Author: Sophie Piearcey

Lockdown, ahh yes, New Zealand lockdown came and cancelled many a plan. Domestic and overseas trips, gone. Time to explore in our favourite season, on hold and a whole lot of uncertainty followed. We had two nights booked in the High Country Cabin in Ohau at the start of April for a wee birthday celebration for moi. However, the country wide lockdown kicked in and kicked out all birthday plans…. BUT hail Jacinda, our team of 5 million and the bloody amazing efforts to get us out exploring quicker than we thought. 

We rescheduled our cabin adventure when it was safe to do so and when we got the green light on travelling domestically, we hurled everything into the car, picked up Liss and Sam and off we went. We had the best weekend at this newfound place. Our first visit to Ohau and our first visit to the cabin. Little did we know that this cabin would play host to our wedding just 12 weeks later. 

Driving back from the cabin, winding through the Lindis Pass back to Queenstown, all I could think about was how I wanted to get married there and spend our first few days as husband and wife right there, in my happy place. When we got home, I jumped on Air BnB and secured three more days. What made it more special is that Robbie was having all the same feels and he too couldn’t think of a better place to spend our wedding. 

12 weeks rolled around pretty quick. Our Queenstown ceremony was done and dusted, and it was time to pack up the car once more and head back to the cabin. The drive full of excitement and when we rounded the bend on the gravel track and our beloved cabin came in to view my heart skipped a beat. I spent the first day getting everything ready. I steamed our outfits, laid out my flowers, unpacked and packed up the fridge full of champagne and cheese. Tomorrow we wed, again. 

I woke to the most beautiful sunrise, the light peeking through the linen curtains where my dress was hanging. We had a pretty early start; I needed to do my own hair and make-up and get dressed before Kate arrived at 8.30am. 

I was eagerly looking up the driveway when she appeared in a gust of gravel dust. After getting Robbie’s finishing touches all done up, we hung around the cabin to catch the early morning light and give the resident sheep a little bridal fashion show before heading into Mount Cook National Park. 

I have so much love for this park, you know it, Aoraki knows it. In fact, I think the whole world knows how much I wish I could live here. We stopped at all the beautiful viewpoints and captured some of the most incredible photographs that I am so happy to call my own. 

Our day in Mount Cook was determined by our scenic flight with the crew at The Helicopter Line. The wind had picked up and we were convinced that our flight would get cancelled. Alas, the team pulled through and before we knew it, we were in a helicopter heading up the Jollie River. It was a crazy flight, a few bumps along the way but I was so pumped on adrenaline and love I couldn’t focus on anything else. 

We landed at this beautiful secluded location. An old hunting shed, a crazy blue river, mountains surrounding us and what happened to be the perfect place to say our personal vows. It really reminded me of Nepal, the landscape and the colours together. It was incredible. 

We choose to keep our personal vows private and share these at Mount Cook. We walked away from everyone and faced each other again. It is truly a moment I will never, ever forget.

After 45 minutes on the ground we jumped back in the helicopter and flew back to base. We dined on Tomato Soup & hot chips from the old mountaineer’s café before heading out one last time to frolic roadside. These are some of my favouirte moments from the day. My husband, fully fed, which is always a good thing, making me laugh so hard and just have the best time. 

It truly was magical from start to finish. In true alpine weather fashion, the clouds had started to roll in, so we decided to shoot out to the end of Lake Pukaki before calling it a day and heading home.

Home, back to the High Country Cabin for two days of pure bliss. We opened our cards, we drank tea, we drank a lot of champagne and we soaked up all that newly wedded bliss. The next morning, I woke up and my face was actually sore from all the laughing and smiling from the past few days and for the first time in my whole life I felt an absolute overwhelming feeling of content. 

We decided to head out on our first Husband and Wife adventure to Ohau Ski field. What a day. We raced each other over new terrain, had the place pretty much to ourselves and I told the girls we just got married to which I had a HUGE slab of carrot cake in front of me. It is as if they knew that it’s my favourite. 

The night rolled in with a beautiful sunset and closed what had been the best week of my whole entire life. We kind of owe it to the cabin and that first adventure out there for giving us the kick we needed to book our Elopement. 

We can’t wait to return and soak up your goodness again. 

All images in the latter of this blog were created by my talented friend and elopement photographer Kate Craig-Brown
You can find her work and elopement packages here.

9pm’s the new midnight in Queenstown world first 

Whether it’s cleanse, tone and moisturise, crack open a bottle of red once the kids are in bed or scroll through social media, we’ve all got evening habits, some a little better than others. This week I was asked by my friends at First Table what my 9PM nightly habits look like and if I would be willing to adopt a new one?

You spoke, first table listened. Queenstown locals pop your party shirts on and celebrate as you are the first on planet earth to score early bird dining specials at 9pm, before they’re rolled out to the rest of the world. From now on, availability for local restaurants is added when the clock strikes nine each night, showing seven days in advance. No more reaching for your phone at 12pm Midnight, no more missing out on that First Table at Blue Kanu, Margo’s or your favourite pizza joint. The crew at First Table have you covered… thank them, they deserve it.

With four times as many people booking a First Table between midnight and 1am, winding back the booking clock made nothing but total sense. They are now giving you three hours of your life back, and you no longer have to be a night owl to catch the early bird special.

Since getting married we have been on a whirlwind adventure of fun, laughter, love, and a honeymoon that took us through the South Island of New Zealand and back again in a flash. We decided one night when fighting over who would wash the dishes that we need to incorporate a brand new habit into our married life. We are going to date, again… Once a month we are going to throw the towel in the sink, forget about who is chopping the onions, and get out. With so many restaurants to choose from on First Table and so many that we haven’t tried yet I for one am excited to taste all the goodness Queenstown has to offer.

I sat down with the crew and answered some questions about dating, Netflix and what #my9pm looks like.

Local content creator, photographer and all round adventurer, Sophie Piearcey is one to watch. When she’s not dreaming up beautiful content, you’ll find her in the outdoors or drinking a cup of Yorkshire tea. We spoke to her about how routine helps her manage her business, who cooks in her household and what her 9pm ritual looks like. 

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what a typical day in the life of Sophie looks like?

A typical day in my life? Everyday is so different which makes it such a dream. I run my own content and social media business, so I’m either behind the camera shooting campaigns or I’m in front of the laptop scheduling, editing and connecting with my awesome clients. I always make sure to cram in at least five cups of tea and a movement session, either at the gym, swimming or running along the Queenstown Trail. I’m also a huge foodie, so getting in some delicious snacks is a pivotal part of my day.

2. Being a freelance creative, do you have a set routine? And how do you make a good habit stick? 

Routine keeps me sane. I get up at 6.30am every morning, have a cup of tea and read my emails, it helps keep my day in check. I also stick to exercising at least once a day after 4pm – it gives me something to work towards and rounds off my day nicely. 9pm is when I start to wind down, do my last client checks and get ready for bed. It’s those little things that we do everyday that keep us grounded. 

3. As newlyweds, are you thinking about picking up any new habits? 

We’ve been notorious dine in people. I love food, I love to cook for my man and I love experimenting in the kitchen. However, when we got married we vowed to date out at least once a month so that we could experience new places and flavours together. We both run our own businesses from home so getting out of the house (no work, no distractions and no pot washing) is such an awesome treat for us. 

4. Are you or the hubby responsible for cooking? And do you believe in the golden rule: whoever cooks shall not clean?

100% – if I’m cooking, you won’t catch me near the kitchen sink. It has been an underlying silent rule our entire relationship haha. We both have dishes that we are better at, so we take it in turns – it’s really whoever fancies cooking that evening. We’re also the perfect double team, Robbie is a top veg chopper and I’m a fabulous spice adder, so sometimes we find ourselves both getting involved. But then who cleans the mess? Hmm…

5. Who is the more romantic one? 

Oh, I would say I am. I’m a sucker for cute gifts, lunchbox love notes and declaring my love at any given opportunity. But then Robbie is a fantastic gift giver and always nails something so personal and lovely. We both have a big wooden box under the bed filled with cards, notes and photos from our time together. I think it’s such a nice thing to keep and look back on in years to come.

6. What’s your first date night memory? 

We didn’t actually date until about six months into our relationship. We met in Australia, had a whirlwind few weeks and then I left for the UK. Upon my return a few weeks later, I moved straight in and the girls I worked with at the time begged us to go on our first ‘official’ date. We got dressed up, found a small Mexican place, ate chicken wings out of a wine bucket and drank white wine that tasted like vinegar. Perfect first date if you ask me!

7. What does your 9pm look like? Any evening rituals? 

Yes, I have to wind down. Sometimes my days can be so hectic, so making sure I have an evening ritual in place is important. I have a great skincare routine that I look forward to every evening. I also love food prepping, not only does it help the morning rush but it’s another reason for me to be involved in the kitchen. We also make sure we watch one programme a night together, whether it be the new David Attenborough on Netflix, Peaky Blinders or Jimmy Carr’s 8 Out of 10 Cats.

8. Who controls the Netflix remote? 

100% me. Purley because I have the patience to sit through and search for new things whereas Robbie would happily watch reruns of friends his whole life. We love a bit of Gogglebox, so when episodes become available we’ll agree to binge watch those.

9. What was the last show you watched? 

We recently just finished Peaky Blinders and OH MY what an incredible series! We waited for ages for it to appear on Netflix and when it did, we watched an episode a night. I’m so ready for the next instalment.

Don’t forget that you can now book your First Table from 9PM every night. Where will your next date night out be?

Our love story will always be my favourite to tell. Let me take you back six years, to a little place called Freshwater beach where this wild ride first began. 

I packed my bags, jumped on a plane with my best friend Elysia and to meet our other best friend Rose down under. She had moved to New Zealand and we wanted in on that action. For six weeks we travelled the country and had THE best time. Liss had an early departure and left New Zealand. Rose and I planned a trip to Fiji that never happened, instead we found our way on a plane to Sydney for a two-week holiday. Some of the girls that I went to uni with lived in a hostel there, so we booked two weeks in their room and got ready to have a chill few weeks in Australia. 

Our first weekend in the city is when I met Robbie. We made the trip over to Manly & Freshwater beach to meet some gals, Robbie, his brother Adam & a friend also happened to be there. I remember sitting on the beach and watching him walk out of the ocean towards us. I also remember tapping Rose and saying “who the hell is that” to which she didn’t know and continued tucking into her family share bag of crisps.

Fast forward 5 hours and we boarded a boat in Sydney harbour for some birthday celebrations. Low and behold, Robbie got on the boat too. We spent the evening sailing around Sydney harbour, then at a club, stuck together like glue. We didn’t stop talking, ever. 
The next day we surfed, walked on the beach and ate fish and chips all the while getting to know each other. I honestly felt like I was in a movie. 

One last group dinner in Sydney and Adam (My now brother in law) sat right in between us at the table. We spent the night talking around him and soaking up what we thought might be our last night together. 

For the next three weeks we messaged every single day. I would set my alarm to wake up and catch Robbie before he went to work or before he went to bed, making sure I could sneak in those last few messages for the day. It took me a total of two weeks in the UK to decide that I didn’t belong here, and my heart was firmly sat with a man I barely knew in Australia. 

I booked it. I sat on Elysia’s kitchen side and I booked a one-way flight to Australia. I distinctly remember her saying, “Well you will never know, unless you go” Working holiday visa accepted and bags packed, I jumped on a plane to meet a guy I hadn’t even spoke to on the phone. Was I mad? Yep, did it work out? Evidently so. 

During our time apart we talked about travelling, how I longed to drive the Great Ocean Road and how I wanted to explore the world, together. I landed at Sydney airport on the 9^th July 2014 and Robbie met me in the arrivals lounge. I felt like I had just returned home. Introducing Winston. Remember how I said I wanted to travel? Well, Robbie had spent the past month renovating a VW Transporter van into a camper so we could do exactly that and surprised me with the final product in the airport car park. 

We spent a blissful year in Australia, driving, camping, drinking tea, exploring and getting to know each other. The years that followed are right here in New Zealand. Wanting to secure a more permanent life we decided to hop across the pond and apply for our residency here in New Zealand. We have now lived in New Zealand for five years as residents which is why we chose to marry here, in our hometown of Queenstown & our soul place, Mount Cook. 

The past six years of my life have been an absolute dream. Filled with love, adventure, laughter and nothing but fun. We have travelled to far away countries, hiked to Everest Base Camp, taken many a flight and explored to our hearts content. One year ago, Robbie embarked on the path to our greatest adventure yet when he decided to make me a beautiful ring from my favourite jeweller, whisk me off to Mount Cook for a weekend of hiking and drop to one knee, high in the hills of the national park. I honestly have no words for the emotions I felt during this moment. 

It took us a few months to decide where to have our wedding and it wasn’t until after the New Zealand lockdown in June 2020 that we settled on the 16.09.2020 for our wedding date. The planning process was an absolute dream and our incredible vendors and loved ones involved made the day unbelievably special. 

Robbie Collins, six years ago you made my wildest dreams come true. You stepped into my life and completed me. Thank you for being my once in a lifetime. I can’t wait to do this thing called life together.

All my love always, your wife X

Couples shoots by the talented Kate Craig-Brown

I never thought I would be the kind of girl that would get excited about designing and creating a beautiful bespoke wedding outfit, but guess what, I was, and getting an outfit custom made was possibly one of the best decisions I made throughout our whole wedding journey.

There was no question where I would get my outfit made. Nemo Bridal has a firm place in my heart for many reasons. Not only did I used to work there but the owner, Trudy Munro is a close friend and also happened to marry us on our wedding day, we really knew how to keep it in the family. 

For 18 months I worked front of house at Nemo. I watched as brides came in with their gowns for alterations or worked with the incredible talent that is Kristen McBride, head seamstress at Nemo to create their dream dress. I have wiped away tears, held the phone as people called loved ones, pinned dresses to fit and worked with many brides from initial appointment right through to their wedding day. I would sit and pour over Together Journal and Hello May magazines, read bridal blogs and live in a world inspired by beautiful gowns, outfits and wedding conversations. What a magical job and now three years later, it’s my turn. 

I knew from the very beginning that my outfit vision was in good hands. The made to measure process is a beautiful journey, from initial ideas to completion the whole experience was an absolute breeze. But we need to start this blog 6 months prior to the Nemo journey. 

Let’s go back to the start. Soon after we got engaged, we hopped on a plane back to the UK to celebrate with our family and friends. I always knew I was going to get my outfit from New Zealand but to appease an eager mother of the bride I visited a bridal shop in my hometown. Not one dress looked good and I felt so silly in everything I tried on. I honestly felt like I was playing dress up in a fancy-dress shop. Not for me, and I quickly got out of those dresses and continued drawing inspiration from Instagram and bridal accounts that suited my vibe. 

We had a date. Right after the New Zealand lock down, we booked our wedding and I was very, VERY, excited. We had 12 weeks, stuff to plan and an outfit to create. During the lockdown I had dreamt up my dream wedding outfit and it wasn’t a dress. I wanted pants, in fact I wanted a winged pantsuit that fit me perfectly, had class, was made of a beautiful material and had that little bit of drama that I knew would complement our wedding locations. 

My first visit to Nemo was easy. I had a few images saved to my phone and 100’s of ideas in my head. I booked an appointment, sat down with Trudy & Kristen and explained what I wanted my outfit to look like. Trudy whipped up a sketch and it was there. The winged bridal pantsuit was born.

Why a pantsuit? I knew I wanted something different, unique and that would stand out. After trying on dresses and knowing this was a firm no, I explored full sequins dresses, bridal suits, not wearing a dress at all and then I settled on pants. High waisted pants have been a staple in my wardrobe for years so to be able to combine this into a bridal look with the femineity of the top and wings made the whole look perfect for me.

Next decision to make was the fabric. I trusted the girls and they choose the most beautiful silk. The fabric was the perfect weight for the wings. They hung beautifully when I stood still but moved with the wind. It was so soft and such a gorgeous white colour. Perfect. 

At Nemo, the bespoke bridal service starts with a toile. A toile is essentially a mockup outfit made from calico. The pattern is cut, sewn together and then perfectly fit to your body. You may have multiple fittings to make sure that the fit is right before the pattern is cut in your fabric. This all happened pretty quickly for me, with only 12 weeks until we got married Nemo worked so hard to get the process underway.

My first fitting was a real pinch me moment. Here I stood in a pantsuit that would eventually be my wedding outfit. The wings had to be the last part of the dress as finalising construction and length was important. So right up until the final few weeks the wings on my pant suit were cut from a chiffon and delicately pinned to the shoulders of a calico top which sat on top of the real deal, perfect to manipulate and get the wings sitting in the right position before attaching the final cut silk wings.

I was lucky enough to have one of my childhood best friends, Elysia, along for the ride which made the whole process so special. She saw the dress come to life and she was there to grab a tissue to wipe away my tears the day I had my final fitting. Trudy pulled back the curtain, zipped up my pantsuit and I cried like a baby. Why? Because it fit and it was stunning and it was mine.

I have always been a girl that wears oversized clothes, doesn’t fit conventional sizes and never feels confident in my outfit choices. Well, today was far from all of the above. I felt like a bride, in an incredible outfit that had been custom made for me. The fit, the silk, the drama, everything about this pantsuit was all I dreamed off from that initial appointment 12 weeks prior. 

Nemo truly brought my outfit dreams to life and I can’t thank them enough for their talents. The whole made to measure process was faultless, easy and an absolute breeze. Looking back at all our photographs from Kate Craig-Brown I just can’t believe that it’s me. 

Thank you, Nemo, thank you for making my bridal dreams come to life. You truly are masters at your craft, and I am so excited to be sharing my story to inspire others to embark on their made to measure journey.  

Kate Craig- Brown Photography

Nemo Bridal are located in Frankton, Queenstown, New Zealand.

They work with you to create your hearts desire or to assist you in shaping the most perfect gown for your day.
They work within most budgets and programme your experience to best suit your needs.
To find out more about getting your dream outfit made you can find their contact details here.
https://www.nemo.co.nz

Our wedding was small, it was intimate and there was only a handful of beautiful souls involved to help bring our day to life. I want to dedicate this post to every human below. You went above and beyond to make our day(s) as special as possible and we can’t thank you enough for you love and support. 
If I have one piece of advice for any bride to be… Get a good tribe. Work with good vendors and put your trust in them completely. You will not be disappointed with the results and those little moments on your day with each of your vendors will be a moment you will never forget. 

Arrowtown Hair 

My girls, my absolute hair angels. You know how much love I have for the girls at Arrowtown Hair. Amelia, head stylist at the salon created my look for the day. All I wanted was a soft, bouncy wave with a fringe that stayed out of my face all day. She nailed it. The week prior to our wedding I popped in for a tone and a fresh trim. We trialed the curls and decided that they needed to set overnight. So, Tuesday evening, the night before our day I had my curls set. I slept in with a full head of pinned curls and a scarf around my head. Miraculously only one curl fell out and first things first on wedding morning was a trip out to Arrowtown so Amelia could finish her handywork. Not only did my hair stay perfect for the whole day, despite the gale force winds, I also managed to keep the curl for our Mount Cook celebration two days after. 

Rosie Flowers 

I met Rosie through working at Nemo after collaborating on a few styled shoots for the Bridal store. I fell in love with her flowers and how she creates the most wonderful bouquets, so far from anything I had ever seen before. She works sustainably, she is an incredible soul and someone who one can only fall in love with after meeting. We sat down once before our wedding day, I showed here the idea behind my outfit and the location and she created not one, but two incredible florals that I am truly blown away by. I originally thought I would shy away from having flowers, but I am SO happy that I had these two different looks from Rosie, they totally made my outfit come to life. 

Elysia Lavender 

My best friend, my support system, my muse. I honestly couldn’t have done this without Liss by my side. From wedding outfit appointments, trips to Dunedin to get make up and rings and last-minute changes of plan that you handled so beautifully. Not only is she all of the above and more, Liss is also an incredible make-up artist and totally understood my natural make up vibe. It was a special moment to have Liss there helping me get ready on the morning of our wedding. I have no words for how much you mean to me. 

Kate Craig-Brown

Who would have thought that five years ago an innocent coffee in a café in Queenstown would lead to five years of blissful friendship, adventure and you shooting my wedding day? From the first couples shoot (where you used us to practice) to you shooting our engagement photographs and then being involved in the happiest day of my life literally brings me to tears. Kate, you made my wildest photography dreams come true and you captured the most precious moments from both our days that I will treasure forever and ever. Thank you for being you & being insanely talented. 

Tom Ree’s

Another thing I didn’t know I needed. A wedding videographer. Kate works closely with Thomas Ree’s. A local Queenstown photographer and videographer who recently teamed up with Kate to add on video to your special day. For those eloping, with no friends or family present, I beg you get a video made. We now have our vows, a wedding trailer and a full cut film to share with our nearest and dearest. Also reliving your day through a motion film brings back all the feels and I honestly can slip straight back into those moments caught on film. 

Nemo Bridal & Couture 

There was no question where I would get my outfit made. Nemo Bridal and Couture has a firm place in my heart for many reasons. I knew from the very beginning that my outfit vision was in good hands. The made to measure process is a beautiful journey, from initial ideas to completion the whole experience was amazing. I felt like a bride, in an incredible outfit that had been custom made for me. The fit, the silk, the drama, everything about this pantsuit was all I dreamed off from that initial appointment 12 weeks prior. Nemo truly brought my outfit dreams to life and I can’t thank them enough for their talents. The whole made to measure process was faultless, easy and an absolute breeze. Looking back at all our photographs from Kate, I just can’t believe that it’s me. 

Chaos & Harmony 

I fell in love with Chaos & Harmony at the Wild Hearts wedding fair back in 2019. Their shoes are truly unique and divine. I have never been a heels kind of girl and knowing we would get married in New Zealand Winter, I knew I would need a good pair of boots to wear. I found these beautiful boots on their Instagram and it was the quickest purchase I made for the wedding. In a few days the courier package arrived, and I fell in love. Beautiful, soft pink velvet boots that were an absolute dream to wear and the perfect height for the day. 

Debra Fallowfield

One of the best things about my time working at Nemo was the introduction to some beautiful New Zealand based artists. One being the talents of Debra Fallowfield. Based in Dunedin Debra creates one off pieces of wearable art and I fell in love the first time I put one of her rings on my hand. Robbie took note of how much I loved her work and had my engagement ring designed and made. A green Sapphire on a textured gold band, so incredible special and exactly what I dreamed of. When it came to a wedding band, I knew I needed another Debra piece to complete the look. The same gold, same textured band and a shaped perfectly around my Engagement ring sits a diamond band, that I can’t take my eyes off. Debra, thank you, you are such a great soul to work with. 

Vu Jewellers 

Claire at Vu Jewellers is possibly one of the nicest people I have ever met. She helped Robbie size my ring and has always been an incredible artist who I just admire. Robbie didn’t want a wedding ring, that was until we popped in to see Claire and he on the spot purchased a silver band from Claire’s Get Knotted collection. It is so unique and perfect for Robbie. 

As a wedding day present, he also went back and had a ring custom made for me. A gold band, the same design as his wedding ring with a raw blue sapphire set into the band. It is incredible, my something blue and a piece of jewellery that I will treasure forever. 

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Styling – Haley Kelly & Borrowed Botanicals 

What an absolute bunch of babes that brought this vision to life. Kate’s Husband hand crafted our wooden Arch, Trudy dug deep in her vintage rug collection and pulled out the most perfect rug for an aisle and my beautiful friend Haley styled the space so perfectly I cried. Our wet weather plan became our reality and with just a few short hours to go Haley pulled together this perfect ceremony look from the help of the gals at Borrowed Botanicals. You can now book a styling package with Kate for your big day and have a space designed just for you. 

Omen Suit

The suit. Robbie wanted a tweed suit, so Robbie got a custom-made tweed suit. Thank you to the wonderful girls at Omen / Nemo for tailoring his suit and shirts. My man never looked so good.

Thomas Brown Gallery 

Our wet weather plan that became our reality. Only two hours before our ceremony did we decide to switch from mountain top to indoor gallery and boy am I happy we did. It was the perfect place for us to get married and be warm, safe away from the gale force winds happening outside. The archway, the décor and just the whole feel of this place made the day extra special. 

Hilton Kawarau Village 

Robbie had one stipulation with finding a hotel room for our wedding and it was a bathtub. I found the fanciest bathtub in Queenstown and my Dad kindly booked for us to stay at The Hilton on the day of our wedding. The Suite was amazing, so spacious meaning me and Liss had somewhere nice and calm to get ready in the morning. We opted for early check in, so we didn’t have to rush, enjoyed the complimentary champagne and had fruit salad and pastries for breakfast. It was perfect. 

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High Country Cabin

The High country Cabin in Ohau plays a HUGE part in our wedding story. Not only was it our first trip post New Zealand lockdown but when we retuned, we jumped straight back online and booked three days for our Mount Cook part of the elopement. We absolutely LOVE it here. Why? Because it is beautiful, amazingly decorated, homey, calm, peaceful and situated right in our faviurite place. Oh, and they have sheep on the property who love to come close and have a look inside. The High country cabin played the perfect backdrop to our photos and also the perfect place to relax for three days post wedding. We went snowboarding at Ohau, ate so much cheese I thought I would turn into a Brie wheel and watched the sunrise and sunset from the comfort of the sofa in front of a wood burning fire. Pure bliss. 

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The Helicopter Line – Mount Cook

Boy am I happy that we opted for a helicopter at Mount Cook. Although we didn’t get the mountain top location we initially thought, where we did go was extra special. Due to high winds we opted for a shorter flight up the Jollie River to an old hunter’s hut. The landscape reminded me of Nepal, it was totally secluded and special. We spent 40 minutes on the ground reading our personal vows and shooting in this epic location. Mike our pilot, a true gent cleared the area for us and let us do our thing. I honestly couldn’t have imaged our day without this flight and the images are truly ones I will treasure forever. 

Trudy Munro

Trudy, I have so many words for you. You are honestly one of my guiding lights. When we first moved to Queenstown, we stayed in Trudy’s Air BnB house. This then led to us living there, working together and growing such a special strong bond of friendship that I am eternally grateful for. When we got engaged, Trudy went and got her marriage license so she could marry us, what a special, beautiful thing to do. Not only is she the mastermind behind Nemo Bridal & Couture she was also our celebrant. A moment and memory I will treasure forever. I can’t put into words how grateful we are for your love and support. 

Our adventure to snow farm was long overdue. Six years overdue to be exact. We had planned every winter to make the trip over the hill to Wanaka to visit this awesome place, but it never came to fruition. So, we bit the bullet post lockdown, booked the hut, and then went full on backcountry expedition, packed our bags, sleeping bags, and enough snacks to feed the whole of Wanaka should they also make the pilgrimage to the snow farm hut that evening.

It was an exciting time; I mean any trip over the crown range is an exciting adventure & Lake Wanaka is the perfect destination for mountain lovers like myself. I packed up my warm clothes, waterproofs, and my cameras before setting off for the hour drive up to snow farm. The weather gods, so far on our side. Snow Farm is situated on the Mt Pisa ranges, directly opposite Cardrona. It was the first cross-country ski area in New Zealand and they were about to witness a world-first for Sophie Piearcey, cross country skiing rookie.

How hard could it be? We can snowboard, we are familiar with the snow and we hike… surely this would be a walk in the park. Check-in was a quick process and the gear room looked nice and overwhelming, snowboards are our thing, not ski’s. We asked if we needed a lesson it’s easy and we will be fine, the staff told us both. So out into the snow we went. I am so happy we opted for the bag drop to the hut so the extra weight didn’t halt our already pathetic attempt of nailing cross country skiing. We slid around for fifteen minutes, walking back and forward, getting used to the ski, arm movements, and ice under our feet. We hit the trail, all I needed to do was round the corner, away from the base building so my falling into a heap and resembling a dead bug wouldn’t be witnessed by those who actually knew what they were doing.

30 minutes later, yes 30 minutes it took me to get down the first bit of the track but as soon as I rounded the corner I felt good. Now, for those who have never cross country ski’’d before you are in for a real treat. It’s like walking on ski’s on snow, with a few hills thrown in for good measure. The skis are way thinner than ordinary skis and the poles do help to push you along the flat sections. Cross country skiing is a lot like walking, in fact, it is walking but a largely exaggerated walk where you lunge your arms forward to get momentum. When approaching hills you just bend down a little, lean forward, and wait until the hill runs out, then just keep walking. Sounds easy right? It is, I have the bruises to prove it.

Our destination was Meadow hut, a quaint little backcountry hut nestled into the snow farm hills. A network of tracks will lead you through the rolling Pisa Range and tease you at every corner. After a good two and a half hours we rounded what was eventually the last corner. The hut was in sight, down a grassy bank, but in sight. We could carry on and tap on another hour but the urge for tea and some kind of sugary treat was too strong for Soph, so we popped the skis off, chucked them over our shoulders, and made the short trek down the hill to the hut.

Meadows hut sleeps 20 people, with bunks mattresses, and an upstairs area. We were the first to arrive and we had no idea who would be joining us. There was a fire, a log burning fire that on this cold wintery night was greatly received. Kettle, gas hobs, pots, pans, and a sink to wash up, this hut means business. The kettle whistled away as we explored the hut surroundings. The snowmelt was pretty big that weekend which meant we could see the stream at the side of the hut and walk around on the trail leading away without our skis. It was cosy and I fell in love with the charm of this rustic old hut instantly.

Our gourmet dinner of Watties packet pasta, mushrooms, and endless cups of hot tea warmed our cold bodies before we retreated to our sleeping bags. The sun disappeared pretty quickly behind the mountain and the cold set in, we were so grateful for the log fire that kept the hut warm until the morning light.

Whenever on a backcountry adventure, I wake for sunrise, even if it’s predicted cloudy. It was cloudy but some snow flurries just added to the magic of this place. I whipped up a nutritious and delicious oats & honey feast on the stove and we consumed enough tea to keep us hydrated for the day. We packed our bags and left them for the snowmobile to pick up and return to base. The walk up the hill took only a few minutes and before we knew it we were back on the trail, homeward bound. Today was easier, I feel like our flailing and failed attempts yesterday put us in good stead for the morning adventure.

Confidently I asked Robbie to film me walking away and rounding the corner. As soon as I was out of view and earshot I screamed. The hill I had just approached was way steeper than I remembered and I lost my shit. I fell to the floor like a sack of potatoes and Robbie who had the same realization caught up pretty quick. Then I saw the blood and instantly thought Robbie had knocked his teeth out, turns out his pole had scratched the side of his nose, and caused a little blood to splat on the snow. Crisis averted we only managed to stack it once more before returning to the base.

I think it’s safe to say that our cross country skiing adventure was eventful, full of expletives, and one to remember. I felt an immense sense of pride after. We had mastered a new skill, explored new terrain, and embarked on an epic adventure right on our doorstep.

The snow farm team welcomed us back with open arms eager to hear how our first cross country skiing experience went. Eventful was our summary. What an adventure I kept saying to Robie on the way home. We soaked in the last of those alpine views before falling into a coconut hot chocolate and basket of sour cream wedges in the Cardrona hotel, a must-do when passing through the Cardrona Valley.

Until we meet again snow farm, stay awesome. We cant wait to return.

If you know me, you will know your girl loves a scenic flight. There is no finer sight than seeing mountains, lakes, and rivers from the sky. I don’t know why I love it so much, well I do, I am just obsessed with the mountains and seeing places that humans may never have set foot. Here in New Zealand, especially the South Island and around Fiordland there are plenty of hidden alpine lakes, mountain vistas, and valleys that still lay untouched, adding to that mystery and beauty of this land.

I have been lucky enough to fly with Glenorchy Air a few times and every single flight has been ultimately magical. From Milford, to Mount Cook, to sunrise flights over the mountains, I just can’t get enough. Every time I post to my Instagram feed the questions come rolling in. So, on this fine Tuesday afternoon on a gloomy Winters day in Queenstown, I thought I would share my ultimate top tips for shooting out of a plane window on a scenic flight.

Below are my top tips for shooting great aerial shots when on a scenic flight.

Wear black, dark colours & avoid logos

First things first, your clothing matters. Wear black or dark colours and avoid anything that has a logo on the front. These can show up in the reflections on the glass sometimes and you might only see this when editing. To avoid being disappointed just wear black, it eliminates the chances of getting the unwanted slogan in your shots. Ladies, tie your hair up. You will most probably have to wear a headset, that combined with a seat belt and life jacket is a recipe for getting tangled. Just get your hair out of the way and you won’t have to worry.

Remove your camera strap

You’re not leaving your seat so remove the strap. Most camera straps have a logo on, again you don’t want that showing up in your shots. It is also one less thing to worry about as you move your camera around the plane and glass. The plane moves quickly, so you don’t want to miss getting a banger of a shot because you’re tangled all up in your gear.

Get as close to the glass as possible

I often get asked if I use filters. I don’t, but that’s just because I don’t have any. If you are a filter kinda guy then go for it. I avoid getting reflections by pushing my lens up to the glass as close as I possibly can. You don’t have to have the lens glued there the whole time but the closer you are, the clearer the shot.

 

Choose your seat wisely

This is if you get the chance and it depends on the plane, weight, and size. But, when flying with Glenorchy Air, either ask for the front seat or the back seat. If you are lucky enough to have a spare seat on your plane then ask for the back, that way you can shoot through both sides of the plane, the back, and the front. Dream.

Shoot backwards

One thing I always tell people is to shoot backwards. As you pass a scene and you are right on top of it, it might look totally epic but then don’t just disregard It once you have flown on by. Lean forward in your seat and turn your body, shoot backward through the window, pressing your camera up to the glass at an angle. You never know, it might be the shot of the flight.

 

Battery & memory card

Make sure your memory cards are empty and your batteries are fully charged. Bring spares, always bring spares. Just have them in your pocket or close in your bag so you can swap them out as and when you need too.

Know your gear

Know your gear before you go. You will want to set up your camera the best you can before you depart. This, for most people, will mean using whichever camera mode you are fastest in, be sure to bump the ISO to avoid motion shake. Remember though, you are in a moving vehicle and you are moving faster than you think. To get those uber clear shots you will have to compromise a little. Fast shutter speeds, high(ish) ISO, and the right balance between that and your F-Stop will be key. There is no recipe and it all depends on your conditions but as you take off and the land starts to disappear get practicing there, check your shots and make sure you are ready for the landscapes in coming.

 

Use a wide-angle lens for interior & zoom to get the details

On scenic flights, I take both. I normally stick to the 24-120mm I have, as then I don’t have to switch a lens out mid-flight. However, you can do this. If you have both, take both such as a 70-200mm or ultra-wide on a 16-35 should do the trick. Bonus tip, having the stabilization feature on your lens itself will be handy in these settings. If your camera offers it, use it.

Take a small carry on that you can easily reach

Most planes will allow for a small bag that you can pop between your legs. Helicopters are sometimes a different story. BUT, leave the big ol’ camera bag at home and bring something small that is easily accessible. You might need to quickly grab a fresh memory card, battery, or swap out that lens. I also suggest bringing a little cloth, you might need to wipe the window and the windows around you.

Put your camera down

Last but not least, put your camera down. You are experiencing something that others may never see in their lifetime and although you want to capture everything to remember, there is nothing like capturing a mental picture of what is happening right before you. Don’t spend your whole flight behind your camera viewfinder. You need to experience the magic through your very own eyes.

Scenic flights are amazing, captivating, and addictive. The process of going up in a plane and finding new perspectives on our world below is an amazing life experience and one I urge everyone to do at least once in their life. If you take on board some of the tips I have given you today then I am positive that you will capture some amazing images.

As always, thank you to the legends at Glenorchy Air, some of my finest memories are from being in the sky with you.

If you want to explore the flights I have experienced with Glenorchy air you can here, here and here…

You can also click through to their website and explore more options here.

Welcome to the second local’s local scoop. This space is intended to educate, inspire, and share more about the lovely locals who inhabit our land. I want to shine a light on what they are doing in business and everyday life.

Meet Trudy. Owner of Nemo Workroom, incredible ex film, commercial and costume crew, mother, and my beautiful friend.

Five years ago I met Trudy by chance. We booked to stay in her house through Air BnB to have somewhere to stay when we first arrived in Queenstown. What we didn’t know is that we would stay there for two years, I would work at Nemo and we would forge a beautiful, long-lasting friendship.

Nemo workroom is an incredibly inspiring space and before I worked there I had no idea about the wonderful things one could create, fix, and alter on garments. I also got an insight into the wedding industry though Nemo Bridal and Omen suit hire and I loved it. Nemo is a collective of creative folk who are experts in what they do. Seeing and bespoke tailoring is their main game and they have a passion for making their clients look and feel fabulous, all without leaving a negative impact on the planet – can you see why I love them so much?

Nemo’s services have grown beyond the Workroom to also include a full-range bridal service & showroom (Nemo Bridal & Couture) plus a modern high-quality suit hire outlet (Omen Suit Hire) both of which are founded on principles of a circular economy, encouraging customers to choose high-quality bespoke tailoring, remodeling vintage, or to hire items where possible. Nemo is a treasure trove for all things bridal. From beautifully handmade dresses and suits available to hire, vintage furs, accessories and a made to measure service that is an incredibly inspiring process to be apart of.

Trudy and her team are passionate about the environment. With sickening stats that have uncovered the ‘fast-fashion’ industry as one of the world’s largest polluters, they are dedicating to advocate for a new age of change in the fashion industry. With a focus within the community opting to repair and fix their clothes rather than throw away and send to landfill the Nemo team have created a space for people to do just that.

I sat down with Trudy to ask her about her business and life in general…

For those who don’t know, tell us about you?

Arriving into Queenstown in the early 80’s off the Mt Cook bus was a little reminiscent of the current COVID climate in our town. But I was able to secure a job and accommodation that afternoon up Skyline and lived with 20 other people in the old manse house in Sydney Street. Fun times. In the last 37 years, I have come and gone from Queenstown 3 times, returning the last time from the UK with my then 5-year-old son. This was 22 years ago, coming home to do a high-end fashion store, but after a failed business partnership – Nemo was born. This really was from a needs must basis but with a big, hairy audacious vision! 20 years later the initial plan has traversed and moulded into Nemo today.

Me: I come from a long line of clever women who created incredible garments. I am a worker, a gardener, a lover of nature, a design buff, and a water baby. Paddling on Wakatipu is soul food as is the simple act of sharing good food with good people. I love to rise to challenges and embrace opportunity.

&& for those who dont know what Nemo is, tell us about your business?

Nemo is a sewing and design space. Our byline is (v) an ethical design space… because we have always believed in and promoted the ethos of keeping things circulating, promoting buying less & better quality. We advocate the old adage of good design, good materials last the test of time and style never dates!

The workroom has commercial machinery and highly skilled professional technicians who will repair, alter, custom make, repurpose, and modify anything textile for anyone. The variety of work in our door is endless.

In recent years as the wedding industry has grown in the area, Nemo branched off into Nemo Bridal & Couture, a specialist bridal support business. . We make numerous bespoke dresses for Brides and also have an extensive range of dresses, accessories, and suits for hire. Perfect for bridal parties who consider the circular economy. We keep these collections fresh and current. We steam and press garments pre-wedding and hire wonderful accessories for visiting bridal parties. Our wedding gown alteration service is unsurpassed – we have brides coming to us from far and wide for this service.

What inspires you in business?  

Design, Fabrics, Colour, Texture, Nature, Making good of something cast off. My team inspires me to keep forging forward, our clients inspire me to do the best job for them and to make them look the best they can. My favourite thing to do is pull together a bunch of fellow business creatives and shoot beautiful images whilst creating amazing content for our channels.

What have you made the move to a conscious business model?

I like to think we are one of the original conscious business models!

From the outset, we have always used paper bags that align with our original ethos of the old three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and the conscious move to keep textiles and plastics out of landfill.

In recent years the move to hiring bridal attire has enabled us to have conversations around the emotional attachment to bridal attire and the opportunity to simplify the act of uniting love. In our bridal collections, we make beautiful gowns for people to purchase. These all have a message whether it be a vintage repurpose, a replication of a loved vintage piece we have found or a repurpose of heritage fabrics. Our messaging has a strong thread of vintage, heritage, using end of designer fabric runs, utilising ethically produced fabrics – keeping our ethical ethos true.

What impact do you wish to have on the industry?

From my personal perspective, I would love to see people appreciate the craft and the messaging of what we do.

I really hope our new world cuts through the need to be following a herd and labels. My wish is for people to consider their personal values and to create stylish occasions truly representative of who they are. I hope to enable these conversations and events.

Where did Nemo come from? 

Nemo came well before the fish! The name Nemo is an old latin verb describing nomadic movement. Hence the (v) in our by-line. This was relevant when we were a nomadic fashion store. But as every little business has to be nimble, especially today, the name has remained relevant as we have woven our way through the landscape of change. Nemo flipped a few years ago and became Omen Suit Hire.

What inspires you in everyday life?

The Seasons, I do love the four distinct seasons we live within Central Otago.

What is your top tip for a more sustainable life? 

Shop fresh, be mindful of purchasing packaging, consider every item thrown in the bin. Re-use, compost, and grow food. And remember to come to the life table with integrity and love.

What are you most looking forward to when New Zealand returns to it’s ‘new normal’?

I am really hoping that as a nation we will come together with a plan on who we are, and how we will unite to keep a sustainable and healthy future for our children and children’s children. We need a national value plan that assists us all in knowing that our land, our produce and our resources are correctly realised.

Do you have anything else you would like to tell us about work, life, Nemo?

Nemo, like every small local business, has a large mountain to climb in the next coming while. We will do our level best to ensure that we will support our local populace and business community.

Can you see now why I love the Nemo and the girls who work there so much? Nemo Workroom run a drop off service, 6 days a week for your alteration and repair needs. For wedding chats and info, email the team to arrange a booking. 

Follow them on social media here & here, spread the love and pay them a visit in Frankton, Queenstown when you can.

https://www.nemo.co.nz

 

Trudy Munro – Nemo Workroom owner. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is something so powerful about rising with the sun. Watching the new day break-in and the sun start its journey over our land will always fascinate me. I will never, ever forget how truly magical this very morning was. The sun peaked over mountain ranges all around us, inversion layers in the distance started to burn off and as we looped around Mt Aspiring for the second time the glow hit the face of this mighty mountain, making it truly come alive. I will never forget the butterflies in my stomach and holding in the tears as the landscape continued to leave us speechless. It wasn’t until I got home that my mind started to process the incredible unfolding scenes and layers upon layers of magnificent mountains. It felt good to have a camera in my hand, it felt good to be out of the house creating something in an environment I thrive in and it felt good to be surrounded by nature’s best.

We had five weeks in lockdown here in New Zealand and the most I picked my camera up was to take photos of my perfected baking accomplishments. I had nothing to shoot, little inspiration, and nowhere to go. We walked the same loop track for five weeks and I was craving the mountains. As soon as Jacinda announced we could move into level 3 and travel to exercise I completed one hike. It wasn’t until level 2 rolled in, companies started to operate again, and the country could slowly but surely start to rebuild what once was. We didn’t see a commercial jet or any plane for that matter the whole of lockdown so the familiar sounds of planes and helicopters in the Queenstown airspace instilled hope into our little town reliant on tourism.

I arrived at the airport just before 7 am. It was dark, cold and there wasn’t a soul in sight. Kirstin met me in the car park and warmed up the customer van to keep us toasty as we waited for the plane to be prepped. Kyle and Harrison soon followed, and we sat in the dark waiting for the all-clear. James appeared from the hanger and that was our cue. We met the cold and we climbed into the plane. I took up residence in the back seat, this is my favourite seat, not only does it subside any motion sickness, but I can shoot through two windows, out the back and still see what’s happening upfront.

We rolled down the runway ready for takeoff. James signalled up to air traffic control, no reply, it looked like we beat the control tower to work this morning. As the wheels left the runway the pink hue of the sun started to creep into the sky. It wasn’t until we had passed Coronet Peak and Skippers Canyon that the light arrived. It was magical from the moment we took off, I repeatedly wiped away tears and tried to keep my cool as the landscape below put on her finest show. In the distance, I could see an inversion layer covering Wanaka and beyond that layers and layers of mountain peaks. The sky looked like an oil painting, blue, pink, and yellow hues danced across the sky as the sun made its way higher into the sky.

Below, glaciers, hidden alpine lakes, and snow came in and out of view, and just as the sun reached its position in the sky. So, did we. Mount Aspiring on our right-hand side dancing in and out of the early morning light as we looped around not once, but twice. To make the most of our time in the sky James took a turn towards Fiordland and the ever-beautiful Mount Earnslaw, home to one of my bucket list hikes, Earnslaw Burn. I saw the ocean in the distance and my heart skipped a beat, I saw Fiordland hugging the last of the long white cloud and then before we knew it, we were cruising back along Lake Wakatipu to head home. The morning was nothing short of magic. An early sunrise flight above Mount Aspiring National Park was enough to yet again bring me to tears and leave me speechless. It took me a while to process the scenes we witnessed this morning, the mountains, the light and the sheer epic scale of this country is truly wonderful.

 

Thank you, Glenorchy Air, for once again making my dreams come true.

You can check out the Sunrise flights and other amazing scenic flights on offer from Glenorchy air here.
Support local, support good people doing good things and support those who want to show you how beautiful our home really is.

Ever since I was a child I have loved creating. I would lock myself in my room for hours making something to gift to my family members. I remember one year for fathers day, I made my dad a boxing ring from an old wooden crate and some boxing figurines my Grandma used to recycle on birthday cakes. I often wonder what happened to the box of weird things that would appear on our cakes, anyway, I would create anything and everything I could. I was HUGE into lego, still am really, but I loved it like I really loved it. I also love to learn. I would set myself homework and ask my parents to grade it. I applied for University at 11 years old because my dream was to swim with Dolphins and become a marine biologist.

I had ideas, plans, dreams all from a very young age. Creativity and art always came first. I remember sitting in GCSE photography with a group of girls who took the class because they thought it would be easy and questioning their thinking. Not out loud, of course, they scared me. I would sit and think if you just apply yourself to it and work hard you might enjoy it but then that would seem logical to someone who actually enjoyed being at school.

I finally found my groove and photography came out on top. I worked tirelessly on projects from GCSE to sixth form and into university. My projects didn’t feel complete so I applied for a masters programme even though all my peers and fellow photographers were graduating that year, I missed that.

I travelled the world with a camera in my hand, documenting, recording my findings, and then I started to write. Social media was all go when I first left the UK but not for everyone so this blog launched in 2015. I wrote down everything so others could catch up on the adventures. I used my platform to educate and help others plan to travel and now I write weekly about anything and everything that passes through one ear and out to my keyboard.

I have always been a dreamer. My personality traits of meticulous planning and list writing might make me appear to have it all worked out but I dream daily. I dream about our adventures and let my mind wander back to the incredible moments we have had. I dream about what our future holds, how our house will look, what I will decorate my home office like, and what our little kids will look like one day. I dream about road trips and mountains and epic locations. I dream about our wedding day here in New Zealand and the UK and seeing all our friends and family in one place. I dream about Robbie building his dream van and driving to Cornwall to surf with his four-legged friend.
I dreamed for a long time about doing this for a living. Working from home or in a hip coffee shop looking out the window and watching the world go by. I dreamed about collaborations with companies, shooting for brands, and editing my photos all while pinching myself that this is my real job. I dream about the day this whole pandemic fucks off so we can get back to dreaming about things that matter and not an end date to emotional turmoil. I’m such a dreamer that the world still gives me all the inspiration to live out those dreams until they become reality, even as we ride the wave of this shit show.

My passion lies in writing and photography of course, but there is something so powerful about the written word. For a long time I felt like I couldn’t find my purpose in life, hence the insane amount of text about dreaming. I worried that I would coast through life waiting, hoping that one day one of my dreams would come true. Then one day I figured out what my true passion is, a real-life light bulb moment. I would tell you when that moment was but I think I will forever hold that one to myself. My passion then lead me straight to my purpose and I felt complete.

When you are chasing your dreams be prepared for the obstacles. These come in the form of people, financial, practical and so much more. The key to pursuing past this is learning from them, find solutions, middle ground, and move on. You are never too old or young to live your dreams. They are just dreams until you decide they are going to be something more. Imagine if I had never bought that plane ticket or camera. I would still be serving up ribs with a side of chicken wings right now.
Dream chasing is for those who dare to take that leap of faith into something they truly believe in. If you have something you are passionate about whatever it may be, please pursue it. You never know where it may lead you.

Don’t be afraid to pursue something you love with intensity
Take pride in your greatest strengths, you created them
Free yourself from negative thinking & people
Don’t waste your energy, channel it for good
Be fearless in your approach to your dreams

They are yours after all.