As the temperatures start to fall away, being on the cusp of a new season also brings the opportunity to renew our focus on well-being and mindfulness as catalysts to inject some warmth and vitality into our homes. Whether you are taking on a new redecorating project or simply sprucing […]
Getting a good night’s sleep is absolutely essential for our health. On par, in fact, with eating a balanced, nutritious diet and exercising regularly. Moreover, the magic number of eight hours that we should, on average, supposedly be sleeping each night, isn’t just vital internally for our bodies and brains, […]
While the new year seems to be the time to lay down or recap those big ambitious goals, I got thinking a little more about the small things this summer. On New Year’s day, our family headed to the beach with some friends and took part in their annual ritual […]
Refreshing, versatile, and easy to make. It’s no surprise the Margarita is one of the world’s favourite cocktails. Created in 1948 by Margaret Sames, the original recipe is simple and has remained unchanged since the beginning: Cointreau, tequila blanco, fresh lime juice, and a salt rim. In fact, Cointreau and […]
There is something special about setting foot in an unfamiliar place, trying a new activity, or having a novel experience. The short of it is that venturing off the beaten path and really experiencing the world is food for the soul, be it making lasting memories, cultivating new friendships, or […]
While, at first glance, there might not seem much commonality between the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms and a bottle of meticulously handcrafted gin, Hendrick’s has taken it upon themselves to channel the airs of wabi sabi and bottle the beauty of the ephemeral in life with their smooth and […]
There are so many decisions that go into an interior design project, which if well-thought-through, lead to the level of aesthetic cohesion in which everything feels “just so” and nothing seems out of place. Fortunately, there are six basic principles of interior design to hand, which can help to transform […]
For most homeowners redecorating a space, the fifth wall, i.e. your ceiling, is more often than not overlooked to remain a blank drywall surface with just a coat of white paint applied at best. While an untouched neutral canvas for a ceiling has its uses aesthetically, in supporting certain design […]
If you are considering updating your home this summer, one of the most inexpensive ways to immediately add significant value to your home is to spruce up the old and give it a fresh lick of paint. It’s a simple and cost-effective way in which to add maximum impact to […]
One of the most interesting new interior trends of the moment has to do with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is tasked with organising sensory input. More specifically, it has to do with the olfactory cortex, which is crucial for the processing and perception of scent. This portion […]
Queenstown is easily one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking four-season alpine spots, blessed with the stunning jagged backdrop of The Remarkables mountain range, rising sharply from the mighty Wakatipu. There is something special about setting foot in an unfamiliar place, trying a new activity, or having a novel experience. The […]
Our lives are, for the most part, measured by an index of ageing that is dictated by the number of birthdays we have celebrated. Age measured by time alone, however, does not take into account our biological progression, which is a significantly more reliable indicator of our future health than […]
The world is positively abuzz with interior design trends touting the next big design cue with which to curate that perfect sanctuary within our homes. We’ve gotten all snug and cozy with the Danish concept of hygge, only to turn our attention to being content with not too much but […]
Interior design plays a pivotal role not only in defining the aesthetics of a space but also in how it influences our mood and behaviour, in recognising the importance of such factors as colour, light, solid versus void, proportion, placement and layout alongside intangible considerations including energy alignment, natural rhythms, […]
Buying off the plan is one of those endeavours that is sometimes portrayed as a “risky” investment, but buying in advance of a property being built can offer many benefits including financial gains and peace of mind. It can also be more affordable and offer more flexibility than buying an […]
I have a confession to make. It’s a secret that I have held close to my chest for a little while now. I have been close to being discovered several times. Especially when someone grabs my phone. But it’s something I’ve been able to shrug off. Every year that goes […]
When a perfectly formed stratovolcano sets up shop in a coastal region, encircled by a vast ring plain forged from volcanic lahars and landslides flowing across the landscape to meet a pristine coastline, this sets the foundation for some startlingly diverse terrain. This is precisely the geographic dynamic of New […]
I’m pretty sure that ‘70s rock is not often used as an anthem to the subjects of stress, burnout and mindfulness, but as I sit here thinking about these themes, Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” is going through my mind. “And I’m free, free fallin’, Yeah I’m free, free fallin’… All […]
The arrival of Fri-yay not only marks the end of a week of hard work but also the beginning of 48 hours of sweet freedom, which for some, signifies relaxation and for others, enjoying a night out. Either way, while you might be psyched up and ready for the weekend, […]
On the 17th of June 1971, a violent thunderstorm on the heels of devastating winds, cut a path of destruction through much of the precious grapes growing throughout the Vallée de la Marne of the Champagne wine region. Such was the unusual severity of this weather phenomenon, the region had […]
Whatever the weather, whether it be the winter cold or the summer heat, we can still find our skin yet again, prone to being zapped of all its moisture. And our lips are no exception. Most of the time lip care is just an afterthought. However, unlike the rest of […]
With space at a premium and pressure on urban space increasing as cities grow and populations burgeon, compact studio and one-bedroom apartments are fast becoming an attractive prospect. First-time buyers and property investors are hoping to acquire a centrally located investment property that harnesses the demand of a wide range […]
Unlike a fine wine, which gets better with age, the passing of time isn’t quite as kind to our skin, which gradually loses its youthful resilience as we grow older. Amongst a whole range of causal factors including the daily onslaught of modern-day external aggressors, this process is also due […]
Superstitions aside, there is some rational truth to be found behind that old chestnut of getting out of bed on the wrong side. While the actual side you roll out of, is, for those who aren’t partial to Feng Shui, neither here nor there, there is a lot to be […]
Life is a journey punctuated with special moments that make a profound impact on us with such seminal moments as milestones being a time for pause, reflection and celebration – of taking stock of just how far we’ve come and how much we’ve accomplished. This year, outdoor performance footwear giant, […]
Our world, in so many respects, has been redefined with our values and expectations necessarily shifting in ways we might not have anticipated. And when it comes to achieving that much-needed equilibrium between our physical and emotional wellness, it is only natural that a holistic approach has become front of […]
As we spend more time ensconced in our homes, it’s not surprising that we turn our attention more meticulously to the spaces we inhabit and the various routines we follow to live a more balanced life. And the more things that we can incorporate into our lives that have mood-boosting […]
Hana is Auckland’s newly opened go-to wellness haven tucked away in the heart of Grey Lynn’s industrial chic development, The Scrap Yard. Brought to life by former pharmacist, Sara Higgins, the creation of Hana – which in Māori means to shine, glow and give out radiance – emerged from an […]
Taking tips from Mother Nature by incorporating natural elements into your home is one of the most powerful ways in which to create that much-needed sanctuary to help keep us cool, calm and connected with the natural world indoors. Even the smallest, simplest of touches that mimic and incorporate the […]
While a lot of us can’t afford eco-conscious homes built from the ground up with sustainable, energy-saving materials and amenities such as solar panels and fully integrated smart home systems, there are still a lot of ways in which we can make small, budget-friendly changes to our homes in the […]
Anyone who has a regular fitness regime will know it takes a bit of organising and effort to get out of your oh-so-warm bed every day and commit to a brisk early morning workout. And while the health benefits in terms of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and an enviable […]
You could be forgiven for thinking they might have fought during the siege of the Hydrax Plateau. And to be fair, the autobots involved may well have benefited greatly from this buzzy wellness ingredient with all the heightened levels of stress and anxiety heading into battle would ordinarily cause. But […]
As the saying goes, you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. This is also true for that first touchpoint of your home, the entrance. This space, after all, shapes first impressions and sets the tone for the rest of your abode, it being the first and last […]
An undisturbed good night’s sleep is essential to our survival. Given that most of us will catch around eight hours each night – a whopping third of a day – which clocks up to 229,961 hours in a lifetime or essentially one-third of an average person’s life, it is only […]
Workplace culture remains one of the top factors influencing employee happiness. And with more people working from home than ever before, the importance of bringing your team together and reconnecting has never been more important. Investing in team-building activities will not only help your team learn more about each other […]
Sometimes when you are right in the middle of it, it can be difficult to really appreciate the shifting tectonic plates of large social transformation taking place around us. Things like the polarisation of politics, the rise of social justice, LBGTQI+ rights and #MeToo have been the eruption points (to […]
Sarah Walden Actress, Entrepreneur, and Licenced Real Estate Salesperson MJRE I advocate for change by… Embracing my uniqueness and engaging with everyone at face value, soul value, depending on the moment. To me, success means… Balance. I’d name my autobiography… Progressing Imperfectly, Perfectly. I made my first dollar… Selling […]
Debbie Van Leeuwen Franchise Owner for GJ Gardner Homes (Manukau & East Auckland) The change I want to see in the next 12 months is… More females entering into the construction industry, whether it be in the trades or leadership roles. Females bring diversity of thought to a traditionally […]
Lisa Booth CEO and co-founder of Kete Kai The gender stereotype I can’t stand… That women are too emotional. Emotion is physiological, and it’s such a powerful tool. If we lean in to that, we can see and feel situations before they happen. I say we should embrace emotion, […]
The WFH era in which we have found ourselves has created a ripple effect in more ways than one with perhaps one of the more obvious byproducts being the prioritising of an attitude that honours the importance of basic comforts and joy. A sense of mindfulness for well-being and all […]
