Day 1

Day #1 of the 30 day fashion challenge:

Shirt: Forever 21

Pants: JCrew

Shoes: Banana Republic

Cardi: Vintage shop, NZ

So, here I am still very excited about embarking on this wardrobe adventure, color and creativity oozing out of me.  Picking 30 items to mix and match for 30 days is quite a daunting task.  I spent all night Monday night trying to see what else would go with the items I chose in the pictures, a few colors and lots of neutrals!

 

Since this is a first for me feedback is welcome, what works and what doesn't.  It should be fun.

Lovely Thomas did me the favor of taking the pics on his IPhone, he gets to be a part of this too!

30 for 30

Today is the day that I start a new challenge.
The day that I buckle down to accomplish a daunting task.
Today I will try something new.

My sisters, mom and I have all decided to try a variation on a wardrobe challenge called 30 for 30.  The rules are you choose 30 items from your closet - shoes and jewels included and use them to create 30 different outfits for 30 days.  I addition to that is the biggest challenge of all... no shopping for 30 days.  Thomas is going to be so excited :)

This challenge of no shopping may be really easy for some people, but for my sisters and I shopping is in our blood.  We have been shopping with Grandma since back to school season started twenty some odd years ago.  Mom doesn't have the shopping bug (lucky) and will just be coming up with 30 different outfits for 30 days.  I'm excited we all trying it together!

Outfit #1 is currently living on hubby's iphone so stay tuned for pics to come.

(credited to kendieveryday.blogspot.com for the idea <3 ).

Ali and Kase tie the knot

On August 21, 2010 my dear sister Ali and Dr. Kasey Osborn tied the knot in Aurora, NY at the Aurora Inn.  This wedding was extra special, not just because two people we love were getting married, but because Kasey was the one that introduced Thomas and I.  He and Al have been together longer than we have so we were so happy to celebrate with them!

It was a beautiful day.  The girls wore blue taffeta dresses from Jcrew and the boys were dressed in charcoal with yellow accents.  (Carolyn shows off the bouquets - thanks Lub!)

Carolyn, Lauren (Kasey's sister) and I had the joy of being Ali's bridesmaids - we had so much fun together.  Kasey was joined by his dad and brothers.

Justin our photographer said to makes faces... so we did :)

A perfect day for a perfect couple.  Happy wedding Al and Kase, we love you!

I heart New York

Living in another country makes you remember all the things you love about where you come from.  I never realized what an adjustment it would be, but now that we have been in NZ a year we have slowly started creating a new normal...  like having Marmite for breakfast (yummo).

Things I love about New York-
* Soft ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.  In our family that is the tradition when you're out and about.  If there is an ice cream place close, you can be sure we are stopping.
* Starbucks.  Our NZ friends would pick on us about this, but they have good coffee and cafes everywhere!  In the USA a good cup of coffee isn't always easy to come by, thank you Starbucks!
* Target.  In Batavia you can get Starbucks and Target together, it's genius.
* Shopping.  EVERYTHING is so much cheaper.  It would go against my better judgment not to shop while we are here.  One must take advantage of every opportunity.
* Pizza.  It's just not the same anywhere else.
* Family - i love them!

Thank you NY for being so wonderful!

A chocolate chippie kind of night

I figured since it is about time for us to travel home to visit the family I would start getting ready by making some of my mom's famous chocolate chip cookies.  The only downfall is that 1) NZ doesn't believe in Crisco of any kind, especially not butter flavoured 2) no bittersweet nestle chocolate chippies and 3) they measure everything in grams.  Can i bring those back in my suitcase? 

Random Kiwi-ism of the night:  Theme 'nana speak'

'Wherever you be, let your wind go free...'
'...for trying to hold it in will be the death of ye.'

Many others would put it - Ladies should be polite and not ignite till out of sight. 

Too funny not to share :)

2 weeks and counting

Home is calling my name.  That's right USA, I'm coming to visit soon.

It's been tough to keep up with all that has been happening here.  We moved to a new house, skied on the top of Mt Hutt over looking the Canterbury plains (hardest mountain I have ever skied on), and Thomas went on his first big hunting trip in the mountains.  Things have been cruising along too fast, but that's what happens in life right?

Now the biggest thing facing us is getting everything ready to visit all those people we haven't seen in a year!

10 more days and counting woohoo!

from Keri Keri wth love

Back in May, Thomas and I decided that it was time for a little holiday to take a break from all the hard work and buzz of Ashvegas.  Our adopted Kiwi family was calling from the top of the North Island and we answered happily!

...They really did call and ask us why we had been in NZ so long and not been up to visit yet...

It was a long overdue break as winter was starting here and the sun was still shining in the Bay of Islands.  Our brother-in-law is a full blood Kiwi bloke so his family is ours, they are wonderful and we have an awesome time every time we see them!

We went everywhere!  From Auckland to Paihia one day, then off on a fishing in a handmade fishing boat out on the open ocean waters for our first adventure.  Thomas and Mac were getting ready to catch "Kingy's" (kingfish) outside the harbour and I was trying to watch the horizon...as it went up and down with 2 meter swells.  We had such a great time, even though I got seasick we loved it!

The next day Thomas and I drove up to Cape Reinga at the tippy top of New Zealand where you can see the Tasman Sea meet the Pacific Ocean as the waves crash on each other.  To get there you can drive the windy highway 4 hours north, or take a detour up 90mile beach.  You drive out to the coast  and all you can see is beach and ocean stretching in either direction.  

100kph + lots of courage and low tide = cruising down the beach!

Our second fishing adventure happened the next day in the bay off Paihia.  Murray took us fishing for snapper in his custom made fishing boat, determined to catch a feed for dinner.  We had everything - a fish finder to see where the fish were hanging out, bait, polls, more bait and even some snacks for morning tea.  I was determined not to get sick this time, it worked out well because we fished standing up which was much better.  We caught heaps of snapper, it was amazing!  

Then as we were wrapping up something big caught my line.  I had to give it over to Murray to save from being pulled in with the rod,  and he brought in the mystery fish.  It was pulling so hard the boat was moving where the fish was taking us.  Just as Murray brought it as close as he could we saw it... A HAMMER HEAD SHARK!  I was flipping out, granted it was a "baby shark" about 2 meters long, but it was so amazing to see.  Needless to say we went home happy, without the shark with all our fingers and toes.

Lamb chops?

Since this blog is all about experiences I figured I should share my good moments along with those that stretch me.  Here goes...

A few weeks ago our dear friends Sheryn and Bones invited us over to experience a New Zealand tradition... the home kill.  (Don't worry I will spare you the details)  

Thomas thought this was something that I needed to see, since it would be a first for me.  He feels that it is really important to know where you food comes from, what it eats and how it has been treated.  He even made a little speech about it at his sister's wedding- I love him.

  While I feel that it all well and good, I also like the blind innocence of just going to the grocery store and finding chicken breasts, lamb chops etc.  Since marriage is all about challenging and growing with eachother, I thought I should see things from his perspective.

Most people here in NZ raise their own animals for food.  Everyone seems to have their own laying hens, sheep, pigs, you name it and they are all raised with a purpose.  Sheryn and Bones raise the lambs for the meat and so they can feed their growing family, I respect all the hard work and care that goes into taking care of all those animals.  Thomas would love to get sheep and chickens, I'm still warming up to the idea.

So off we went to round up the lambs- Fiona, Sheryn and I brought up the back while the boys and Ruby rounded up the sheep.  We brought them into the wool shed where Bones picked the most mature one that was of age.  Bones was quick and kind- don't worry, he's been doing this since he was young. 

I think the most interesting part was how happy we (myself included) are with not knowing anything about our food.  While I wouldn't do this everyday I appreciate the fact that the animals we well treated and taken care of and the meat is healthy and lean.  This is everyday for most families down here.  I can't lie- somedays I feel like a Pioneer...Thomas thinks I still have a lot to work on:)

Liver and onions anyone?

things i heart

Sitting next to my hubby by the fire...

Playing with Ruby...

Together it's magic!

I have been a bride...now it's time to be a bridesmaid!

A fav pic of my hubby and maid of honor.  

I love the saying always a bridesmaid never a bride.  It's very whoa is me, but I am feeling under pressure because I have been a bride and now it's time for me to get my bridesmaid on.  Well, in this case it will be matron of honor.  (the name alone makes me feel so old!) 

Al and Kase get married in 96 days (thanks to Thomas' calculations) and I feel like I have been a slacker bridesmaid being so far away.  I have decided to get my buns in gear and help out, as much as you can from NZ. (Al I hope you are ready for this)

Thanks to the internet there are so may websites/blogs out there to help you with ideas.  My most favorite of the night is http://alwaysablogsmaid.com They have such cute ideas to help you with your party planning, the pinwheels on the main page are really cute idea.

My bridesmaids we so wonderful to me, I hope that I can be the same support and they were. 

Here we go girls, we can do another fabulous wedding!  Look out Martha Stewart we're coming.

~PS...If there are any other ideas out there- please feel free to share~

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up?

Doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers... all such admirable answers.

It's such an innocent question to ask 5 and 6 year old kids and their answers always seem so definate.
I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up, as I am obviously still growing :)  I do know that I want to change people's lives.  I want to be a missionary, a worship leader, fashion designer, personal shopper, amazing baker and the list goes on and on.

Do we have to pick just one, we want to do something great.  Somedays I feel like lets get on with it and make these big things happen. 

Maybe I need to start jumping out of my comfort box a bit more.

Get Jumping!

It's already April..... the latest 'in our backyard photo'

The one question I would like to ask it what the heck happened to March?  I think I must have blinked and all of the sudden here we are on April 14 2010, sprig time is just blooming in the states while autumn is gracing us with here presence here in New Zealand.  It is so wonderful walking outside and smelling falling leaves in the crisp fresh air.  All of my American feelings say that it's October, time for Thanksgiving, pumpkin pie and apple picking.  However alas it's April. 

To be honest I am having a bit of trouble adjusting, just when we thought we were getting the hang of this New Zealand thing!

PS thought we should also share with you our latest photo from our backyard.  It was actually taken from Jerry and Sue Blakelee's backyard over looking Christchurch.  This is Thomas's dad Sam pondering with their pet alpaca, both very curious creatures:)

Things I miss...

Taking walks in DC with my sisters

Being able to absorb creative juices from Ali- she finds an artistic way to do everything.

Carolyn's style tips:)

Kasey's love for shooting guns whenever the sun is shining, and sometimes even when it isn't.

Mi familia

Ter Ter and Berto

The Matthews clan.

We just sent Thomas's mom and dad back home to the farm.  Safe travels Sam and Melba- we miss you already!

In our backyard...

Where do you find beauty?  Sometime we think one must search far and wide to see new and amazing things.  Other times you see that you don't have to go to far, just open your eyes to what lies in your own backyard.

A view of the southern night sky looking back at our house and beyond. Incredible. (thanks Justin Michau!)

Ter Ter and Berto come to New Zealand

They finally made it, mom and dad were here in NZ for 2 weeks with us in January!  We had such a wonderful time showing them around this little island we call home.  It was so fun to see their reaction to all the cultural differences, lingo and scenery.  When we came here last February to visit with our friends Marla and Justin, mom heard all about the magnificent "flat whites" and "meat pies" they have here so she got off the plane determined to try all the things we had raved about the year before.  Here we are at the Sheffield Pie shop for a piece of hot heaven in your mouth:)  Mom loved it, but for dad the jury was still out, he didn't get the best flavor meat pie.

 

First major stop along the way was castle rock.  Its set up along the hillside where all these boulders just decided to hang out, not sure how they got there, but they are amazing to look at.  You can hike along here or even go rock climbing up these if you dare.  (Thomas and I will prob come back and do some of that soon).
Next stop was Pancake rocks.  Along the coast on your way up to Greymouth you will see them, cliff edges that look like big piles of pancakes stacked as high as they can go.  The waves rosh in and out and have carved caves deep underneath the edge of the island, so between these pancake rocks you have big blow holes where the water shoots up through the air at high tide.  Truly amazing.

As we made out way back down the coast mom decided she needed to touch every body of water that surrounded NZ- most important was the Tasman Sea.  As our trip went on, we didn't have the best weather (there was major road flooding to be exact), but we had the best time just enjoying hanging out together.

Lupins covered the field on the way to Milford Sound, we just had to stop off for a little photo shoot.

Thomas came back to join us at the end of the South Island adventure road trip, he had to work while I played tour guide.  Above you'll see us at the Moreaki Boulders....again rocks that formed out of no where, it's a trend here in NZ.

Can you tell we had fun!

And We're Back...

Well this post is WAY overdue... We have had quite a few busy busy weeks lately.  Thomas and I have been traveling all around the South Island visiting with friends for the holidays..

Christmas morning with the Eastons

Christmas afternoon on the beach.  A once in a lifetime story.

 ... then my mom and dad later in January for my birthday!  What an amazing gift that was to have them here for two whole weeks!  The first week I took off to show them around the island, a whirl wind trip covering only a few thousand kilometers.

Starting at Castle Rocks, huge boulders on the side of the hills sitting like sleeping giants.  So amazing!

One of the hundreds of waterfalls we stopped to see along the way.  Thanks to mom we knew how many we passed as she would point them all out along the way:)  (love you ter ter)

Lupins in full bloom coming in and out of Milford Sound.  We only scratched the surface of the breathtaking scenery here.  Everywhere you turn there is something new to see and explore.  It's so new here that I think it keeps our minds and curiosity peaked at all times.  So much to take in. I guess you all will just have to come visit to see more!

Twinkle twinkle little worm

Yesterday my parents arrived to our little island all the way from snowy Rochester.   Words don't describe how excited we were for them to come, or how wonderful it has been having them here.  My dad is loving the kiwi phrases and has claimed "no worries mate" as his own, and my mom swears the coffee is better and stronger here than in the states.  It's a running joke that everything is different here b/c technically those of us who come from the northern hemisphere are really standing on our heads down here on the other side of the world.  Thomas and I have had time to acclimate, mom says they'll come around:)

Tonight we ventured back into a glow worm dell after a late night dinner.  It's set just off the road 50 metres, and as you walk back into a rain forest type area  in the dark you suddenly see all these little glowing dots all surrounding you.  It was like looking into the starry night sky right next to where you are standing.  So we decided to sing them a little song to them...

Twinkle twinkle little worm,
How I wonder how you squirm,
Nestled in the dirt so deep,
As you twinkle while you sleep,
Twinkle twinkle little worm,
How I wonder how you squirm.

Little wormies with glowing bums:)

happy happy holidays

Merry Christmas and happy new year!  Our holiday time has been a wonderfully busy one.  It's been a bit since we've updated on what's happening in the lives of these New Zealanders, but I'm happy to report we're still loving this crazy life of ours.

Christmas was spent with the fabulous Easton family (also known as our bestest buddies over here)

We spent Christmas morning opening prezzies with Morgan, Hayley, David and two of the boys that work with Morg on the farm.  Thomas spoiled me with Canterbury rugby gear and a new (1979) singer sewing machine.  I had to be a bit more stealth with his gift- flown all the way in from the Apple store in Aussie- an FM transmitter for his IPhone- yay!After breakfast we headed out to Dunedin to spend the rest of Christmas day with Joy and Lockee Easton (Grandma and Govenor), and the rest of the aunts, uncles and cousins.  The whole time we felt so welcome and happy which is what you would hope to feel at Christmas time.  However, when you're not near family, it's a rarity to feel so at home.  Joy pulled me aside as soon as we arrived at her house and said- please feel like this is just like your Christmas too, not just our family Christmas.  She is quite a spunky and amazing woman.

The rest of Christmas afternoon was spent on the beach soaking up the 30 deg./ 75 deg. sun and dipping our toes in the icy cold southern ocean.  Not typically something you would do on Christmas day in the northeast- Pa or NY.

Even though we were so far away from the ones we love, all in all it was a wonderfully memorable Christmas.