And more stripes

29 Friday Jul 2011

Outfit Love

27 Wednesday Jul 2011

This is one of those rare outfits that I just LOVE. Usually, I am semi happy with the things I wear. But often there is something I would change if I could. Maybe I fabulous pair of shoes that I don’t own. Or the perfect statement necklace I can’t afford.

This outfit however; I love the whole thing. I had been eyeing off this shirt for a while (justifying it to myself that I could wear it in Tonga) but at $60 for the shirt, no way was I parting with our money. It came down to $40. So obviously I bought it.

Did I mention that I leave in five days? FIVE DAYS!

The many people that we love

26 Tuesday Jul 2011

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We had a great goodbye party on Sunday afternoon. It was full of family and friends, the people we love. A year is both a long time, and a short time. My mum is amazing and organised the whole thing; decorations, food and party games. She even knows more of the Tongan language than I do!

Time is of the essence

25 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by Hannah in Life's Thoughts, Style

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So many things to do, so little time. And when time is of the essence, it’s important to get your priorities straight… and make sure you have a cute outfit before running around for the day.

Normally a short little cotton dress would be way too cold for a winter’s day but luckily the sun came out enough for me to get away with this. I am also wearing two pairs of nude coloured tights layered over each other.

Because today I wanted to wear this dress. I have only a week left of outfits that match my personality, reflect who I am and end above the knee. So no cold weather was going to stop me.

Reworking Vintage

24 Sunday Jul 2011

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This cute little dress dates back to the 70s. It has my three big loves in fashion; stripes, dots and ruffles. And it is perfect for Tonga. Just long enough to cover my knees and shoulders. Nice and cool because it’s made from cotton. And it’s not super fitted. It did need a little work, so as to look less “little house on the prarie” and more “a fun one-0f-a-kind vintage item that gives me fashion cred.” It needed a ruffle removed and a neck tie cut off.

I am in no way a seamstress. Which is why my mother in law is doing the alterations. She is handy with a sewing machine. I’m handy with an eye for sales. I helped her find a great outfit for my brother in law’s wedding.

I’m going to pair this dress with a pair of strappy nude heels (low heels, it’s Tonga) and a woven belt. And a big massive hat to avoid the sun, that I will pretend makes me look like Audrey Hepburn and not at all ridiculous.

This is what I wore

21 Thursday Jul 2011

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This is what I wore today. I matched my shoes to my bag and my skirt. I love mustard paired with khaki.

And now I’m off to run errands.

Weekend Review: more goodbyes

18 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by Hannah in Life's Thoughts

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Do we look tired? We are! This weekend was crazy!

Friday night I had my goodbye at work and then pizza with friends after.

Saturday morning we had errands to run and Drew had to get a medical clearance for Tongan Immigration. Saturday lunch I caught up with my friend Laura and then at night, we had our minister Rod’s retirement dinner. He’s been our minister for 28 years! Drew and I are trying to convince him to visit us in Tonga, now he doesn’t have full time work.

Sunday we were preaching at not one, not two but THREE of our church’s Sunday services. The 8am, the 9:45am and the 5:00pm DRV service (which is the service at our local retirement home). Luckily we had done the 7pm service the week before! I’ve never given a sermon at the front of church before, so I was a little nervous. Our topic was “Stepping out in Faith” and was our story of why we’re moving to Tonga, why we feel called to Mission and what Mission looks like.

I think I actually enjoyed the service at the retirement home the best… they are such a FUN group of older people. Seriously, the service opened with a joke about a blonde Irishman.

Dreams and Ambition

16 Saturday Jul 2011

Posted by Hannah in Life's Thoughts

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I leave for Tonga in only 2 weeks and wanted to share with you some personal reflections I’ve had lately. Moving away will bring a lot of change to our marriage and to who we are as people; it’s also a great opportunity to grow, learn and try new things.

I have lots of professional goals, in terms of what I hope to achieve with my work in Tonga but here are a few personal things I’m hoping to conquer.

• Take a holiday around Fiji or Samoa or outer Tongan islands. Or all.

• Learn to relax!

• Meet members of the Tongan Royal Family. (Technically already done after meeting HRH the Crown Prince of Tonga)

• Take language lessons and hold a fluent conversation in Tongan.

• Start to write my book

• Read my bible more i.e. instead of 1-2 times per week (which is pitiful) maybe 3-4 times a week (which is not too bad).

• Undertake some form of exercise around 5 times a week.

• Spend more time with Drew. So looking forward to this one.

• Figure out how to enjoy snorkeling and not freak out when attempting to breathe with mask underwater

• In mastering the above; getting to swim with whales!

The above picture is part of the Annie Leibovitz Disney Dream Portraits series. It may have nothing to do with Tonga.

A new take on old favourites

15 Friday Jul 2011

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There is nothing new about these items. Just when I thought I had maxed out my remix possibilities for my chambray shirt and grey maxi skirt, this came to mind. Its simple, its not earth shattering or fashion mag worthy. But I like it. Hubby does too.