Strawberry shortcake from Flour Mill

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Epsom welcomes a charming new cafe serving up sweet treats and delicious fare

Words Albert Cho | PHOTOS Clara-Jane Follas | 13 Feb 2019

Tucked away off Manukau Road, around the corner from the Lido Theatre sits Epsom’s newest cafe — Flour Mill. What once was an actual flour mill factory building has been taken over by Rebecca McRobie. With previous ownership experience at Charlie & George and Stonefields Cafe under her belt, Rebecca has built a strong vision based on what she believes in and is adamant on not being swept up by the trends.

Inside, work by CTRL Space and Fitout Collaborative has given the rustic cafe a modern, idyllic feel, where the soft colour palette of light wood, plush grey and pastel pink contrasts perfectly with the rough brick wall, untouched from its factory days. Baby pink is undoubtedly Flour Mill’s signature shade, present in all the essential elements of the cafe from its coffee machine to its takeaway cups, and even in the food itself. And Rebecca assures me that it’s not because she thought this tone was ‘trendy’ but because it’s what her team at Flour Mill liked.

Cookie dough sandwiches baked by Kookie Haus from Flour Mill

From the moment you walk in, you can smell the aroma of Kōkako coffee brewing as the friendly staff welcome you from behind the glistening cabinet. Sourced from only the best, here you’ll find pastries from the former Head Baker of Amano, Daniel Cruden, doughnuts from Yolanda & Wolfe, Kookie Haus’ cookie dough sandwiches as well as house-baked treats, pink lemonade and fresh salads which change daily.

The menu features a variety of breakfast options from classic creamy mushrooms to more creative dishes like the Gypsy toast, which sees Daniel Cruden’s brioche soaked in orange and topped with crushed pistachios, dollops of pink grapefruit curd and vanilla mascarpone. Starting from midday, Flour Mill offers a diverse lunch menu that everybody can get amongst, including an array of healthy, indulgent, sweet and savoury dishes. Our favourite is the Philly cheesesteak sandwich, a soft, buttered roll that has been toasted and filled with juicy steak strips, sautéed peppers, onions and melted provolone cheese with crispy waffle fries on the side. If you’re feeling sweet, make a beeline for the strawberry shortcake — a skillet-baked shortcake filled with apples and strawberries which is served warm and topped with vanilla bean ice cream and dairy whip.

Flour Mill is a cosy and inviting space which seats up to 25 people and boasts a sun-kissed outdoor courtyard. The warm ambience along with the exquisite food and coffee is everything you’d want in a neighbourhood cafe.

Opening hours:
Seven days, 7am until 3pm
Flour Mill

Flour Mill

409A Manukau Road,
Epsom,
Auckland

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4 reasons why you need to indulge in a CODAGE facial

Words Mina Kerr-lazenby | 13 Feb 2019

Luxurious French skincare brand CODAGE has been a firm Denizen favourite for longer than we can remember, it’s praises are sung by celebrities (Victoria Beckham included) and it’s often the first choice on many beauty writers skincare lists. From the moisturisers to the serums, this brand is quickly amassing a cult following. And while the CODAGE products are easy to weave into our at-home routines, it’s important to remember that when it comes to skincare, no one does it better than the professionals.

Taking these products and working them into a luxury facial treatment, it’s the experts at East Day Spa that you can really count on to get the job done right. If you haven’t subjected yourself to a facial of this calibre yet, these are the top four reasons why you should be scheduling one in now.

The ingredients are of the highest quality
Brother sister duo and founders of the brand, Julien and Amandine Azencott, travel the world sourcing the highest-grade, raw ingredients for their handcrafted skincare before subjecting each one to in vivo and in vitro clinical testing, ensuring that all are effective and safe to use.

There’s a facial to suit everyone
Ensuring that there’s something to suit every skin-type, East Day Spa offers three separate CODAGE facials. The Prêt-à-Porter, for example, is a 30-minute treatment designed to resurface, moisturise and improve the skin’s radiance, while the Couture involves 60 minutes of prescribed serum treatment to address specific skin concerns. Alternatively, the 1 hour-30 minute Haute Couture facial allows you to choose your own focus, whether that be skin purification, anti-ageing or hydration, delivering the treatment not only to the face but to the hands and the décollatage too.

In addition to this, the CODAGE team makes certain that all of its products are unisex and beneficial to all ages, meaning that the facials aren’t only suitable to all women of any age, but men, too.

The experience is specific to you
One of the qualities that keeps the masses returning to CODAGE skincare time and time again is the brand’s ability to create something that’s beneficial to you specifically. The products are tailored to suit your particular skin-type and these facials are no different. Prescribed serums are combined before being delivered to your face by the East Day Spa experts, resulting in a completely bespoke service that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.

It’s a guilt-free experience
CODAGE is not only fiercely transparent about its ingredients, but it also guarantees that from beginning to end, each product is clean and natural without any testing on animals.

East Day Spa

123 Albert Street
Skycity Grand Hotel

09 363 7050

www.eastdayspa.com

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Two of the simplest ways to add cult haircare brand Olaplex to your daily routine

Words Mina Kerr-lazenby | 12 Feb 2019

It’s the highly-coveted haircare sensation that transcended from hairstylists’ little known, secret weapon to a cult beauty brand rhapsodised by all. Olaplex stormed its way into our beauty lexicon over the last couple of years, and it doesn’t seem as though it’s going to be packing up and leaving anytime soon. The brand’s latest offerings — the Bond Maintenence Shampoo and the Bond Maintenence Conditioner — have been available for a few months and have quickly garnered a reputation for the deeply healing effect they have on hair — furthering the groundwork already done by their predecessor, the Hair Perfector.

Far more than your average shampoo and conditioner, Olaplex’s iterations contain the patented chemistry that has given the brand such renowned credibility. Olaplex’s effectiveness is due to its use of a specially engineered molecule, one which actively seeks out and rebuilds hair bonds that have been broken by heat damage, bleach or hair dye. It’s this process that not only strengthens and repairs hair following damage but protects it from future issues too, all while restoring moisture levels and making even the most finicky of hair easy to manage.

Despite being undeniably effective when used alone, the shampoo and conditioner reach their full potential when paired with the Olaplex Hair Perfector. The hydrating overhaul delivers a salon experience in just three easy steps, simply work the No.3 hair perfector into towel dried hair and leave on for a minimum of ten minutes before finishing off with the shampoo and conditioner, used as normal. The end result? A restored, repaired, shimmering mane that looks as though it has been treated by hands of a professional.

Olaplex is available from Haircare Australia.

Haircare Australia

www.haircareaust.com

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Madeline Saxton-Beer transports us to a legendary Provencal inn in the South of France

Words Madeline Saxton-Beer | 11 Feb 2019

There is a special light in Saint Paul de Vence that attracts the artists,” a shopkeeper says to me — or so I roughly interpret — on our first day of wandering around the medieval town located a half-hour’s drive west of Nice. Being halfway through July, the fortified village is heaving with tourists and the entirely foreign crowd mills in and out of the inexhaustible galleries, perfumeries and tchotchke shops that line the narrow cobbled streets. It’s the first and last time we meander through the township before locating our nearby auberge, La Colombe d’Or, where we would be staying for two nights and from whose fortress-like walls, we soon discovered, we would seldom emerge.

Personally, I didn’t know much about the hotel prior to checking in. Only that, during the 1930s and 40s, it was a popular hangout for the likes of Picasso and Matisse who would stay for weeks at a time and often free of charge in return for a few of their paintings or sketches. Contrarily, it had been a lifelong dream of my partner’s to stay at The Golden Dove (its translated name) where he could dine next to the famous Fernand Léger mosaic and sleep under a Pierre Tal-Coat.

After locating the ivy-covered inn at the entrance of the township — no thanks to our aversity for signage, which was quickly becoming a theme on this particular trip — we entered through the large gate of its well-to-do terrasse restaurant, also the hotel’s official entrance. Here, during the balmy afternoon, tables were being dressed in fresh, white
tablecloths and consummate French waiters studied the evening’s bookings.

Inside the main building, a bucolic lounge houses a post-office-like reception desk, managed with chaotic charm by the third generation of the Roux family (by whom the Colombe d’Or was established in 1923). It was what I would imagine a French version of Fawlty Towers to be like; being the height of summer, all 13 idiosyncratic rooms and 12 expansive suites are either occupied or changing hands, causing a flurry of activity. After a short wait, we are shown to our room which is palatially-sized in modern-day hotel terms. Amongst its dressings are an extremely comfortable four-poster bed — my first time staying in one — superb antique furnishings, several works of art by artists who I’m not so educated as to know, and a wall mural that I spent my mornings pondering over the circumstances in which it was created. Romantic, indeed. There was also the picture-perfect balcony overlooking the township and restaurant.

It quickly became apparent that time spent at the hotel is segmented into three different activities: mornings are a chance to sleep in and indulge in room service comprising plentiful coffee, croissants and confitures. The long, sunlight hours are a prime time for socialising around the pool with its huge, Alexander Calder mobile at one end and where, during the late morning and afternoon, a young, next-generation custodian suffers from extreme boredom as he waits for someone to ask him to fetch an extra towel or soda. Finally, there’s the restaurant, which is a crucial part of the routine. Forget about dining out because here is where you will inevitably have lunch and dinner for the duration of your stay.

Come 7 pm, the place is at capacity, brimming with well-heeled, overly tanned Europeans. There’s a delightful, dimmed echo of conversation and cutlery that sounds within the walled garden environs. The menu, a giant, colourful carte that looks as though it might have been scribed by Miró himself, has not changed in many years. From it, you can order show-stopping crudités — the French have a penchant for using whole fennel as a showpiece — my personal favourite; an entire melon with parma ham (clichéd but so refreshing), and whole steamed fish which an adept waiter will fillet at your table.

There’s a red velvet rope that marks the threshold between our world at the restaurant inside the Colombe d’Or and the world that lies beyond. It didn’t take much to understand why such a barricade is necessary; every five minutes during service an inquisitive passer-by from the village outside will pop his/her head in, disrupting a waiter to ask ‘What is it?’ and ‘Can I have a table?’ (only to be met with a very French response). Such is the vibrant, energised atmosphere of the bustling, packed-out restaurant that emanates with a universal appeal.

Normally, such posturing from waiters would be enough to turn me off a place, but there’s something about the Colombe d’Or, aside from the tightly run restaurant, that is decidedly down to earth. It’s an almost century-old institution that’s far from stuffy or precious. Rather it’s indifferently glamorous in a weathered, Chateau Marmont kind of way. The labyrinthine interior serves as an art lover’s playground, where around every corner, there lies a stunning Matisse or a petite Miró — you would hate to think what the insurance costs. It’s personal and robust, and after one stay, you feel as though you have been inducted into an unofficial club. And if you love art, it’s a pilgrimage you need to make. Just be prepared to want to go back again.

www.la-colombe-dor.com

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The most inspiring places in the city to conduct a business meeting

Words Mina Kerr-lazenby | 11 Feb 2019

Having an appropriate space is vital to a well constructed, productive business meeting, but it’s not always the easiest thing to nail. A place with a noisy atmosphere can make it hard for both you and the person you’re meeting to focus, while a spot with intermittent or zero Wifi just reflects poor planning. If you’re searching for a high-quality environment that meets all the requirements, we suggest you take a look at these inspiring spots.

The Cafe — Mutual Friends
A place that really gets the juices flowing, Mutual Friends is the cafe-art-gallery hybrid that crafts the perfect environment to inspire some creativity. Its on-site workspace — QB Studios — attracts a steady flow of like-minded individuals, meaning that a quiet, productive, relaxing atmosphere can always be expected. If you’re hoping to chow down on some quality brunch fare mid-meeting, the eclectic cafe serves up a medley of mouth-watering cabinet treats and a few star menu items too.

The Shared Space — Textile Lofts
For those meetings that require getting down to business with no distractions, a mature, work-friendly shared space does just the trick. Textile Lofts, located in Parnell, is an impressive spot boasting a handsome interior — wooden beams, smooth timber flooring and plush furniture — alongside desktop screens, storage lockers and a well-stocked bar in the social room, perfect for when the meeting comes to a close.

The Coffee Spot — Caffeteria Allpress
For a casual, quick catch up that requires a damn good cup of Joe to get the ball rolling, Freemans Bay’s Caffetteria Allpress is just the ticket. Whether it’s a double-shot almond flat white or a chocolate-drizzled mochaccino, you can rest assured that the Allpress coffee here is the best in the biz. There’s a large table in the adjoining art gallery space, where you can meet with a group surrounded by quality artwork and away from the hustle and bustle of the main cafe.

The Outdoor Area — Albert Park
Granted, there’s no Wifi available, but sometimes a bit of nature therapy is the best way to set things in motion, and Albert Park — in its CBD-central prime location — serves as the perfect opportunity. You’re onto a winner if there’s a spot free near the aesthetically pleasing Victorian fountain, as flowing water is said to not only induce relaxation but also deliver a white noise that can promote focus.

The secret-ish spot — Seafarers, Level 6
Clandestine Champagne parlour by night and open workspace by day, level six of the Seafarers building stands as the ultimate place for a private, low-key meeting. In addition to its hidden location and unknown nature (which results in close-to-none crowds), this spot also server up glorious views of the harbour, making for the perfect inspiration station.

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This pioneering brand is helping us find the perfect vintage jeans

Words Margie Riddiford | 8 Feb 2019

Denim jeans reflect whole lifetimes in their frayed pockets and faded patches. Those vintage 501s you picked up at some obscure second-hand store, for instance, bear wear and tear like hard-earned battle scars — each pull telling a story, every imperfection a memory — and the comfort felt from putting them on, unparalleled.

Until recently, the road to finding the perfect vintage Levi’s was unavoidably arduous and labour-intensive. For most, spending hours sifting through denim racks only to find something that would eventually have to be taken to a tailor just wasn’t worth it, leading to most of us settling for baggy fits and mass-produced options as standard practice. Noting this disconnect between what people wanted from their jeans and what was readily available, Re/Done denim created a niche for itself and changed the game in the process.

Founders of Re/Done – Sean Barron and Jamie Mazur

When Sean Barron and Jamie Mazur decided to launch their small, e-commerce site back in 2014, they couldn’t have foreseen the cult following it would eventually garner. Born from the simple idea of making it easy for people to find a pair of jeans that felt vintage but fit like new, the duo decided to source well-worn Levi’s 501s and re-work them to suit modern styles and sizing. They had three objectives: to restore individuality to the luxury fashion space; to keep important heritage brands relevant; and to create something that perpetuated sustainability. And it wasn’t long before their unique denim brand became a favourite among the young Hollywood set, breaking the duo into the big leagues.

Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber and Kendall Jenner in Re/Done denim

The Re/Done process is simple in principle, but hands-on in practice. Sourcing vintage Levi’s denim from all over the world, the company brings it back to its Los Angeles workshop to be unpicked and restitched into the modern classics they are known for today. Using older machines (some dating back to the 40s) so as to maintain the denim’s vintage integrity and old-school feel, the repurposed jeans — each individually handmade — are turned into high rise, ankle crop, straight skinny and flare cuts, and rendered in today’s sizes. And despite Re/Done’s serendipitous ascent, driven by early backing from models on the rise (Gigi Hadid etc) and sustained by being in the right place at the right time, this label has continued to expand its vision, now offering leatherwear, swimwear, clothing and a variety of denim styles including skirts, shorts and jackets. An important fact for anyone wanting to buy into the hype is that for every pair of Re/Done jeans bought, the company offers its customers free repairs for life. So, if that rip happens to fall slightly too close to a crotch seam, you can send your pair back to the Re/Done headquarters for a thorough stitch up.

Recognising the need for Re/Done’s offering in New Zealand, Workshop has (much to our delight) introduced a selection of the brand’s denim, clothing and accessories into its stores. Available styles include the High Rise Ankle Crop and the Stove Pipe jeans, alongside various iterations of the Classic Tee and Dad Cap, which ensure all our bases are covered for the upcoming seasons.

So next time you’re struggling to find the perfect fit, look no further than this revolutionary label reworking our favourite styles into pieces that will last a lifetime.

Workshop

www.workshop.co.nz

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10 products every man should have in his grooming arsenal

Words Mina Kerr-lazenby | 7 Feb 2019

Men, we know that caring for yourself ain’t easy. With so many products on the market promising to transform you into David Gandy with nothing more than a slick of moisturiser, it can be hard knowing which products to trust. Well, look no further, we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to. Here are the top 10 in the grooming biz that are more than worthy of your time. You can thank us later.

The Shaving Cream
Saturdays NYC has found a match made in shaving heaven — the combination of almond and coconut oil. The almond works as a natural moisturiser, helping to combat UV damage and reduce flare-ups, while the coconut oil provides an über silky surface for the ultimate close shave. We dare you to find a more synergistic duo.

The Razor
Handmade in England from solid brass and with an easy-to-grip rubber handle, this luxurious razor by Marram Co is as fantastically handsome as it is functional.

The Oil
Even those few gentlemen with Mr Twit-esque beards will find solace in Le Labo’s wondrous beard oil. Combining sunflower, grapeseed oil and jojoba, this plant-based formula protects, smooths and nourishes rugged whiskers to a silky soft degree. As an added bonus the formula smells good, emanating notes of fresh bergamot with lavender and violet.

The Moisturiser
Combining anti-inflammatory calendula with hydrating rosemary and vitamin E rich almond oil, the S.M. Novella Calendula cream is a jack-of-all-trades moisturiser that nourishes and hydrates the skin.

The Cleanser
Be sure to opt for something light on fragrance — skincare shouldn’t have to smell like a bouquet of botanicals. This cleansing facial scrub by Hunter Lab keeps skin prepped, soothed and hydrated without bruising your manliness with heavy floral aromatics.

The Fragrance
Like an attention-grabbing evening tux, Clive Christian’s No 1 fragrance is the pinnacle of luxury. Prepare to be the finest smelling chap around with a scent that combines the rarest of ingredients — including 50-year old sandalwood, powdery musk and vetiver. This is a warm, velvety fragrance that is understated yet distinctive (and far easier to don than the tux).

The Hair Product
We all know that dogs are supposed to be a man’s best friend but as far as this hair necessity is concerned, it seems they might have some competition. Davines’ Forming Pomade — found at Servilles — makes styling a breeze, whipping texture into hair while still remaining lightweight and invisible.

The Body Wash
An uncomplicated variation that’s easy on the fragrance but heavy on the skin-conditioning and cleansing, Ecostore’s body wash is just the ticket for the simple, refined man. (NB: this smells divine without delivering that overpowering, just-used-my-girlfriends-shampoo kind of smell.)

The Lip Balm
Regardless of how blistered, dry or cracked their lips are, most blokes are hesitant to partake in a spot of lip balm application for fear of sporting the glossed look. Luckily, Sans’ velvety balm puts damaged lips into recovery mode with its papaya seed oil formula without leaving behind a shimmering residue.

The Make-Up
Listen up lads, men can wear makeup too — or at least they can according to Chanel. Last year, the luxury fashion house debuted its first-ever men’s makeup collection, entitled ‘BOY de Chanel,‘ comprising a range of items you wouldn’t expect to see lurking within a men’s wash bag. Well, guys, times are a’changing, and we couldn’t recommend the easy-to-apply, effective yet subtle, lightweight foundations enough.

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Travelling with a toddler? Anna Southwell tells us why Hawaii is the best place to go

Words Anna Coe | 6 Feb 2019

Travelling with a toddler takes tenacity, but with the right choice of accommodation, it can go from stressful to blissful in no time at all.

There are several rules (which I have only now worked out) by which to abide when travelling with a toddler. Rule one: do not get their vaccinations the week of departure. Rule two: check with the doctor that they do not have the early signs of an ear infection. Rule three: seriously reconsider.

But hindsight is a beautiful thing and off we popped, flying blissfully into the sunset. The new times on Air New Zealand’s Auckland to Hawaii flight are now much more manageable. Instead of a day flight, arriving late in the evening, you kick things off with a delightful night flight, meaning the entire family can arrive on holiday already feeling refreshed after what is (hopefully) a decent amount of sleep — it’s a great way to kick into relaxation mode.

This new schedule also means that if you’re planning on doing a multi-stop trip — not just staying in Honolulu — you should venture off first before spending the night in Waikiki prior to flying back to New Zealand, something I strongly recommend. Honolulu is a busy metropolis, not the place you go to get the typical ‘resort-style’ island escape. For this, you need to venture further afield.

Our first stop in Hawaii was the Four Seasons Hualalai on Kona (the Big Island), also the site of the hectic Kilauea volcano eruption that happened earlier this year. The effects of the volcano and the two subsequent hurricanes were definitely noticeable upon arrival. The airport was quiet and our driver mentioned that there has been a significant decrease in the number of visitors this season (we later discovered that the silver lining of this was not having to fight for poolside loungers).

We chose this hotel for various reasons. I had been dying to go there for some time and had heard that the facilities for kids at this resort, in particular, are fantastic. We definitely weren’t disappointed. By emailing them in advance with details such as our child’s age, we arrived to find a full-size cot (which conveniently fits into the walk-in wardrobe/second bedroom), nappy bin, nappies, baby toiletries and toys. In all honesty, I never imagined I would be touting those as the best amenities of a
hotel room.

The kids’ pool is great and you still get to experience the same poolside service as the adult’s version; they will clean your sunglasses, offer you sunscreen, provide you with fresh fruit and ice blocks, all while you keep an eye on your little one. Don’t bother bringing or purchasing any pool and sand toys either, there are plenty available for everyone’s use. Plus, they offer kids’ virgin piña coladas which make for a great photo opp on the miniature sun loungers.

Our son was too young for the kids’ club (which is only open to children five years and older) and while I have heard stories of people tampering with birth certificates, I didn’t think Raf was able to pass for five, despite being tall for a two-year-old. In saying that, they do have a fantastic kids area that’s part of the club, but is open for everyone. I suggest organising a babysitter through the hotel for an afternoon (or two) and sending them off there so you all get a break. In doing so, you’ll have some time on your own to head to the swim-up bar in the ‘adult pool’ for a piña colada or even just soak up the sun at the ‘quiet pool’ — yes, the picture-perfect relaxation station that you have to walk past every time you head to the toddler haven that is the kids pool.

There’s really no need to leave the resort, with five restaurants (I can recommend the sashimi and lobster tails at ULU) you’ll feel well catered to, and after all, you are there to relax. What’s more, if you feel the need for some retail therapy (read: buying a kaftan that you definitely won’t wear back in Auckland) there are two boutiques, which have great brands like Valentino, Johanna Ortiz and Chloé.

For the more adventurous there’s always a spot of snorkelling on the beach (keep an eye out for the turtles that are often found here) or hit up King’s Pond — the resort’s own natural aquarium that’s home to many fish species and also an eagle ray — which you can book in to feed. Might I also suggest taking a boat trip to dive with the manta rays? Apparently, it’s an out of this world sight — and I say ‘apparently’ as the night we ventured out, they never arrived. The ‘adventure’ involves a boat trip at sunset and hanging out in the water, clinging to a surfboard with lights underneath it, designed to attract the plankton which in turn attracts the manta rays.

When it comes time to leave the resort, it pays to prepare yourself mentally that the service is definitely not going to be as slick or as baby friendly at the next place. If there’s something the Four Seasons does well, it’s service. After six glorious nights at the resort, we then took the short, 45-minute flight to Honolulu. We had booked in for three nights — a couple of nights too many in my opinion. I can concur with a certain news presenter who recently went to town on the exorbitant prices for a tired hotel here — he wasn’t wrong.

Hawaii really is a great family holiday destination. There’s a reason why I have such fond memories of my childhood here — the people are great, the food is better now, and it’s all the more manageable with little people thanks to the new flight times. But one thing I have learned from this trip (the first time with my own child) is that it’s important to stay somewhere that’s fully equipped for babies and toddlers to ensure you all get what you went for — a holiday. Otherwise, it’s basically just the same everyday situation, just in a different, warmer, more tropical location.

Tips for your stay in Waikiki
• Keep your stay in Waikiki to a maximum of 1-2 nights — it’s really only somewhere to rest your head(s) before the return flight to Auckland.
• Don’t waste time with average breakfast at your hotel. Head to Bill’s instead. No longer operated by the Bill, the food is still delicious, and most importantly, the coffee is great.
• Nobu is still one of the best places for dinner (note they’ve moved closer to the Ala Moana centre and the new fit out is great). The bar at the Laylow is a must — strictly for the margaritas. Pig and the Lady and Piggie Smalls are two great restaurants — both serving up plenty of pork dishes as you may have guessed.
• If you don’t have time to get to Ala Moana, last year they opened the International Market Place on Kalakaua Ave and it’s a short walk with a pram (as opposed to Ala Moana which is not).

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Why these whisky cocktails are the perfect warm-weather drinks

6 Feb 2019

Forget notions of whisky’s only purpose being to warm your cold winter heart. Despite its reputation as a fireside companion, whisky is essential to a number of refreshing drinks we indulge in when the weather’s warm. Light, thirst-quenching and thoroughly drinkable, these Chivas-based cocktails are the perfect summer libations.

1. Chivas Collins
Place two slices of green apple at the bottom of a glass and pour over 50ml of Chivas 12. Fill the glass with ice and add in 100ml of lemonade and 50ml of soda water before stirring. Garnish this crisp, perfectly-balanced cocktail with a wheel of lime and prepare to feel instantly refreshed.

2. Morning Glory Fizz
Into a cocktail shaker, squeeze 5ml of fresh lemon juice before adding 10ml of white sugar and a dash of Pernod Absinthe. Then add 50ml of Chivas 12 and 25ml of egg white. Shake the mixer dry before adding in ice and shaking again. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and top with soda water. This is sure to banish that hangover like nothing else.

3. Hoots Mon Spritz
Add 12.5ml of Lillet Blanc to a glass before pouring in 12.5ml of sweet vermouth. Add in 50ml of Chivas Extra before topping with ice and stirring. Set aside a chilled glass of soda water and a lemon twist before pouring the alcoholic mixture over the soda and garnishing for a drink that hits the palate perfectly.

4. Rob Roy
Start by pouring 50ml of Chivas 12 into a mixing glass and adding 12.5ml of Lillet Rouge and 12.5ml of Lillet Blanc. Top with ice and a dash of Angostura bitters before stirring. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an orange twist for an elegant evening concoction.

www.chivas.com

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8 of the finest fragrances to wear on your wedding day

Words Mina Kerr-lazenby | 6 Feb 2019

Our sense of smell is inextricably linked to our memory, meaning that picking out the perfect scent for your wedding day has almost as much hanging on it as the final choice of dress does. It’s important to spend time and effort picking out a suitable fragrance that really resonates with you, but for those that are in need of a little inspiration, we recommend one of these divine options.

Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino
A refreshing and pared back scent, this makes a fitting option for a beach or outdoor wedding. Neroli Portofino is inspired by the cool breezes, sparkling clear waters and lush foliage of the Italian Riviera, comprising floral notes, citrus oils, and amber undertones to create a crisp scent that intrigues and captivates.

Le Labo
With floral notes of jasmine, lily and tuberose seamlessly blended together with more woody scents of vanilla and musk, Le Labo ticks off the feminine fragrance box without being sickly sweet or blousy.

Dior’s Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet
Like a floral bouquet with a bit of a punch, this traditional, eternally-beloved scent intertwines zesty mandarin, white musk and peony with hints of rose Damascus essence. (Just be sure to actually stay at your wedding, unlike Natalie Portman in her 2015 Miss Dior commercial.)

Penhaligons’ Clandestine Clara
For the rebellious lot, this anti-bride scent is anything but floral and fancy. A complex aroma interlaced with cinnamon musk, patchouli and rhum vanilla creates a smoky, velvety, woody fragrance that’s utterly unexpected and forever memorable.

Chanel Gardénia
For those planning a traditional wedding, a timeless, floral scent is key. Dewy, lush greens and gardenia petals collide to create a refreshing, uplifting fragrance that leaves a lasting impression without being too heavy or overpowering — the perfect accompaniment to a sun-drenched summer wedding.

Jo Malone Orange Blossom
In this olfactory ode to orange blossoms, clementine flowers delightfully merge with notes of water lily and orris to create a summery scent that’s refreshing and zesty. The botanicals craft the core of a traditional wedding scent while the orange addition gives it a surprising, sublime kick.

Diptyque L’Eau Geranium Odorata
Make like the newlywed royals and opt for a Diptyque scent to celebrate your big day. (Meghan Markle and Prince Harry chose the luxury brand’s candles to scent their wedding.) The L’Eau Geranium Odorata fragrance blends geranium bourbon and rose geranium with bergamot, pink peppercorn and cedar for a harmonious floral scent.

CREED’s Fleurissimo
If you’re a sucker for a good love story, you’ll be smitten with CREED’s Fleurissimo. Not only does it smell divine — with notes of rose, tuberose and ylang- ylang — the perfume is also steeped in romance, being the scent that a lovestruck Prince Rainier once secretly made for his future Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly on their wedding day. (NB: WORLD offers private appointments with brides, grooms and entire wedding parties to discuss, explore and pin down the perfect fragrance to commemorate your big day, just in case you’re having trouble deciding.)

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