change...is the seed of growth

mmm, forgot to talk about this. Well, I am embracing a bit of change at work and although I am not growing yet, at least the seed is planted. Enjoying watching the change in the garden. I took one of my beautiful roses to work for my office...lovely, fragrant, mezmerising.

The shoes that got away...here they are...can't talk about it yet...too sad.

out and about

The weeks are just roaring by right now, cant seem to get my thoughts together to catch up. Enjoying not working weekends even though they were only every three. This weekend we decided to make the most of the lovely weather before the Antarctic blast arrived. Funny what you can fit in to a few days when the threat of freezing rain is impending.

On a whim we headed up to Flaxmere garden near Harwarden to check out the Art in a Garden event. We were nice and early so there weren't a whole lot of people there when we arrived. It was a stunning place that had a real feel to it. The art was lovely and we desperately wanted to buy some but nothing worked for us. Fun looking though. Chatted to some lovely people. Plenty of North Canterbury farmer types which is always entertaining...walking cliches... Check out our pics

We discovered a really cute little cafe in Waikari on the way home. Nice meld of cofee, jewellery, art and other lovely things. Was blowing a howler.

Been on a couple of fun bike rides the last two weekends. Firstly the Little River Rail Trail...a word of advice, dont be doing this in a big bad head wind...not pleasant. Kind of takes the fun out of it. Ruth, Simon and family were on the tandem and Nic fell asleep on the back of Jonty's bike. That child, can't get him to go near a bed but not fussy about the back of a bike, motorbike or back pac. Will put some pics on sometime, can't get them on now.

Yesterday I was dreaming of a gentle city ride with a cafe pitstop along the way but we ended up in Bottle Lake looking for tadpoles and biking up a storm. It was great. Another entry for another day.

simplicity

Well, I started on the simplicity road by putting some clothes on 'trade me' to get them out of my life and to try and help me get some funds to buy new ones. Doing this meant that I had to face the fact that I have some gorgeous clothes that I will never fit again, or by the time I do, they will be no longer appealing. That was the first tiny step. Another big step was leaving my old work for the last time last night. Heading for a new job, clean slate, empty office. Here's hoping for a simpler life.

What not to wear... when I was in Warworth with Karen we went to a WNTW evening at the Mahurangi Hall. What a fun night. Jackie O'Fee from Signature style in Auckland entertained and educated us about style and image. I took notes ...

Women who have style or are stylish

• interpret fashion in to their look - they aren't slaves to fashion but pick out bits that suit them
• are not scared to change their image...keep updating hair styles and make up - good advice, I think
• know what works for them, what looks good, which colours suit
• know their best feature and work it!
• are well groomed - nails, makeup etc
• remember the details - shoes should match an outfit etc
• are confident
• don't spend a lot of money - they know where to shop.

This session was one of the prompts to get me to take a good hard look at my miserable 'wearable' wardrobe and get things out of there. So now I am working out how to proceed. What not to wear actually.

SALE! A word I love. The lovely Jackie discussed the traps that we fall into when we see that word emblazoned on any clothing shop window. I sat there cringing and mentally ticking off all those sale bargains languising in my wardrobe. In fact I have so many there is no room for the clothes I do wear. Tragic.
Anway...here are Jackie's tips . 3 questions to ask yourself when you spot that bargain
1. Would I buy this full price?
2. What will it work with?
3. Do I love it?

Keep a sale list of items that aren't must but wants and would be good to pick up in a sale...ski suit perhaps.

Other tips
Throw stuff out - but keep your designer one offs
Read fashion magazines - 'Simply You' and the Aussie 'InStyle' were recommended because clothes are not on models.

BUY STUFF YOU LOVE!

Change - is the seed of growth

positive thinking

Home again after a great week of holidaying on the Kowhai coast. My next few entries will be about that. Nothing earth shatteringly great happened, just a great week of hanging out with Karen, Anna, Justin and Nic plus a weekend treat visit from lovely Jonathan. It was real soul food and I have come home very energised and relaxed.

Karen and I managed a couple of weekend escapades on our own. First visit was to the Matakana Village Farmers' Market which was lovely. Small, very middle class and bloody expensive. The photos on the link say it all. Very sumptuous. We did hoe into a stunning whitebait patty on white bread with a squirt of lemon. I bought some lovely blue cheese from the Art of Cheese which is a cafe in Puhoi about 20km south of Warkworth...it was creamy and delicious. If the cheese is an indicator, the cafe is well worth a visit. Karen picked up some shiney red peppers and a red onion or two. We tasted all the things to taste including some very grassy olive oil.

We also disappeared to the Ascension Vinyard for a girlie catch up lunch and ate up a storm and got a bit tipsy at a tasting session. Heaps of fun and highly recommended if you find yourself in Warkworth on a Saturday.

Out and about today I came across some things that I thought worth sharing. I guess you could call them affirmations but I detest the word. So I am thinking of using the terms 'thoughts'. Very original I know but I thought that by publishing one of these little thoughts with each blog, I might be able to energise myself and make some positive changes. Kind of like enhancing my life a little bit, you might like them too.

First one: SIMPLIFY... clear the clutter! I will keep you informed of progress in my next entry.

snaps

Just a few holiday snaps. Algies Bay blissful afternoon in the sun

the zoo

After a fairly uneventful but enjoyable flight to Auckland Karen, Anna, Nicholas and I took ourselves to the Auckland Zoo for the afternoon. Having seen it countelss times on tv the level of anticipation was high...that was for me. I think it is one of the nicest zoos around and since my last visit there has been huge growth and development. Nicholas and Anna were very excited to be there but I am guessing it was less for the animals than the novelty. However, it was great and our 2 hour whizz around was fun. We went mainly for the African animals which were well worth it. Being a Wednesday we were blessed with lots of room and empty space. I was particularly taken with the signs and displays and the conservation messages and got some snaps to take home for adding to my work collection of interesting ideas.

I'm writing this from Karen and Justy's place on their computer so not sure how the photos are going to go. Before I try that, I just remembered a funny thing that happened at ChCh Int. Airport...we were in the duty free touching but not buying and Nic was roaring around checking out the stuff and I heard his increadibly loud voice off in the distance yell 'look mummy GIN! I found some gin' . I laughed...thing is I don't drink gin but we have a tiny bottle of Sapphire sitting on the bench at home...made a good story for everyone int he shop to tell.

This poor lion seems to have a spot of hayfever...he is sneezing

pheeew!

Life over the past month and a bit has been hugely tense with all the tension and changes at work. At last I am starting to feel relaxed again and am hugely tired. I just want to sleep but now that I have a new job, sleeping is alluding me again. Oh well, heading north soon for a week of R and R so will hang out for that.

Yesterday we went to Little River for lunch for Jonty's birthday. The main motivation was the Little River Gallery where we have often stopped and fondled the art with our eyes...yesterday we intended to buy some but it didn't happen. However, we did have a very relaxing time over lunch and lazing about, visiting the playground and generally chilling out. Got some nice pic's for the album.

Nic on the old carriage at the end of the Little River railway line

Kind of posing in the stainless steel hammock that was for sale.

The last few times I have been to the gallery there has been some lovely work by the artist Hannah Kidd for sale. I wish I had bought something as there is only the elephant left and it is $15,500. It is huge and the head turns every minute or so. Nic is memerised by it and would love to have it at home.

The material used is recycled corrugated iron, bashed flat and welded. I love the houses particularly and will keep an eye out for more pieces like this selection.