TaiyaKiwi and and Aztec Print Laurel Dress

Last weekend Rich and I visited "TaiyaKiwi" I've been wanting to go here forever! It's a Japanese Taiyaki and Matcha Bar, I first saw their sign up before Christmas and really wanted to go, but it's one of those things we didn't "get around" to until now.

I should have really taken more photos inside as it's tiny, but cute! There's a small Japanese style bench, which is where Rich and I sat to have our matcha and taiyaki.

Like the sign says, TaiyaKiwi only does matcha and taiyaki, but they have a few variations of each. We both got iced matcha because it was a really hot day when we went and it was delicious - not at all sickly.

There were three options for the Taiyaki - traditional Japanese (bean paste), Kiwi style (filled with Whitaker's dark chocolate) and a "special" - when we went the special was chicken and cheese.

 I went for the Kiwi style taiyaki and can confirm, it was delicious and Rich went with the chicken and cheese, which he said was like a toasted sandwich.

This post isn't just about treats though, it's also about sewing! I'm trying to share a few things I made last year but never blogged about.

This isn't actually the best photo, but oh well, you all get the idea! The Aztec print fabric is from the Spotlight sale table and the pattern is the Colette Laurel Dress  which I've made many times before!

My favourite thing about this version, however, is the sleeves! You can't see them so well in the earlier photo so here's a bad close up photo of them - I think they are kind of fun (and the first time I wore this to work I found out they were also "on trend" who knew?).

Hope you all have a fun weekend, I started back at work this week so I've just finished my first working week on 2018 and I am exhausted! It will begin to get easier again at some point right?

"Turning Japanese" Dress

So I made another dress recently from Japanese style print fabric and it makes me think of this song.

I bought the fabric from a New Zealand fabric destash group I'm part of on facebook - isn't it pretty.

I decided to use a tried and true pattern and make another Salme Patterns pussy bow dress with the sleeves from the Colette Laurel dress. It's the same franken-pattern I used for my Hearts and Anchors dress, the only difference was I added a little bit of length to the skirt of the dress.

It's getting dark earlier and earlier at the moment, but Rich was still able to take a few photos for me in the courtyard before the sun went down for the day.

The dress is pretty simple, I've not put in the darts as I wanted a more blouse type fit. It has elastic around the waist, but the best part of the dress is the bow. Because obviously bows rule.

I hope you've all had a good week, I've been off work with a spider bite that got infected. It was a bad times, but at least I can sew and have a courtyard.

Hope you all have been having a good week and an even better weekend!

Anchor Me Dress

It's time for another recent make - yes its another Laurel dress, but this version is made with fun anchor fabric and has frilly cuffs! Fancy.

The first outfit posts in out new house were taken in our courtyard and these have been taken on the balcony outside our bedroom that overlooks the city -  our lives are awesome.

I've made this dress a number of times before, but this is the first time I've added the gathered cuffs and I  actually think they are pretty cute. There's another version of the dress with pockets, so maybe I will add them next time.

The view of the city sure is pretty from up here - especially late in the day (these photos were taken Friday after work).

 I've given the dress its name as the fabric is covered with cute little anchors and its a bit different from the typical anchor prints that you can get. It's from our local craft store, Made Marion

You can even see the the tallest building in Wellington from our deck, its called the Majestic Centre. I used to work in here, but I'm glad I don't anymore as its a bit of a downer when you can ALWAYS seen your work, even when you're hiking in the town belt.

As for the name of the dress, it obviously comes from the fact that its covered in anchors *duh* but I also named it after one of my favourite songs from a pretty amazing New Zealand band - enjoy!