1. Sea to table
Fancy a laidback long lunch with an ocean view? That’s exactly what you’ll find at restaurateur Judith Tabron’s latest venture ‘First Mates, Last Laugh’ — an elevated all day eatery located on Auckland’s Westhaven harbourside. Having founded Auckland’s iconic Soul Bar & Bistro, Tabron is certainly no stranger to the hospitality game. Though this dining spot will be her first after taking a 5-year hiatus. “This venture will be a little different to anything I have done before, and that’s why I am so excited,” she revealed. “We want ‘First Mates, Last Laugh’ to be an inviting, fun and friendly neighbourhood spot that is perfect for occasion dining but also a place to pop into for a wine and small bite after a walk along the waterfront.” Boasting a menu and wine list inspired by Tabron’s travels to the United States and Europe, diners can expect to find a range of seafood and meat dishes with a contemporary twist alongside comfort foods such as Mac and Cheese. Executive Chef Cezar Takahashi has brought his own flair to the menu drawing on his Brazilian and Japanese heritage. And the cherry on top? An extensive dessert menu with everything from ice cream sandwiches to yuzu mousse.
First Mates, Last Laugh is located at 121 Westhaven Drive and will be open to the public from 18th April 2024. Bookings can be made here.
2. Dining on diamonds
Diamonds and pastries sound like a pretty idyllic pairing, especially when they’re free. Known for their impressive range of luxury jewellery and stellar service, Naveya & Sloane recently hit a significant milestone — receiving their 1,000th 5-star review on Google. To celebrate, the jewellery house has decided to give back to their loyal customer base by giving away 1,000 Amano almond croissants, along with one special 0.35 carat diamond ring, valued at $4,200. For a chance to win, those based in Tāmaki Makaurau can head along to Britomart on the morning of May 1st, where one lucky person will receive a hidden voucher that they can redeem for the diamond ring.
The activation will be outside Ortolana in Britomart, Auckland on Wednesday 1st May, from 7.30am – 9am, or until pastries last.
3. Red-dy when you are
If you’re having trouble committing to a pop of this season’s colour de jour by way of accessories or knitwear, Hermès has the perfect solution. Symbolising life and luck, their iconic Rouge lipstick has been released in Rouge Amazone, an ardent and fiery red. Crafted by Pierre Hardy as a tribute to empowered women, the limited edition lipstick, enclosed in a pouch matching its bold hue, boasts Hermès’ iconic golden permabrass ex-libris cap. Inspired by the noble Duc attelé, engraved delicately on the lipstick itself, it evokes the grace of equestrian heritage. This reinvented Rouge Amazone offers a velvety matte finish, ensuring precise application and rich pigmentation. Moreover, its refillable design allows customisation with shades from the permanent Rouge Hermès collection. But mark your diaries, there are only 20 pieces available in New Zealand.
The collection can be purchased exclusively from Smith & Caughey’s, online and in store, from 1st May.
4. Bling it on
Add a touch of sparkle to your everyday ensembles with ‘Deco’, the latest collection from Sydney-based jewellery brand Saint Valentine. Known for their elegant yet understated adornments, the new collection sits well alongside the brand’s existing pieces, harnessing a combination of sterling silver, 18k gold plating, and cubic zirconia in its designs. Drawing inspiration from classic tennis jewellery styles, each stone is hand crafted in a bezel setting, giving each piece a delicate, modern finish.
The Deco collection is available to shop now at saintvalentinejewellery.com
5. Hopeful threads
It’s sometimes the smallest things that make the biggest impact — which can certainly be said for Breast Cancer Cure (BCC) NZ’s annual ‘Tees for a Cure’ campaign. Since it was relaunched in 2021, Tees for a Cure has generated over $1,000,000 in sales, all of which has provided vital funds for breast cancer research in Aotearoa. Local label STORM have been passionately involved in the cause since 2013, participating in every fundraising show held by BCC, and each Tees for a Cure campaign since 2021. This year, the brand has created another set of unisex tees for the campaign, welcoming a long sleeve tee, crew-neck sweatshirt and classic hoodie imbued with STORM’s rock and roll DNA. Available to pre-order now for delivery in June, this is the ultimate excuse to indulge in a bit of retail therapy.
View the full Tees for a Cure range here.
