The Pinnacles

Howdy! Recently we had a visit from the bf's sister. He decided it was THE time that he was finally going to visit the Pinnacles. Now, he's been going on about walking to the Pinnacles for a LONG time, so I was glad he was finally going to find a time to do it, and then stop mentioning it! Haha.

(What on earth are the Pinnacles? They're in the top 101 must-dos for Kiwis, click here for info!)

It was a gorgeous autumn day - super sunny! En route we stopped off in Martinborough for a cheese and wine lunch. Perfect pre-hike nourishment.

LOOK at that blue sky!

We were slightly delayed by some locals....

But finally reached the starting point of the hike...

Does anyone else see something in the shape of the pinnacle here?!

It was a hard hike, but a beautiful day and an amazing destination.

Puffed out! :)

It involved jumping over several large streams! This was hilarious as the bf's sister was scared of falling in!!

About 2 hours later, we were back to the start.

And the bf finally had seen his 'Pinnacles' :)

Polishing my silver

Hey all, yay for FRIDAYS! 

This week I wore some of my silver rings for a change. Then when I looked at them (whilst out) I was shocked at how grubby they looked. I used to wear silver jewellery all the time, but nowadays I tend to opt for costume jewellery and so have neglected my tarnished silver bling.

So I sat down and polished some of my favourite pieces. And it was actually very therapeutic!

 

Whilst 'polishing my silver' it made me remember the little stories behind a lot of the pieces (rings in particular) and then it made me sad that I don't wear them often anymore. 

I'm so enthralled (like a magpie!) by my new costume jewellery that I forget about the memories behind my more expensive pieces. 

But I guess they'll still be around when the costume jewellery is dead and buried... :)

 

I call this guy Nelson, after the town in which I bought him. He's by a very talented NZ jeweller, Jewels Vine. His feet and wings move!

I bought this silver charm ring in the Mumbles, Wales, whilst shopping with my youngest sister. It was in the weeks before I was moving to NZ and the last day shopping we spent together before the big move.

These are some of my favourite rings: a Christmas gift from an ex (NO sentimental value! I just love the ring (I chose it!), a HUGE silver and amethyst ring by a NZ designer, and a little ring I picked up in a market in Abergavenny years ago.

My silver ball earrings, bought in Bath.

More favourites. Bottom left is a gift from another ex, and bottom right was a birthday present from my parents shortly before I moved to NZ (by a Welsh jeweller).

More silver rings - bought in Antibes (France), Wales, Croatia and the Bahamas. I like to buy jewellery on my travels it seems!

I had a thing for butterfly rings for a while!
Left: gift from my sister Alice before I moved to NZ; middle, gift from an ex for my university graduation; right, bought in Croatia - its wings flutter :)

I have small hands but wear huge rings - hmm!?!?

 

And last but not least, my favourite of all, my Tiffany charm bracelets with charms bought from Tiffany stores on my travels <3

Does your jewellery tell a story?

 

Paris Take Two!

Hi all, how's your weekend going? I have very exciting news about some NEW SHOES to share with you soon! (YES I mean THAT shoe competition!!)

Here's part two of my February trip to Paris (part one's here)....

My sister took this photo. Shame she couldn't manage to get the whole Arc in!!!!! Duh!

 

Bella being naughty on the tour bus! Ahahahahah!

  

We had some Parisian snow!

The Ritz where Princess Di left before she was tragically killed

 

I love the frames in Instagram!

The Moulin Rouge - it was a lot shabbier outside than I'd imagined!

I mastered the metro for my family and I! First time I'd ever been brave enough!

Uncle Buck and I ready to go home!

Have you had snow this year? :)

I heart Paris...

...and I don't mean Ms Hilton! :p

I have finally sorted through my photos of my Paris trip back in February - it seems like a million years ago (and miles away!).

We were in Paris for four days and it was SOO COLD! Like, FREEZING COLD! Here are some of the pics of the first two days....

My niece enjoying her cuppa and croissant on the first morning <3

Me and Bella :)

Notre Dame

Frozen fountains at the Louvre

Bella was scared having this photo with the statue!

Front of the Louvre

My sister, Dad, Mum and Niece :)

Inside the Notre Dame

Freezing on top of the open top tour bus!

 

I NEVER wear hats (except woolly hats and beach hats!) and bought this one for the trip - then Beth kindly called me Uncle Buck in it!! And put me off it a fair bit! How rude!

 

As miffed as I was at the comparison, I tend to agree! I'll be accessorizing with an electric drill next time!

Stay tuned for Paris part two tomorrow!