A New North Canterbury Shopping Spot
Upstyle Me brings together homewares, fashion and flowers in rural North Canterbury.
Step behind a tall hedge on North Eyre Road and you're greeted by a hub of cute country cabins turned shopping spot. Packed full of gorgeous pre-loved homewares, florals and fashion – Upstyle Me is set to become a must visit in the North Canterbury countryside.
words: Pattie Pegler images: Dorothy McLennan
There are three distinct shopping spaces. The fashion area - buzzing with beautiful colours, fabrics and patterns. Next door the focus is flowers and in the third cute cabin, complete with Cape Cod chairs on the decks – is the pre-loved homewares collection. Head into the garden and tucked away up a path way of flowering cherry trees–is where you find the French themed Beauty Cottage.
Rana Hammond, founder and owner of the Upstyle Me shopping and beauty concept, is a bundle of energy and no stranger to the business world.
North Canterbury born and bred she's a qualified machinist by trade and when her children were young designed and manufactured school uniforms for nine schools in the North Canterbury area. Thus grew the business with her hands on skills and business sense.
Rana set up her own label, Uneek Kids Clothing and had a store in Kaiapoi. She also worked in retail and hospitality for 30 years including Staxs, Ballantynes fashion Central, Footloose Shoes, Michael Hill Jeweller, building on her background in fashion.
Now she runs a construction business, has just started another business doing fire doors and is also in the process of building a new home on their lifestyle property in Swannanoa.
It would be a lot for anyone to fit in, but then several months ago she decided to create this new venture – Upstyle Me. “I have always wanted a wee shop,” she explains.
Whilst Rana loves drawing on her fashion experience and helping people to choose colours and style for their wardrobes, she specialises in colours and body shapes helping customers to decide what suits them.
She has also brought on board Assistant Manager Sharon Dickie, to help run the shops from day to day. A qualified florist and passionate advocate for the pre-loved concept, Sharon offers a warm and friendly welcome to visitors.
Fashion
Pre-loved clothing along with plenty of as new items with labels and lovely vintage pieces – the fashion store has plenty of options. There’s a focus on curvaceous sizes, from 16 upwards and customers who would like a personalised shopping experience can book a time in advance and arrive to find carefully selected items ready for them to try on.
You’ll also find a fabulous range of accessories – bags, shoes and other wardrobe essentials.
Homewares
There is no shortage of choice in the homewares cabin with an eclectic collection of Maxwell Williams, Stevens and Haven homewares including wrought iron art, French country, candles, trays and picture frames. The range of crockery and china is superb – with platters, bowels and plates of all shapes, styles and colours. As well as gorgeous high-tea items – from cake stands to tea cups. All pre-loved and affordably priced.
Flowers
In a dedicated cabin shoppers can browse a beautiful selection of unique vases from French country style to modern and contempary shapes.
There are also ready to-go bouquets of silk and high-end artificial blooms put together with a careful eye by professional florist Sharon.
These long-lasting arrangements are ideal to take when visiting hospitals or care homes and loved ones resting places or just brighten up your home.
You can also buy single stems or even take along your own vase and Sharon will help you put together something fabulous to fill it.
The Beauty Cottage
A visit to the Beauty Cottage will leave you not only looking fabulous but also fully relaxed. Sit back and let our beauty therapist work her magic. Beauty services include eyelash and eyebrow treatments as well as relaxation massages. By appointment only.
