Earlier in the month Anjali and I had a fun little trip to Gore.
We were the judges in the Hokonui Fashion awards with Juliette Hogan and Steve Dunstan – it was such a treat to be away together. We’ve just launched our latest collection and are finishing up sampling for the next collection this week.
Our latest collection, Truly Madly Sleepy is us trying to put some feel-good vibes out into this world.
We love to make sure things feel fun and silly and joyful.
The best book I’ve read recently…
I’m reading Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly, and I love it! She is so smart and funny I’m so absorbed by the world she has created. What a debut!
My current podcast recommendation…
Maintenance Phase – Aubrey and Michael have such great chemistry and it sounds like they have a really good time making each episode.
Three songs I’d happily have on repeat…
If my kids had anything to do with it, the top three would be exclusively Disney, exclusively Moana. I can’t hold it against them when they sound so cute singing along.
Three items I would take to a desert island…
Am I alone on the island?? I’m not very good at taking holidays, so aside from some sunscreen to keep my skin protected from the elements, I would take a watercolour set and plenty of paper so I could try to teach myself a new medium, and maybe Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy – I would love to read this (very long) book, but just never have found the time.
Last TV show I binged…
Recently, after dodging it for so long, I finally got covid. While I was recovering, I watched all of Love is Blind (excellent) and The Ultimatum (terrible). Perfect sick bed viewing.
My favourite place to dine…
Rita on Aro Street – Paul and Kelda have made such a perfect little haven that always makes an evening feel so special.
Best coffee spot…
Customs Brew Bar is just below our workroom and the team are all so lovely. We recently lost our long-time local Milk Crate, and we’re so spoilt that we had another incredible café right next door to help adjust to the change.
Favourite spot for a wine or a cocktail…
I have a little tradition going at the moment with Anjali and a couple of other dear friends where we park up on one of our couches and have dessert, cheese, possibly some red wine, and watch a TV show together. It’s such a cosy treat to spend time together like this.
The fashion item at the top of my wish list…
I’m still searching for the perfect little handbag
Hometown’s best-kept secret…
Te Ahumairangi Hill – I love to walk from my house in Northland up to the lookout and along the ridgeline.
Where you’ll find me holidaying this season…
My partner and I just enjoyed a long weekend in Queenstown for our anniversary, it’s one of my favourite places in the country to visit. We spent the day at Cardrona and stayed at The Rees, and had a beautiful dinner at Bella Cucina – the best Italian in QT.
The best style advice I’ve ever received…
When Anjali gently suggested I should stop dying my hair and grow it out.
The three beauty products I can’t live without…
Aqueous Cream: I buy the ‘Home Essentials’ brand from the pharmacy. I have super sensitive skin and eczema, and this is the only moisturiser I’ve used on my face, day and night for a decade or more.
MAC Haute and Naughty Lash: I am not a huge make-up wearer, but when I do, a simple dash of MAC mascara is always my go to. Any of MAC’s mascaras I have found to be great, but my current makeup bag has Haute & Naughty Black with a lovely thick wand.
Mecca Cosmetica Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Defence, Skin-perfecting with Vitamin E: My newest can’t live without. My lovely friend Willow bought me some as a part of my secret Santa gift and I am a true convert. It’s light and dewy, has a slight tint, and has given me zero side effects, so I am hooked!
Inside my twenty-seven names leather tote you will find…
The Mecca sun cream, plus some Urea hand cream. My AirPods (if I am lucky and haven’t lost them somewhere during the day). My An Organised Life diary (I wish it was), and my Chanel sunglasses which I bought for a 2nd hand bargain in Greytown.
This season I’m splurging on…
New Zealand holidays – after going pretty much nowhere for two years, in the last 2 months my partner Alex and I took our kids up to Ohakune for a weekend to play in the snow, and we had our Queenstown trip this month too. Winter holidays really make this time of the year feel a bit better!!
This season I’m saving on…
Having fun out – winter has been brutal with the kids’ sickness etc, so I feel like we’ve been on a fun hiatus. I am wholeheartedly looking forward to summer, and the pleasure of the sun and all the outdoors.
The last item I bought for my wardrobe was…
A pair of green Doc Martens which I had my brother-in-law send me from the UK, and a matching scrunchie in our Daylight floral to go with my Mallory shirt.
