More Little Towns...

Hi everyone,

Sorry the posts have been few and far between lately, I've been a bit busy making Etsy custom orders while also trying to make a few new things to put up in the shop - that part isn't going so well, but I hope to have some new things up in about two weeks (I feel like I say that all the time!).

The weekend just passed, David and I took a day trip to Oamaru - NZ's Victorian town. Its a sweet little place that we've only ever driven through on the way to Christchurch. There was supposed to be an amazing garage sale there that actually turned out to be only around 10 stalls, and that's being generous!

So after that little flop, we headed over to the old precint and I'm so glad we did. There is one amazing vintage shop there, owned by a very victorian-esque chap who makes custom victorian mens wear on a very victorian-esq black singer sewing machine (the kind that comes attached to a table). I managed to pick up two vintage dresses for a steal, and while I tried on said dresses, David got chatting with the man and walked away extremely tempted to buy a custom made, wool victorian suit. The one that was on display was beautiful and if it had fit David, I think we would have bought it.

As luck would have it, we are back in Oamaru this weekend for the Oamaru Victorian Heritage Festival. And while I own nothing of the sort that could even pass as victorian, one of the dresses I bought could pass for the Regency period, which is about 100years to early. Oh well, I wonder if anyone will notice I'm 100 years out of date with my dress?

Once that's over, I plan to make the sleeves less puffy (they are incredibly puffy) and shorten it a bit to make it more 20th century!

The outfit I am wearing today is inspired by Solanah - she called it a Spring outfit, and since I'm in a Spring cold snap, I made my own version. The pants are by Tara Starlet - I've been wanting some since the start of the year when I read about them on several other blogs. I bought two pairs and am still deciding on whether to buy some of their shorts too...

This pair fit me perfectly around the wasit, but were really baggy around my hips. Luckily I'm a bit okay on a sewing machine and have since put this right!!


XX
Jen

Here is the second set of pictures from Naseby of me on my vintage bike.

There are a few lessons I learnt that day:

1) Don't wear a long-ish dress while cycling. It means you need to pull it up right past your knees so you can cycle comfortably and the person taking the photos needs to make sure they don't take, ahem, inappropriate ones.

2) Wear proper shoes.

3) Understand whether your bike is a road bike or a mountain bike. I discovered that mine is a road bike, and even cycling along the race was a smidge difficult because of all the stones and holes I had to avoid. Unfortunately, one such hole jumped out at me and got me which meant I toppled off my bike and nearly tumbled down the side of a slope before I caught myself. The dress and the bike were unharmed, my stockings, however, were unable to be saved.

And for those of you wondering - why, yes I am a safety concious rider. Helmets on stat!

XX
Jen

The Teeny Tiny Town of Naseby...

Hello Everyone,

I am back from an incredibly lovely weekend. It was hot and sunny and David and I spent the time reading, eating, walking, biking and taking photos.

Indeed it is 2000ft, above worry level!

I wasn't sure which set of photos to post first - David took photos of me riding my bike on Saturday but then on Sunday morning we went for a nice long walk and took photos around the town. I thought I'd maybe show you the 'town' photos first so you can get a taste of teeny, tiny Naseby.

There were about four different vintage cars on the side of the main road. I was eyeing them up for a photo but David and I were afraid people would see us. This one was around the corner, so a little less conspicuous, and it sort of matched my outfit, so we took a quick snap. I can now cross off 'having my photo taken next to a vintage car' from my list of things to do...

There are around 100 people that permanently live in Naseby, the rest are just holiday homes. Its crazy to think that Naseby gets packed over the summer time, especially when this time around, there was no one there except a few people popping into the shop for the paper, or walking the dog.

When David and I settle down somewhere and have our own garden, I am determined to find a red phone booth for it! I've wanted one since forever! Working phone optional.

Naseby was primarily a gold mining settlement - for those of you unfimiliar with NZ, the Otago region (where I live) was the gold mining region, and lots of people came from all over the world to make their fortunes. Or not in some cases...

An old bit of pipe from the gold mining days...

The old post shop - I found my own gold here, two boxes of fabric!

David's aunt and uncle own a gorgeous, tiny little stone cabin which used to be a gold mining hut - I would have taken a photo of it, but they were there that weekend and I would have felt a bit strange :)

The smallest of bridges...

There are tonnes of gorgeous little houses about the town, its almost like being in a movie - tiny and perfect in every way.

Dinky old shops with their original paintwork, this shop apparently had hoisery, womens clothing, haberdashery etc...

A small view of Naseby...

And that is a small rundown of Naseby! I'll post my 'biking shots' on Wednesday...

XX
Jen

Off for the Weekend...

Hello Hello,

I am off today for the weekend to lovely, sunny Central Otago and I can't wait! I haven't been away for a relaxing weekend for a really really long time.

This means that I will be without the internet (gasp!) and won't be able to reply to emails or comments until early next week. But I will be sure to get David to take photos, especially of me on my vintage bike. I haven't been able to get it out for a decent ride since I got it towards the end of August, and Naseby is the perfect place to take it on its maiden voyage (well, maiden voyage for me anyway!).

Also, lovely Casey has just put up my sponsor spotlight on her blog for my shop, Jennifer Lauren. So I thought this would be the perfect oppertunity to let you all know again, that I am more than happy to take on custom orders. I currently have two that I am working on and it doesn't cost any extra at all. I have loads and loads of fabric, so will more than likely have a colour or style you might like, and if I don't, then I'll be on the look out for it! I can do all sizes, from petite to plus, so if you are looking for something, don't hesitate to flick me an email or convo via Etsy.

Okay, enough tooting of my own horn :)

Have a lovely weekend, and I promise to get back to you all quick-smart on Monday,

XX
Jen

Winter Woolies...

Hi Everyone,

Just stopping by to let you all know that I have updated the shop with two new skirts - both made from upcycled wool fabric, just for those of you heading into the cooler months.

Its a glorious sunny Spring day here today, I might try and find things to do outdoors, I'm sure I can come up with something!!

XX
Jen

Halloween...

Happy Belated Halloween...

How was yours? Ours was rather laid back besides carving pumpkins, which David actually did all by himself while I was sewing.

I didn't really dress up, but I put on my vintage orange mini dress for pumpkin photos, which David took (thanks Hun). We also discovered that Mocha likes to eat pumpkin - how very healthy of her :)

We didn't quite get around to making pumpkin pie, but hopefully will get on top of that tonight. And speaking of tonight - today is David's birthday, Happy Birthday Hun!!

XX
Jen

ps) Look out for a shop update in the middle of this week - I have two winter woolly skirts to put in the shop for those of you entering the cooler months.

Shorts and Shops...

Hi Everyone,

David is back and it is good :)

And because David is back, I get presents! Most of the time I can be rather vague when asked what I might want in terms of presents from people, but this time, all I wanted was strange sugary things from afar, and that is exactly what I got:


Yum. That meant yesterday I spent the better half of the day eating sugar, which is completely fine with me by the way.

Tomorrow night is date night which means dinner and a movie, yay. And because I chose last time, he gets to choose this time, so we are going to see The Surrogates and I'm looking forward to it. A good bit of action never hurt anyone...

Also, I got sent a lovely message via Etsy today saying congratulations for having my red skirt featured on Etsy Finds. I had no idea, so started searching but never found anything - can you find it? I'd love to link it because its pretty darn exciting being featured in an Etsy finds post. I was searching in their blog, but perhaps its somewhere else?

Edited to add - David just found it for me, Thanks hun, its HERE!

And speaking of shops, I will have an update next week and I wanted to show you the dress I just finished making for a lovely lady. She emailed me with a photo, asked if I could do it, I said yes and away we went.

I won't lie and tell you that the pleats didn't kill me a little, but I love the way they turned out and am thinking of adding a pleated style skirt to the shop some time soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

XX
Jen