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Brighten up those dark, drab Winter days with a pretty, jewel toned wardrobe! Here are six of our favourite bright pieces from our closet here at Madame Fancy Pants. Have a peek, mix and match and pick out your favourite colourful piece to brighten up your day!

1) Wrap up warm in this deep plum Margot Cape by Alice Nightingale, $195 

2) Show off your legs by wearing some mustard tights beneath this 60s inspired, soft green Chrissie Dress by Arielle Mermin, $380

3) Dazzle in this flaming red Kadinsky Dress by Highnoontea, $259

4) Put on your dancing shoes with this electric blue Oskar Dress by Highnoontea, $289

5) Take a Winter stroll through the park in this bottle green velveteen Zelda Skirt by Alice Nightingale, $150

6) Have tea and cake in this stunning mustard Amanda Jones Dress by Arielle Mermin, $320

Hope this little mood board inspires you to try a new colour and brighten up the inevitable Winter sea of grey and black!

xoMFPxo 

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Food has been a running theme in our weekly blog since I’ve somewhat taken the reigns of writing it. To say I’m obsessed with food would be an understatement. Since I moved out of home a couple of years ago and actually started cooking, I’ve been experimenting with vegetarian food; because it’s delicious, it’s been a good way of getting vegetables into my flatmates and it’s a lot cheaper than meat based meals. Not meaning to be preachy, but it’s always good to vary your diet and include some meat free meals in your week, if you’re a meat eater like me!

Now vegan, that’s a territory I haven’t quite yet explored, but one I’m definitely keen to. Emily, one of the lovely ladies here at Madame Fancy Pants, has recently become a vegan. We’ve all got a little overexcited dreaming up and sourcing recipes to add to her repertoire, including Claire deciding that creating a vegan macaroon would be perfect to include Emily in our macaroon obsession (we are both addicted to the ones from the wicked italian café just up the road). Oh that cloud of coconut, dipped and drizzled in dark chocolate… I’m drooling just thinking about it. Not a pretty image? Well, here is a real pretty image to distract you.

Oh pretty, pretty vegan food! These recipes come from the blog Wolf and Willow. The owner of this blog, Nancy Alice Chalmers, has embarked on a sugar-free and vegan diet adventure and has created an e-cookbook, dubbed The Sexy Sugar-Free Vegan Project, which is full of amazing recipes. Red Velvet and Coconut Cream Brownies? Yes please!! The two recipes above, Roasted Eggplant Hummus with Vegie Crisps and the Heavenly Coconut Butters, are available as a sneak-peak on her blog. They seem like perfect vegan party canapés to me. Or just smother your morning toast with one of them. Or both. Whatever floats your boat (probably don’t combine both, wouldn’t be very tasty).

So, I may be a little in love with Hungry and Frozen, who I have mentioned before on this blog. Wellingtonian Laura Vincent fills this blog with food love; it’s bursting with recipes she has created and snapped to share with all her lucky readers. Since she started the blog as a ‘strapped for cash’ student, most of the food you can find on her blog can be made on the cheap, whilst still remaining tasty and healthy. I’ve turned to her recipe for Spicy Chickpeas with Tomatoes and Coconut Cream time and time again for a quick and healthy dinner.

Ice cream is my favourite food, don’t judge, and Laura’s ice creams are seriously standout. She’s conquered vegan ice cream in a few variations, but this Lemon and Poppyseed Ice Cream looks amazing. Would probably taste pretty good after those Spicy Chickpeas too!

My last source for vegan cooking inspiration comes in the form of Tumblr blog, Thug Kitchen. If you like your vegan food served with a side of gangster, check this one out. Be warned, if you’re sensitive to strong language, would be best to avoid this one. If you can look past the effs and blinds, or you are harboring a secret internal gangster (like me), you’ll enjoy it and laugh. My picks? The Lavender Lemonade alongside the Roasted Chickpea and Broccoli Burrito. Delicious.

Well, there we have it! A trio of blogs where you can find delicious vegan recipes to try out on yourself, or your lovely vegan friends. I’m dreaming of eating the Strawberry and Vanilla Coconut Butter by the spoonful already…

Xoxo Anneke xoxo

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The sun is shining but it's definitely getting a little chilly! Time to wrap up warm? I think so. And why not do it in style with a few pieces by Alice Nightingale?

Alice Nightingale's collection is inspired by everything glamorous of yesteryear. Designer Alice Veivers started the label in 2009. Her interest in both the indie music and fashion scene has led her to appreciate the need for each person to have a unique style.

Her pretty pieces will be a welcome addition to your winter wardrobe, so without further ado, here are the beautiful pieces we have just received here at Madame Fancy Pants, from her new AW 13 collection!

The sweet Clara Blouse in a lovely cream silk looks especially cute when tucked into this amazing bottle green velveteen Zelda Skirt with its deco details. 

Swish, swirl and twirl in this pleated and layered Ginger Skirt and show off those lovely shoulders in this sweet cream Daisy Blouse. 

And finally, stay snuggly warm and looking pretty in this lovely deep wine coloured wool Margot Cape! 

Aren't they all the sweetest? Hope you've enjoyed looking through our new Alice Nightingale pieces!

Anneke xoxo

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Just a friendly reminder that Mother's Day is on the 12th of May, that's just over a week away! To help you avoid a stressful panic last minute, here's a bucket full of gift ideas to make your Mum, or another Mum, or you (if you're a Mum), very happy indeed! 

Here's a bunch that won't break the bank, but will make a lovely lady feel super special.

1) Lil Lovelies Charm Necklace
2) Jewellery Tree 
3) A Fools Heart Bracelet 
4) Cutting Shapes Bracelet
5) Sarah Young Tea Towel/ Cushion DIY 
6) Longest Drink In Town Cups
7) Carpe Diem Journal 
8) Hagen-Renaker Miniatures 
9) Tote Bag
10) MOR Petite Candle
11) MOR Handcream 
12) Kester Black Nail Polish
13) Sukie Zip Pouch

Phew! Now you have no excuses to not spoil your Mum this Mother's Day. Remember that we can gift wrap any orders for ya, so you don't even need to lift a finger (we won't tell Mum).


xoxMFPxox

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Why, hello there!! A very exciting day was had here at MFP, as we got to open up three massive boxes that were full to the brim of beautiful new Status Anxiety bags, wallets and purses; a little like an early Christmas! We have all of your favourites back in store, along with a few new pieces to add to the collection..

Say hello to Evelyn! This beautiful wallet is perfect for the discerning modern miss. Here are a couple of fast facts: Evelyn is made of soft cow leather and includes 7 card slots , 3 notes spaces and a detachable zip purse inside. In four lovely colours you'll struggle to choose just one.

We also have a few favourites back in with some fresh new colours! Check them out..

1) Destructive Romance

2) Dakota

3) Doris

Have fun choosing a wonderful new bag, purse or wallet! 

Happy Tuesday! xox

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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 27^th 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 11^th. 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

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With the impending chill of Winter, last week was the perfect week to have Wellington Fashion Week.  Myself and a bunch of other folk were lucky enough to check out collections for Summer 2014 on the runway.  Lovely! New Zealand Fashion Week always shows Winter collections, so this was a fabulous time for designers to show off what wondrous summer goodies they have conjured up.

Many of you will know that MFP currently stocks fantastic designers High Noon Tea (New Plymouth) and Arielle Mermin (Mount Maunganui).  After viewing the group show we are super excited to announce that Madame Fancy Pants’ hangers will be graced with gorgeous garments by the talented Silence Was.. (Auckland) and Mardle (Wellington). 

Here are some sneak peeks at looks we loved at the Wellington Fashion Week group show from High Noon Tea, Mardle and Silence was.

All runway shots are by Jenn Hadley Photography.  Do make sure you check out her Wellington Fashion Week photography competition entry which features High Noon Tea, Kate of Arcadia and Madame Fancy Pants.  Gorgeous!

XClaire

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Hello lovelies! Hope you had a wonderful long weekend and are enjoying your week so far! I must admit I'm going through some serious chocolate withdrawals, but I’ll survive, you don’t need to worry about me (although, any unwanted chocolate will be gratefully received)!

This week, seeing as it is Wellington Fashion Week, let’s talk about fashion. Now, Winter IS coming. It might not seem like it, but it will eventually get cold, and we should look forward to that. Snuggly slimline jumpers, deep Autumnal oranges, navies and jade greens, woolen coats and little red rain capes; Winter fashion is sensible and very cool, in fact, very Wellington. Black, the most Wellington of shades, need not be boring. Black pants need not be unflattering. To prove it, check out these beauties, and some Ways To Wear them.

Highnoontea’s Ada Pant. Gorgeous. Woolen, black, classic, and very flattering. Highnoontea is stamping its mark on the New Zealand fashion industry with a strong identity of directional tailored comfort, and you can see why. Designer Sheryl White sources inspiration from a love of music, film, literature and vintage clothing. These Bauhaus inspired pants are the perfect foundation for a tailored yet comfort driven look, check out these two looks for some inspiration:

Look One is a smart yet comfortable look for a day spent in town, a bit of time at work, with a few errands to run and a coffee or two thrown in. A pop of colour with the lovely red Norma wallet, which fits in everything you need for the day. A simple necklace completes this understated look. (Highnoontea Ada Pant and Gerhard Top, Status Anxiety Norma Wallet, Figs & Ginger Necklace.)

Look Two is your “going out for drinks with the girls” look. Comfortable, a little bit cute and a little bit sexy. The deep orange sheer shirt with an adorable owl print is perfect for Autumn and works beautifully with a long statement necklace. The mint green nail polish clashes with the orange and pulls this look together. Sling the Calyx bag across your body to add a little more edge to your look and you’ll keep ‘em guessing. (Highnoontea Ada Pant, Arielle Mermin Sweet Virginia Top, Kate of Arcadia Calyx Bag, MFP Leave Your Love Tonight Necklace)

I hope these looks get you inspired and feeling a little more excited for Winter! Remember that tomorrow evening, April 4th from 5 until 7pm, we are having a little shindig here at Madame Fancy Pants to celebrate Highnoontea’s debut at Wellington Fashion Week. Come have a little drink, check out those Ada pants, and receive 30% off all purchases of Highnoontea.

Hope to see you tomorrow, otherwise have a fantastic week filled with fashion!

Anneke xoxo

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Hello there! Welcome to another weekly Madame Fancy Pants blog post!

First of all, an invitation. We would love to see you here next Thursday evening for a little tipple and a look through High Noon Tea’s collection, plus enjoy 30% off all purchases of High Noon Tea on the night! This is all to celebrate High Noon Tea’s debut at Wellington Fashion Week as part of the SS’14 Group Showcase next Friday; purchase your tickets here for an evening of exciting fashion.

Easter is coming up this weekend and with that comes chocolate, family time, craft and chocolate. Yeah, I said chocolate twice.. I’m seriously looking forward to guiltlessly eating my way through an entire Easter egg trail! Maybe I’ll have a lazy Sunday walk afterwards, maybe. With that in mind here are some cool ideas for crafts and chocolate.

First up are these seriously cool classic blown egg decorations (Eggs with moustaches. So. Cool.)! You’ll know how to create these lovelies from your childhood, if you can’t remember you can learn how to here. Then just decorate them how you please, these have been stenciled, but try dying, dipping or painting. An easy craft idea that you can make with kids. 

Mmmm.. chocolate! These cute Easter themed chocolate bars are easy to make, just melt some chocolate and stud with your favourite toppings. All thanks to one of our favourite blogs, A Beautiful Mess.

Another DIY chocolate idea: if you want to learn how to make your own Easter chocolates this weekend, check out Agnes Almeida’s awesome video all about easy chocolate making and you’ll be making your own chocolates in no time. Check it out here.  

Oh, I didn’t forget about all you vegans out there, and non-dairy kids can enjoy this trio of recipes too! Thanks to Laura at Hungry and Frozen, my favourite Wellington food blog, here are some delicious vegan friendly chocolate recipes (just sub out honey for agave nectar if need be):  No-bake Vegan Cookie Dough Truffles, Water Chocolate Mousse and Cocoa Sorbet. 

With all the delicious chocolate out there, it pays to make an informed choice in regards to your Easter goodies. Palm oil is in a lot of chocolate treats, and as it’s important to protect our environment and the habitat of some pretty special wildlife, it’s best that we avoid purchasing products that use palm oil. Auckland Zoo has come out with this handy guide to choosing palm oil free goodies, so check it out  before you go buy your treats!

The newest issue of Extra Curricular has just arrived here at MFP. This issue is all about new beginnings, very fitting for Easter! There are tons of interviews with crafty people, pretty pictures and some delicious recipes to try out. For a full run down check out their blog. Isn’t the cover amazing? A lovely read and a lovely gift for the crafty gal/guy in your life who doesn’t like chocolate. (I can’t actually imagine a creative type who doesn’t love chocolate, but there will be a few out there I’m sure!)

Hope you all have a lovely weekend spent with family, friends and chocolate!

Thanks for reading,

Anneke xox

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