New beginnings in the Bay of Islands

We made another big move to Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands after 10 years in Whangaparaoa. Moved onto a lifestyle block with the most beautiful garden. After some renovations on the property it was really our forever home. It is so peaceful and the bird life is sensational.

After a number of different jobs here in Northland, I decided to finally follow my passion and do my training to become a Style and Colour Consultant. I underwent the training and set up my new business 'Lady M Style'. Created a studio in my peaceful garden for clients to come and enjoy their session. It has been the best time of my life doing what I really enjoy. Have had so many clients, young and mature, for both colour consultations and styling sessions. It is such a rewarding vocation in that you help people to see their positives instead of focusing on the negative. The reviews I have had have been amazing and have boosted my confidence that I am good with colour and style!

One of my most enjoyable assignments, was when a client who I had done colour and styling with, asked me to shop for her wardrobe (including all accessories and make-up) for her month long trip to Europe and attending a wedding at a German Castle. She hated shopping so tasked me with it and the challenge was that she also wanted the purchases to be all pre-loved clothing. What an amazing experience and she loved all the clothes I sourced for her (rejecting only three pieces). Included in it was accessories and a make-up kit for the trip.

Another exciting opportunity I was given was a retirement village asked me to do a presentation to them about colour and style. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all and afterwards they asked me if I would be up to putting on a fashion show for the village, as they usually had a high end boutique in town do it, but the residents found that some of the clothes were too expensive. I accepted the challenge and had 6 models all in their 70s/80s. I sourced 8 outfits each for them including accessories - which were all pre-loved and had everything ready to go when COVID hit! Sadly the restrictions it brought meant that the fashion show was postponed many times and eventually cancelled all together!

However out of disaster sometimes the best things can happen. I was left with 48 outfits of clothes and accessories to now dispose of so I came up with the idea of putting on a pre-loved clothes sale at the local Church hall. Well to cut a long story short, it was such a success that the pre-loved clothing sales ran for 3 years - hosting 4 a year and we had people queuing at the door before we opened at 9:00 am. So always be positive and look at another way to deal with things when they go wrong!

I retired from doing the clothing sales at the end of 2025 due to rising costs of the hire of the hall and now just focus on online sales. My husband was relieved as he did a lot of the shifting and lifting for me for those three years.

My online sales are very busy and I really enjoy getting great feedback from clients who have purchased a great item from me.

So for now, the Bay of Islands is home and I love it here. We travel to Australia to visit family every year and I love visiting all the Op shops over there and bringing back great pieces which sell well online.