New York, I miss you....(Part 4)

Phew up to part four, soon I'll be able to tell you about all the exciting things that have been happening to be recently but I'll never forgive myself If I skip over New York there was just so much that happened in the 19 days we were there and tomorrow it'll have been a month since we left. So as a Fashion Student I was soooo excited to be able to go to New York which I heard had excellent fashion sense and I was looking forward to the shopping especially. But I had to say I was somewhat disappointed in Manhattan especially, Don't get me wrong Barney's and Chanel probably had wonderful clothes but I'm not really in the right economic situation for that. I actually found most of my clothes in Brooklyn and Soho, possibly not a surprise to New Yorker's but the myths that come out of New York had me believing different. Majority of the fast-fashion store over there like New Zealand sold... crap with the exception of Urban Outfitter's but that could be debated whether they really are fast-fashion as they bring in clothes from many different brands and so it's not them pumping out hundreds of the same designs. However in Williamsburg in Brooklyn we found the best shop ever it's called In God We Trust and all there clothing is made in America plus everything is just soo nice and great quality. I got such a gorgeous dress from there in black with a open back and mustard green silk for the collar and the sleeves. No doubt it'll end up on a Sunday Best post soon!

We also went to the Doc Marten's store in Soho we I experienced possibly some of the best customer service I've ever had. The first week we went there and I finally got around to replacing my tired old pair of Chuck Taylor's with a pair of made in England Vintage 1461's and this very cool guy who had mad hair served me and then the next week we went back to the same store where Jake got a pair of made in England burgundy 3989's which are actually pretty spectacular and anyway this guy remembered me down to the pair of shoes I'd brought, impressed much.

Soho is also home to the Taschen shop which publishes many, many amazing books on art, fashion, photography, Design etc, etc. And Yay! It was their 25th Anniversary which meant that they were having a huge sale and I manage to pick up 100 Contemporary Fashion Designers for a mint and it is absolutely amazing although so far I haven’t had too much time to actually sit down and read it because Jake and I are in the middle of moving out of our current apartment and into a new one!

Oh and I also forgot while we were in Soho on one of our many shopping and exploration trips both Jake and I were spotted by Fashionista and put up on their website Jake's is here and mine's here!

Only one more part to go, and then I'll stop rabbiting on about New York I promise.

Lot's of Love

                   Audrey Megan

Holiday's... Finally!

Wow, so huge apology for not writing on here sooner I've been hard out with Uni, trying to get all my assignments handed in on time, and would you believe I was actually organized this half-semester!! I would have written yesterday night but it was my starting night for my holidays and I had a massive mind block, so no idea what to write about.

Anyway yesterday afternoon after my final assignment test I went down to the library with my boyfriend to stock up on books for the holidays (because it's been ages since I’ve read anything just for self-indulgence and not connected with cultural views on anything and everything. I got only got two books out, as even though the Wellington library is massive and has multiple copies of nearly every book imaginable (except Warhol’s diaries, they have none.. Why is that?) All the books I really wanted to read were checked out. So I ended up getting The Sartorialist and M.I.L.K's Love: A Celebration of Humanity.

I haven't yet had the chance to flick through The Sartorialist, I did have a good look at the M.I.L.K book, which is a collection of photographs showing Love at all ages and between all ages, It is incredibly beautiful and I don't think photographs have ever had that kind of effect on me before, I'll admit I did get teary. The forward is written by Kim Phuc, the woman whose image as the girl from the Vietnam War is famous for it's hauntingly terrible insight into the effects of war. I most defiantly recommend picking up this book, and really looking at it. One of the series in this book is of a husband and wife, in the husband's last days in his battle against cancer. It is incredibly moving the way in which she looks at him and her love towards him seems to erupt out of the page. It's hard to explain and you have to see it yourself to understand the effects of this photo.

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Unfortunately I wasn't able to find any pictures to put up so I guess you'll have to find it for yourselves, and trust me you won't regret it! 

Lots of Love

            Audrey Megan

Piles of Pumpkin

One thing about me is that I LOVE cooking and eating, immensely! And, I'm trying awfully hard to get my boyfriend to start a café blog with, as we have this gorgeous little fantasy of visiting every café in town. So when my mother came down at Easter, she brought with her a whole pumpkin that (and I wish I’d taken a photo) larger than my head.  So for two weeks I’d been scared to touch it, not knowing quite how to use it all, especially since I only cook for one. Thankfully winter's coming up, so the obvious choice was pumpkin soup, and I found an absolutely delicious vegan recipe here, however I added a huge gob of peanut butter, which personally, I think just finish's it off! I also halved the recipe, because I share a teeny-tiny freezer with four other people and there was no way six liter’s of the stuff was going to fit in there..

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..And, so left with over half the pumpkin left, I outdid myself! I made the most gorgeous pumpkin pie as a present for my boyfriend ever! I used Vegan Writer, Angela Stafford's recipe and paired it with her cashew nut cream and blueberries. I defiantly recommend picking up her book, if you are vegan and even if your not, every recipe I have used from her book has worked perfectly!

My only problem is that now I still have just under half the pumpkin and no ideas, so therefore, a short post today I must get this pumpkin used up!

Lots of Love

       Audrey Megan

Curvy, a book of delectables...

Way back in February when I first moved down to Wellington to attend University I was at Gordon Harris Art Supplies picking an amount of stationary that required both myself and two strapping young lads to carry home, but I guess that’s what you get for studying fashion. Anyway while I was there I spotted the new Curvy anthology, Curvy 7. Published by yen magazine it catalogues up and coming female artists who work in a range of mediums and wow! Is, some of the stuff amazing. However after spending the hugest amount I've ever spent on stationary I was in no position to spend any more money, no matter how great the book. 

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So I had a flick through and needless to say I was impressed by what I saw, and so I had always planned on eventually going back to Gordon Harris and purchasing the book for myself. However I very recently joined the Wellington library and being me I've already managed to issue far too many books to read in one month. But, the one I have looked at/read first and reread is of course Curvy! I was so excited to find that had it there, and it has opened my eyes up to a range of, painters, illustrators, photographers , etc., that I never knew existed before. The only problem that I've found is that I have to give it back, and pouring over the books contents multiple times has only spurred me on to actually make the purchase. Although god knows when that will be! Ahhh the life of a poor student...

I thought that before I left you I'd share a few of my favorite pieces and artists that I found within this book.

Angela Boatwright

 Melissa Haslam

Courtney Brims

Well thats all for now, time to enjoy the weekend!

Lots of Love

       Audrey Megan