From cookbooks to cultural tomes, these are the books your coffee table needs

Part objet d’art, part conversation piece, a good coffee table book does more than look great on display. Spanning art, design, food and culture, these new selections offer discerning browsers both substance and style that will have pride of place in your home.

I Can Make You Feel Good by Tyler Mitchell
Here, photographer and filmmaker Tyler Mitchell builds a Black utopia. A culmination of Mitchell’s body of work — already distinguished for an artist of only 25 — this monograph shows how he uses specific colours and light to portray his subjects (which include Beyoncé) in an intimate and optimistic way. 

Open Studio by Sharon Coplan Hurowitz and Amanda Benchley
Not only does this book give unprecedented insight into leading contemporary artists at work but it also details how we can emulate the projects of these artists at home, via helpful, pull-out templates and step-by step guides.  

Juergen Teller: Handbags
On the surface, Handbags might seem to be about just that — an extension of the photographer’s 2019 Naples exhibition of the same subject. But this book demonstrates how Juergen Teller has reshaped the landscape of fashion photography, making it a must-have for fashion and photography enthusiasts alike.

François Halard: A Visual Diary
Documenting in vivid colour, the interiors of acclaimed designers, tastemakers and artists, photographer François Halard presents a stunning series of tableaux — shot with his uniquely elegant, personal, bohemian perspective.  

Today’s Special: 20 Leading Chefs Choose 100 Emerging Chefs
Twenty of the world’s most renowned chefs each select five emerging culinary talents from around the world, seeing the up-and-comers profiled alongside examples of their menus and commissioned essays around why they stand out on the diverse, ever-expansive culinary scene. 

Dior by Peter Lindbergh 
Paying homage to the work of the late iconic photographer and his longstanding relationship with the house of Christian Dior, this two-volume book comprises 80 Dior haute couture archival creations shot by Peter Lindbergh in 2018, alongside a raft of images that he took for the esteemed house across his career. 

Anni & Josef Albers: Equal and Unequal by Nicholas Fox Weber
Offering fascinating insight into two of the most important figures in 20th Century art and design, this book is the first to look at the work of these two masters in one volume, moving from their formative years at the Bauhaus to their influence at Black Mountain College and beyond. 

Snacky Tunes by Darin & Greg Bresnitz
Seventy-five of the world’s leading chefs reveal how music has played a crucial role in their lives via a series of personal stories that pull back the curtain on their creative processes. Featuring candid interviews, never before-published recipes and curated playlists, this anthology is an unexpected and joyful meeting of music and food. 

Culture

The Stars Have Aligned, Babe!
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Dadelszen summer 20-21

Dadelszen’s latest collection is here to inspire a summer of easy, elegant dressing

At this stage in the year when many of us are celebrating the resilience and beauty of our special homeland at the bottom of the world, it makes sense that this would inspire our summer sartorial choices. Local luxury fashion label Dadelszen has honed in on this sensibility for its summer 20-21 collection, The Oceans Between Us, honouring the beauty of our own backyard and rediscovering familiar shores, appreciating them in a new way.

With the ocean such an emblematic representation of our southern hemisphere summer, Dadelszen creative directors Edward and Constance von Dadelszen were drawn to the maritime settings of iconic seaside films like La Piscine, Basic Instinct and The Talented Mr. Ripley, recontextualised with their own uniquely local spin.

The resulting collection is pragmatic yet refined, drawing on the enjoyable nonchalance of warm weather dressing both during the day and after dark with seasonal updates sitting alongside enduring favourites.

Dadelszen summer 20-21

Men’s Harry suiting is reimagined for summer, rendered in a charming cerulean blue seersucker, while for women the Valletta and Elvira jackets have been re-cut in a light yet luxurious blend of fine cashmere, linen and silk. 

With an active wearer in mind, outerwear has been given an injection of further practicality in details like reversibility and breathability, while knitwear exudes effortless elegance and a nautical vibe. The shawl lapel cardigans and ribbed crew necks are must-have additions to any stylish gent’s wardrobe, while knitted mid-length skirts and fine weave jumpers are the perfect feminine cover-up to wear both on the boat or after a dip.

As with all Dadelszen’s collections, the brand’s signature impeccable cuts and silhouettes reign supreme, as does an emphasis on beautifully-crafted fine natural fabrics. Each piece is designed in New Zealand and made by European artisans, a tangible harmony of the influences Edward and Constance hold dear.

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Attention coffee lovers, this special reserve brew is here to add luxury to your day

While international travel might be off the cards currently, that’s not to say our morning coffee can’t transport us over the seas to one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Nespresso’s new Special Reserve: Hawaii Kona coffee is one of the brand’s most exclusive and premium releases yet, and those in the know will be savvy to the fact that Kona coffee is extremely rare and precious, growing only on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island. 

Almost exclusively produced by small, family-run farms, the intensity of this coffee lies not in its strength, but in its velvety, lingering taste. Rather than bitterness, coffee drinkers will find gentle fruity and well-rounded flavours that are light but lasting on the palate. The Kona region’s varied climate and mineral-rich volcanic soil combine to create exceptional conditions for this coffee to grow with these delicious tasting notes.

Espresso-lovers will be pleased to note that thanks to the refinement of the Hawaii Kona, it’s best served short and black to fully enjoy the layered flavour. With approximately only 40,000 bags produced each year — versus Colombia’s 14 million in 2019 — this limited edition brew is very special indeed.

So, if starting the day with one of the world’s most sought after coffees sounds like it would put a pep in your step, indulge in Nespresso’s Special Reserve: Hawaii Kona, perfectly brewed in the comfort of your own home.

Gastronomy

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This timeless family home effortlessly balances historic and contemporary charm

There is something inherently charming about the balance of contemporary and historic. The traditions of the latter serve to remind the former that timelessness is not found in of-the-moment trends. It is a balance that Decus Interiors manages with an expert hand in this delightful Sydney home. 

This home’s contemporary, light-toned kitchen is complemented with Mattiazzi’s Osso stools by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, available from Simon James.

A single-fronted Victorian terrace, transformed for a young couple and their child, this residence is given new life without entirely turning its back on its foundations. It exudes a modern sensibility via its subtle palette and considered use of materials like Calacatta pro marble, Carrara marble and injections of brass and timber. Recurring shades of blue and grey connect the spaces, while verdant touches and furnishings that don’t shy away from the spotlight, offer focal points throughout. 

Arflex’s Botolo chair by Cini Boeri, available from Studio Italia adds a tactile touch

But practicality was clearly never far from the minds of Decus Interiors. This is, after all, a family home and nowhere is this more clear than in the kitchen — where the appliances are cleverly integrated into a clean, simple design, anchored by a marble island presided over by a sleek, custom brass pendant. 

Design

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Top chef Sean Connolly is back with Esther, an enticing new Mediterranean-inspired eatery

Despite the hardships of this year, it must be said we have been blown away by the calibre of eateries that have newly opened in our special town. With other major international cities back in lockdown or experiencing renewed challenges, we feel nothing but lucky to have such a plethora of incredible culinary choices on offer, and joining the ranks is a newcomer to get very excited about.

Conceptualised by top international chef Sean Connolly, who has recently returned from Sydney, Esther is bringing the beguiling flavours of the Mediterranean to Viaduct Harbour as QT Auckland’s signature restaurant. 

Open from today, the sophisticated European-style bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, focusing on simple, approachable food that’s bursting with flavour and cooked to perfection. Inspired by Connolly’s overseas travels to sun-soaked locales, diners will find flavours derived from Sicily to Southern France to Morocco.

Beautifully fresh produce and daily-caught seafood are core tenets of the offering, with a substantial menu that caters to all manners of tastes. Breakfast spans the healthy and wholesome, to the substantial and satisfying. Start the day with a breakfast bowl with avocado, greens, roasted chickpeas, beetroot and barley; or a wood-fired breakfast flatbread filled with eggs, feta, mozzarella and ricotta.

Lunch and dinner sees everything from snacks, stand-alone dishes and larger sharing meals well-deployed, with Esther’s Mediterranean flavours weaving their mouth-watering spell throughout the menu. Start with hot puff bread from the oven, taramasalata, fire-roasted padron peppers, and stracciatella with salted egg yolk. Seafood like Pacific rock oysters, scampi crudo, and Cloudy Bay clams joins interesting small plates like baked sagnaki, a Greek fried cheese dish, served with honey and chilli, and classics like Sean’s signature steak tartare with shoestring fries. 

There are enticing options for those craving pasta, and larger dishes encompass yet more delicious seafood, plus spatchcock chicken with harissa; aged grass-fed rib-eye and lamb tomahawk chops. 

Alongside Esther’s opening, QT Auckland also welcomes Rooftop at QT, boasting panoramic views across the harbour and an extensive cocktail menu. Sitting down for a flavourful feast at Esther, then slipping up to take in the prime outlook on the roof for a cocktail or nightcap, sounds like a pretty perfect meal to us.

Opening hours:
Breakfast: Monday to Friday: 6.30am – 10.30am;
Saturday & Sunday: 7am – 11am
Lunch: Monday to Friday: 12pm – 3pm
Dinner: 7 days, 5.30pm till late

Esther
QT Auckland
4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue

www.qthotels.com/auckland/eat-drink/esther/

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QT Auckland

The arrival of QT Auckland introduces the hotel’s signature quirk-infused luxury to Viaduct Harbour

Anyone who’s had the pleasure of staying at a QT Hotels & Resorts property in New Zealand or Australia knows what a unique and enjoyable experience it is. Now, those visiting Auckland can get familiar with the hotel brand’s particular flavour of quirky luxury, as QT Auckland is now open and welcoming guests.

Joining its popular Queenstown and Wellington locations, QT Auckland is situated in the Viaduct Harbour, and builds on the company’s philosophy of ‘expect the unexpected’, celebrating its city surrounds and reflecting the prime waterfront location.

With 150 rooms and suites, several public spaces and meeting rooms, plus a restaurant and rooftop bar, the design harnesses custom furniture and found objects to bestow a signature individuality to each of the hotel’s spaces. We caught up with the man responsible for the fitout, designer Nic Graham, to hear about his inspirations for QT Auckland’s interiors.

Bold, polished colours are a feature

How did you go about setting QT Auckland apart from the Wellington and Queenstown locations?
Building the DNA of QT hotels started eight years ago in Australia’s Gold Coast, where we combined vintage quirk with a modern twist and a strong sense of locality. We always try to deliver a contemporary story that has vintage influences across building design, graphic design, accessories, art and furniture.

We interpret this differently for each property, reflecting their local surrounds. QT Queenstown brings to life après-ski and the year-long outdoor sports scene, bringing bold ski jacket and active wear patterns to aspects of the interior, and QT Wellington has an iconic art gallery theme as a nod to the creative capital. QT Auckland aptly celebrates its harbourside setting — while not far from the Viaduct and the yachts, we didn’t want a nautical theme, but rather something more interesting and complex. While each QT carries a common design-led thread, every hotel is certainly a character in its own right.

You were interestingly inspired by the form of an oyster for QT Auckland — can you expand on this?
On my first trip to Auckland, it was a freezing cold day, the ocean was a deep green-grey and the site of the soon-to-be hotel was a fairly nondescript office building waiting to be converted into something uniquely QT. After two martinis and a dozen of Auckland’s finest oysters, it was revealed to me how treasured the oyster is in New Zealand, and rightly so. The idea of the rough outside and seductive polish of the inside was a nice metaphor for a repurposed inner city building and hotel conversion — a shell hiding the luxury that lies within.

The oyster narrative is a loose one, but extends to some interior components that we used such as wall textures, bold polished colours, bespoke rugs and carpets and graphics and artworks that celebrate Auckland’s DNA and the mythical sea surrounding the land of the long white cloud.

Bathrooms feature deep green sea wall tiles

What do you love about mixing in bespoke, commissioned and found objects to the rooms?
In a building such as this with guest rooms of many shapes and sizes — some with curved walls — there are many different room and suite types that demand attention. Oyster carpets, concrete wall features and bold use of colour, coupled with a nice mix of chair styles, all point to a cocoon-like room experience. We’ve used colour blocking in the guest rooms as a way to bring the light in.

We especially love the guest room bathrooms with the marble floor tiles and deep green sea wall tiles. The vintage-look ribbed glass and metal screens keep the bathroom connected to your living and sleeping space, and modern light fittings by the beds add nice height and drama to the wall — inspired by the way New Zealand green lip mussels are grown from vertical ropes in the sea. 

The oak floor boards contrast with bespoke carpets and rugs made of New Zealand wool. You’ll find metal wardrobes inspired by oyster cages, plus leather strap details reminiscent of fishmongers’ aprons. Custom oyster-shaped mirrors were made locally, and iconic roly poly chairs are draped in dyed New Zealand sheepskins. 

Two standout local elements are stunning blown-glass lamps and bathroom accessories made for us by Lava Glass, which I found on a holiday in Taupo, and resin soap dishes by Auckland-based Chan Andreassend. 

Misterwolf artworks on level 1

You have worked with local and international artists throughout the hotel, can you tell us who they are and highlight some key pieces of art?
We collaborated with a wonderful local creative agency Misterwolf to create a collection of quirky and unexpected custom ‘salon hang’ artworks in the lift lobbies. This resulted in 90 individual bespoke works delivered in the iconic QT style, a mismatch of customised prints and artworks inspired by local history and culture.

Each element in the collection was created using a wide variety of source material, bespoke crafting and locally commissioned artists and photographers to deliver beauty and humour — often combined in unexpected ways, such as the ‘Pearl Diver’ lightbox; cheeky interpretations like the ‘City of Cones’, a nod to the city’s never-ending roadworks, and the ‘Land of the Long Flat White ’ which points to New Zealand’s obsession with barista-made coffee.

Works by other local artists such as Ilya Volykhine, Louise McCrae and Max Patte are featured in public spaces throughout the hotel. A collection of hanging objects in a lobby niche by New South Wales artist Minka Gillian marries well with lift car and bathroom walls graphics by our graphic collaborators Toben. They tell further visual stories of the mythical sea. A beautiful composition by NYC digital artist Jennifer Steinkamp plays slowly on the LED screen wall in the lobby, as we always try to include digital art into our projects.

Right: Blown-glass lamps from Lava Glass

How do you go about infusing individuality but still making sure the rooms are timeless?
Timeless is an interesting concept in the current world we live in. What does timeless mean? Something that doesn’t age or remains classic forever? QT Auckland is a design-driven hotel that produces some very memorable interior moments that become inspirational and iconic to guests.

We’ve created a series of spaces that have a sense of warmth and sometimes nostalgia, cocooned in the shell of a repurposed building. You notice the colours and textures that aren’t timeless, but they are proudly more of the moment, using a very tasteful palette of well-considered furniture, lighting and objects that build a rich, multi-faceted story of a modern inner-city hotel. It’s not one note. It’s not minimalist, industrial or bougie. QT Auckland has a character of its own, and is unlike anything in the city. This was a deliberate design decision.

To celebrate the opening of QT Auckland, we have an exciting experience to give away. Enter to be in to win 1 night’s stay at QT Auckland for two people, in a QT Deluxe Corner Room.

This includes breakfast for two in signature restaurant by chef Sean Connolly, Esther, and late checkout until 12pm.

This competition has now closed.

Terms and conditions: Subject to availability & excludes event dates. Maximum two people. Valid for six months from competition close date

Escape

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The Cloudy Bay Amphora experience is reimagining the ritual of serving wine

Many of us have our own rituals around opening and serving a bottle of wine. It could be a certain vintage, saved for that extra-special occasion; or a favourite drop savoured at the end of a long, hard day. The way in which a bottle of wine is served can also be a key aspect of enjoying a meal outside the home. Perusing a restaurant’s wine list, making a selection and having it poured at the table all add to the feeling of ceremony and heightened experience. 

Now, renowned wine brand Cloudy Bay has reimagined the ritual of serving wine in a beautiful and memorable way, with the Cloudy Bay Amphora. Bringing together the old and the new, these sculptural glass vessels are inspired by times gone by when large ornate jugs were used to transport wine directly to the tables of patrons. Amphora is also the term for a large clay pot that is often used to ferment and age wine.

The glass stopper on the red wine amphora mimics a vineyard boulder

Cloudy Bay’s versions take cues from the wonders of nature and the landscape from which their wines are born, with their wines now being presented and poured from these spectacular art pieces at Auckland restaurants Prego, Non Solo Pizza and Ostro.

Crafted by award-winning Martinborough-based glass artists Crystal Chain Gang, each Amphora has been handcrafted using the art of glassblowing specifically for Cloudy Bay’s white wine, red wine and sparkling wine varietals. The bases of the white and red wine amphora reference Marlborough’s rocks and glacial soil from which the wine grapes grow. Both with long, elegant necks, each has a stunning glass topper that references the vines and boulders on the vineyard.

The Cloudy Bay Amphora experience is available at Prego, Non Solo Pizza and Ostro

The Pelorus Brut and Rosé also receive the Amphora treatment, with a similar vessel to a champagne bucket having been exquisitely crafted in a pink hue, inspired by the raspberries, cranberries and wild strawberries in the Pelorus Rosé. The bubbled effect also references the foaming sea of Cloudy Bay, and this Amphora will sit elegantly on the table of diners, filled with ice to keep the bottles chilled. 

Prego, Non Solo Pizza and Ostro will be hosting the Cloudy Bay Amphora experience from today, with diners able to enjoy the service with any order of Cloudy Bay wine by the bottle or glass for a limited time only.

To celebrate the release of the Cloudy Bay Amphora, we have a $250 Cloudy Bay dining experience to give away at Non Solo Pizza.

This competition has now closed.

Gastronomy

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Good Fogg Bad Fogg Hot Dog

Good Dog Bad Dog and Fix & Fogg have teamed up to create the hoagie of our dreams

Just when we thought we’d finished drooling over the news that Fix & Fogg has finally opened an Auckland window, a delicious new collab has landed to get our taste buds going yet again. 

Fix & Fogg, New Zealand’s favourite peanut butter purveyors, has teamed up with Good Dog Bad Dog, the city’s top dog dealers, to create something truly special. 

The new hoagie, playfully christened as ‘Good Fogg Bad Fogg’, marks the longstanding friendship between the two brands, a collaboration which was ‘always going to happen’ according to Good Dog Bad Dog’s Oliver Simon. 

Featuring charred chicken, Fix & Fogg’s legendary Smoke and Fire peanut butter, McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles, American cheese and a smattering of iceberg lettuce for some crunch (and a virtuous touch of greenery), this new offering joins Good Dog Bad Dog’s infamously naughty menu of loaded hot dogs and hoagies.

Here for a good time, not a long time, the hoagie is available at Good Dog Bad Dog’s Commercial Bay location from Tuesday 10th November. 

Plus, to mark the occasion in true style, you’ll be able to chow down at a tasty pop-up event taking place at Fix Fogg’s Newmarket window, this Friday 4th December. From 4pm find frosty Garage Project beer, Part Time Ranger drinks and Good Fogg Bad Foggs galore (plus a special Fix & Fogg dessert to boot).

Gastronomy

Win the ultimate experience as Church Road brings its Cellar Door to Somm Wine Bar & Bistro
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Landscape designer Aaron Bell-Booth on working with Suzanne Turley and why there’s no such thing as a low-maintenance garden

With a landscaping career that spans more than 20 years, 15 of which were spent working alongside the country’s most revered landscape designer, Suzanne Turley, Aaron Bell-Booth has pathed an illustrious career that’s involved working on such prestigious projects as the gardens at Huka Lodge. With a signature style that sees sumptuous layered gardens accented with trees and shrubs that deliver arresting sculptural form, Bell-Booth’s unwavering passion for gardens that are visually captivating, yet functional, has seen his stratospheric rise on the landscape.

I wouldn’t say I have a landscaping style, our designs differ considerably from project to project, we do employ the same principles of design such as balance, texture, proportion, use of form, patterns and repetition. When designing a landscape there are so many considerations we need to observe, for example the architecture, the existing landscape and environment and of course we have to consider the clients’ requirements and aspirations for the site.

Westmere garden by Bell-Booth.

I recently completed a rural property adjacent to a tidal waterway. Although the project is ongoing the completed first stage is establishing beautifully. We had the first season of wildflowers and it met both our expectations. The client has an infectious energy and passion for the property. It’s so important to connect with your clients, I believe we shared the same vision from the get-go.

I unexpectedly find inspiration by revisiting old projects through site visits, photos, sketches and design drawings. I guess it’s a form of self development to reflect on past work, and inspiring to see how elements have transformed and developed with time.

The one thing every garden needs is someone who is invested in it. Not necessarily financially but a garden needs the investment of time and care. Gardens are only as good as the effort put into them.

A recently completed rural property with wild flowers.

I’ve admired the artworks of Claude Monet from a young age. My parents always put special attention into nurturing our interests, and being one of six children I’m sure this was quite a challenge. As a child I will always remember my mother taking me to the Auckland Art Gallery to see the Monet exhibition. Not only was it special to spend time alone with my mum but we both loved his work. The way he captured the light, movement and emotion in the landscape.

Huka Lodge

Huka lodge is one place that I often refer back to for inspiration. Although it has been many years since I have been there, recurring images I’ve seen online, in books and photos of work I was involved in over the years when working for Suzanne Turley Landscapes are still relevant today. The property has so many amazing elements from large established trees in park-like surroundings to blended native & exotic borders. The beautiful gardens seamlessly connect you from one area to the next, pathways through native plantings lead you to the private rooms. It is a truly unique and special place.

I will always admire Suzanne Turley’s landscapes. She is an amazing designer and I was privileged to have spent 15 years working alongside her. I owe a lot of the skills I have today to working with her and her team, executing projects of a very high standard of excellence. I can proudly say that the landscapes we worked on together are some of the best in New Zealand.

The work of Paul Bangay.

Globally I love the work of Paul Bangay and Luciano Giubbilei. They both have a sophisticated eye for form, balance, texture and  materials. The landscapes are strong in composition, I like the simplicity of their approach and the use of repetition to make an impact.

If I wasn’t doing this, I would be doing some form of art. I grew up in a creative family, my father is an exceptional florist, my brother an established motion graphics artist, my siblings and I ran a multi disciplinary studio/ gallery at one stage, so definitely art.

The work of Paul Bangay.

I feel our wetlands are under appreciated by many, they are a unique aspect of our natural environment. Ecologically they are very important, filtrating pollutants, supporting wildlife, and a significant carbon sink.

People would be surprised, and probably disappointed to know that there is no such thing as a low-maintenance garden, however simplistic a garden may be, if they are uncared for they deteriorate quickly.

Design

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Cape Kekerengu on the Kaikoura coast

These are the chicest glamping spots to escape to when the weather warms

With glorious weather soon about the hit us in spades (we hope), now marks the perfect time to get organised and look at booking a night or two outdoors before the rest of the country gets there first, seeing as we can’t travel overseas. Let’s face it, camping isn’t for everyone, so for those who are wanting to get a taste of the outdoors while still having full protection from the elements, access to a comfortable bed and flushing toilet, glamping is the perfect fall-back. If you’re after something a little more ‘tenthouse suite’ and less ‘haphazard bivouac’, there’s an array of glamping abodes up and down the country that will serve as everything you could want and more.

The Round Tent 
Just ten minutes from Raglan stands The Round Tent, a Mongolian style yurt which uses distinctively luxe furnishings to create a superbly relaxing and unique abode. You can kick back by the willow-lined pond and revel in the scenery by day, while the on-site fire-pit creates a wonderful place to while away the evenings.

Woodpecker Hut
This off-the-grid timber home boasts intermittent phone service, meaning more time immersed in the outdoors and less time scrolling through Instagram. Enjoy the sweeping ocean vistas by day, while at night, you can witness a sky like no other thanks to minimal light pollution.

Woodpecker Hut

Fallow Hills
Venture down to North Wairarapa (just under a two-hour drive from Wellington) and you’ll find Fallow Hills. Serving as the ultimate romantic escape, you can expect a queen-sized bed, wood-burning stove and two side-by-side claw-foot outdoor bathtubs.

Clifton Glamping 
Serving up picturesque views of the Maraetotara river, dense forests and rolling green countryside, Clifton Glamping is Hawke’s Bay’s glorious hidden gem that is worth seeking out. Beautifully decorated tents comprise a semi-outdoor kitchen, while the glamping site itself offers outdoor showers and bathtubs for a serene experience to remember.

Clifton Glamping

Kekerengu
Situated just 40 minutes north of Kaikoura lies the Kekerengu, set smack-bang in the middle of Ngaio Downs sheep and beef farm. Three large luxury tents create the perfect spot for a group getaway, while the positioning — they all look out towards the rolling ocean — ensures that any guests are served up a supreme sunrise experience.

Fossil Bay Lodge
Just a stone’s throw away from Auckland, Waiheke’s Fossil Bay Lodge is ideal for a last-minute weekend getaway. The romantically quaint lodge offers an array of lotus belle boutique tents, all decked out with carpet, plush queen beds and private bathrooms.

Fossil Bay Lodge

Culture

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Maggie Marilyn announces new store, new collection and new direction

The turbulence of this year has left no industry unscathed, whether that be hospitality, travel, beauty, the arts — or fashion. For some, it’s brought into focus the delicate thread on which everything hangs, for others, the impossibility of continuing at the same rate that things have been going until now.

Fashion’s reckoning had been occurring for some time within the sustainability and ethics sector. Ever since the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster, in which 1,134 people were killed in a garment factory collapse in Bangladesh, conversation, thought and action has been swirling around the churn of fast fashion and the relentless march of the seasonal fashion calendar. Most of the industry has a long way to go to address this.

The new Britomart Maggie Marilyn store, designed by Katie Lockhart

From the time she launched her label in 2016, Maggie Hewitt of Maggie Marilyn has made it her mission to prioritise manufacturing and retail practises that care for both the Earth and its inhabitants, and her methods have evolved with each new season. The latest evolution has come after a year of reflection for Hewitt, who announced this week that her label will no longer be stocked with wholesalers. Instead, it will be sold on a direct-to-consumer basis from maggiemarilyn.com, and the newly-unveiled flagship store in Britomart — designed by renowned interior designer Katie Lockhart, Hewitt intends for it to be the first of many stores around the world.

“Our purpose is to use fashion to create a better world. Our mission is to help transition the fashion industry to one that is transparent, circular, regenerative and inclusive,” said Hewitt in a statement. “Our vision is for a healthy planet, empowered people and an economy that puts these things first.”

Somewhere Sport

Moving away from the traditional, seasonal fashion calendar, Maggie Marilyn will now be released as 95 percent ‘Somewhere’ pieces — the brand’s range of more affordable seasonless basics made with traceable fabrics — and 5 percent ‘Forever’ capsules, designed to reflect the whimsical and colourful aesthetic that drew many to the brand in the first place.

As part of this launch, Hewitt has released Somewhere Sport, a leisurewear range of track pants and shorts, crewneck sweaters, one shoulder singlets and more, all in-keeping with the ethos of traceability and circularity. Both ranges also have an extended size range, now available in sizes 6 to 20. 

While Maggie Marilyn got its flying start selling through international e-tailers like Net-a-Porter, the goalposts have shifted and now it’s about being sustainable in the original sense of the word — able to be maintained, long term. With a mission to use fashion to create a better world, Hewitt is well on her way with her latest venture.

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Malfy Gin Rosa Gintonica

This Gin Rosa Malfy Gintonica cocktail may just be the sip of the summer

Longer evenings and warmer nights mean one thing: the chance to enjoy good times with good company. Enter the Gin Rosa Malfy Gintonica, a sophisticated yet unfussy cocktail that makes the perfect partner for summer entertaining. Starring Malfy Gin Rosa, an elegant fusion of Sicilian pink grapefruit, Italian lemons, handpicked juniper and fine botanicals, this delicate and deliciously fruity gin provides the perfect anchor for this relaxed aperitivo cocktail. Inspired by the Amalfi lifestyle, Italian-owned Malfy Gin embodies the essence of La Dolce Vita. Also known as the Malfy way of life, this philosophy is realised in effortlessly refreshing cocktails like the Gin Rosa Malfy Gintonica. With assembly as simple as splashing and stirring, you can spend more time soaking up those special moments. Cheers to that.

Ingredients
50ml Malfy Gin Rosa
150ml Fever Tree elderflower tonic
5ml sweet vermouth (such as Lillet)  
Pink grapefruit and rosemary sprig, to serve

Method
Build ingredients in a glass over cubed ice and gently stir to combine. Garnish with a wheel of pink grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary.

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Thought-provoking and powerful, these are the memoirs you should be reading right now

We’ve filled our shelves with the latest and greatest novels, gotten swept up in the gripping appeal of non-fiction, now we turn our attention to memoirs — the art of a true story, crafted from memories and written in one’s own words. Lifting the curtain on interesting lives across the globe, these memoirs span from scientists and single mothers to comedy kings and modernist masters.

Girl Decoded by Rana el Kaliouby
Rana el Kaliouby, a young, Muslim woman, became a global pioneer in emotional AI after co-founding Affectiva, a company that revolutionised technology. This captivating memoir follows the scientist’s quest to reclaim our humanity by imbuing technology with EQ to counteract our emotionally-blind digital universe. 

A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
The head writer at Saturday Night Live pens his memoir as a series of hilarious essays that pull back the curtain on the funnyman’s colourful life, and reveal why he has had to learn, on more than one occasion, how to take a punch.

The Hungover Games by Sophie Heawood
Funny, poignant and painfully honest, this is the story of one woman’s journey from a carefree life in Los Angeles to suddenly facing the challenge of motherhood, on her own. Told with frank and fearless humour, it’s easy to see why this soulful, unflinching, tribute to single mothers was so widely acclaimed.

The See-Through House: My Father in Full Colour by Shelley Klein
Having grown up in a modernist house that was like a work of art, with a father (Bernat Klein) whose textiles were hugely influential to 60s and 70s design, Shelley Klein frames her own world by delving into the fascinating, creative life of her father.

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Kick off the festive season in delicious style with Cibo’s new Christmas menu

Award-winning Parnell restaurant Cibo has served its elegant, seasonal fare to celebrities and us common folk alike for over 20 years, and it is fair to say the kitchen knows a thing or two (or three) about turning out a special plate. 

This year, the stalwart is turning things up a notch with a festive menu sure to knock the metaphorical socks off any discerning gastronomes, helping us put this hellish year behind us in the most delicious way.

For group bookings, the menu is available as a two, three or four course experience, with each option including side orders, tea and coffee. Cibo also offers private dining tables, so groups wanting to really kick back and embrace the festive spirit can do so in privacy while the attentive staff facilitate every last detail.

From left: Cibo’s ‘Phenomenal’ pina colada; Lamb with cauliflower, hazelnut and mint

Staying true to the refined, quality produce-led style Cibo is known and loved for, the offering spans land, sea and earth to bring together a delightful combination of interesting flavours on each plate.

On arrival, each Christmas group booking receives sustainably-sourced North Fiordland whitebait snacks. Then, an appetizer comprising crayfish and scallops, spiced butter, burnt coconut and macadamia is followed by the diners’ choice of entrée and main, of which there are four options each. The salmon ‘NYC bagel’ with cream cheese and pancetta is particularly intriguing, as is the lamb and sticky rib with cauliflower, hazelnut and mint. Sweet-tooths will find a lot to love within the dessert menu — pavlova with afghan pieces, dulcey cremeaux, chocolate and walnuts, anyone?

Kicked off with a ‘Phenomenal’ pina colada (or followed up with one), we think Cibo’s Christmas menu will have you feeling pretty phenomenal, too.

Cibo’s Christmas menu is available now until 23rd December.

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Photo: Jeremy Hooper

Hairdressing pioneer Paul Serville on entrepreneurship, learning and history’s worst era for hair

There aren’t many hairdressers in New Zealand who’d be able to lay claim to a career like Paul Serville’s. One of the most respected practitioners of his craft, Serville currently presides over three salons and a hugely-influential training academy. It is the Servilles Training Academy that has, perhaps, been Serville’s most impactful venture, a way for him to leave his mark on the industry he has loved for so long. Behind his accolades and experience, Paul Serville’s success seems to reside in the fact that he has never lost his passion, and his unrelenting ability to pass that sense of purpose onto others. Here, he shares what he is proud of, what he is still learning and why entrepreneurship is in his DNA. 

In 1968, I saved up two dollars to go to the best salon at the time in the country. It was a wonderful experience. They washed, cut and blow-dried my hair (which people at the time thought was a fad) and it was so amazing that I came home and told my mother that that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to make other people feel that good about themselves.

Back in those days, you had to learn how to do the perfect cut. Since then, it has become about a lot more than just a great haircut. Nowadays hairdressing is about creating a wonderful experience that people come back for again and again and again. I noticed that hairdressing became very important after lockdown — I think people realised how much they relied on it to feel good. It just proves to me that hairdressers have a huge impact on people’s wellbeing. 

When I started, my inspiration was taken from the great cutters of the world — people like Vidal Sassoon, Trevor Sorbie and Trevor Sharpe. But now I find inspiration in other fields too, like interior and architectural design and the people in those industries like Philippe Starck. I really enjoyed the process of bringing our new Cityworks Depot salon to life. 

Servilles’ newest salon in City Works Depot Auckland, designed by award-winning architect Jack McKinney.

What I’ve noticed about life lately is how unpredictable it is. But maybe that’s ok, because it gives us this renewed chance to make the best out of the situation.

I think I’m most nostalgic about the wonderful eras that I’ve been a part of. From the trends of the late 60s through to the Bodgies, the Widgies, the Mods and the Rockers that were cool in the 70s, and which kicked off the Hippies (of which I was one) and the Punks. The 70s was a very cool time — a great era to have lived through.

I look up to Davide Bollati, owner of Davines (a line of hair care we stock in the salons), who took over his parents’ company 20 years ago and turned it into this incredible, sustainable global brand. He embodies the values of his business, and lives by the culture he creates. I think he is an inspiration to anybody who knows him or has spent time with him. He seems to always be thinking about what he can do to make the world better, and this shows in his actions.

I am most proud of what I have been able to do for my trade and for my profession in this country. Being able to help New Zealand stand out for its hairdressing talent on the global stage has been one of the privileges of my career. And I’ve seen the way it has helped hairdressing businesses here feel excited about the future. We have put so many great people through our Servilles Academy, many of whom have gone on to be great leaders in the industry.

If there is one thing I’m still learning, it’s about myself. That never stops. But age has allowed me to become so much more thoughtful and considered about things. As a young person I was very full on, making decisions without thinking of the consequences. I was unsettled, always looking for the next best thing. I approach things now with a lot of thought, I’ll always sleep on things before making a decision. 

To me, the worst era for hair was, without a doubt, the 80s. Just think about that Flock-Of-Seagulls hair… it really wasn’t great. The best eras for hairdressing were the 70s. The 70s was such a great time for learning, everything was so new in the development of hairdressing, so everything felt exciting and fresh and revolutionary. 

Hairdressing is a wonderful trade because it’s part of a feel-good industry and the fact that it’s fashion-adjacent makes it all the more fun. Our academy experienced a massive surge of applicants after lockdown because, all of a sudden, it felt like there weren’t as many jobs out there, and hairdressing and makeup both felt like viable options. Seeing all the trainees coming through our academy, I feel really optimistic. What I’m focusing on at the moment is really trying to help people realise that they can have a varied career and an amazing future in this industry. 

I think entrepreneurship is in your DNA, I’ve always been a goer, a leader good and bad. But having a strong sense of self-esteem is really important. I’m pretty fearless when it comes to some shit. People at work will affirm that, but that’s also part of being a good entrepreneur. 

The advice I give to any person coming into this career, particularly the young ones, would be to focus on learning learning learning. Put your feet on the ground and keep your vision and your dreams alive and don’t let things get in the way of you achieving what you set out to. I always say to the students at the academy, the only person who will get in the way of you not achieving what you want, is you. 

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We’ve got your first teaser of exciting things to come from Cloudy Bay

For thirty years, Cloudy Bay has captured the essence of Marlborough in its iconic, high-quality wines. From the estate’s flagship grape variety, Sauvignon Blanc, to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the delicately sparkling Pelorus, the winery — now with vineyards in both Marlborough and Central Otago — transports New Zealand’s famed sensibility of nature and excellence to the world.

Now, the ritual of serving wine has been reimagined by the winery, resulting in an alluring and contemporary way to experience their wines at select restaurants around Auckland.

We’ve got your first look at what you might be able to expect below, and stay tuned next week for the official reveal.

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Masu launches a Sunday yum cha concept that’s worth checking out

I think it would be safe to say that yum cha holds a universally appealing place within our dining culture. The concept of gathering the troops, whether it’s friends, family or both, for a weekend dining experience that is, for some of us culturally different, and others warmly familiar, is exciting. 

Combining our love for both yum cha and Japanese cuisine, Masu has just launched its Sunday yum cha brunch. The new addition is the brainchild of executive chef Nic Watt, who says “I have so many fond memories of yum cha with my kids and my family. There is just something fun about it.”

On Sunday my family and I were lucky enough to try the first service of this weekly Sunday offering. With my young children in tow, both suffering from what can only be described as a Halloween hangover, the idea of sushi and yum cha combined, seemed like the perfect antidote. Because, let’s be honest, we all know how well traditional yum cha goes down on a hangover.

The service starts with a roaming trolley piled high with a delectable array of artfully created sushi, from classic salmon and avocado, to more exotic variants like crab with spicy sauce. What caught my ever-roving eye however, were the bottles of Perrier-Jouët perfectly lined up at the end of the cart. What a great idea! Nothing goes down better with the freshest sashimi than a delectable drop of French Champagne, especially on a Sunday.

The cart service features an array of cold dishes; sushi, nigiri, and sashimi with each dish presented on traditional Kaiten sushi plates. A separate menu of specially created hot dishes does not disappoint either. The restaurant’s signature miso black cod features, along with their delicious lamb cutlets, both at a more palatable price than the evening menu, in-keeping with the yum cha concept of cheap and cheerful. Also on offer is a range of quintessential Japanese family dishes such as the Okonomiyaki pancake, chicken yakisoba noodles, and a firm favourite within my family: black cod croquettes.

As usual with yum cha, it’s hard to not get carried away, snatching plates at every opportunity, but there’s also something inherently light and refreshing about starting with sushi and sashimi that doesn’t leave you feeling overwhelmed. Which was very good news as we spotted the dessert cart heading in our direction, complete with a range of desserts including a fruit custard and an utterly delicious matcha crêpe cake.

Masu’s new brunch experience is available every Sunday from 11am. 

Gastronomy

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My favourite things: Luxury realtor and artist Scrap Wall shares his most adored objects

Alongside his father Graham and brother Ollie, Scrap Wall has sold many of New Zealand’s most prestigious properties through their family business Wall Real Estate. His unerring eye for design is also applied to his work as an artist. Here, the fan of unbridled creativity and supporter of local talent shares a few of his favourite things.

“On the left is a Jonathan Zawada marble table from Sarah Cottier Gallery in Sydney, which was my first acquisition as artistic director of Sydney Art Month in 2014. It reminds me of good times celebrating creativity.

On top of the table are two double-ended goblets by glass artist Luke Jacomb alongside a tiny cube of pyrite, which is the only mineral that creates a naturally forming geometric shape, which I find fascinating. The other two cubes are crafted from anodised aluminium and are by NZ artist Peter Robinson. The photo is of my beautiful boy Teddy under a pohutukawa tree, which I keep on my bedside table.

In the rear is a juicer which was a gift from my grandmother, who recently turned 100. Despite being crudely repaired at some point by my grandfather, it still works a treat. On the small middle cube are Martin Margiela’s Babushka dolls, a gift from my brother and a great representation of my love of my family. Alongside is my late grandfather’s drill kit, which I keep as a reminder to be organised.

On the mirror cube by Sam Lennon (to the right) is my favourite artwork by the late Bill Culbert. I love its pure simplicity. In front sits a stainless steel cast of my own hand, with a black ribbon tied around the forefinger to remind me to always look forward. In the foreground on the floor is my son Teddy’s first painting, and on top sits a toy replica of BMW’s Art Car that raced in Le Mans, with artist Jenny Holzer’s truisms printed on it which include: “Protect me from what I want”, “Lack of charisma can be fatal”, “You are so complex you don’t respond to danger”, “Monomania is a prerequisite of success” and “The unobtainable is very attractive”. Each of these statements resonate with me deeply.

The books in the foreground are ones I always come back to; Gerhard Richter’s The Daily Practice of Painting, Herzog & de Meuron’s Natural History, an accompanying catalogue documenting an exhibition about nothing, Donald Judd’s Complete Writings, Fiona Connor’s recent publication, and the book Black Paintings. The lamp to the right is Achille Castiglioni for Flos, which is a genius assemblage that sees a car headlight on a fishing rod. On the wall is an artwork by Matthew Allen.”

Image credit: Jeremy Hooper

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Butterfly sleeper earrings and pendant in gold
Butterfly pendant and sleeper earrings in rose gold
Flower sleeper and drop earrings

Wish lists at the ready, Sutcliffe Jewellery’s covetable new pieces belong in your collection

Artisan jeweller Brent Sutcliffe is one of the country’s most skilled craftspeople in the realm of fine jewellery. With over 30 years of experience creating bespoke pieces for discerning clients, both on our shores and in the UK, the name Sutcliffe is synonymous with exquisite, hand-crafted pieces of unparalleled quality. 

Sutcliffe’s in-house collections are just as stunning as the bespoke creations, with the latest additions taking cues from nature, as many of the maker’s stunning pieces have done in the past. A series of butterfly pendants and sleeper earrings are beautifully delicate, formed from four diamonds measuring 6.5mm wide by 6mm tall, complemented by rose gold, white gold or yellow gold. 

Whimsical yellow gold flower earrings are also joining the fold, rendered in sweet, stylised shapes as either a sleeper or a drop earring. 

Both the butterfly and flower designs are simple and classical, yet with a modern twist, in-keeping with the Sutcliffe style coveted by many. With more to come, these pieces are available now, and with gifting season upon us we suggest you start dropping some very pointed hints — or just treat yourself.

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Ecoya's new Fragranced Ceramic Stone

Get into the festive spirit with Ecoya’s Pacific-inspired Christmas collection

We all have our own traditions when it comes to Christmas. The time of year that sees most of us gathering with our nearest and dearest, returning once more to treasured rituals, is steeped in memory and meaning. For their 2020 Christmas collection, Ecoya has tapped into the importance of traditions, celebrating the aforementioned from three different parts of the Pacific with its three festive fragrances.

Lagoon is inspired by the festive season in the Pacific Islands, tempering sweet coconut palm with hints of sea salt and creamy vanilla, brought together with gentle touches of frangipani and rose. Sakura is a nod to Indonesia’s celebrations with a citrusy mix of Indonesian pear and tropical pineapple nectar, muddled with sweet Mirabelle plum and pomelo and finished with notes of Sambac Jasmine, sakura and geranium atop a base of amber and red fruits.

The iconic Fresh Pine scent, now into its ninth year, conjures the Christmas spirit from Australia and New Zealand, capturing the essence of our sun-soaked holiday season with its grassy glow of fresh pine needles, freshly-sawn forest woods, citrus and rosewoods. Available within Ecoya’s Madison Jar, Monty Jar and Tea Light candles, plus the Mini Diffuser and Car Diffuser, this year sees the addition of the Fragranced Ceramic Stone to the collection, designed to be hung in the home to gently perfume a linen cupboard or wardrobe.

Also new to the gifting fold are the natural beeswax Fragranced Taper Candles, sure to be an in-demand inclusion to the living space in three of Ecoya’s most popular fragrances: French Pear, Lotus Flower and Guava & Lychee Sorbet.

With so many options to choose from, safe to say Ecoya has us all covered when it comes to gifting this year — after all, who doesn’t love a candle?

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