Going Down South

If you've been reading this blog or follow me on Instagram (here), then you'll know that I'm embarking on a crazy and exciting adventure in one month. On the fifth of March, I leave for a two week trip to America, all on my own. That means most of February is about physically and mentally preparing myself for what will be a pretty hectic experience. So, as a part of that, I decided to use my existing Airpoints to take a trip down South!

You may be thinking, weren't you literally just down in Queenstown a couple of weeks ago? Yes, I was. After spending a week with Ben's family down South for Christmas I just couldn't get enough. Plus, my grandparents are staying in the most incredible writers retreat for a year and I leapt at the opportunity to spend a relaxing week in Alexandra with them. But, to truly make this a challenge I wanted to spend an extra night on the way to Alex on my own in Dunedin. I hadn't been to Dunedin since I was really young, so it was a pretty foreign place to me. But, luckily the city centre is super easy to navigate. So, I booked my flights, a shuttle from the airport, one night in a $22 Airbnb in Dunedin and my bus to Alexandra the next day.

Even though I'm eighteen this was my first official time flying on my own, even domestically it was kinda terrifying. But, good practice for America and honestly so much easier than I expected, a lot of it came from muscle memory with travelling in the past. I boarded my flight to Dunedin successfully and I was on my way. For $22 the Airbnb I scored was pretty decent, it was basically a hostel-type situation, with shared bathrooms etc. But, I had my own bed, wifi and a plug for my phone, what more do you need?

As I arrived in Dunedin at around 11am I had the rest of the day to do what I do best...thrift my little heart out. I made my way around the city centre, checking out Savemart, Shop on Carroll and Toffs before hitting the classic charity op shops (Salvation Army, Vinnies etc). I brought a relatively big bag with me, expecting to find some funky things, but I was not prepared for the haul I was about to acquire. I'm talking fluffy bucket hats, 70s vintage, Levi's and so much more. By the time I was finished in Dunedin I was basically stumbling back to my Airbnb with some very full bags. Which is great for all of you as you'll be seeing plenty of these pieces on the store soon!

I often make fun of Ben for being indecisive but it turns out I'm not much better. When it came time to find myself some dinner I really struggled to actually decide on anything, with so many options. I was staying on St Andrew Street, so super central to a ton of great eateries, which almost made it harder. I ended up deciding on a cute burger place a bit further up George Street and ordered a mammoth burger that I really struggled to finish on my own. I guess it's practice for those crazy American portion sizes.

Check out in the morning was 11am, so I was out the door with plenty of time and back at the op shops. But, not before a small drama with my crazily heavy bag that I had to leave inside a random motel for the day (thanks Dad). I visited a few of the vintage stores around the bus stop I was leaving from, including one incredible place called Two Squirrels Vintage Emporium where I found the most beautiful vintage 60s mini dress. My bus left at 3:00, so I had a lot more time to kill than I was expecting. I don't know how exactly, but I ended up in a small seafood restaurant near my bus stop that was literally called The Best Cafe. I don't even eat seafood. I was drawn in by the crazy cool retro interior, including green lino floors and orange chairs. I ordered basically the only non-seafood item on the menu, a vanilla coke spider, which definitely added to the feeling of being in a classic American diner. This is where I went absolutely photo crazy, evidence in the collages above.

The five days I spent in Alexandra was so relaxing and exactly what I needed with all the stress that comes with the beginning of a new year. I had huge sleep-ins, played lots of Bananagrams, sat by the fan in 34-degree heat and ate some really tasty food. It was lovely to spend some quality time with my grandparents too, both of whom are just the easiest and best company ever. I guess spending a week in a house with a photographer and a writer is the perfect recipe for inspiration. On my last evening in Alex, Bruci took some amazing photos on his camera of me in my new favourite vintage dress that I picked up at Toffs Dunedin for $14! The light was perfect and it was a great way to end a truly wonderful trip.

So, now I'm home, sorting through bags of thrifted clothes and trying to get my life together before I leave. My to-do list is absolutely insane at the moment, I honestly don't know how I'm going to do it. But, behind the pure fear that comes with this trip, I'm just so excited. I can't wait to take a huge leap out of my comfort zone, right into the deep end and I'll be trying to keep this blog as up to date as possible in amongst the craziness of February!

Bella 🌼

California Dreamin

Photos by Fran (here) and Matt (here)

If you've ever read this blog before or you know me in person then you'll probably be aware of my complete obsession and love affair with the city of Los Angeles. I visited California for the first time when I was really young, so I could barely remember it. But when we eventually returned during the Winter of 2015 I truly fell in love. Since then I've only been back twice and every time I leave I'm ready to plan my next trip. Some of you may not know that I actually have family over there, so that's even more of a reason to book a flight. But, a third family trip to Cali isn't looking likely so I've had to take things into my own hands...

Yes-this is my official (very exciting) announcement and something that I've been pondering over, planning and just bursting with excitement over for a while now. I'm going to Los Angeles! By myself! It's terrifying, amazing and so dang exciting, I just can't wait. I've been dreaming of LA ever since my last trip in 2018, which only lasted a few days. So, my flights are officially booked and I'll be heading to the city of angels early March 2020! I'll be staying in an Airbnb (which I'll talk more about when I'm home, for obvious security reasons). I plan to be completely independent, flying, travelling within the city and looking after myself. But it's also nice to know that I'll have family close by if I need a little company.

I'll be in Los Angeles for exactly two weeks, that's two weeks all on my own on the other side of the world. Without my family, friends and Ben I'll be entirely dependant on myself and that's absolutely terrifying. But, I hope that throwing myself into an intense experience like this will give me a confidence boost to travel more in the near future, whether that's solo or with other people.

So, other than trying to not die and maybe catching up with my cousins, what will I be doing? Lots and LOTS of thrifting. This trip is about me and my personal growth but it's also for my business. Last year my Depop and Instagram store brought me an entirely new source of income and it's something I want to continue growing and improving this year. I've thrifted for my store all across New Zealand, with pieces from Auckland, Wellington, Kapiti, Queenstown and more, but this will be my first international thrifting trip!

I also plan to take a ton of photos, so many photos that you'll probably be sick of seeing me pop up on your feed! Some of my most successful prints and photo series' have come from California and I plan to shoot a whole new series while I'm over there. I can never really plan what I'm going to shoot, I just kind of turn up somewhere and start snapping. But, I'm picturing American diners, retro signs, Venice Beach, pastels and that classic warm Cali light that just never gets old.

So, in between thrifting expeditions across the city and plenty of photoshoots, I want to see more of California. I'm currently in the process of trying to figure out a way to bus from Los Angeles to Palm Springs for a day or two. Palm Springs is my all-time favourite place and a spot that I didn't feel I had enough time to fully experience back in 2017. I'd love to spend some quality time there taking pictures, checking out stores and maybe even going on another mid-century house tour! It'll also be great to just soak up the general atmosphere, meet interesting people, eat interesting food and completely step outside of my comfort zone.

Of course, I'll be keeping this blog as up to date as possible and I'll share more with you over the next couple of months leading up to my trip. But, for constant updates, while I'm over there make sure you're following me over on Instagram (here). This experience is going to be crazy, probably stressful at times but overall super exciting. I can't wait to explore a city on my own, with no time constraints or obligations. I'm yet to sort out my full itinerary but I know I'll definitely be visiting the Rose Bowl Flea Market, plenty of Goodwill stores, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and hopefully Palm Springs. I'd love to hear any suggestions or recommendations if you've explored Cali too, just flick me a message I can't wait to share more as the months, weeks and days before my trip count down, so stay tuned!

Bella 🌼

Northcote

Ben and I flew to Auckland on the 14th for the Fleetwood Mac concert. We visited several different areas in Auckland to go thrifting and take photos. If you want to read all about our trip, see that post here. I always bring my DSLR with me on holidays, even if it's just to Auckland because you never know what might catch your eye. It's a hefty and rather annoying thing to carry around, but ultimately worth it.

Northcote has a strange little area next to the Savemart, it's almost like a mini Chinatown. There were tons of Asian supermarkets and eateries, along with strange stores like 'The Tofu Shop'. It was quite entertaining, especially for Ben who's spent a fair bit of time in Hong Kong. We hung around that area for a bit, eating a box of shapes and sipping on our feijoa juice. Then, I decided to pull out my camera.

I actually really like how most of these shots turned out. None of them are particularly special and they'll probably never be used for anything. But, it's always good to keep in the habit of using my camera, especially when travelling (if Auckland even counts as travelling). I'm especially pleased with the landscape image of what I like to think is a Father and his Son, shopping for fresh fruit at the Asian supermarket. The light and shadows were perfect and the vibrant pops of colour from the fruit made the make the stand out.

I've found that ever since purchasing my new phone I've been inclined to take most of my photos on there, as the camera quality is pretty amazing. Sometimes it's nice to take your time and appreciate more of the process when taking a photograph. This is where I find it so important to whip out my DSLR as often as possible. Even if it's pain to lug around, the creative exercise of taking photos is always worth it for me.
See more photos from our trip here.

Bella 🌼

Auckland Colour Study

I've never particularly liked Auckland, despite having lived there and taken several fun trips for concerts over the last few years. There was something about the insanely humid climate and spread out nature of the city that simply annoyed me. But, after spending four days there with Ben for the Fleetwood Mac show on the 16th, my relationship with Auckland City has been resurrected.

We flew up on the 14th, the flight was at midday and we arrived extra early as this was our first time travelling together and I didn't know what to expect. Luckily, we made it onto the flight with no major dramas. Aside from a violent battle with an extremely temperamental vending machine at the airport. We stayed with my Grandad and his girlfriend at Princess Wharf. Their place is amazing, it has the best view and a very comfy bed. Plus, it's pretty much walking distance to everywhere we wanted to go, including the concert venue.

Upon arrival, Ben and I decided that we were very hungry. So, we managed to stumble across a funny little place called Food Alley. It's a crazy cool peach coloured building with a retro, almost Hollywood sign out front. Walking past, you'd probably assume it was abandoned or closed down. But inside is the strangest little assortment of Asian food stores, including an Indian place where we purchased our food of choice. The most Western option on the menu, butter chicken. However, we both agreed that it was the best butter chicken we'd ever tried, and we've tried a lot.

The standard for food was pretty high after that and Auckland did not disappoint. We dined at a delicious French restaurant with my Grandparents on the first night. Then we enjoyed everything from milkshakes and chicken waffles to burgers, pasta and feijoa juice. Yes-we love white people food.

For our first full day in Auckland, we got up early (ish) and had breakfast at the apartment, then we set off on our first adventure. We took a bus to Northcote, which was complicated and slightly stressful, but we eventually made it to Savemart. I picked up a few pieces for my store, which you'll be seeing soon! Then, we explored Ponsonby and K Road, which was so very cool. I've been to Auckland several times with my friends over the last couple of years, yet we never properly explored K Road. I guess it's the Auckland equivalent of Cuba Street, but in my opinion a lot cooler. We shopped in Paperbag Princess, Crushes, The White Elephant, Smoove and my personal favourite, Vixen.

Vixen was basically Bella heaven. There were 1970s lamps, groovy chairs, Elvis pictures on the walls and a plethora of incredible vintage cowboy boots. Ben was subjected to multiple visits to Vixen and lots of photos. There were several 60s dresses for sale that I was very tempted by, but the price tag was enough to knock some sense into me. If you want to see a rundown of what I did pick up whilst thrifting in Auckland click here.

The concert was on Monday night so we had plenty of time to explore during the day too. We headed back to K Road for a more in-depth look (sorry Ben). Then to Newmarket, where we found the best cookies and cream milkshake ever. We walked through the shops in Parnell, saw a very cute miniature schnauzer called Freddie and made it back to the apartment with time for a nana nap before the concert.

Fleetwood Mac was absolutely amazing and honestly better than either of us had expected. Stevie Nicks was especially fantastic and for a 71-year-old had more energy than both me and Ben combined. Plus, an incredible head of blonde hair that she whipped around all night. Mick Fleetwood played an insane twenty-minute drum solo that got everyone grooving and then Neil Finn blew us away with his and Stevie's duet of 'Don't Dream It's Over'. They played almost all of our favourite songs and came back with 'Don't Stop' as their encore, which was just perfect.

For our first official holiday together, Ben and I had the best time in Auckland. Although I wouldn't live there, I have a new appreciation for Auckland City (especially K Road). Our trip was complete with our final day spent at Auckland Zoo (Ben's choice) and an extra cheesy Pizza Hutt pizza, which we had been craving for days. I basically went photo crazy over the four days that we were there, I love having memories documented through photos and videos, so my storage is filling up fast. But, I know that this will be a trip we'll look back on and remember so fondly!

Bella 🌼