Mrs. Robinson - Wanganui

There's something about small-town New Zealand that I just love, the corner dairies and manicured lawns, it feels so old-fashioned in contrast to city life in Wellington. Wanganui is a place I've spent a fair bit of time over the last eighteen years and every year my relationship with the town changes. During my latest visit, I actually spent some time wandering the streets of my Nan's neighbourhood and noticing the quiet, quaint houses hidden amongst a plethora of conifer trees. I managed to take a few snaps on my camera that turned out pretty good, so I thought I'd share a snapshot of suburbia in Wanganui through my eyes. If you want to read more about my trip, see my colour study here.

Obviously, I'm quite a fan of mid-century architecture and design and stumbling across a true 50s beauty is always a treat. I'm so pleased with the final images of that incredible mid-century home with the coloured glass and very carefully planted trees, it's just perfect! I can just imagine the kind of people that might have lived in this home in the past and the generations of humans that would've passed through since it was built in the 50s/60s. Plus, how amazing are those brick half pillars out the front!?

When capturing the essence of a small Kiwi town, I couldn't forget a corner dairy, cartons of milk and of course, sheep. All classic and overused cliches but still a combo of New Zealand symbols that I just love. I especially adore the pairing of the milk cartons and a cropped view of the incredible 50s home, I just think they work so well together.

It's always interesting looking back at photos I've taken, especially when it's been a while. But, I seem to always keep a consistent style and colour palette in most of my compositions, and this series is no exception. I just love those muted pastel tones, lots of green, unusual shapes, blue skies and an overall Wes Anderson inspired approach. I can't wait to get my camera out more next year and create some interesting new pairings and prints for upcoming exhibitions etc. I can never really predict what will inspire me but I'm super excited to see what's next for my artistic career! Watch this space...

Bella 🌼

Wanganui Colour Study

If you read this blog then you're probably well and truly sick of seeing colour study posts, again and again. I'm sorry, I just love them! This one has to be my favourite yet, I'm obsessed with all of the different colour and texture combinations and I hope that as I slowly educate myself on the workings of Photoshop you don't judge my cutting and pasting too harshly!

After the celebrations of my eighteenth birthday, which spanned across several joyful days, I made the familiar trip up to Wanganui with my grandmother for a few nights. As you may possibly know, I have a beautiful, inspirational and very glamorous 97-year-old great grandmother living on her own in Wanganui. We don't get to visit her nearly as much as we want to, so I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to get some quality time with her and my grandmother before Christmas. We embarked on our journey early Thursday morning, stopping off at op shops and Savemarts along the way. I found a ton of great stuff for the store, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

As we drove through Otaki on the way there, we both spotted the cutest little yellow caravan for sale, parked just off the road. Obviously, I was quick to whip out my phone and start snapping away, but under closer examination, we realised that it was actually for sale. Although I literally do not have anywhere near enough money to actually buy it, I would've sold my soul. This 1967 beauty had been fully renovated, with a new yellow and brown paint job, orange glass windows and an interior completely fitting with its original era. It was so dang cute.

I did quickly discover that I hadn't packed appropriately with my giant denim jacket and multiple pairs of long pants as it was so bloody hot. But I'm not complaining, bring on Summer! Our trip to Wanganui consisted of many games of Scrabble and somewhat confusing hands at poker. We ate tasty food, drank gin and tonic, visited many op shops and I even got a chance to take some photos with my camera for the first time in ages. As you may have seen on my Insta story, I was completely amazed and so impressed by the amount of vintage stock at the Wanganui Savemart. If you're an avid Savemart visitor then you've probably noticed their usually small and abysmal 'retro' section, where you'd be lucky to find something that isn't crazy overpriced and covered in stains. But Wanganui was the exception. There I found an entire isle, the length of the Savemart absolutely brimming with beautiful vintage and retro pieces and it was cheap!! So, you can bet I picked up so many stunning bits for the store that you're all going to love!

For me, family time is so important. Especially at this time in my life where I have no idea how much longer I'll be in Wellington for. So it was lovely to get some quality time with my grandmother's and a great bonus to pick up bags and bags of thrifted clothing to sell! I'm also super pleased with these photos, several pairings in particular that I think work really well and it was so fun to edit and create. I'd love to hear your thoughts, which edit is your favourite?
As always, thanks for stopping by :))

Bella 🌼

Eighteen! Styling Birthday Flares

Look at those flares!! For my eighteenth birthday last month, I was lucky enough to receive two beautiful pairs of pants from my parents, one being vintage and the other from Rolla's. See here if you want to read more about my birthday and here for a lil showcase of the gifts I received. So, I thought it would be fun to show you how I styled each pair in my day-to-day life, especially for a more casual, Summer transition outfit! So with some help from both Ben and my Grandmother to get these photos, here it is!

Rolla's Eastcoast Tan Cord Flare
I had been lusting after these pants for a while, which is unlike me as I'm usually not a fan of anything that isn't second-hand. But, I've found it increasingly difficult to find pants at thrift stores that I actually love wearing and ordering vintage online can always be risky. So, as my birthday was approaching I decided what better time to finally grab myself a pair of Rolla's! Made in Australia, I'm a huge fan of this denim and pants brand, I love all of the styles they create and their flares are perfect in every way. I ordered the tan cord flares in a size smaller than I would usually wear and I'm so pleased that I did because they fit perfectly. I did this as I figured the cord material would stretch and I really wanted a pair of high waisted pants that would fit me well without a belt.

I've already worn these flares a ton and they've quickly moulded to my body and become so comfy. The high waisted fit is really flattering and they flare out perfectly on the leg, creating such a vintage 70s look, despite being brand new. Even though I am a huge advocate for buying second-hand I do think there's a lot to be said about having a good pair of pants that just fits you perfectly. Plus, I know I'll be living in these babies for at least the next few years, if not forever, so I think it's well worth it. If you're thinking of picking up a pair of Rolla's I would recommend sizing down, especially if you don't want to wear a belt with them! See the tan cord flares here.


1970s Vintage High Waisted Limoncello Flares
On the opposite side of the pants spectrum, here are possibly the most beautiful pair of true vintage flares I've ever come across. It was risky finding these online, but as the waist measurement was exactly my size I figured it was a safe bet. I couldn't be happier with these epic yellow flares, the colour is even more gorgeous in person and such a unique shade of yellow that I know will complement so many pieces in my existing closet perfectly. I found these flares from a Los Angeles seller, Look Vintage (see here) and my overall experience with her store was so positive, a great shipping rate, super fast and these pants are just amazing.

I love that rather than being a thicker denim material, these flares are made from cotton, so although they're not too light I think they'll be ideal for Summer evenings. I can't wait to style these with my collection of button-up shirts and halters in the Summer. I'm also dreaming of a full yellow look with some huge wedges and a funky headband!

Bella 🌼

Second Hand Finds & Birthday Gifts - November

If you hadn't heard it was my eighteenth birthday back on the 24th! Exciting times, which involved lots of friends, food and strange town experiences (read more here). I was also super lucky to receive some really lovely gifts from my family and friends. I'm so grateful to have such thoughtful people in my life who seem to know me and my taste so well (maybe with a lil guidance from me...) I've also picked up a ton of new clothing items for myself throughout November, justifying them as birthday presents from me to me. So, I thought I'd share a few of these purchases and gifts on here for anybody that's interested. Most items are second-hand but I'll link anything that you can find today!

The Typewriter
Probably one of my all-time favourite possessions now, my beautiful vintage typewriter. Gifted to me by my wonderful friend Fran, who I'm sure you've all seen plenty of here on this blog. Fran spent that day with me on my birthday and surprised me with a very large and heavy parcel, which she had carried with her all the way on the train. I opened the original case to find this absolute gem waiting for me inside. I'm not even sure how to describe the colour, it's sort of a murky blue? Anyway, I love it! Ben and I had plenty of fun playing around with it and writing each other messages and it's really just lovely to have in my room (thanks Fran)!

The Crochet Cushion
Another gift that I will take with me to my grave. I have been searching for a crochet cushion like this one for so long, they're super 70s and I love the tactile nature of the crochet material. However, I found that most vintage stores were selling them super expensive and I'd never come across a proper one in an op shop before. So, when my 97-year-old great grandmother gifted me this original 70s crochet cushion that she made herself I was pretty stoked. Not only is it beautiful and will remain by my side forever but it has such a lovely meaning behind it. The thought of my grandmother pouring over the crochet detailing on the flowers back in the 70s makes me smile.

The Leafy Plant
This was a random purchase and something I really don't need, I already have way too many plants that I can't take care of. But when I discovered this orange and brown canister at an op shop in Petone I simply couldn't resist. Initially, we really struggled to get the lid off and I thought my plant pot dreams would be crushed forever, but eventually, it gave way (wow, this is a really interesting story). So, we found this cute lil leafy plant to pop inside the pot/canister and now she's a true mid-century beauty and she's thriving on my bedside table (for now).

The Orange Gingham Shirt
The Monday after my birthday, Ben and I spent the day in town, window shopping and trying on clothes we were never going to buy (one of my favourite things to do). We went round all the classic Cuba Street stores and then I stumbled across this orange gingham shirt in Recycle Boutique. I usually try and restrain myself from buying expensive vintage but this one was on sale and such a looker! I love the cut and colour and it really reminds me of something Jackie off That 70s Show would wear, so it's perfect. I actually wore this piece out to my birthday dinner at The Beijing and felt like a true 70s woman.

The Yellow Turtleneck
One of my less exciting purchases, but a basic that I was lacking in my closet. Even though we're heading into Summer, I love stashing turtlenecks away for those chillier days and evenings. I had never found a good yellow one before, so when I discovered this guy on Depop for just $6 I had to grab him!

The Blue Vintage Shirt
During our post-birthday-window-shopping-expedition, we came across a vintage store just off Cuba Street that I had literally never seen before. We'd driven past it many times when looking for a scooter park, but the facade is so unassuming I didn't think much of it. But my gosh was it a treasure trove. For what looks like a compact building from the outside it just keeps going and going and it's absolutely jam-packed with stuff. Although, poor Ben got such bad hayfever he had to wait outside. Not only did it have plenty of exciting brick a brack and nic nacs but an entire vintage clothing room! Which is where I found this gorgeous vintage blue collared shirt. It's a really similar fit to my orange one which I wear a ton, so I figured it was a sound investment.

The Limoncello Flares
These bad boys were my big birthday present from my lovely parents. With some guidance from me (okay-I ordered them), I received my dream pair of limoncello flares! They weren't cheap but they are incredible. Purchased from one of my favourite Depop sellers over in Los Angeles (here), they were something I'd been eyeing up for a while. It's so hard to find good vintage pants in my size as I find a lot of 70s flares online tend to be way too small. So, when I found these on Look Vintage in my exact size I knew they had to be mine. Keep your eyes peeled for a post on how I styled these flares coming soon...

The Vintage Chain Belt
After my birthday weekend, I travelled to Wanganui to spend some time with my great grandmother (more on that soon) and of course, to hit the op shops. Wanganui is full of great op-shops and this quirky lil cafe/vintage store called Article. I had heard of Article before and even tried to visit with Ben but it was closed at the time. So, I was stoked when I found it open and I was not disappointed. Inside you'll find a retro lovers heaven, with Formica tables and racks of vintage clothing, as well as coffee and eats to enjoy from the incredible location of the old Chronicle building. So, I ended up grabbing this vintage 70s chain belt with tortoiseshell chain pieces and I'm obsessed! I had been looking for a belt exactly like this for so long and every version that I found online was crazy expensive. You'll be seeing this belt in basically all of my outfits in the future.

The Pink Crochet Bag
I cannot tell you how long I have been looking for a pink crochet bag! Again, when watching That 70s Show, I noticed Jackie wearing one with an all-pink outfit and I fell in love. If you know me then you know I already have quite the crochet bag collection but I was severely lacking a pink one. Ideally, I wanted to find one that was entirely pink but I think I can get past the random patches in the middle. I found this bag from a seller on Smokey Bandit (highly recommend).

The Ultimate Cowboy Boots
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that I was on a manic hunt for the ultimate pair of cowboy boots for pretty much the entire year. If you follow me on Instagram then you know. It was so difficult to find a pair that I liked, that wasn't falling apart, not too expensive and that actually fit me. I guess cowboys have really big feet?? But after months and months of searching, I finally found them and in the most unlikely place. I was sifting through the racks in Savemart Levin when I discovered them and almost squealed I was so excited. They fit, they're leather, dark brown, sturdy and the perfect length. I cannot wait to wear these all throughout Summer with dresses, shorts, skirts and flares, such a great find!

The Rolla's Eastcoast Tan Cord Flare
Yes-I got them. These pants are the first non-second-hand piece I've welcomed into my closet all year. These flares were another lovely birthday present from my parents and I have to say they're officially my new favourite pants. If you regularly buy vintage or second-hand, then you'll know just how hard it is to find a good pair of pants that actually fits right. I count myself very lucky when I come across a pair of pants at the thrift store that really looks good on me. So, there is something to be said about buying new pants and even though it's not something I plan to make a habit of...they're pretty dang nice. They fit so well and flare out perfectly, they're super high waisted and made from a quality cord material that literally feels like you're wearing pyjama pants (in the best way possible). I do plan to get these pants in black and pink when they come back in stock, they're so good.

The Bad Love Blue Floral Halter
Probably my favourite birthday present, this handmade halter from local business, Bad Love is so beautiful. I discovered Bad Love a few weeks before my birthday and knew that I wanted one of their incredible halters as a gift. Made in NZ from second-hand bed sheets (so cool) each halter is unique and so well made. I do plan on creating a whole separate post on Bad Love and their halter tops (maybe with a lil interview) so I won't rant and rave too much now. But guys, you gotta get one.
Shop Bad Love here.

Bella 🌼

Ferdinand Vintage

This post has been a (very) long time coming. But, finally, welcome to Ferdinand Vintage! I was super lucky to spend the day with the lovely Virginia at her new store on lower Cuba Street. We'd been following each other through Instagram and Depop for a while and I always loved catching her latest clothing drops and when she announced that she'd set up shop in Cuba Street I was super excited to check it out!

Her shop may be small but it is jam-packed with so many vintage and second-hand treasures. When I entered Ferdinand Vintage for the first time I was overwhelmed by beautiful colours, prints and textures and I ended up scoring a stunning little 60s dress from her that I'm completely in love with. Virginia has decked out Ferdinand with the theme of an intimate bedroom or living room space, with a retro-style dresser housing lingerie pieces and picture-perfect green velvet armchair or 'the boyfriend chair'. I was immediately struck by how cosy the space felt and Virginia's goal to create an intimate shopping experience was one that I was super in to. Along the front wall, I found several racks full of amazing and unique pieces. Ferdinand isn't pigeonholed to just one style, you'll find anything from vintage, 60s and 70s to contemporary or early 2000s pieces.

I found that Virginia and I had so much in common and a bunch to talk about, we got on like a house on fire! So, spending a day at Ferdinand playing dress-up with all of her incredible pieces was such a great experience. I picked out a huge pile of all of my favourite items and began piecing outfits together. My absolute favourites would have to be the chunky brown boots with the flower cut-out and that incredible warm-toned 70s dress! I had so much fun trying on all of the clothes and trying to find my least awkward pose for the camera (still not my strong suit). I'm also a huge fan of the groovy orange vest with a crazy cool card suits pattern. I really had to restrain myself from taking that one home with me...

As a fellow Depop seller, I could relate to so many of the struggles and triumphs Virginia talked about. But, it was really interesting to hear about the physical store side of things. Obviously, this is any online sellers dream and having a physical space to see your stock and meet buyers face-to-face would be so awesome. However, it was fascinating to learn about all of the work and behind the scenes admin that goes into a place like Ferdinand. Especially as it's just Virginia in there on her own. Whilst balancing uni life, friends, family and selling online, she also has a whole store to tend to. It's a lot.

Currently, Ferdinand Vintage isn't open for customers, but Virginia has a super exciting idea in the works that I think you're all going to love. It's something that creates a truly new and unique shopping experience, unlike anything else here on Cuba Street. I'm a huge advocate for supporting local and growing businesses like Ferdinand and it makes me so inspired to see a young person, like myself out there doing it, taking risks and being creative. So, go check out Virginia's store! You can find Ferdinand on both Instagram and Depop, where you can purchase any of her available stock. Or, keep your eyes peeled for the re-launch of her Cuba Street store coming soon!

Ferdinand Vintage Depop
Ferdinand Vintage Instagram
Ferdinand Vintage Facebook

Bella 🌼