gentlemen prefer blondes. and im leaving.

Going a little bit bleached on the tips of my hair is I feel a very good life decision. After 25 years of living as a brunette it was time for a change (albeit a small change) and I just LOVE it.

And talking of life changes I've made a slightly more important decision than dying the tips of my hair. After a fulfilling 7 weeks living in Auckland I have decided to uproot once more and head off to Wellington in search of greener (hobbitish) pastures.

Auckland has been such a great introduction into New Zealand life, and New Zealand people, and I really could not have asked for a more exciting, friendly, fun time then I have had here. But my dream here was to find some production work on films, and unfortunately Auckland is not the hub for that. 'Wellywood' is.

So in two weeks I will be packing my very large bags and travelling with my 80kg of clothes down to the southern tip of the North Island. An artistic hub, I am very excited to explore all that Wellington has to offer. To all of the lovely Aucklanders who have made this time here so special for me I thank you dearly, and look forward to partying my final weeks away with you all!

Emily x

Me looking all sad and shit because im leaving.

New Zealand Fashion Week : Ruby and Liam show

So last week Auckland's fashionistas debuted their shows on the runway. Set in the Viaduct Events Centre, the venue housed several catwalk shows, hair and nail salons, bar, the designer garage sale, and fashion seminars.

Now although I enjoy fashion I have to admit that this was the first catwalk show I have been too. I loved it, and I hated it. One thing I hate that comes part and parcel of the fashion scene is the pretension within it. Looking around before the show people appeared to be more conscious of themselves and others, rather then just relaxing and enjoying it. Yet amongst the eyeballing there was an air of excitement which I found myself caught in.

Since I've been in Auckland the standard of its home grown fashion brands have really impressed me. Hip, yet tailored is something the Kiwi's really have nailed, and the RUBY and Liam collections showed just this. I found myself eyeing up several summer dresses which unfortunatly I just cant justify buying. Entitled 'Run, Run, Run', the collection was inspired by one girl's Parisian adventure, and carried this theme off beautifully. See more of RUBY's clothes here : http://www.rubynz.com/collections/season/liam-aw12-lookbook/

For a small country, damn Kiwi's do it well.

Emily x

 

Dumpling Delight

Squid and green beans with cumin




pork and fennel dumplings



So on Sunday evening I got taken to Barilla Dumpling, an extremely popular Asian Restuarant. Fluro lighting and plastic tableclothes do little to dim its appeal, and the que for a table was out the door.

An impressive menu with even more impressive prices -  $10 for 20 pork and fennel dumplings, its hard to not be taken with the place. The busy surroundings adds to the atmosphere of the place, and with the asian written board menu its not hard to picture myself back in Vietnam. The food (as in Vietnam) comes out when its good and ready, so don't expect your dishes all at once.

After an extensive debate we settled on three options - pork and fennel dumplings, squid and cumin with green beans, and the fried french beans with spicy salt - something which my dining companion raved about. And once I had tried it I could see why. Covered in almost a tempura batter, they were light and crispy, and oh so delicious.



fried french beans with spicy salt



Condiments ahoy each table have their own pots of soy, asian vinegar, and mild-chilli oil...something which pleases myself as I like to drown each chopstick held bite. Tea also comes complimentary to your table. And something to make the purse strings even happier...Barilla is a BYO so you can have your own cheap bottle of plonk without having to worry about shelling out the average $50 charge for one in a restaurant.

Don't expect great service, or lush surroundings, but do expect delicious food that is great value for money. A must visit for any Aucklander with tastebuds!

Emily x

it was all red and green and blue and black and yellow and white and pink and gold

A whirlwind weekend back in Melbourne. Friday afternoon, Robyn Stone, winter sun, fizzy wine and a new 20mm fixed lens to try. Perfection. A week on, its raining in Auckland, i'm miles, no ... OCEANS away from my all my best friends and I want to step back into this afternoon so badly! 

Ive hooked up this on lookbook so y'all should take a browse. http://lookbook.nu/look/3966608-it-was-all-red-and-green-and-blue-and-black-and-yellow
 
Why cant every day be as good as this one?

(Photography by Robyn Stone : Canon 550D with a 20mm fixed lens)

Emily x

 

A Silent Sunday.

So on Sunday night I was privileged enough to be invited along to the screening of Hitchcock and Chaplin classics at the finale of the New Zealand Film Festival by New Zealand film critic Dominic Corry.

Set amongst Auckland's legendary 'Civic' the experience can only be described as magical. One of the few remaining Atmospheric Theatres in the world, the famous cinema was in-fact backdrop to the Peter Jackson remake of King Kong film...and infact our seats were right where King Kong leapt too. Luckily no giant gorilla accompanied us tonight, but instead the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. 

The cinema is a true visual delight with grand doorways, a star-filled ceiling with floating clouds, animal inspired boxes and and statues, twisted columns and seated Buddhas. (Unfortunately the pictures do not do it justice - photographs were not allowed so these blurry couple have been lifted off the net instead!) But what took place onscreen was rather special aswell. Born in the days of films oozing with sound, colour and special effects I must admit that I dont think I've ever fully sat down and watched a lengthy silent film. My mind was skeptical as to whether my attention span would last the duration of the films.

But quite to my surprise five minutes in I didnt even question the lack of sound, and found myself fully involved in the plot. Nowadays films play on underacting and realism, and these two films were delightfully over-acted and expressive. And I found myself laughing out loud...something which modern films find hard to muster from an audience. It really was not difficult to understand how Hitchcock and Chaplin are two of films greatest makers. 

A truly special Sunday. 

To read Dominic's review of the experience for the New Zealand Herald, and many more of the entire festival click here : 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10825176

Emily x

Hobbit shaped footprints...

Hello from Auckland! 

I arrived on a rainy Sunday with a suitcase weighing the same amount as me and a list of gumtree rooms to view. After numerous viewing failures I landed upon a small goldmine within Mount Eden...a lovely flat-share with an even lovelier couple.

Landing in a country which I have never visited, knew not one soul who lived there, yet waving a years working visa in my hand certainly meant I had my work cut out for me...not only to make good friends, but to also find work within the industry I want.

Right now I feel like the 'Yes Man' (you've read that book right?!) ... I'm currently saying yes to everything, going everywhere and meeting everyone I can. And boy what a positive experience it has been so far! From birthday invitations to finding freelance work, after only a week I'm on my way to making friends, and getting a job. To coin a phrase 'jammy' is how I would describe whats happening at the moment. Thanks life. Now if you could bring the sunshine out that would just be the cherry on the cake!

I've even had a new hairdo as I figured new city, new hair. And for the first time in 25 years I actually left the hairdressers smiling. Finally I've caught up with the trends and joined the ombre brigades. And if the wines I had this afternoon are anything to go by, blondes definitely do have more fun!

Emily x