J A P A N .

Sometimes I really am taken aback by how lovely and thoughtful you all are. I've been receiving some extremely kind emails from readers who are worried I have family in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami. One thing you all probably don't know about me is my sister and I are adopted and have Australian parents, so we've grown up in Australia our entire lives. I get asked quite a lot so if any of you are wondering I am half South Korean, half Japanese, which I've heard is a weird mix? I've always been obsessed with Japan ever since I can remember and funnily enough only found out in high school that my biological father was actually Japanese. Probably explains a lot then! Regardless if I have family in Japan or not, what has happened to Japan is truly upsetting and equally devastating and a part of me feels extremely connected to the people there. I've never felt more myself when I visited Japan in 2009 and shortly after was when I started Gary Pepper Vintage, so in many ways I owe a lot to their beautiful country and the confidence I found there.

When out for lunch we were given these cute little notes with different hand made origami attached to each one. I have already donated but was so moved by the time the owners of this cafe had taken to make each one of these that I thought I would share it with you.

Please show your support and donate to the Japanese Relief here.

Q L D F L O O D S .

(Images via Flickr)

It seems for the past two weeks i literally haven't had a chance to stop and think about anything in the lead up to the new webstore launching (which has been online since last Thursday), except for one thing - the QLD floods. I can't seem to watch the news anymore without being deeply upset by not only the damage these floods have done to Queensland but also to the families who have either lost everything they own, their home, or a loved one. It's something i think a lot of us could not even imagine and something that a lot of people wouldn't try to.

I would like to dedicate this post to the QLD flood relief appeal to try to help in any way possible to raise awareness of this devastating crisis happening just one state away from my own home. I am pleased to tell you all i will be donating 25% of all sales from my next collection to the QLD Flood relief appeal and have also donated the amazing yellow vintage dress (seen in the 'extraordinary' post) to PedestrianTV.com who will be auctioning it off to help raise money for this cause, along with many other amazing 'money can't buy' items from Marie Claire magazine, Mycatwalk.com and Ellery, just to name a few. PedestrianTV have just launched their online auctions today and will be listing items daily for the next fortnight, which you can place your bids here.

I am so happy i can help support such a wonderful cause and can only hope you will too. I think we can afford to go without that extra hair cut, pair of shoes, or night out on the town for the people who really need to be shown right now that with our love and support everything is going to be OK. If you would like to donate money to the QLD flood relief appeal you can donate here. Please give generously if you can, every dollar counts in times like these.