1. Summer sessions
Negroni on tap, anyone? We’ve certainly got no shortage of idyllic summer spots here in Tāmaki Makaurau, but we’re always on the hunt for new ones to add to the list. Thought up by the talented team at Honest Spirits, Norma Taps is the newest bar and eatery pop up to enter the local hospitality scene. With a brand like Honest at the helm, delicious drinks are a given — so you can expect a range of handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits, craft beers, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages to be on offer. The food menu, which has been curated in collaboration with Passa Passa, features a selection of flavourful Italian dishes to tempt your palate; including pizzettas, burrata and parmesan fries (to name only a few). Housed within a chic sunlit space in City Works Depot, it promises to be a sublime spot to catch up with friends over the summer season.
Norma Taps is open now for 12 months at Shed 3D, City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley Street, Auckland. Head to their Instagram to find out more.
2. Soft touch
Those who love the finer things are likely already familiar with local luxury label Elle & Riley. Known foremost for their dreamy cashmere creations, the brand is welcoming its first ever silk cashmere collection this summer, with pieces crafted using a blend of 85% silk and 15% cashmere. The collection’s colour palette, which features a mix of chocolate, camel, and cream is “a nod to [the brand’s] dedication to elegance and sustainability,” according to Elle & Riley founder, Elle Pugh. Understated and sophisticated, the range will offer an array of versatile styles, including a sleek column skirt, classic flare pants, and a lineup of tops designed for effortless styling opportunities.
Shop the full collection in-store and online now at elleandriley.com
3. Common bond
If it’s a thoughtful trinket you’re in search of, jewellery brand SOPHIE is the place to look. Since its inception, the brand has been dedicated to making timeless pieces to be treasured and passed on as heirlooms, and now, they’re taking things a step further with the introduction of forEVER SOPHIE — a permanent jewellery service. Designed to be worn forever, the service focuses on bracelets and anklets, in a choice of sterling silver, 14 karat gold fill or 9 karat solid gold chain which are safely soldered onto the wrist or ankle. With a selection of chains and charms available to fully customise your unique piece, they make perfect gifts for marking special occasions or milestones.
From December, the SOPHIE team is offering the service by appointment at their Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland showroom. Head to their website to find out more.
4. Hot ‘n’ cold
When we’re in need of a little wellness boost, Sala is typically our first port of call. In the latest expansion from the local wellness and movement studio comes the introduction of infrared saunas and ice baths — both of which are known for their ability to boost mental and physical well being. The two new rooms have been designed by leading interior designer Mijntje Lepoutre and are fitted with Clearlight infrared saunas that include additional LED lights within the sauna for an extra dose of immune-boosting collagen. With a host of documented benefits including stress reduction, easing of muscle tension and pain, detoxification and improved skin tone, they’re a great way to round off a long day at the office. For those who are feeling daring, an ice bath can also be added onto your experience for a bit of added self-care.
Drop in sessions, packs and memberships for the sauna and ice baths are available to purchase now via the Sala website.
5. Thoughtful threads
Renowned for her many memorable partnerships over the years, Karen Walker has joined forces with Fiji non-profit Rise Beyond the Reef in her latest collaboration. Debuting two new woven padanus bag styles handmade by local artisans in Ra Province, a coastal community on the Northern part of Viti Levu, the collaboration blends Karen Walker’s signature chic-meets-utility style with traditional handwork techniques. Focused on supporting rural indigenous women and their families in Fiji by providing sustainable pathways of work, Rise Beyond the Reef oversees the leather finishing and completion of the bags and in the process offers professional job training to youth from partner rural communities. “This collaboration is more than design,” says Karen Walker. “It’s about intertwining stories, traditions, and a vision for a sustainable future. Having always held Fiji as one of my family’s and my favourite destinations, I’m thrilled to showcase a piece of its heart alongside Rise Beyond the Reef.” With a backpack and tote style available to purchase from the collaboration, they make thoughtful and practical accessories to add to your rotation.
Shop the collaboration in-store and online now at karenwalker.com
