I recently took my grandmother for a girls' trip to Wellington, a city which — despite several visits to New Zealand — she has never visited. It was only a couple of nights stay and a day of exploring Te Papa, the national museum.

Having recently turned eighty, my Lola has definitely slowed down from the pace of our trip around Europe back when I was fourteen. I have to remind myself constantly to slow down so she can keep up. Recently she has been less inclined to accompany us on shopping or cafe outings, preferring to stay at home in the warm. It's probably the last real chance to wander round a hill city like Wellington by foot and on this trip she tired quickly and was experiencing discomfort. Her knee's been playing up in the wintry cold.


For that reason I was pretty glad to have splashed out for a two bedroom, five star apartment in the heart of the city. With her waking at 4AM and 5AM on our two mornings there, sharing a room, no matter how nice, would have done neither of us any good. And with inclement weather the option of staying in with room service and then an onsite restaurant also made a lot of difference. As much as my grandmother insisted that she was game to walk from the Terrace to Lambton Quay for dinner, in the dark, cold and wet I think we'd have been inviting trouble. Her relief at staying put was almost palpable.


I'd stayed at the Bolton Hotel before so knew what to expect. The hotel facilities are excellent: 24 hour reception and room service, a concierge and porters, house-keeping to give a tidy every day, well-equipped kitchenette — complete with clothes washer/dryer — master room with ensuite and bath, respectable open-plan lounge and dining area. Both rooms had king beds, Samsung smart TVs and iPad Minis. The Artisan restaurant is fine dining and there's a small cafe in the foyer. The gym is small but decent, the pool is narrow but proper lap length, there's a great spa and good sauna. Basically, if you're taking it slow and need plenty of quiet rest time, or simply the weather isn't great for exploring outdoors, it's a great place to be stuck.

We definitely made good use of the facilities: baths the first night and spa and sauna after dinner on the second evening.


My advice if you're travelling with someone elderly or not in the best of health is to consider the benefits of facilities that can be found in something as well-rounded as the Bolton. By the time you count the cost of taxis or car hire and parking to get around the city, and weigh the benefits of having facilities and services to hand, it may pay to upgrade your accommodation and have great sleep and peace of mind.

On a couple of occasions, I've talked a bit about my skincare philosophy. Certainly I find winter is a lot harder on my skin than the other seasons and the exposure to heating and drying is already causing discomfort. So last weekend I stopped by the Clarins counter at the department store and found some products to help me this season. It was nice to get a gift pack and some samples thrown in.

I chose Clarins because I was impressed enough with their firming lotion that I went ahead recently and bought the body serum and the abdomen shaping lotion too. Since I'm happy with all three it seemed fair to try them for my winter facial regimen as well and so far, so good.

I'm not really advocating Clarins here. They're certainly not the only brand I buy and like.  But it has taken a few attempts to find products that work for me. Ones I've tried and which haven't suited have been passed on to friends, who by nature of their skintone or lifestyle, have reported that they like them well enough.

I am an advocate of finding what works for you: whether that's a natural treatment such as rosehip oil, a supermarket shelf product, a premium brand, or something boutique. It's certainly not for some random blogger on the web to imply that a modern potion works like magic.

But, if you wonder what makes me look younger than the age calculated from my birth certificate it's partly because I take skincare seriously. The skin is the largest organ on our bodies but we invariably treat it harshly from exposure to sun, wind and aircon to our diets and habits. It's as much about health as aesthetics to take a little care of it.

A week on, I can report that my skin feels much better despite me huddling by the fire. It's not soley the new serum and moisturiser which I use in the morning. When I feel like my skin needs a boost I use my tried and true Olay moisturising cream at night which is a thicker, richer formulation than most. I'd run out and bought a new tub on the same day I got the Clarins products.

The new winter regime is certainly working for me. In my skin

A couple of months ago I was discussing coloured jeans with a colleague. I'd never actually bought any but felt I should. Jen has them but often feels too self-conscious to wear them. Most of us have parts of our bodies which we dislike and it can feel a bit like we're pointing a flashing arrow at them if we highlight them with colour.

All this got me thinking about the things I do when I want to to work around parts of my body I'm not feeling confident about.

I am no different with regard to body image issues but I am fortunate that I can exercise and 'diet' (I use that term loosely since I merely monitor my calorie intake if I want to move weight around) myself into proportions I can live with. Only a couple of years ago finding pants that would go over my thighs and still fit around the waist was problematic so finding a skinny pair of jeans would have been challenging. I felt conscious about my thighs and actively worked on slimming them down again and now I've divested the extra kilos I'm back to skinny jeans, ponti pants and short shorts.

Given the style challenge this year I thought it likely that just about every colour in the randomiser would eventually going to end up with "pants" as the style challenge so the last time I went thrifting I actually bought a couple of stretch denim jeans: one in red and one in green.

Yesterday's challenge was actually pants of any colour and my other half voted for green. A chance to put my thrifted jeans to work and share a few visual tricks. Yusss!



So here are a few tips for wearing coloured legs if you're not au fait with them:

• If you feel that coloured jeans merely draw attention to booty and/or thighs that you feel self-conscious about, then pick a top that's at least as deep in colour as the jeans so that undue attention isn't placed on your ass-ets.
• Unless you're building off a colour palette from a jumping off point that will bring the whole outfit together, choose a top that's in a neutral colour. Wearing a red top with green jeans can make you look like a wannabe Christmas elf so stick to black, white, denim blue or a shade of tan.
• Your legs take up a lot of visual real estate so be sure to bring the eye of the beholder back up by using some statement up top - in my case I've chosen tonally complementary neck candy.
• In as much as colour on the bottom half can draw other people's the attention down don't fall prey to it too. Look at your whole self in the mirror and match the shape of your top to the shape you're aiming for. If the colour and style of the jeans throws you into a pear shape and you were aiming for hourglass, choose a top that visually broadens your shoulders.
• I don't assume these days that you're wanting hourglass: if you're for big booty pear juiciness per Minaj and Azalea then visually narrow your shoulders. A top that cuts in a bit on the armholes can make you appear bigger down there.
• Finally, just as wearing a pair of black shoes with black pants can visually lengthen your leg, wearing similar tones on your tootsies can make your legs look longer and therefore slimmer. This works even with flats but I prefer to make an extra couple of inches over and above the visual trickery!

Model: Natasha Bell

A poster at Westfield reminded me that the winter ball season is upon us. For those who choose to participate it can be a costly affair, not least of which is the sometimes exorbitant amount spent on finding the perfect dress: a dress that gets used once, maybe twice.
A bit of diamante

The style challenge for Mother's Day was bohemian and red. I put two looks together for the theme: one I wore in the morning and the other — a sedate, less gypsy, more 1920s Paris — was for high tea lunch at Ballantynes.

Whilst both outfits were lovely — and the white and red version certainly garnered positive comments from strangers at the carpark —  my favourite of the two was this romantic gypsy version in an almost indecent mini-length.

The dress does all the work because this kind of bohemian is all about colour, clashing prints and plenty of fabric. Add shape with a belt in the required colour, pop on a pair of cherry red boots and finish with bling in gold. Done!

What do I love about this? The labeless mini-dress was a thrifted find so it was inexpensive. So was the belt. The chiffon, in great volume, has lots of movement: I feel light and a bit of a flower child in it, even if I wouldn't lean over in public.

The strange thing is that at age twenty-four I took on a step-mother role for pre-adolescent children and had to get very serious, very fast. And I was already pretty serious for a twenty-something woman. In my tech-hedonist life this meant stopping gaming until the early hours of the morning and in my style life this was dressing as an adult because arguing with a teenager about the length of her school kilt seems a bit double-standard if you're guilty of the same.


Over the last few years, as the children have become adults themselves and we have become a childless household, I've felt able to return to doing things without concern that I am being a bad example. These days, the example I want to set for my kids is to be relaxed about who they are and be empowered young women. I want for them to know their own minds, own their decisions and to have their own sense of style: both in life and in clothes.

All this means that I'm even more relaxed as a thirty-six year old about how fanciful my outfits are and how much leg I'm showing. If being bohemian is about being free-spirited and being yourself then I think part of what excites me about this outfit is that it was exactly who I felt like and exactly what I wanted to wear at that moment.

I was recently asked whether I keep separate winter and autumn wardrobes. I don't. I believe in the power of layering and whilst some items may get less use over winter or over summer, I like to keep all my options available.
 
The same principle applies when I travel and I prefer to take a number of lighter mix-n-match pieces which layer to suit cooler weather as well as allowing me to strip off for heated interiors.

I love my ponti pants: street alternatives to tights and skinny jeans giving the best of both worlds in stretchy comfort and ass-supporting shape. I also love my cotton-blend knit crop tops, both for comfort, the avoidance of holiday ironing and, well, abs.

With a pair of classic leather boots, in this case my knee-high Pulp riding boots, I have a base for some autumn/winter adventures.


My matching Michael Kors jacket is the perfect travel companion to my boots. It's practical in weather and can take a little wet, a lot of wind and even a bit of snow and frost. As well as dressing down for casual it's smart and classic design can dress up a little too. I bought it with sufficient room to add a couple of layers beneath.

This Caroline Morgan top in a beautifully organic design chiffon is very versatile and an excellent palette for autumn travel. On warmer days it breaks up the black without adding too much heat.Worn unbelted for ultra casual or with a belt to add shape.


As I am wont to do when putting a single outfit together, I pack my travel wardrobe using a jumping off item to define the range. Whether I'm sticking to the classic metallic - I usually choose gold - or being more daring, it helps to have something which binds disparate items together. This trip I chose the Caroline Morgan top and other items I took with me used the deep browns, greens, creams and blacks that the top contains.


I'm gutted that I live in a country famed for producing wonderful merino product and yet I can't wear wool, even fine merino, for any length of time without breaking out in an itch. Regardless, autumn and winter are definitely for knits and this thrifted Glassons polyester jersey is a travel staple.

I do have one wool item which I'm able to wear, usually because I layer it over several other garments. This wool throw is both feminine and practical. So easy to just throw on for a quick dash out or for lounging around in the homestead.


All these outfits use the black base and between them offer a versatile range of looks, from rustic casual to city chic for a spot of holiday shopping.

My advice if travelling is to pick boots that are flat or with a very low heel. My bestie brought healed boots with her and we ended up buying a pair similar to mine for her given how uncomfortable a few hours of walking in heals, even stocky ones, can be.

Friday's challenge of floral and waistcoat induced a combination I probably wouldn't have put together if I hadn't had the challenge prompts and yet I was very happy with the resulting look for it's quirkiness.

The jumping off item was definitely the Portmans dress which offers a wide variety of colour options to run with. Given the waistcoat I matched it with was black, I chose to go with a black Fiorelli bag and my staple Isabella Anselmi stiletto pumps.

It was cool enough to wear gloves, despite the sunshine and I chose to go with the deep red leather pair I found at Glassons a couple of years back. I love these gloves because the thinness of the leather means my capacitive touch devices can be operated without taking off the gloves: excellent for txting while out in the weather.

I confess that I fell in love with this Blockout gold bandage dress from the moment I put it on at the Bondi Beach shop during a girls' weekend trip to Sydney. I was reticent to buy it because it's quite flashy and I wondered when I would ever get to wear it.

But the dress seduced me with its excellent fit: it's snug as second skin and given the weight of the fabric stays in place. I feel completely secure in it.

It's definitely not my only bandage dress, and not even the only one in gold but it is definitely my favourite. Given my philosophical stance on wearing what I like but creatively flexing it to be appropriate for the situation, this dress has even made it into the office.

I was extremely pleased to encounter gold and bodycon in the April challenge, simply for the chance to become golden girl for a while.

My friend Jen rated this dress an 11 out of 10. I agree.

Golden girl

Ness brought her distinctive, ice cream sundae style on our girls' weekend away.

My bestie and I went on a girls' weekend away to celebrate 25 years of friendship. We first met when we were 11 years old - I know you're running the calculations and have figured out that we're now thirty-six years old.

Ness booked us into the beautiful Waiorau Homestead in Cardrona. It's about fifteen minutes drive from Wanaka where we spent a number of hours taking photos of the lake, cruising the shops - Ness was the extravagant shopper on this trip - and eating way too much yummy food.

Part of the trip was a jaunt to Queenstown, about an hour and half away on hairpin bend roads in the middle of stunning mountain scenery. Ness had wanted to bungy for some time and booked herself into The Ledge from which she took a Peter Pan-style running leap. I bought her knee-high leather boots while we were there to commemorate our anniversary: after all we both like clothes and genuine leather boots will last at least 25 years!

Whilst the weather was mostly in our favour we did get a morning of rain through which we bunked down at the homestead and worked our way through a jigsaw puzzle. Later the rain turned into brisk but sunny. Lake Wanaka was a sight to behold with choppy waves in the foreground and snow covered peaks in the distance. Beautiful!

Layering lighter items meant that my travel wardrobe could handle warm days and snow days.

On our last morning we woke to snow covered grounds. We had been so snug inside we didn't notice the change in weather outside until the curtains opened.

I barely unpacked from the previous week's trip to the Coromandel, choosing instead to switch out a few items to turn my travel wardrobe from summer to winter. Some items are so versatile they easily bridge seasons. Some clever layering and a simple palette can mean you're comfortable regardless of weather and occasion.

The Waiorau Homestead is a beautiful and comfortable place to stay if you're visiting the Wanaka area.

The picturesque grounds of the homestead made for a couple of very pleasant photoshoots and I highly recommend Waiorau if you're heading south for some skiing this winter. As well as lovely rooms and comfortable, spacious common areas, breakfast is included with your stay. In the down times you can entertain yourselves with DVD movies, cable TV, books and games. An excellent place to R&R!

If you haven't visited our beautiful country before and are planning your visit, be sure to come further south and enjoy all the activities and views we have to offer. Where the north has mild weather and pleasant beaches, the south has wild terrain and plenty of outdoor pursuits to entice and distract you.

I've been in the Coromandel for the first bit of the Easter break and although it's technically autumn already, knowing I was going to be in a beautiful and warm part of the country, I kept one of the Seven Days of Summer swimwear and coverups aside. Afterall, what an ideal place to take some beautiful photos and play in some crystal clear water!

Unfortunately I managed to catch a cold before heading on holiday which meant that despite the warmth of the water in Whitianga - where these photos were taken - I was restricted to paddling rather than dunking my head all the way under.

It was beaut tho' and I spent a whole day in my bikini in the hopes of actually getting into some salted water. In particular, I was hopeful of digging into the sand at the famous Hot Water Beach and getting a combo deal of thermal spring with beach views. It was hellishly busy when we made it there for the brief opportunity that low tide provides. Digging toes into the sand whilst paddling just in front of the spring however was fun and quite hot.

What I love about the bikini and scarf combo I wore is that they are also from seaside holidays and I associate them with happy memories.

The bikini is Now brand from KMart. I happened to find it during wet patch on my last trip to Nelson and nabbed it for use in the spa pool available at the holiday house. Initially I thought I'd be restricted to spa pool action with it as it's strapless but the bandeau is well made and the non-slip hem works really well. I wouldn't be worried about trying it in other types of water.

The large scarf worn as a sarong was one of a few that I purchased on clearance from Charlotte Russe in 2013. As I was in Hawaii for a friend's wedding, the scarf got a lot of use as a coverup on Kailua beach.



What's absolutely excellent about pairing these two items is that they share the same aqua, black and white palette and although the swimwear is a tropical print and the scarf is a pattern of bird silhouettes, they are complementary.

I have resolved that a return to this part of the country is in order. Beautiful weather and pristine beaches. If you're into seaside holidays, then you'll absolutely enjoy the number of sand, shell and rock beaches that line the coast all of which are teeming with life from fish and shellfish to a wide variety of birds and insects. Whether you're swimming, fishing, boating, taking photos of the scenery or wildlife, building sandcastles or exploring life in the rock pools there's plenty to see and do for people of all ages.

I love exploring the local charity and consignment shops when I'm on holiday and I was pleasantly surprised at the number I found in little old Whitianga in the Coromandel. After all it's a town of only 4000 people, if you don't count all the tourists and holidayers. My particular favourite was Rubosa, a traditional consignment store, selling a wide variety of brands. I might have come away with few things... I'm sure they'll feature on the blog over the coming months.

One gem was this pair of classic cut Max Clothing shorts which were brand new with tags. I had missed seeing them in store so was happy to pick these up. They were a perfect fit so there's no need for my gran to adjust them and I could wear them pretty much as soon as I'd whizzed them through the wash. As they are lined, they're also not see through despite being white.

One of the pesky things about being on holiday is getting nice looks together from a small number of items but if you plan or shop right, you can actually mix and match for different, and activity appropriate, looks all the way through.

These shorts are versatile: they're dressy enough to wear with a feminine top and shop for an afternoon or lunch at the cafe; and dress down just fine to wear with a bikini top for a walk on the beach or a trip to the hot pools. As the legs are a loose fit they slim down the look of my legs and are comfortable enough to wear for more than city activities.


Yes, they came with a sash belt which I threw on as a headband. I had decided on white accessories for the trip and coincidentally already had a white belt in my luggage. As the fit was excellent, the belt is actually for styling rather than function.

Models: Brooke Mather & Caitlin Mather

With Valentine's Day imminent some of you may be treated to a swanky night out. Dressing up in formal evening wear is usually thrilling but can also be stressful leading up to the event. I know of women who spend a significant amount of money finding the right dress and shoes often wearing the purchases only once.

Worn with the right accessories and a confident attitude sometimes the simplest, least expensive dress can look the most glamorous.

Caitlin and Brooke demonstrate a couple of very affordable looks with these dresses purchased new from LostAdam82's TradeMe store for under $30.00 NZD each.

The royal blue fishtail looks stunning against Brooke's complexion and blond hair. To go with the regal effect, Brooke's been styled with diamante accessories. The jewelry really pops against the blue.


Caitlin's lace insert scarlet number looks amazing against her tan skin and brunette locks. We went classic with the use of gold accessories. Given the thigh high slit, the shoes are more obvious than on most floor-length dresses. Statement gold and black Isabella Anselmi snakeskin stilettos are just the ticket to finish off the ensemble.

If you have long hair an up-do really polishes a chic look and it doesn't require a trip to the hairdresser. To replicate the simple hairstyle used on both Brooke and Caitlin, simply start with curls. Tie the hair into a low ponytail. Split the tail in half and for each half twist into a rope. Tuck the ends back toward the centre and using split and bobby pins secure the twists to the base of your head. Plenty of hairspray will keep it in place.

Alternatively, a French braid is a tried and true classic.

Models: Caitlin Mather and Brooke Mather

I like to take a bit of attitude with me to work whether that's in texture, colour, cut or statement accessories. Just because it's work doesn't mean it has to be boring. Caitlin and Brooke show off a couple of professional looks that didn't cost a lot but bring a bit of glam to the grindstone.

Both the dresses featured were purchased from LostAdam82's Trademe store.

Both pairs of shoes were thrifted - although Brooke's Therapy brand faux snake shoes are still instore at Number One Shoe Warehouse. Caitlin's black clutch is a recent purchase from Colette by Colette Hayman whilst Brooke's versatile metallic and snake hand candy was thrifted from Savemart.

I've read articles in magazines before that imply one shouldn't show toes at the office. Not a 'rule' I ever go by as you can tell.

I do recommend that you keep flats for walking the streets if for no other reason than to keep your heels in good order.

Model: Natasha Bell

I enjoy costume parties and really prefer to put together a costume myself rather than hiring or buying one.

Sometimes it's really as easy as wandering down to your local dollar store and buying a pair of wings. The black feathered variety that Natasha wears was only $6.90NZD - and all the other items were taken from our combined existing wardrobes.

Model: Natasha Bell

Having a bit of fun doesn't have to become stressful and expensive to get a great result.

Model: Caitlin Mather

I love this surprise find from Millers: a very pretty mellow yellow that enhances Caitlin's tanned complexion. The dress design is retro-70s, Laura Ashley-esque feminine in feel and the hemline a demure 1920s mid-calf. The detailing with the lace hem is just superb and is a step up from what you generally expect to find in a budget clothing store. With a pair of dainty white flats and accessories, this make a lovely ensemble for a summer outdoor event.

Caitlin wears:

• Dress from Millers
• Thrifted bangle
• Thrifted belt
• Floral hair accessory from KMart
• Handcrafted earrings purchased through Felt

Model: Brooke Mather

I love maxi dresses: they're so feminine and demure, and make me feel very ladylike teamed with a pair of sandals or strappy wedges. But one of the great things about playsuits and jumpsuits having come back into our stores and wardrobes is that we can do maxi without the dress.

The beautiful Brooke looks absolutely gorgeous in this Paperscissors full-length onsie that I found at TEMT. It's a light cotton blend so it breathes well in summer heat whilst covering up legs for the sun shy. The print and colour look just beaut. Given the fabric is quite busy, I kept the accessories minimal with earrings from Equip, some thrifted bangles and Valentino Rudy wedges.

Whilst there are some very structured and fitted jumpsuits to be had, they're really more appropriate for an evening out or semi-formal occasion. If you're going to a casual barbeque or picnic, I recommend a more relaxed style, like this. I also suggest considering going up a size for a more drapey effect.

Model: Natasha Bell

If you step back a little over a century the western woman's wardrobe would have included a full-length petticoat and a corset. Granted both functioned as undergarments, uncomfortable ones at that!

These days, you're more likely to find petticoats in costume shops and corsets in naughty Halloween costume sets or lingerie. I have a reasonable collection of corset tops and I've been known to wear them with suits in a work context. I also have a few petticoats — the full-length version featured on Natasha and a few shorter ones. I love the shape it can give underneath a dress or skirt, but I also love it worn like this, over the top as a glam, pseudo-gothic, pseudo-steampunk, pseudo-Wild West affair.

For me these items evoke a darker and sensual era, something on the cusp of our modern world, a world prim and proper on the outside but simmering under the surface. I enjoy playing on that sometimes: it's the opposite effect of animal print, caging and binding ourselves in the game of etiquette and manners.

From a practical perspective, having these items means I can easily throw something dressy together without actually having to get an evening dress. If your shape doesn't lend itself to a single garment gown, then combining top and bottom separates with shape and movement can do the trick for a look that's a bit edgy, a little couture.

Model: Caitlin Mather

As a child in the Philippines, I was used to umbrellas on the streets deployed both in sun and rain. It was fairly strange, therefore, to move to New Zealand and only see umbrellas used during inclement weather.

A couple of weeks ago, I was preparing for a photoshoot and was looking at the available items at my local dollar store to help me create a party scene when I noticed a Chinese umbrella on display. Quite taken with it, I asked where the stock was kept and promptly bought one of each available colour; $9.00NZD per umbrella seems entirely reasonable.

I love the concept of the parasol: it's colourful, fun, feminine, and useful. Given how harsh the sun can be and the advice to stay in the shade to reduce the risk of skin cancer, it seems entirely sensible to me take shade with you. Hats may be practical but shade coverage can be limited depending on the type of hat. The other day I took one of my new umbrellas to a sunny afternoon barbeque and happily rotated it with the moving sun to retain a comfortable level of protection.

Given how rare it is to see umbrellas and parasols used in western countries these days, my new affectation seems a bit quirky and eccentric. However, I've decided that it really is functional and am challenging my readers to pick up their parasols this summer.

To give you some inspiration, I used parasols in a recent picnic photoshoot with friends. Caitlin looked just so cute with a pink parasol to go with the cream and floral playsuit she was wearing. So much colour and just a wee bit vintage and romantic. Go on, you know you want to!

Photographer: Ianessa Guerrero

A white maxi dress, skirt, palazzo or wide-legged pants — as shown in the photo — can be given real zing by adding floaty colour on top. In this case, I've used the large graphic Goa scarf from Fara Boutique as a long-line top, cinched at the waist to create shape whilst leaving the bottom free to move.

If you're on a trip away and have taken a scarf or sarong, using this trick can quickly give you an evening dinner out option that's elegant and versatile. I'm wearing this over a white crop top but depending on the density of the fabric you could do away with the extra layer.

This shot is courtesy of Ness Guerrero and it was taken at the Agropolis in Christchurch. It's a wonderful concept and great project to check out if you're in town.