God Has Great Taste

I don't know why I let myself get all stressed out about finding the right dress for the wedding. I compared dress shopping to finding the right man... and really it's so true. But one thing I've learned is that when you have found the right one - you don't have eyes for anything else.

The dress I have chosen is NOTHING like the vision I had in my mind. I was really surprised at how easy it all came together. There's a New Zealand designer I love - called Annah Stretton. I walked into her store at the Mount and knew that I wanted one of her designs. You can check out some of her stuff at www.annahs.co.nz

Not only are her pieces fun, funky, romantic and flirty - but I support the charities that she supports. I'd love to meet her one day and tell her what a great job she is doing. She lives in a small town near Hamilton called Morrinsville - I almost took a Massage Therapy job there! I could've been her Massage Therapist!! But I digress...

I have chosen a two piece ensemble, which I thought was VERY practical (even though it cost the earth). The skirt is a three quarter length wrap skirt with panels in different fabrics of the same shade of gold/cream. It's rather hard to explain. It can be worn 4 different ways - which changes the look and fabric. I will be able to wear it again and again - and because it's a wrap, I'll never get too fat or too thin. Plus, it's a timeless piece that I can easily wear on our 20th wedding anniversary and not look silly.

I chose a cream coloured corset - again with panels of different fabrics of the same shade. It has four panels of dark dusty rose velvet on the front bodice and I've added some detail work with a thin gold ribbon I found at a local shop so that it ties in with the skirt better. I will be able to wear the corset with jeans later. SO PRACTICAL... but also SO expensive!

I also got a really funky necklace from Annah S. to tie it all together. It's nothing I'd ordinarily buy... but it looks so good with the outfit. I'm not sure how much wear I'll get out of it again though.

I feel wonderful knowing that it is a one of a kind design - and no one else in the world will have a dress like this. Annah S. designs are all different - no two are the same. The corset is the only one in the country - and they had to ship it up to me from Queenstown! I feel so gorgeous in this dress. It's kinda like 50's meets 80's Madonna... if you can picture that.

I've found my flower too - it's the coolest thing I've ever seen! It's called a King Protea. I will only need one as my bouquet. You can see it here http://protea.worldonline.co.za/sugar7.htm

It's weird how everything has come together so easily and hassle free. We haven't had to leave the Mount for any of our wedding shopping! Even Brian's outfit came from a local menswear shop here - and everything we chose for him happened to be on sale! I swear, that wasn't planned. I would have gladly paid full price for anything that was "perfect". I like a good sale, but I also like quality. I'd never skimp on something important. But it's like God wanted me to have my dress - and so he made everything else on sale so that it all evens out! Thank you God.

God has great taste.

I wish everyone I knew could be here for this wedding. I've completed the Wedding Vows and the Ceremony. It's going to be such a special day for all of us and how I wish I could share it with my dearest friends from home. I'm still waiting to see if my Mom and sisters are going to make it. It's not looking promising. But it's a long way to come and I understand why they couldn't make it. It will be much simpler keeping it small and intimate.

I am so looking forward to December 30th!

Big Fish

We are watching a pod of dolphins playing in the harbour. There are about 20 of them, jumping and chasing boats. It's the most exciting scene and some people stripped down to jump in the frigid water to try to swim with them (they weren't interested in playing with the humans). Still, I think it would have been exhilerating - and not just because the water would be SO cold! I wasn't brave enough to try... I was happy to watch from the beach.

This is one of the highlights of my life in New Zealand - this is one of the reasons I love this country so much... well that AND Brian.

I'm such a simple Canadian girl - big fish excite me.

I had another productive Wedding planning day today... while I was out running some errands for Mrs. P, I happened to spot two dresses on the "SALE" rack (of course) on the sidewalk. I stopped in my tracks - they were absolutely perfect for the girls! They fit too! And for $45 I couldn't buy the fabric to make them! So that's another task done.

Brian and I went out for dinner at the RSA last night. We wanted to check the place out before the wedding of course. I am so delighted we chose it! The meal was lovely and the atmosphere was ideal for our big night. There's a large dance floor and the music isn't too loud. Everything they play is music you can dance to - real dancing - waltz, fox trot, line dancing... you name it... they play it. We were the youngest couple there but it didn't matter. We made friends with a couple in their late 60's who are "dating". They have a very active social life - dancing on Wednesdays at the Cosmopolitan Club and dinner and dancing on Fridays at the RSA (sometimes Saturday too). They were really fun and we've invited them to the wedding! Judith is going to do our photography!!! Brian reckons we're getting old and the RSA is more our speed now. He even asked me to dance! It's the best date we've ever had. We smiled from ear to ear all night.

We are far from old - but we are certainly past the loud bars and clubs. Even the loud and expensive restaurants are exhausting. At the RSA people will ask if they can join you and new friendships are made. Men will ask a lady to dance, regardless of age (or who they're sitting with). If you aren't dancing with someone - you're fair game. It was so much fun! Why don't we do more of that in our generation?

So now if you want to find Brian and I - we'll be at the RSA dancing.

Retail Therapy is Good

Today was such a wonderful day! Mrs. P and I had a big day out... I took her to the new shopping complex in Papamoa called "Fashion Island". It's a marvelous mall - with so many shops! Mrs. P was dazzled. I had to pick up the shoes I ordered for the wedding... that was the start of another shopping frenzy... and Mrs. P was the instigator of it all!!! I saw ANOTHER pair of shoes... very lovely and slightly dressier than the first... and a shade of gold closer to the shade of gold in my skirt. Very practical... AND they were ON SALE! My friends tell me that I am like a Bloodhound when it comes to sales. I've got a nose for it.

Next we had a nosey in Portmans - which is like a more upscale shop for dressy work clothes and nice summer dresses and skirts. Mrs. P wanted to have a look around to see what the fashion is this season. My Bloodhound instinct took over and we quickly found some items on sale... outrageously marked down! Mrs. P found a gorgeous lace bolero for Christmas (down from $80 to $20) and we also found her a nice blue skirt in fashion with the season (and marked down from$120 to $60). "I have to have it!" she said to the shop girl. She was so delighted with her purchases. The shop girl gave her a complimentary locket which was very generous.

I spotted a nice white wrap around dress - on sale of course - down from $150 to $60! I didn't "need" it but it went so well with the new shoes I bought that I didn't need either... and let's not forget that they were all on sale... so that's kinda like "free". Besides Mrs. P thought it was so elegant and suited me so well... so I had to have it too. I couldn't disappoint Mrs. P.

We certainly earned ourselves a cuppa tea so we headed over to BB's Cafe for Devonshire Tea. It was a wonderful end to a really fun day. Mrs. P said she felt like a young woman again. There's really nothing like some retail therapy to keep you youthful. I think we'll have to make a habit of this. I've hidden my purchases upstairs at Mrs. P's... away from Brian. He just won't understand that I did it all for Mrs. P's pleasure... honest. I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize my job Honey... ;-)