As you may have guessed from the highly visual content of my New Zealand post, I did indeed buy a camera duty free. YAY!!! So now expect a lot more posting, as I will now have evidence to back me up.

Man am I bruised!

It's not so much from the constant falling down, but the constant whacking of the chairlift into the back of my leg every time I sat down on it. Maybe?

I'm just back from a fantastic weeks holiday.

I haven't even been to the snow in about 10 years, and now I've had my first time snowboarding, with a trip to New Zealand to boot.

It's unbelievable how beautiful it all is.

We flew into Christchurch, but were staying in Queenstown, no more than an hours drive to any of four amazing mountains. Our room had an amazing view of Lake Whakatipu, and every direction you looked was a picture postcard backed by the snow capped alps.

Of the five days we had in Queenstown, four of them were spent on the mountains. A pretty mean feat for a first timer, if I do say so myself. On the first day Trent cracked his head on a patch of ice, resulting in a trip to the first aid tent,

and a reminder of just how dangerous it can be up there. People with all sorts of limbs in all sorts of directions. Luckily I got away with only a jarred wrist and one mean landing right on my coccyx, plus the aforementioned bruises.

Our favourite ski area was at The Remarkables.

Beautiful views, no queues for the lift and runs to suit our varying degrees of ability. (Trent has been boarding before, and Ronni was on skis.)

The one day off we did have off, the one morning when we were allowed to sleep in, was rocked by an ear piercing beeping ripping through the silence of 3 in the morning. I had no idea what was going on until from the next room Roni's "Umm, guys. I think we need to get out" so out we got. The entire hotel evacuated to the foyer, too cold to go outside, with no one to tell us what was going on, and two fire trucks int the drive. All the while this incessant alarm that made me think my head might explode. Then the alarm finally stopped and everyone just headed back up to their rooms, still with no idea what had happened.

It turned out in the morning that the incident was of a "non hazardous nature". Read- kids fucking around.

We did still manage to get out that day though, a leisurely drive in the direction of Paradise.

After about half an hour of driving we were still by the side of the lake,

beautiful views abounding.

Then on to the Glenorchy cafe, highly recommended, and the wharf.

Very Japanesey.

Our journey was cut short before we could reach Paradise, with water over the road turning into a frozen lake over the road, and with an $1800 bill looming over our heads we decided it wasn't worth risking the hire car.

All in all it was a fantastic week of freezing cold and snow. I think I may now be addicted to boarding, so I'll see you guys on the slopes.

Not yet.

Well, it turns out I am not yet a Master, but good enough to sit just below the ranks.

Last night was the awards fo rthe Australian Masters of Fashion. Our gowns in the Contemporary Bridal section were just a liitle too diferent to be judged winners, but they will be taking the tour of Australia in the Judges Finalist parades.

It was so amazing to see these full on beautiful gowns come down the catwalk at the Grand Hyatt, and to know that you created them. Such a buzz. Such a fun night.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get my hands on some.