Time out at the Beach

Friday morning I threw some things into the car, left instructions for Jak on the pets meals and left Hamilton for the Coast.  

My plan was Whangamata.

With a few little

stop offs

on the way,

as you do.

My first stop was at Paeroa because there is a factory shop for Jean Jones clothes.  Yes I do buy new but only when the price is right.  And how right it was.  I got a black slip dress with a ruffle on the hem and a light grey coat dress, both $30 each.  Why pay the original $169 and $189, when $30 is a far more acceptable price??  I visited an op shop but that show and tell follows later.  My next stop was Waihi, where I got these brand new shoes in my friends shop on sale for $39.

My sister Helen and I had pre arranged to meet in Waihi which is what we did.  It was blowing like a bastard down the main street and there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky overhead.  We visited the op shops on offer and generally had a good time.  Once we had finished we both headed over the winding hills to Whangamata.

Before I went to her house I  had to go stand on the beach and breathe in all that beautiful fresh sea air.  It was nothing short of lovely and I had the entire beach to myself. 

My blanket heart filled with Lavender from Julie hangs off the mirror in my car, so in a way I took Julie to the beach, hope you enjoyed it!!

After some lunch and a cuppa we put the dogs in the car and went down town Whangamata.  Whenever I am there I visit two shops, one is Garuda and the other is Buddha Lounge.  And of course the shop Helen manages, Glamour.

This is just a sample of what is in Buddha Lounge, these photos I have borrowed from the shops facebook page so you all get to see the treasure trove of goodies that draws me in the door every time I am in town.

I bought this!!

Trust me

there is so much I would

love to buy

but there is always

next time.

So now for the op shop finds.  In Paeroa I got a Patchwork pattern, yes you heard correct, a patchwork pattern.  I have so many blogging friends that are needle and thread ladies so maybe, just maybe I am being inspired.  It is BRIGHT with appliqued gollies and things  on it!!  With is I got a bag of lace and this fabulous brooch.  I found nothing in Waihi but I did grab this glass teapot at a Whangamata op shop.  They wanted $9!!!  Then the lady started bartering with me, as in offering lower prices, I said sold at $5.  It is brand new.

Then it was time to take the dogs to the beach!!

Clutch should be renamed DIGGER!!

 Beautiful White sand.

Me adding colour to the beach.

 Isn't it just perfect!

I love this place.

     

 In front of Clark Island!!

Now you have to agree that is pretty good.

It doesn't have to be Summer to enjoy time at the Beach.

TOF loves the Marina full of

Massive Boats.

 Helen gave me all these.

And all of these!!!

It is awesome to have a sister that knows my shoe size and what I like.

The bottom right picture is two pairs of leggings.

I  gave Helen some bits and bobs too,

because that is how us sisters roll.

We dined on a scrumdiddleumpcious casserole for our dinner and kicked back in the lounge for the evening with my BIL (brother in law).  We watched TV, chatted and laughed like we always do when we get together.  I had an awesome nights sleep, I always do when I am near the sea.  But I woke up with a dirty old Migraine.  Helen delivered me pandol and a bucket and let me go back to bed as she had work.  I finally got up at about 2pm, packed the car, said my thanks and good byes to my BIL and the dogs, and went down town.  Said my thanks and farewell to my fabulous sister and left for my drive home.

Thanks again to my sister and my BIL for a lovely break away from the city and big thanks to Whangamata for being the best place to run away to for a day or two.

Pee you are pee el ee spells...........

PURPLE

And I wore quite a lot of it today.

I quite like me some

PURPLE.

My prancing was temporarily

interrupted

by Sheba and her ball.

That dog has

endless ENERGY!!

She needs TOF back home

to play with her. 

She has a long wait

for his return

maybe 4 or so more weeks

and for a dog

that is

YEARS!!!!!

Under those boots were

my Las Vegas socks

from the lovely Goody

and

sparklicious bangles

from her too!!

While prancing about out back 

I heard a ruckus inside 

and discovered 

Oscar trying to open the new bag 

of dog biscuits all by himself!!

UNSUCCESSFUL!

My hair is long enough to

tie up!!

My big flowers are also

from

Goody! 

 

According to the generation above me, at my age I should be sporting a nice short hairstyle and by now wearing a mix of powder blue and beige, in sensible practical styles fitting for someone of my era.  I am supposed to be blending in to the background and being forgotten about as my day is done.

I DON"T THINK SO!!!  

Blogging has given me the balls

to be me!!

Thank you Blogland!

And all  you gorgeous

Bloggers I have met,

and those I have yet to meet!!

 

 

 

That middle of the week feeling.....

...like being half way there!!

Well it is Wednesday after all,

and the middle of my little working week.

So we do have something in common

Wednesday really is Wednesday.

Obviously this conversation

follows on from yesterdays post.

Keep up people!!!

Today I wore a dress I wore during summer, with a long sleeved top under it and a velvet jacket on top.  I love clothes that can be worn all year round, my favourite kind!!

Jacket off to reveal that dress!!

Good Winter colours

to wear what ever you want

under and over it.

 

And an old favourite necklace

got an outing.

Ballet flats with black lace sockets

getting amongst the

dead leaves!

Work was work.

But after work was play time.

I went to Dawns.

Lots of gorgeous little houses

with colourful roofs

that just make you want to say

OMG!

I could not pick a favourite

as they are all

BEAUTIFUL!

More Face Pots

but these ones have Mokos on their chins.

(FYI: Moko is a traditional Maori tattoo for all you non  New Zealanders)

 

Look at the shelf

loaded with houses.

Webb and Milly were in there area today

and not happy.

Trust me to have Purple flowers

growing in my garden.

Mostly self sown

because

that is how I garden!!

Hope you have all had a tickety-boo week so far.

Half way to go

or

Half way gone? 

My Monday is your Tuesday ok!!

Today always feels like Monday for me as I work Tuesday to Thursday, and Thursday ends up feeling like Friday.  So when I say to people on Tuesday (my Monday) how was your weekend they look at me like I am a day late, which of course I guess I am.  When I say have a good weekend on Thursday (my Friday) I usually get odd looks like I am losing my mind, which is quite possible.  Anyway, as today was the beginning of my working week I decided I would take my NEW BAG on an outing!!

I totally love it!!

Thanks again to the very lovely Julie.

 The bag had the company of my

Gumball socks from the gorgeous Goody

A 'massive bastard' amount of Indian bracelets

(saying borrowed from Vix)

and a new to me apple green

slip dress.

(I confess to having bought it and another one in Purple off trademe, 2nd hand tho')

I managed to slip in a quick and productive visit to the Salvo in town on my way home from work.  Major score on lovely sheets, all in pairs and with prices from $1.50 - $2.50 a sheet they were destined to come home with me. But I really must put a stop on buying anymore as I have an embarrassing amount of them now that need to get sewn into fabulous things.

When ever I get home from being out

I usually find these two here on my bed just like this.

And this is Sheba's response

to

'what are you doing on my bed?'.

What ever happened to those dear little boys

of mine.

I wonder if they would reenact

the Christmas photos?

So I bumped into a woman who I have not seen for a considerable amount of years today, and I said 'are you....' and she's like 'yes which one are you' I am used to this being one of three girls.  Then she says 'oh I didn't recognise you at first, you have filled out'.  I thought she had filled out too but she is still SKINNY (no kids or husband) and I just don't go there with the things I think.  I have laughed about 'filling out' all afternoon.  This is a far nicer way to deliver the news that someone has gained weight don't you think!!  Trust me I was not at all offended, I just loved her choice of words.

My answer, black and white photos.  

These make you look less filled out than colour,

I guess this is why so many people dress in BLACK top to toe.

A good old fashioned Waikato Fog....

...greeted me when I awoke and opened the curtains.

My plan for today was go to my physio appointment then come home and sort my clothes, and guess what I actually achieved what I planned.  I have delivered two huge bags of stuff to Habitat for Humanity and have another huge bag to go into RTBS the shop I used to work in.  I feel pretty good that I have culled the winter wardrobe.

I had time to stop and take some fog photos on my way to my appointment this morning.  Hamilton is well known for FOG so I am very used to it, and actually don't mind it.  Things look all magical and mysterious if you want them to.  I try to look for the upside of every situation.

The Waikato River always looks lovely, 

fog or no fog, 

and the ducks did not mind one bit.

Someone had painted the trunk of this tree, 

not something I like,

but there was an upside.

It is very Dr Seuss

so that made me smile. 

Photos taken

it was time to go to physio.

Another lovely massage 

at the hands of my delightful physio.

With that done I

 came and got stuck into the sort of my clothes.  

It took FOREVER!!

During my lunch break I discovered a parcel at my door.

I knew this was coming but had no idea what it would be so very exciting.

 Parcel number one.

Some fabulous reading for me to bury my nose in tonight!!

Parcel number two.

Brown paper bag containing

a parcel wrapped in

SPOTS!!

Now that is a winner right there.

Then it was one of those OMG moments.

Just look at the beautiful bag.

This is so going out with me tomorrow.

Then inside there was

MORE!!

The most amazing smelling handmade soap,

Threadbear Cottage note paper,

a cute as cat that TOF can not object to living here,

and

a hanging heart filled with Lavender.

This absolutely gorgeous parcel of generosity and handmade loveliness came from Julie who has the most delightful blog and she lives in the mighty Waikato. 

Thanks Julie

I was participant  of the above Pay it forward.  Now it is my turn to Pay it forward to 3 different people, so if you would like to receive a hand made gift from me let me know.  The rules are: you must  Pay it forward to 3 other people and have an active blog. You have a year in which to make the gifts so it makes it very achievable, the sort of goals I like!!  Simple pimple really.

Almost forgot, but there was a beautiful hand made card,

and I followed the instruction.

I KNOW!!

Following instructions is new for me.