Places I like: Pete's Emporium

It's time for a break from ALL those travel posts (there are more to come). I thought I'd do a post about somewhere I've just "rediscovered" - actually rediscovered is the wrong word, really I just finally got my butt out of Wellington central and went to other places.

When I was working on my jacket for the kawaii high tea I decided I really wanted some fancy trims and I couldn't really find what I wanted in the city, so I decided it was time to trek out to Porirua to Pete's Emporium.

What's Pete's Emporium you ask? What do they sell? I think you'd be better off to ask "What don't they sell?" I think the sign outside says they sell fabric, fishing supplies  and costumes.

 However, I was there for the sewing craft supplies - look at the cute pumpkins and ghosts! So fun!

They really do have ALL THE RIBBONS at this place and they aren't that pricey either.

They have all kinds on notions and patches - I'm not sure about the quality of some of this stuff, but maybe its fine. I did buy a cute little anchor from the patches section.

I kind of love all the flag patches - especially when places like Yugoslavia are included (that's not a country anymore - right??)

Some of the stuff is kind of umm...interesting? Like these sparkly straps in the bra-making supplies. Was this a thing back in the early 2000's? Maybe just where I lived in Hamilton? (nothing says classy lady like an exposed sparkly bra strap).

There was also a bunch of this fluffy stuff? What is this stuff even called? Is this the stuff used to trim bell sleeves on 70s vintage patterns?

Also they have buttons, like a whole wall of buttons. I have to admit I'm not much of a buttons person. However even I bought some buttons from here (they have cats on them!). If you're looking for some cute random buttons this is the place to be. I love those apple buttons above.

It's not all about sewing themed craft supplies - they have ALL the craft supplies including giant bottles of glitter!! This reminded me of when I was teaching and I thought that making masks with glitter would be fun - it was fun for the kids, not so much for my classroom. Imagine the damage a bunch of kids could do with this much glitter.

Also remeber how I said this place had costumes? I thought I may as well share some of that stuff too as some of it is really....interesting....my favourite is the uber macho chest rug (I mean who could resist that?)

That's a very brief snapshot of shopping times at Pete's - I've promised another friend I'd head out there with her soon (she's recently moved here from Auckland and never been to Pete's - although I know there are a bunch of Auckland  emporiums). Maybe there will be another Pete's related post soon!

I hope you folks all have a lovely weekend - Spring has been pretty cruel to us so far and there has been a week of gloomy weather. We had a touch of sunshine this afternoon, so I'm hopeful we will have a nice weekend (maybe I'm too optimistic).

Adventures at Rebound in Petone

Yesterday Ria and I headed out to Lower Hutt to go to a Japanese Spring Festival - we were pretty excited as we are both fans of all things Japanese. First up we couldn't find the place, the GPS really wasn't being useful and the event wasn't right in the city centre and neither of us know Lower Hutt very well. We finally found the place where the festival was happening, but when we go there, NOTHING was happening. Then we spoke to a lady who looked like she knew what was going on - she told us the festival was happening, but on SUNDAY not SATURDAY! 

We felt deflated, went to Petone for a coffee and met a friend of Ria's whilst we were there who recommended we head to Rebound for a good shopping time. I remember going to Rebound when I first moved to Wellington, but I haven't been back since so I was keen to check it out. I'm so glad we went, I'm still sad I missed the Japanese Spring Festival - but Rebound is so amazing I can live with it. 

We hit up the vintage and retro section for reasons that should be obvious to anyone that reads this blog.

They had the most fabulous wall of old hats which made me think of Helga - Ria picked up an adorable pink hat. I REALLY loved that orange hat with stripes, but it was WAY too small for me so I didn't buy it. But that kind of hat really wouldn't be too hard to sew. If anyone has any recommendation for vintage hat patterns I would be forever grateful as I really want to make a hat like that.

The shoes were next to the vintage and retro section. They had about a million pairs- but all the nice ones were way too small for me, story of my life when op shopping.

After realising no shoes fit us at all we went to check out the vintage and retro clothes - there were some real gems here, you just don't see this kind of stuff in Wellington unless its in a vintage store and being sold at a ridiculous price.

Look at this giant red thing I'm holding! What do you even call this? Is it a kaftan? It was in perfect condition and the trim was beautiful condition. I did briefly consider buying it for a refashion, but I wouldn't know where to even start and a part of me feels that it should remain just as it is.

There were a lot of amazing vintage labels to be seen - especially in the coat section, this one was on a raincoat and I thought it was awesome.

We also checked out the 1980's section - so many amazing, and often horrible things. The ball dresses were especially epic.

Here's a few more general shots of Rebound - so many clothes, more shoes and they even have a bridal section.

Finally it was time to head to the changing rooms and despite picking up like a million things to try on - I ended up buying only two (very restrained of me really). I bought this simple little frock for work - I usually don't like the matching sash that these kind of frocks come with, but I actually thought this one looked ok.

I've been thinking that I would like a few more maxi frocks for the summer months, especially weekends and I've been looking at my fabric stash and patterns to see what I can make. So with that in mind, how could I leave this amazing maxi behind? I'm sure Curtise would approve of this one.

We were all ready to leave then we noticed a few more treasures at the counter and I couldn't resist picking up a scarf from this box of scarves.

So it wasn't the Japanese Spring festival - there wasn't any cherry blossoms or delicious Japanese food but it was still a pretty fun afternoon out. Also I think I need more of an effort to head to Petone to go shopping at Rebound, because as you can see its totally amazing.

Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend xoxo

Fun times in Pennsylvania

Hello world! I'm terribly behind in my blog reading and blogging but I will try to catch up over the long weekend (thanks for having a birthday Queenie). I returned to Wellington last Monday, started back at work on Tuesday and have had a cold since before I left San Fransisco (bad times). There have even been days where I have hardly been able to talk - which is pretty much disastrous for me!

I thought I'd share some more of my travel with you - namely my adventures hanging out in Pennsylvania with Alicia and Bear. 

Alicia and Bear are the best! We spent our time shopping, eating and adventuring and we also fulfilled my lifelong dream of eating s'mores, visiting Amish country and going to a drive in movie. Here's a few photos of our epic adventures. 

Things in the USA are much bigger in than in New Zealand - these marshmallows blew my mind!

 These sounded like something Scooby and Shaggy would eat whilst hanging out in the Mystery Machine. I thought that was kind of awesome. 

We stopped off to have morning tea and look adorable - I had a lemon cakepop!!

In America - even the lollies are patriotic!

In America this is a cereal - mind blown!

American Dream Number One Fulfilled - Making S'mores! I have always wanted to do this - it was delicious (thanks to Bear for firing up the BBQ so we could make S'mores).

American Dream Number Two Fulfilled - Amish Country Visit! Bear took the day off work and all three of us headed out to visit Amish Country starting out with an epic lunch at Shady Maple.

Next up was time for fun buggy rides with Earl and Dixie (our fine steed!).

 

When we returned from our ride, we got to hang out with some rad animals on the farm for a bit. Including the most charismatic duck in the universe.

You know how sometimes you are watching an American TV show or movie and an amazingly kitsch roadside attraction appears from nowhere? That's actually a thing that happens in Pennsylvania - we found Dutch Haven and it was the best time ever. 

These are actually real place names - I seriously couldn't make this stuff up!

I thought the hex signs were really pretty.

Some of the edibles on sale at Dutch Haven - I had my first ever whoopie pie!

 Also - Bear and I decided to play dress ups for a little bit...

Also I bought this hat.

Because there is actually a town called Intercourse - I have photographic evidence.

Also I'm sure that Lancaster County Pennsylvania is the only place in the world you would see a truck like this....

Moving on from the Amish Country - Alicia and I made Pinky Pie cupcakes! We also wore matching horse dresses because that's how we roll.

American dream three fulfilled - Drive-in Movie adventure!! Bear and Alicia took me to a drive-in movie which was so exciting as its something I wanted to do since I was a little kid!

Finally Alicia took me to Jo-Ann fabric and I almost died! But here's what I came out of the store with (I could have easily spent MUCH more money).

So that's just a small taste of my adventures in Pennsylvania - Bear & Alicia thanks for your hospitality, I really hope I can return one day soon xoxo