With thought-provoking labels and flavours that read more like lip-glosses than elevated wine varietals, Young & Co. is the cutting-edge brand putting a sassy spin on the sophisticated world of viticulture. Breaking the mould of classically high-brow wine (in all but the wines themselves), this New Zealand brand is carving its own distinct path, by not taking itself too seriously and creating bottles that practically leap off the shelves.
Wrapped in labels that hero bold, voluptuous lips and catchy names — including ‘Berry Riot,’ for a French Grenache and ‘The Jam,’ for a McLaren Vale Shiraz — Young & Co.’s wines are certainly not your typical drop. And while its red wines have laid the foundation for Young & Co.’s following, it’s the refreshing line-up of white and rose varietals that are stealing the spotlight this season.
Young & Co. Wines
In a salute to the summer staples, Young & Co.’s ‘Passion Crush,’ a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, ‘Butterscotch Bliss,’ a Californian Chardonnay and ‘Strawberry Hustle,’ a Hawke’s Bay Rosé are the bright new range for the brand, landing just in time for the long lunches and languid afternoons that summer inevitably brings.
Each boasting their own tantalising, lively flavours — from invigorating berry to hints of vanilla bean and honeysuckle — this new series of conversation-starting wines will offer timely respite from the season’s heat and are set to be the perfect drops to enjoy with friends.
The end of the year brings with it a time of great revelry. It’s a time for catching up with old friends, reconnecting with family and generally indulging in good food and drinks that celebrate the year that’s been.
That said, it pays to make sure you are adequately prepared for the good times ahead, which includes catering to house guests (even if unplanned, people will inevitably end up at your house at some point or other). A fully-stocked at-home bar will be your saviour when situations like this arise, and will undoubtedly result in you being crowned the MVP of party season.
Luckily, Delux Interiors has a line-up of bar cabinets to suit any taste or situation, and we’ve rounded up three of the best. These will make at-home hosting — impromptu or not — a total breeze and are designed to be filled with your favourite spirits and glassware so that when guests arrive, everything you need is right there, ready to go.
For the minimalist The Piet Bar is smaller than most, but that’s not to say it doesn’t make an impact. Perched on long, elegant legs and with plenty of space to stock the essentials, this simple, sleek cabinet will sit quietly in the corner until it’s needed — at which point, it will spring to life.
For the traditionalist Delux Interior’s Piano Bar is the kind you might expect to find in a room festooned in leather and mahogany. With a stoic, impressive presence and ample space for all the essentials and more, this is the perfect place to store your favourite glassware and special-occasion spirits and is sure to make a bold impression on anyone who enters the room.
For the modernist With its dark, patterned-wood facade and simple shape, the Viento Bar draws on Art Deco motifs to offer something a little different. Big but not imposing and subtle but not unnoticeable, this bar cabinet has a suave presence that will transport you to a more glamorous time and will imbue any celebration with a similarly sophisticated vibe.
Carrying lauded brands like Chaumet and Pasquale Bruni, Hartfield Jewellers has long been a go-to when it comes to finding a meaningful gift for that special someone. And while getting there is a good first step, when it comes to actually choosing a piece, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.
Lucky then, that Hartfield has put together a guide of its own, to help its customers navigate the various styles on offer and really get that all-important Christmas gift right. From delicate earrings to stackable rings and beautiful necklaces, the line-up is all-encompassing and will prove helpful for anyone feeling a bit lost.
These are some of our picks.
Clockwise from top left: Pasquale Bruni Petite Garden earrings, Pasquale Bruni Bon Ton white quartz ring, Chaumet Liens Seduction necklace, Pasquale Bruni Figlia Dei Fiori pink chalcedony earrings, Pasquale Bruni Fioremi earrings, Pasquale Bruni Petite Garden diamond ring, Chaumet Bee My Love earrings, Chaumet Liens Seduction earrings, Chaumet Jeux de Liens pink gold diamond bracelet, all included in Hartfield Jewellers’ Gift Guide.
Four years ago, Mahsa launched to provide timeless, versatile pieces (then mostly shirting) to women who valued longevity. And it quickly established itself as a brand that advocated for a slower approach to fashion. Really, it was right at the forefront of what has now become a collective move away from fast, throwaway fashion and towards careful sartorial curation — one of the first local labels that built its identity on simple, well-made pieces that would transcend the fickle seasonal model.
As such, it was rare for Mahsa to herald the arrival of new styles to its collection with fanfare. Instead, pieces would usually land quietly and in their own time, in line with the brand’s process of continuously refining, redefining and reimagining its vision.
Last night, however, Mahsa revealed a line-up of new pieces that are not only extending its core collection but that speak to its natural maturation as a brand. Falling under Mahsa Mood 3: A Single Woman Part II, the new pieces (available from today) present as both a considered expression of the label’s renowned aesthetic and a progression of its overarching narrative.
Infused with a light, coastal feeling, Mahsa’s new mood sees colours like heady sangria red and luscious plum combine with its signature loose-fitting tops, flowing O’Keeffe dresses and gentleman shirting. New styles also come to the fore with mini baby doll dresses, linen safari suiting, impossibly soft silk-cotton shirting and a staple singlet in grey, cream and black cashmere.
Boasting luxurious, tactile fabrics and designed in a way that makes them destined to hang languidly off the female form, Mahsa’s new pieces are an ode to summer without feeling exclusive to the season, making them perfect for the modern woman due to their ability to fit in with her new set of requirements.
Versatile, universally flattering and ultimately sustainable, Mahsa’s new pieces are putting us in the mood for the season ahead and ensuring we have something beautiful to wear when we get there.
In 2017, Nick Loosley launched his pay-as-you-feel restaurant concept, Everybody Eats, at Gemmayze St on Karangahape Road. Taking rescued food and turning it into restaurant-quality meals, Loosley’s goal was to ‘feed bellies not bins,’ and bring the local community together. His pay-as-you-feel structure meant that whoever partook in the Monday night dinners could pay whatever they were able to at the end, even if that was nothing. Those who could afford to pay sat alongside those suffering from food insecurity — both parties enjoying the same meals — which cultivated a spirit of respect and camaraderie that kept people coming back again and again… and again.
Two years on and Everybody Eats has become an established charity with a growing presence in Auckland — its burgeoning popularity a testament to its effectiveness. Now, after raising over $120,000 via crowdfunding and undertaking a significant refurbishment on a shoestring budget (only possible because of ongoing support from the community), the pay-as-you-feel restaurant has finally opened a permanent space in Onehunga, set to operate alongside its continuing Monday nights on K’Road.
Taking up residence in 306 Onehunga Mall, which is home to ONE — Onehunga Neighbourhood Eatery by day, Everybody Eats kicks off at 6pm on Sunday to Thursday nights. And its signature, first-come, first-served dinner service is bringing more of its delicious food to people seeking hearty, nutritious meals.
In the kitchen, former co-owner and operator of Judge Bao, Jamie Johnston (aka Sauce Boss), is taking the lead. A man widely recognised for creating unique flavours via unlikely spice and seasoning combinations, Johnston is putting a particularly flavoursome spin on Everybody Eats’ ever-changing menu.
As such, the dinner service comprises a full three courses made entirely from rescued ingredients, and the food is good — really good. The Everybody Eats kitchen has been known to serve up dishes like butter chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, banoffee pie and bread and butter pudding, to name a few. Vegetarian options will also be available as well as vegan dishes wherever possible.
Everybody Eats was built on inclusiveness as much as it was set up to mitigate wasteful practices and issues around food poverty. It welcomes people from all walks of life to connect with each other over simple, fulfilling meals, encouraging the stripping away of barriers that often exist between different facets of society. And while this new permanent space is a progressive step forward for Everybody Eats, it’s important to remember that it is still a charity, and in order for it to continue its important work, it needs your support.
So whether you head along to the new Everybody Eats space in Onehunga for dinner, make a donation via its website (every $10 will allow Loosley and his team to provide three extra meals to the homeless or food insecure) or volunteer to work in the kitchen or as waitstaff, there are a number of ways you can be involved in ensuring that Everybody Eats continues to grow and continues to help the community.
To learn more about how you can help Everybody Eats, click here.
Seeking to infuse our southern hemisphere Christmas with a touch of European magic, Nespresso has released a new range of capsules, accessories and an impressive new machine, just in time for the festive season.
In line with two concepts significant in Nordic culture, Nespresso is drawing on Fika and Hygge — the former refers to a ritualistic coffee and cake break, the latter speaks to a state of mind and ideas around cosiness and self-care — to inform its recent collection.
With three new, limited-edition capsules — Variations Nordic Almond Cake Flavoured, Variations Nordic Cloudberry Flavoured and Nordic Black — Nespresso is reminding us to make time this season (despite how busy it can get) to connect with family and friends over a warm cup of coffee
The two flavoured capsules are both built on the rounded Livanto base, each boasting notes that tie them to quintessential Norwegian flavours (like the biscuity-vanilla of a traditional Kvæfjordkake cake and the tart taste of Cloudberries) while the Nordic Black is an aromatic African and South American Arabica blend that makes for the perfect medium-intensity, long black coffee.
Nespresso Creatista Pro coffee machine
Alongside its new capsules, Nespresso has also released an innovative new machine, the Creatista Pro. Designed to deliver barista-quality coffee at home, this machine is able to froth milk and extract coffee at the same time with the push of a button on its touch screen. It also boasts a sleek, elegant shape that will see it fit perfectly into any benchtop.
So this festive season, when it all feels a bit much and you’re starting to forget why you even bother to make an effort, take a moment to stop, pop a capsule in your new Nespresso machine and call a friend over for a chat. Follow the example of the Norwegians, for whom the act of connection and self-care is entrenched in their culture and social mores. It will remind you about the true meaning of the holidays and hopefully, encourage you to indulge in a restorative new ritual.
Having spent 110 years creating clothes tailored to the modern man, Ermenegildo Zegna is taking a step back in its latest campaign to question the nature of its work. Or rather, the nature of its subjects.
The idea of masculinity in society, although ostensibly fluid, has remained largely stuck in its ways. And despite recent events causing many men to have a good old existential look at themselves, there still exists a number of stereotypes around the various criteria a man “should” meet to be considered worthy of his gender.
Looking to disband these stereotypes and build a new meaning of masculinity through education, Zegna is joining forces with Cesvi, one of Italy’s most prominent humanitarian organisations.
In partnership with Cesvi’s Houses of Smiles initiative, Zegna has launched A to Zegna — a series of global programmes designed to promote positive behavioural changes in young people. Workshops on peer-to-peer communication, group discussions and collaborations with universities will all be implemented in local communities in a number of countries around the world. It’s a global approach operating on a local level and rather than telling people what to think or feel about masculinity, its primary objective is to facilitate meaningful discussion and become a conduit through which a new wave of masculinity can emerge.
Aligning with this initiative, Zegna has released a new collection of #WHATMAKESAMAN t-shirts, the proceeds from which will go towards supporting Cesvi. The brand has also launched a campaign starring Mahershala Ali and Nicholas Tse that asks ‘what does it mean to be a man today?’
It’s obvious that an issue as complex and culturally charged as masculinity is not going to be solved with a few t-shirts and a hashtag, but for Zegna, education is the cornerstone of change. By supporting education all around the world, Zegna is looking beyond its sartorial influence and asking its community of customers to be open-minded, to listen to one another and to embrace a new vision of masculinity that can, hopefully, take us into the future.
In the vast landscape of ‘wellbeing’ and the various trends and fads that rise and fall within it, one thing remains constant: Sleep is the cornerstone of health.
And while you might think that your sleep is fine, chronic insomnia is not the only marker of poor-quality shut-eye. In fact, most people don’t realise how bad their nightly snooze is until they make some changes and start sleeping well — and we mean really well.
It’s something that Stephanie Wyborn, fuelled by a desire to explore the connection between sleep and achieving optimum health, spent the last six years researching. Delving into the science behind sleep as well as the mechanics of how to improve it, Wyborn decided there was something missing from people’s nightly routines — something that would not only change the way we thought about sleep but its physical effects, too.
Hyoumankind — a range of specially-designed, ergonomic pillows, was born from her findings and intention to help people rediscover the benefits of a restorative night’s sleep for both mind and body. The New Zealand-made memory foam pillows are crafted from premium materials and are available in a range of shapes and finishes to suit different needs.
Take the Go Pillow, for example. Compact enough to carry (it even has its own handle) or pack into a small bag, this pillow has been carefully designed to support the natural contours of the head, neck and shoulders and is versatile enough to use in any situation. Beyond comfort, the whole point of the Go Pillow is to facilitate muscle recovery while you rest, by ensuring your body remains in an optimum position. Other pillows in Hyoumankind’s range include the Back Sleep, the Boost and the Therapeutic Knee Pillow, all designed to target recovery in different areas of the body.
The Hyoumankind Go Pillow has been so successful that some of our top national sports teams are using it. George Duncan, a muscle therapist for one of these teams, says, “by improving our recovery off-field, it improves our preparation for game day, which helps in performance. We also travel domestically and internationally, so any help with travel is appreciated and shows in our training week.”
Combining science and design, Hyoumankind’s pillows are set to revolutionise sleep as we know it by promising relaxation and recovery in equal measure. Even if you don’t think you need to improve your sleep, you’d be surprised at what a restorative few hours of shut-eye can help you achieve. And the Go Pillow is making it easier than ever before.
There are few fictional characters as iconic as James Bond. With a license to kill and an ability to induct the cocktails he drinks, the women he woos and the cars he drives into a realm of transcendent cultural significance, 007’s world is a perfectly-balanced minefield of beauty and danger.
With the next instalment of the James Bond franchise landing in cinemas next year, a new automotive marque is set to be cemented in infamy as part of the 007 universe, as Land Rover’s new Defender 110 prepares to make its cinematic debut in Bond’s 25th outing, No Time To Die.
Used in the film alongside a fleet of Land Rover’s most robust vehicles (including, the Range Rover Sport SVR, Land Rover Series III and Range Rover Classic) new Defender takes centre stage, a choice the film’s Stunt Co-Ordinator Lee Morrison said was necessary to handle the harsh conditions, steep descents and river crossings that were required in the film’s action sequences. “We needed an unstoppable vehicle to help us battle against the elements,” Morrison said, “so we chose the new Defender.”
Land Rover Santorini Black Defender 110
Unstoppable seems an apt description of this unprecedented car. With a ground clearance of 291mm, a maximum wading depth of 900mm and a number of intrepid capabilities as part of its Terrain Response 2 system, the new Defender is proving itself as the ultimate off-roading vehicle — Land Rover’s toughest and most innovative yet.
Land Rover Santorini Black Defender 110
That said, it takes more than simple practicality for a car to be considered Bond-worthy. For that, it needs a little something extra. A touch of ‘X-factor’ if you will. It’s something the new Defender has in spades. The special effects and action vehicles supervisor on No Time To Die actually worked alongside Land Rover in developing the specifications for the Santorini Black Defender 110 used in the film and it’s as sleek and powerful-looking as you’d expect.
As Lee Morrison (No Time To Die’s stunt co-ordinator) says, “I’m beyond impressed that the Defender is not only back but is much much better.” And we really couldn’t put it better ourselves.
There is something about eschewing the typical summer ‘look’ that feels liberating. And where overtly floral dresses and colour blocking — once signifiers of the arrival of warmer weather — have fallen somewhat out of fashion, it’s the simple, subtle pieces in neutral tones that are staking their claims in our wardrobes.
This summer, why not invest in fashion that is versatile, wearable and that exudes a more relaxed approach to the season? Here, we round up the new pieces that are helping us do exactly that, and should be your first port of call when thinking about building your seasonal wardrobe.
Left to right: The Row Big Sisea oversized blouse from Net-A-Porter, Cashmere and silk-blend sweater from Prada, Workshop Denim Chino skirt from Workshop
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