Eight Eight a little bit late!

Shirt: Wish from Depeche Mode

Skirt: gift from my sister

Shoes: Nine West

We got a bit carried away with these photos.  Didn't realize most were out of focus till the very end, but I think you can still get the feel for the outfit.  I love the shirt because it has such a luxurious feel with the subtle detail of the puffy sleeves.  The skirt also carries a bit of a surprise with an exposed zip at the back (hard to see in the picture).  

Just another Monday in New Zealand.

Day 7

Wanaka weekend came to a close with a BBQ at the Lamborn house, so I decided that Hannah - owner of the Depeche Mode would have to model outfit #7 with me.  Seemed fitting as she is quite stylish herself and has been helping to hold me accountable for my 30 days.

 Hannah-

Featuring clothing from Depeche Mode, Ashburton

Me - 

Shirt: Forever 21

Jeans: Rugby

Belt: J. Crew

 The boys watching their latest hunting expedition in the mountains :)

Ross = Thomas' hunting buddy

Hannah = my shopping buddy

All in all a very good match!

Side Note: Somehow in the midst of my 30 days of fashion we decided to move house, throw a Halloween party and have a garage sale all in the same weekend.  While it seemed like a good idea at the time... I have to be honest... I strayed from the path of fashion and broke the 30-for-30 rules for my Halloween costume! (pictures will soon follow)

Time out-

Sorry for not posting the last few days.  Thomas and I just finished shifting house this weekend.   With the help of our sweet Ashvegas friends Sally, Mark and the Robinson family we were able to get everything sold, cleaned and shifted in two days!  Thanks to all who helped :)

More posts to come, just be patient.  It took me 20 min this morning to find out where one pair of shoes for my 30-for-30 collection were, but I stayed true to the challenge!

30 for 30: pieces

Some have asked to see a pic of the pieces I'm working with.

4 sets of shoes, 2 jeans, cardis, shirts, skirts and pants.  Let the fun begin!

We're going on a leopard hunt

Thought this was an appropriate title... since my leopard cardi is making so many appearances this weekend!

Cardi: Banana Republic

Jeans: Rugby

Shirt: Wish from Depeche Mode

Purse: Fossil

We stopped off at the Peregrine Winery in Otago, NZ.  It's just the right distance between Wanaka and Queenstown when you are ready to stretch you legs and do a little wine tasting.  Apparently they are known for their Sauvignon Blancs, but I opted for the heavenly gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir that will peak in 3 years.
Leopard cardis are also good for...

Bungy Jumping!

Eating Fergburgers!

Life is a joy ride

- Day 6 -
Does this feel like it's going on forever for anyone else?  I love my 30 items, but I feel like the month should be over already.  I guess that's why they call it a challenge.
Anyway, back to day six, or Day one of the wonderful Wanaka holiday!

I like how those three tell a little story.  Off we went to Morgan's grandparents for morning tea and Thomas was wonderfully documenting the trip with his IPhone - biking and taking pictures is serious coordination!  

Me (eating sushi):

Cardi: Banana Republic

Shirt: Undercurrent Board Store

Necklace: Anthropologie

Jeans: J.Crew

Hayley: 

Cardi: Witchery

Shirt: Country Road

Jeans:  very cute!

We spent the whole day outdoors, biking, walking along the lake and then just relaxing on the lawn back at the batch.  We love Wanaka!

Fabulous day 5

Today I was super lucky to:
1. Not have to work.
2. Hang out with my awesome friends Pam, Lucas (2 yrs.) and newly born Jacob for the day.
3. Road Trip to Wanaka with our other awesome friends Morgan and Hayley.

Lets just say fashion day 5 had to cover all bases of running around at gymbugs, playing in the sandbox, cooking tea, holding babies, riding in the car and still looking awesome 12 hours later!  I think we may have a winner here folks.

Cardi: Depeche Mode - Staple

Shirt: Boutique in Indiana

Jeans: J.Crew

Sandals: hand-me-down from my sister

Shot in the living room of the Easton family holiday house :)  I love the red chairs!

Fashion Day 4

Leopard cardi: Banana Republic

Belt: Gabriel Brothers

Shirt: JCrew

Shoes: From my sister

As you can see days 2 and 3 are missing.  I was the only one home so I have to get Thomas to grab pics for me when he gets home.  (I haven't forgotten). 

I put this outfit together never having worn a cardigan like this before, tucked in and belted.  I felt pretty good in this selection, throwing in the glasses for a nerdier look.  Alice, the office assistant at work called it sweet.  It's good fun, people are starting to get involved in the challenge, trying to help me piece things together and cheering me on.  

This weekend we head to Wanaka for a bit of a holiday and yes the 30 pieces go with me.  Bonus about only being able to choose from a limited selection...everything fits in the suitcase!

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!)