There are many things I am learning to embrace during this time of uncertainty, not surprisingly and I’m sure this may resonate with many of you – the head full of grey hair that emerged over lockdown. Now normally those greys wouldn’t have had a chance as I pursued my […]
Here is the latest news from the world of success and business, breaking down burnout, diversity in the workplace and the keys to success. The Performance Pursuit In the ever-competitive world we live in, being busy is almost something to brag about. However, this busyness doesn’t necessarily lead to productivity […]
Even if you don’t much like people, there is no denying that summer, with its high saturation of tinsel, resolutions and warm evenings is most definitely party season. Usually, I escape this time with nothing more than a sense of self-loathing due to flashbacks from the work Christmas do, but […]
There are so many ways in which to get inventive and creative when home decorating, that it can become overwhelming, especially without a solid starting point from which to express the desired mood for a space. Fortunately, when it comes to the strongest visual element, colour, we have the Pantone […]
Now that most of us are back at work, I’m sure there’s one thing we can all agree on – bring back those Friday social afternoons with the work crew! And while the days are hot and the sun is still shining right through until the evening, we still want […]
Other than those annoying people who possess the superpower of being able to fall asleep the second their head hits the pillow, everyone has been through that bizarre sensation of rolling into bed completely knackered… and then staring at the ceiling for hours wondering why they can’t fall asleep. It’s an […]
For those who don’t know, 2022 is the Year of the Tiger. What does that mean? Well, that kind of depends on what your zodiac sign is and a bunch of other technical details related to feng shui astrology, but apparently, for Italian fashion house Gucci, it means it’s time […]
There was once a time where a piece of art was simply an artefact, intended to be appreciated and admired from afar. Centuries of evolution in the medium have resulted in any number of alterations to visual art, the latest being an experience truly unique to the modern day that […]
Non-dairy milk is a food trend that has completely taken the world by storm in the last decade or so. There was once a time when a person ordering soy milk in their coffee at a café might’ve drawn a bit of a mocking reaction from others; “Oh, look at […]
Reusable coffee cups, steel straws and bamboo toothbrushes are just some of the environmentally friendly products we now choose to use in our everyday lives. There’s a lot of innovation in the zero-waste space, and changemakers from New Zealand are at the forefront of it all. The fashion industry is […]
Have you ever wondered why you feel so good straight after a gruelling HIIT session, why cuddling a puppy makes you feel relaxed, or why eating your favourite dessert instantly puts a smile on your face? All this and more happens because there’s some chemical rewiring going on in your […]
With Auckland Anniversary this weekend, many of us from the upper North Island will be making the most of this (hopefully) glorious weekend by spending time with friends and family in the sun. So why not try this zingy Southside cocktail with a couple of metre-long pizzas to get the […]
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 […]
Alongside maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and eating plenty of greens, there are other impactful things you can do to live longer and stay healthy. Longevity is a well-researched topic but some of these proven ingredients for a longer, happier life may surprise you. 1. Prioritise your happiness When […]
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 […]
The couple of years have been tough for those who love to watch their movies on the big screen. With theatres closed for large periods due to lockdowns, many of us have been forced against our will to watch the latest blockbusters and old classics on our modestly sized home […]
Summer is finally here and we’ve got the ultimate cocktail to celebrate the sunny and warm days ahead. A Pimm’s cup is known to be the ultimate English Summer cocktail – think lazy afternoons outside the tennis pavilion after a few games or quaint garden gatherings. And while we’re not […]
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 […]
With 2022 looming we wanted to look back on 2021 and some of the top home trends we saw throughout the year. So from the return of bold splashbacks, feature walls, and a floral resurgence, which of these trends have caught your eye? Which would you love to see in […]
While it has been an understandably quiet few months in the corridors of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, the months ahead look to be increasingly promising for one of the city’s cultural hubs. Since reopening its doors in November following several months without a visitor in sight due to […]
Life can change forever in a split second. This is a fact Julia Vahry, the founder of Vahry Insurance, knows too well. During her decade in the New Zealand Police, Julia’s experience on the front line gave her witness to the moments that can change families forever. She now helps families to think […]
Now, if you really, really like whisky and want someone to give you a bottle or two, then; ‘don’t be afraid to be understood’. You must forget about so-called subtlety and offer your loved ones the opportunity to appreciate your true feelings toward whisky without clouding them by using any […]
When starting a business, or anything new really, our instincts first tell us to iron out the tangible details; What are we doing? Where are we going to set it up? When will we be able to get it off the ground? These questions are often the easiest, because the answers are black-and-white, easy to […]
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 […]
With summer just around the corner, we think we’ve found some of the best spots to relax and enjoy the sunshine. So if you’re looking for a spot to soak in the summer sun, which of these stunning G.J. Gardner showhomes would you choose? Coastal Class Nestled away in […]
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, […]
For The Love of Bees is a charitable trust that really love bees, obviously, but for very good reason. Bees are a vital part of their work, creating a system of self-sustaining urban farms that cultivate quality food for local people through regenerative horticultural practices. Through these sites FTLOB create […]
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 […]
1836 was a very interesting year; the University of London was established; Charles Darwin returned on the HMS Beagle with its hold stuffed full of biological goodies he would use to base his Theory of Evolution on; and foodie mecca Adelaide was founded in Australia. Across the globe, another venerable […]
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 […]
We all have someone in our lives who swears by their daily shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning. More than likely they’re screwing up their face and fighting back the urge to hurl it back up right after (it’s not a substance renowned for its delectable taste), but millions around the work start their day […]
By now, we should’ve all accepted the fact that there is no magical pill or diet that is going to keep our bodies looking and feeling like they were when we were 21. Still, the studies have shown that some diets are certainly more forgiving to the body than others and some are going as far […]
Not to sound dramatic, but organisation is the key to preventing our lives from falling into chaos. OK, that was a bit dramatic, but the reality is, people might think they’re organised because they have their socks paired and know what bus they need to catch in the morning for […]
Every year, I set resolutions for the year ahead with the best intentions. Sadly, my follow-through isn’t as good as it should be and I tend to forget about my January aspirations come June. If you are in the same boat as me, which I imagine many of you are, […]
Sipping a luxe cocktail in a Manhattan bar would be nice right about now, right? Well, now you can stop dreaming and whip up this tasty drop, which is nearly as good as actually being in New York. Taking the classic Whisky Sour and turning it on its head by […]
Doing research when building or renovating your home these days is made a lot easier with all of the information and home inspo available to us. Pinterest has been a go-to for most people but when you spend too much time on the platform, it could be a bit overwhelming. […]
Scott and Reg had long harboured a dream of building their own home. They knew exactly what they wanted and had a very particular aesthetic in mind. “We searched for the perfect location around Matakana north of Auckland for about a year before finding our property,” says Scott. “It’s a […]
When Raymond Davey and his partner began the build process over 4 years ago, Landmark Homes wasn’t the first company they selected. “Initially, we chose another housing company to work with, but we simply weren’t satisfied with their ideas,” explains Raymond. “They tried to give us one of their stock […]
