To Better Days

It's been a long time since I blogged. I've been missing writing a lot, but sometimes your world is turned upside down and hobbies take a back seat to just trying to carry on! Which sounds far too melancholy - everything that's happened has been for the best and has been liberating to say the least.  It's a relief to be back on track and to have life return to some sort of normality.  Here's to new beginnings, and getting some balance back!

x

A Bit Dark My Friend

My staple diet for the past week

 I have been so very lazy this past week. No exercise, no blogging, no sewing or anything creative - just eating, reading and watching TV. The weather is a mind-numbingly cold mixture of wind and sleet with snow to come, and the rest of the country is worse off than us. Seriously, who can be bothered doing anything?

 

Luckily today is the winter solstice and that means we are finally on the way back out of our wintry dark days. It's not going to get warmer for a while, but at least we'll have more daylight. Plus our winter carnival is on tomorrow with a beautiful lantern parade, so I can't wait to brave the cold and appreciate the beauty of my city on a winter's night.

 

Here's to keeping warm! x

When Books Imitate My Life

I know that a book is enjoyable when the protagonist is relatable, but it's a little unnerving when you realise you often have the exact same thoughts as your main characters.  My current book is the kind of story that makes me laugh at the pithy, resigned way my main character observes his life, but only because I often observe mine the same way.

I'm not yet halfway through my book, which I prefer - I've still got a way to go so I can savour the story, and the anticipation of when I next get to read.  I'm not yet at that panicky stage when you really want to see how the story ends, but you don't want it to actually end - the internal struggle is nearly overwhelming.

I suppose a story is more relatable when it's set in the present, and doesn't involve any exotic locations or supernatural elements. But that's my favourite kind of story. I always seem drawn to books in which the main character is someone frustrated with their (often self-imposed) oppressed creativity, someone who is nearing 30 and still doesn't know what they want to do in life.  

Not that I'm unhappy with my life, but I just think I'm nearing the age where things haven't worked out the way I thought they would, and I'm realising that's the way it is for most people. Does that mean I'm finally becoming an adult? If so, it's about time. Up until now I've felt perpetually 12 - a bit awkward, internally clumsy and with front teeth a bit too big - but still with childish hope.  But lately things have been shifting and I can't really pinpoint when or why.  I'm still hopeful, and my dreams haven't faded at all, but now I feel like someone with determination and the realisation that your dreams don't magically drop out of a unicorn's rear and shower you with sparkles while turning you into a pop-star.  I feel purposeful and more in control, which is probably more exciting than any childhood dream.  Self-reliance is no longer scary, it's liberating and the anticipation of what I'll achieve as an adult is pretty cool.  I only wish it'd happened to me sooner.  

When did this turn into a therapy session. Sneaky books making me think about stuff.

(If anyone is wondering, it's called Charlotte Street by Danny Wallace)

A Public Place to Hide

It's nice to have quiet time in a crowded restaurant.  

If you've never dined alone, you're missing out. It can be a little bit scary to begin with, but if you take a book (or have good games on your cellphone) it can be lovely to sit somewhere warm, have someone bring you food, and just enjoy the time to think your own thoughts and people watch.  My favorite place to go is a Thai restaurant close to work, and I usually go there on days when I think I'm getting sick. Don't worry, I'm not a psycho bent on spreading my germs to unsuspecting folk - but I am convinced that a steaming bowl of spicy tom yum soup can stop a cold in its tracks. Today was no exception. I'd been battling a sore throat all morning, but I swear all that chilli and lemongrass cleared any lurking virus away before it could take hold!

I am naturally someone who likes spending time alone, doing something crafty, or reading. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my friends and going out to parties etc, but if I had to choose I would usually rather stay tucked up at home.  So sometimes a public yet solitary experience can be quite enjoyable - you get to go out and do something fun, but you can make all the choices about what you do, and you can go home to bed whenever you want!  I really want to try going to a movie alone, which I'm sure would be easier than a restaurant, but somehow I think I would feel creepy. Depends on the movie I suppose....

Never Too Cool

This weekend I'm going to a school themed costume party, and getting my costume together has got me thinking about high school, friends, and the fact that it's been 10 YEARS since I was there (sigh. What have I done with my life so far?!). ANYway....

Thinking about high school brings up a mixture of great and awkward memories.  Mine are more awkward than anything - I was not cool and there were a LOT of unrequited crushes (Puberty Blues anyone?) - but one of the greatest things is that I am still friends with most of the same people from school. My high school buddies and I don't often see each other as I live in another city to most of them, but I miss them all tons and I am so grateful that we still stay in touch.  

I'm feeling a little nostalgic I guess...10 years is a long time. I can't believe we're all grown up already.

Yes. That is me. In an "Ever After" inspired medieval theme ball dress. 
Told you I wasn't cool.

What Are We Waiting For

As I write this, New Zealand Parliament is holding the final debate regarding the legalisation of same-sex marriage.  As I write this, I am watching the live stream of the debate (note - the debate is now finished but this link will still take you to Parliament's live stream - it's fascinating!) and both sides are offering empassioned and stirring arguments.  

I have been following the movement of the bill through its stages and my feelings of support for marriage equality have bubbled up more strongly than ever.  While I understand that everybody is entitled to their beliefs and there are lots of people against it, the question circling over and over in my mind is "why is it anyone else's business who wants to get married apart from the couple involved???!". The more I think about it, the more frustrated and baffled I become, and the more I want this bill to be passed.  

This is the most politicised I've ever been and I'm glad this debate has awakened my political awareness. I want same-sex couples to have the same rights as straight couples, I want people to marry whoever they love, and I want everyone to know it. 

x

18/4 - It's official!! Our Parliament last night voted to make same-sex marriage legal, making NZ the 13th country to legalise it.  So proud NZ xx

Thanks Nana

 

Most of my vintage items are those that I have selected myself, however there are a few items around my house that I inherited.  For some reason I never thought of these as vintage, because they were always in my life and not "second-hand".  However I realised the other day that all the lovely things I got when my dear Nana passed away are now technically vintage.  I also realised how much I love them all. The joyful thing about these treasures is that I use them all the time, so as well as being beautiful they are also practical, and I think of Nana every time I use them. I loved my Nana and it's really nice that I have a few little pieces of her life to remind me...  

x

Judge Me By My Cover

 

Books are always on my list of loved vintage items, but my infatuation with dresses means they are often overlooked.  Occasionally though, I will spy something that reminds me how much I like them.  One of the genres I really enjoy collecting and reading is spooky storybooks. They quite often contain an excellent tale or two, and the worn look of a vintage book usually adds to the feeling of creepiness and horror...

Of course, I also love books with vintage fashion in them. The above lovely sewing book enthralls me with fascinating and forgotten techniques, and also provides a few giggles with the outdated language and advice.  

Most of all though, I just love the familiar, comfortable look of old books.  Their worn covers,  yellow pages, and handwritten notes remind me that someone else once loved them too. I like the fact that they have survived all these years and now I get to keep them safe...all while they make my shelves look pretty.

My Fun New Project

I know it's only been a few hours since my last post, but this is all fun and new to me so I thought I'd just go ahead and do my first "real" post.  It ties in quite well with the way this all got started anyway, so here goes...

I often talk with ladies at work about sewing and clothes, and in particular with one lady who has the same love of vintage styles.  As a result, while I was pondering on the title for this blog yesterday, this lovely lady came and handed me some awesome old patterns for ascot style (or as another friend calls them - librarian) shirts.  Very 80's but also very cute and with definite potential.  I was pretty excited, and although I had some ideas in mind for my blog title, the word "thrill" suddenly came to mind.  It fits perfectly with the way I feel when I go op-shopping and find something amazing.  I know there will be those of you out there who know what I'm talking about...the thrill of the hunt so to speak. So thanks to my lovely workmate for the gift and for the flash of inspiration.  Hopefully I'll have a couple of pretty vintage-style shirts to show you very soon.

How Do You Do

Hello and welcome! My name is Steph and I live in a pretty cold part of New Zealand.  As a result I spend lots of time indoors remodelling second-hand clothes, drawing, and making pretty things that take my fancy.  I live in a very vintage house that needs some love, but it has many beautiful features that I can't wait to restore and show off.  I love the rush I get from finding vintage items that have been discarded by others but are still beautiful after fifty or sixty years. 

As I get used to all this I will hopefully become more adventurous with the design and layout etc, but for now we'll keep it simple and focus on the matter at heart...