1. Garden-variety
Who said a night in had to be dull? Elevate your next dinner party with ‘Le Jardin’ — the newest homeware collection from Maison Balzac. Drawing inspiration from her own backyard, designer Elise Balzac honours nature in all its forms throughout the collection. Flies become elegant additions to your drink rather than annoying house guests, snails adorn the new range of porcelain plates and cutlery, and tulips and sunflowers creep up the sides of glasses, creating a dreamy garden landscape. Whether enjoyed alone or as part of your wider tableware collection, Le Jardin is the perfect way to inject a bit of spring energy into your home while working through the remainder of winter.
2. Out of this world
Swirling spirals and oversized petal details find their home in Meadowlark’s newest jewellery range, ‘Visions,’ which is heavily inspired by the concepts of rebirth, cosmic mystery, and nature. Separated into three drops, the first welcomes a new take on the flower, featuring abstract, asymmetrical oversized petals, which are formed from infinite metal loops. Next to come are new iterations of Fizzy styles from the previous Wonderland Collection, which have undergone a romantic transformation to return in a heart-shaped silhouette. For the final installment, dropping this week, the brand drew upon natural energy forces such as whirlpools and galaxies to create the spiral — a stunning spiritual symbol, which appears in ring, pendant, and earring form with the option of pave cubic zirconias in amethyst or peridot colurways. We’re obsessed!
3. Dream team
If there’s one thing we’re always partial to, it’s a good collaboration. For the first time ever, Christchurch-born brand Glassons has joined forces with emerging Australian label Five By Flynn to create a 13-piece, limited-edition collection of effortlessly-cool pieces. Drawing inspiration from Five By Flynn’s resortwear aesthetic, the capsule features a palette of dark green and cobalt hues reminiscent of the lakes, mountains and striking landscape found in Te Waipounamu/South Island. Welcoming a considered range of trans-seasonal women’s styles, including a matching denim motorcycle jacket and jeans, mini skirts, asymmetrical tops and knitwear, this collection is also home to a handful of unisex hoodies and tees — a first for Glassons. To view the party pics from the Sydney launch and find out more about the collaboration, read our full write up here.
4. Cheers to that
For a chic and sustainable evening out, look no further than Norma Taps. Opened late-2023 by the makers of Honest Spirits, this Tāmaki-based bar and eatery offers top-notch food and drinks with minimal single-use waste. The space is fitted with an innovative 24-tap system, meaning visitors can enjoy all their favourite drinks (read: house-made cocktails with premium spirits by Honest, craft beers, and fine wines) from the keg. After receiving feedback from their community, the hospo spot has also introduced a fresh new fit-out and menu to coincide with the change of season. Perfectly suited for date night, the team have introduced cosy yet spacious booth seating to enhance privacy and intimacy, and — for the sport enthusiasts — a large TV screen. Among the latest menu additions you’ll find a moreish pork and fennel sausage pizza, alongside Italian-inspired sharing plates such as the Cacio e Pepe bites. Consider your weekend plans sorted!
5. A hot minute
Few of us have the time (or tools) to attempt a salon-worthy blowout at home but thanks to ghd’s latest innovation — the Duet Blow Dry — this just became a whole lot easier. The Duet Blow Dry is the first 2-in-1 hair dryer brush for the brand that can effortlessly transform wet hair into dry, shiny tresses without heat damage. Utilising patented Heat-Air Xchange Technology, which is a pioneering aerodynamic system that uses airflow to actively heat the barrel and snag-free bristles, the tool dries and shapes your hair simultaneously, cutting your normal hair routine in half. While the tool provides ample heat protection on its own, you can also go the extra mile by applying the new ghd volume forever cream before styling. Providing an invisible and lightweight thermal protective layer, this cream is designed to work harmoniously with the Duet Blow Dry, leaving you with a bouncy, salon blowout every time.
