Year: 2011

The tramp: or why I really don’t like DOC very much right now

Published by The Dreamstress

This is the story of the hiking trip I just went on. It started with Shell and I popping into the Department of Conservation (DOC) shop in Wellington and asking for advice on an easy and beautiful 3 to 4 day hiking trip suitable for a group of four hikers: two with no experience and two with a bit of experience. They enthusiastically told us about the ever so easy, beginner suitable  Holdsworth to Kaitoke track, and supplied us with maps, track guides, and DOC passes.  They told us about how easy it was, and how it was a popular family track.  Sounded perfect. Umm.  Yeah. Day One – Holdsworth to Totara Flats Hut We got up early, checked all of our equipment, loaded the car, and drove over the Wairarapa mountains, and parked at Holdsworth Lodge.  Packs on, we started off. And climbed.  Up, and up, and up, and up, the ironically named “Gentle Annie” track.  30 minutes in we were all puffing, stopping every few steps, and seriously questioning why were were doing …

Rate the Dress: Heather’s purple in 1910

Published by The Dreamstress

Last weeks 1830s dress received surprisingly (at least compared to the popularity of 1830s fashions in the past) good reviews, with the only major complaint among most of you being that the colour was unflattering.  The dress rated a 7.4 out of 10 To counter the claims of unflattering colours, this week I feature a dress that we know was specifically chosen by the wearer because she found the colour flattering.  This summer day dress is from the wardrobe of Miss Heather  Firbank, daughter of a wealthy British MP.  According to her brothers biographer, Heather “had beauty, and she adorned it with exquisite clothes of a heather colour to complement her name”. This palest lavender dress could certainly be described as heather coloured, but is it exquisite?  And is the shade flattering?  Or a little insipid? Rate the Dress on a scale of 1 to 10

Felicity loves Mr Dreamy

Published by The Dreamstress

She really loves him. She really, really loves him. In fact, sometimes I think that she is plotting of a way to get rid of me so she can have him to herself. See, doesn’t that look like a plotting face?  Or at least a possessive face? This is my Mr Dreamy! He has me, and I have him! Mine, all mine. She’s probably glad that I am away camping. Sigh.