News

Rahhr, Friday!!

It’s Friday and the weekend is coming for us faster than a hungry Pachycaphalosaurus.

 

Which leads us to the question: what are you up to this weekend? Hopefully you have some grand plans and ambitions. If you’ve a lack of dinosaur-related activities, then perhaps a bit of sobering weekend reading is in order:

All my friends are still dead. 

In other Friday bits'n pieces:

  • Have you seen the new bar that has moved into the old premises of a Cuba Street Laundromat, just up from us at MFP? I haven’t been to Laundry yet, but definitely looking forward to checking it out.
  • If you’ve no plans for Saturday night, a number of great local bands are playing at Bodega for the Like Minds Concert. And it’s for a good cause – proceeds go to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.

  • So excited to hear that Alice Munro has been awarded the Nobel Prize for literature! If you’re after a book to curl up with for the weekend (having already enjoyed All My Friends Are Still Dead, of course), maybe try Too Much Happiness. Superbly excellent collection of stories. And a bit heartbreaking, though in a quite different way to the sadness of dinosaurs.
  • If the weather stays all grey and dismal, like it’s doing now, and you’re looking to do something a bit creative to do with all the inside hours – we can help! Roller derby embroidery? Or maybe unicorns and cats? A soft owl cushion? (The owl's name is Oswald, even!) Oh, we’ve got this.

Happy weekending!

xxJen

Read more

New Status Anxiety Has Arrived! Hooray!

I was hoping for a little bit more build up for this announcement, but hey, you guys get to get your hands on these beauties even sooner! We got in just a few of these lovely bags, so be super super quick if you want one wrapped around your body now. The new blue is just stunning, check them all out and the rest of our Status Anxiety collection by clicking HERE.

 

Friday's Clothing Pick of The Week is this comfy, pretty, warm little number from Celine Rita. Throw on the Bella Sweater with some skinnies, black boots and a chunky necklace. Or wear it over a pretty little party dress to keep you warm at your weekend drinks. The hot pink specks make this jumper a little more dressy than your average throw over, so make sure she's seen worn loud and proud!

Going to a pot luck? Feel like baking something scrumptious but also, kinda, healthy? You should check out the Petite Kitchen Blog. Such amazing, nutritious and delicious recipes; be careful not to get caught drooling on the keyboard. We have a bunch of the Petite Kitchen Winter Journals here at Madame Fancy Pants, and we're loving them, so make sure you get a copy of one of these limited prints if you love the look of Eleanor's blog!

 

 

In other Madame Fancy Pants news, we are looking for a lovely lady to fill the place of one of our girls (me!) who's going away overseas for a little bit. Dates are: 16 September - 31 October. 4 days a week (Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri) 11-5 and 11-6 on Fridays. If this sounds like you, and you've got brilliant fashion retail and/or customer service experience, then get in touch with Claire at claire@madamefancypants.com

 

Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy your weekend! 

 

xox Anneke xox

 

 

Read more

Bootylicious.

(Image Source: beyonce.com)

What better way is there to brighten up a wet and chilly week than watching this lady strut her stuff in some bootylicious videos? Got me lookin' so crazy right now..

And who runs the world? Let me hear you say it; GIRLS! 

Now you're all pumped and have practiced your booty shaking skills in the comfort of your home, bring them and all your attitude to the Beyonce Covers Night at Mighty Mighty on Friday night! Featuring an array of wonderful performers such as Lisa Tomlins and The Digg, you'll sure have an amazing time. The ladies at Madame Fancy Pants are all going too, dressed up and ready to dance! Did somebody say velvet croptop and big hoop earrings?..

(Image Source: Mighty Mighty)

See ya'll there! Keep warm, keep chipper! I'll leave you with some words of wisdom from Mrs Carter herself:

"I strongly believe that if you work hard, whatever you want, it will come to you. I know that's easier said than done, but keep trying!"

xoxo Anneke xoxo

Read more

So You Think You're A Hipster?

This book by Kara Simsek is full of hilarious case studies to help you "get" that species of hip people that populate Wellington with their cupcakes, chinos, moustaches and 1950s glasses.

 

If you discover one of your nearest and dearest is, in fact, a hipster, use the handy guide below to help you pick out a present for that person who knows what's "cool", before it is "cool". (Apologies to those who have been identified as a hipster in this blogpost if offence has been caused, but hey, you might find something you like x )

(So you think you're a hipster

 

(Chrissie Dress, Trug Bag)

Pair a classic shift with a trug hanging effortlessly from your elbow hook and you're good to go get those organic chia seeds you've been lusting after.

 

(Moustache Growers Guide)

You might not like it, but you might like it better when it's looked after well with the help of this guide. 

(Miss Sparrow Blossom Blouse, Cannonball Skirt

Arguably the most well dressed of all hipsters.

 

(Sublime Stitching)

If it's not handmade, it's not hip.

(A Pug's Guide to Etiquette)

Got a pug? Hip. 

 

Hope this blogpost helped you understand the ways of the hipster, and made you smile, be sure to read the book to learn about even more categories of hipster. In the end, we might all be a little hipper than we thought!

Have a hip weekend,

xoxox Anneke xoxox

Read more

Ways To Wear: Arielle Mermin's Broken English Top

It's Friday! Yay! To celebrate the weekend we have some style inspiration for you in the form of our second edition of Ways To Wear, where you'll find two different outfits formed around a key piece, all from our lovely store.

Today's edition features this stunning, sheer, silk Broken English Top by Arielle Mermin. A classic style but with a standout pattern; a pretty orange, tan, navy and jewel green paisley.

Now you've seen the blouse in all her glory, here's look one:

(1. Zelda Skirt, 2. St Louis Cape, 3. Destructive Romance Bag, 4. Through The Splinters Necklace)

 

This first look is your girly Friday or weekend look; cute and smart but also comfortable enough to last the day and night! Tuck the top into the bottle green skirt, keep warm with the lovely cape and give the look a little edge with the necklace and bag. Wear it out for brunch in the morning, an afternoon stroll through town and then drinks with the girls in the evening, and ,if you're feeling up to it, maybe go dancing afterwards. Try wearing this look with some black ankle boots and sheer black tights in Winter or some chunky tan wedges on a warmer day. You'll be turning heads all day! 

(1. Ada Pant, 2. Walnut Heart Necklace, 3. House Coat in Naval, 4. Vane Bag)

 

Look two is a classic, workday look. Warm, comfortable and smart black pants, a singlet tucked in with the top thrown over, a sweet little necklace around your neck, a beautiful navy wool coat wrapped around your shoulders and this soft, leather bag slung over you. You'll be looking professional, feeling beautiful and up to facing a day at work! 

 

Hope this has provided some inspiration as to how to wear the lovely Broken English Top! If you've seen some pieces you like then remember we have 20% off storewide until next Wednesday 12th June (excluding Orania and laybys). Use the code may20 to receive this discount online!


Enjoy your weekend, may this crisp sunny weather ever continue!

 

Anneke xoxo

 

 

Read more

Winter Is Coming

Winter is (kinda) here! Let’s celebrate the glories of this crisp, chilly weather with a blog post all about the best bits of Winter; clothes, food and wintery things to do.

Winter clothes! We have a wonderful range of winter clothes here at Madame Fancy Pants. Highnoontea, Miss Sparrow, Arielle Mermin and Book of Deer are currently gracing our racks. Such stunning collections, you have to check them out! Plus we have COATS. I think coats are the best part of winter, but finding The One can be a bit of a chore. You need a coat that you can throw over your snuggly jumpers, one that will go with everything and one that isn’t black. Lucky we have two perfect coats and one little rain cape to make finding The One a lot easier. Have a peek at this classic navy coat and little red rain cape from Highnoontea.


And how about this stunning wool cape from Miss Sparrow?



Winter food and drinks; the comfort, the cuddling up in bed with a mug of homemade hot chocolate, the “using baking as a way to keep warm” trick.

Hot Chocolate is my guilty pleasure in winter, especially with a massive dollop of cloud like cream. Everyone likes hot chocolate, so why not keep things interesting and try out some creative flavours like Red Velvet and Salted Caramel? I created a wonderful, easy hot chocolate recipe for a midnight feast after dancing my night away to the sweet tunes of John The Baptist one chilly Friday night (JTB are a great wintery band, plenty of foot stomping dancing to be had), here it is; take one cup of milk and heat on the stove with about two to four rows of milk chocolate (I used Dairy Milk, but Whittaker’s Creamy Milk would make for a richer, smoother drink; I’d probably use less chocolate, more to nibble on!) add a drop or two of vanilla essence and a sprinkling of cinnamon, remember to keep stirring! Pour into your favourite mug and snuggle up in bed with your favourite book.


Can’t wait to try out some warm, snuggly cocktails from A Beautiful Mess! Love me a mug of mulled wine, but warm spiked cider sounds perfect for warding off the chills too.


We just got a new fridge here at MFP so we ladies can bring in some lovely soup to warm us up on those bitter, cold days. Soup is such a fantastic winter lunch, easy to take to work and usually healthy too! Check out 101Cookbooks post ‘Soups Worth Making’ for an eclectic and delicious mix of soup recipes. Really want the Pumpkin and Rice Soup in my belly right now!



If soup isn’t your jam, and you really want to delve into a bowl of cheesy, classic comfort food with a twist check out '30 Mac and Cheese Recipes' from The Food In My Beard. I know. My jaw dropped too.


What to do in Winter? Don't feel as if all there is to do is curl up in bed and watch movies from your laptop (although that isn't such a bad idea!). Wellington is full of lovely things to do, and you can always get a little creative when you're stuck indoors for the day! 

+ With the end of the water ban we can finally get our skates on and try out the ice rink on the waterfront! Outdoors + exercise= good vibes. So excited for this one! See here for the daily sessions they run. 

+ Need something to keep little ones occupied and you inspired? Be sure to check out the Wellington Makertorium on April 27th at Te Papa if you’re a crafter/creator/inventor/tinkerer/thinker. A one of a kind massive exhibition featuring all kinds of brilliantly creative and inventive bits and bobs, as well as workshops for those mini-makers! 

+ Like music? Go to a gig. Dancing is sure to keep the spirits high, check out Brockaflowersaurus-rex at Bodega on May 11th. Their eclectic mix of hip hop, funk and soul will have you tapping your feet for sure. Preview their music and get warmed up before you go by listening to their EP online

+ Don’t want to venture outdoors? If you’re a crafty type an Embroidery Transfer and some Floss from Sublime Stitching will keep your fingers occupied and the boredom at bay as you sew by the fire, or whip up a cute little animal from Sarah Young to decorate your sofa this Winter; the fox and the hare are particularly well suited to the chilly months.


So there it is! A whole bunch of wintery goodness to keep you entertained, stylish and full this winter! Stay tuned for gift ideas for Mum this Mother’s Day and a Winter Style Special.

Thanks for reading!

Anneke xoxo

 

Read more

Instaweekend

Via the wonders of instagram I have been able to show you lovely folks out there what I have been up to.
It consisted of Dunkin Doughnuts - I would seriously eat these tasty little cinnamon fried goodies ALL THE TIME if me a$$ would allow it!, A walk (to make the doughnuts ok right?) along the lovely south coast of Wellington with a good friend and my son Amon (on wheels) and a trip to the Island Bay Marine Education Centre (Octopus).  Amon and I saw an octopus being set back out into the ocean after living at the centre for 3 months (they rotae them as much as they can)....so neat!  They lots of turtles at the centre and a touchy feel pool - eww slimy things! The top right note was on the messages board at my local supermarket, dog walker who will pick up your dogs pooh..hehe.  I want a dog so that he can take it for walks, he sounds so sweet!
A few months back I discovered Stickygram.  These folk turn your instagram piccys into magnets..RAD! I sent some to my mum who lives in Ausie.  She was pretty stocked and the quality was really good.....Im defiantly getting some for myself!

I hope you had a lovely weekend also....summer really is on its way - yay!

xoxclaire



Read more