Back in Thailand

We have arrived back in the land of smiles.
It is HOT here. We are all waiting for the rains to appear and cool things down.
Meanwhile in Canada it is finally starting to warm up and show signs of spring.
A few fashion headlines are suggesting that flats are back. No more trying to master the super high heels of previous seasons.
Try a simple flat sandal to take you through the summer.

 

Fortunately at Bwana Johns we have stocked up on these super comfortable sandals. They will look good with whatever you wear, and not slow you down as you run around.

Another fashion must have are culottes. We had a few available last summer and they just flew out the door. So this year we have a larger stock in some fabulous colours.
Coincidentally (I think not) they look perfect worn with our flat sandals shown above.

Last market in New Zealand

We've just finished our last market in New Zealand. It is cooling down here and the days are shorter as autumn arrives.
It is moving into scarf season. Though it is all relative. A cold winter day here is about 12'C. After the last winter in Ontario, that won't generate much sympathy.

 

We head back to Thailand in a few weeks.

We are waiting for Janice to let us know the snow is melting in Ontario before we even think about heading home.

 

Sneak preview

Steve just arrived back in New Zealand, and the results of his trip to Thailand are on their way to Canada.
As well as packing the shipment for Canada and topping up orders, Steve and Sook worked on our new coffee project.
December and January were the harvest months for the coffee in Sooks village up in the mountains.
We bought a pulping machine that Sooks dad used to take the flesh off the beans prior to drying. We ended up with many burlap bags of dried coffee beans which Steve and Sook spent the last few weeks roasting, and which are now on their way to Canada. Except for a few kilos that I was happy to see Steve bring to NZ.
Here is a preview of some of the great things that you'll see in our stores in Canada this season.

 

 

There is lots more to see, but you'll have to make a trip to Bwana Johns to see it.
Here's hoping that the weather in Haliburton warms up soon. Janice says she is so over winter, and Steve and I are waiting for the word that things are actually starting to warm up before we start heading back.

It's all coming together

It's all coming together for another great season at Bwana Johns.
The shipment we sent from Nepal in December has just arrived in Canada. Janice and Sarah are unpacking it and getting it organised to put in the stores. There are some great things in this shipment. It has been a while since we went buying in Nepal, so we are all very excited.
We have finally jumped through all the hoops and managed to get our Indian shipment together and it should be on its way to Canada any day now.
Steve is in Thailand now. The clothes we ordered in November and December have been finished and have been collected in our warehouse there. Steve and Sook have spent the last few days packing, topping up the jewellery, and getting the shipment off to the shipping company.
Meanwhile I am in New Zealand. I set up at a farmers market last weekend. The sun was out and the day was warm and there were lots of people about. It was a wonderful day.

 

I spent a little time playing with the very cute alpacas.

There were plants...

There were vegetables...

 

 

And there was me...

 

Over the next few months the results of all this seasons planning and designing should be in Canada. It's a great feeling when it all falls into place once again. Over the next few weeks I'll give you all a sneak preview of what's on it's way.

 

 

 

Bwana Johns in New Zealand

Last weekend we had our local food festival or Kai festival as it is known here in New Zealand.
People came from all over to sample the traditional and not so traditional food that was being served.
We set up our tent there and spent a great day being part of the local scene.
The weather wasn't the greatest, but that didn't seem to slow down the delivery of fine food or inhibit the great music.

 

 Those of you familiar with Bwana Johns will recognise some of the clothes and jewellery in these photos.

 

The Kai festival was held in Kawhia a small town at the end of the road sitting on the shores of a large west coast harbour.

 

 

The music played in the park, and as you can see the sun did shine through for some of the day.

 

Our favourite group on stage - Holly and the Blue Benders. I'm not just saying that because they are friends.

 

 

These kids were pretty talented too.

 

Lots and lots of food.

 

 

 

But my favourite has to be the wok cooked mussels. The whole process is very dramatic, and the end result is very yummy.

 

Not sure this is traditional, but the water melon and ice cream was a great way to finish to the meal.

 

Texture and colour

My wardrobe has lots of the basics in it. The usual jeans, pants, leggings, skirts and tees. The kinds of separates that can be dressed up or down according to the occasion.
It can be easy to get into a rut and put the same pieces together time after time.
I've found a great way to get out of this rut is to start combining colours that you haven't tried before, or combine some different textures or patterns. Adding a great piece of jewellery that shines can also add that bit of interest that can take an outfit from boring and predictable to outstanding.
Here are a few ideas I've been playing around with lately.

 

 

 

 

Keeping warm and staying stylish

There has been a bit of cold weather the last few weeks. The challenge is to bundle up and yet still maintain a sense of style.
The secret is in layering and great accessories.
Try a wool sweater over leggings paired with alpaca socks peaking over the top of boots. Add a colourful  hat and a colour coordinated pair of sunnies. A cosy scarf and a pair of gloves complete the look.

 

 

On milder days substitute a jacket for the sweater, try a felt hat instead of a toque and fingerless gloves instead of mitts.A chunky necklace can replace the scarf.

 There's a few more months of winter left, and lots of opportunities to refine your winter style, and add a little colour to your outfits to brighten up those dreary days.