The Christmas rush leave you with no time to catch up on newly released seasons of your favourite shows? Now that a bit more downtime is on the agenda, we suggest adding these fresh seasonal releases to your cultural calendar.
The Great Re-writing the possibilities of a period drama series, The Great premiered to widespread acclaim last year with its “occasionally true story” of Catherine The Great. Far from fusty, Catherine (Elle Fanning) and her husband Emperor Peter (Nicholas Hoult) swig, swear and slight each other, as they charge towards a coup d’état. Now, as Catherine tries in earnest to bring the Enlightenment to Russia, she is met by her mother (played by the inimitable Gillian Anderson), as well as unconventional power plays. With an artful irreverence, the first season’s costumes were inspired as much by the House of Dior as 1700s style, and we can expect to see more swoon-worthy yet witty costumes as the historic characters give each other a dressing down this season. With one executive producer proclaiming that Catherine’s life as the longest-serving female sovereign in Russia is enough creative fodder for at least six seasons of its 10-episode format, The Great could well become a TV show for the ages. Watch on Neon.
Curb Your Enthusiasm After the year we’ve all had, we’re in dire need of some levity. Larry David more than delivers with season 11 of his addictively awkward show Curb Your Enthusiasm. The prickly protagonist remains comfortingly unchanged as he navigates life’s ups and downs in his own, distinctly Larry David-type of way. Watch on Neon.
This Way Up At times both hilarious and heart-wrenching, the compulsive comedy-drama returns for a much-anticipated second season. Luminous Irish actors Aisling Bea and Sharon Horgan reprise their roles as sisters Áine and Shona. In season one, we met Áine after she got out of rehab for “a teeny little nervous breakdown” and followed as she attempted to rebuild her life. Now, things are going pretty well — but there are inevitable hiccups for both sisters, with every twist and turn portrayed with deftness, intimacy and characteristically sharp comedic timing. Watch on Neon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJFVV2L8GKs
The Witcher Nothing like a pulpy fantasy drama for a bit of light escapism. The Witcher returns, and with it, gruff monster-hunter for hire Geralt of Rivia (played by Henry Cavill) and his friends and enemies, as they grapple for existence in their tumultuous Continent. Based on the wildly popular books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, and a trilogy of video games inspired by it, this adaption introduces new complex characters as the epic continues. Watch on Netflix.
Although sweet pies during the festive season aren’t as ingrained in Kiwiana culture as in the United States, we can all still come to a mutual agreement that pies are absolutely delicious. With Christmas knocking on our door, why not consider a pie as part of your dessert spread? Without further ado, here’s our recipe for a buttery and decadent pecan pie that can sit pretty alongside the pavlova this holiday season.
Cinnamon-Spiced Pecan Pie Recipe (Feeds 10-12 people)
Ingredients:
For the crust 2 cups of plain flour Pinch of salt 170 grams of butter — cut into cubes and chilled 2 egg yolks 4 Tbsp of ice-cold water
For the filling 2 cups of pecan nuts ¾ cup of dark corn syrup 3 eggs 1 cup of white sugar ¼ cup of brown sugar 1 tsp of vanilla extract 2 tbsp of unsalted butter, melted 2 tsp of ground cinnamon 1 tsp of salt
Equipment Rolling pin 22cm pie dish Bag of rice, pie weights or beans
Method:
Crust 1. In a large bowl, sift the flour and salt together. 2. With your fingertips, pinch the cubes of butter into the flour and break up the butter until there are no more big lumps. 3. In a separate small bowl, mix the egg yolks and ice water until combined and add ¾ of it to the dry mixture. This helps avoid your pastry from becoming too wet, which is irreversible and you would need to start all over again. 4. Be quick when mixing the eggs and flour together with a fork until the dough just starts to come together. Take your hands and if the dough holds together in a ball when squeezed in your palms, it’s ready to knead. If the dough doesn’t come together, add the rest of the egg mixture. 5. The dough should be quite dry and crumbly as everything hasn’t been fully mixed together yet. Once it’s transferred on a flat and clean surface, bring together in a disc and wrap the dough disc in cling wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to four days.
Assembly and filling 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, fan-baked. 2. Dust flour onto a clean surface and unwrap the disc of chilled dough. Flour the top of the dough and roll it out, turning every few rolls. Don’t be discouraged by any cracks that form and just simply smush them back together. Roll out the dough to a circle about 3mm thick and place into a 22cm pie dish. Trim any excess dough around the sides, then crimp the edges for that traditional pie crust aesthetic. 3. Place a piece of baking paper in the centre of the pie crust and add the pie weights or some uncooked rice. Bake it in the oven for 15 minutes and take it out when golden brown. 4. While your crust is baking, in a large bowl, whisk together 1½ cups of your pecans, corn syrup, eggs, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, melted butter, cinnamon and salt. 5. Carefully lift the parchment with the pie weights from the par-baked pie crust, then pour in the filling. Place the remaining ½ cup of pecans in concentric circles on top. 6. Put the pie back into the oven for 20 minutes, then cover with a piece of aluminium foil and bake for another 40 minutes. Unlike other pies, this one is ready when it’s set in the oven, so if it’s still jiggly on top, it’s not ready. 7. Allow the pie to cool completely, slice and serve the pie chilled or at room temperature. Add a scoop of ice cream if you’re feeling extra indulgent (which, we are).
We’re looking forward to taking all things easy this summer, and the signature shoe of the season allows us both to kick back and stay on trend. Rendered in a variety of resolutely fashionable, utterly practical designs — from Gucci’s Original GG slide sandals with a perfected platform to Christian Dior’s gold thread embroidered slides — there is no stopping where these shoes will take you.
Clockwise: Original GG slide sandal from Gucci, Pool Pillow Comfort mule from Louis Vuitton, Gia Borghinicoffee brown puffy thongs from Muse Boutique, Proenza Schoulerslides from Muse Boutique.
Clockwise: Sunset Flat Comfort mule from Louis Vuitton, DWAY Slides from Christian Dior, Chloé Woody Shearling slide from Workshop, Acne Studios Face Pool slides from Workshop.
Walls in Resene Double Spanish White with borders in Resene Eighth Spanish White. Floor in Resene Quarter Spanish White, large plant pot in Resene Double Spanish White, art deco table in Resene Clay Creek. Chair from David Shaw and Birds and bowl from Good Form.
A custom-painted wall takes an interior to the next level. For this, the framed wall trend is a creative flourish still in line with a sophisticated scene, presenting just the right amount of interest and intention for a considered conversation piece. In this room, Resene Eighth Spanish White has been layered in spacious borders to frame the focal colour block, Resene Double Spanish White.
The latter, complex creamy white adds warmth, as well as a fixture of flexibility, to the linear design. Both colours have been prepped with two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen — tinted first to each hue. Unconventional artwork then adds a final, curvaceous flare to the wall space, while the interior piece of the moment, a bouclé armchair, fits right in.
In theory, it should be a designer’s dream come true to have more time than usual to perfect new creations, before they are presented to the world. In the case of the Salone del Mobile, the pandemic-prompted cancellation of last year’s event, and the delay of the 2021 showcase, must have been closer to a nightmare.
Nevertheless, in a true, resourceful style, both the Salone’s organisers and the participating brands used the opportunity to demonstrate the role of reinvention and innovation in their oeuvre.
When the event was able to take place from the 5th until the 10th of September, it was with creativity, sustainability, joyfulness and prestige at the fore — and a brand new title. Dubbed ‘Supersalone’ this year, the seminal showcase was curated by Architect and President of the Triennale Milano, Stefano Boeri.
Milan’s exuberance remained, and the city came alive with celebrations of design throughout, revelling in the groundbreaking nature of the resulting furniture, décor and concept collections.
Superior seating pulled up its usual place in the upper echelons of instant classics, this year further highlighted with a dedicated exhibition (Take Your Seat – Solitude and Conviviality of the Chair) celebrating the versatility and essential nature of one of design’s favourite objects. Additionally, Arflex unveiled its organic, curved 9000 sofa — designed by Tito Agnoli to allow multiple configurations.
Marco Lavit’s Lemni armchair for Living Divani arrived almost like an abstract line drawing in space, while Patricia Urquiola’s milky new iteration of the Dudet small armchair for Cassina creates a 70s-inspired tableau with the rounded Sengu table.
Those wishing for an airy yet cocooning accompaniment for their dining suite need to look no further than the P47 P M TS-CU chair by Franco Poli for MIDJ, while Vincent Van Duysen’s Marteen sofa is a harmonious yet customisable addition to Molteni&C’s repertoire.
Left: Test-One table lamps by Ugo Cacciatori for Henge. Brand available locally at ECC. Right: Fragments of Infinity by Giopato & Coombes. Brand available locally at ECC.
Left: The iconic Dior Medallion chair reimagined by India Mahdavi. Right: The iconic Dior Medallion chair reimagined by Ma Yansong.
Left: Lemni armchair by Marco Lavit for Living Divani. Brand available locally at Studio Italia. Right: Noonu sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. Brand available locally at Matisse.
In the lighting realm, Fragments of Infinity by Giopato & Coombes is a boundary-pushing exploration of harmony and geometry. Henge’s Test-One table lamps bridge the natural and the manufactured with sand-polished ice onyx that turns from “sculptural opalescence to bright brutalism” when illuminated.
Joining the Supersalone’s ranks were several luxury fashion houses, with interior pieces that more than held their own among the design luminaries — in fact, collaborations were abundant with Dior asking several renowned artists and designers to reimagine the refined Louis XVI style of its iconic Medallion chair.
Rick Owens also joined forces with emerging Italian designers who created new one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by his clothing for a Galerie Philia exhibit.
Louis Vuitton commissioned several designer pieces for pre-order from its Objets Nomades collection, centring around its artisanal leather. The Campana Brothers’ Aguacate shield, in particular, is supremely eye-catching — with nine colourful panels crafted from saturated leather strips to mimic the interior of an avocado.
The limited-edition Royal bar cabinet from Armani Casa proves that sophistication and conviviality are utterly charming design allies.
These two qualities were seen throughout the 2021 Supersalone, demonstrating the boundless energy and ingenious concepts that result when creativity is given plenty of time to percolate.
Viaduct Harbour has long been a favourite location of Aucklanders. Its idyllic waterfront views are invitation enough to wine and dine the day away. The only struggle you may face is deciding on a place to spend a long lunch that could potentially stretch into the dinner hours. As such, we have curated a list of our favourite bars and restaurants in Viaduct Harbour, from rooftop bars to all-day eateries, to add to your list for languid summer dining.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Soul Bar & Bistro With a menu so delicious you’ll want to sample every dish, it only makes sense to extend your lunch through to dinner to make the most out of your sitting at Soul Bar & Bistro. Home of some of the city’s best salt and pepper squid (and don’t forget the mac and cheese), Soul is the perfect place to sink an exceptional cocktail (or two, we’re not here to judge) and soak up the all-weather waterfront atmosphere.
Grand Harbour Chinese & Seafood Restaurant If you have a craving for dumplings, look no further than Grand Harbour Chinese & Seafood Restaurant. This place is an institution and has been serving yum cha to hungry Aucklanders for almost 20 years. Renowned for the freshness of its dim sum, its laden trolleys are emptied after just a single lap of the expansive dining room, ensuring dishes are always at an optimal level of tastiness. Pair with a frosty beer and you’re in for a brunch like no other.
VYC Trattoria Moderna
VYC Trattoria Moderna Formerly known as Viaduct Yacht Club, VYC Trattoria Moderna‘s new offering is serving laidback vibes and plenty of delicious fresh pasta for large group bookings and events. The Tuscan-inspired menu, punchy cocktails of the week and prime position are invitation enough to host a special occasion here.
Boracay Garden Restaurant Centred on bold, distinct Filipino flavours, Boracay Garden Restaurant’s dishes are unique to anything we have tasted before. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with a distinct lunch and dinner menu. The nighttime offering is designed to be shared family-style, so be sure to gather the troops and book a table.
Hello Beasty’s vegetarian dumplings
Hello Beasty Drawing inspiration from Korean, Japanese and Chinese cuisine, Hello Beasty is the place to go when you want to take your tastebuds on a journey. The light, airy interior with an open kitchen is an inviting place to post up for lunch or dinner, with favourites such as potstickers and hibachi-seared lamb cutlets sitting alongside a dedicated vegetarian and gluten-free menu. Don’t miss the KFC (aka Korean fried cauliflower).
Dr. Rudi’s Rooftop Brewing Co. This rooftop brewery, bowling alley and restaurant has all the ingredients for a fun-filled day. Although the chefs at Rudi’s serve up classic breakfast meals on the weekdays, this rooftop eatery and bar shines its brightest on the weekend. With plenty of beers on tap, even more stocked in the fridge and an elaborate cocktail menu, sitting at Dr. Rudi’s never results in a ‘quick drink’. The food offerings are just as grand, with pizzas by the foot, jalapeno and brie poppers and beer-battered McClure’s pickles to boot.
Parasol & Swing
The Parasol & Swing Company If a rooftop bar is what you’re after, Parasol & Swing is here to deliver. Offering a range of interesting cocktails, including a banana miso sour (think miso banana, Tennessee whiskey and vanilla pisco) alongside bottled cocktails and natural wine, it’s the perfect place to settle in for a drink with a difference. No slouches in the food department, Parasol & Swing boasts a deliciously refined menu of classic bar fare, with ceviche, panko-crumbed macaroni and fried chicken all on offer.
Brolly While it may have started off as a pop-up last summer, Brolly (downstairs from Parasol & Swing and operated by the same owners) has proved so popular it’s here to stay. Showcasing locally sourced food, organic and natural wines, craft beers, and bespoke creative cocktails, the cosy, 20-seat spot is a must-try. The Parasol and Brolly team have also just opened a new bar in Ponsonby, should you find yourself up that way, called The Broken Lantern. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Frida Cocina Mexicana and Tequila Bar When nothing but a strong margarita will do, trot along to Frida Cocina Mexicana and Tequila Bar. The inventive drinks menu lists tequila, mezcal and a lip-smacking selection of margaritas, available in three different sizes depending on your thirst level. From traditional to contemporary, flavours range from ‘classic’ to mango, passionfruit and jalapeno. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s an excellent selection of tacos and sharing plates spanning guacamole, ceviche and mole poblano pork ribs.
Saint Alice’s oyster McMuffin
Saint Alice From the moment we set eyes on this all-day rooftop eatery, it immediately became a strong favourite. No matter what day of the week or time of the day, Saint Alice always makes for an enjoyable experience. Expect to find fresh seafood, including oysters and kingfish sashimi, as well as contemporary delights ranging from pork belly to pizza, and refreshing sangria jugs to wash it all down.
Oyster & Chop Oyster bar and steakhouse Oyster & Chop are experts when it comes to surf and turf, serving up classic bistro fare seven days a week. As to be expected, seafood and oysters are a speciality, with the impressive ‘Taste of the Ocean’ seafood platter almost impossible to resist. If turf is more your flavour, big hitters like the Savannah eye fillet or Wakanui scotch are sure to satisfy any carnivorous craving.
For when you’re feeling a little bold, a black watch makes a statement that still manages to be versatile. With hands and numbers picked out in contrasting shades, find your style at the likes of Rolex, Tudor, Gucci and Bulgari, from a classic leather strap to sleek and sporty shapes.
Left to right: TudorBlack Bay Ceramic watch from Partridge Jewellers, SuperOcean Automatic 46 Black Steel watch from Partridge Jewellers, Yacht-Master 42 Oyster white gold from Rolex.
Left to right: Octo Finissimo watch from Bulgari, IWCPilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun watches from Partridge Jewellers, G-Chrono watch 44mm from Gucci.
The new lease on life we all need, new season fashion is here to brighten up our days and make summer road trips all the more memorable. From dashing designer accessories to elevated season staples, liberty has never looked so good.
MIA WEARS Alexandre Vauthier dress, boots, and earrings all from faradays.
MIA WEARS Alexandre Vauthier dress, boots, and earrings all from faradays.
MIA WEARS Alaïa dress, earrings, belt, and shoes all from faradays, Valentino sunglasses from Net-a-porter. ALBERT WEARS jacket, and trousers from moncler, Bottega Veneta sunglasses sunglass bar.
MIA WEARS Top, and trousers from Fendi, bag from Burberry, sunglasses sunglass bar. CELIA WEARS dress, and shoes from Gucci.
MIA WEARS top, skirt, scarf, and earrings from Dior. ROSANNA WEARS top, trousers, and hat from Dior.
ALBERT WEARS top, trousers, and sunglasses from Louis Vuitton.
ROSANNA WEARS top, trousers, and shoes from Louis Vuitton, earringsfrom Bulgari, sunglasses Bottega Veneta from sunglass bar. CELIA WEARS dress from Zimmermann, headband from Gucci. MIA WEARS top, and skirt from Gucci, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti from faradays, sunglasses from Saint Laurent. ALBERT WEARS shirt, shorts, necklace, shoes, and sunglasses from Dior.
Clockwise from front: Rosanna WEARs dress, and sunglasses from Gucci, earrings from Bulgari. ALBERT WEARS jacket from Prada, sunglasses from Louis Vuitton. MIA WEARS dress from Louis Vuitton, sunglasses from Balenciaga. CELIA WEARS dress from Fendi.
Photograph: Greg Adamski Styling: Jade Chilton Makeup: Ania Poniatowska Hair: Ivan Kuz Talent: Mia from Signature Element. Celia, Albert and Rosanna from MMG. Shot on location at Ajman Hotel by Blazon Hotels, Ajman, UAE.
What a year. While 2021 has seemed to go in the blink of an eye, there’s no denying we’ve packed a lot into a tumultuous 12 months. And all of it has been in an effort to celebrate what makes this special country of ours so great.
From sharing the stories of many of New Zealand’s most inspiring people, to highlighting local businesses with our Hospo Heroes and Everyday Heroes, our content has clearly continued to hit the spot as our audience numbers have reached new heights.
We have continued to collaborate with the worlds most desirable brands, to honour great design and uplift worthy causes, and to curate the best in arts and culture.
As we wave goodbye to this year and welcome 2022 with optimism and spirit, watch our dynamic collection of 2021 highlights above.
While we are looking forward to a rest and reset, we are also looking forward to settling in with a good book and learning something new in our downtime. From Dr. Jane Goodall’s Book of Hope, detailing a “survival guide for an endangered planet”, to Robin Ince’s cheerful “adventures in scientific curiosity” in The Importance of Being Interested, these thoughtful tomes make a case for continuous learning. The more you know.
The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall & Douglas Abrams From her famous encounters with chimpanzees to her tireless campaigning for the environment, legendary conservationist Jane Goodall has lived at one with nature for more than half a century. With this profound message of hope, she shows us how to find strength through the challenge of the climate crisis.
On Animals by Susan Orlean Best selling author and journalist, Orlean has plumbed the depths of our relationship with the animal kingdom throughout her many years as a writer for publications such as The New Yorker and The Atlantic. This anthology of those essays explores and celebrates how we live with and alongside animals, from pets to on our plates, wild to domesticated.
Flying Blindby Peter Robison When it comes to corporate scandals, the rise and fall of the Boeing empire is one of the most turbulent. In examining the history of the 737, dramatically framed around the Max crashes, Flying Blind exposes the decades-long story of a corrupt, and corner-cutting, culture that took off to cataclysmic effect.
The Importance of Being Interested by Robin Ince School science never interested British comedian, actor and presenter Ince, but now, 20 years later, he presents a globally beloved science podcast. In his optimistic book, he interviews astronauts, comedians, teachers, quantum physicists, neuroscientists and more to reveal why scientific interests aren’t just for the academic and inspires us to nurture our own expansive curiosity.
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