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The trend for making jewellery out of everyday objects continues. These days you'll find old Scout badges, souvenir teaspoons and even pieces of children's building blocks remodelled into pendants and badges. One particularly innovative take on this comes from young jeweller Anna Hallissey who, it turns out, is obsessed with the plastic use-by tags on packets of bread.
As a result she's turned these ordinary items into silver pendants.
"I love that I can make an everyday object that people dismiss, precious," Hallissey says. "And I love it when people tell me that I have a bread tag stuck to my shirt."
The tags, which cost $95, are stocked at Eon Design Centre in the city and Lode in Devonport.
California
One of the most frustrating things about shopping for designer goodies online happens when you hit that pay-now button to find the merchant you're dealing with will ship only within the US. Happily, local firm, Shipbuktu.com have a cunning plan to sidestep such bureaucracy and ensure that you get those Miu Miu sunnies or that Gap shirt. The website was born when founders Teresa Davis and Paul Ryan became frustrated at not being able to get classic car parts or children's clothes delivered to Auckland. They used to remark, "It's not like we live in Timbuktu", hence the name. So how it works is you register with Shipbuktu and get a street address in California. You shop online, the goods are delivered in California, then sent on to New Zealand at the usual postage rates. The site also has its own recommended overseas stores. A similar site with good reviews is MyUS.com.
Frocks, frocks, frocks
If you're looking for a dress that will take you easily from office to cocktail party you may want to visit Ponsonby boutique Sera Lilly. A new lot of the local designer's adorable and very wearable summer frocks have just arrived.
