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 Decodedby 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 Faceby 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 Gamesby 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 Colourby 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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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?
The art of the hand-written note may have gone out the window in these modern times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t claw back some semblance of artful penmanship in time for the gifting season.
Taking place at Ponsonby gallery and boutique Public Record this Saturday, a modern calligraphy workshop focuses on the artform and will aim to help attendees hone their own personal calligraphy style. Led by Wellington-based letter lover Natasha Linskill, the class’s newly-minted calligraphy experts will receive a Brause Rose nib, an oblique holder and even learn how to mix their own custom ink colour for an even more special touch.
A take-home kit at the end of the session will make it possible for attendees to continue to practice the skills they have learnt in their own time, and at $105 per person, there are only a few seats left so you had better get in quick.
Modern Calligraphy Beginners Workshop Led by Natasha Linskill Saturday 7th November, 10:30am – 12:30pm Public Record 76 Ponsonby Road Email [email protected]
From chic stools like David Lopez’s Nina iterations for Living Divani, avaliable from Studio Italia (pictured above), to a liberal use of luxurious stone with which to swathe the bench-top, there are many ways to create a counter environment that is both a chic place to enjoy a morning cuppa, and a convivial setting for communal gatherings.
Whatever material and palette forms your home space, there’s sure to be a stylish bar stool to suit from our selection of top designs.
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Ventura barstool by Jean Marie Massaud for Poliform
Ventura barstool by Jean Marie Massaud for Poliform
Putting a luxury spin on a very familiar summer wardrobe staple, these laser-cut flip flops by Italian-made brand Carlotha Ray are so pretty, they’re almost too good for the beach.
Made from sustainably-sourced rubber, they’re a feminine take on the humble jandal, a shoe that has been re-adopted by the fashion set and on runways for the past few seasons as a chic and minimal sandal option for every day.
Founded by designer Mariela Schwarz Montiel, the scalloped silhouettes and delicate perforations of Carlotha Ray shoes are inspired by porcelain and the filigree metal architecture in the garden of her home in Limoges, France.
Sustainability is important to the designer, with each and every shade of the sandals naturally dyed with Earth-friendly materials. The likes of medicinal herbs and flowers are used, as well as plants like olive, pomace, artichoke, pepper, pomegranate, almond and walnut husks, and soil and vegetable carbon.
While there’s no denying our hearts (and stomachs) will forever be fond of a good eggs Benedict and a fat stack of pancakes, there’s nothing quite like taking your taste buds for a test drive. From croffles to mushroom doughnuts, these eateries are dishing up some of the most innovative brunch fare in Auckland.
Winona Forever Come for the cabinet treats, stay for brunch at Parnell’s popular Winona Forever cafe. Alongside offerings like soft shell crab bruschetta and lemon goat cheese omelette, you’ll find the insanely decadent seasonal pavlova, served with prosecco elderflower fruit jelly and heaps of seasonal fruit. A scoop of sorbet seals the deal.
The Candy Shop Newmarket’s The Candy Shop is the winner of Denizen’s inaugural Hospo Heroes Most Innovative Brunch award, and for good reason. Every item on the menu is a step above, with the croffles (yes, that means croissant waffles) coming with vanilla ice cream, chocolate crumbs and the option to add maple fried chicken. Drool.
Bestie Taking prime position in the back of St Kevins Arcade, a spot in Bestie’s sunny atrium may just be the best way to start the day. Bold and never boring, the menu features deliciously clever dishes, with the ‘Roast Dinner’ providing a cheeky take on a traditional favourite with corned beef, housemade hash cake, poached eggs, crispy Brussels sprouts, lemon sage stuffing and cranberry sauce.
Wild mushroom doughnuts from Honey Bones
Honey Bones Like bees to honey, you’ll find both locals and hungry visitors migrating to Grey Lynn’s Honey Bones seven days a week for a taste of its inventive Middle Eastern-inspired menu. In a step up from classic mushrooms on toast, the wild mushroom doughnuts are nestled on a bed of whipped Persian feta with basil and zhug (a fresh, herby hot sauce). Be sure to add a perfectly poached egg.
Simon & Lee Parnell’s Simon & Lee is the place to be for brunch, especially if you lean towards the lunch side of the portmanteau. Executing Modern Korean fare with undisputed expertise, Simon & Lee’s menu spans smashed peas on Freedom loaf and eggs Benedict with kimchi, to baos, dumplings and some of the best fried chicken in town.
Little Bird Arguably the most innovative of them all, Little Bird perform all matter of delicious alchemy to create the raw, plant-based dishes that are served daily at its Ponsonby outpost. Chickpea and kimchi pancakes, lentil dosa and savoury herb waffles with cashew hollandaise are just some favourites.
Williams Eatery’s bone marrow toast
Williams Eatery Don’t consider a stroll around Wynyard Quarter without pencilling in a brunch date at Williams Eatery. Sun-soaked and family-run, Williams draws on Lebanese and Italian flavours to create its delicious all-day menu, of which the bone marrow toast with smoked eggplant and sourdough is a particular favourite.
Ozone Coffee Roasters We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — Ozone’s kedgeree is the dish that just keeps on giving. The Westmoreland Street coffee roasters do so much more than a good brew, with the aforementioned smoked fish kedgeree, field mushrooms with fermented chilli and Coromandel mussel fritters all offering a brunch experience above the usual.
OdettesEatery This City Works Depot favourite pumps from morning ’til night, with brunch being no exception. Experts at taking familiar favourites and elevating them to new heights, the prawn omelette with ricotta, spanner crab, fennel and lime oil is the perfect example of Odettes’ exceptional brunch offering.
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