Sometimes you don’t know how much you love something until you can’t have it anymore. We always knew how much we’d miss dining out with friends and what a loss takeaways would be but we didn’t realise how much we’d miss fresh flowers.
So it’s with much relief that alongside the shift to Level Three comes the reopening of one of our favourite florists. The brainchild (or is that flowerchild?) of Millie Austin, La Femme Fleur flower truck has been based in Coxs Bay for six years, selling fresh flowers from New Zealand’s best growers.
Austin’s signature bouquets are stunning, luxurious and can now be ordered safely under Level Three via the website. Choose from one of La Femme Fleur’s four colour profiles and let their talented team do the rest. Delivered around the city, this is a great way to not only treat yourself but to show those outside your bubble how much you miss them.
Now that we’re all spending more time at home it’s worth signing up for a flower subscription service. Delivered to your door each week, fortnight, or month, La Femme Fleur’s flower subscriptions are designed to fill your home with the most beautiful seasonal flowers at all times. Their long last local blooms will brighten your isolation week in and out.
During Level Three the flower truck is moving its wholesale offering online too, so you can have access to the best, freshest New Zealand grown flowers every day. After each flower auction the team will create take-home bundles in two palates: whites and greens or bright and bold. The bundles will come in three sizes – $50, $75 and $100 – and they’ll be using contactless pick up from Coxs Bay.
“The flower truck has become such a big part of the local community I wanted to create a way for my regulars to still get their favourite flowers to fill their homes,” says Millie Austin. “I thought this was especially important while we remain in our bubbles and people want to brighten their lives.”
The bundles can be distributed across different vases around the home or be assembled as a single, striking arrangement. Keep an eye on La Femme Fleur’s social media channels for updates on what’s in the bundles each week.
Order the home bundles by emailing [email protected] or calling 02 20775375.
The New Zealand flower industry has been put under huge pressure by the effects of Covid-19 with growers having to destroy hundreds of thousands of dollars of stock. Now you can support local growers and fill your home with beautiful flowers.
“The impact of Corona virus on flower growers and florists has been huge. Now that we’re able to operate again under Level Three we need Aucklanders to come out and support local businesses so our industry can survive.”
As the creative force behind architectural firm Bureaux, which she founded with friend and fellow architect Maggie Carroll in 2010, Jess Walker has a cultivated eye for design. Here we ask Walker to look beyond blueprints and reveal her plans for happiness.
My personal style can be defined by as A domesticated Monica Bellucci character on vacation in the Italian countryside.
The last thing I bought and loved was An Akari H pendant light from the Noguchi Museum that I now have hanging in my dining room.
Jess’s dining room with her Akari H pendant light
My favourite room in my house is My bath with the afternoon sun and a book.
My favourite app is I am always slightly terrified but also fascinated by the Apple Health aps ability to have more of a grasp on what my body has been doing than I do.
An indulgence I would never forgo is Scented candles.
John Lautner’s Sheats-Goldstein residence
An unforgettable place I visited was American architect John Lautner’s Sheats-Goldstein residence in Los Angeles.
If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city it would be Omotesando, Tokyo.
Brookbanks windows
An object I would never part with is I have a number of special artworks made by clever friends – if I had to pick one it would be a sculpture of windows by Stephen Brookbanks.
My style icon is My style icons are a small number of women in my life who have brilliant minds, love to dance and love to cook. A fabulous dress, gumboots, cocktail in hand traipsing through the garden to collect herbs to garnish a lovingly prepared meal. This is my perfect woman.
The best book I’ve read in the last year is The Overstory by Richard Powers.
I can’t miss an episode of Killing Eve.
In my fridge you’ll always find Homemade condiments.
I recently discovered That I am very happy being in lockdown, in my house, with my family.
A gadget I can’t do without is The robot vacuum cleaner I have yet to purchase that works well on timber floors and rugs and will tidy up after my dog and children.
Giorgio Morandi
Donald Judd
Anni-Albers
The one artist whose work I would collect is (if price is not an issue) It’s far too hard to answer this question with just one – it would be a collection of perhaps Giorgio Morandi, Donald Judd, Tomislav Nikolic and an Anni Albers print.
The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was Albertos Lounge in Sydney, followed a few days later by a perfect last supper at Bar Celeste the night before going into isolation and then lockdown, many nights ago.
The podcasts I listen to are I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to a podcast; I prefer to read or watch.
Kokeshi
I have a collection of Kokeshi – traditional Japanese wooden dolls. It’s a collection I have started for my daughter.
The best gift I ever received was Peter Zumthor’s complete works – which comes in a collection of 5 volumes, which my husband lovingly lugged home from a bookstore in the US.
The beauty product I can’t live without is Zoe and Bios face Oil.
Interior Designer Alicia Holgar paused when given the challenge of creating a stylish cocoon for this apartment owner’s artworks and books in a style that responded to the aesthetics of legendary architect Harry Seidler. The only solution was to spend time in the Brisbane apartment bulding, absorbing the needs of the space and letting the fluid floor plan point towards custom pieces for the relaxed environment.
Moooi Meshmatics chandelier from ECC, Space Copenhagen Mater Trumpet coat stand from Cult Design and Vitra Wiggle stool from Matisse
Moooi Meshmatics chandelier from ECC, Space Copenhagen Mater Trumpet coat stand from Cult Design and Vitra Wiggle side chair from Matisse
The soothing and sophisticated result is one of light-filled luxury, with an impressive impact thanks to a cantilevered wall, acting as an extension of the architecture and extending Seidler’s own sinuous curves.
Tapping into the owner’s art appreciation, Holgar commissioned LA-based artist Jessalyn Brooks to create a mural, The Avians, which took its cues from the apartment’s bird’s eye outlook.
Catellani & Smith Lederam S2 pendant from ECC, Knoll Cesca chairs from Studio Italia and Serge Mouille Lampadaire Droit floor lamp from Cult Design
Catellani & Smith Lederam S2 pendant from ECC and ‘The Avians’ original mural by Jessalyn Brooks
The mural sits easily among other artworks, such as Ryan Hoffmann’s brilliant blue circular piece in the lounge area and the ceramics by A Ceramics and Guido Deleu on the Den Holm entry table, which again echoes the building’s curves.
Catellani & Smith Lederam S2 pendant from ECC and Knoll Cesca chairs from Studio Italia
Alongside the custom pieces a selection of classic furniture, such as the Wiggle Chair, the Barcelona Chair and Cesca dining chairs add gravitas to this castle in the sky.
“The space feels impressive but not in the way you would expect,” Holgar says. “Through pushing boundaries and utilising the element of surprise, the calm palette is enriched by a sculptural sophistication, which adds new layers of depth, light and shade.”
Sculptor Norman Carlberg inspired entry table handmade by Den Holm, Nanimarquina Stone wool rug from Cult Design and Vitra Belleville chair from Matisse
If there’s one vegetable that speaks of joy, it’s the bright, sunshine yellow corn on the cob. With plenty of corn still available in the supermarkets, why not trial something new?
All recipes serve 4 people and are cooked without the husks.
1. With Smoky Butter Start grilling the corn on the BBQ and while they’re cooking, in a small bowl, combine a tablespoon of softened butter, the juice and zest of one lime, half a teaspoon of smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Once the corn is cooked (in your chosen method), slather with the butter mixture.
2. With Herbed Goats Cheese Butter Elevate your butter combination with this deliciously creamy and richer rendition. Combine 3 tablespoons of softened butter, 3 tablespoons of soft, herbed goats cheese, 2 cloves of diced garlic (lightly toasted in a pan prior), zest of half a lemon, and a pinch of Himalayan salt. Spread over either boiled or microwaved corn while still hot.
3. With a Pesto Rub At this time of year, it’s likely that you have an abundance of basil in the herb garden, and if you’re up for making your own pesto (or alternatively obtaining a pre-made pottle) this recipe is a delicious, summery take. Once the corn is cooked, brush a layer of pesto on the cob, and shave some good quality Parmigiana-Reggiano on top.
4. With an Asian Marinade Introduce Asian-inspired flair with this delicious glaze. Add 2 tablespoons of Hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons of runny honey, 1 tablespoons soy sauce, and half a diced chilli for that extra kick. Place the uncooked corn onto a sheet of tinfoil, drizzle the marinade, and wrap up individually into their own parcels. Grill on the BBQ until cooked.
Even the least technically gifted chefs know the importance of being able to cook a good steak. It is a rite of passage after all. While everyone, from Heston to Jamie, tends to observe a personal set of rules, there are some cardinal directions for achieving steak perfection.
1. Season and sit Remove your steaks from the fridge, pour olive oil over both sides and season generously with salt and pepper (dousing with oil first will help the seasoning stick). Allow the meat to rest for about 20 minutes, so as to come up to room temperature. This way, it will cook more evenly. NB, sea salt flakes are an absolute must.
2. Use the right equipment Two words: cast iron. To get the best tasting steak, it needs to have a good ‘crust’ and the best kind comes from a cast iron skillet. Our favourite is the Lodge Square Grill Pan from Studio of Tableware. As the meat cooks to a crispy outer layer, it picks up a deeply savoury, caramelised flavour that you might not ever recover from. Investing in a good pan is imperative.
3. Butter her up Again, we come to the matter of the crust. In pursuit of said deep golden outer hue, a generous amount of butter is involved. Heat the pan until it is very hot, add a couple of tablespoons of oil before adding a sizeable knob of butter. The oil will help prevent the butter from burning.
4. The act itself Throwing a steak into a pan of sizzling hot (but not burning) butter should incite a true sizzle. If not, the game is already over. And no matter what your dad might have taught you, it’s vital to remember: thou shalt not cook a steak for the same amount of time on each side. Once your steak has hit the grill, resist the temptation to touch it until it has cooked for five minutes on one side. Then turn it over before cooking for three. Of course, if you prefer your meat to be anything other than medium rare, adjust accordingly.
5. Let it be Once removed from the skillet, slather your steaks in fresh herbs and butter (alternatively, we suggest a slice of Lewis Road Creamery’s, Sean Connolly-formulated steak butter). Leave to rest for at least five minutes before serving them with the flavour filled, buttery juices.
As longtime fans of Azabu, we’re seriously missing their Japanese/ Peruvian cuisine, in particular the fresh raw fish dishes they are famed for. Thanks to Savor Goods, you can now get your hands on the fresh seafood from Azabu’s fishmongers, simply order their Seafood Selection box and be ready to try your hand at recreating some of their famed dishes, starting with the much loved Tiradito.
Tiradito marries Japanese sashimi with Peruvian ceviche. Instead of smaller chunks of fish found in a ceviche, tiradito features large sashimi-style slices. Instead of marinating the fish as you would for ceviche, tiradito calls for finishing it with a bright chilli-citrus sauce. We finish ours with a tangy passionfruit syrup.
Salmon Tiradito Serves 4
Ingredients 200g sashimi-grade Salmon fillet, skinned 1⁄2 Butternut squash 20g Coconut cream 20g Passionfruit syrup Small bunch of Coriander
Leche de Tigre Milk 4 small passionfruit, juice and seeds (around 50g in total) 35g white Fish 5g Garlic, peeled 4g Ginger, peeled 6g Red chilli, chopped 100ml Lime juice 15g Japanese mayo 2g Sea salt
Method 1. Place fish pieces, garlic, ginger, chilli, lime juice, Japanese mayo and flaky sea salt in a blender. 2. Blend to desired consistency, which should take approximately 30 seconds, enough time to bring out aroma and flavour but not the colour and season to taste. 3. Peel the butternut squash. Using a zester, cut fine strips of squash rather like spaghetti. 4. Line a plate with absorbent paper. 5. Add sunflower oil to a pan and heat to 140°C (note – use a deep pan and do not fill more than 1/3 full as the hot oil will rise to the surface as the squash is added). 6. Fry the butternut squash spaghetti for about 1 minute until lightly browned, transfer to the lined plate. The squash strands will not be crispy at this stage but do not worry – they will crisp up as they cool down. Season with sea salt. 7. Remove any residual brown flesh from the salmon fillet. 8. Cut the salmon into thin slices and arrange them in a single row over each of the four serving plates. 9. For each plate, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the passionfruit & Leche de Tigre over the salmon. 10. Dot with a few passionfruit seeds around the plate, arrange a line of crispy butternut squash spaghetti and scatter a few sprigs of coriander over the squash and on the plate. 11. Sprinkle some sea salt flakes.
Bring some Italian atmosphere into your home with this comforting dish from Non Solo Pizza. To take your meal to the next level, order one of Savor Good’s Italian staples boxes that include the ingredients you need for culinary success. Bellisima!
Rigatoni with Spicy Sausage Serves 6
Ingredients 1 tbsp Olive oil 1 large Onion, chopped 3 Garlic cloves, chopped 1kg fresh hot Italian sausages, casings removed ½ cup Red wine 1 400g can of diced tomatoes 1 400g can of crushed tomatoes with added puree 4 cups Rigatoni 2 cups (packed) Fresh rocket, stems removed ½ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Method 1. Heat oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. 2. Add onion, cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. 3. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. 4. Add sausage; cook until browned, breaking up with the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. 5. Drain drippings from pot. 6. Add wine, diced tomatoes with juice, and crushed tomatoes; increase heat and bring to boil. 7. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes to blend flavours, stirring occasionally. 8. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. 9. Stir pasta, rocket, basil, and oregano into the tomato sauce. 10. Simmer until rocket wilts, stirring often, about 2 minutes. 11. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
For more than 10 years Deborah Sams and Mary-Lou Ryan have pioneered ethically-made, elevated basics, with organic cotton T-shirts, cosy knits and practical pants with a fashion edge with their brand Bassike, available in New Zealand at Superette. While the rest of the world is catching up with their sustainable, stripped back approach we pulled them aside to unearth their inspirations.
Deborah Sams – co-founder and creative director womenswear
My personal style can be defined as The way I design Bassike collections. Relaxed and casual with an androgynous feel.
The last thing I bought and loved was A pair of Nike Air Jordan high tops.
An unforgettable place I visited was Rome, it is my favourite city in the world.
Kauai, Hawaii
Next place I’d like to go to Kauai in Hawaii.
An object I would never part with is My engagement ring.
My favourite app is Sadhguru – an Indian mystic that I follow.
An indulgence I would never forgo is A lavender and Himalayan salt bath at the end of a long day.
If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city it would be Harajuku, Tokyo.
My style icon is Cool people in general – I don’t really have one particular style Icon as such.
When it comes to carrot cake, it’s all about striking the perfect balance between healthy-tasting and sinfully decadent. It must be moist, sweet and carry a flavour full of spices that linger on the palate. And while vibrant orange carrots and crunchy nuts should be laced throughout, it should never feel overloaded. As far as frosting is concerned, a cream cheese variety is the only type that should top a cake of this kind, and in our opinion, the thicker, the better.
So, with every other baked good already covered, we thought it was time to divulge our own foolproof recipe for what we consider to be the perfect carrot cake. Scrumptious, decadent and a true crowd-pleaser, this is a recipe that is sure to impress everyone in your bubble.
Triple-Layered Carrot Cake Ingredients For the cake 450g of grated carrots (peeled) 310g of standard flour 3 tsp of cinnamon ½ tsp of allspice 1 tsp of salt 1 tsp of baking powder ½ tsp of baking soda 200g of light brown sugar 100g of white sugar 3 eggs (room temperature) 240mL of vegetable or canola oil 150g of raisins (optional) 200g of chopped walnuts 1 can of crushed pineapple (225g)
For the cream cheese frosting 225g of Lewis Road Creamery unsalted butter 340g of cream cheese, room temperature (NOT spreadable 1½ tsp of vanilla extract 240g of icing sugar 200g of crushed walnuts
Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180 ℃ fan-bake. Grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line with baking paper. 2. Grate the carrots finely and set aside. 3. In a large bowl, sift the flour, cinnamon, allspice, salt, baking powder and baking soda and gently stir until combined. 4. Take another large bowl and in it, beat the brown sugar, white sugar, and eggs with an electric mixer on medium speed until just combined. 5. Keep the mixer running and slowly pour in the vegetable or canola oil. 6. Lower the speed of the mixer to medium-low and add the flour mixture a little bit at a time into the wet ingredients. Beat until just incorporated and stop mixing when there is just a small amount of flour visible. 7. If you want to add raisins, now is the time. Be sure to roll them in a tablespoon of flour to keep them from sinking to the bottom of the cake while it’s baking. If not, skip this step. 8. After the raisins (optional), add the grated carrots, walnuts and pineapple to the batter and use a rubber spatula to fold the ingredients together. 9. Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops with your spatula. 10. Bake the cakes all at once for 25-30 minutes. Insert a toothpick into their centres to check if it comes out clean. If so, they’re ready. 11. Let the cakes partially cool on a wire rack before removing them from their pans and leaving them on the rack to cool completely. 12. While the cakes cool, make the icing. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium-low speed. Once combined, increase the speed to medium-high, until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. 13. Gradually add in the icing sugar, preferably 60g at a time to keep the sugar from flying everywhere. This will also allow the icing to become incredibly smooth. 14. Assemble the cake by stacking them one of top of the other with a layer of icing in between each. Be generous with the icing in order to ensure the stacking is even. 15. Once all three cakes are stacked, add icing to the top and sides and sprinkle the chopped walnuts all over. 16) Refrigerate for at least 40 minutes, so that the icing can set. And note that keeping this cake in the fridge will not make it dry.
With gyms closed and the boredom of performing tricep curls with tins of tomatoes setting in, walking has become the easiest way to satisfy your fitness cravings. Here we investigate the benefits and challenges of taking your walking workout to the next level by chasing 20,000 steps per day. Game on.
Exercising is something in which, generally speaking, I do not like to take part. Whether it’s cardio or strength training, I don’t find enjoyment in breaking a sweat or having a body that aches in pain the morning after a workout. That said, I do think that living a healthy lifestyle is important, and that seems to go hand in hand with regular exercise. So, I started searching for a sport that was easy and pain-free, and one that I could actually stick with (unlike my short-lived jogging phase which lasted a fortnight). But after much deliberation, I finally decided to take on the most effortless sport of all, walking.
In order for walking to be considered an exercise stringent enough that I wouldn’t have to do another HIIT workout again, I set myself a goal of 20,000 steps a day (a number I landed on based on recommendations from the Internet). This didn’t concern me too much, considering that walking took up most of my daily commute. But the Health app on my phone, which had a pedometer that listed the average daily step count for a person as around 7,000, didn’t seem as confident in my mission. It quickly became clear that in order to make this work, I would have to walk almost quadruple the amount I usually would, and although I was ready for the challenge, it actually proved much harder work than I ever anticipated. Did I stick to it? Yes. Did it change me? Definitely. Would I recommend it? I can’t speak for everyone, but if you’re thinking about taking up the 20,000-steps-a-day mantle, I would recommend that you first read this.
It was time-consuming From the very first day, time was the biggest issue. Finding the time to walk over 15km a day while working a desk job from 9am until 6pm meant that early mornings were inevitable. My plan was to walk at least 10,000 steps before arriving at the office and spend my hour lunch break walking laps around the park. I worked out that every 10 minutes would equate to approximately 1000 steps, so in an ideal world, I would have had at least 15,000 steps tucked under my belt by midday. However, the reality was that waking up at 6:30am to squeeze in a two-hour stroll while having enough time to make myself look presentable was simply not realistic. Sleep-ins were bound to happen, which meant that to make up for lost time, I would aimlessly trot around the CBD after work (sometimes for up to 2 hours) like a weird and lonely wanderer. But I was determined to make this work.
Strategy was key After a couple of days of walking until almost midnight to squeeze in my 20,000 steps, I decided I needed a new strategy. I would take every moment as an opportunity and walk whenever I could, rather than try to get the steps done in large chunks. If I had to wait a few minutes for the bus, I’d walk up and down the stop. I would order a coffee and use the five-minute wait for an extra 500 steps and when I would catch up with friends would always suggest a stroll over sitting in a cafe. You learn very quickly that, although they may feel insignificant, these small incremental changes make all the difference.
My umbrella became my best friend Before this personal project, I barely ever carried around an umbrella. It was something my mother would have to remind me to take before I left in the mornings. However, once I understood that an umbrella would become my closest companion, I splashed out on a particularly sturdy one that cost over $90 — and before you start criticising me for my spending habits, the amount of money I saved on Ubers made it well worth the price. No amount of rain was going to stop me from hitting my goal.
No pain, no gain I began to genuinely look at walking as a workout when my legs and feet would ache after a few consecutive days of walking over 15km. Granted, it wasn’t as bad as the pain I felt following my long distance runs, but there was still some tension in the muscles. Not enough to complain about, mind you, but enough to make me feel like I was an active person. I finally understood the satisfaction my friends found from being sore after their gym sessions.
One of the biggest challenges was loneliness Despite travel being a major obstacle, it was still doable. An early morning flight, for instance, meant that I had to get out of bed even earlier in order to fit in as many steps as possible before boarding the plane. The most significant challenge, surprisingly, was boredom and loneliness. Sure, I listened to music and podcasts during my walks, but I could only do that for so long without becoming painfully aware that I was strolling aimlessly, without any clear destination. These were many moments when I would question what I was doing and why. And you’d be surprised at how uninterested people were in my walking habits. My numerous invitations for others to join came up against a fair amount of rejection, which meant that walking alone for hours on end was something I had to get used to.
Keeping this project a secret was extra labour I refused to be one of those people who starts one exercise or diet and announces it to the entire world. Firstly, that just holds you accountable and makes it more embarrassing when you fail to stick with it. But most importantly, I honestly just looked really lame. There are people out there that have goals to make a difference in this world whereas my goal was to stomp my feet 20,000 times. This led to me having to make evening plans as late as possible, so I could arrive with my 20,000 done and dusted. The one time I went on a date and told them that we needed to wrap it up before midnight as I had 3,500 more steps to go, I received an eyebrow raise and a second date is yet to happen.
No time for hangovers On a night out, it was not unusual for me to go well over 30,000 steps, sometimes even 40,000. Clearly, I go hard and have no regrets shredding the dance floor until the next morning when I wake up, broken. What I usually would have done was stay home and feel sorry myself or the entire day, but the steps needed to be stepped. As I was not about the cheating life, even if my step count was over 10,000 from my post-midnight dancing, I wouldn’t consider those into my days worth of steps. I would start completely new which would force me to go out, get some fresh air and there was not one day where I wished that I would have stayed home instead.
I ate more but I lost weight This was a factor that especially intrigued me. All the extra walking made my appetite bigger than ever and my energy levels were consistent and levelled. I was always moving, hence I was always hungry and therefore, I was always eating. In addition to that, the food I was consuming was by no means ‘healthy’ — unless you put fries, chips, doughnuts, caramel slices and Reuben sandwiches in that category. Interestingly enough, after a month of consistently hitting my goal of 20,000 steps, never missing a day, not only did I maintain my weight, but I lost almost 4 kgs. Other variables might have come into play such as stress, but in all honesty, I was having a pretty carefree month and not once did I have to concern myself with the nutritional content of my food.
The Proof
Would I do it again? I cannot state categorically that walking 20,000 steps a day will allow you to eat whatever you want and still lose weight because I’m not a trained fitness or health practitioner. It’s not my area of expertise. I’m merely sharing my own experience and what I can say, is that mentally and physically, I have never felt better. The long walks alone cleared my mind and made my body feel lighter and more active. Most importantly, I became extremely productive and my time management skills improved immensely. I became a morning person as well as a night owl and my days felt longer which made me feel as though I was capable of achieving more. I wouldn’t ‘do it again’ as actually, I have never stopped. I started this project on 5th June 2018 and have managed to meet my 20,000-steps-a-day goal every day since. It was one of the best life decisions I ever made and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.
For more exclusive access to what the city has to offer, engaging content, excellent imagery and thought provoking commentary on the life that surrounds you, subscribe to Denizen magazine now.
