Black out!

Congratulations to us! Or rather the All Blacks on behalf of our beautiful & very proud country! We can now all breathe a sigh of relief as it's all over & we are the champions!

In honour of the mighty All Blacks we've put together a bunch of black beauties we have in store right now...

1. Smarty singlet $115 2. Leo organic baby tee $22 3. Scrumptious studs $18 

4. Flamingo shorts $140 5. Black beret $25 6. Honey trap dress $295 

7. Straw boater hat $35 8. Scrumptious cameo brooch $28 

9. Oh Wellington tea towel $22 10. Whistle stop skirt $140 

11. "Yeah, write" pencil $2 12. Smarvelous dress $238

Also check out this amazing video! Via Olivia at Lily's Make Believe.

Lookbook is live!

Click here or here to see our beautiful new collection!
New styles are arriving every week x

Finishes tomorrow!

Our ONCE'IT sale finishes at Midday tomorrow! There are still some great bargains to be had-

 

 KISSIN' COUSINS DRESS IN RED & NAVY $89! 

OUTLAW SHIRT GINGHAM $99!

OUTLAW SHIRT BRODERIE $99 & COLONEL MUSTARD SKIRT NAVY $99!

ONCE'IT

Click here to shop our ONCE'IT sale! Ends Sunday at Midday!

WE ARE FOUR!

Omfg! We can't quite believe it- we're turning 4 this month! We've come a long way since our humble beginning in Brooklyn & we owe it all to you & loyal fans! So thank you! Thank you.


Come celebrate with us on Friday & preview our new range- The Sands. There wil be tea from our friends at Teza & cupcakes! Not to mention beautiful, gorgeous FROCKS.


See you there!


PS- Take a squiz at our video lookbook!

Last days!

Our sale is coming to end- we're making way for summer- oh summer! We can't wait to show you our new collection... in the meantime get yourself a bargain while you can!

SALE!

Our sale is still in full force! We've added a "Nothing over $50" rack- including a swag of gorgeous dresses for $50 and skirts at $40!! More stock is being added & reduced daily.

Also- you may have seen on our facebook page a note about Sunday designer Miriam White's entry into the Westpac Young Designer Competition- you can help Miriam to realize her dream by voting here- And you can be in the draw to win a $100 Sunday voucher by leaving a comment on her blog. GO MIRIAM!

On the girls this week...

Roxy, Pizazz and Stormer are feeling fresh in mustard this week...

Left-

Merino scarflet $40

Harriett Falvey Bea coat $280

Sunday short n sweet top $160

Colonel Mustard skirt $170

Center-Winter white beret $35
Cat Cat Owl brooch $22
Bonnie dress $255

Right-

Outlaw blouse broderie $180
Outlaw mustard tie $18

Cat Cat Owl birdie brooch $22

Alfie skirt grey wool $185

Winter at Swonderful

The shop is looking rather gorgeous right now if we do say so ourselves! We've got pom poms, bunting & cute & cozy clothes galore! Head over to our flickr for more pics :)

Workroom sale

Our workroom sale last Saturday was AMAZING. Thank you so much to everyone who came & supported us. We really didn't know if many people would come & we were blown away by how many of our lovely fans showed up! It was lovely to see so many familiar faces too.
Thanks so much to Sunday, Love Love Lorelei, Free Range Baby & Ragdoll Illustrations. We're looking forward to organizing more events like this in the future! xxx

The Adventures of Audrey Sparrow Part IV

Click here for Part III !
It turns out that one wears a casino royal velvet skirt & outlaw broderie blouse, feels somewhere in between 'nervous excitement' and 'nervous nerves,' and drinks two glasses of wine before leaving the house.

Caroline and I trotted up to the designated bar at 7pm exactly, ready to be swept off our collective feet. 
"I hope it's not full of nutters," I said.
"Don't be ridiculous," Caroline replied, "speed dating is now completely socially acceptable." 
I frowned. I didn't feel socially acceptable, I felt weird. "I feel weird. Do I look weird? I look weird."
It was only after much coaxing from Caroline ("you don't look weird, you look nice, you're just being paranoid") that we walked into the bar, where I breathed a sigh of relief to see that, for the most part, it was full of other people who looked about the same age - and level of nervousness - as we were.  There was one middle-aged, sweatily bald man in khaki shorts but it turned out he'd come to watch the cricket and was in the wrong pub. 

For those who have never braved the social sushi train of speed dating, this is how it works: you start off with a little card numbered 1 - 10 down the side, and each number corresponds to a complete stranger that you spend 5 minutes chatting to. At the end of the 5 minutes if you fancy the pants off him you write YES opposite his number, and if you'd rather the pants stayed on at all costs you write NO. At the end of the night the cards are collected and, if you had a Mutual Yes, contact details are exchanged and you embark on the romance of your lives. Or something like that.

Caroline and I took separate tables and I sat, looking impatiently around the bar, tapping my fingers on the table and wishing that there was free wine. My first date was a perfectly nice truck driver who really should have been dating a truck, because he talked about nothing else. He seemed interested in me though! "I'm actually driving up to Hamilton tonight," he said, "if you want to come." Must have been my headlamps.  I wrote down NO.

Next up was a chap who decided to tell me all about his recent ex, an extraordinarily patient woman who would "massage my legs every night, because walking home from work made them sore." He looked at me hopefully.  I peeked under the table to where stubbies revealed a pair of large and hairy thighs. I wrote down NO.

He was followed in quick succession by an engineer with terrible breath, a charmless banker with a monobrow, and a man who did artificial insemination in cows and talked about this with far too much enthusiasm.

Seven minidates in, I was beginning to doubt the likelihood of a Mutual Yes ever emerging... until Number 8 walked up to the table.  I was a little intimidated by Number 8 - he looked confident and casual and, on top of that, rather handsome in a long-haired, rock band kind of a way - but then he sat down opposite me, completely missed the chair and landed heavily on the floor with a shouted expletive. Everyone turned to stare.  I attempted to stifle a giggle.
"Sorry," he said, hoisting himself back into the chair, "I missed the- the thing. I'm terrible at this, I haven't been speed dating before and I came with a friend, I thought there might be free wine... sorry. I'm Harrison. Hello."
United by our dismay at the lack of free wine, we started chatting - I found out that he was three years older than me, worked in event management and was not, despite appearances, in a band. (I had no complaints about that - one too many musician ex-boyfriends had made me completely sick of going to a concert each weekend just to help pack up the drum kit.)

Five minutes later, when the bell rang to move on, I felt like we'd barely started talking.
Harrison stood up, pointed to Caroline's table, and said "Well, I think I have to go over there now."
"It was nice to meet you," I said, "I, um..."
"I'm totally putting Yes," said Harrison.
"Oh! Oh, good. So am I, but I wasn't sure if I should- OK then."

Next up I was confronted by an appalling bus driver who would not stop making filthy puns but I didn't care! 
I had found my Mutual Yes.

***

At the end of the evening I met up with Caroline as we left the bar.
"How did it go?" she asked. 
"Good! I really liked Harrison. The one with the long hair."
Caroline wrinkled her nose. "He looks like he should be wearing a leather jacket and holding a guitar," she said distastefully.
"I know! He's so cute. I think we're going to see each other again."
"You have weird taste."
"I know. I know. How did you go?"
"Actually," she said, staring dreamily into the distance, "I met the most lovely guy... he's a truck driver. He's taking me up to Hamilton tonight!" 


(The Adventures of Audrey Sparrow are written by Ally Mullord, visit her blog- Today is my Birthday!)
(Illustration by Sally Shand)

Workroom Sale and Market Day!

It's never happened before & will probably never be repeated... We are having a major workroom clear out & you're invited!! For one day only we will open our workroom doors to the public- come get your fix of bargains galore from Papercup- tees, frocks, skirts & fabric- you name it! All heavily reduced for just one day. Up for grabs are one offs & samples- things you've never seen before!

We've also invited our buddies to join the madness- Love Love Lorelei, Ragdoll Illustrations & Free Range Baby. So expect to see loads of fantastic locally made products all at great prices.

Oh & cupcakes! Lots of cupcakes!!

Next Saturday 25 June 
Unit 10/369 Adelaide Road, Newtown
12- 4PM ONLY
Cash & Eftpos accepted

SEE YOU THERE!

Her Funny Face

Today marks a great day in history! On this day in 1929 Audrey Hepburn was born... What an amazing woman she was, a film & fashion icon that will never be forgotten. Our S'wonderful muse.

We love you Audrey!

Alphaville video!

When we were shooting the new lookbook our swell & talented friend Micah came along for the ride & made us this super video! We love it!! It really captures the mood of the shoot & the fun we had putting the collection together. We hope you love it as much as we do! Thanks Micah!!



Papercup - Alphaville - Winter 2011 from Micah Sargisson on Vimeo.



The cute music is Francois Hardy- Je suis d'accord X

The Adventures of Audrey Sparrow Part III

(Audrey wears Papercup Horsey tee & polka shorts)

When I woke up, undignified and still a bit woozy, Caroline was bending over and peering into my face in a concerned fashion. "I'm so sorry! I tripped into the bush and I just kind of kept hitting the ball and- are you OK?"

My glasses had flown off into the undergrowth and I was going to be sporting an attractive rhino-like bump for the next few days, but there was no permanent damage... except, perhaps, to my heart. I sat up cautiously and looked around for my attractive rescuer, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Who was that?" I asked Caroline. "The guy who caught me?"

"Henry? I knew there was a reason I invited him to things."

"Where did he go?" I was mildly irritated that the mysterious Henry hadn't stuck around to make sure I wasn't dead.

Caroline shrugged. "He had a rehearsal, I think? He said he hoped you were OK, though."

She wandered off to refill our glasses, leaving me to ask, "Rehearsal? What rehearsal?" and sulk about the lack of grand romantic gestures. He hoped I was OK? Hmph. I had a final ill-advised cucumber sandwich and then I went home.

***

A couple of days later Caroline rang asking if I wanted to go for a run along the waterfront. After some negotiation on my part we decided to go for a sedate walk, followed by an equally sedate coffee.

I have the best intentions when it comes to running but it's just so much effort! Not to mention somewhat disorienting with glasses on - everything in front of you is in stunning high-definition, but there's a disconcerting peripheral blur of feet. More importantly, I thought we might be dropping in to see the handsome barista at Nikau and in my horsey tee and polka shorts I was looking far too cute to spoil the effect by being all hot and sweaty.

Half an hour later we were wandering along the waterfront, commenting on the Art. I've often thought that had I not chosen to become a teacher I could've been a great modern artist. I would be absolutely fantastic at placing a ceramic banana on a piece of Astroturf and saying something deep about deforestation.

My piece de resistance would be a sculpture of a porpoise made out of plastic bags and stuck on top of a ladder. At the exhibition opening I would deliver a lengthy speech about humanity's impact on nature: "My decision to use supermarket bags in this work," I would say artily, "is an ironic statement about how our desire to save ourselves money is sparking a Countdown for sea life! Also, I have placed the sculpture on a ladder to remind us all that, no matter its aesthetic qualities, art must have a HIGHER PORPOISE!" And then I would laugh uproariously and be kicked out of the Artists Society forever.

As we wandered past a visiting cruise ship I surfaced from my artist daydream to Caroline saying, "...so tomorrow night we thought we might go along?"

Flustered, I blurted out, "Sure! Let's! It sounds great." I had no idea what she was talking about.

"Yay!" said Caroline. "I've always wanted to try speed dating."

I knew I should have been paying attention and not daydreaming about porpoise puns. Speed dating? What on earth does one wear?...


(The Adventures of Audrey Sparrow are written by Ally Mullord, visit her blog- Today is my Birthday!)

Papercup winter 2011

Ch-ch-check it out! Our new look book is now up on the Papercup blog & facebook!

We think it looks amazing & we're super proud! A huge thanks goes out to all those involved- & special thanks to our mates at Good As Gold for lending us those amazing Melissa shoes.


For more pictures head over to Papercup or our Facebook page x

SAAAAAAAAALE!!

 

It's Sale time here at Swonderful & we don't do things by halves here... or maybe we do, like half off!! Yup, up to 50% off clothes. Twoot!!

Our webshop will be updated with sale items very soon too, so keep an eye out!

The Adventures of Audrey Sparrow Part II

(Audrey wears Papercup Bonanza dress in peach leopard)

Last weekend my friend Caroline decided to have a garden party because "Audrey, I've always wanted to play croquet."

At the time, it seemed like the most ridiculous excuse for a party I'd ever heard - but then again, at the time I was a little bit grumpy and a little bit tired and very, very hungry.  (Do you suffer from 'hanger'?  it is 'hungry anger' and it attacks me when I've gone too long without a sandwich.  It attacks me, and then I attack the world.  Mum has learned to recognise the signs and, when I'm particularly argumentative, will gently offer me a small packet of Tiny Teddies - they are my favourite - before launching into any heated debates.)

So it's understandable that I grumbled and suggested Caroline join a croquet club.
"Stop being such a grump," she said, "it'll be fun!"  And before I knew it I'd been tricked into not only attending, but also bringing a batch of scones.

Secretly, I'm not a huge fan of garden parties.  I like gardens and I like parties, but put the two together and add in a cluster of people pretending to be in Pride & Prejudice, and it all starts to be a bit much.  Also there is never any proper food as everyone in attendance comes over all fairy cakes and cucumber sandwiches (despite the fact that fairy cakes invariably taste like stale sponge and cucumber sandwiches become revolting after sitting out in the sun for five minutes).  It was lucky for everyone, I thought, that I was scone-ing.

 
The day arrived - Saturday afternoon - and, feeling summery, I changed into my Papercup Bonanza dress- pretty and peachy and light, but patterned with just enough leopard print to feel a little bit subversive.

Five minutes later I was ready to go!  Unfortunately, the scones weren't.  The scones, which were a little low on flour (we'd run out and the dairy just seemed so far away), had fused into one giant scone. Mega-scone! Sconezilla! Whatever I decided to name the scone monstrosity, it was clear that I was either going to have to chop it into little squares or cart it about in a suitcase.  By the time I dashed down the front path, headband slightly askew, bag of scone squares in hand, I was flustered and hot and by no means serene enough for a garden party.

When I got there, though, it was lovely.
Caroline had set up an outside table covered in champagne flutes, cupcakes, and crackers and cheese and it looked stunning! I noticed a tray of limp-looking cucumber sandwiches tucked in behind the cupcakes, felt sorry for them and ate one, then instantly regretted it.  Yuck.
After offloading the scones and getting a drink I wandered down the other end of the garden, where Caroline was busy directing a game of croquet.
"Audrey!" she said, "Good. You can be on my team.  Did you end up making scones?"
The croquet was going swimmingly until the third game, when disaster struck - Caroline, who was trying to line up a particularly difficult shot, lent backwards onto a plant.  The plant gave way and Caroline keeled over, waving the mallet as she went, and somehow managed to make contact with the ball, sending it careening wildly into the air and straight at my head! 

I took a direct hit to the ear, stumbled backwards, lost my footing, and tumbled to the ground... only instead of hitting the ground, I found myself caught in someone's arms. I looked up to find myself staring into the face of the man who had just caught me.  The extremely handsome face of the man who had just caught me.

"Oh, Rhett!" I said, attempting to be alluring despite my possible concussion... and then I passed out.

To Be Continued.... 

(The Adventures of Audrey Sparrow are written by Ally Mullord, visit her blog- Today is my Birthday!)

Don't look back

It should come as no surprise that we are fans of Zooey Deschanel. More than just a little bit... We really like her... & of course we really like her musical endeavors with M Ward- She & Him.

She & Him have just realised the new video from their second album Volume II & it's brimming with fantastic-ness! From the fashion, to the dancing to the mid century modern design... Its a bit of us!! Enjoy!

She & Him - Don't Look Back from Merge Records on Vimeo.

The Adventures of Audrey Sparrow Part I

(Audrey wears Papercup Cabana dress in navy floral)

Allow me to introduce myself!  I'm a man of wealth and taste. 

That was terrible.  I'm sorry.  Sorry Mick, sorry Keith, sorry other Rolling Stones members whose names currently escape me - sorry readers.  Allow me to introduce myself, properly; I'm a sometime lyric-stealing, twentysomething (the something is, cough, cough, what IS that behind you?) lady who flits between the supermarket, the office, home and the occasional party with all the finesse and organisation skills of a drunken butterfly.

So you're better equipped to imagine my adventures, here's a brief description of me - I have been described by many as a flame-haired goddess; unfortunately I have also been described by some as reminiscent of the teacher from the 'Magic School Bus' books.  (What was her name?) Have concluded this is obviously because of the spiralling red hair and boundless enthusiasm, not because of any faint tendencies to madness and magic ability. 

(As a side note and further step in the getting-to-know-you process, I should probably let you know that if I could choose a superpower, it would be talking to animals.  Not for any wishy-washy Cinderella-type reason, just because it seems more useful than most of the others.  Invisibility, for example, doesn't let you talk a flock of pigeons into group dive-bombing the cafe that just overcharged you for burnt French toast.)

But I digress; back to the hair.  Most people recognise me by my hair.  We (my hair and I) are easily located in a crowd.  "We'll meet by Audrey's hair," friends spout at music festivals; "if it's dark, we'll get her to stick a sparkler in it and rotate slowly on the spot like a homing beacon."  My hair is lovely and at the same time completely unmanageable, like a puppy or boyfriend, but without the mess of the former or... actually, without the mess of either. 

Underneath the hair is the typical Redhead's Pale Skin (from alabaster to lobster in 60 seconds!), sparkly but otherwise unremarkable brown eyes (behind black-rimmed glasses for the safety of other drivers and/or pedestrians), a nose (big enough to prop aforesaid glasses up on, but not so big that it blocks the ventilation hole on a takeaway coffee cup) and a mouth which, thankfully, is not as wide as that of Julia Roberts.

From there down it's all pretty standard-issue body - except of course that said body is lucky enough to be dressed in stunning clothes from Swonderful!  Clothes which, for one reason or another, seem to lend themselves to Adventures...

Come back next week to hear more about them!

(The Adventures of Audrey Sparrow are written by Ally Mullord, visit her blog- Today is my Birthday!)