What inspired you to begin teaching yoga, practising breathwork/meditation and start your website as an advocate for Mental Health?
I started practising yoga when I was 15. I started learning from a YouTube video series in my bedroom. I’m pretty sure it was called something ridiculous like ‘Yoga for Weight Loss with Sadie Nardini’. I did the same sequence every day for a whole summer.
Right from that first day, I felt this incredible sense of freedom and joy in my body. I played intense sport at a high level at the time and the contrast to my rigid training schedule was so great.
I loved the way my body felt and I loved learning to use my breath properly. There was a massive knock-on effect from the practice and I’ve been doing it ever since.
I think I knew I was going to teach one day, when I was ready. And in 2021, it finally felt like the right time.
In the beginning, my practice was always very physical and asana focused. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to understand the value of the more subtle practices like meditation and pranayama (breath work). I love teaching Breath classes that focus on balancing and restoring the nervous system.
The decision to start sharing my writing about mental health was a really difficult one. I was so worried about what people would think… “Was I attention seeking?” “Is this too heavy for people to read?” “What will my boyfriend's family think of me?”
But I kept thinking back to the people who had helped me through really difficult times. They were writers brave enough to share their stories.
When I was 24, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Type 1 Disorder. This was an intensely difficult and lonely time for me.
I took great comfort in the books I read, the Instagram accounts I followed, the podcasts I listened to. They provided a sort of faraway community. Me, a silent, anonymous member. On the outer of that community.
Comparing notes and finding comfort in words on the pages of memoirs from people like me. Living, battling, surviving, managing their mental illness.
As I’ve lived on with this illness, what has become apparent, is the need for representation.
For people feeling hopeless, desperate and alone, like I did, and at times, still do.
Now, I feel it is the time for me to introduce myself to the community I’ve silently clung to. To share my experiences, what I’ve learned and what I’m learning.
And that’s what I intend to do.
Best advice you have ever received when feeling uninspired and unmotivated?
‘Think small, not big’ I know this doesn't seem massively inspiring. But it is so useful if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Especially when anxieties about the future are running riot. “Think small” as in, let’s look at what can be done today. I think about this when I’ve lost perspective on what is important or what can realistically be done depending on my mood or energy level. It’s also great if I’ve spread myself too thin with obligations and I’m feeling scattered. It allows me to break things down into achievable chunks.
The other piece of advice is equally as simple, but really useful in terms of grounding myself. ‘Get back to basics’
Construct a routine
Get enough sleep
Keep moving
Eat regularly
Stay connected
Depression or anxiety can bleed us of all motivation, enthusiasm and joy. The hopelessness we’re left with can send all self-care rituals out the window and sometimes, they’re the hardest things to get back.
When you don’t feel like doing anything, it’s beyond frustrating to be told to “get up and get on with it.’
But, sometimes that’s what we need. It’s the best place to start when we need to rebuild.
Favourite quote?
“You must go on. I can’t go on. I’ll go on”. - Samuel Becket
This seems pretty dark. But I say it to myself when I feel blocked or overwhelmed. When things seem too hard, acknowledging that it is hard, acknowledging that I want to stop and overriding those doubts and making the decision to keep moving forward.
My physical health has been pretty poor over the past year and when I've felt upset or frustrated with this, I repeat to myself “I’ll go on.” and I do.
Samuel Beckett was a writer who played with themes of existence and the difficulty of life and coupled it with black comedy. Saying this little phrase to myself is like a little reality check and helps me to shrug off doubt and disappointment with a smile.
Why do you believe people need to move their bodies?
I’m currently reading ‘The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel A. van der Kolk. It’s been a really great reminder of the inextricable link between mind, brain and body.
I think on a physical level we need to keep moving our bodies so we can age well. Movement, for me, is about enhancing our quality of life, not about aesthetics.
We move to look after our bone density (especially as women), our strength, our joint mobility, our balance and proprioception (knowing where our body is in space) and learning to make peace with uncomfortable sensations associated with difficult emotions.
Shifting the perspective from movement being solely for a physical benefit is really motivating and keeps me wanting to move my body. I use movement to physically shift discomfort or painful experiences from my body.
Training my mind to acknowledge uncomfortable sensations and what emotions and feelings they’re associated with takes the fear away. It soothes anxiety, frustration, anger and panic. It helps me process things faster and if I tune into my breath whilst doing this, it’s even better.
None of this is about aesthetics. But I guess as a by-product, when we move our bodies more, our posture, muscle tone and overall glow is stronger. We notice it, and other people notice it, regardless of what body shape we have.
Quote from ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ “Physical self-awareness is the first step in releasing the tyranny of the past.”
What is your most loved clothing item, how do you style it?
Such a good question. I’ve started investing more in my everyday clothes rather than formal clothing.
Lots of linen, organic cotton, minimalist colours and classic styles. Tailored pants, straight leg jeans, shirts and Dr Marten sandals.
And of course, denim. I am obsessed with denim. I run double denim almost too often. I’ve been running the same look since I was about 7 years old.
I try to avoid synthetic fabrics as much as I can. Which is pretty hard with active wear. I live in my Nagnata biker shorts. They are made with merino and are so comfortable. I wear them when I’m practising yoga but also with an oversized shirt and sandals for a casual look.
It’s really hard to balance wanting to invest in high quality, sustainably made clothes and not having the money to do it. So, a lot of my wardrobe was bought second hand, I love to buy from Designer Wardrobe, it’s even where I bought those Nagnata biker shorts.
What is the best process for someone struggling with their mental health or that needs someone to talk to?
I think acknowledgement is the first step. Recognising that you don’t have to live with a certain level of suffering. That you absolutely deserve more.
A good place to start is with your GP, if you have a good relationship with them. They can point you in the direction of more specialised services and send out the referrals you need to get into those services.
Also, ask for recommendations! If you know someone that’s been through mental health services, see if they know of a counsellor or psychologist or programme that could work for you.
Next, be patient, accept that this may not come right overnight. Be gentle with yourself. Let the people closest to you know what’s going on, what you're feeling and what you're going through.
Be selfish! Prioritise what you need and don’t compromise on that. Be ok with not going to every party or dinner, or switching your exercise to more gentle forms.
One more thing I’d like to say is, don’t be ashamed about taking medication. This was so hard for me and I refused to start medication for years. But, it actually saved me. It re balanced my brain and gave me the capacity to properly engage with therapy. I have been on regular medication for 5 years now. I’ve accepted that I will probably have to take it for the rest of my life and I feel no shame about that.
Getting the medication right has taken quite a long time and has been pretty disheartening at times, some just don’t work with your body. So being mindful of side effects and discussing this with your doctor is key. Advocate for yourself! But don’t come off it cold turkey, you don’t need to put your body through that.
Please remember if you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out for it: HERE and HERE <3
Want more?
You can join Charlotte for a 60-minute private yoga lesson. This hour will be tailored entirely to your wants and needs. Sign up for a full nervous system reset with breathwork, meditation and restorative yoga or a powerful, fluid vinyasa practice. Or somewhere in between. Either way you will take away useful skills and techniques to improve your well being and body. This can be in your space in Christchurch, Charlotte's space in Sumner or via Zoom.
Please contact Charlotte to discuss pricing options and book here!
I hope you enjoyed this months By Mary Muse, who's next?
M x
What inspired you to begin writing?
I've always loved the way words can make you feel. I used to write songs when I was a little girl about things I would witness from an 8-year-olds perspective. I have always been an observer. I looked almost too closely at things; like how waves so effortlessly rolled onto shores or the way my father looked so lovingly at my mother. As I grew with age, so did my experiences, which eventually turned into poetry about heartbreak, grief and love.
Do you have a favourite page or quote from The Beauty and Her Beasts?
I have three chapters in my book; Bitter, Bones and Beauty. Here is a favourite poem from each...
What was the last piece of clothing you brought?
Apart from writing, clothes and fashion let me feel something. Clothes started off as a necessity, but now I view them as powerful. Having the ability to reflect your mood, personality and make yourself known through what you wear is a beautiful thing.
Hailey Bieber and Matilda Djerf have the most influential fashion on me. The way the two women break societies construction of female beauty by adding masculinity really empower me and the pieces of clothing I choose to buy. The. last two items of clothing I have bought are Pangia flared track pants in three different colourways; pink, grey and white, and the Are You Am I Sunniva Corset in black. Both of these can be styled up or down and are timeless in their sense of durability, sustainability and style.
You’re most loved clothing item and how do you style it?
This may be a strange one, but my GUESS shoulder bag. I own this in two colour ways; bright pink and beige. It is a very affordable version of the Prada Re-nylon edition 2000. I really believe a statement bag can make you look very put together no matter if you're wearing pyjamas or attending the MET. I recently wore the pink version of this bag to my 22nd birthday with a Realisation Par black dress and it added the perfect amount of colour for a very muted look.
If you could meet any famous author dead or alive who would it be?
Hands down Rupi Kaur, she’s the kind of women id want to sit on a park bench with and observe everything beautiful around us. She is a huge inspiration for me, my writing and my goals.
How do you practice self-love and what do you do to make yourself feel good?
I really believe in gratitude, every night I write down three things I am grateful for, whether that be small or big. I believe this has a huge impact on our self-awareness as well as having good outweigh the bad. I even wrote a poem on this!
'when you see the great
as greater
in return
the worst becomes
nothing but
blind to you'
I hope you enjoyed my first ever By Mary Monthly Muse,
Mary xx
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How would you describe your style?
I think everyone has parts of their body they love more or things about yourself you like or don’t & we dress to suit these. Mine is definitely my legs, I like having my arms covered & legs out & not wearing anything too tight around my waist too often so I definitely buy to my body & what I feel best in but my style is kind of forever changing. I would say hmmm I guess that my style is classic & clean a lot of the time but then sometimes a bit salty… I like to wear things differently or something random just to show people how you can pull something off. I also like to mix designer pieces with affordable as well, it’s not all about the price tag & if you put items together well this can reflect that.
Who is a woman that inspires you?
I am going to stick to keeping this about fashion… so Danielle Bernstein (@weworewhat on Instagram). She is fashion blogger/ style icon who is from New York & I really find her business accomplishments & of course her style so inspiring. She’s the same age as I am & I find her both relatable & inspirational.
Also my Mum… can I slip her in there (her patience & heart inspires me).
http://weworewhat.com/
What is the biggest risk you have taken that has paid off?
Really has to be starting my own business. Quitting a full time job to do something not many people understood at the time (when I started Borrowed By Mary clothing rentals in Chch no one was doing it and people didn’t quite understand renting as a service). I lived with my Mum at home & invested all of my savings which was a big risk & it has paid off. I have learnt a lot along the way & it hasn’t been easy and even though I am not yet where I want to be with my business I am able to connect with so many people through my social channels and website/ shop/ rentals which is extremely rewarding.
How would your parents describe you?
A little crazy haha but in the good way! Also very driven, hardworking and I think Mum would say I am an expensive child with expensive taste.
What do you feel most proud of?
My friends. I have a very strong, supportive & amazing group of ladies around me / in my life that I feel so proud to call my best friends.
What hobby would you get into if time and money wasn’t an issue?
This is such a hard question, I don’t know if it’s a hobby but I would love to do something around helping Animals. So maybe I would like buy a big island somewhere & then adopt a whole bunch of unwanted animals or less fortunate animals, you know save them from animal cruelty situations around the world & then fly them all out to this island sanctuary to live out their lives. Yes I like this idea, that’s what I would do for sure.
What are some things you’ve had to unlearn?
You can’t do everything yourself, its ok to ask for help instead of taking on too much. Also a phrase I really like is… ‘You can’t be everything to everyone’.
Where did I live?
I stayed with Emily and Jon when I first moved over and then started the house hunt on arrival and moved into a small room share with one of the new friends I made on the Island (Nat, she was from Sydney and we started working together). A lot of people come and stay at a cheap backpackers when they first arrive before finding longer-term accommodation. You don’t have to know someone to go to Ios, you just need to be a little prepared in case you don’t find a job or accommodation right away.
Our little house cost us 10Euro each a night each and I stayed there for the remainder of my season. When I say house I really mean one bedroom room that we had two single beds facing outwards from each other in. Then with a small bathroom and tiny fridge, our room had character but was nothing flash and it smelt old and musty almost all of the time. I’m 6 foot tall and our shower was so small that every time I showered in it I had to actually bend over haha. Often I used other pool or hotel facilities to wash my hair as I hated the shower so much haha.
We had a fan (no air con) but this did the job and you only needed a sheet or no sheet to sleep with as it was so hot. We bought this for about 40Euro from the hardware store, it was one of the last ones to buy at the time and I am so thankful we had it as I would not have survived without a cooling device.
My bedroom pillow cost me 10Euro in the village which was a mish to find anywhere with pillows and then Nat and I actually ordered some bathmats and towels online that were from H&M Europe (one of the only places that delivered to Ios). The stores on the island are very limited so you didn’t have access to much at all, I’ve written some more below about what to take.
We were pretty lucky with our room to only share between two of us, a lot of people on the island shared rooms with anything up to 6 others in bunks or singles lined up bed to bed. Its just about getting there earlier in the season and if your not happy with your accom then just take what you can and keep searching for something else. Honestly I think you just can’t be picky unless you have more money saved to get something better, our little house was totally part of the experience though.
Our landlord was a Greek man named Andreas, he was great, we paid him one month in advance in cash and he would sometimes come out partying with us which was super funny also.
Nat & I just outside our house with my best ever real tan! Ahhh we were so brown, missing it!
What do you need to take?
Even though Santorini is only an hour away by ferry you are limited on the island to a lot of things as you cant buy them so here is a few things you will need to take that you cant get:
- Towels
- Underwear & socks
- A good shampoo and conditioner, if your blonde like me then you might use purple shampoo and you cant get anything like this on the island, so go stocked up.
- Makeup, even though you hardly wear it you cannot get anything only a couple cheap mascaras at the service store so you need to make sure your're equipped.
- A decent multi vitamin, trust me your body needs it.
- European plug adapter.
- Your NZ driver’s license only allows you to drive a quad so if you plan on hiring a scooter at all you need an international drivers license which is really easy to get from the AA or NZTA. I walked or bused everywhere so didn’t get this.
What you don’t need to take?
- A jersey, it was sunny and hot every single day and I never saw rain, you don’t need anything warm literally you will live in your bikini, shorts and singlets and that’s all.
- Heels or flash clothes. You wont wear these, everyone is so beachy and natural you will hardly wear these things. Maybe nice dresses or things for a special night out or dinners but think relaxed and casual. I didn’t even wear makeup most nights (but you also have a killer tan so don’t need to).
Transport and getting around the island…
Ok so some people hire scooters for the entire season, this might cost you 600-1000NZD to do depending on how long you stay. If I went again I would probably hire a scooter, not because I needed one or I’m lazy but sometimes it would have been handy to save time walking or get somewhere quickly. I walked everywhere or caught the bus, which was easy and cheap. Also when I had friends visit the island or I did an adventure day with friends we would just hire a quad for a day to take around the other side of the island which was 40Euro a day so between two only 20euro. Doesn’t sound like much but if your living off just your wages then every dollar counts.
Do you make lots of money?
Ummm short answer NO not at all, but it’s not about that. It’s a lifestyle and experience choice. I made kind-of just enough to live on, and you don’t need much besides food and drinks as there isn’t really anything else to buy. Its non materialistic on the island which is a refreshing change.
The average wage might be anything between 25-40 Euro a night, which is very little. This depends on your job and if you have a Visa also.
From my wage I paid my rent, food and then had little to spare. That’s why its good to go with some savings or extra money if you do want to do extra things. We could drink whatever we liked at work every night so if your wanting to go out partying you wouldn’t spend money on drinks as you just drink at work then go out after.
How did I afford it/ How much money to take?
Flights can be anything from 2000-3000NZD returns, depending on your deal. You need to fly into Santorni or Mykonos and then Ferry to Ios as there is no airport there.
I suggest taking more spending money so you don’t feel limited for what you can do or eat + if you don’t get a job right away or you don’t make much. I spent a few thousand additionally to what I made. Also if you travel after or around Europe more, of course you would need more, I regretted not having more money as I had met some amazing people I really wanted to go to Sziget with or travel more with but I just didn’t have enough funds.
Day to Day:
Your day to day life is pretty amazing, you eat fab food, lounge by a pool and get the legit best tan of your life or go exploring. This is a lot of what my pictures showed on Instagram.
There are loads of stray cats around, Nat and I had one that used to come to our doorstep every day that we started feeding and named him Darren. They don’t like the cats very much as they are considered a pest because there are so many, but we did. When I first arrived Emily and I even saved a very small kitten we found, we named him Ed… he can’t have been more than a few weeks old when we found him by a rubbish bin. He was covered in fleas and ticks so we took him home bathed him and feed him for a couple days, sadly he died as he just must have been so sick.
Emily with baby Ed.
Churches: Ios has 365 churches total over the island! Which is pretty crazy because it’s a smaller island. The Greeks had a church for every day of the year and a lot of them are family churches, your family would have a church that belongs to the family.
On Saturdays shop owners would repaint the sidewalks with white paint, I don’t know why only Saturdays but it was just what little shop owners did. So many of the sidewalks got a paint top up on Saturday morning.
We had famous people come through the island when I was there sometimes, too. Sometimes a famous model or Instagramer. I saw famous grammer Lauren Bullen @gypsea_lust at dinner one eve, I've followed her for a while so that was cool. Then I was friends with Hayley Anderson @haylsa who was also working on the island (if you don’t follow her you should, her photos are amazing and her following is over 150k). As well as a bunch of other Instagramers who passed through. Spencer Matthews, some other made in Chelsea stars, Joey from Essex, Holly from Geordie Shore + others I didn’t know were also on the island in my last 2 weeks. They were filming a new series for MTV called Celebrity Hotel, which was pretty funny. We watched them film scenes around the island (all scripted and planned of course not actually a reality or real). One day we were at the beach club and they filmed some scenes that we sat in the back of, still waiting for my big break – jokes.
They also came into Circus Bar where I worked drinking most nights and all got pretttty crazy, so funny to see.
Hmm what else can I tell you… I have so many stories and memories that I don’t for one minute take for granted.
I guess just that if you are thinking about it, seriously do it. One day you will become setup or settled and unable and I don’t for one minute regret my Summer away.
“I want to be around people that do things. I don’t want to be around people that judge or talk about what people do. I want to be around people who dream and support and do things."
"Money fills the pockets, adventure fills the soul."
"She was beautifully out of place.
Sometimes I believe she intended to be.
Like the moon during the day."
"If you don't know where to go, then it doesn't matter which path you take."
"You were wild once, don't let them tame you."
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Ios is an island known for its partying, far-out beach club pool parties and beautiful private hidden away beaches. It is not for the faint hearted and is full of people I feel are just as crazy if not even more so than myself. Eat, sleep, rave, repeat is a massive part of life here but there is also the best food I have ever eaten, hidden private beaches, infinity pools, cocktail bars, the friendliest people and so much culture. Life in Greece really is a dream.
My best friend Emily met her partner Jon when visiting Ios back in 2013. She fell madly in love with him and with the island and Jon - and then basically never left. They spend every Europe summer here (May-October) running and working from the bars they own and then live back in Australia the remaining months of the year.
It has its pros and cons like any place and I do miss parts of Christchurch, but how many people can say they have lived a Summer in Greece. Here are some of my most asked questions so far, if you have any more let me know. I will write some more again soon about daily life in more details and include more photos.
What am I doing here?
Ever since my first visit to Ios in 2014 when I did my OE I have always said I would come back a season and work. I have finally made that dream a reality and brought myself back. Yes I am working! So I am working in one of Jon’s bars its called Circus Bar… and it is a completely crazy time. Some nights I feel like I am out of a coyote ugly movie scene dancing on the bar, serving drinks, singing, dancing etc, basically being paid to have a fun time and keep people hyped up (and I love to party so its so fun).
Other nights I get a little sassy and have to push past annoying drunk, people who yell Swedish at at me, try grab my bum and stand on my feet… but I actually love it so much. (Being 6 foot blonde, I am spoken to in Swedish almost every night which is actually quite funny, sometimes I nod and pretend I am Swedish just for fun + Ive learnt some Swedish words to say back).
Almost my entire work team is Australians and everyone I work with is so super nice and friendly I feel so lucky to have one of the best jobs on the island at the coolest place. The people I work with are just like me who have ‘regular’ jobs back home - teachers, therapists, electricians back in their hometown, but are living in Ios for a new experience and adventure filled Summer.
I basically work every night and then during the days I go to the beach, lie by a pool and just enjoy the island.
Here is our work team at a recent 'Beach' themed party night, I dressed up as a pink mermaid.
How did I afford it?
I only paid for my flights here and then I have been living off the money I make while I am here. I could have saved more if I had more time and tried to do some more travel while in Europe, but you can’t do it all and I have travelled Europe before and that wasn’t my purpose for coming. So I am just spending time in Greece, I can’t complain though, its the most beautiful one place to be.
Do you make lots of money?
No not at all, but its not about that. Its a lifestyle and experience choice. I make kind-of just enough to live on here, and you don’t need much besides food and drinks as there isn’t really anything else to buy. Its non materialistic on the island which is a refreshing change.
Are you coming back to New Zealand?
Yes, I will be back again soon. The dates are kind of depending on some of my future work to come, but I will be back before Christchurch Cup and Show week (whooohooo) and for Summer… hopefully I can keep my tan until then.
Where do I live?
I stayed with Emily and Jon when I first moved here and now I live with one of my new besties on the island, Nat!
If you follow me on Instagram or snapchat you would of seen in Nat in some of my snaps and photos. We met here in Greece, she is from Sydney and we just clicked.
We work together at Circus and we found a little one bedroom place together that we room share. Its nothing flash, its old and smells kind of musty haha but we are making it our own and it has a lot of character. I will take you on a tour of my house in another blog post (what little there is to see).
Whats happening with my website?
I have the most amazing people to help me while I am away. Sam - you may have seen her on my Instagram or Facebook page, Sam helps me with orders and social media etc and then my amazing Mum! Mum has always been the one doing the hard yards. By that I mean the washing and ironing… I am a shocking house wife or home base. I can’t really cook or clean and I definitely can’t wash and iron well. My Mum has always helped me with the garment care and ensuring that when something is sent out to you its been washed ironed/steamed and is coming to you in great condition.
I am also making some more T-shirts, they are on pre order at the moment and will be available from early August - YAY!
Will I be doing more with my shop?
YES! I have some exciting things planned for the future and some new ideas I will be working on again when I get back to New Zealand, so standby for more!
If you have any other questions for my next posts please do let me know as I would love to include them!
Until then - much love, M x
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I moved to Greece... Sounds like something out of the Mama Mia movie right? Well, I guess in a way it kind of is like a movie and I’m fortunate enough to be living it.
I made a decision at the beginning of this year, and in a way as a New Year’s resolution for 2017, to take every opportunity I possibly could, enjoy everything and make the most of living the year for just me. I wanted to travel, experience, inspire and do things for myself that are all good for the soul and generate my own personal happiness. My blog and websites purpose has always been to inspire other people... so I hope I can still also inspire you as I go along on my journey.
My friends and I call it ‘Year Of The Self’. This year is my year, my year of the self. Which I guess in a nutshell is basically basing every decision you make and everything you do on being a little selfish and living for you. This is easier when you don’t have a partner or family of your own, which I also believe that’s why its important to be a little selfish and live for yourself first before that one day comes along (which will also be so amazing of course).
Ultimately ‘Year Of The Self’ is to to help me grow as a person, find my own direction and just be happy and free.
I don’t want to view my life the same in another 5, 15 or even 50 years from now to the same way as I do today or I wouldn’t have learnt anything. I want to learn and grow from my life to find purpose and fulfilment in everything I do and I believe that the only way to learn and live your fullest life possible is to forever challenge yourself, constantly create good change and to do things that help you to be happy as you find your way through this crazy adventure.
I challenge you to seek what sets your soul on fire because for me this is it.
So here I am living in beautiful Ios, a small island filled with some incredible people in the middle of Greece and I will be living here for the summer season.
I will write again soon, some more about Greece, why I came to Ios, life here and about what I do each day.
M x
"I don’t know where I am going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring."
“I want to be around people that do things. I don’t want to be around people that judge or talk about what people do. I want to be around people who dream and support and do things. "
"Money fills the pockets, adventure fills the soul."
"She was beautifully out of place.
Sometimes I believe she intended to be.
Like the moon during the day."
"If you don't know where to go, then it doesn't matter which path you take."
"Make yourself a priority. At the end of the day, you're your longest commitment."
"You were wild once, don't let them tame you."
"Some woman fear the fire, some woman simply become it."
PS... Check out my IG or FB page a few posts back for a mini "Meet Sam"! Sam is the brown eyed beauty who is helping me (along with my lovely mother) to run Borrowed By Mary and my site sales while I am gone - thank you both!
I have been working on developing my Shop section since last year and really wanted to bring you all brand new items that are original and available to purchase, so I really hope you love this first drop as much as I do.
The idea began last year when through mutual friends I met Abby Wynne and we just hit it off straight away. How could I not love her, with her humble personality and with us both having a love of fashion and with meetings over bubbles we saw the potential in putting our different skill sets together to create what has now become the "End Of Summer Fling” collection.
All items for purchase are in exclusive colour-ways or fabrics that are only available on my site and a couple of the styles are completely exclusive tomaryoutram.com as well, which is what makes this collection so special. Also the fact that Abby Wynne has made such limited pieces for our first collaboration – this means once they sell out they are gone. I loved every minute of putting this together from watching the design process, helping pick fabrics and late night sewing room hangs seeing it all come together. Each item is handmade here in Christchurch and put together with so much love.
Abby Wynne The Label Background:
Abby Wynne (Wynne is Abby’s middle name, it is pronounced win)started making clothes almost 10 years ago when she was a teenager and made her very first formal dress at home with her mum. Her mum used to sew all her clothes when she was growing up and her grandmother even had her own wedding dress business from home, so sewing has always been in the family. Abby moved on to study fashion and is so excited to be living and breathing it though her new label and brand new website which is all launching online this April! Her style is sophisticated but fresh and fun with its own original twist - she is definitely someone to watch and I can’t wait to see more from her.
Paired with my Floss earrings or a killer pair of boots all these items give you the perfect look to go out and enjoy an “End Of Summer Fling”.
See the lookbook below and happy shopping.
Enjoy,
M x
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