretty in pink by MAC for Ingrid Starnes

(image courtesy of MAC) 

Runsheets

Strawberry Shortcakes at twenty-seven names (and those toffee apple sandals) 

Kokako Chai Latte and Coconut Ice for morning tea 

Amazing hair texture back stage 

Many hands make light work.

 My favourite model, Seon, backstage before NZ Weddings.

Beautiful front row at NZ Weddings.

Flower nymph brides at the NZ Weddings Show.

Back again tomorrow!

x

NZFW : Day One

What I wore - Day One (palette inspired by the weather)

So, New Zealand Fashion Week rolls around again! Today has been crazy and fun already, and it's only half over. As I type this, I'm about to head backstage again to shoot Hailwood, Juliette Hogan and Zambesi. Wicked!

Key colours so far: nudes, jade greens, ox blood red and, of course, black.
Textures: fur and sequins (hoorah! half my wardrobe already...) and some gorgeous floaty prints on satin and chiffon.
Outfit I wanted to rip straight off the model: Coop floral velvet bed jacket over a gold sequined dress.
Most fabulous fashionista off the catwalk: none yet, still looking! Although Michaela from MAC is leading the charge (see below).
Favourite makeup look: Cybele by Olivia Russell for MAC.
Favourite catwalk styling: Grunge-inspired beanies at Ruby.
Highs: Being part of the buzz back stage.
Lows: realising the 'emergency' chocolate bar I was saving from my NZFW loot bag was in fact a sachet of Chai Latte.

Michaela from MAC

Cybele makeup by Olivia Russell for MAC

(image courtesy of MAC cosmetics)

Model downtime, wearing new MAC shade 

Gorgeous platinum blonde

Grunge-inspired beanies at Ruby.

Will post more later! Let me know what you think?

x